🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 89 (from laksa178)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa089.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder","crawl_time":1775894473,"first_indexed_time":1563632121,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,psychcentral!\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder s443","src_root_hash":"16330228191540156489","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Symptoms of Depression: Types, Warning Signs, and Next Steps","meta_descriptions":["All of us feel sad sometimes, but depression is different. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression and how to get help here."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"We all feel sad sometimes. But if you’ve been feeling very low for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression.\nSadness, anger, and tiredness are all natural human emotions. We’re usually able to manage these feelings, and they don’t tend to get in the way of our lives too much.\nDepression\nis a mental health condition that lasts two weeks or more in which you feel sad, emotionally sensitive, hopeless, or uninterested in things that you usually love.\nThe good news is that depression is treatable, and help is available. Lots of treatments can help, including therapy, self-care, and in some cases, antidepressants.\nDepression is a widespread mental health disorder. So if you have it, you’re definitely not alone.\nIn fact, depression is one of the leading causes of\ndisability\nin the United States and worldwide. It affects around\n264 million people\nglobally and\n17.3 million adults\nin the United States.\nOther names for depression include major depressive disorder, major depression, and clinical depression.\nWe all feel sad or lonely from time to time. That’s part of being human.\nBut if you feel low or hopeless often — like almost daily — it might be depression. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for\n2 weeks\nor longer.\nYou might not know what’s causing these lingering symptoms. You might not even know when they began. All you know is that you just haven’t felt like yourself in a while.\n“Depression is something that doesn’t have much to do with outside circumstances,” says\nRachelle Heinemann\n, a licensed mental health counselor in Brooklyn, New York. “There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it.”\nIn other cases, depression has an identifiable cause. A stressful life event, such as a sudden loss or a relationship change, might trigger low moods.\nIf these moods last a long time or are relatively severe, this might be considered depression, especially in someone who has a history of depressive episodes.\nThe loss of a loved one, or even the ending of a relationship, can lead to deep feelings of sadness or grief, but those feelings aren’t the same as having depression.\nThe grieving process tends to go in waves: Some moments, you might have positive memories or feel OK. Other times, you’ll feel down or lose interest in things you once loved. You also don’t usually suffer from low self-esteem or self-loathing during grief — but those are common symptoms of depression.\nHowever, grief can lead to\ncomplicated grief\nor depression, especially if you find it difficult to move on from the loss.\nYes. Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all.\n“Many people with depression don’t even know they have it,” says\nAdrienne Meier\n, a clinical psychologist and telehealth practitioner. “Symptoms are often misattributed to fatigue or stress or even just ‘getting older.'”\nThese are different kinds of depression:\nPersistent depressive disorder (\nDysthymia\n):\nThis condition is not as intense, but it drags on for two years or longer.\nDepressive\npsychosis\n:\nThis is a combination of severe depression and delusions or hallucinations.\nBipolar disorder\n: You alternate between\nperiods\nof high energy and risky behavior (\nmania\n) and severe depression in which you find it difficult to cope.\nAtypical depression\n: You might feel better for short periods in response to positive events. It can start earlier in life and last a long time.\nPremenstrual dysphoric disorder (\nPMDD\n):\nThis condition causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety during the time between ovulation and your period.\nSeasonal affective disorder\n:\nMost common in winter or regions where the days are particularly short in fall and winter. It’s believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin in response to reduced light exposure.\nSituational depression\n(or adjustment disorder):\nBegins with a stressful life event, such as a death, move, or family change. It usually begins within\n3 months\nof the event and tends to resolve within 6 months.\nPostpartum depression\n:\nOccurs during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. It usually coincides with the hormonal and physical changes that come with parenthood.\nMajor depression:\nAlso known as clinical depression, this is the most common kind of depression (and the focus of this article).\nMajor depression can cause a range of symptoms that last 2 weeks or longer.\nDepression appears differently for each person, and its symptoms are not always consistent or clear-cut. You don’t need to experience all of the following to receive a diagnosis of depression, but it usually involves a combination of these symptoms:\nPersistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness\n“[Depression] feels deeper than sadness,” Heinemann says.\nYou might find yourself wondering what’s the point of getting up, or you might cry more easily.\nSome people with depression say that it feels as if they’ve sunk into a deep, dark hole with no way out, and they have little to no hope that things will ever change.\nOthers feel worthless or guilty. You might find yourself dwelling on things you wish you could have done differently.\nOr, you might not like yourself much right now. Self-loathing is a frequent symptom.\nYou’re less interested in things you usually enjoy\n“Someone struggling [with depression] might lose interest in doing the things they used to be passionate about,” Heinemann says.\nFor example, if you used to love\ngoing for walks, playing sports, or painting, but now you dread the idea of doing any of those things, that’s a big red flag for depression.\nYou find it hard to concentrate, get things done, or take care of yourself\n“Often those suffering from depression describe it as a weight on top of them, suffocating them, making it impossible to get out of bed or take care of their basic needs,” says Heinemann. “They feel drowned by depression.”\nThis can feel like being really low on energy.\n“Some people find it difficult to do things like showering or brushing their teeth,” she says.\nOthers struggle with simple chores or concentrating at work. Even making decisions can feel difficult if you have depression.\n“Depression tends to hijack our brain, so the strategies we usually use or rely on [to get things done] aren’t helpful because our brains are lying to us,” explains Meier. “We are seeing the world through poop-covered glasses.”\nYou feel irritable\nResearch suggests that irritability is a symptom that’s\nmost common in males\n, but it can affect anyone. Irritability and aggression are also common signs of\ndepression in children\n.\nSo if you find yourself prone to anger, aggressiveness, or feel as if everyone around you is irritating, this could signal depression.\nYour sleep patterns have changed\nYou might feel tired all the time and find yourself sleeping a lot more than usual. Or you might find it difficult to sleep even when you’re tired, so you spend long nights awake in bed.\nBut research suggests that\nmost people\nexperience some sleep disturbance when they have depression.\nYour appetite has changed\nAs with sleep, depression affects people’s appetites differently. Some people are hungry or feel the urge to eat all the time. Others don’t feel like eating at all.\nChanges in your appetite can affect your weight, too — and quickly. For example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that depression can lead to weight gain or loss of more than 5% of your body weight in a month.\nYou feel anxious\nDepression doesn’t really cause anxiety, but a lot of people experience both conditions at the same time. So you might feel nervous, restless, or worried a lot. Your heart rate or breathing might change when you start to worry, or you might feel twitchy.\nYour body aches\nFor some people, depression causes physical symptoms like aches, pains and lots of headaches or\nmigraines\n. Other people might be more sensitive to pain than usual.\nFor example, one\nstudy\nfound that some people with mental health disorders — including major depression — had migraine attacks that preceded them.\nYou think about self-harm or suicide\nThis is the most serious symptom of depression — even if your thoughts of death or suicide are fleeting and don’t involve plans to follow through.\nSome people have death ideation, which means feeling as if you don’t want to be alive anymore but don’t intend or have thoughts about self-harm or suicide.\nSometimes, people become depressed due to difficulties coping with many things over a period of time. Many find that work stress, relationship problems, and other issues accumulate over time.\nLife events or major life changes, like moving away, can also cause depression and related conditions.\nFeeling a lack of meaning or purpose can be one of the most common causes of depression, especially when you lose contact with activities that provide a sense of meaning, purpose, or sense of self.\nA number of things that can cause or contribute to depression, including:\nBrain structure:\nResearch suggests that the\nhippocampus is smaller\nin some people with depression. A less active frontal lobe could also cause it.\nBiochemistry:\nDifferences in certain brain chemicals could contribute to depression.\nFamily history:\nYou are more likely to have depression if depression or another mental health condition\nruns in your family\n.\nTrauma:\nStressful or traumatic events can impact how your body reacts to fear and stress in the future, which raises your risk of depression. This is\nespecially true\nfor childhood trauma.\nMedical conditions:\nChronic illness or pain,\ninsomnia\n, and\nattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)\nare some of the conditions that could put you at a higher risk of developing depression.\nEnvironmental factors:\nExposure to abuse, violence, poverty, or trauma could make you more vulnerable to depression.\nIf you are noticing the symptoms of depression, a healthcare professional can help get you a diagnosis.\nThis will likely begin with a conversation and a physical examination. Your doctor will likely ask you about your family history to see if depression or other mental health conditions run in your family.\nIf you’re talking with your primary physician, they might also order\nblood tests\nto ensure that another medical condition isn’t the cause of your symptoms. For example, the fatigue or lethargy you can feel with depression could also be caused by\nvitamin deficiencies\nor a thyroid issue.\nIf your doctor can’t find another cause for your symptoms, they will likely refer you to a licensed mental health expert who will evaluate your mood, behavior, and day-to-day activities.\nAccording to the DSM-5, you have to display at least five of the main symptoms of depression for over two weeks to get a diagnosis.\nIf you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional, especially since some symptoms can be caused by underlying medical conditions rather than depression. The sooner you talk with them, the sooner you can get the help you need to start feeling better.\nIt’s OK if you’re feeling reluctant to talk to a mental health expert or doctor, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re not comfortable sharing, then no one except you and your doctor has to know that you’re seeking treatment.\n“We go to a doctor when our body isn’t feeling well, and we go to a therapist when our emotions feel out of whack,” says Heinemann. “Depression is not your fault, nor is it something you can just snap out of.”\nWondering if your symptoms might be depression? You can take our\ndepression test\nto find out.\nOnce you receive a diagnosis of depression, your mental health professional will discuss possible\ntreatments for depression\nwith you, including one or a combination of the following:\nAntidepressants\n:\nThese can help you begin to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it could be a couple of months before you truly begin to feel better.\nPsychotherapy\n: Better known as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you learn to problem-solve and recognize negative thinking. Your therapist can also help you maximize meaningful behaviors and activities during your week. This helps many people cope with challenges in a more adaptive way.\nElectroconvulsive therapy (\nECT\n):\nThis is reserved for people with the most severe kinds of depression who haven’t responded to other treatments. This is a safe and effective treatment.