There is a lot that we don't know about depression. However, we do know that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is important not to confuse depression with being sad or in a bad mood. Everyone feels sad or has a bad day from time to time. A person is likely to be diagnosed as depressed when he or she feels sad for weeks or months at a time or is experiencing symptoms such as thoughts of suicide.
Depression also can occur after a person suffers a loss or after a long period of stress.
Approximately 1 in every 20 women in the U.S. and 1 in every 20 to 40 men suffer from depression. It sometimes is associated with medical illnesses or the use of certain medication for the treatment of a physical disorder. As with many other illnesses, there are effective treatments for depression. While some people require ongoing care, others can return to good health with only brief treatment. Depression can be successfully treated with antidepressant medications and counseling.