Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life.
Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can lead to depression. However, doctors only consider feelings of grief to be part of depression if they persist.
Depression is an ongoing problem, not a passing one. It consists of episodes during which the symptoms last for at least 2 weeks. Depression can last for several weeks, months, or years.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of depression can include:
-a depressed mood
-reduced interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
-a loss of sexual desire
-changes in appetite
-unintentional weight loss or gain
-sleeping too much or too little
-agitation, restlessness, and pacing up and down
-slowed movement and speech
-fatigue or loss of energy
-feelings of worthlessness or guilt
-difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
-recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or an attempt at suicide
