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According to the World Health Organization, depression, or depressive disorder, is a common mental disorder that involves a loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time.  

An estimated 3.8 percent of the population experience depression, including 5 percent of adults (4 percent among men and 6 percent among women), and 5.7 percent of adults older than sixty years. Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression. Depression is about 50 percent more common among women than among men (World Health Organization).

According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression symptoms can include the following:

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite, weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

To confirm a diagnosis for major depressive disorder, symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning.

Several factors can play a role in depression:

• Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression.
• Genetics: Depression can run in families.
• Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression.
• Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.

(American Psychiatric Association)

Among the mental disorders, depression is the most treatable. Most people with depression eventually respond well to treatment and reduce their symptoms.

Depression is usually treated with either one of the following:

• Medication

Since brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression, antidepressants might be prescribed to help modify one’s brain chemistry.

Some improvement can be felt within the first week or two of using antidepressants, although the full benefits may not be seen for two to three months.

Patients are usually recommended to continue to take medication for six or more months after the symptoms have improved. And to decrease the risk of future episodes, psychiatrists will suggest long-term maintenance treatment.

• Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT is a form of talk therapy that can help the person manage his or her problem by changing the way the person thinks and behave.

Treatment can take a few weeks or much longer, depending on the severity of the depression. Although, usually, significant improvement can be made in ten to fifteen sessions.

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

For patients with severe major depression that have not responded to other treatments, ECT has been most commonly recommended. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain. A patient typically receives ECT two to three times a week for a total of six to twelve treatments.

• Self-Help

Other ways that people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression are regular exercise, getting enough quality sleep regularly, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol.

(American Psychiatric Association)

Depression is a real illness, but help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression can conquer their illness.