Treatments for Depression Clinical depression is an illness that involves feelings of sadness that last for more than two weeks and is often accompanied by loss of interest in life, hopelessness and decreased energy . (3) Depression affects 340 million people worldwide today. One in 4 women and one in 10 men develop depression in their lifetime. About half of depression cases go untreated, and about 10-15% of all depressed people commit suicide. (4) There are many different types of depression, including major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and there are different degrees of depression ranging from less severe to severe. (3) There are various ways to treat depression, but what most people don't know is that depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. There are a number of medications called antidepressants that help increase certain neurotransmitters in the brain. There are also various types of counseling, psychotherapy, self-help techniques, and alternative therapies to help a person overcome depression. In many cases, doctors combine different forms of therapies and treatments to produce the best outcome in cases of depression. (1) The most used therapy today are antidepressants. Antidepressants are generally divided into three categories: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs). (1) SSRIs increase the level of serotonin in the brain because low levels of this neurotransmitter have been linked to depression. TCAs increase the level of norepinephrine in the brain. MOAIs increase epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels in… middle of paper… due to the numerous dangerous side effects associated with them. Maybe one day there will be a cure for depression just like we are looking for a cure for cancer or AIDS, and then people will no longer have to deal with this disease that causes them to lose 10% of their productive years during their lives.( 4) References 1) Treatment and Help for Depression http://www.about-depression.com/treatments-for-depression/treatment-overview.php 2) 50+Health-Home/Treatments for Depression http://www .50plushealth.co.uk /index.cfm?articleid=4613) Other treatments for depression http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/depression/DEP_other.html 4) Depression-Net, information on depression http:// www.depression-net.com/5) Major Depressive Disorder: Treatment http://www.mentalhealth.com/rx/p23-md01.html#Head_26) Treatment of Depression http://www.apa.org/journals/ anton.html