Depression

Depression is a severe mental health condition impacting over 14 million adults in the U.S. annually. This debilitating disorder is characterized by persistent sadness or a lack of interest in activities, affecting thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health. In 2000, depression’s economic burden was estimated at $83.1 billion in the U.S., with projections suggesting it could be the second leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020.

Depression can be life-threatening, with over 30,000 suicide deaths in the U.S. annually, 60% of whom suffer from depression. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, although cases in men may be under-reported. Depression spans all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, and about two-thirds of those who experience it will have recurrent episodes. The leading theory attributes depression to decreased activity in brain networks that regulate emotion and motivation. Increasing neurotransmitter levels can help reactivate these networks. Antidepressant medications aim to boost these neurotransmitters.