What is Depressive Disorder?
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression. Both stress and depression can impact your health in other, more serious ways including eating disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sexual disorders, osteoporosis, weakened immune system, and sleep disorders.
