So, what is depression?

First and foremost, it is more than just feeling sad or blue. Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects your mood, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It can make you feel hopeless, worthless, guilty, or empty. It can make you lose interest in the things you used to enjoy, or have trouble sleeping, eating, concentrating, or getting things done. It can make you feel tired, restless, irritable, or anxious. It can make you have thoughts of death or suicide.

Being an actual illness, it is not a sign of weakness or a personal flaw. It is not something you can just snap out of or cheer up from. The good news is, although depression is a health problem that can affect anyone at any time, it is treatable.

SHADES OF DARKNESS

Like any physical health problem, depression by no means is a one-size-fits-all condition. It can vary in severity and duration. Some people may experience mild or moderate symptoms that lasts for a few weeks or months. Others may experience severe or chronic depression that lasts for years or recurs throughout their lives. Some people may have episodes of depression that alternate with periods of normal or elevated mood (bipolar disorder). Some people may have depression that occurs only during certain seasons (seasonal affective disorder) or after giving birth (postpartum depression).

Understanding the problem is the first step to finding solution. The next chapter will help you figure out if you're really depressed, and if so, to what extent.

REFERENCES:

Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Understanding depression. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/understanding-depression

Mayo Clinic. (2020, February 3). Depression (major depressive disorder): Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

National Institute of Mental Health. (2021, February). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression