What is depression? Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities.

Depression: how it works

It’s important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But, if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.

Feeling down is normal

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among men, women, and children differently.

It doesn't choose

<ul><li>mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness</li><li>emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, hopeless</li><li>behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, engaging in high-risk activities</li><li>sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire, lack of sexual performance</li><li>cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, delayed responses during conversations</li><li>sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepless</li></ul>

Symptoms 

<ul><li>mood, such as irritability</li><li>emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious or hopeless</li><li>behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, thoughts of suicide</li><li>cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly</li><li>sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, sleeping too much</li><li>physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, increased cramps</li></ul>

Symptoms women feel

<ul><li>mood, such as irritability, anger, mood swings, crying</li><li>emotional well-being, such as feelings of incompetence (e.g. “I can’t do anything right”) or despair, crying, intense sadness</li><li>behavior, such as getting into trouble at school or refusing to go to school, avoiding friends or siblings, thoughts of death or suicide</li><li>cognitive abilities, such as difficulty concentrating, decline in school performance, changes in grades</li><li>sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much</li><li>physical well-being, such as loss of energy, digestive problems, changes in appetite, weight loss or gain</li></ul>

Symptoms children experience

<ul><li>Family history. You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/genetic">family history </a>of depression or another mood disorder.</li><li>Early childhood trauma. Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.</li><li>Brain structure. There’s a greater risk for depression if the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/frontal-lobe">frontal lobe of your brain </a>is less active. </li><li>Medical conditions. Certain conditions may put you at higher risk, such as <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-illness-self-doubts-overcome">chronic illness </a>, insomnia, chronic pain.</li><li>Drug use. A history of drug or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.</li></ul>

Common causes

<ul><li>low self-esteem or being self-critical</li><li>personal history of mental illness</li><li>certain medications</li><li>stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, economic problems, or a <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/guide-to-a-healthy-divorce">divorce </a></li></ul>

Other risk factors

Depression is a mood disorder that can affect a person’s daily life. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger. Learn the causes, symptoms, treatments, and how depression can affect people differently.

Everything You Want to Know About Depression

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