JUST THE FACTS

What is a depressive disorder?

A depressive disorder is a disease that affects mood, thoughts and behavior. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. The greatest obstacle to treating depression is lack of recognition. When a "bad day" turns into a bad week, month, or more, there may be a medical explanation for this change in behavior or feelings of hopelessness. Fortunately, appropriate treatment can help more than 90% of those who suffer from depression. 

Depression and teens

• Symptoms
• Prevalence
• Importance of Treatment

“There's a tremendous amount of progress in understanding bipolar
disorder. It's a bad illness to have, but a good time to have it.” 
-Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) is a brain disorder marked by bouts of extreme and impairing changes in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms may emerge either suddenly or gradually during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.