Depression
Blues; Gloom; Sadness; MelancholyDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more.
The Basics
Depression - Animation
Depression
Animation
Adolescent depression - Animation
Adolescent depression
Animation
Depression and the menstrual cycle
A form of depression exclusive to women, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a syndrome of depressive symptoms brought about by monthly hormonal fluctuation.
Depression and the menstrual cycle
illustration
Depression and heart disease
The link between heart disease and depression has long been thought of as cause-and-effect. Studies are now showing that depression itself may contribute to heart disease.
Depression and heart disease
illustration
Depression and men
Depression is less reported in the male population, but this may be caused by male tendency to mask emotional disorders with behavior such as alcohol abuse.
Depression and men
illustration
Depression among the elderly
The elderly are at high risk for depression because they are more likely than younger people to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function and loss of independence. The cumulative effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person.
Depression among the elderly
illustration
Depression and insomnia
Studies show bouts of insomnia may predispose individuals to depressive illness. The correlation between sleep disorders and mood disorders holds true across age and sex lines.
Depression and insomnia
illustration
Depression in children
Children who are depressed may exhibit symptoms differently than adults. For instance, a depressed child may seem bored and unusually irritable.
Depression in children
illustration
Forms of depression
Depression is defined as a mood disorder, and there are several subtypes. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is considered in a separate category.
Forms of depression
illustration
Teenage depression
Persistent depressed mood, faltering school performance, failing relations with family and friends, substance use and other negative behaviors are signs that a teenager may be depressed.
Teenage depression
illustration
Depression - Animation
Depression
Animation
Adolescent depression - Animation
Adolescent depression
Animation
Depression and the menstrual cycle
A form of depression exclusive to women, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a syndrome of depressive symptoms brought about by monthly hormonal fluctuation.
Depression and the menstrual cycle
illustration
Depression and heart disease
The link between heart disease and depression has long been thought of as cause-and-effect. Studies are now showing that depression itself may contribute to heart disease.
Depression and heart disease
illustration
Depression and men
Depression is less reported in the male population, but this may be caused by male tendency to mask emotional disorders with behavior such as alcohol abuse.
Depression and men
illustration
Depression among the elderly
The elderly are at high risk for depression because they are more likely than younger people to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function and loss of independence. The cumulative effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person.
Depression among the elderly
illustration
Depression and insomnia
Studies show bouts of insomnia may predispose individuals to depressive illness. The correlation between sleep disorders and mood disorders holds true across age and sex lines.
Depression and insomnia
illustration
Depression in children
Children who are depressed may exhibit symptoms differently than adults. For instance, a depressed child may seem bored and unusually irritable.
Depression in children
illustration
Forms of depression
Depression is defined as a mood disorder, and there are several subtypes. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is considered in a separate category.
Forms of depression
illustration
Teenage depression
Persistent depressed mood, faltering school performance, failing relations with family and friends, substance use and other negative behaviors are signs that a teenager may be depressed.
Teenage depression
illustration
Depression
Blues; Gloom; Sadness; MelancholyDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more.
The Basics
Depression
Blues; Gloom; Sadness; MelancholyDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more.
The Basics
Review Date: 4/30/2022
Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.