What Is Depression?

  

 

**Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. **

# Types of Depression

 

There are different forms and patterns of depression. They can differ in **how long symptoms last, when they occur, what triggers them, and how severely they affect a person's everyday life**.

 

## Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

 

**Major Depressive Disorder**, also called **major depression or clinical depression**, is a common form of depression.

 

A person experiences symptoms such as:

 

* Persistent sadness or emptiness

* Loss of interest or pleasure

* Low energy

* Changes in sleep or appetite

* Difficulty concentrating

* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

 

A major depressive episode generally lasts for **at least two weeks** and causes significant distress or difficulty with everyday activities.

 

## Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

 

**Persistent Depressive Disorder**, previously called **dysthymia**, is a long-lasting form of depression.

 

The depressed mood is generally present for **at least two years in adults**, although symptoms may be less severe than those experienced during a major depressive episode.

 

Because it lasts for such a long time, a person may sometimes feel as though their low mood is simply part of who they are.

 

## Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

 

**Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)** is a pattern of depression that occurs at particular times of the year.

 

It most commonly begins during the **autumn or winter**, when there are fewer hours of daylight, and improves during the spring or summer.

 

However, seasonal patterns can also occur at other times of the year.

 

## Perinatal and Postpartum Depression

 

**Perinatal depression** refers to depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth.

 

**Postpartum depression** is depression occurring after childbirth.

 

It is more serious than the temporary **baby blues”** that many people experience after having a baby.

 

Perinatal depression can affect a person's mood, energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, and ability to cope with everyday life.

 

## Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

 

**Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)** is a severe condition related to the menstrual cycle.

 

It can cause significant mood symptoms before a menstrual period, including:

 

* Severe irritability

* Depression

* Anxiety

* Mood swings

* Feelings of hopelessness

* Difficulty concentrating

 

PMDD is **not simply another type of major depression**. It is a separate condition associated with the menstrual cycle.

 

## Depression in Bipolar Disorder

 

People with **bipolar disorder** can experience episodes of depression.

 

Bipolar depression can involve many of the same symptoms as major depression, including:

 

* Low mood

* Loss of interest

* Low energy

* Sleep changes

* Changes in appetite

* Difficulty concentrating

* Feelings of hopelessness

 

However, bipolar disorder also involves periods of **mania or hypomania**.

 

This is important because treatment for bipolar depression can differ from treatment for major depressive disorder.

 

## Depression Following Difficult Life Events

 

Depressive symptoms can occur following difficult experiences such as:

 

* Bereavement

* Relationship breakdown

* Job loss

* Financial difficulties

* Trauma

* Major changes in someone's life

 

People sometimes call this **“situational depression” or “reactive depression.” **

 

However, these are not formal diagnostic terms. When emotional or behavioral symptoms occur following an identifiable stressful event and cause significant distress or impairment, a healthcare professional may consider **Adjustment Disorder**, including the type called **adjustment disorder with depressed mood**.

 

A stressful life event can also trigger a major depressive episode. Therefore, **having a clear reason for feeling depressed does not automatically mean that the person does not have clinical depression**.

 

# Important Point

 

Depression does not look exactly the same in everyone.

 

One person may mainly experience **sadness and hopelessness**, while another may experience **extreme tiredness, lack of motivation, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or loss of interest in everyday activities**.

 

Depression can also make ordinary tasks feel much harder. For example, someone may want to shower but find it extremely difficult to **start the task because they lack the energy or motivation**. Even after starting, they may struggle to finish and move on to the next activity.

 

Understanding these everyday effects is important because depression is **more than simply feeling sad**.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depression can affect a person's:

 

* Mood

* Thoughts

* Feelings

* Energy

* Sleep

* Appetite

* Concentration

* Everyday life

 

A person with depression may feel **sad, empty, hopeless, or have a low mood**.

 

They may also **lose interest or pleasure in things they normally enjoy**.

 

It is normal to feel sad sometimes. Sadness can happen after a difficult experience, loss, or disappointment.

 

**Depression is different from ordinary sadness. **

 

Depression can last for **two weeks or longer** and can interfere with everyday life.

 

A person does **not have to experience every symptom** of depression.

 

## Signs and Symptoms of Depression

 

Someone experiencing depression may have:

 

* Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless

* Low mood

* Losing interest in things they normally enjoy

* Feeling tired or having very little energy

* Sleeping too little

* Sleeping too much

* Eating less than usual

* Eating more than usual

* Finding it difficult to concentrate

* Finding it difficult to make decisions

* Feeling worthless or guilty

* Feeling slowed down or restless

* Thoughts about death or suicide

* Thoughts about self-harm or suicide attempts

 

### Depression Is More Than Feeling Sad

 

Depression does not always look like sadness.