\nFeeling better will be a process: It won’t happen overnight. But with time, you’ll notice an improvement in the way that you feel.","attrs_markdown":"- Conditions\n  Featured\n  \n  [All](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/conditions)\n  \n  - [Addictions](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/addictions)\n  - [Anxiety Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety)\n  - [ADHD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/adhd)\n  - [Bipolar Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/bipolar)\n  - [Depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression)\n  - [PTSD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/ptsd)\n  - [Schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/schizophrenia)\n  \n  Articles\n  \n  [All](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/disorders)\n  \n  - [Adjustment Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/adjustment-disorder-symptoms)\n  - [Agoraphobia](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/agoraphobia-symptoms)\n  - [Antisocial Personality Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/antisocial-personality-disorder)\n  - [Borderline Personality Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/borderline-personality-disorder)\n  - [Childhood ADHD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/childhood-adhd\/childhood-adhd)\n  - [Dissociative Identity Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/dissociative-identity-disorder)\n  - [Narcissistic Personality Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/narcissistic-personality-disorder)\n  - [Narcolepsy](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/narcolepsy-symptoms)\n  - [Oppositional Defiant Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/oppositional-defiant-disorder-symptoms)\n  - [Panic Attack](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/panic-attack-symptoms)\n  - [Postpartum Depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/postpartum-depression)\n  - [Schizoaffective Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/disorders\/schizoaffective-disorder-symptoms)\n  - [Seasonal Affective Disorder](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/seasonal-affective-disorder)\n  - [Sex Addiction](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/lib\/what-is-sexual-addiction)\n  - [Social Anxiety](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/social-anxiety-disorder-symptoms)\n  - [Specific Phobias](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/specific-phobia-symptoms)\n  - [Teenage Depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/lib\/teenage-depression)\n  - [Trauma](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/health\/what-is-trauma)\n- Discover\n  Wellness Topics\n  \n  - [Black Mental Health](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/black-mental-health)\n  - [Grief](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/health\/refuge-in-grief)\n  - [Emotional Health](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/emotional-health)\n  - [Sex & Relationships](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/relationships)\n  - [Trauma](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/trauma)\n  - [Understanding Therapy](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/understanding-therapy)\n  - [Workplace Mental Health](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/mental-health-at-work)\n  \n  Original Series\n  \n  - [My Life with OCD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/content-series\/my-life-with-ocd)\n  - [Caregivers Chronicles](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/content-series\/caregivers-chronicles)\n  - [Empathy at Work](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/content-series\/empathy-at-work)\n  - [Sex, Love & All of the Above](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/content-series\/sex-love-and-all-of-the-above)\n  - [Parent Central](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/content-series\/parent-central)\n  - [Mindful Moment](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/health\/mindful-moment-awakening-power-of-hope)\n  \n  News & Events\n  \n  - [Mental Health News](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/news)\n  - [COVID-19](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/coronavirus\/coronavirus-overview)\n  - [Live Town Hall: Mental Health in Focus](https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/healthline-live-town-hall-mental-health-in-focus)\n  \n  Podcasts\n  \n  - [Inside Mental Health](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/blog\/show)\n  - [Inside Schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/blog\/is)\n  - [Inside Bipolar](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/blog\/ibp)\n- Quizzes\n  Conditions\n  \n  - [ADHD Symptoms Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/adhd-quiz)\n  - [Anxiety Symptoms Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/anxiety-quiz)\n  - [Autism Quiz: Family & Friends](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/autism-quiz)\n  - [Autism Symptoms Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/autism-test)\n  - [Bipolar Disorder Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/bipolar-quiz)\n  - [Borderline Personality Test](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/borderline-test)\n  - [Childhood ADHD Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/child-adhd-quiz)\n  - [Depression Symptoms Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/depression-quiz)\n  - [Eating Disorder Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/eating-disorders-quiz)\n  - [Narcissism Symptoms Test](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/narcissistic-personality-quiz)\n  - [OCD Symptoms Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/ocd-quiz)\n  - [Psychopathy Test](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/psychopathy-quiz)\n  - [PTSD Symptoms Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/ptsd-quiz)\n  - [Schizophrenia Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/schizophrenia-test)\n  \n  Lifestyle\n  \n  [All](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/quizzes)\n  \n  - [Attachment Style Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/attachment-style-quiz)\n  - [Career Test](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/career-test)\n  - [Do I Need Therapy Quiz?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/therapy-quiz)\n  - [Domestic Violence Screening Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/domestic-violence-quiz)\n  - [Emotional Type Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/emotional-type-quiz)\n  - [Loneliness Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/loneliness-quiz)\n  - [Parenting Style Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/parenting-style-quiz)\n  - [Personality Test](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/personality-quiz)\n  - [Relationship Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/love-quiz)\n  - [Stress Test](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/stress-test)\n  - [What's Your Sleep Like?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/sleep-quiz)\n- Resources\n  Treatment & Support\n  \n  - [Find Support](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/how-to-find-mental-health-support)\n  - [Suicide Prevention](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/lib\/suicide-prevention-hotline-number)\n  - [Drugs & Medications](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/drugs\/drugs)\n  - [Find a Therapist](https:\/\/care.healthline.com\/find-care\/specialty\/mental-health-professional?&utm_source=pc&utm_medium=editorial&utm_campaign=mentalwellbeing&utm_content=textwidget&utm_term=homepage-resources&redirected=true)\n\nSubscribe\n\n[Depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression)\n\n- [Quiz](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/depression-quiz)\n- [Symptoms](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder)\n- [Causes](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-causes)\n- [Treatment](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment)\n- [Find Support](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/program\/how-to-find-mental-health-support)\n\n# What Are the Symptoms of Major Depression?\n![](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/post.psychcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/New-Matthew-Boland-500x500-Bio.png?w=105&h=105)\n\nMedically reviewed by [Matthew Boland, PhD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/reviewers\/matthew-boland-phd) — Written by [Simone Marie](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/authors\/simone-scully) —  Updated on March 15, 2021\n\n- [What is depression?](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#what-is-depression)\n- [Types of depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#types-of-depression)\n- [Symptoms of major depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#symptoms-of-major-depression)\n- [Causes](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#causes)\n- [Diagnosis](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#diagnosis)\n- [When to talk with a doctor](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#when-to-talk-with-a-doctor)\n- [What’s next?](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#whats-next)\n\nWe all feel sad sometimes. But if you’ve been feeling very low for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression.\n\nSadness, anger, and tiredness are all natural human emotions. We’re usually able to manage these feelings, and they don’t tend to get in the way of our lives too much.\n\nDepression, on the other hand, is a serious [condition that affects your mental and physical health](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/side-effects-of-untreated-depression-what-to-look-for\/). It affects your mood, how you see yourself, and even your eating and sleeping habits.\n\n[Depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression) is a mental health condition that lasts two weeks or more in which you feel sad, emotionally sensitive, hopeless, or uninterested in things that you usually love.\n\nThe good news is that depression is treatable, and help is available. Lots of treatments can help, including therapy, self-care, and in some cases, antidepressants.\n\n## [What is depression?]()\nDepression is a widespread mental health disorder. So if you have it, you’re definitely not alone.\n\nIn fact, depression is one of the leading causes of [disability](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/is-depression-a-disability) in the United States and worldwide. It affects around [264 million people](https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/depression) globally and [17\\.3 million adults](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/major-depression.shtml) in the United States.\n\nOther names for depression include major depressive disorder, major depression, and clinical depression.\n\nWe all feel sad or lonely from time to time. That’s part of being human.\n\nBut if you feel low or hopeless often — like almost daily — it might be depression. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for [2 weeks](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/major-depression.shtml) or longer.\n\nYou might not know what’s causing these lingering symptoms. You might not even know when they began. All you know is that you just haven’t felt like yourself in a while.\n\n“Depression is something that doesn’t have much to do with outside circumstances,” says [Rachelle Heinemann](https:\/\/rheinemannlmhc.wixsite.com\/website), a licensed mental health counselor in Brooklyn, New York. “There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it.”\n\nIn other cases, depression has an identifiable cause. A stressful life event, such as a sudden loss or a relationship change, might trigger low moods.\n\nIf these moods last a long time or are relatively severe, this might be considered depression, especially in someone who has a history of depressive episodes.\n\nThe loss of a loved one, or even the ending of a relationship, can lead to deep feelings of sadness or grief, but those feelings aren’t the same as having depression.\n\nThe grieving process tends to go in waves: Some moments, you might have positive memories or feel OK. Other times, you’ll feel down or lose interest in things you once loved. You also don’t usually suffer from low self-esteem or self-loathing during grief — but those are common symptoms of depression.\n\nHowever, grief can lead to [complicated grief](https:\/\/complicatedgrief.columbia.edu\/professionals\/complicated-grief-professionals\/overview\/) or depression, especially if you find it difficult to move on from the loss.\n\nWant to learn more? [You can read about the stages of grief and mourning here.](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief)\n\n## [Are there different kinds of depression?]()\nYes. Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all.\n\n“Many people with depression don’t even know they have it,” says [Adrienne Meier](https:\/\/www.meierforensicpsych.com\/), a clinical psychologist and telehealth practitioner. “Symptoms are often misattributed to fatigue or stress or even just ‘getting older.'”\n\nThese are different kinds of depression:\n\n- **Persistent depressive disorder ([Dysthymia](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/dysthymic-disorder-symptoms)):** This condition is not as intense, but it drags on for two years or longer.\n- **Depressive [psychosis](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/what-psychotic-episodes-really-look-and-feel-like):** This is a combination of severe depression and delusions or hallucinations.\n- **[Bipolar disorder](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/bipolar)**: You alternate between [periods](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-during-period) of high energy and risky behavior ([mania](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/manic-episode)) and severe depression in which you find it difficult to cope.\n- **Atypical depression**: You might feel better for short periods in response to positive events. It can start earlier in life and last a long time.\n- **Premenstrual dysphoric disorder ([PMDD](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder)):** This condition causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety during the time between ovulation and your period.\n- **[Seasonal affective disorder](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/seasonal-affective-disorder):** Most common in winter or regions where the days are particularly short in fall and winter. It’s believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin in response to reduced light exposure.\n- **[Situational depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/situational-depression) (or adjustment disorder):** Begins with a stressful life event, such as a death, move, or family change. It usually begins within [3 months](https:\/\/adaa.org\/understanding-anxiety\/depression) of the event and tends to resolve within 6 months.\n- **[Postpartum depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/postpartum-depression):** Occurs during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. It usually coincides with the hormonal and physical changes that come with parenthood.\n- **Major depression:** Also known as clinical depression, this is the most common kind of depression (and the focus of this article).\n\n## [What are the symptoms of major depression?]()\nMajor depression can cause a range of symptoms that last 2 weeks or longer.\n\nDepression appears differently for each person, and its symptoms are not always consistent or clear-cut. You don’t need to experience all of the following to receive a diagnosis of depression, but it usually involves a combination of these symptoms:\n\n### Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness\n“\\[Depression\\] feels deeper than sadness,” Heinemann says.\n\nYou might find yourself wondering what’s the point of getting up, or you might cry more easily.\n\nSome people with depression say that it feels as if they’ve sunk into a deep, dark hole with no way out, and they have little to no hope that things will ever change.\n\nOthers feel worthless or guilty. You might find yourself dwelling on things you wish you could have done differently.\n\nOr, you might not like yourself much right now. Self-loathing is a frequent symptom.\n\n### You’re less interested in things you usually enjoy\n“Someone struggling \\[with depression\\] might lose interest in doing the things they used to be passionate about,” Heinemann says.\n\nFor example, if you used to lovegoing for walks, playing sports, or painting, but now you dread the idea of doing any of those things, that’s a big red flag for depression.