抑郁症概述.doc

Depression Overview Slideshow
抑郁症概述
Depression: What Is It?
It's natural to feel down sometimes, but if that lowavior. Anyone who appears suicidal should be taken very seriously. Do not hesitate to call one of the suicide hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). If you have a plan to commit suicide, go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.
Depression: Who's at Risk?
Anyone can become depressed, but many experts believe genetics play a role. Having a parent or sibling with depression triples your risk of developing the disorder. Women are twice as likely as men to become depressed.
Causes of Depression
Doctors aren't sure what causes depression, but a prominent theory is altered brain structure and chemical function. Chemicals called neurotransmitters become unbalanced. What pushes these chemicals off course? One possibility is the stress of a traumatic event, such as losing a loved one or a job. Other triggers could include certain medications, alcohol or substance abuse, hormonal changes, or even the weather.
Illustrated here are neurons (nerve cells) in the brain communicating via neurotransmitters.
Seasonal Depression
If your mood matches the weather – sunny in the summer, gloomy in the winter – you may have a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The onset of SAD usually occurs in the late fall and early winter, as the daylight hours grow shorter. Experts say SAD affects up to 3% of the . population, or about 9 million people, mainly in the northern part of the country.
Postpartum Depression
The "baby blues" strikes as many as three out of four new mothers. But nearly 12% develop a more intense dark mood that lingers even as their baby thrives. This is known as postpartum depression, and the symptoms are very similar to those of major depression. An important difference is that the baby's well-being is also at stake. A depressed mother may have trouble enjoying and