Depression is a medical illness that causes symptoms such as:

• changes in mood
• trouble with concentration
• sleep problems
• decreased activity
• changes in appetite
• loss of pleasure
• hopelessness

Left untreated, depression will get worse and worse and may even lead to suicide. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and about half the people who commit suicide were depressed when they did so. As frightening as this may sound, depression is treatable.

There are many different types of medications that are used to treat depression. One of the newest, most effective groups is the one called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs such as Celexa help to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a brain chemical called serotonin.

When serotonin comes back into balance, the symptoms of depression go away. For people with severe or chronic depression, Celexa can not only relieve the current episode, but also prevent future episodes from recurring.