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» Bipolar Disorder
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 Depression  Depressive disorders, which affect 8.2 percent of adult Americans or approximately 18.1 million people, are illnesses that affect the body, mood and thoughts. Depression is not simply a passing sadness or blue mood that lifts in a few hours or days, but is persistent. Different types of depressive disorders exist, including major depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder. Dysthymia is a less severe form of depression that does not disable the person but rather keeps him or her from fully functioning. Some types of depression run in families but environmental stimuli, such as heart disease, other illnesses and aging, may play a role. Symptoms of Major Depression At least five of the following symptoms (at least one must include the first and second listed below) must be present nearly every day, all day, for 2 weeks:
Are the symptoms of depression the same in adults and children? Click here to find the answer to this frequently asked question. Treatment for Depression When seeking treatment for depression, it is important to obtain a medical examination, as many symptoms of depression can be caused by medications and other medical conditions. A variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies are currently used to treat depression. » NARSAD's Role in Depression Research
NARSAD supports a variety of studies investigating improved medications, psychosocial treatments and causes of depression and its subtypes. To learn more about NARSAD-supported research on depression, click here. » Featured Stories
Study Showing "Light" Cigarettes Deliver Plenty of Nicotine to Brain Elucidates Depression-Smoking Link Intriguingly, the psychoactive compound in cigarettes -- nicotine -- is known to bind in the brain to molecules on nerve cells that cause pleasure-inducing dopamine to be released. New data collected by a team led by a NARSAD investigator on how much nicotine various kinds of cigarettes deliver to the brain is helping to shed light on the depression-smoking link. (more) |
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Depression