According to a survey presented to the American Psychological Association last August, 53 percent of 1,455 college students interviewed in 1997 had experienced some sort of depression in their lives. Dr. Charles Klink, associate director for counseling and consultation in the office of student affairs at Ohio State, said students must keep in mind there is a difference between Major Depression Disorder and the common blues.”There has to be a period of at least two weeks where there’s either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities,” Klink said.Klink said changes in appetite and sleep along with decreased energy and feelings of worthlessness or guilt are very strong symptoms of Major Depression Disorder. Other symptoms may be weak decision making, loss of concentration and even reoccurring thoughts of death or suicide, Klink said.”These symptoms must persist most of the day, nearly everyday,” he said.The lifetime risk for acquiring MDD is usually about 10-25 percent in men and 5-12 percent in women, Klink said. In the past the average age of onset MDD was believed to be in the mid-20’s, but that age figure has been decreasing, Klink said.With growing trends in recognition of depression there is also an increase in health care consumers looking to medication to curb the illnesses.Steven Pariser, a professor in the department of psychiatry, said he believes members of the media have helped to promote a public acceptance of depression and it’s treatments.Mike Wallace and Tipper Gore have both contributed their personal stories about their illnesses to the public, Pariser said.Chad Wright, senior pharmacist at the Wilce Student Health Center, said medicines that help with depression are known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain and if the levels of Serotonin get too low, depression commonly sets in. The drugs help to maintain higher levels of Serotonin, Wright said.The three most common SSRI drugs are Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil.Approximately five percent of prescriptions filled at the Student Health Center pharmacy are SSRI drugs, Wright said.Medication, however, is never the only option. OSU’s counseling and consultation services have a number of workshops designed to identify and curb both social and personal problems that could lead to depression. Dr. Klink said his clinic also makes referrals to off-campus resources if a student’s health care does not cover campus visits.Self-diagnosing a problem like MDD may prove rather difficult but students and concerned friends can recognize the symptoms.”I think often folks know that something is wrong-they don’t feel right and have difficulty functioning,” Klink said. “At times too, other folks might make a comment about their demeanor, mood, social withdrawal, etc. that will assist them in recognition and assist in their help seeking.”