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Overview of Depression

  • Depression is a sadness that lasts for a very long time.

  • Sometimes, it can happen when a person experiences something very difficult, and the mind has trouble healing on its own.

  • Other times, it can appear to come from out of the blue.

  • A depressed person may have trouble doing things they used to do every day, like going to work or school. Sometimes, they may be so sad that they cannot get out of bed. Even their favorite activities may suddenly seem unpleasant.

  • Depression is different for everyone; people may show how sad they are by crying a lot, eating more (or less), sleeping more (or less), or spending more time alone.

  • When it is very severe, depression can make a person start to feel that they are worthless, and they may even feel that life is not worth living.

  • When depression hits, it often feels like it will never go away; however, there are many effective treatments that can make depression much less heavy and easier to manage, and eventually, it may go away entirely.

More Information about Depression

Sadness is a normal human emotion. Everyone feels sad sometimes, and this does not necessarily mean they are suffering from a mental illness. However, when sadness becomes very severe or long-lasting, and especially when it comes along with other changes in a person’s thoughts or behavior, it is referred to as “Depression.” 

The DSM* describes a number of different illnesses under the heading of “Depressive Disorders.” All of the disorders have some features in common, but this description will focus on one particular illness called “Major Depressive Disorder” (MDD). Many cases of what is commonly referred to as “Depression” technically meet criteria for MDD.

The core symptom of MDD is low mood-- the persistent sadness mentioned before. For some people, however, they may not experience their mood as being “sad” exactly, but they find that they are losing interest in many things they once enjoyed (and some people experience both of these things). 

Outside of these two major symptoms, MDD can appear very different depending on the person. Individuals with MDD often experience changes in their appetite; some eat more, others eat less. Similarly, some people with MDD will have trouble sleeping, and may appear restless, while others will find that it is difficult for them to wake up in the morning, and may end up sleeping too much. They may feel tired no matter how much they sleep, and others may note that they seem to be moving slower than usual. MDD may also make it difficult to focus, even on enjoyable things; some people report that when they are depressed, simply reading for fun and watching TV become very difficult.

For some individuals with MDD, their feelings about themselves are affected by their change in mood. They may begin to feel overly guilty about things that may or may not be their fault, or they may even start to feel generally worthless. This is one of the main features that sets MDD apart from normal sadness. And in the most severe cases, individuals with MDD may feel that life is so painful that it is not worth living at all, leading them to think about or attempt suicide.

When depression is severe, it can be hard to imagine how things will ever feel better. This is one of the most challenging aspects of depression-- it can affect someone’s thinking, and can make circumstances feel hopeless even when they ar enot. However, treatment for depression can be extremely effective, and anyone struggling with the symptoms described should seek help from a mental health professional as soon as possible. 

***If you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. This content  is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider vwith any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.***

For more information and resources, please consider visiting:

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression

*Information related to specific diagnostic criteria is based on the DSM. For a complete, formal description of diagnostic criteria, please consult the original text:

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.