Nearly 15 million Americans each year are affected by a serious illness called depression.  Make no mistake, it is a real disease.  Although it is defined as a mental illness this is no reflection on the personal attributes of the inflicted.  Depression can strike every person.  It’s path has no pattern.  It can strike the rich or the poor.  Race or religion aren’t important.  The fact that you are suffering from this disease does not mean that you are less a human being.  The age-old stereotype that has been associated with a mental illness must be ignored.  The suffering associated with this disease will only get worse without treatment.  Ignoring the signs will not make it disappear.  This medical condition will progress until it takes over your whole life unless treated. 

Many things contribute to depression.  Feeling sad or anxious for a day or two is not the extent of this disease.  The affects of true depression can last for months and years.  Depression at its worse can lead one to the act of suicide.  In its early stages it may just make you feel remorse.  The pleasure from favorite activities might disappear.  You can experience loneliness and despair.  It could lead to feelings of failure and a sense of the future only getting worse.  Your entire personality can change as time passes.  It impacts every phase of life from work and school to at home.  Expect insomnia and increased anxiety. 

Depression has many causes.  A major contributer is stress.  Stress caused by the loss of a loved one or from a serious illness that you have been diagnosed with.  It can be passed on genetically. It can result from physical, sexual or even mental abuse.  Much of the time it can be felt because of simply trying to get by financially in everyday life.  Competition to make it in society creates stress in the modern world.  This disease can become very dangerous.  The good news is that there is help if you choose to seek it.  Only about 4.5 million of the 15 million Americans who suffer from depression each year will admit the problem and seek help.  A loved one or you have to look for the help.

Medications like Prozac and ?ouch therapy?are often combined to treat depression.  But medications often have side effects, including causing more depression, as well as they can be expensive as can a psychiatrist or psychologist.  There are natural medications available that contain the ingredient ‘hyperforin’ that are just as effective as the prescribed anti-depressants.  There are support groups that are aimed at assisting those affected by this terrible illness.  The bottom line is this there is help for depression but you have to want it or someone has to want it for you.