Introduction

Everyone experiences variations in mood, blues that come and go, disappointments, the normal grief that accompanies the loss of someone you love. But a severe or prolonged depression that interferes with the ability to function, feel pleasure, or maintain interest is not a mere case of the blues. It is an illness. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive disorder is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better.Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years.
 
Depression affects many people of all ages. It is estimated that one in five people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. More than 80% of those suffering from depressive illness can be treated successfully with modern medications.