\n\nDepression can also [impact your desire for sex](https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0265407518809488), according to research.\n\n### You find it hard to concentrate, get things done, or take care of yourself\n“Often those suffering from depression describe it as a weight on top of them, suffocating them, making it impossible to get out of bed or take care of their basic needs,” says Heinemann. “They feel drowned by depression.”\n\nThis can feel like being really low on energy.\n\n“Some people find it difficult to do things like showering or brushing their teeth,” she says.\n\nOthers struggle with simple chores or concentrating at work. Even making decisions can feel difficult if you have depression.\n\n“Depression tends to hijack our brain, so the strategies we usually use or rely on \\[to get things done\\] aren’t helpful because our brains are lying to us,” explains Meier. “We are seeing the world through poop-covered glasses.”\n\n### You feel irritable\nResearch suggests that irritability is a symptom that’s [most common in males](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/men-and-depression\/index.shtml), but it can affect anyone. Irritability and aggression are also common signs of [depression in children](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/depression-in-children-and-adolescents#1).\n\nSo if you find yourself prone to anger, aggressiveness, or feel as if everyone around you is irritating, this could signal depression.\n\n### Your sleep patterns have changed\nYou might feel tired all the time and find yourself sleeping a lot more than usual. Or you might find it difficult to sleep even when you’re tired, so you spend long nights awake in bed.\n\nBut research suggests that [most people](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18979946\/) experience some sleep disturbance when they have depression.\n\n### Your appetite has changed\nAs with sleep, depression affects people’s appetites differently. Some people are hungry or feel the urge to eat all the time. Others don’t feel like eating at all.\n\nChanges in your appetite can affect your weight, too — and quickly. For example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that depression can lead to weight gain or loss of more than 5% of your body weight in a month.\n\n### You feel anxious\nDepression doesn’t really cause anxiety, but a lot of people experience both conditions at the same time. So you might feel nervous, restless, or worried a lot. Your heart rate or breathing might change when you start to worry, or you might feel twitchy.\n\nFeeling anxious? [Here are 9 ways that can help to relieve anxiety right away.](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/9-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-right-here-right-now)\n\n### Your body aches\nFor some people, depression causes physical symptoms like aches, pains and lots of headaches or [migraines](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/migraine-and-depression). Other people might be more sensitive to pain than usual.\n\nFor example, one [study](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub) found that some people with mental health disorders — including major depression — had migraine attacks that preceded them.\n\n### You think about self-harm or suicide\nThis is the most serious symptom of depression — even if your thoughts of death or suicide are fleeting and don’t involve plans to follow through.\n\nSome people have death ideation, which means feeling as if you don’t want to be alive anymore but don’t intend or have thoughts about self-harm or suicide.\n\nIf you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Help is available right now:\n\n- Text or call the [988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline](https:\/\/suicidepreventionlifeline.org\/) at 988, or chat at [988Lifeline.org](http:\/\/988lifeline.org\/).\n- Text “HOME” to the [Crisis Textline](https:\/\/www.crisistextline.org\/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsPDQrdXH5wIVBRx9Ch1YdQjIEAAYASAAEgJ_1_D_BwE) at 741741.\n\nNot in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with [Befrienders Worldwide](https:\/\/www.befrienders.org\/).\n\n## [What causes it?]()\nSometimes, people become depressed due to difficulties coping with many things over a period of time. Many find that work stress, relationship problems, and other issues accumulate over time.\n\nLife events or major life changes, like moving away, can also cause depression and related conditions.\n\nFeeling a lack of meaning or purpose can be one of the most common causes of depression, especially when you lose contact with activities that provide a sense of meaning, purpose, or sense of self.\n\nA number of things that can cause or contribute to depression, including:\n\n- **Brain structure:** Research suggests that the [hippocampus is smaller](https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/what-causes-depression) in some people with depression. A less active frontal lobe could also cause it.\n- **Biochemistry:** Differences in certain brain chemicals could contribute to depression.\n- **Family history:** You are more likely to have depression if depression or another mental health condition [runs in your family](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/is-depression-genetic).\n- **Trauma:** Stressful or traumatic events can impact how your body reacts to fear and stress in the future, which raises your risk of depression. This is\n  [especially true](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3948592\/)\n  for childhood trauma.\n- **Medical conditions:** Chronic illness or pain, [insomnia](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/insomnia-symptoms#1), and [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/adhd\/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-symptoms) are some of the conditions that could put you at a higher risk of developing depression.\n- **Environmental factors:** Exposure to abuse, violence, poverty, or trauma could make you more vulnerable to depression.\n\n## [How is depression diagnosed?]()\nIf you are noticing the symptoms of depression, a healthcare professional can help get you a diagnosis.\n\nThis will likely begin with a conversation and a physical examination. Your doctor will likely ask you about your family history to see if depression or other mental health conditions run in your family.\n\nIf you’re talking with your primary physician, they might also order [blood tests](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/blood-test-for-depression) to ensure that another medical condition isn’t the cause of your symptoms. For example, the fatigue or lethargy you can feel with depression could also be caused by [vitamin deficiencies](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2738337\/) or a thyroid issue.\n\nIf your doctor can’t find another cause for your symptoms, they will likely refer you to a licensed mental health expert who will evaluate your mood, behavior, and day-to-day activities.\n\nThey will also ask you about your family’s psychological history. They may use a depression-rating questionnaire, such as the [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale](https:\/\/dcf.psychiatry.ufl.edu\/files\/2011\/05\/HAMILTON-DEPRESSION.pdf) or the [Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)](https:\/\/bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12888-020-02885-6), to diagnose the condition.\n\nAccording to the DSM-5, you have to display at least five of the main symptoms of depression for over two weeks to get a diagnosis.\n\n## [When to talk with a doctor]()\nIf you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional, especially since some symptoms can be caused by underlying medical conditions rather than depression. The sooner you talk with them, the sooner you can get the help you need to start feeling better.\n\nIt’s OK if you’re feeling reluctant to talk to a mental health expert or doctor, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re not comfortable sharing, then no one except you and your doctor has to know that you’re seeking treatment.\n\n“We go to a doctor when our body isn’t feeling well, and we go to a therapist when our emotions feel out of whack,” says Heinemann. “Depression is not your fault, nor is it something you can just snap out of.”\n\nWondering if your symptoms might be depression? You can take our [depression test](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/depression-quiz) to find out.\n\nIf you’re ready to reach out, a therapist who practices [interpersonal therapy](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/interpersonal-therapy-ipt) or [cognitive behavioral therapy](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/in-depth-cognitive-behavioral-therapy\/) may help.\n\n## [What’s next?]()\nOnce you receive a diagnosis of depression, your mental health professional will discuss possible [treatments for depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment) with you, including one or a combination of the following:\n\n- **[Antidepressants](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/antidepressant-medications):** These can help you begin to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it could be a couple of months before you truly begin to feel better.\n- **[Psychotherapy](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/what-is-psychotherapy)**: Better known as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you learn to problem-solve and recognize negative thinking. Your therapist can also help you maximize meaningful behaviors and activities during your week. This helps many people cope with challenges in a more adaptive way.\n- **Electroconvulsive therapy ([ECT](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/an-overview-of-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect)):** This is reserved for people with the most severe kinds of depression who haven’t responded to other treatments. This is a safe and effective treatment.\n\nFeeling better will be a process: It won’t happen overnight. But with time, you’ll notice an improvement in the way that you feel.\n\n17 sourcescollapsed\n\n- Complicated grief: Overview. (n.d.).  \n  <https:\/\/complicatedgrief.columbia.edu\/professionals\/complicated-grief-professionals\/overview\/>\n- Delaney AL. (2018). Sexual intimacy challenges as markers of relational turbulence in couples with depression.  \n  <https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0265407518809488>\n- Depression. (n.d.).  \n  <https:\/\/adaa.org\/understanding-anxiety\/depression>\n- Depression. (2018).  \n  <https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/depression\/index.shtml>\n- Depression. (2020).  \n  <https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/depression>\n- Heinemann R. (2021). Personal interview.\n- Major depression. (2019).  \n  <https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/major-depression.shtml>\n- Meier A. (2021). Personal interview.\n- Men and depression. (2017).  \n  <https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/men-and-depression\/index.shtml>\n- Nutt D, et al. (2008). Sleep disorders as core symptoms of depression.  \n  <https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18979946\/>\n- Peres MFP, et al. (2017). Anxiety and depression symptoms and migraine: A symptom-based approach research.  \n  <https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5360747\/>\n- Rao TSS, et al. (2008). Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illness.  \n  <https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2738337\/>\n- Ratcliffe GE, et al. (2009). The relationship between migraine and mental disorders in a population-based sample.  \n  [https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub)\n- Sun Y, et al. (2020). The reliability and validity of PHQ-9 in patients with major depressive disorder in psychiatric hospital.  \n  <https:\/\/bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12888-020-02885-6>\n- Vitriol V, et al. (2014). Depression and psychological trauma: An overview integrating current research and specific evidence of studies in the treatment of depression in public mental health services in Chile.  \n  <https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3948592\/>\n- What causes depression? (2019).  \n  <https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/what-causes-depression>\n- What is depression? (2020)  \n  <https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/patients-families\/depression\/what-is-depression>\n\n[FEEDBACK:]()\n\n![](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/post.psychcentral.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/New-Matthew-Boland-500x500-Bio.png?w=105&h=105)\n\nMedically reviewed by [Matthew Boland, PhD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/reviewers\/matthew-boland-phd) — Written by [Simone Marie](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/authors\/simone-scully) —  Updated on March 15, 2021\n\n## RELATED\n- [What Causes Depression?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Treating Depression: What Are My Options?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Coping with Depression: A Resource Guide](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Depression: Your Questions Answered](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [You Want Answers? 10 FAQs About Anxiety](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext)\n\n### Read this next\n- [What Causes Depression?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Akilah Reynolds, PhD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [What causes depression? Is it changes in your brain? Genes? Trauma? Hormones? Here's what research and experts say.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Treating Depression: What Are My Options?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Nicole Washington, DO, MPH](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [Your depression treatment options are almost limitless. Medication, therapy, brain stimulation techniques, or self-help strategies could work for you.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Coping with Depression: A Resource Guide](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Danielle Wade, LCSW](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [Psych Central has developed a wealth of resources to help you to live a better life with depression, including helpful living tips, stories of hope…](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Depression: Your Questions Answered](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Vara Saripalli, Psy.D.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [Depression is much more than sadness and a low mood. It can have an impact on every aspect of your life.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [You Want Answers? 