Depression, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common but serious mood disorder that lasts for at least two weeks and affects a person’s emotions, thinking, behavior, and physical wellbeing.

Some forms of depression include persistent depressive disorder, perinatal depression, pychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar depression connected to bipolar disorder.

Depression is a serious illness, but can be treated. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is.

Most adults see an improvement in their symptoms when treated with antidepressant drugs, talk therapy (psychotherapy), or a combination of both.

An episode of major depression is diagnosed when a person has experienced at least five symptoms, for two weeks or more, for most of almost every day. One of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest.