Major

It is not uncommon for people to be sad . Many see it as just a bad day or a bump in the road and they snap out of it to resume their lives and leave the bump in the road behind . Some though , go from sadness to feelings of low self-esteem , pessimism , and hopelessness . Depression has no age , gender , and racial predilections , encompassing all age groups , both sexes , and all races (World Health Organization [WHO] 2009 . In teenagers , depression comes at a time when the identity crisis comes to the fore and decision-making

becomes all-important in separating their identity from that of their parents (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH] , 2009

It is not a rare dis . According to the World Health Organization it is a common mental dis ' People who suffer from depression usually think lowly of themselves , have feelings of guilt , and show little or no interest in those around them . They are unhappy and listless , feeling tired oftentimes . Eating and sleeping patterns are also altered (WHO , 2009

Major depressive dis (MDD , as defined in the DSM-IV-TR , is depression of at least 2 weeks with no instances of manic , mixed , or hypomanic episodes ' During the same period , the person may have difficulty doing his or her usual daily routine , unable to function . He or she may think of or attempt suicide (American Psychiatric Association , 2000

Thus , it is important to seek help for depression . Visiting the family doctor is a good start . He or she will be able...