Table of Contents:

• An Introduction to the Depression Series
• Types of Depression
• Symptoms of Depression and Mania
• Causes of Depression
• Depression in Women, Seniors and Children
• Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment
• How to Help Yourself if You are Depressed
• Where to Get Help
• Further Information

Further Information About Depression

We recommend checking out additional online resources for depression that have been reviewed by Psych Central. Also, you may be interested in our thriving online support group for depression.

There are also a number of real-world organizations and resources available if you're interested in further information about depression and depressive disorders. Most additional information is available both online or by calling the organization directly and asking it to be sent via regular postal mail. These organizations are very willing to help you confidentially learn more about depressive illness and to find help if need be. Please don't hesitate to seek treatment for depression if you need to.

Write to:

National Institute of Mental Health
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Telephone:  1-301-443-4513
FAX:  1-301-443-4279
Depression brochures:  1-800-421-4211
TTY:  1-301-443-8431
FAX4U:  1-301-443-5158
e-mail:  nimhinfo@nih.gov
Website:  http://www.nimh.nih.gov


National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
1-703-524-7600; 1-800-950-NAMI
Website:  http://www.nami.org


National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association
730 N. Franklin, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60601
1-312- 642-0049; 1-800-826-3632
Website:  http://www.ndmda.org


National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc.
P.O. Box 2257
New York, NY 10016
1-212-268-4260; 1-800-239-1265
Website:  http://www.depression.org

National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
(703) 684-7722; 1-800-969-6642
FAX:  1-703-684-5968
TTY:  1-800-433-5959
Website:  http://www.nmha.org

References 

1. Frank E, Karp JF, and Rush AJ (1993).  Efficacy of treatments for major depression.  Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 29:457-75.
2. Lebowitz BD, Pearson JL, Schneider LS, Reynolds CF, Alexopoulos GS, Bruce MI, Conwell Y, Katz IR, Meyers BS, Morrison MF, Mossey J, Niederehe G, and Parmelee P (1997).  Diagnosis and treatment of depression in late life:  Consensus statement update.  Journal of the American Medical Association, 278:1186-90.
3. Robins LN and Regier DA (Eds) (1990).  Psychiatric Disorders in America, The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study,  New York:  The Free Press.
4. Vitiello B and Jensen P (1997).  Medication development and testing in children and adolescents.  Archives of General Psychiatry, 54:871-6.   

This brochure is based on a 1994 edition of Plain Talk About Depression and was written by Margaret Strock, staff member in the Information Resources and Inquiries Branch, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).  Expert assistance was provided by Raymond DePaulo, MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Ellen Frank, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital; Matthew Rudorfer, MD, and Clarissa Wittenberg, NIMH staff members.  Lisa Alberts, NIMH staff member, provided editorial assistance.

This publication is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission. Citation as to source is appreciated.

NIH Publication No. NIH-99-3561
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Last reviewed:
  On 12 Oct 2006
  By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.