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Beliefnet’s health editor (and my editor) Holly Rossi has pulled together an impressive and comprehensive site called “Living with Depression.” Today I’ll feature a few things from that page, which you can get to by clicking here.
The first article, called “What is Depression?” is an overview by Sheldon Lewis on the statistics of depression, what causes it, and the different kinds of treatment options. It sort of reads like “Depression for Dummies,” which is perfect for folks like me who needed CliffsNotes to get through the classics of literature in high school and college English.
Click here to go to the article. It begins:

Depression is a mental disorder, characterized by continued feelings of sadness and lack of interest or enjoyment in daily activities. In addition to mood problems, people with depression are prone to physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, and changes in appetite. An estimated 14 million Americans suffer from major (or clinical) depression, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Twice as many women as men suffer from depression.
What Causes Depression??
While the exact causes of depression are not yet known, it appears to be caused by a combination of genetic, psychological, biological, and social factors. Many people experience situational depression in response to stressful or traumatic events or losses. Situational depression often responds to psychotherapy. Clinical depression, however, is triggered by our bodies’ brain chemistry and may require additional treatment such as medication. Neuroscientists (who study the brain and nervous system) are learning more about the biochemistry of depression, specifically how the disorder may involve an imbalance of certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Scientists also continue to study the extent to which some people are genetically predisposed to experiencing depression.

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