


Several health conditions are closely related to depression or have depression as a characteristic feature. People with depression have a higher risk of substance abuse problems and dying by suicide than the general population. Affected individuals may have difficulty functioning in their daily lives, including at school or work.

If untreated, episodes of depression can last for weeks, months, or years, and can go away and come back (recur). However, the features of this condition vary widely.ĭepression most commonly begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, although it can appear at any age. To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must have signs and symptoms nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. Although depression is considered primarily a mental health disorder, it can also have physical features including headaches, other unexplained aches and pains, unusually slow or fast movements, and digestive problems. People with depression may also have changes in appetite (leading to overeating or not eating enough), changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or not being able to sleep), loss of energy, and difficulty concentrating. It causes prolonged feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Depression (also known as major depression or major depressive disorder) is a psychiatric disorder that affects mood, behavior, and overall health.
