Significance

• Approximately 7 percent of American adults suffer from major depression each year. Major depression is the leading cause of disability for American adults.
  
  

Daily Structure

• Creating a daily routine that includes recreational and social activities may help improve depression. Setting small goals that can be achieved each day can help improve self-esteem, which is typically low in depressed people.
  
  

Lifestyle Changes

• Alcohol, cigarette smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise can make symptoms of depression worse. Making some changes, such as avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis, can help improve symptoms of depression and your chances of a normal lifestyle.
  
  

Medical Conditions

• Depression may be a sign of an untreated medical condition. Depression can also worsen symptoms of some medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Obtaining adequate medical treatment for these conditions can help improve depression.
  
  

Therapy

• Psychotherapy is an option that can help you learn new strategies for managing depressive symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy are two types that have been shown to be effective at treating depression. Consult a community mental health clinic or your primary-care physician for help with locating a therapist.
  
  

Medications

• Antidepressant medications seek to address chemical imbalances in the brain that cause depression. Medications include bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine and citalopram. These medications typically take at least a couple weeks to begin to take effect, so it is important to keep taking the medications, even if you don't see immediate results. Gradually, you should improve, and feel more capable of having a normal lifestyle.