What is Depression?
Depression is more than feeling sad. It's a persistent condition that affects how you think, feel, and handle daily activities. It's one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide — and it's treatable.
Common symptoms
- •Persistent sadness or emptiness
- •Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- •Changes in sleep — too much or too little
- •Fatigue and low energy most days
- •Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- •Changes in appetite or weight
- •Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- •Thoughts of death or suicide
If you've experienced several of these for more than two weeks, please consider talking to a professional.
Myths vs. facts
Depression is just sadness
It's a medical condition affecting brain chemistry, not a character flaw.
You can just snap out of it
Recovery takes time, support, and often professional help.
Only weak people get depressed
Depression affects people of all backgrounds — it has nothing to do with strength.
Antidepressants change your personality
They help restore balance so you can feel like yourself again.
When to seek help
If depression is interfering with your work, relationships, or daily life — or if you're having thoughts of self-harm — please reach out to a mental health professional or call a crisis helpline.
Learn about related experiences
This site is not a substitute for professional mental health care.