The word “depressed” is often colloquially used without thought to what it actually means or how it can devalue the clinical definition.
You might hear someone say “I’m so depressed!” after a breakup or a series of difficult life events. But without understanding the definition of depression, using the term “depression” to describe sadness undermines the severity of the condition.
Depression can range from a temporary episode of deep sadness lasting days or weeks to something more intense and severe. Clinical depression is far more than a feeling of deep sadness or mild depression. You might hear it called “major depressive disorder” or “major depression.”