What is depression?

Guide

Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass with a little time and people ‘bounce back’, however Depression (also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is different. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating or working.

Types of depression

Major depressive disorder / depressive episode which includes symptoms of depression most of the time for 2 or more weeks that typically interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, study and eat.

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) often includes less severe symptoms of depression that last much longer, typically for at least 2 years. Perinatal depression, which occurs when a woman experiences major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). For more information, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression.

Seasonal affective disorder which comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in late fall and early winter and going away during spring and summer. For more information, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

Depression with symptoms of psychosis which is a severe form of depression where a person experiences psychosis symptoms, such as delusions (disturbing, false fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others do not see or hear). For more information about psychosis, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis

Additional resources

Beyond Blue
Black Dog Institute – Treatments for Depression
Black Dog Institute – Depression in Adolescents

If symptoms of depression are severe, last for two weeks or more, and affect your functioning at home or at work, please book an appointment with Virtu.

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