There are effective medications and psychological treatments which often are used in combination. In serious depression, medication is usually required. The majority of clinical depressions, including the most severe, improve with treatment, usually within weeks. Continued treatment will prevent recurrence. Depression is often unrecognized when it co-occurs with other medical, psychiatric, or substance abuse disorders.
Depression is a serious medical illness.
In contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or passing mood states, clinical depression is persistent and can interfere significantly with an individual's ability to function. Major depression often begins between ages 15-30 or even earlier. Episodes typically recur. Many people with dysthymia also have major depressive episodes. While unipolar major depression and dysthymia are the primary forms of depression, a variety of other subtypes exist.