7 Key Facts About Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Overcome It

Overview of Depression

Depression, or Major Depressive Disorder, is defined as a condition that deeply affects a person’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior through persistent and intense symptoms. It disrupts daily functioning and extends far beyond the ordinary sadness that most people experience from time to time. Depression is considered the most common mental health disorder. Despite how widespread it is, many people suffering from it remain undiagnosed due to hesitation in seeking help from a doctor or mental health professional. This hesitation can stem from feelings of shame about having a mental health issue or a belief that depression is a personal weakness rather than a legitimate medical condition.

It’s important to highlight that many effective treatments are available to help individuals recover from depression and return to their normal daily routines. That’s why seeking medical help when experiencing ongoing depressive symptoms is crucial—since this condition can have serious consequences on one’s quality of life, increase suicidal thoughts, and worsen the course of other chronic physical or mental illnesses.

Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms of depression vary depending on factors such as age, gender, and cultural background. For instance, younger children may have difficulty expressing their feelings and instead appear more irritable or complain about physical ailments. Teenagers may show signs of rebellion, academic decline, social withdrawal, or engagement in risky behaviors. In older adults, depression can be harder to identify as its symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to aging or other health issues.

Key symptoms include:

• Low mood: A constant feeling of sadness, hopelessness, irritability, frustration, or anger. Some people describe a general numbness or emotional emptiness.
• Loss of interest (Anhedonia): A noticeable disinterest in work, daily activities, hobbies, or people the person once enjoyed.
• Appetite and weight changes: Either increased or decreased appetite and significant weight gain or loss. The person might crave comfort food or struggle to eat.
• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, waking up too early, insomnia, or, in contrast, oversleeping—without feeling refreshed.
• Restlessness or sluggishness: Either physical agitation such as fidgeting or pacing, or psychomotor retardation like slowed speech, movement, and thinking.
• Fatigue: Lack of energy, needing more rest than usual, or difficulty starting and finishing tasks.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Excessive self-blame over real or perceived mistakes, or feeling undeserving, incompetent, or useless.
• Concentration issues: Trouble thinking clearly, focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Suicidal thoughts: Ranging from feeling that life has no value to actively thinking about or planning suicide.

For more on depressive symptoms, see: What are the symptoms of depression?

Causes of Depression

There are various theories to explain the causes of depression, the most common being brain chemistry. The human body contains countless chemicals that may influence mood and perception. However, other biological and external factors also play a role. While no single definitive cause has been confirmed, contributing factors may include:

• Biological differences: People with depression may show physical changes in their brain structure.
• Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are key to mood regulation and are often disrupted in depression.
• Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal shifts, such as during pregnancy, postpartum, thyroid disorders, or menopause, may trigger depression.
• Genetics: Depression tends to run in families. Researchers are working to identify the specific genes involved.
• Life circumstances: Events such as trauma, abuse, the loss of loved ones, financial issues, or chronic illness (e.g., cancer, stroke, heart disease), as well as other mental health disorders like anxiety or eating disorders, can increase the risk. Personality traits like low self-esteem may also contribute.

For more on depression causes, read: Causes of Depression.

Types of Depression

Depression manifests differently depending on the individual’s symptoms and underlying causes. Notable types include:

• Major Depression: As previously discussed, with hallmark symptoms lasting most of the day, nearly every day.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): A long-term form of depression lasting two years or more, with ongoing low mood.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression linked to specific times of the year, typically winter, and often treated with light therapy or antidepressants.
• Atypical Depression: Includes symptoms like heavy limbs, oversleeping, heightened sensitivity to rejection, and mood improvement following positive events.
• Bipolar Disorder: Characterized by mood swings between manic highs and depressive lows.
• Psychotic Depression: Combines severe depression with symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions.
• Postpartum Depression: Affects women shortly after childbirth.
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Severe mood swings and depression symptoms around menstruation.
• Situational Depression: Triggered by stressful events like job loss, divorce, or bereavement.

Diagnosing Depression

Diagnosis typically relies on:

• Symptom history: The patient is asked detailed questions about emotional, mental, and behavioral changes. Diagnosis often requires the presence of at least five symptoms lasting two weeks or more, including low mood and loss of interest.
• Family history: Information about relatives with depression helps identify hereditary risks.
• Medical tests: While there’s no lab test that confirms depression, doctors may order blood tests—like thyroid function tests—to rule out other conditions mimicking depressive symptoms.

More on this in: Depression Diagnosis.

