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About twice as many women as men can become depressed and suffer from clinical depression. Manic depression, however, occurs with equal frequency between both genders. There are no differences among in the rate of depression among ethnic groups.
In most cases, depression occurs between the ages of 25-44, with an increasing rate among those born after 1945. This may be prompted by changes in our society, such as increased single parenting, changes in roles and expectations, and all the accompanying stress. However, people may suffer from depression at any age, even as young children. Experts believe that 2% of children and 4%-8% of teenagers suffer from depression. Depression can also be a problem for the elderly.
Those with a family history of depression are at an increased risk for developing depression.
Depression often co-occurs with medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse disorders.
Marriage can have either a good or bad impact. Married people and those in ongoing intimate relationships have a somewhat lower rate of clinical depression than those living alone. However, those in unhappy relationships have the highest rate of depression. Happily married men have the lowest rate.

For 20% to 35% of depressed people, a normal routine is all but impossible. Others have episodes of depression, followed by feelings of well being. Still others have episodes of terrible lows which alternate with inappropriate “highs.” Here are some descriptions of the most common forms of depression.

Clinical depression

When depression is serious enough to require treatment, it is called clinical depression. When the symptoms are more severe, someone is said to be suffering from major depression. This condition tends to be episodic in nature.

Dysthymia

Although many people suffer episodes of depression, others suffer from recurrent, or long-lasting depression and are diagnosed with dysthymia. For persons with dysthymia who experience an additional major depressive episode, the diagnosis is double depression.

Manic depressive, or bipolar depression

Bipolar depression consists of terrible lows that alternate with unexplainable highs. Experts believe this is attributable to imbalances in brain chemistry. Medications can correct the imbalance about 80% of the time.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

The winter blues are not all in your head. Researchers believe that some people respond to changes in the amount of light they are exposed to, and therapies focus on adjusting light exposure.

One of the biggest problems with depression is that people do not recognize it as an illness. They think the physical symptoms they experience—fatigue, change of appetite as well as sleep problems—are signs of another kind of illness. Still others think these problems are “all in their head” and that nothing’s really the matter with them.

But the truth is depression is a brain disorder that affects your whole body: your behavior and mood; the way you think and the way your body feels. Although scientists do not know the exact mechanism that triggers depressive illness, some pieces of the puzzle include:

• Genetic factors. Some depressions may be attributable to genetic factors. Some studies have found a link within biological families for depression, which was not found in families with adopted children. More recent genetic research offers hope that scientists may soon be able to identify a genetic marker that indicates a susceptibility to manic-depressive disorder within some people.
• Chemical imbalances. Additional research data suggests that people suffering from depression have imbalances of natural substances within the brain that allow brain cells to communicate with one another. Other research shows alterations in body chemicals and hormones to be present in depressed people. But researchers are uncertain whether these imbalances are caused by depression, or result from it.
• Life stresses. Any kind of life change, good or bad, can sometimes trigger depression. A job promotion can prompt a bout of depression as easily as a job loss. The birth of a child is frequently followed by depression, as is the loss of a loved one.
• A serious illness. Depression may be linked to certain medications, such as pain relievers for arthritis, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and medications for high blood pressure and heart problems. Thyroid disease has also been linked to depression.
• Substance abuse. Experts believe that 25% of people with substance abuse problems also have major depression. Drugs and alcohol provide a way for people to medicate themselves, yet can lead to a downward spiral that can be stopped with appropriate help.

Sometimes life’s ups and downs can get you down. The loss of a loved one, a serious health problem, job changes, moves, or a big letdown can all get people down in the dumps. But if you find that after a couple of weeks you just can’t seem to snap out of it, you might be ill with depression.

Depression affects more than seventeen and a half million Americans each year. One in four women and one in 10 men can expect to develop it during their lifetime. Yet even though depression is so common, many people still blame themselves for having this illness. They view their feelings as a personal weaknesses and chide themselves for not being stronger, happier, better.

The good news is that nearly all of those who suffer from depression can be helped. Doctors know much more about how to effectively treat depression today than they did years ago. They use a variety of treatments, which help nearly anyone suffering from depression to find relief from their symptoms. As many as 80 to 90 percent of all people who are treated for depression go beyond relief from symptoms and respond to treatment.