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An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affect the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks. A Depression Disorder is not the same as a passing Blue Mood. It is not a sign of a personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for week's, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with Depression.
| Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, have a depressive disorder. |
| Nearly twice as many women (12.0 percent) as men (6.6) are affected by a depressive disorder each year. These figures translate to 12.4 million women and 6.4 million men in the U.S. |
The Signs and Symptoms of Depression:
- Sadness
- Low energy
- Not enjoying life
- Decreased concentration
- Changes in sleep and appetite
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