Depression Health Center

If you have noticed that you feel low for most of the day, nearly every day, and that this has gone on for weeks or months, you may be suffering from clinical depression.

Researchers are divided as to whether caffeine causes depression, with some believing moderate consumption could help, while others believe it'll make things worse.

Studies identify a link between folate deficiency and depression; however, having low folate levels doesn't always result in depression.

Studies show that there has long been a correlation between mood and weather. Learn how rain can make you feel sad and how rainy days affect your mood.

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).

Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.

Melancholy or melancholia is a severe form of depression, and it is now termed "melancholic depression." Melancholic depression makes people lose interest in almost all activities.

Studies report that various chemicals in semen may help reduce depression in some women when absorbed in the body.

Dysthymia is a less severe form of chronic depression. Symptoms and signs include insomnia, suicidal thoughts, guilt, empty feeling, loss of energy, helplessness, sluggishness, and persistent aches and pains. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and antidepressants.

Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes after childbirth may lead to depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include crying a lot, headaches, chest pains, eating too little or too much, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawal from friends and family, and feeling irritable, sad, hopeless, worthless, guilty, and overwhelmed. Treatment typically involves talk therapy and medication.

<a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/seasonal_affective_disorder_sad/article.htm" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">Seasonal affective disorder</a> is a type of <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/depression/article.htm" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">depression</a> that tends to occur as the days grow shorter in the fall and winter. Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/fatigue/article.htm" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">tiredness</a>, <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/fatigue/article.htm" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">fatigue</a>, <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/depression_overview_pictures_slideshow/article.htm" rel="slide" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">depression</a>, irritability, body aches, poor <a href="https://www.medicinenet.com/sleep/article.htm" rel="dt" onclick="wmdTrack('embd-lnk');">sleep</a>, and overeating.

Depression in teenagers may be caused by many factors. Symptoms of teen depression include apathy, irresponsible behavior, sadness, sudden drop in grades, withdrawal from friends, and alcohol and drug use. Treatment of depression in adolescents may involve psychotherapy and medications.

Depression is not a condition that has one specific cause. It can happen for many different reasons and have many triggers. Depression is a serious condition with a spectrum of diagnoses and a wide range of severity. Depression is a common yet serious mood disorder. The four types of depression include major depression, bipolar disorder, persistent depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder.

What causes anxiety and depression? Learn about symptoms and potential root causes that may increase your risk of developing mood disorders.

The top 5 antidepressants to treat depression include SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, serotonin modulators, and cyclic antidepressants.

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, involves the use of artificial bright light or blue light to improve mood and reduce depression symptoms. Research indicates that blue light is superior to other lights in the spectrum for treating depression.

Malaise is a symptom that results in a general feeling of fatigue and lack of well-being, which may be caused by a number of medical conditions.

Paxil (paroxetine) is an antidepressant available on the prescription of a doctor. Depression is a common type of medical condition that negatively affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. This medical condition can affect the person mentally and eventually physically.

Researchers believe tears are a natural way for our bodies to relieve emotional pain, keep the eyeballs moist and healthy, and fight infection.