Depression

Depression is a psychiatric disorder that manifests itself through feelings of sadness/depression, lack of energy, loss of appetite or overeating, sleeping problems or sleeping too much, social withdrawal, inability to think clearly and other difficulties.

 

Everyone knows someone who has suffered from depression, whether it’s a friend, family member or co-worker. Depression touches more than 16 million Americans each year, so there’s a good chance you know someone struggling with this disorder.  

 

At least one in four adults will have depression sometime during their lives. Women are 70% more likely to develop depression than men and some ethnic groups seem more vulnerable than others. African-Americans, for example, have higher rates of clinical depression than Caucasians do. However, it is important to understand that while some people may be at a greater risk of developing this illness some people can experience depression during a specific time in their lives.