If feelings of sadness are interfering with your everyday life, or if four or more of the following are true for you, then you should seek help from a mental health professional. Untreated depression can last for years. It is important to remember that depression is a very real and treatable condition, not a failure of will. Why Ten million Americans suffer with depression at any one point in time. Adolescent depression is becoming more common.
Depression has many sources.
Some researchers have identified genetic conditions that may predispose individuals to depression. Loss, stress, and other psychological factors can combine to precipitate depression. The Good News Depression is a very treatable condition. In many cases, psychotherapy alone is sufficient. In others, a combined program of medication and psychotherapy is indicated.