Some symptoms include, but are not limited to, the constant feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, loss of energy and interest in activities, overeating or loss of appetite, and excessive sleeping or insomnia. In 2013, it was found that around “15.7 million adults… had at least one major depressive episode in the past year” which is around “6.7 percent of all U.S. adults” (NIMH). It is important to note that not every person who has major depression, or any type of depression, experiences the same symptoms and feelings because of the variety of mental disorders they could have and the severity of the disorder they …show more content…
Antidepressants are the most common form of treatment for depression, and the most well known ones are SSRIs, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and Celexa. They primarily work to restore serotonin and norepinephrine levels, while some antidepressants work on dopamine levels (NIMH). The down side to antidepressants is that they all come with side effects that are different for each person who takes them. With psychotherapy, there are two different types of therapy, which are cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and interpersonal (IPT). CBT focuses on restructuring negative thought patterns towards a more positive outlook, while IPT focuses working out troubling relationships that might be causing their depression (NIMH). Electroconvulsive therapy, previously known as “shock therapy,” is one of the most efficient types of treatment for people with depression, but does involve some side effects. During the process, the patient is put to sleep and electrical impulses are fired through the