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Understanding Depression (MDD)

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1. Won't depression just go away on its own?
Everyone gets sad sometimes—a brief "blue mood," disappointments, grief after losing a loved one. Depression, though, is different. You can't just "snap out of it". Depression is a disorder that requires medical attention and treatment. Otherwise, if left untreated, depression can last months or, in some cases, years. In order to help you get better, you need treatment, which is why your healthcare professional may prescribe Lexapro.
2. What causes depression?
It is widely believed that depression probably results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors. Research suggests that environmental and genetic factors (eg, a family history of depression may make a person more likely to develop the disorder.

It is widely believed that MDD is the result of an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain that is believed to influence a person’s mood. It is suspected that this chemical imbalance in the brain may impair effective communication between nerve cells, resulting in MDD.
- If left untreated, depression can last for years.
- If you suffer from depression, treatment can help.
- In order to get the right treatment for you, speak with your healthcare professional.
- If you are diagnosed with MDD, LEXAPRO is one option that your healthcare professional may choose to treat your symptoms.
For more information, see: Causes of Depression
3. What are the symptoms of depression?
Symptoms of depression vary from one person to the next, but depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities are considered key features of the major depressive disorder (MDD). Additional symptoms that may be present include change in weight or appetite, change in sleep habits, agitation or restlessness, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide. In MDD, the symptoms last for at least 2 weeks, are present most of the day, nearly every day, impair normal activity, and cause a difference in your previous level of functioning. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose MDD. For more information, see: Depression Self-Test.
4. How do I know if I suffer from depression?
If you are an adult and think you may be suffering from depression, take the Depression Self-Test. If you are a parent or caregiver of an adolescent suffering from depression, take the Assessment tool with your adolescent. The results are anonymous. Be sure to share your answers with your healthcare professional so he or she can properly diagnose your condition and provide appropriate treatment. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose depression.
5. What are the available treatments for depression?
There are two major approaches to treating depression that can be used alone or together. Counseling, or psychotherapy, can help people find new ways to cope with problems and understand more about depression and how to avoid it. Antidepressant medicines relieve the symptoms of depression by restoring chemical imbalances in the brain. For more information, see: Depression Treatment.

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