10 FAQs About Anxiety](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [Our experts answer candid questions about generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to equip your toolbox and set at ease your concerns.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/anxiety\/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [How to Help a Partner Living With Depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/how-to-help-partner-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [If your loved one is living with depression, they may need professional help. But you can also have a great impact on their recovery. Here's how.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/how-to-help-partner-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/how-to-help-partner-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [10 Self-Care Tips When You Have Depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/self-care-for-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Danielle Wade, LCSW](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [Self-care can feel hard when you live with depression, but these tips can improve your mood and help you manage.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/self-care-for-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/self-care-for-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [What Are the Cognitive Symptoms of Depression?](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/the-cognitive-symptoms-of-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Danielle Wade, LCSW](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [Depression can affect your cognition and impact your daily life. Learning how the cognitive symptoms of depression affect you can help you cope.](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/the-cognitive-symptoms-of-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/the-cognitive-symptoms-of-depression?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [How to Support Someone Exploring Their Sexual Identity](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/health\/sexual-identity?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  Medically reviewed by [Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/medical-team)\n  \n  [For someone exploring their sexual identity, the support of friends and family can make a world of difference. Here are tips on how to be a supportive…](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/health\/sexual-identity?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/health\/sexual-identity?utm_source=ReadNext)\n- [Podcast: Mental Health Isn’t a Movie: Olivia Nash on changing Hollywood’s Narrative](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/blog\/podcast-mental-health-isnt-a-movie-olivia-nash-on-changing-hollywoods-narrative?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [A filmmaker challenges Hollywood’s mental health tropes with radical authenticity. Listen to the Inside Mental Health podcast episode right now\\!](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/blog\/podcast-mental-health-isnt-a-movie-olivia-nash-on-changing-hollywoods-narrative?utm_source=ReadNext)\n  \n  [READ MORE](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/blog\/podcast-mental-health-isnt-a-movie-olivia-nash-on-changing-hollywoods-narrative?utm_source=ReadNext)\n\n© 2026 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Psych Central does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. [See additional information](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/additional-information).\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/contact-us)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/terms)\n- [Privacy policy](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/privacy)\n- Privacy Settings\n- [Advertising Policy](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/advertising-policy)\n\n- [Medical Affairs](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/medical-team)\n- [Content Integrity](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/content-integrity)\n- [Newsletter](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/newsletter)\n- [Find a Therapist](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/find-help)\n- [Your Privacy Choices](https:\/\/privacyportal.onetrust.com\/webform\/b45407c6-ee79-4a08-912e-02ce898f9a14\/8f420b32-53af-4399-935d-32eb9b61201e)\n- © 2026 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Psych Central does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. [See additional information](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/additional-information).\n\n© 2026 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Psych Central does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. [See additional information](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/about\/additional-information).\n\n[About](https:\/\/www.healthlinemedia.com\/?utm_source=psychcentral.com&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=footer&utm_content=about)[Careers](https:\/\/rvohealth.com\/careers)[Advertise with us](https:\/\/www.healthlinemedia.com\/advertise?utm_source=psychcentral.com&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=footer&utm_content=advertise)\n\nOUR BRANDS\n\n[Healthline](https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/)[Medical News Today](https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/)[Greatist](https:\/\/greatist.com\/)[Psych Central](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/)[Bezzy](https:\/\/bezzy.com\/)\n\n![](http:\/\/b.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=38584006&cv=3.9&cj=1&comscorekw=main)","attrs_readable_markdown":"We all feel sad sometimes. But if you’ve been feeling very low for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression.\n\nSadness, anger, and tiredness are all natural human emotions. We’re usually able to manage these feelings, and they don’t tend to get in the way of our lives too much.\n\n[Depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression) is a mental health condition that lasts two weeks or more in which you feel sad, emotionally sensitive, hopeless, or uninterested in things that you usually love.\n\nThe good news is that depression is treatable, and help is available. Lots of treatments can help, including therapy, self-care, and in some cases, antidepressants.\n\nDepression is a widespread mental health disorder. So if you have it, you’re definitely not alone.\n\nIn fact, depression is one of the leading causes of [disability](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/is-depression-a-disability) in the United States and worldwide. It affects around [264 million people](https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/depression) globally and [17\\.3 million adults](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/major-depression.shtml) in the United States.\n\nOther names for depression include major depressive disorder, major depression, and clinical depression.\n\nWe all feel sad or lonely from time to time. That’s part of being human.\n\nBut if you feel low or hopeless often — like almost daily — it might be depression. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for [2 weeks](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/major-depression.shtml) or longer.\n\nYou might not know what’s causing these lingering symptoms. You might not even know when they began. All you know is that you just haven’t felt like yourself in a while.\n\n“Depression is something that doesn’t have much to do with outside circumstances,” says [Rachelle Heinemann](https:\/\/rheinemannlmhc.wixsite.com\/website), a licensed mental health counselor in Brooklyn, New York. “There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it.”\n\nIn other cases, depression has an identifiable cause. A stressful life event, such as a sudden loss or a relationship change, might trigger low moods.\n\nIf these moods last a long time or are relatively severe, this might be considered depression, especially in someone who has a history of depressive episodes.\n\nThe loss of a loved one, or even the ending of a relationship, can lead to deep feelings of sadness or grief, but those feelings aren’t the same as having depression.\n\nThe grieving process tends to go in waves: Some moments, you might have positive memories or feel OK. Other times, you’ll feel down or lose interest in things you once loved. You also don’t usually suffer from low self-esteem or self-loathing during grief — but those are common symptoms of depression.\n\nHowever, grief can lead to [complicated grief](https:\/\/complicatedgrief.columbia.edu\/professionals\/complicated-grief-professionals\/overview\/) or depression, especially if you find it difficult to move on from the loss.\n\nYes. Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all.\n\n“Many people with depression don’t even know they have it,” says [Adrienne Meier](https:\/\/www.meierforensicpsych.com\/), a clinical psychologist and telehealth practitioner. “Symptoms are often misattributed to fatigue or stress or even just ‘getting older.'”\n\nThese are different kinds of depression:\n\n- **Persistent depressive disorder ([Dysthymia](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/dysthymic-disorder-symptoms)):** This condition is not as intense, but it drags on for two years or longer.\n- **Depressive [psychosis](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/what-psychotic-episodes-really-look-and-feel-like):** This is a combination of severe depression and delusions or hallucinations.\n- **[Bipolar disorder](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/bipolar)**: You alternate between [periods](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-during-period) of high energy and risky behavior ([mania](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/manic-episode)) and severe depression in which you find it difficult to cope.\n- **Atypical depression**: You might feel better for short periods in response to positive events. It can start earlier in life and last a long time.\n- **Premenstrual dysphoric disorder ([PMDD](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder)):** This condition causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety during the time between ovulation and your period.\n- **[Seasonal affective disorder](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/seasonal-affective-disorder):** Most common in winter or regions where the days are particularly short in fall and winter. It’s believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin in response to reduced light exposure.\n- **[Situational depression](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/situational-depression) (or adjustment disorder):** Begins with a stressful life event, such as a death, move, or family change. It usually begins within [3 months](https:\/\/adaa.org\/understanding-anxiety\/depression) of the event and tends to resolve within 6 months.\n- **[Postpartum depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/postpartum-depression):** Occurs during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. It usually coincides with the hormonal and physical changes that come with parenthood.\n- **Major depression:** Also known as clinical depression, this is the most common kind of depression (and the focus of this article).\n\nMajor depression can cause a range of symptoms that last 2 weeks or longer.\n\nDepression appears differently for each person, and its symptoms are not always consistent or clear-cut. You don’t need to experience all of the following to receive a diagnosis of depression, but it usually involves a combination of these symptoms:\n\nPersistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness\n\n“\\[Depression\\] feels deeper than sadness,” Heinemann says.\n\nYou might find yourself wondering what’s the point of getting up, or you might cry more easily.\n\nSome people with depression say that it feels as if they’ve sunk into a deep, dark hole with no way out, and they have little to no hope that things will ever change.\n\nOthers feel worthless or guilty. You might find yourself dwelling on things you wish you could have done differently.\n\nOr, you might not like yourself much right now. Self-loathing is a frequent symptom.\n\nYou’re less interested in things you usually enjoy\n\n“Someone struggling \\[with depression\\] might lose interest in doing the things they used to be passionate about,” Heinemann says.\n\nFor example, if you used to lovegoing for walks, playing sports, or painting, but now you dread the idea of doing any of those things, that’s a big red flag for depression.\n\nYou find it hard to concentrate, get things done, or take care of yourself\n\n“Often those suffering from depression describe it as a weight on top of them, suffocating them, making it impossible to get out of bed or take care of their basic needs,” says Heinemann. “They feel drowned by depression.”\n\nThis can feel like being really low on energy.\n\n“Some people find it difficult to do things like showering or brushing their teeth,” she says.\n\nOthers struggle with simple chores or concentrating at work. Even making decisions can feel difficult if you have depression.\n\n“Depression tends to hijack our brain, so the strategies we usually use or rely on \\[to get things done\\] aren’t helpful because our brains are lying to us,” explains Meier. “We are seeing the world through poop-covered glasses.”\n\nYou feel irritable\n\nResearch suggests that irritability is a symptom that’s [most common in males](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/men-and-depression\/index.shtml), but it can affect anyone. Irritability and aggression are also common signs of [depression in children](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/depression-in-children-and-adolescents#1).\n\nSo if you find yourself prone to anger, aggressiveness, or feel as if everyone around you is irritating, this could signal depression.\n\nYour sleep patterns have changed\n\nYou might feel tired all the time and find yourself sleeping a lot more than usual. Or you might find it difficult to sleep even when you’re tired, so you spend long nights awake in bed.\n\nBut research suggests that [most people](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18979946\/) experience some sleep disturbance when they have depression.\n\nYour appetite has changed\n\nAs with sleep, depression affects people’s appetites differently. Some people are hungry or feel the urge to eat all the time. Others don’t feel like eating at all.\n\nChanges in your appetite can affect your weight, too — and quickly. For example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that depression can lead to weight gain or loss of more than 5% of your body weight in a month.\n\nYou feel anxious\n\nDepression doesn’t really cause anxiety, but a lot of people experience both conditions at the same time. So you might feel nervous, restless, or worried a lot. Your heart rate or breathing might change when you start to worry, or you might feel twitchy.