In MDD these symptoms are severe enough to cause significant distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning.  Millions of other Americans experience these symptoms with less severity than in full-blown major depressive disorder, yet in a manner that has a profound negative impact on their lives.  These individuals can also be helped tremendously through cognitive behavioral therapy.

It is estimated that depression costs employers in the United States $31 billion dollars ($31,000,000,000) a year in lost productivity.  If you have experienced depression personally, this statistic will not surprise you.  When depressed, an individual is far less productive and effective.  The cost of 20 sessions of therapy can be quickly recovered in better job performance and increased life satisfaction.

Another type of depression is called bipolar disorder or manic-depression.  Bipolar refers to the fact that people with this type of depression experience the lows of depression and the highs of mania.  The ups and the downs represent the two (bi) poles of this mood disorder. 

A manic episode is defined (DSM-IV) as a distinct period of abnormally elevated and expansive mood lasting at least one week.  During the period of elevated mood at least three of the following symptoms must be present to a significant degree:

An accurate diagnosis is important because bipolar disorder is different from Major Depressive Disorder.  Bipolar disorder is much more heritable than regular depression.  If one identical twin has bipolar disorder, there is a 72% chance the other twin has it also. Bipolar disorder is responsive to the drug lithium carbonate.  In more than 80% of the cases of bipolar disorder, lithium will relieve the mania to a significant degree and the depression to a lesser degree.  Additionally, there are other medications that are effective in treating bipolar disorder.  CBT can help a person with bipolar disorder manage their moods.