Please remember, we are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. It is essential to seek the opinion of a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your medication or treatment. This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common and serious mood disorder that negatively affects how you feel, think,¹ and behave. It's characterised by persistent sadness and loss of interest or pleasure in activities and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It's more than just feeling "down" or having a bad day; it's a persistent condition that can significantly interfere with daily life, including work, school, social activities, and relationships.

Here are some key aspects of depression:

• Persistent Sadness or Low Mood: A feeling of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness that lasts for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. In children and adolescents, this may manifest as irritability.
• Loss of Interest or Pleasure: A significant decrease in interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.
• Changes in Appetite or Weight: Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month) or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
• Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day.
• Fatigue or Loss of Energy: Feeling tired or having a lack of energy nearly every day.
• Slowed Movements or Agitation: Noticeable slowing down of thought and physical movement (psychomotor retardation) or agitation and restlessness.
• Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
• Difficulty Thinking or Concentrating: Trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions nearly every day.
• Thoughts of Death or Suicide: Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation (with or without a specific plan), or a suicide attempt.

For a diagnosis of depression, these symptoms must be present for at least two weeks and represent a change from previous functioning. They must also cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

It's important to understand that:

• Depression is a real illness, not a sign of weakness. It's a medical condition that can be effectively treated.
• Anyone can experience depression, regardless of age, sex, race, or socioeconomic status.
• The exact cause of depression is complex and not fully understood, but it's believed to involve a combination of genetic, biological (neurochemical imbalances), environmental, and psychological factors. Stressful life events, trauma, family history of depression, chronic illnesses, and certain personality traits can increase the risk of developing depression.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, seeking help from a healthcare professional is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.