Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Depression Statement (from Neurostar)

About Depression

Major depression is a serious medical illness that affects approximately 16.1 million Americans.1 Depression can cause ongoing sadness that changes how a person thinks, feels, and acts every day. While medication can help manage symptoms for many people, it is estimated that approximately 4 million patients do not benefit from taking standard antidepressant medication.1

Depression Facts:

Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide

Depression has no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries

Researchers estimate that by the year 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disease burden—impact on length and health of lives—worldwide

What causes depression?

While the exact cause of depression is not known, the leading scientific theory is that it is caused by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells.

While antidepressant drugs work for many people, some still do not receive adequate treatment. For these patients, the effects of depression can still be debilitating. These patients need a proven, safe depression treatment option.