Overview
Depression is more than feeling sad for a few days. It is a health problem that affects how you feel, think, sleep, and eat. Symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks.
Depression can look different in different people. Some feel sad or empty. Others feel angry, numb, or have body aches with no clear cause. Even severe depression can be treated.
Symptoms
Not everyone has every symptom.
- Low mood, or feeling sad, empty, or hopeless
- Lost interest in things you used to enjoy
- Fatigue or low energy
- Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Less common
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Aches, headaches, or stomach problems with no clear cause
- Being angry or easily annoyed
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Low sex drive
- Thoughts of death or suicide
How it usually goes
- 2 weeks: Symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, can mean depression.
- Weeks 1–4 of treatment: Sleep, energy, and appetite often start to improve first.
- Weeks 4–8: Mood usually lifts as medicine and therapy take effect.
When to get medical care
Causes
Depression has no single cause. Genes, brain chemistry, life stress, loss, and other health problems can all play a part.
Some medicines, alcohol, and drugs can also cause or worsen it. It can start during pregnancy, after birth, or with the seasons.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
- It can run in families. Tell your doctor if a parent, brother, or sister has it.
Who is more likely to get it
- Family history of depression
- Major life changes, loss, or trauma
- Long-term illness, like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic pain
- Alcohol or drug use
- Having a baby
Possible complications
- Alcohol or drug use: Using substances to cope
- Anxiety: Often happens along with depression
- Insomnia: Long-term trouble sleeping
Diagnosis
There is no lab test for depression. A healthcare professional asks about your mood and checks for other causes.
Questions you may be asked
- How your mood has been and for how long
- Whether you've lost interest in things
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
- Alcohol, drug, and medicine use
- Whether you have thoughts of death or suicide
The exam
They may do a physical exam to look for health problems that can cause low mood, like a thyroid problem.
Tests
Tests aren't always needed. Sometimes:
- Questionnaire: A short list of questions to see how strong the symptoms are.
- Blood tests: To check thyroid levels, vitamins, or other causes.
Treatment
Depression is usually treated with talk therapy, medicine, or both. Finding the right treatment may take time.
Self-care
- Keep a regular sleep schedule
- Move your body, even a short walk
- Spend time with people you trust
- Break big tasks into small steps
- Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can make depression worse
- Put off big decisions until you feel better
Medicines
Antidepressants need a prescription. They usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work.
| Medicine | Helps with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, and others) | Low mood, sleep, appetite, and focus | Sleep and appetite often get better before mood does. Side effects can include upset stomach or headache. Don't stop suddenly. |
| Esketamine nasal spray | Depression that hasn't improved after 2 or more medicines | Must be given and watched in a clinic. Used along with a daily antidepressant. |
Never stop an antidepressant on your own. Your healthcare professional can help you change or lower it safely.
For mild depression, talk therapy is often tried first. For moderate or severe depression, medicine is usually part of the plan from the start. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy work well. If these don't help, other treatments like brain stimulation may be options.
How it compares
| Depression | Grief | Long-term low mood | Bipolar disorder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main feeling | Low mood or lost interest | Sadness after a loss | Milder low mood | Lows and very high moods |
| How long | 2 weeks or more | Comes in waves, eases over time | 2 years or more | Episodes of days to weeks |
| Self-worth | Often feels worthless | Usually kept | Often low | High during highs |
Prevention
You can't always prevent depression, but these can help:
- Get help early when symptoms start
- Stay connected to friends and family
- Keep up with sleep and exercise
- Keep taking your treatment, even after you feel better
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to a psychiatrist (for medicine) and a psychologist or licensed therapist (for talk therapy).
Living with it
- Keep a regular sleep, meal, and activity routine.
- Tell one trusted person how you're doing, and plan who to call on hard days.
- Limit alcohol and drugs. They often make symptoms worse.
- In a crisis, call or text 988 any time.
- Long-term illness can affect mood. Tell your doctor if you feel down or anxious.
Support groups and helplines
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Free support groups and a helpline (1-800-950-6264) for people and families.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 any time for free, private support in a crisis.
Back to school, work, or sports
- Most people can keep working or going to school.
- Ask about changes that help, like extra breaks or a flexible schedule. Workers may be covered by the ADA. Students may get a 504 plan.
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may let you take unpaid time off for treatment without losing your job.
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- Children and teens: They may seem angry or annoyed rather than sad. Watch for falling grades or pulling away from friends.
- Pregnancy and after birth: Low mood that lasts more than 2 weeks after birth may be postpartum depression, not baby blues. It can be treated.
- Older adults: Depression may show up as a lack of feeling, memory problems, or aches rather than sadness.
- Men: May show anger, risk-taking, or more drinking rather than sadness.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Many mental health medicines are used safely in pregnancy. Stopping suddenly can cause a relapse.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Mood problems can start during or after pregnancy. Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
For caregivers
- Listen without judging, and let them know you care.
- Encourage treatment, but don't force it unless they're in danger.
- If they talk about suicide, call or text 988 with them.
- Take breaks and ask for help. Caregivers need care too.
Outlook
Most people with depression get better with treatment. Depression can come back, so keep in touch with your care team and seek help early if signs return.
Myths and facts
Myth: Depression is a sign of weakness.
Fact: Depression is a medical condition. It's not a choice or a character flaw.
Myth: Talking about suicide puts the idea in someone's head.
Fact: Asking directly can help. It doesn't make suicide more likely.
Getting ready for your visit
It's okay to bring someone with you.
What to bring
- A list of your symptoms and when they started
- All medicines and supplements you take
- Family history of depression or other mental health problems
Questions to ask
- Could a health problem be causing this?
- Is talk therapy, medicine, or both best for me?
- How long until I feel better?
- What should I do if I have thoughts of hurting myself?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-12.