Depression

If you often feel tired, overwhelmed, sad, or irritable you may be experiencing depression. Depression is not just a bad mood that you can shrug off, it is a serious medical condition caused by a variety of factors, including an imbalance of brain chemicals. Fortunately there are ways to effectively treat depression.

In order to recognize if you or someone you care about is suffering from depression, it is important to know about the common symptoms of depression. Symptoms vary between people. Some people have a hard time concentrating, some feel continually exhausted. Others feel like they are ready to cry for no apparent reason. If you feel "down" for more than two weeks, and these feelings are interfering with your daily life, you may be clinically depressed.

Treatments for depression can include medication and counseling ("talk therapy"). These websites can provide you with additional information about depression, but it is very important that you consult your doctor to determine the best way for you to treat your depression.