Depression: Do I Have It?

Clinical depression, which is also called Major Depressive Disorder, is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day. It is a medical condition that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities over a longer period of time.

It is common that everyone’s mood goes up and down, but with depression, the “low” feeling sticks around for weeks or months and doesn’t easily lift, even when good things happen.

People with depression may experience:

• A persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness 

• Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy 

• Low energy or constant fatigue 

• Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little) 

• Changes in appetite or weight 

• Trouble concentrating or making decisions 

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt 

  
  

Being aware of how long symptoms last, the intensity, and how much they affect your daily life can help guide you into when you need to reach out for help:

1. The feelings don’t go away

• You’ve been feeling down, empty, or hopeless most days for 2 weeks or more and the feeling is not improving, or it’s getting worse over time 

  
  

2. Daily life is getting harder

• Activities that used to feel manageable are now feeling overwhelming such as difficulty getting out of bed, taking care of basic needs such as brushing your teething, showering, or even going to work/school.

  
  

3. Losing interest in things/activities you used to enjoy

• Hobbies, socializing, or even small pleasures don’t feel rewarding anymore 

  
  

4. Changes in habits

• Sleeping too much or too little 

• Eating much more or much less than usual

• Constant fatigue, even after rest 

  
  

5. Thoughts are becoming more negative

• Trouble concentrating or making decision or feeling worthless, guilty, or like a burden 

  
  

6. Withdrawing from others

• Frequently avoiding friends, family, or social situations 

  
  

7. Using unhealthy ways to cope

• Drinking more alcohol, using drugs, or other behaviors to numb feelings 

  
  

8. Urgent sign — get help right away

• Thoughts about harming yourself or not wanting to be alive 

  
  

Common treatments include:

• Therapy/counseling that directly addresses symptoms

• Medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

• Lifestyle support (sleep, exercise, social connection) 

  
  

Where to start:

• A mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

• A primary care doctor 

• A trusted person in your life 

  
  

Many people improve with the right combination of support and treatment, though it can take time to find what works best.

If things feel urgent, you can call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for immediate support.