Depression Depression Psychiatric depression is a potentially lethal disorder. Even children suffer from depression. Depression causes people to feel that life is not worth living even when no traumatic life events have occurred. Incapacitating guilt, indecisiveness, hallucinations and social withdrawal occur.
Motivation is lost.
Prior to the 1950's no effective treatments were available for depression. Today many patients are treated effectively. As a result, they again work, earn good livings, and contribute significantly to society and their families. Unfortunately, existing treatments are not always useful and, in many people, produce unwanted adverse effects. Future treatments are needed for the group of children and adults who do not respond to current treatments.