Depression

Depression, or Major Depressive Disorder, is a common mood disorder that affects an individual’s mood and motivation and leads to cognitive, emotional, and physical problems. Depression is more than just feeling sad. An individual diagnosed as depressed experiences at least five of the following criteria for a minimum of two weeks:

• Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite; Eat more and experience weight gain or eat less and have weight loss
• Changes in sleep; Excessive sleep or trouble sleeping
• Changes in physical activity; Restlessness or slowed movements and speech
• Loss of energy or fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is common. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “more than 19 million US adults had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.” Depression can be recurring or a one-time experience. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Postpartum Depression are other forms of depression.

Psychotherapy and medication can be useful in treating depression. Exercise, time outdoors in the sun, social interaction, clean spaces, and coping skills can also help with depressive symptoms.

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