Depressions are among the most common mental disorders - and the most treatable. An estimated 1 in 4 Canadians has a degree of depression serious enough to need treatment at some time in his or her life. Sadness and grief are normal reactions to life's stresses and losses. Usually time heals, and our mood improves.
Depressive illnesses are different.
There is a change in the person - perhaps a loss of interest in food or sex, or waking early in the morning, or not wanting to get out of bed at all. Without treatment the symptoms may stay for months, even years. Depression may come once, twice or many times in a person's life. Or it may be chronic, lasting. There are three major types - major depressive disorder, dysthymia and dipolar disorder .