Depression is an illness that involves one's mood and may also affect sleep, appetite or feelings about oneself. In most cases, depression will not resolve on its own. Symptoms may endure for weeks, months or longer without treatment.

Major depression is characterized by either depressed mood or a loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable. Individuals may also experience a combination of symptoms that can impair the ability to function (e.g., in work, school and relationships). A person who experiences an episode of major depression may have a lifetime of repeat episodes.

Minor depression is less well known than major depression but can still have profound effects on lives and functional ability. Patients with minor depression also experience depressed mood and lack of interest, although they usually have fewer symptoms than those with major depression.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Constant sadness or depressed mood
• Diminished interest or pleasure in most activities
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Insomnia or sleeping more than usual without feeling refreshed
• Feelings of restlessness or feeling "slowed down"
• Feelings of fatigue nearly every day
• Inability to concentrate or inability to make decisions
• Recurrent thoughts of death, dying or suicide

If you have had some of the above symptoms for two weeks or more, you may be suffering from depression. Similar to other medical conditions, depression can be treated. Cedars-Sinai's Psychiatry Research can help.

Psychiatry Research is currently conducting clinical trials dealing with depression and its symptoms. Qualified clinical trial participants will receive study medication, physical exams and lab tests at no cost.

To find out more about the clinical trials on depression or to enroll, please contact us at: