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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Depression: Overview

About this resource:

HHS Non-systematic Review

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Last Reviewed: September 2022

Workgroups: Mental Health and Mental Disorders Workgroup

This webpage defines common signs of depression and some specific forms it may take, like:

  • Persistent depressive disorder
  • Postpartum depression
  • Psychotic depression
  • Seasonal affective disorder
  • Bipolar disorder

It includes information on risk factors and potential treatments and therapies, like:

  • Medications
  • Talk therapy
  • Brain stimulation therapy

The page also provides other ways to help a loved one experiencing depression. Additionally, it includes information about how to join a research study and links to other resources.

Read more about this resource

Objectives related to this resource (2)

Increase the proportion of adults with serious mental illness who get treatment — MHMD‑04
Little or no detectable change
Increase the proportion of adults with depression who get treatment — MHMD‑05
Little or no detectable change

Suggested Citation

1.

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Depression. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml