Depression and depressive disorders Donald J. Franklin, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Depression is one of the most common psychological problems, affecting nearly everyone through either personal experience or family involvement.
Most people have a sense of depression being related to a sad mood, but it is much more than that.
Depression is a psychological condition that changes how you think and feel, and also affects your social behavior and sense of physical well-being. We have all felt sad at one time or another, but that is not depression. Sometimes we feel tired from working hard, or discouraged when faced with serious problems. This too, is not depression. These feelings usually pass within a few days or weeks, once we adjust to the stress.