PART 1
Don’t Give Up Hope
Clinical depression is a very serious, and quite common, illness. Unlike some other diseases, it can recur throughout a person's lifetime. There is no single treatment that will cure depression in everyone who suffers from it. If you are struggling with depression, or know someone who is, you may find yourself giving up hope.
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But there are many reasons to be optimistic and to seek out help. Advances in pharmacologic, psychological, and other forms of therapy have made it possible for millions of people to recover from clinical depression and to achieve remission—that is, to have no more than minimal symptoms of depression.
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PART 2
Preventing Depression
Because some forms of depression may be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, they may not be preventable. However, there is evidence that depression may be prevented by having good health habits, like eating a nutritious diet and getting enough sleep. Stress has been shown to be a major cause of depression, so try not to overwork, and make time for relaxation and for activities you really enjoy. Exercise regularly, because exercise has been shown to relieve stress and to raise levels of mood-enhancing hormones.
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PART 3
Removing the Stigma
There is work still to be done to improve on current treatments and to remove the stigma from having depression. Depression is not anyone's fault: people who suffer from depression aren't weak or self indulgent, as many people still believe. Removing the stigma from depression will encourage those who need help to seek it out, with the confidence that help is available.
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