Depression
Emotional disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in carrying out different activities. Also called “major depressive disorder” or “clinical depression,” it affects a person’s feelings, thoughts, and behavior and can cause a variety of physical and emotional problems.
Symptoms
- Feelings of sadness, desire to cry, emptiness or hopelessness.
- Outbursts of anger, irritability, or frustration, even over minor matters.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all usual activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports.
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleeping too much.
- Fatigue and lack of energy, making even small tasks require a greater effort.
- Lack of appetite and weight loss, or increased food cravings and weight gain.
- Anxiety, restlessness, or agitation.
- Slowness in reasoning, speaking, and making body movements.
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixation on past failures or self-reproaches.
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts about death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide.
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.