\n\nYour body aches\n\nFor some people, depression causes physical symptoms like aches, pains and lots of headaches or [migraines](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/migraine-and-depression). Other people might be more sensitive to pain than usual.\n\nFor example, one [study](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub) found that some people with mental health disorders — including major depression — had migraine attacks that preceded them.\n\nYou think about self-harm or suicide\n\nThis is the most serious symptom of depression — even if your thoughts of death or suicide are fleeting and don’t involve plans to follow through.\n\nSome people have death ideation, which means feeling as if you don’t want to be alive anymore but don’t intend or have thoughts about self-harm or suicide.\n\nSometimes, people become depressed due to difficulties coping with many things over a period of time. Many find that work stress, relationship problems, and other issues accumulate over time.\n\nLife events or major life changes, like moving away, can also cause depression and related conditions.\n\nFeeling a lack of meaning or purpose can be one of the most common causes of depression, especially when you lose contact with activities that provide a sense of meaning, purpose, or sense of self.\n\nA number of things that can cause or contribute to depression, including:\n\n- **Brain structure:** Research suggests that the [hippocampus is smaller](https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/what-causes-depression) in some people with depression. A less active frontal lobe could also cause it.\n- **Biochemistry:** Differences in certain brain chemicals could contribute to depression.\n- **Family history:** You are more likely to have depression if depression or another mental health condition [runs in your family](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/is-depression-genetic).\n- **Trauma:** Stressful or traumatic events can impact how your body reacts to fear and stress in the future, which raises your risk of depression. This is\n  [especially true](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3948592\/)\n  for childhood trauma.\n- **Medical conditions:** Chronic illness or pain, [insomnia](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/disorders\/insomnia-symptoms#1), and [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/adhd\/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-symptoms) are some of the conditions that could put you at a higher risk of developing depression.\n- **Environmental factors:** Exposure to abuse, violence, poverty, or trauma could make you more vulnerable to depression.\n\nIf you are noticing the symptoms of depression, a healthcare professional can help get you a diagnosis.\n\nThis will likely begin with a conversation and a physical examination. Your doctor will likely ask you about your family history to see if depression or other mental health conditions run in your family.\n\nIf you’re talking with your primary physician, they might also order [blood tests](https:\/\/www.psychcentral.com\/depression\/blood-test-for-depression) to ensure that another medical condition isn’t the cause of your symptoms. For example, the fatigue or lethargy you can feel with depression could also be caused by [vitamin deficiencies](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2738337\/) or a thyroid issue.\n\nIf your doctor can’t find another cause for your symptoms, they will likely refer you to a licensed mental health expert who will evaluate your mood, behavior, and day-to-day activities.\n\nAccording to the DSM-5, you have to display at least five of the main symptoms of depression for over two weeks to get a diagnosis.\n\nIf you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional, especially since some symptoms can be caused by underlying medical conditions rather than depression. The sooner you talk with them, the sooner you can get the help you need to start feeling better.\n\nIt’s OK if you’re feeling reluctant to talk to a mental health expert or doctor, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re not comfortable sharing, then no one except you and your doctor has to know that you’re seeking treatment.\n\n“We go to a doctor when our body isn’t feeling well, and we go to a therapist when our emotions feel out of whack,” says Heinemann. “Depression is not your fault, nor is it something you can just snap out of.”\n\nWondering if your symptoms might be depression? You can take our [depression test](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/quizzes\/depression-quiz) to find out.\n\nOnce you receive a diagnosis of depression, your mental health professional will discuss possible [treatments for depression](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/depression\/depression-treatment) with you, including one or a combination of the following:\n\n- **[Antidepressants](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/antidepressant-medications):** These can help you begin to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it could be a couple of months before you truly begin to feel better.\n- **[Psychotherapy](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/what-is-psychotherapy)**: Better known as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you learn to problem-solve and recognize negative thinking. Your therapist can also help you maximize meaningful behaviors and activities during your week. This helps many people cope with challenges in a more adaptive way.\n- **Electroconvulsive therapy ([ECT](https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/lib\/an-overview-of-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect)):** This is reserved for people with the most severe kinds of depression who haven’t responded to other treatments. This is a safe and effective treatment.\n\nFeeling better will be a process: It won’t happen overnight. But with time, you’ll notice an improvement in the way that you feel.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	We all feel sad sometimes. But if you’ve been feeling very low for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression. Sadness, anger, and tiredness are all natural human emotions. We’re usually able to manage these feelings, and they don’t tend to get in the way of our lives too much. Depression is a mental health condition that lasts two weeks or more in which you feel sad, emotionally sensitive, hopeless, or uninterested in things that you usually love. The good news is that depression is treatable, and help is available. Lots of treatments can help, including therapy, self-care, and in some cases, antidepressants. Depression is a widespread mental health disorder. So if you have it, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States and worldwide. It affects around 264 million people globally and 17.3 million adults in the United States. Other names for depression include major depressive disorder, major depression, and clinical depression. We all feel sad or lonely from time to time. That’s part of being human. But if you feel low or hopeless often — like almost daily — it might be depression. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for 2 weeks or longer. You might not know what’s causing these lingering symptoms. You might not even know when they began. All you know is that you just haven’t felt like yourself in a while. “Depression is something that doesn’t have much to do with outside circumstances,” says Rachelle Heinemann , a licensed mental health counselor in Brooklyn, New York. “There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it.” In other cases, depression has an identifiable cause. A stressful life event, such as a sudden loss or a relationship change, might trigger low moods. If these moods last a long time or are relatively severe, this might be considered depression, especially in someone who has a history of depressive episodes. The loss of a loved one, or even the ending of a relationship, can lead to deep feelings of sadness or grief, but those feelings aren’t the same as having depression. The grieving process tends to go in waves: Some moments, you might have positive memories or feel OK. Other times, you’ll feel down or lose interest in things you once loved. You also don’t usually suffer from low self-esteem or self-loathing during grief — but those are common symptoms of depression. However, grief can lead to complicated grief or depression, especially if you find it difficult to move on from the loss. Yes. Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all. “Many people with depression don’t even know they have it,” says Adrienne Meier , a clinical psychologist and telehealth practitioner. “Symptoms are often misattributed to fatigue or stress or even just ‘getting older.'” These are different kinds of depression: Persistent depressive disorder ( Dysthymia ): This condition is not as intense, but it drags on for two years or longer. Depressive psychosis : This is a combination of severe depression and delusions or hallucinations. Bipolar disorder : You alternate between periods of high energy and risky behavior ( mania ) and severe depression in which you find it difficult to cope. Atypical depression : You might feel better for short periods in response to positive events. It can start earlier in life and last a long time. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder ( PMDD ): This condition causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety during the time between ovulation and your period. Seasonal affective disorder : Most common in winter or regions where the days are particularly short in fall and winter. It’s believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin in response to reduced light exposure. Situational depression (or adjustment disorder): Begins with a stressful life event, such as a death, move, or family change. It usually begins within 3 months of the event and tends to resolve within 6 months. Postpartum depression : Occurs during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. It usually coincides with the hormonal and physical changes that come with parenthood. Major depression: Also known as clinical depression, this is the most common kind of depression (and the focus of this article). Major depression can cause a range of symptoms that last 2 weeks or longer. Depression appears differently for each person, and its symptoms are not always consistent or clear-cut. You don’t need to experience all of the following to receive a diagnosis of depression, but it usually involves a combination of these symptoms: Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness “[Depression] feels deeper than sadness,” Heinemann says. You might find yourself wondering what’s the point of getting up, or you might cry more easily. Some people with depression say that it feels as if they’ve sunk into a deep, dark hole with no way out, and they have little to no hope that things will ever change. Others feel worthless or guilty. You might find yourself dwelling on things you wish you could have done differently. Or, you might not like yourself much right now. Self-loathing is a frequent symptom. You’re less interested in things you usually enjoy “Someone struggling [with depression] might lose interest in doing the things they used to be passionate about,” Heinemann says. For example, if you used to love going for walks, playing sports, or painting, but now you dread the idea of doing any of those things, that’s a big red flag for depression. You find it hard to concentrate, get things done, or take care of yourself “Often those suffering from depression describe it as a weight on top of them, suffocating them, making it impossible to get out of bed or take care of their basic needs,” says Heinemann. “They feel drowned by depression.” This can feel like being really low on energy. “Some people find it difficult to do things like showering or brushing their teeth,” she says. Others struggle with simple chores or concentrating at work. Even making decisions can feel difficult if you have depression. “Depression tends to hijack our brain, so the strategies we usually use or rely on [to get things done] aren’t helpful because our brains are lying to us,” explains Meier. “We are seeing the world through poop-covered glasses.” You feel irritable Research suggests that irritability is a symptom that’s most common in males , but it can affect anyone. Irritability and aggression are also common signs of depression in children . So if you find yourself prone to anger, aggressiveness, or feel as if everyone around you is irritating, this could signal depression. Your sleep patterns have changed You might feel tired all the time and find yourself sleeping a lot more than usual. Or you might find it difficult to sleep even when you’re tired, so you spend long nights awake in bed. But research suggests that most people experience some sleep disturbance when they have depression. Your appetite has changed As with sleep, depression affects people’s appetites differently. Some people are hungry or feel the urge to eat all the time. Others don’t feel like eating at all. Changes in your appetite can affect your weight, too — and quickly. For example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that depression can lead to weight gain or loss of more than 5% of your body weight in a month. You feel anxious Depression doesn’t really cause anxiety, but a lot of people experience both conditions at the same time. So you might feel nervous, restless, or worried a lot. Your heart rate or breathing might change when you start to worry, or you might feel twitchy. Your body aches For some people, depression causes physical symptoms like aches, pains and lots of headaches or migraines . Other people might be more sensitive to pain than usual. For example, one study found that some people with mental health disorders — including major depression — had migraine attacks that preceded them. You think about self-harm or suicide This is the most serious symptom of depression — even if your thoughts of death or suicide are fleeting and don’t involve plans to follow through. Some people have death ideation, which means feeling as if you don’t want to be alive anymore but don’t intend or have thoughts about self-harm or suicide. Sometimes, people become depressed due to difficulties coping with many things over a period of time. Many find that work stress, relationship problems, and other issues accumulate over time. Life events or major life changes, like moving away, can also cause depression and related conditions. Feeling a lack of meaning or purpose can be one of the most common causes of depression, especially when you lose contact with activities that provide a sense of meaning, purpose, or sense of self. A number of things that can cause or contribute to depression, including: Brain structure: Research suggests that the hippocampus is smaller in some people with depression. A less active frontal lobe could also cause it. Biochemistry: Differences in certain brain chemicals could contribute to depression. Family history: You are more likely to have depression if depression or another mental health condition runs in your family . Trauma: Stressful or traumatic events can impact how your body reacts to fear and stress in the future, which raises your risk of depression. This is especially true for childhood trauma. Medical conditions: Chronic illness or pain, insomnia , and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are some of the conditions that could put you at a higher risk of developing depression. Environmental factors: Exposure to abuse, violence, poverty, or trauma could make you more vulnerable to depression. If you are noticing the symptoms of depression, a healthcare professional can help get you a diagnosis. This will likely begin with a conversation and a physical examination. Your doctor will likely ask you about your family history to see if depression or other mental health conditions run in your family. If you’re talking with your primary physician, they might also order blood tests to ensure that another medical condition isn’t the cause of your symptoms. For example, the fatigue or lethargy you can feel with depression could also be caused by vitamin deficiencies or a thyroid issue. If your doctor can’t find another cause for your symptoms, they will likely refer you to a licensed mental health expert who will evaluate your mood, behavior, and day-to-day activities. According to the DSM-5, you have to display at least five of the main symptoms of depression for over two weeks to get a diagnosis. