What is depression?

A mood disorder known as depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy. It's not like the mood swings that everyone goes through on a regular basis.

Trusted Source depression can be brought on by significant life events like the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. However, a person's negative emotions in response to a difficult life event are not the same as depression.

Depression can cause feelings that are intense, persistent, and out of proportion to a person's circumstances, even when circumstances change.

It is a problem that will not go away. Major depressive disorder is the most common type of depression, but there are other types as well. It has episodes that last at least two weeks and cause symptoms. Trusted Source Depression can last for months, years, or even a few weeks. It is frequently a chronic illness that improves briefly before returning.