Depression is so common that over 1 in 5 Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime. Over 1 in 20 Americans have a depressive disorder every year. The highest rates of depressive illness are found among people in their early twenties to mid forties, and the rate of clinical depression in women (about 12%) is almost double that in men (about 7%).

The term 'depression' is often used to describe an emotion experienced by many people. Everyone feels, sad or 'down' occasionally, but such feelings can pass fairly quickly. In contrast, people who are diagnosed by their doctors as suffering from 'major depression' are experiencing a serious medical illness, which affects not only their mood, but also a range of other normal bodily functions. Depression may affect the way a person eats and sleeps, and not to mention the least the way they feel about themselves. This is not a passing mood, and people with depression cannot be 'blamed' for their feelings.

People with major depression often feel sad, helpless, hopeless, and irritable. While it is normal for everyone to experience these feelings occasionally, people suffering from clinical depression cannot simply 'snap out of it'. It is the persistence and severity of the emotions that distinguishes the mental illness of depression from normal mood changes. In contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or passing mood states, clinical depression is persistent and can interfere significantly with an individual's ability to function effectively throughout the day or even to have the motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Thus it can have a devastating effect on all areas of a person's everyday life, including family relationships, friendships, and the ability to work or go to school.

Some symptoms of depression are:

Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:

Family History:
Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.

Trauma & Stress:
Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.

Pessimistic Personality:
People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).

Physical Conditions:
Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.

Other Psychological Disorders:
Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.

The Bible tells us to be filled with joy and praise (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11), so God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gifts of prayer, Bible study and application, support groups, home groups, fellowship among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counseling. We must make the conscious effort to not be absorbed in ourselves, but turn our efforts outward. Feelings of depression can often be solved when the sufferer takes the focus off himself and puts it on Christ.

If you are currently experiencing an emergency please call 911