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional, especially since some symptoms can be caused by underlying medical conditions rather than depression. The sooner you talk with them, the sooner you can get the help you need to start feeling better. It’s OK if you’re feeling reluctant to talk to a mental health expert or doctor, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re not comfortable sharing, then no one except you and your doctor has to know that you’re seeking treatment. “We go to a doctor when our body isn’t feeling well, and we go to a therapist when our emotions feel out of whack,” says Heinemann. “Depression is not your fault, nor is it something you can just snap out of.” Wondering if your symptoms might be depression? You can take our depression test to find out. Once you receive a diagnosis of depression, your mental health professional will discuss possible treatments for depression with you, including one or a combination of the following: Antidepressants : These can help you begin to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it could be a couple of months before you truly begin to feel better. Psychotherapy : Better known as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you learn to problem-solve and recognize negative thinking. Your therapist can also help you maximize meaningful behaviors and activities during your week. This helps many people cope with challenges in a more adaptive way. Electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ): This is reserved for people with the most severe kinds of depression who haven’t responded to other treatments. This is a safe and effective treatment. Feeling better will be a process: It won’t happen overnight. But with time, you’ll notice an improvement in the way that you feel.
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[Quiz](https://www.psychcentral.com/quizzes/depression-quiz) - [Symptoms](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder) - [Causes](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-causes) - [Treatment](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment) - [Find Support](https://www.psychcentral.com/program/how-to-find-mental-health-support) # What Are the Symptoms of Major Depression? ![](https://i0.wp.com/post.psychcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/New-Matthew-Boland-500x500-Bio.png?w=105&h=105) Medically reviewed by [Matthew Boland, PhD](https://www.psychcentral.com/reviewers/matthew-boland-phd) — Written by [Simone Marie](https://www.psychcentral.com/authors/simone-scully) — Updated on March 15, 2021 - [What is depression?](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#what-is-depression) - [Types of depression](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#types-of-depression) - [Symptoms of major depression](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#symptoms-of-major-depression) - [Causes](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#causes) - [Diagnosis](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#diagnosis) - [When to talk with a doctor](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#when-to-talk-with-a-doctor) - [What’s next?](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-symptoms-major-depressive-disorder#whats-next) We all feel sad sometimes. But if you’ve been feeling very low for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression. Sadness, anger, and tiredness are all natural human emotions. We’re usually able to manage these feelings, and they don’t tend to get in the way of our lives too much. Depression, on the other hand, is a serious [condition that affects your mental and physical health](https://psychcentral.com/depression/side-effects-of-untreated-depression-what-to-look-for/). It affects your mood, how you see yourself, and even your eating and sleeping habits. [Depression](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression) is a mental health condition that lasts two weeks or more in which you feel sad, emotionally sensitive, hopeless, or uninterested in things that you usually love. The good news is that depression is treatable, and help is available. Lots of treatments can help, including therapy, self-care, and in some cases, antidepressants. ## [What is depression?]() Depression is a widespread mental health disorder. So if you have it, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, depression is one of the leading causes of [disability](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/is-depression-a-disability) in the United States and worldwide. It affects around [264 million people](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression) globally and [17\.3 million adults](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml) in the United States. Other names for depression include major depressive disorder, major depression, and clinical depression. We all feel sad or lonely from time to time. That’s part of being human. But if you feel low or hopeless often — like almost daily — it might be depression. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for [2 weeks](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml) or longer. You might not know what’s causing these lingering symptoms. You might not even know when they began. All you know is that you just haven’t felt like yourself in a while. “Depression is something that doesn’t have much to do with outside circumstances,” says [Rachelle Heinemann](https://rheinemannlmhc.wixsite.com/website), a licensed mental health counselor in Brooklyn, New York. “There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it.” In other cases, depression has an identifiable cause. A stressful life event, such as a sudden loss or a relationship change, might trigger low moods. If these moods last a long time or are relatively severe, this might be considered depression, especially in someone who has a history of depressive episodes. The loss of a loved one, or even the ending of a relationship, can lead to deep feelings of sadness or grief, but those feelings aren’t the same as having depression. The grieving process tends to go in waves: Some moments, you might have positive memories or feel OK. Other times, you’ll feel down or lose interest in things you once loved. You also don’t usually suffer from low self-esteem or self-loathing during grief — but those are common symptoms of depression. However, grief can lead to [complicated grief](https://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu/professionals/complicated-grief-professionals/overview/) or depression, especially if you find it difficult to move on from the loss. Want to learn more? [You can read about the stages of grief and mourning here.](https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief) ## [Are there different kinds of depression?]() Yes. Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all. “Many people with depression don’t even know they have it,” says [Adrienne Meier](https://www.meierforensicpsych.com/), a clinical psychologist and telehealth practitioner. “Symptoms are often misattributed to fatigue or stress or even just ‘getting older.'” These are different kinds of depression: - Persistent depressive disorder ([Dysthymia](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/dysthymic-disorder-symptoms)): This condition is not as intense, but it drags on for two years or longer. - Depressive [psychosis](https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-psychotic-episodes-really-look-and-feel-like): This is a combination of severe depression and delusions or hallucinations. - [Bipolar disorder](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar): You alternate between [periods](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-during-period) of high energy and risky behavior ([mania](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/manic-episode)) and severe depression in which you find it difficult to cope. - Atypical depression: You might feel better for short periods in response to positive events. It can start earlier in life and last a long time. - Premenstrual dysphoric disorder ([PMDD](https://psychcentral.com/lib/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder)): This condition causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety during the time between ovulation and your period. - [Seasonal affective disorder](https://psychcentral.com/lib/seasonal-affective-disorder): Most common in winter or regions where the days are particularly short in fall and winter. It’s believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin in response to reduced light exposure. - [Situational depression](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/situational-depression) (or adjustment disorder): Begins with a stressful life event, such as a death, move, or family change. It usually begins within [3 months](https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression) of the event and tends to resolve within 6 months. - [Postpartum depression](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/postpartum-depression): Occurs during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. It usually coincides with the hormonal and physical changes that come with parenthood. - Major depression: Also known as clinical depression, this is the most common kind of depression (and the focus of this article). ## [What are the symptoms of major depression?]() Major depression can cause a range of symptoms that last 2 weeks or longer. Depression appears differently for each person, and its symptoms are not always consistent or clear-cut. You don’t need to experience all of the following to receive a diagnosis of depression, but it usually involves a combination of these symptoms: ### Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness “\[Depression\] feels deeper than sadness,” Heinemann says. You might find yourself wondering what’s the point of getting up, or you might cry more easily. Some people with depression say that it feels as if they’ve sunk into a deep, dark hole with no way out, and they have little to no hope that things will ever change. Others feel worthless or guilty. You might find yourself dwelling on things you wish you could have done differently. Or, you might not like yourself much right now. Self-loathing is a frequent symptom. ### You’re less interested in things you usually enjoy “Someone struggling \[with depression\] might lose interest in doing the things they used to be passionate about,” Heinemann says. For example, if you used to lovegoing for walks, playing sports, or painting, but now you dread the idea of doing any of those things, that’s a big red flag for depression. Depression can also [impact your desire for sex](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0265407518809488), according to research. ### You find it hard to concentrate, get things done, or take care of yourself “Often those suffering from depression describe it as a weight on top of them, suffocating them, making it impossible to get out of bed or take care of their basic needs,” says Heinemann. “They feel drowned by depression.” This can feel like being really low on energy. “Some people find it difficult to do things like showering or brushing their teeth,” she says. Others struggle with simple chores or concentrating at work. Even making decisions can feel difficult if you have depression. “Depression tends to hijack our brain, so the strategies we usually use or rely on \[to get things done\] aren’t helpful because our brains are lying to us,” explains Meier. “We are seeing the world through poop-covered glasses.” ### You feel irritable Research suggests that irritability is a symptom that’s [most common in males](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/index.shtml), but it can affect anyone. Irritability and aggression are also common signs of [depression in children](https://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-in-children-and-adolescents#1). So if you find yourself prone to anger, aggressiveness, or feel as if everyone around you is irritating, this could signal depression. ### Your sleep patterns have changed You might feel tired all the time and find yourself sleeping a lot more than usual. Or you might find it difficult to sleep even when you’re tired, so you spend long nights awake in bed. But research suggests that [most people](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18979946/) experience some sleep disturbance when they have depression. ### Your appetite has changed As with sleep, depression affects people’s appetites differently. Some people are hungry or feel the urge to eat all the time. Others don’t feel like eating at all. Changes in your appetite can affect your weight, too — and quickly. For example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that depression can lead to weight gain or loss of more than 5% of your body weight in a month. ### You feel anxious Depression doesn’t really cause anxiety, but a lot of people experience both conditions at the same time. So you might feel nervous, restless, or worried a lot. Your heart rate or breathing might change when you start to worry, or you might feel twitchy. Feeling anxious? [Here are 9 ways that can help to relieve anxiety right away.](https://psychcentral.com/lib/9-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-right-here-right-now) ### Your body aches For some people, depression causes physical symptoms like aches, pains and lots of headaches or [migraines](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/migraine-and-depression). Other people might be more sensitive to pain than usual. For example, one [study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub) found that some people with mental health disorders — including major depression — had migraine attacks that preceded them. ### You think about self-harm or suicide This is the most serious symptom of depression — even if your thoughts of death or suicide are fleeting and don’t involve plans to follow through. Some people have death ideation, which means feeling as if you don’t want to be alive anymore but don’t intend or have thoughts about self-harm or suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Help is available right now: - Text or call the [988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline](https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) at 988, or chat at [988Lifeline.org](http://988lifeline.org/). - Text “HOME” to the [Crisis Textline](https://www.crisistextline.