We all go through ups and downs in our mood. Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness.
Some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people don't feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or men in particular may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless.
Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.
- Depression is not the same as a short-term feeling of sadness or emptiness. It’s more than a temporary case of “the blues”.
- Depression is a brain disorder, caused by abnormalities in the levels of neurochemicals in the brain.
- Clinical depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), is a serious, long-term illness that can affect a person’s daily functioning and relationships.
- There is no single cause known for depression; a number of factors may be at work, alone or together, including a family history of the disease, a recent trauma or loss, or encountering an uncommon level of stress.
Source : source
