What is Depression?

Depression: Signs, Types, and Treatment Options

Feeling sad after a loss, a breakup, job stress, or a big life change is normal. Most people feel down sometimes, and those feelings often ease with time.

Depression is different. Depression is a medical condition that causes deep sadness or emptiness that lasts a long time and makes everyday life harder. It can affect how you think, feel, and function at work, school, and home.
Depression is common, treatable, and not a personal weakness.

What Is Depression?

Depression (also called a depressive disorder) is more than feeling “blue.” People with depression may feel low almost every day for weeks or months. It can affect sleep, appetite, energy, motivation, and self-esteem.

A common symptom is anhedonia, which means losing interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy.

Many people with depression also have anxiety, and the two can happen together.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Depression

People experience depression in different ways, but common symptoms include:

Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day
Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (anhedonia)
Changes in appetite or weight
Sleeping too much or too little
Feeling tired or low energy
Feeling worthless or very guilty
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Feeling restless or slowed down
Thinking about death or suicide

If symptoms last two weeks or longer and interfere with daily life, it’s important to get help.

How Depression Can Look in Different People

Depression in Men

Depression in men may show up more as:

Tiredness or burnout
Irritability or anger
Risky behavior
Alcohol or drug misuse
Not realizing they are depressed or not asking for help

Depression in Women

Depression in women may show up as:

Deep sadness
Feelings of worthlessness
Guilt
Emotional sensitivity

Depression in Older Adults

Depression in older adults may be harder to spot.

They may:

Talk less about sadness
Seem less motivated or “not themselves”
Have health issues that worsen depression

Depression in Children

Depression in children may look like:

Refusing to go to school
Strong separation anxiety
Worries about parents getting harmed or dying

Depression in Teenagers

Depression in teens may look like:

Irritability or moodiness
Withdrawing from friends or family
Trouble at school
Anxiety, eating disorders, or substance use

Types of Depression

Depressive disorders can be classified into several types. The most common are:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major depressive disorder is the most common form of depression. People with MDD have at least five symptoms (listed above) for two weeks or more, and the symptoms affect daily life.

MDD may cause major changes in work, school, relationships, and self-care.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Persistent depressive disorder is a long-lasting, low-grade depression.

In adults, symptoms last 2 years or more
In children/teens, symptoms last 1 year or more

Symptoms are often milder than MDD but can feel never-ending.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

PMDD is a severe form of PMS that strongly affects mood and daily functioning.

Symptoms usually:

Start 7–10 days before a period, and
Improve a few days after the period begins

PMDD may cause intense sadness, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and anger.

Depression Caused by a Medical Condition

Some medical issues can cause depression symptoms, including:

Thyroid problems
Hormone disorders (like Cushing’s syndrome)
Diabetes or chronic illness
Neurological conditions like stroke or Parkinson’s

Treating the medical condition often helps reduce depression.

Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

This type of depression begins within 3 months of a stressful life event, such as a loss, divorce, job change, or even a positive life change that feels overwhelming.

Symptoms usually improve within 6 months, especially with support.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder is depression linked to seasons, usually winter. SAD is often triggered by less sunlight and shorter days.

Bipolar Disorder and Depression

Bipolar disorder includes episodes of depression and episodes of unusually high or irritable mood (mania or hypomania). Bipolar depression can look like MDD, but treatment is different, so diagnosis matters.

What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)?

Treatment-resistant depression usually means someone has tried two or more antidepressants (for several weeks each) and still has depression symptoms.

If that happens, don’t give up — many other treatments can help, including:

Trying different medications or combinations
Therapies like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Newer treatments, such as ketamine (in a clinic)
Brain-stimulation treatments, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), can help some people.

Depression and Anxiety: What’s the Difference?

Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but many people have both.

People with depression may also feel:

Nervous or tense
Irritable
Unable to sleep
Unable to focus

Having anxiety earlier in life can make depression more likely later, but one does not directly “cause” the other.

When to Get Help

Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if:

Symptoms last more than two weeks
You can’t function like you used to
You’re withdrawing from life
You feel hopeless
You’re thinking about harming yourself

If you are in immediate danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Discover Treatment and Medication Options for Depression

Free ADAA Resources:

Animated Videos

Depression and Anxiety Webinars: Free Mental Health Education Library

Browse our on-demand webinars about depression, anxiety, teen mental health, therapy options, and related conditions. Use the links below to quickly find the topic you need.

Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Webinars

Learn what depression is, how to recognize it, and evidence-based ways to feel better.

What is Depression?
- Overview of depression basics, signs, and support.
Depression: How to Recognize it and How to Treat it
- How to spot depression and explore treatment options.
CBT for Depression: The Basics
- Introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression.
Life After Depression: A Scientific and Personal Perspective
- Recovery, resilience, and what research says about long-term wellness.

Anxiety and Depression Together: Coping Skills & Therapy

Practical tools for managing anxiety and depression, including therapy and medication guidance.

Thriving with Anxiety and Depression
- Coping strategies for living well with both conditions.
Get Unstuck from Depression and Anxiety with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- ACT skills for reducing avoidance, building meaning, and moving forward.
For My Anxiety or Depression: Should I Use Medication or Therapy?
- How to decide between therapy, medication, or both.

Children, Teens, and Family Mental Health

Resources for parents, caregivers, and anyone supporting kids or teens.

For Parents & Caregivers

Helping Kids with Anxiety & Depression: Strategies for Parents & Caregivers
- Parenting tools for childhood anxiety and depression.
Depresión y ansiedad en niños/Anxiety and Depression in Children - Spanish psychoeducational video
- Family education on kids’ depression and anxiety in Spanish.

For Teens & Teen Safety

How to Identify Signs of Depression and Talk of Suicide in Teens
- Warning signs, suicide prevention, and how to start the conversation.
Bullying, Anxiety, and Depression
- Mental health impact of bullying and what helps teens recover.

Depression and Other Health Conditions

How depression overlaps with physical health, neurodiversity, and life stages.

When Autism and Depression Come Together: What We Know, How to Manage, and Key Resources
- Depression in autistic individuals and supportive resources.
The Relationship Between Migraines and Depression
- Why migraines and depression often co-occur and what to do.
Depression and Heart Disease: Chicken and the Egg, and What You Can Do
- The two-way link between depression and cardiovascular health.
Depression Among College Students
- Depression in young adults, campus stress, and support options.

Lifestyle and Complementary Approaches for Depression

Evidence-informed wellness approaches that can support recovery.

Can Yoga Help with Depression? What Does the Research Say?
- What studies show about yoga, mood, and mental health.
Exercise for Stress and Anxiety

Recursos Gratuitos en Español:

Blog Posts

Depression Basics & Diagnosis

Depression Across Life Stages

Children & Teens

Relationships & Support

How Do You Talk to Your Loved One Suffering With Depression?

Anxiety + Depression (co-occurring)

Identity, Culture, & Community Mental Health

Treatment & Emerging Approaches

Lifestyle, Wellness, & Seasonal Themes

Explore Community Mental Health Resources

Access professional support, crisis services, and tools designed to help manage anxiety, depression, and related mental health conditions. While ADAA believes these sources provide valuable information, inclusion here does not represent a formal endorsement.

US Government, International Organizations, and Depression Related Community Resources:

The sources for this website page come from NIMH, American Psychiatric Association and the Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry (Ninth edition.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer., as well as the reviews of our members.