What is depressed

The death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such situations.

But being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities.

They are also different in important ways:. Grief and depression can co-exist For some people, the death of a loved one, losing a job or being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can lead to depression.

When grief and depression co-occur, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. Distinguishing between grief and depression is important and can assist people in getting the help, support or treatment they need.

Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances. Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms. Before a diagnosis or treatment, a health professional should conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and a physical examination.

In some cases, a blood test might be done to make sure the depression is not due to a medical condition like a thyroid problem or a vitamin deficiency reversing the medical cause would alleviate the depression-like symptoms. The evaluation will identify specific symptoms and explore medical and family histories as well as cultural and environmental factors with the goal of arriving at a diagnosis and planning a course of action.

They are not habit-forming. Generally antidepressant medications have no stimulating effect on people not experiencing depression. Antidepressants may produce some improvement within the first week or two of use yet full benefits may not be seen for two to three months. If a patient feels little or no improvement after several weeks, his or her psychiatrist can alter the dose of the medication or add or substitute another antidepressant.

In some situations other psychotropic medications may be helpful. It is important to let your doctor know if a medication does not work or if you experience side effects. Psychiatrists usually recommend that patients continue to take medication for six or more months after the symptoms have improved. Longer-term maintenance treatment may be suggested to decrease the risk of future episodes for certain people at high risk.

Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT has been found to be effective in treating depression. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member. If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials. Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.

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Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources. NIMH hosts an annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery. Contribute to Mental Health Research. Depression major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.

To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:. Examples of other types of depressive disorders newly added to the diagnostic classification of DSM-5 include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder diagnosed in children and adolescents and premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD.

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children. Stewart D, et al. Kimmel MC, et al. Safety of infant exposure to antidepressants and benzodiazepines through breastfeeding.

Bipolar and related disorders. Hirsch M, et al. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs for treating depressed adults. Hall-Flavin DK expert opinion. Krieger CA expert opinion. Related Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing? Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern? Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? Antidepressants: Can they stop working? Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you Antidepressants: Side effects Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?

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Marijuana and depression Mild depression: Are antidepressants effective? Nervous breakdown: What does it mean? Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Learn more about this top honor. A person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness.

They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. Also known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years. Depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder, and research shows that people with this disorder may have symptoms around half of the time. This can make bipolar disorder hard to distinguish from depression. What does bipolar disorder involve, and what types are there? Psychosis can involve delusions, such as false beliefs and a detachment from reality.

It can also involve hallucinations — sensing things that do not exist. Postpartum depression , or postnatal depression, is more severe. There is no single cause for this type of depression, and it can persist for months or years. Anyone who experiences ongoing depression after delivery should seek medical attention. Previously called seasonal affective disorder , or SAD, this type of depression is related to the reduction in daylight during the fall and winter.

People who live in countries with long or severe winters seem to be affected more by this condition. If a person suspects that they have symptoms of depression, they should seek professional help from a doctor or mental health specialist. A qualified health professional can rule out various causes, ensure an accurate diagnosis, and provide safe and effective treatment.

They will ask questions about symptoms, such as how long they have been present. A doctor may also conduct an examination to check for physical causes and order a blood test to rule out other health conditions. What is the difference between situational and clinical depression? Mental health professionals often ask people to complete questionnaires to help assess the severity of their depression.

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , for example, has 21 questions. The scores indicate the severity of depression among people who already have a diagnosis. National hotlines provide free, confidential assistance from trained professionals 24 hours a day.

They may benefit anyone with depression who wants or needs to talk about their feelings. Samaritans : This nonprofit organization offers emotional support to anyone who has feelings of depression or loneliness or who is considering suicide. Call or text HOPE to contact them. A person with a parent or sibling who has depression is two-to-three times more likely than the general public to develop the condition. A recent study suggests that susceptibility to depression may not result from genetic variation.

The researchers acknowledge that while depression could be inherited, many other issues also influence its development. Learn more about whether depression has a genetic link. Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world, according to the WHO. In the U. The person must have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for disability benefits.

While there is no cure for depression, there are effective treatments that help with recovery. The earlier treatment starts, the more successful it may be.