Depression is the number one illness treated in the United States and it affects your family, your friends, and your life. Proper treatment has an 80% success rate and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed medication.

All of us experience emotional ups and downs but are able to return to our normal base. Depression occurs when we find ourselves not able to get back to our normal base over a sustained period. You have a cold, damp feeling that does not go away. The result is a "Funhouse effect" where life is distorted.

Different forms of depression are:

• Major - This occurs usually in response to an event or the result of several events. Antidepressants are usually prescribed combined with counseling. These are usually short in duration.
• Chronic - This type can last a long period of time
• Manic or Bipolar - This is manifested with wild mood swings
• Other forms - Seasonal, Postpartum and Atypical (sleep and eat all the time until they crash)

Three ways to prevent and help your depression are regular exercise, a good diet and being around people and events. Do not isolate yourself.

Professionals who can help you are:

• Pastors
• Doctors
• Counselors - they cannot write prescriptions
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Psychiatrists