Depressive disorder

Depressive disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, and it affects how you feel, think, and behave. Depressive disorder can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person's ability to function at work and at home.

Symptoms

Depressive disorder symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Loss of energy or increased fatigue
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Causes

The exact cause of depressive disorder isn't known. However, a variety of factors are likely involved, including:

• Biological differences: People with depressive disorder appear to have physical changes in their brains.
• Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression.
• Hormones: Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression.
• Inherited traits: Depressive disorder is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition.

Treatment

Depressive disorder is a treatable condition. However, for many people, depression may continue despite treatment. Treatment options include:

• Psychotherapy: This involves talking about your condition and related issues with a mental health professional.
• Medications: Many types of antidepressants are available, including those that alter brain chemistry.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can boost your mood and serve as a distraction from worries, allowing you to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.

See also

• Mental health
• Major depressive disorder
• Clinical depression
• Psychotherapy
• Antidepressants

Depressive disorder Resources
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