Depression, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder whose symptoms include persistent sadness or lack of interest in life.
Most of us feel sad, lonely, or depressed at times. This is a normal reaction to loss, struggles in life, or damaged self-esteem.
But when intense sadness—which includes feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless—lasts from days to wee...
Agitation depression (AD) is a special type of depression that, in addition to low mood, is also accompanied by psychomotor agitation and escape from thoughts. Patients with this disorder often exhibit uneasiness, irritability, impulsivity, hostility and other behaviors, which seriously affect their quality of life and social functions. Agitation depression is closely associated with bipolar disor...
What is unipolar depression?
Depression is a common mental health condition that causes people to feel sad, powerless, or numb. Nearly one in six adults in the United States has experienced or currently experiences some degree of depression.
If you are often depressed and have lost interest in life, you may wonder if you have depression. However, when you want to learn more about depression, you...
After the baby is born, some women suffer from a mood disorder called postpartum depression, which is a common and sometimes serious condition. There is a similar mood disorder called antepartum depression during pregnancy, but it doesn't get enough attention. Let’s learn about the characteristics of prenatal depression, how it differs from other conditions, and how to seek effective help.
What i...
Depression is a common psychological problem, affecting approximately 5% of adults worldwide. Many people don't get a proper diagnosis, and many who do get diagnosed don't get proper treatment. If your partner has depression, you may want to make them feel better, or you may feel like you're lost and alone.
Being in a relationship with someone who has depression is difficult for both of you. You ...
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mood disorder that occurs in some women after giving birth, characterized by adverse physical, emotional, and behavioral changes. According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Criteria Manual of Mental Disorders), postpartum depression is a type of major depressive disorder that usually occurs within 4 weeks after delivery. Diagnosis of...
Depression is a common psychological problem that affects more than 17 million adults and 3.2 million adolescents in the United States, all of whom suffer from severe depression. For these people, finding effective treatments is not easy. Fortunately, scientists are exploring some new avenues aimed at getting people with depression back on their feet faster and with fewer side effects.
Right now,...
Many mental health and medical conditions have similar symptoms to depression—such as fatigue and sleep problems—so you may think you have depression when you actually don't.
Here are the facts about depression, disorders with similar symptoms, and how to tell them apart.
Depression: The Basics
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects the way you feel, think, and behave. You ...
College is an exciting time for many young people. Many college students often feel stressed due to the new challenges that come with college—being away from home, studying, and adjusting to a new life.
Trying to cope with so many new changes can cause some students to suffer from depression. Research shows that more students now suffer from depression than previous generations. Let’s learn about...
Is your sadness just a low mood that passes over time, or is it depression? Some symptoms can help you know when to talk to your doctor.
What is depression?
Depression is a common mood disorder. This is a mental health condition that can be serious.
Depression can have both emotional and physical symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and behave. It can also damage your relationships. You fe...