| − | '''Depression''' is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning. Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness<ref>Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press.</ref>. The primary symptoms of depression include feeling sad or melancholic and losing in interest in activities that are enjoyable. Depression can also include significant, unintentional weight loss; Lethargy or oversleeping; restlessness; fatigue or lack of Ambition; feeling worthless or inappropriately guilty; difficulty thinking or concentrating; and thoughts of suicide<ref>American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.</ref>. While everyone experiences symptoms of depression from time to time, these symptoms are transient and overcome by prayer and hard work. Although depression is sometimes triggered by life events, sufferers often describe feelings for no reason at all. | + | '''Depression''' is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning. Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness<ref>Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press.</ref>. The primary symptoms of depression include feeling sad or melancholic and losing in interest in activities that are usually enjoyable. Depression can also include significant, unintentional weight loss; difficulty sleeping or oversleeping; restlessness; fatigue or loss of energy; feeling worthless or inappropriately guilty; difficulty thinking or concentrating; and thoughts of suicide<ref>American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.</ref>. While everyone experiences symptoms of depression from time to time, these symptoms are usually transient and often in response to outside stressors. Although depression is sometimes triggered by life events, sufferers also often describe feeling sad for no reason at all. |