A: Depression is a clinical illness, while unhappiness is a state of mind. With depression, you actually have symptoms like slowed thought and movement, a despairing sense of the future, an inability to feel pleasure or find meaning, and ongoing thoughts of suicide.
Being unhappy isn't the same as being depressed. Depression is a term often used loosely to describe how we feel after a bad week at work or when we're going through a breakup. But major depressive disorder — a type of depression — is much more complicated.
Depression is about being sad, sure—but it's more than that. Clinical depression is a mental health condition that involves a lot of symptoms, like feeling exhausted all the time, losing interest in activities you normally enjoy, or thoughts of death and suicide. Episodes of depression last at least 2 weeks at a time.
Everyone will experience sadness from time to time in the ups and downs of everyday life. However, a persisting period of sadness could point to a mental illness, including (but not limited to) depression and anxiety. If you have any concerns, please make an appointment to see your GP.
Anhedonia is closely linked to depression, but you don't have to be depressed or feel sad to have it. It also affects people with other mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Depression is like an extreme form of sadness that doesn't go away after a few weeks. People with depression may find it difficult to feel happy about anything in life, not only specific events. Sadness is a temporary feeling, but depression is a serious mental health condition that can impact aspects of everyday life.
Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.
Usually, the depressive episode length ranges from six months to eight months, depending on the person. While some people may have depression that fades, others may struggle with depression on and off their whole life. Also, different types of depression go away with time and are more short-lived by nature.
You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression. Your mental health professional may diagnose you with depression if these symptoms: happen most days.
Depression is a serious mental illness and is unlikely to go away or cure itself. Without treatment, depression can last for years or decades and can worsen over time. For people concerned about whether their depression will ever go away, it's important to reach out and seek professional treatment.
Feeling emotionless can often be a symptom of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic disorder so it's not something to dismiss or downplay. In these cases, seeking the help of a professional is crucial. So remember you don't have to work through this alone.
Untreated clinical depression is a serious problem. Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses.
Situational depression is a short-term, stress-related type of depression. It can develop after you experience a traumatic event or series of events. Situational depression is a type of adjustment disorder.
You feel depressed, anxious, or chronically worried. You feel like you're not appreciated enough. You find yourself judging others. You frequently numb yourself with alcohol, drugs, sex, television, or excessive busyness.
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
It's completely normal to feel unhappy from time to time. It happens to everyone. However, it is possible that you are doing some things that are contributing to your feelings of unhappiness.
A person can seem fine or even happy on the surface, while privately experiencing serious symptoms of depression. In many cases, the only way to know if someone is feeling depressed is if they tell you explicitly what they are feeling.
Mild depression involves depressive symptoms that are considered low-grade. While many of the same symptoms of more severe depression are present, including irritability, sadness, and lack of motivation, they are often more subtle and less intense.
Depression is a medical condition that affects your mood and ability to function. Depression types include clinical depression, bipolar depression, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder and others.
Divorce, separation, and the threat of either often result in both conflict and depression, and serious marital problems and divorce are two of the strongest predictors of depression.
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
Stage 1: Origin
This is a time when the brain starts to change, becoming more susceptible to depression and sadness. Signs include hopelessness, longing, general sadness, and fatigue.
Each person's recovery is different. Some recover in a few weeks or months. But for others, depression is a long-term illness. In about 20% to 30% of people who have an episode of depression, the symptoms don't entirely go away.