Depression

When a person is overwhelmed by an emotional crisis and cannot cope with daily life, he or she may be suffering from depression. Depression ranges in severity but affects approximately 20 percent adults. Symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and despair; loss of interest and pleasure in things; weight loss or weight gain; difficult falling asleep or sleeping more than usual; lack of motivation' and loss of energy. In cases of mild or situational depression, the symptoms usually decline with a change of scenery or routine, or once the problem that caused the depression disappears.