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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

dungarees (n): Heavy denim pants or overalls, worn especially as work clothing http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dungarees

___________________________ 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