Is this topic for you? 这一主题是为你吗？

This topic covers depression in adults.这一主题涵盖抑郁症的成年人。 For information on depression in young people, see the topic Depression in Children and Teens.如需关于抑郁症的青年，看到这个专题抑郁症儿童及青少年。 For information on depression following childbirth, see the topic Postpartum Depression.如需关于抑郁症分娩后，见本专题产后抑郁症。

What is depression?什么是抑郁症？

Depression is an illness that causes a person to feel sad and hopeless much of the time.抑郁症是一种疾病，导致一人感到难过和绝望的大部分时间。 It is different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy.这是不同于正常的感情，悲伤，痛苦，或低能量。

Anyone can have depression.任何人都可以有抑郁症。 It often runs in families.它常常运行在家庭。 But it can also happen to someone who doesn't have a family history of depression.但它也有可能发生的人谁不有家族病史的抑郁症。 You can have depression one time or many times.你可以有抑郁症一次性或多次。

If you think you may be depressed, tell your doctor.如果您认为您可能是抑郁症，请告诉您的医生。 There are good treatments that can help you enjoy life again.有良好的治疗，可以帮助您享受生活。 The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will feel better.你越早接受治疗，越早你会感觉更好。

What causes depression?抑郁症的起因是什么？

The causes of depression are not entirely understood.在抑郁症的原因不完全理解。 Things that may trigger depression include:事情可能引发抑郁症包括：

• Major events that create stress, such as childbirth or a death in the family.重大活动，创造压力，如分娩或死亡的家庭。
• Illnesses, such as arthritis, heart disease, or cancer.疾病，如关节炎，心脏病或癌症。
• Certain medicines, such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief.某些药物，如类固醇或麻醉药品止痛。
• Drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.饮酒或使用非法毒品。

These and other factors can cause certain brain chemicals to get out of balance.这些因素及其他因素可以造成某些大脑化学品走出平衡。 As soon as the imbalance is corrected, symptoms of depression generally go away.当不平衡得到纠正，抑郁症的症状通常消失。

What are the symptoms?有哪些症状？

Depression can cause different symptoms in different people, and they may be hard to notice at first.抑郁症可导致不同的症状，不同的人，他们可能很难在第一通知。 For example, a child may seem grouchy and irritable.例如，孩子似乎与肠过敏。 An older adult may be forgetful.一个旧的成年人可能是健忘。 If you think a loved one is depressed, learn more about what symptoms to look for, and urge the person to get help if needed.如果您认为亲人是沮丧，更多地了解症状寻找，并敦促该人得到帮助，如果需要的。

People who are depressed may:人们谁可能是抑郁症：

• Think and speak more slowly than normal.想说话慢于正常。
• Have trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.有问题，集中精力，牢记，并作出决定。
• Have changes in their eating and sleeping habits.有变化，他们的饮食和睡眠习惯。
• Lose interest in things they enjoyed before they were depressed.在失去了兴趣，他们喜欢的东西之前，他们沮丧。
• Have feelings of guilt and hopelessness, wondering if life is worth living.有感情的内疚和绝望，不知道生活是值得的生活。
• Think a lot about death or suicide.想了很多关于死亡或自杀。
• Complain about problems that don't have a physical cause, such as headache and stomachache.抱怨的问题，没有身体原因，如头痛，胃痛。

All of these symptoms can cause a problem with your quality of life.所有这些症状可能会导致问题与您的生活质量。 If you have had a few of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks, talk to your doctor.如果你有几个这些症状至少2周，谈你的医生。 You may have depression that requires treatment.您可能需要抑郁症，需要治疗。

If you think you may have depression, take a short quiz to evaluate your symptoms:如果您认为您可能有抑郁症，参加一个简短的测验，评估您的症状：

Interactive Tool: Are You Depressed?互动工具：你是抑郁症？

How is it treated?如何治疗？

Depression is usually treated with counseling or antidepressant medicine, or both.抑郁症通常是治疗辅导或抗抑郁药物，或两者兼而有之。 It sometimes takes a few tries to find the right treatment, and it can take several weeks for the medicine to start working.有时需要几个试图找到正确的治疗，它可以需要几个星期的药开始工作。 Try to be patient and stay with your treatment.尝试有耐心和保持与您的治疗。