Depression
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Depression


Medical science describes depression as a mood disorder, a medical illness of the brain. It involves more than feeling a little “down” for a few hours. In fact, it can be very hard to deal with and can go on for months or even years. More than 20 million people in the United States cope with depression. Estimates suggest two million to six million older Americans suffer from the disease. Directly and indirectly, depression costs the nation more than $30 billion per year.

Worldwide, depression ranks fourth among causes of early death and disability, after heart disease, stroke, and tuberculosis. Not only does it raise the chances of suicide, but it also contributes to death from other diseases and accidents as well.


Get the Basics
Learn more with our Infoaging Guide to Depression.

Resources
Click here for trusted resrouces on aging and depression.

Latest Research
Read more about recent depression research.

 

Last reviewed October 2011
Reviewer: Mary A. Whooley, MD, Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center


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