One that can be triggered by several factors, including chemical imbalances in the brain, medical conditions, traumatic life events, and genetics.

它可能由多種因素引發，包括大腦中的化學失衡、醫療條件、創傷性生活事件和遺傳。

But depression can start to lift within just a few weeks, provided you find the right combination of effective treatments.

但是，只要找到正確的有效治療組合，憂鬱症可以在短短幾周內開始緩解。

This is Your Brain On, where we explore how the world affects our brains and ourselves.

這裡是 "你的大腦"，我們將探討世界如何影響我們的大腦和我們自己。

Brain imaging studies show that depression is connected to changes in several parts of the brain, especially in three core areas.

大腦成像研究表明，抑鬱症與大腦多個部位的變化有關，尤其是三個核心區域。

The first is the amygdala, which regulates emotions like anger, pleasure, and fear. When a person is depressed, the amygdala can become overactive, causing problems with sleep and behavior, as well as balance of key mood hormones.

第一個是杏仁核，它負責調節憤怒、愉悅和恐懼等情緒。當一個人憂鬱時，杏仁核會變得過度活躍，導致睡眠和行為問題，以及主要情緒激素的平衡問題。

The second area is the hippocampus, which processes memory and regulates stress hormones such as cortisol. One study found it's up to 13% smaller in depressed women, and excess cortisol can stunt the growth of new neurons, creating poor moods and memory.

第二個區域是海馬體，它負責處理記憶和調節皮質醇等壓力荷爾蒙。一項研究發現，憂鬱女性的海馬體比正常人小 13%，過多的皮質醇會阻礙新神經元的生長，從而導致情緒不佳和記憶力減退。

The third main area is the thalamus, which helps link sensory information to good and bad feelings. Problems in the thalamus may be linked to conditions such as bipolar disorder.

第三個主要區域是丘腦，它有助於將感覺資訊與好壞情緒聯繫起來。丘腦的問題可能與躁鬱症等疾病有關。

Changes to these parts of the brain and others mess with key hormones, such as serotonin, which regulates sleep and mood, and norepinephrine, which affects motivation.

大腦這些部位和其他部位的變化會擾亂關鍵激素，如調節睡眠和情緒的血清素和影響動力的去甲腎上腺素。

For some, a depressed mood passes on its own, especially if it was triggered by a particular sad event, but for those with ongoing clinical depression, it can take time to find effective treatment.

對有些人來說，憂鬱情緒會自行消退，尤其是由特定的悲傷事件引發的憂鬱情緒，但對那些持續存在臨床抑鬱情緒的人來說，可能需要一段時間才能找到有效的治療方法。

Stats show sticking with treatment is worth it. One study by the National Institutes of Health showed 80% of people improved within just four to six weeks of starting medication, therapy, or support groups.

統計數據表明，堅持治療是值得的。美國國立衛生研究院（National Institutes of Health）的一項研究顯示，80%的人在開始接受藥物治療、治療或支持小組後的四到六週內病情就得到了改善。

Healthy lifestyle choices can help too. Eating a good diet and getting enough sleep can strengthen and repair important brain connections.

選擇健康的生活方式也有幫助。良好的飲食習慣和充足的睡眠可以加強和修復重要的大腦連接。

Overcoming depression may become easier in the future. Scientists are learning more about how factors such as genetics influence depression, which may not only help create new drugs, but also make targeted treatment possible.

戰勝憂鬱症在未來可能會變得更加容易。科學家們正在更多地瞭解遺傳等因素如何影響抑鬱症，這不僅有助於創造新的藥物，還能使有針對性的治療成為可能。

Helping someone with depression feel like herself again.

幫助憂鬱症患者重新找回自我。