Depression is the most common mental health disorder; it affects more than 17 million American adults each year. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by four or more symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, weight, and psychomotor activity; decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions; or recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideas, thoughts, or attempts. “Women are approximately twice as likely as men to suffer from major depression” (Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors in Women's Health Research Program, 1996) and this is considered the greatest health risk mentality of women. Women are more likely to experience depression during marriage than when single, unlike men who are more likely to experience depression when single than married, and this increases with the number of children in the home ( American Psychiatric Association, 1994, p.317). There are many factors contributing to depression in women, including: hormones, genetics, infertility, menopause, caring responsibilities, gender roles, sexual abuse, work-related issues, and financial issues . (National Institute of Mental Health, June 1999). Depression in women is mentally and physically painful, but there are treatment options. Depression is well known for its mental or emotional symptoms. Symptoms of depression include: constantly sad or unhappy mood, loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities, difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions, anxiety, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness and thoughts of death or dying. “People who have endured a major depressive episode describe the experience as a descent middle of paper......Chiatric association. (2012). “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Depression. (2012). Harvard Women's Health Watch, 5(3), 2. McGrath, EC, McGonagle, KA, Zhao, S., Nelson, CB, Hughes, M., Eshleman, S., Wittchen, HU. and Kendler, KS (2007).Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 51, 3-14. National Institute of Mental Health. (2014). “Depression: What Every Woman Should Know.” Pub No. 95-3871. National Institute of Mental Health. (2013). “American attitudes toward clinical depression and its treatment.” Research program on psychological and behavioral factors in women's health. (2012, February). Washington, DC: Office of Women's Programs, American Psychological Association.