Depression refers to marked changes in our mood and ranges from mild feelings of sadness to intense feelings of hopelessness and even suicidal ideation. Depression can happen gradually or it can be triggered by specific events. It is natural to feel hurt and sad when we suffer a loss or experience failure, disappointment or rejection. But, sometimes what starts out as a normal reaction turns into clinical depression. Depression can persists for weeks, months, or years, and can affect every aspect of our daily lives.
Depression often makes people tired and irritable.
It also elicits feelings of pessimism, negativism, worthlessness and guilt. This is treatable with anti-depressant medication. An imbalance of the neurotransmitter, serotonin has been found to produce sleep problems, increased anxiety and irritability, and an inadequate amount of the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine produces fatigue and a sad mood. The presence of one or two of the aforementioned symptoms of depression does not mean you are clinically depressed. Several symptoms must occur together.