Print out these questions and answers to discuss with your
health care provider.
1. Is depression a mental illness?
Yes, depression is a serious, but treatable, mental problem.
It is a medical problem, not a personal weakness. It also is very common,
affecting 10 percent of the U.S. population at any given time. Everybody at one point
or another will feel sadness as a reaction to loss, grief or injured
self-esteem, but clinical depression, called "major depressive
disorder" by doctors, is a serious medical illness that needs professional
diagnosis and treatment.
2. Do children get depression?
Yes. Children are subject to the same factors that cause
depression in adults. These include: changes in physical health, life events,
heredity (inheritance), environment and chemical disturbances in the brain. It
is estimated that 2.5 percent of children in the U.S. suffer from depression.
Depression in children is different from the
"normal" blues and everyday emotions that are typical in children of
various ages. Children who are depressed experience changes in their behavior
that are persistent and disruptive to their normal lifestyles, usually
interfering with relationships with friends, schoolwork, special interests, and
family life. It may also occur at the same time as (or be hidden by) attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or
conduct disorder (CD).
3. Can lack of sleep cause depression?
No. Lack of sleep alone cannot cause depression, but it does
play a role. Lack of sleep resulting from another medical illness or the
presence of personal problems can intensify depression. Chronic inability to
sleep also is an important clue that someone may be depressed.
Common triggers of depression include:
- Family history of depression.
- Grief over the loss of a loved one through death,
divorce, or separation.
- Interpersonal disputes.
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
- Major life events such as moving, graduating, or
retiring, etc.
- Serious illness — major, chronic, and terminal
illnesses often contribute to depression. These include cancer, heart
disease, stroke, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, and others.
- Substance abuse — almost 30% of people with substance
abuse problems also have major depression.
- Being socially isolated or excluded from family,
friends, or other social groups.
4. Are there any alternatives to the traditional treatments
for depression that I can try?
Alternative therapy describes any treatment or technique that
has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a
specific condition. Alternative therapy involves a variety of disciplines that
include everything from diet and exercise to mental conditioning and lifestyle
changes. Some of these have been found to be effective for treating depression.
Examples of alternative therapies include acupuncture, guided imagery,
chiropractic, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal
remedies, massage and many others. If you are interested in trying any of these
options, talk with your doctor.