Depression can affect your thoughts, mood, health and behavior. It’s more than just feeling down or sad.
It’s natural to feel down sometimes, but if that low energy mood becomes the norm day after day, it can indicate depression. It is very important to understand that depression is not a sign of weakness or a negative personality trait. It is a widespread health problem impacting millions of people. Fortunately, with proper care and support, it is a treatable medical condition.
Usually, a combination of therapy and medicine is effective. If not treated, however, depression can get worse. Therefore, get proper treatment now with Dr. Jane Drew, an Aetna Health Care Provider located in Newport Beach, California. Help is only one click or call away!
Do you want to know if you have depression? Try the depression assessment to find out now.
Read more about depression
QUICK FACTS:
Major Depressive Disorder
The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3
Affects more than 15 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5
More prevalent in women than in men.
Here are some symptoms of depression (you may have some or all of them):
- You feel sad, or worthless.
- Your outlook is negative or even hopeless.
- You have little or no energy.
- You’re not interested in doing the things you normally enjoy.
- You eat or sleep less, or more, than usual.
- You have trouble remembering things or making decisions.
- You have unexplained aches, pains or digestive problems.
Men can experience depression differently from women. Men with depression can be angry or irritable. They often have little to no energy, and have difficulty sleeping.
2 National Institute of Mental Health. Men and Depression.
What causes depression? Many factors contribute to depression. Here are a few causes:
- Genetics (family history)
- Certain medicines
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Other psychiatric conditions
- Other medical illnesses
- Extreme stress or grief
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