TRANSCRANIAL BRAIN STIMULATION
CHICAGO - NORTH SHORE
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About Depression
Depression results in a persistent state of sadness that may interfere with an individual's thoughts, mood, behavior, and physical health. Symptoms can include:
- Lack of interest in or pleasure from activities typically enjoyed
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, or guilt
- Significant weight gain or loss
While the exact cause of depression is not known, the leading scientific theory is that depression is caused by an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells. Depresssion is most often treated with antidepressant medications. It is believed that antidepressant medications work by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters.
Although antidepressants can be effective for many patients, they do not work for everybody. Additionally, since antidepressant medications are typically taken by mouth, they circulate in the blood stream throughout the body, often resulting in unwanted side effects such as weight gain, sexual problems, upset stomach, sleepiness, and dry mouth.
More than 4 million patients do not receive adequate benefit from antidepressants and/or cannot tolerate the side effects caused by them.
For more information on depression, please contact:
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
www.dbsalliance.org
Mental Health America (MHA)
www.nmha.org