Depression

Clinical depression is suffered by approximately 20 million adults at any given point in time in the U.S. More women than men get diagnosed as depressed, but anyone at any age can suffer from depression.

Figuring out whether you suffer from clinical depression can be tricky. We all tend to use the word depression to describe feeling sad or down at the moment, as well as to mean the fullblown clinical syndrome. This can keep you from seeking treatment for a disorder that you do not have to tolerate. Depression is more than being lazy, or something you can "just pull yourself together" from.

Here are a couple of websites that contain useful general information about depression if you want to learn more: Psychology Information Online or Depression Central. .

If you think you might be more than Monday-morning blue, take the depression screening test to see if you should consult a therapist and/or your physician about further evaluation and possible treatments.

If you not only get depressed but also have extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior, take the screening test for bipolar (manic depressive) disorder to see whether you should consult a therapist or your physician about further evaluation for this disorder. In addition, the website for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has lots of other good information including information about local support groups.