Clinical depression

Also called: Major depression

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A mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological and social sources of distress. Increasingly, research suggests that these factors may cause changes in brain function, including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain.

Persistent depressive disorder

Also called: Dysthymia

A mild but long-term form of depression.

Dysthymia is defined as a low mood occurring for at least two years, along with at least two other symptoms of depression.