Major depression is a very common and serious medical illness. It is more common in people with a family history of depression. Serious depression may however occur even in the absence of any significant life stress.
Depression is very responsive to treatment.
Most people will feel markedly improved within 6-8 weeks of treatment. The exact cause of depression is not known. People suffering from depression may have recurring, unexplained pain in certain parts of their bodies. Depressed people have difficulty in maintaining normal relationships with other people. As a result, problems with relating to others develop or worsen.