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsPDQrdXH5wIVBRx9Ch1YdQjIEAAYASAAEgJ_1_D_BwE) at 741741. Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with [Befrienders Worldwide](https://www.befrienders.org/). ## [What causes it?]() Sometimes, people become depressed due to difficulties coping with many things over a period of time. Many find that work stress, relationship problems, and other issues accumulate over time. Life events or major life changes, like moving away, can also cause depression and related conditions. Feeling a lack of meaning or purpose can be one of the most common causes of depression, especially when you lose contact with activities that provide a sense of meaning, purpose, or sense of self. A number of things that can cause or contribute to depression, including: - Brain structure: Research suggests that the [hippocampus is smaller](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression) in some people with depression. A less active frontal lobe could also cause it. - Biochemistry: Differences in certain brain chemicals could contribute to depression. - Family history: You are more likely to have depression if depression or another mental health condition [runs in your family](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/is-depression-genetic). - Trauma: Stressful or traumatic events can impact how your body reacts to fear and stress in the future, which raises your risk of depression. This is [especially true](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3948592/) for childhood trauma. - Medical conditions: Chronic illness or pain, [insomnia](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/insomnia-symptoms#1), and [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)](https://psychcentral.com/adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-symptoms) are some of the conditions that could put you at a higher risk of developing depression. - Environmental factors: Exposure to abuse, violence, poverty, or trauma could make you more vulnerable to depression. ## [How is depression diagnosed?]() If you are noticing the symptoms of depression, a healthcare professional can help get you a diagnosis. This will likely begin with a conversation and a physical examination. Your doctor will likely ask you about your family history to see if depression or other mental health conditions run in your family. If you’re talking with your primary physician, they might also order [blood tests](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/blood-test-for-depression) to ensure that another medical condition isn’t the cause of your symptoms. For example, the fatigue or lethargy you can feel with depression could also be caused by [vitamin deficiencies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/) or a thyroid issue. If your doctor can’t find another cause for your symptoms, they will likely refer you to a licensed mental health expert who will evaluate your mood, behavior, and day-to-day activities. They will also ask you about your family’s psychological history. They may use a depression-rating questionnaire, such as the [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale](https://dcf.psychiatry.ufl.edu/files/2011/05/HAMILTON-DEPRESSION.pdf) or the [Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)](https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02885-6), to diagnose the condition. According to the DSM-5, you have to display at least five of the main symptoms of depression for over two weeks to get a diagnosis. ## [When to talk with a doctor]() If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional, especially since some symptoms can be caused by underlying medical conditions rather than depression. The sooner you talk with them, the sooner you can get the help you need to start feeling better. It’s OK if you’re feeling reluctant to talk to a mental health expert or doctor, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re not comfortable sharing, then no one except you and your doctor has to know that you’re seeking treatment. “We go to a doctor when our body isn’t feeling well, and we go to a therapist when our emotions feel out of whack,” says Heinemann. “Depression is not your fault, nor is it something you can just snap out of.” Wondering if your symptoms might be depression? You can take our [depression test](https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/depression-quiz) to find out. If you’re ready to reach out, a therapist who practices [interpersonal therapy](https://psychcentral.com/lib/interpersonal-therapy-ipt) or [cognitive behavioral therapy](https://psychcentral.com/lib/in-depth-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/) may help. ## [What’s next?]() Once you receive a diagnosis of depression, your mental health professional will discuss possible [treatments for depression](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment) with you, including one or a combination of the following: - [Antidepressants](https://psychcentral.com/lib/antidepressant-medications): These can help you begin to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it could be a couple of months before you truly begin to feel better. - [Psychotherapy](https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-psychotherapy): Better known as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you learn to problem-solve and recognize negative thinking. Your therapist can also help you maximize meaningful behaviors and activities during your week. This helps many people cope with challenges in a more adaptive way. - Electroconvulsive therapy ([ECT](https://psychcentral.com/lib/an-overview-of-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect)): This is reserved for people with the most severe kinds of depression who haven’t responded to other treatments. This is a safe and effective treatment. Feeling better will be a process: It won’t happen overnight. But with time, you’ll notice an improvement in the way that you feel. 17 sourcescollapsed - Complicated grief: Overview. (n.d.). <https://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu/professionals/complicated-grief-professionals/overview/> - Delaney AL. (2018). Sexual intimacy challenges as markers of relational turbulence in couples with depression. <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0265407518809488> - Depression. (n.d.). <https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression> - Depression. (2018). <https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml> - Depression. (2020). <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression> - Heinemann R. (2021). Personal interview. - Major depression. (2019). <https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml> - Meier A. (2021). Personal interview. - Men and depression. (2017). <https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/index.shtml> - Nutt D, et al. (2008). Sleep disorders as core symptoms of depression. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18979946/> - Peres MFP, et al. (2017). Anxiety and depression symptoms and migraine: A symptom-based approach research. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5360747/> - Rao TSS, et al. (2008). Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illness. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/> - Ratcliffe GE, et al. (2009). The relationship between migraine and mental disorders in a population-based sample. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub) - Sun Y, et al. (2020). The reliability and validity of PHQ-9 in patients with major depressive disorder in psychiatric hospital. <https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02885-6> - Vitriol V, et al. (2014). Depression and psychological trauma: An overview integrating current research and specific evidence of studies in the treatment of depression in public mental health services in Chile. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3948592/> - What causes depression? (2019). <https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression> - What is depression? (2020) <https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression> [FEEDBACK:]() ![](https://i0.wp.com/post.psychcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/New-Matthew-Boland-500x500-Bio.png?w=105&h=105) Medically reviewed by [Matthew Boland, PhD](https://www.psychcentral.com/reviewers/matthew-boland-phd) — Written by [Simone Marie](https://www.psychcentral.com/authors/simone-scully) — Updated on March 15, 2021 ## RELATED - [What Causes Depression?](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Treating Depression: What Are My Options?](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Coping with Depression: A Resource Guide](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Depression: Your Questions Answered](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) - [You Want Answers? 10 FAQs About Anxiety](https://www.psychcentral.com/anxiety/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext) ### Read this next - [What Causes Depression?](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Akilah Reynolds, PhD](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [What causes depression? Is it changes in your brain? Genes? Trauma? Hormones? Here's what research and experts say.](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-causes?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Treating Depression: What Are My Options?](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Nicole Washington, DO, MPH](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [Your depression treatment options are almost limitless. Medication, therapy, brain stimulation techniques, or self-help strategies could work for you.](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Coping with Depression: A Resource Guide](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Danielle Wade, LCSW](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [Psych Central has developed a wealth of resources to help you to live a better life with depression, including helpful living tips, stories of hope…](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/living-with-depression-guide?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Depression: Your Questions Answered](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Vara Saripalli, Psy.D.](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [Depression is much more than sadness and a low mood. It can have an impact on every aspect of your life.](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/frequently-asked-questions-about-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) - [You Want Answers? 10 FAQs About Anxiety](https://www.psychcentral.com/anxiety/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [Our experts answer candid questions about generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to equip your toolbox and set at ease your concerns.](https://www.psychcentral.com/anxiety/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/anxiety/frequently-asked-questions-about-generalized-anxiety-disorder?utm_source=ReadNext) - [How to Help a Partner Living With Depression](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/how-to-help-partner-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) [If your loved one is living with depression, they may need professional help. But you can also have a great impact on their recovery. Here's how.](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/how-to-help-partner-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/how-to-help-partner-with-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) - [10 Self-Care Tips When You Have Depression](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/self-care-for-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Danielle Wade, LCSW](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [Self-care can feel hard when you live with depression, but these tips can improve your mood and help you manage.](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/self-care-for-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/self-care-for-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) - [What Are the Cognitive Symptoms of Depression?](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/the-cognitive-symptoms-of-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Danielle Wade, LCSW](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [Depression can affect your cognition and impact your daily life. Learning how the cognitive symptoms of depression affect you can help you cope.](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/the-cognitive-symptoms-of-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/the-cognitive-symptoms-of-depression?utm_source=ReadNext) - [How to Support Someone Exploring Their Sexual Identity](https://www.psychcentral.com/health/sexual-identity?utm_source=ReadNext) Medically reviewed by [Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC](https://www.psychcentral.com/medical-team) [For someone exploring their sexual identity, the support of friends and family can make a world of difference. Here are tips on how to be a supportive…](https://www.psychcentral.com/health/sexual-identity?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/health/sexual-identity?utm_source=ReadNext) - [Podcast: Mental Health Isn’t a Movie: Olivia Nash on changing Hollywood’s Narrative](https://www.psychcentral.com/blog/podcast-mental-health-isnt-a-movie-olivia-nash-on-changing-hollywoods-narrative?utm_source=ReadNext) [A filmmaker challenges Hollywood’s mental health tropes with radical authenticity. Listen to the Inside Mental Health podcast episode right now\!](https://www.psychcentral.com/blog/podcast-mental-health-isnt-a-movie-olivia-nash-on-changing-hollywoods-narrative?utm_source=ReadNext) [READ MORE](https://www.psychcentral.com/blog/podcast-mental-health-isnt-a-movie-olivia-nash-on-changing-hollywoods-narrative?utm_source=ReadNext) © 2026 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. All rights reserved. Healthline Media is an RVO Health Company. 