Depression affects more than seventeen and a half million Americans each year. One in four women and one in 10 men can expect to develop it during their lifetime. Yet even though depression is so common, many people still blame themselves for having this illness. They view their feelings as a personal weaknesses and chide themselves for not being stronger, happier, better. The good news is that nearly all of those who suffer from depression can be helped.
Doctors know much more about how to effectively treat depression today than they did years ago.
They use a variety of treatments, which help nearly anyone suffering from depression to find relief from their symptoms. As many as 80 to 90 percent of all people who are treated for depression go beyond relief from symptoms and respond to treatment. Factors that can trigger depression One of the biggest problems with depression is that people do not recognize it as an illness. Some depressions may be attributable to genetic factors. Some studies have found a link within biological families for depression, which was not found in families with adopted children.