The Chemical Side of Depression

Depression isn’t just a feeling — it’s also a biological imbalance that affects how the brain operates. Your thoughts and emotions are not just abstract ideas floating in your head. They’re literally chemical signals fired between billions of neurons. Some of us are naturally wired with chemical imbalances that make it harder to feel joy, energy, or calm. Others may develop these imbalances due to stress, trauma, poor lifestyle, or neglect of mental and physical health. The good news? These chemicals can be influenced — through medication, therapy, nutrition, exercise, and conscious effort. Below is a table outlining the main players when it comes to brain chemistry and mood:

Key Neurotransmitters and Molecules Involved in Depression

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the severity:

• Mild depression: Doctors may recommend a two-week monitoring period, increased physical activity, and support from friends, family, or professionals. Talk therapy and lifestyle changes may be sufficient.
• Moderate to severe depression: Typically requires a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Main treatment types:

• Medication: Includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The choice depends on side effects, other health conditions, past responses, and cost. Medications usually take 1–2 weeks to begin showing effects, with full improvement often seen after 6–12 weeks.
• Psychotherapy: Involves working with a therapist to develop positive thinking patterns and behavioral changes.

To learn more, refer to: Depression Treatments and Antidepressants.

Tips for People with Depression

Living with depression can be challenging, but these tips may help ease its impact:

• Talk about your feelings with someone you trust—whether a friend, family member, support group, or mental health professional.
• Improve sleep habits by reducing screen time and creating a calming bedtime routine.
• Adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.
• Challenge and reframe negative thoughts.
• Stick to a daily routine and complete everyday tasks as normally as possible.
• Loved ones should monitor the person’s well-being, especially for signs of suicidal thinking, such as talking about death or self-harm.

Depression in Children and Adolescents

Not every sad child or teen is clinically depressed. But if persistent sadness lasts over two weeks and interferes with social life, school, or hobbies, professional evaluation is recommended.

Signs include:

• Irritability and anger
• Social withdrawal or fear of rejection
• Ongoing sadness and hopelessness
• Noticeable changes in appetite or sleep
• Outbursts of crying or shouting
• General fatigue and low energy
• Unexplained physical complaints (e.g., headaches, stomach pain)
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Difficulty focusing
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Author’s Perspective

Though depression is biologically real and can deeply affect people’s lives, as well as those of their families and friends, it is sometimes used as a form of escape—a way to justify laziness, an unloved personality, reckless actions, or a lack of accountability and responsibility. If your depression is not rooted in biology, it is often controllable. With the power of the mind, you can influence how your brain functions and what your neurons release.

Take this as an example: you’re someone who finds satisfaction in the small things before the big ones—because you truly appreciate what you have. Some people are grateful just for their daily breakfast, fully aware that someone else—perhaps a homeless person or someone living in a war-torn country—might not have that privilege. That kind of perspective shapes resilience.

Always aim for achievement, and appreciate what you accomplish. Practice self-love and self-care. Be accountable and responsible for your mistakes. Take pride in being honest and strong enough to face your actions rather than escaping them or hiding behind lies.

Every problem has a solution. Every tough situation you’re in happens for a reason—it’s never random. We each have unique capabilities, and there is always room for growth. Strengthen your mind with faith, physical well-being, knowledge, and love. Don’t let your surroundings dictate how your brain functions; instead, observe, learn, and adapt.

Human beings are the most complex creatures on Earth.

Note from the Author:
What follows is a personal reflection intended to empower readers, especially those seeking to overcome non-clinical forms of depression through mindset and personal responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Depression

Q1: What is depression?
A: Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a medical condition that affects a person’s mood, thoughts, behavior, and daily functioning. It can last for weeks, months, or longer and impact many areas of life.

Q2: How can I tell if I’m depressed?
A: Common signs include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in appetite or sleep, low energy, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sometimes thoughts of death or suicide. If these last for more than two weeks, it’s important to seek help.

Q3: What causes depression?
A: Depression can have many causes, including biological factors like brain chemistry imbalances, genetics, hormone changes, as well as life stressors such as trauma, loss, or chronic illness.

Q4: Is depression the same for everyone?
A: No. Depression varies by person in symptoms, severity, and triggers. For example, children and older adults might show different signs, and there are several types of depression, such as major depression, seasonal affective disorder, or postpartum depression.

Q5: Can depression be treated?
A: Yes. Depression is treatable with therapy, medication, lifestyle changes like exercise and diet, and support. Treatment plans vary depending on the person and the type or severity of depression.

Q6: Are antidepressant medications safe?
A: When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, antidepressants are generally safe and effective. They usually take a few weeks to work and may have side effects that should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Q7: Can lifestyle changes help with depression?
A: Absolutely. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, good sleep habits, stress management, and social support can all improve symptoms and support long-term recovery.

Q8: What should I do if someone I know is depressed?
A: Be supportive and listen without judgment. Encourage them to seek professional help and offer to assist in finding resources. Watch for warning signs of suicide and take them seriously.

Q9: Is depression the same as feeling sad or going through a tough time?
A: No. Everyone feels sad sometimes, but depression is a persistent condition that affects how you function daily and doesn’t go away on its own.

Q10: Can I prevent depression?
A: While not all depression is preventable, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, building strong social connections, managing stress, and seeking help early can reduce risk and improve resilience.

Read More: Cognitive Load Theory: Why Your Brain is Overwhelmed and 7 Ways to Regain Mental Clarity