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Article: Depression.(BLACK HEALTH & Fitness section: Health Hotline)(Vagal-nerve stimulation)(Transcranial magnetic stimulation )(Cytomel)(Monoamine oxidase inhibitors )
- Article from:
- Ebony
- Article date:
- July 1, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression affects more than 17 million Americans in any one-year period. Although depression can be exacerbated by a variety of life situations, medical experts attribute the disease to an imbalance of the brain neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinenephrine, which affect mood, eating, sleeping, pain and thinking.
Treatment for the disease--which annually costs the federal government $12.4 billion in medical, psychiatric and drug costs, and $23.8 million in work absenteeism and lost productivity--depends on the severity of the illness. Adults with severe depression are often treated with antidepressant ...