Depression:Depression Is Devastating

Everyone feels a little melancholy this time of the year. Summer’s over, the days are getting shorter and colder, and the stress of the holidays is right around the corner. But for some people, the change in the seasons brings with it something more serious than the blues: seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that can be debilitating.   View slideshow

"People tend to react strongly in one of two ways when I tell them that they have clinical depression," says Rakesh Jain, MD, director of psychopharmacology at R/D Clinical Research Center in Lake Jackson, Texas. "Many people experience extreme relief. It's huge. They know they're not crazy, weak, or stupid." ...   Read More

Medical professionals who treat depression fall into two groups: Those who can prescribe antidepressant medications and those who can't. Any medical professional with a medical degree can prescribe antidepressants. Family physicians, internists, and ob-gyns prescribe the majority of antidepressants but are usually not trained to provide psychotherapy or counseling...   Read More

Everybody feels down for a day or two. But one in 14 American adults—15 million in all—has clinical depression each year. Depression is a complex condition characterized by profound sadness, lethargy, feelings of worthlessness, and a loss of interest in social activities...   Read More