Depression is a common mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It can affect thoughts, emotions, behavior, sleep, appetite, and daily functioning in significant ways.clevelandclinic+2

Key Features

• Symptoms include prolonged low mood, loss of interest in hobbies or social activities, fatigue, appetite or weight changes, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness.medicalnewstoday+1

• Severe cases may include thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm.medicalnewstoday

• To be considered depression, these symptoms usually persist for at least two weeks and interfere with daily life.mayoclinic+1

Causes

• A combination of biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to depression.who+2

• Biological: Changes in brain chemistry, genetics, chronic medical conditions, and hormonal imbalances can increase risk.bangkokmentalhealthhospital+2

• Psychological: Trauma, grief, negative thought patterns, or poor coping strategies.bangkokmentalhealthhospital

• Social: Stressful life events, lack of social support, and difficulties with relationships or finances.who+1

Types of Depression

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)ncbi.nlm.nih+1

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)ncbi.nlm.nih+1

• Bipolar Disorder (depressive episodes)medicalnewstoday

• Postpartum Depressionmedicalnewstoday

• MDD with seasonal pattern (Seasonal Affective Disorder)medicalnewstoday

• Psychotic Depression (depression with psychosis)medicalnewstoday

Treatment

• Effective treatments include antidepressant medications, psychological therapy (especially cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT), behavioral activation, and interpersonal psychotherapy.mayoclinic+3

• For severe or resistant cases, treatments may also include procedures like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).ncbi.nlm.nih+1

• Lifestyle changes such as exercise and good sleep habits can also help manage symptoms.who+1

• Early professional help significantly improves outcomes for most people.clevelandclinic+2

Depression is a medical condition, not a weakness, and it can be effectively treated.clevelandclinic+2

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression
2. https://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/disease-and-treatment/depression
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
4. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
5. https://bangkokmentalhealthhospital.com/depression/
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8933
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430847/
8. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/depression
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NPnvKFs2Y