Depression

What Is Depression?

Think of stress as a weather forecast for your mood. There is a 100% chance of clouds and showers on Monday. Tuesday, too. Wednesday looks just as bad. In fact, the next two weeks show nothing but storms. You’re stuck in this bad weather pattern and you don’t seem to see any relief.

You may feel lonely, but you have many friends. Depression — or major depressive disorder (MDD), which is a clinical manifestation of depression — is one of the most common mental illnesses affecting an estimated 350 million people across the age group.

And let's face it - Depression is not the same as grief. It is normal to feel blue or not to be encouraged from time to time, but depression persists. Also, it has a real, biological basis. It is a serious emotional disorder that can have a devastating effect on your health and quality of life, as well as those closest to you.

The clinical definition, based on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), is a period of at least two weeks in which a person experiences a state of depression or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. , and he had many other symptoms, such as sleep disorders, poor diet, energy levels, concentration, or self-esteem. ” This description does not include grief after mourning.

Nearly two thirds of people who suffer from depression actually try to faint and tolerate it — they do not want or receive the help they need to cope — and those who do need it usually stop for months before talking to their doctor. Depression can last for years if left untreated and can lead to physical symptoms or even suicidal thoughts. Even if the episode resolves itself, it can recur.

Happily, the stigma surrounding mental health conditions such as depression continues to rise. And with depression testing now available within basic care, the hope is that more people will have access to the treatment they need.