Depression is now the fourth-leading cause of the global disease burden and the leading cause of disability worldwide. While it is not a significant cause of mortality, depression seriously reduces the quality of life for individuals and their families, is a risk factor for suicide, and often worsens the outcome of other physical health problems.

Symptoms
The classic signs are low energy, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, poor concentration, weight loss, decreased appetite, and insomnia. There are also atypical symptoms like weight gain, anxiety, aches and pains with no physical cause, oversleeping, and irritability.

Therapy that works
There are two types of short-term counseling (generally 10 to 20 weeks) that can help. Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on current relationship problems. Cognitive behavior therapy helps you identify—and change— negative beliefs and behavior that contribute to symptoms.

Drugs that work
The common ones fall into two groups. One type, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, includes Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, and elexa. The other group—known as tricyclic antidepressants—includes Trofanil, Elavil, and Norpramin.

Self-help treatments
Exercise—brisk walking, jogging, biking for 30 minutes, three times a week—relieves symptoms, according to recent studies. Diet may help too: eating fish once a week may cut a woman’s risk of depression. And folic acid (found in organ meats, leafy green vegetables, orange juice, nuts, and fortified cereal) is also a mood booster—and hel PS antidepressants work better.