 

Some people may feel **empty, numb, irritable, exhausted, or disconnected** rather than obviously sad.

 

Depression can also make ordinary activities feel difficult.

 

For example, a person may struggle to:

 

* Get out of bed

* Have a shower

* Prepare food

* Go to work or school

* Keep in contact with other people

* Concentrate on tasks

 

## Sadness and Depression

 

| Sadness                                         | Depression                                    |

| ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |

| Usually, temporary                               | Can last for weeks or longer                  |

| Often connected to a particular event           | May happen with or without an obvious trigger |

| Usually comes and goes                          | Can affect a person most of the day           |

| Usually does not seriously affect everyday life | Can interfere with everyday activities        |

| A person can still enjoy some things            | Interest and pleasure may be greatly reduced |

 

**Important: ** Feeling sad does not automatically mean that someone has depression.

### Depression and Motivation

 

Depression can affect **motivation and energy**, making ordinary everyday activities feel much harder than they normally would.

 

For example, a person may know they need to shower but still find it very difficult to motivate themselves to start.

 

**It is not necessarily that they do not want to shower. They may want to, but their depression can make it difficult to find the energy or motivation to begin. **

 

Even after getting into the shower, they may find it difficult to motivate themselves to finish, get dressed, and move on to the next activity.

 

This can make a simple everyday task feel like a **much bigger task than it normally would**.

 

Other everyday activities that can be affected include:

 

* Getting out of bed

* Getting dressed

* Preparing food

* Washing or brushing your teeth

* Cleaning

* Going outside

* Answering messages or phone calls

* Going to work or school

 

This is sometimes described as **loss of motivation**, **low energy**, or difficulty initiating tasks. It is an important part of understanding how depression can affect someone's daily life.

 

 

A mental-health professional can assess a person's symptoms and decide whether they meet the criteria for a depressive disorder.

 

### Getting Help

 

Depression can be treated. Treatment may include **talking therapies, medication, lifestyle support, or a combination of treatments**, depending on the person and their circumstances.

 

If someone is having thoughts of suicide or feels that they may not be safe, they should seek urgent help.

 

In the United States, the **988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline** is available by calling or texting **988**.

# Clinical Depression

 

Clinical depression can affect a person's **mood, thoughts, body, behaviour, and ability to manage everyday life**.

 

A depressive episode can involve symptoms that occur **most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks**. The symptoms can interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, eat, concentrate, and manage everyday activities.

 

A person does **not need to have every possible symptom**.

 

## Common Symptoms

 

### Emotional Symptoms

 

A person may experience:

 

* Persistent sadness

* Emptiness

* Low mood

* Irritability

* Anxiety

* Feeling worthless

* Excessive guilt

* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities they normally enjoy

 

### Physical Symptoms

 

A person may experience:

 

* Ongoing tiredness or fatigue

* Very low energy

* Changes in sleep

* Changes in appetite or weight

* Unexplained aches and pains

* Restlessness

* Moving or speaking more slowly than usual

 

### Behavioral and Thinking Symptoms

 

A person may experience:

 

* Sleeping too little

* Sleeping too much

* Eating less or more than usual

* Difficulty concentrating

* Difficulty making decisions

* Finding everyday activities difficult

* Withdrawing from other people

 

### Severe Symptoms

 

Some people with severe depression may experience:

 

* Recurrent thoughts about death

* Thoughts about self-harm

* Thoughts about suicide

* Suicide attempts

 

**Suicidal thoughts or attempts should always be taken seriously and require urgent support. **

 

# Possible Causes of Depression

 

There is **no single cause of depression**. Different factors can contribute to a person developing depression.

 

### Biology

 

Biological factors may include:

 

* Differences in brain regions involved in mood and emotional regulation

* Changes in how nerve cells communicate with each other

* Genetic or inherited vulnerability

 

Depression can **run in families**, which suggests that genetics can play a role.

 However, having a family history does not mean that someone will definitely develop depression.

 

### Environment and Life Experiences

* Trauma

* Severe or ongoing stress

* Abuse

* Loss or bereavement

* Major negative life events

* Difficult living circumstances

 

Often, **several biological, psychological, and environmental factors can interact**.

 

# Treatment

 

**Depression is treatable, and many people improve with appropriate support. **

 

Treatment may include:

 

* Talking therapies

* Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

* Medication, such as antidepressants

* Lifestyle and practical support

* A combination of treatments

 

The most appropriate treatment depends on the individual and the severity of their depression.

 

## Getting Urgent Help

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, **help is available**.

 

In the United States, you can **call or text 988** to reach the **988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline**, which provides support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

If someone is in immediate danger, call **911** or go to the nearest emergency department.