Everyone will occasionally feel sad, which is a natural human feeling that happens during difficult or depressing circumstances. A mental illness called depression has a severe impact on many areas of a person's life. People of any gender or age can experience it, and it changes behaviours and attitudes.

Talk therapy and drugs (such as antidepressants) are both effective therapies for depression. Using both is ideal for most individuals

• Childhood experiences.
• Life events.
• Styles of thinking.
• Other mental health problems.
• Physical health problems.
• Family history.
• Medication.
• Recreational drugs and alcohol.

Physical and mental health are inextricably linked. Brain alterations and depression are related. Additionally, depression can raise your risk for illnesses including migraines, osteoporosis, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease (NIMH, Steffan et al 2020). Obesity risk can also rise with chronic depression.

Postpartum depression may be present when there are strong and persistent feelings of melancholy, depression, or emptiness following the delivery of the baby for two weeks or more. It may be accompanied by feelings of helplessness, crying fits, a decline in interest or motivation, a sense of unworthiness, a loss of energy, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of hurting the baby, a lack of interest in the baby, difficulty falling asleep or excessive sleep, changes in appetite, and/or problems with concentration and memory. Mothers and babies can experience postpartum depression in a variety of profound ways. Treatment must be received promptly.

Research has proven that there are effective therapies for depression, and many of these have been available for many years. Despite severe suffering, many people fail to recognise the symptoms of depression. This could be brought on by stigma, a lack of knowledge, or obstacles to receiving help. Depression left untreated carries a number of hazards. The first step in receiving professional assistance is frequently talking to your doctor about your issues with depression.

In addition to raising the risk of suicide, untreated depression can lead to depressive episodes being more frequent, intense, or extended over time. One's performance at job, school, and/or in interpersonal interactions may be considerably hampered. Alcohol and/or substance use problems can also raise the risk of depression. Additionally, chronic medical diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others might worsen as a result of sadness.

When a person exhibits at least five of the symptoms mentioned below for two weeks in a row, a serious depression is declared. Either (1) a low mood or (2) a lack of interest or pleasure must be present in at least one of the five symptoms.