Depression

Depression looks and feels different for everyone. Understanding which type you may be experiencing helps you and your health care provider create the right treatment plan. The examples below range from mild, short-term forms of depression to more severe types.

Situational depression

Situational depression is a short-term form of depression that occurs following a stressful life event, such as divorce, retirement, job loss, or the death of a loved one. Symptoms often improve with time, support, and coping strategies.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

SAD is a form of depression that typically appears in the fall and winter, when daylight hours are shorter. You may notice fatigue, a decreased interest in spending time with others, changes in sleep patterns or appetite, and feelings of hopelessness. Learn more about SAD (PDF).

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

PDD (also known as dysthymia) is defined by milder depression symptoms that last for two years or more. Some symptoms may be similar to major depression, though they usually change in intensity or feel milder over time.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

MDD occurs when feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed last for two weeks or more. Health care providers diagnose major depression when you have multiple symptoms that persist and interfere with your daily life.

Melancholic depression

Melancholic depression is when you experience an almost total loss of pleasure or joy in life. You might feel deep despair or emptiness. Your movements or speech may slow noticeably. Symptoms often feel worse in the morning and may include loss of appetite and weight loss.

Perinatal depression

Perinatal depression (also known as postpartum depression) is a form of major depression during pregnancy or within one year after giving birth. It’s common to feel emotional ups and downs after having a baby. When those feelings persist or intensify, it could be a sign of perinatal depression.

Psychotic depression

Psychotic depression happens when depression occurs with psychosis, such as believing things that aren’t true (delusions) or seeing or hearing things that aren’t real (hallucinations). These symptoms can be alarming, but treatment can help.

Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

Treatment-resistant depression occurs when depression doesn't fully improve after common treatments like medication or therapy. Recovery is possible. You may need a combination of treatments or newer approaches.

While the exact causes of depression aren’t fully understood, research shows that depression, bipolar disorder, and related illnesses often result from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors.

Personal factors

• Brain chemistry: Changes in how certain brain chemicals work may play a role in depression.
• Personality: People who are highly self-critical, perfectionistic, or have low self-esteem may be more likely to develop depression.
• Medical illness: Coping with a serious or chronic illness can lead to depression.
• Substance use: Alcohol and drug use can both cause and worsen depression. Some prescription medications may also contribute to symptoms.
• Family history: Having a close relative with depression can increase your genetic risk.

Life circumstances

• Long-term stress: Ongoing problems, like relationship conflict or job stress, can lead to depression over time.
• Major life changes: Events such as divorce, job loss, or even positive transitions like marriage can trigger depression in people who are already vulnerable.
• Trauma and grief: Abuse, neglect, or the loss of a loved one can increase the risk of depression. Early trauma, including childhood abuse or exposure to violence, can have lasting effects on mental health.

Depression looks different for everyone. Adults may exhibit signs and symptoms of depression ranging from feelings, thoughts and behaviors. These symptoms can shift in severity over time. 

It’s normal to experience some signs and symptoms occasionally. Providers diagnose depression when several symptoms appear together and interfere with daily living.

Feelings

• Guilt
• Hopelessness or sadness
• Loss of interest in friends, family, and favorite activities
• Moodiness

Thoughts

• “I’m a burden.”
• “I’m a failure.”
• “I’m worthless.”
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Thoughts of self-harm
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble remembering

Behaviors

• Attempts to harm yourself
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep
• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Missing work, school, or other commitments
• Physical problems
• Sexual problems
• Substance abuse
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• Withdrawing from people

Symptoms in children and adolescents

• Aggression
• Alcohol or drug use
• Anger
• Behavior changes
• Changes in appetite or eating habits
• Conflict with authority
• Declining grades
• Excessive crying
• Headaches
• Intense sensitivity to rejection
• Irritability and withdrawal
• Isolation and hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Low energy
• Sleep problems
• Stomach aches
• Thoughts of suicide

If you’ve experienced five or more symptoms of depression for two weeks or longer, talk to your doctor or a health care professional. They follow guidelines to assess symptoms such as ongoing sadness, loss of interest, mood changes, and difficulty managing daily life. 

Only a licensed health care professional can diagnose clinical depression. With their support, you can better understand what you’re feeling and begin a treatment plan that supports your mental health.

Anyone can develop depression. How it feels and shows up varies from person to person.

Women & depression

Depression affects women about twice as often as men, with nearly 1 in 4 women experiencing it at some point in life. This difference exists across all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.

Women may be more likely to experience depression at certain times:

• During pregnancy
• After giving birth
• During menopause
• During different phases of the menstrual cycle

Depression in women often occurs alongside anxiety or eating disorders.

Men & depression

About 1 in 7 men experience depression at some point in life.

Oftentimes, men view depression as a sign of weakness and something they should manage on their own. This can make them less likely to talk about what they’re feeling, leading to undiagnosed or untreated depression.

Common signs of depression in men include:

• Focusing on physical symptoms such as fatigue, pain, or sleep problems
• Showing irritability or anger more often than sadness
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope with difficult emotions

Children & adolescents

Depression affects about 11% of adolescents and occurs most often between ages 15 and 24. Roughly 3% of children experience severe symptoms. After puberty, girls are nearly twice as likely as boys to develop depression.

Some young people face a higher risk of developing depression, especially those with:

• ADHD, behavioral, eating, or anxiety disorders
• Developmental or intellectual disabilities
• Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or cancer

Depression during adolescence can affect healthy development. It’s often linked to substance use, relationship challenges, lower school performance, and an increased risk of suicide. Teens who experience depression are also more likely to face it as adults.