Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an
all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and loss of
interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Major depression
is a disabling condition which adversely affects a person's family,
work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. In
the United States, approximately 3.4% of people with major depression
commit suicide, and up to 60% of all people who commit suicide have
depression or another mood disorder. The diagnosis of major depressive
disorder is based on the patient's self-reported experiences, behavior
reported by relatives or friends, and a mental status exam. The most
common time of onset is between the ages of 30 and 40 years, with a
later peak between 50 and 60 years. Most patients are treated in the
community with antidepressant medication and some with psychotherapy or
counseling. Hospitalization may be necessary in cases with associated
self-neglect or a significant risk of harm to self or others.
Psychological, psycho-social, evolutionary and biological causes for
major depression have been proposed. Most biological theories focus on
the monoamine chemicals serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine that
are naturally present in the brain and assist communication between
nerve cells.
Read the rest of this article:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depressive_disorder>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1757:
Seven Years' War: British forces under Robert Clive defeated troops
under Siraj ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey, allowing the British
East India Company to annex Bengal.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Plassey>
1858:
Edgardo Mortara, a six-year-old Jewish boy, was seized by Papal
authorities and taken to be raised as a Roman Catholic.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgardo_Mortara>
1887:
The Parliament of Canada passed the Rocky Mountains Park Act, creating
Banff National Park as Canada's first national park.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_National_Park>
1894:
Led by French historian Pierre de Coubertin, an international congress
at the Sorbonne in Paris founded the International Olympic Committee to
reinstate the Ancient Olympic Games.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committee>
1919:
Estonian War of Independence: Estonian troops engaged the forces of the
Pro-German Government of Latvia near Cēsis, Latvia, recapturing the
area four days later.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wenden>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
dungarees (n):
Heavy denim pants or overalls, worn especially as work clothing
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dungarees>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there
that needs to be done.
--Alan Turing
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alan_Turing>