Sadness, feeling down, having a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities – these are symptoms familiar to all of us. But, if they persist and affect our life substantially, it may be depression.
- Depression seems to be more common among women than men.
- Symptoms include lack of joy and reduced interest in things that used to bring a person happiness.
- Life events, such as bereavement, produce mood changes that can usually be distinguished from the features of depression.
- The causes of depression are not fully understood but are likely to be a complex combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors.