Depression is a mental health condition that results in prolonged periods of sadness and disinterest in one’s former hobbies. While sadness is a normal reaction to difficult experiences in life, such as losing a loved one or suffering setbacks, depression results in sadness that persists for weeks and months at a time. Children, teens, and adults can all suffer from depression.

Depression can result from a variety of factors, including changes in hormone levels, neurotransmitter imbalances, and genetic factors. In some cases, these contributing factors trigger depression in conjunction with tragic events, such as losing a loved one or suffering a disabling injury. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the contributing factors to a person’s depression in many cases.

Some people experience periods of depression during particular months each year, which clinicians refer to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD typically occurs during the winter months. However, in rare cases, people can experience seasonal depression during the summer months, too. Another form of depression is persistent depressive disorder, which refers to cases of depression that last over two years.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

Some common symptoms of depression include:

• Sadness or unhappiness-down in the dumps

• Excessive or inappropriate guilt

• Fatigue and changes in sleeping patterns, 

• Changes in eating habits  

• Weight gain or loss

• Lack or loss of interest in all or most things

• Feelings of worthlessness

• Frequent crying or weeping

• Difficulty concentrating or holding attention

Each case of depression is different, and clients can display just one or several of the above signs and symptoms.

Seeking help from trained mental health professionals can be a start in acquiring assistance for a person dealing with depressive symptoms