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Readable Markdown	We all feel sad sometimes. But if you’ve been feeling very low for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression. Sadness, anger, and tiredness are all natural human emotions. We’re usually able to manage these feelings, and they don’t tend to get in the way of our lives too much. [Depression](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression) is a mental health condition that lasts two weeks or more in which you feel sad, emotionally sensitive, hopeless, or uninterested in things that you usually love. The good news is that depression is treatable, and help is available. Lots of treatments can help, including therapy, self-care, and in some cases, antidepressants. Depression is a widespread mental health disorder. So if you have it, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, depression is one of the leading causes of [disability](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/is-depression-a-disability) in the United States and worldwide. It affects around [264 million people](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression) globally and [17\.3 million adults](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml) in the United States. Other names for depression include major depressive disorder, major depression, and clinical depression. We all feel sad or lonely from time to time. That’s part of being human. But if you feel low or hopeless often — like almost daily — it might be depression. This is especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for [2 weeks](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml) or longer. You might not know what’s causing these lingering symptoms. You might not even know when they began. All you know is that you just haven’t felt like yourself in a while. “Depression is something that doesn’t have much to do with outside circumstances,” says [Rachelle Heinemann](https://rheinemannlmhc.wixsite.com/website), a licensed mental health counselor in Brooklyn, New York. “There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it.” In other cases, depression has an identifiable cause. A stressful life event, such as a sudden loss or a relationship change, might trigger low moods. If these moods last a long time or are relatively severe, this might be considered depression, especially in someone who has a history of depressive episodes. The loss of a loved one, or even the ending of a relationship, can lead to deep feelings of sadness or grief, but those feelings aren’t the same as having depression. The grieving process tends to go in waves: Some moments, you might have positive memories or feel OK. Other times, you’ll feel down or lose interest in things you once loved. You also don’t usually suffer from low self-esteem or self-loathing during grief — but those are common symptoms of depression. However, grief can lead to [complicated grief](https://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu/professionals/complicated-grief-professionals/overview/) or depression, especially if you find it difficult to move on from the loss. Yes. Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all. “Many people with depression don’t even know they have it,” says [Adrienne Meier](https://www.meierforensicpsych.com/), a clinical psychologist and telehealth practitioner. “Symptoms are often misattributed to fatigue or stress or even just ‘getting older.'” These are different kinds of depression: - Persistent depressive disorder ([Dysthymia](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/dysthymic-disorder-symptoms)): This condition is not as intense, but it drags on for two years or longer. - Depressive [psychosis](https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-psychotic-episodes-really-look-and-feel-like): This is a combination of severe depression and delusions or hallucinations. - [Bipolar disorder](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar): You alternate between [periods](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/depression-during-period) of high energy and risky behavior ([mania](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/manic-episode)) and severe depression in which you find it difficult to cope. - Atypical depression: You might feel better for short periods in response to positive events. It can start earlier in life and last a long time. - Premenstrual dysphoric disorder ([PMDD](https://psychcentral.com/lib/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder)): This condition causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety during the time between ovulation and your period. - [Seasonal affective disorder](https://psychcentral.com/lib/seasonal-affective-disorder): Most common in winter or regions where the days are particularly short in fall and winter. It’s believed to be caused by changes in circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin in response to reduced light exposure. - [Situational depression](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/situational-depression) (or adjustment disorder): Begins with a stressful life event, such as a death, move, or family change. It usually begins within [3 months](https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression) of the event and tends to resolve within 6 months. - [Postpartum depression](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/postpartum-depression): Occurs during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth. It usually coincides with the hormonal and physical changes that come with parenthood. - Major depression: Also known as clinical depression, this is the most common kind of depression (and the focus of this article). Major depression can cause a range of symptoms that last 2 weeks or longer. Depression appears differently for each person, and its symptoms are not always consistent or clear-cut. You don’t need to experience all of the following to receive a diagnosis of depression, but it usually involves a combination of these symptoms: Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness “\[Depression\] feels deeper than sadness,” Heinemann says. You might find yourself wondering what’s the point of getting up, or you might cry more easily. Some people with depression say that it feels as if they’ve sunk into a deep, dark hole with no way out, and they have little to no hope that things will ever change. Others feel worthless or guilty. You might find yourself dwelling on things you wish you could have done differently. Or, you might not like yourself much right now. Self-loathing is a frequent symptom. You’re less interested in things you usually enjoy “Someone struggling \[with depression\] might lose interest in doing the things they used to be passionate about,” Heinemann says. For example, if you used to lovegoing for walks, playing sports, or painting, but now you dread the idea of doing any of those things, that’s a big red flag for depression. You find it hard to concentrate, get things done, or take care of yourself “Often those suffering from depression describe it as a weight on top of them, suffocating them, making it impossible to get out of bed or take care of their basic needs,” says Heinemann. “They feel drowned by depression.” This can feel like being really low on energy. “Some people find it difficult to do things like showering or brushing their teeth,” she says. Others struggle with simple chores or concentrating at work. Even making decisions can feel difficult if you have depression. “Depression tends to hijack our brain, so the strategies we usually use or rely on \[to get things done\] aren’t helpful because our brains are lying to us,” explains Meier. “We are seeing the world through poop-covered glasses.” You feel irritable Research suggests that irritability is a symptom that’s [most common in males](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/index.shtml), but it can affect anyone. Irritability and aggression are also common signs of [depression in children](https://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-in-children-and-adolescents#1). So if you find yourself prone to anger, aggressiveness, or feel as if everyone around you is irritating, this could signal depression. Your sleep patterns have changed You might feel tired all the time and find yourself sleeping a lot more than usual. Or you might find it difficult to sleep even when you’re tired, so you spend long nights awake in bed. But research suggests that [most people](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18979946/) experience some sleep disturbance when they have depression. Your appetite has changed As with sleep, depression affects people’s appetites differently. Some people are hungry or feel the urge to eat all the time. Others don’t feel like eating at all. Changes in your appetite can affect your weight, too — and quickly. For example, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that depression can lead to weight gain or loss of more than 5% of your body weight in a month. You feel anxious Depression doesn’t really cause anxiety, but a lot of people experience both conditions at the same time. So you might feel nervous, restless, or worried a lot. Your heart rate or breathing might change when you start to worry, or you might feel twitchy. Your body aches For some people, depression causes physical symptoms like aches, pains and lots of headaches or [migraines](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/migraine-and-depression). Other people might be more sensitive to pain than usual. For example, one [study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834308001679?via%3Dihub) found that some people with mental health disorders — including major depression — had migraine attacks that preceded them. You think about self-harm or suicide This is the most serious symptom of depression — even if your thoughts of death or suicide are fleeting and don’t involve plans to follow through. Some people have death ideation, which means feeling as if you don’t want to be alive anymore but don’t intend or have thoughts about self-harm or suicide. Sometimes, people become depressed due to difficulties coping with many things over a period of time. Many find that work stress, relationship problems, and other issues accumulate over time. Life events or major life changes, like moving away, can also cause depression and related conditions. Feeling a lack of meaning or purpose can be one of the most common causes of depression, especially when you lose contact with activities that provide a sense of meaning, purpose, or sense of self. A number of things that can cause or contribute to depression, including: - Brain structure: Research suggests that the [hippocampus is smaller](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression) in some people with depression. A less active frontal lobe could also cause it. - Biochemistry: Differences in certain brain chemicals could contribute to depression. - Family history: You are more likely to have depression if depression or another mental health condition [runs in your family](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/is-depression-genetic). - Trauma: Stressful or traumatic events can impact how your body reacts to fear and stress in the future, which raises your risk of depression. This is [especially true](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3948592/) for childhood trauma. - Medical conditions: Chronic illness or pain, [insomnia](https://psychcentral.com/disorders/insomnia-symptoms#1), and [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)](https://psychcentral.com/adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-symptoms) are some of the conditions that could put you at a higher risk of developing depression. - Environmental factors: Exposure to abuse, violence, poverty, or trauma could make you more vulnerable to depression. If you are noticing the symptoms of depression, a healthcare professional can help get you a diagnosis. This will likely begin with a conversation and a physical examination. Your doctor will likely ask you about your family history to see if depression or other mental health conditions run in your family. If you’re talking with your primary physician, they might also order [blood tests](https://www.psychcentral.com/depression/blood-test-for-depression) to ensure that another medical condition isn’t the cause of your symptoms. For example, the fatigue or lethargy you can feel with depression could also be caused by [vitamin deficiencies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/) or a thyroid issue. If your doctor can’t find another cause for your symptoms, they will likely refer you to a licensed mental health expert who will evaluate your mood, behavior, and day-to-day activities. According to the DSM-5, you have to display at least five of the main symptoms of depression for over two weeks to get a diagnosis. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional, especially since some symptoms can be caused by underlying medical conditions rather than depression. The sooner you talk with them, the sooner you can get the help you need to start feeling better. It’s OK if you’re feeling reluctant to talk to a mental health expert or doctor, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s OK to ask for help. If you’re not comfortable sharing, then no one except you and your doctor has to know that you’re seeking treatment. “We go to a doctor when our body isn’t feeling well, and we go to a therapist when our emotions feel out of whack,” says Heinemann. “Depression is not your fault, nor is it something you can just snap out of.” Wondering if your symptoms might be depression? You can take our [depression test](https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/depression-quiz) to find out. Once you receive a diagnosis of depression, your mental health professional will discuss possible [treatments for depression](https://psychcentral.com/depression/depression-treatment) with you, including one or a combination of the following: - [Antidepressants](https://psychcentral.com/lib/antidepressant-medications): These can help you begin to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks, though it could be a couple of months before you truly begin to feel better. - [Psychotherapy](https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-psychotherapy): Better known as talk therapy, psychotherapy can help you learn to problem-solve and recognize negative thinking. Your therapist can also help you maximize meaningful behaviors and activities during your week. This helps many people cope with challenges in a more adaptive way. - Electroconvulsive therapy ([ECT](https://psychcentral.com/lib/an-overview-of-electroconvulsive-therapy-ect)): This is reserved for people with the most severe kinds of depression who haven’t responded to other treatments. This is a safe and effective treatment. Feeling better will be a process: It won’t happen overnight. But with time, you’ll notice an improvement in the way that you feel.
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