It is a characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in things and activities you once enjoyed. It can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping.

It’s normal to feel sad about or grieve over difficult life situations, such as losing your job or a divorce. But depression is different. Under depression, it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone.

Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or death by suicide. The good news is that treatments can be very effective in improving symptoms.

What causes depression?

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of depression. They think that several factors contribute to its development, including:

• Brain chemistry: An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression.
• Genetics: If you have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with depression, you’re about three times as likely to develop the condition as the general population. However, you can have depression without a family history of it.
• Stressful life events: Difficult experiences, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, isolation and lack of support, can trigger depression.
• Medical conditions: Chronic pain and chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and various neurological conditions can lead to depression.
• Medication: Some medications can cause depression as a side effect. Substance use, including alcohol, can also cause depression or make it worse.

How is depression treated?

Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Approximately 80% to 90% of people with depression who seek treatment eventually respond well to treatment. Treatment options include:

• Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change the brain chemistry that causes depression.
• Brain stimulation Therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy (talk therapy) involves talking with a mental health professional. Your therapist helps you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. There are many types of psychotherapy — cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common. Sometimes, brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue therapy for several months or years.

There are few things you can do at home to help improve depression symptoms, including:

• Getting regular exercise.
• Getting quality sleep (not too little or too much).
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Avoiding alcohol, which is a depressant.
• Spending time with people you care about.

Can I prevent depression?

• Maintaining a healthy sleep routine.
• Managing stress with healthy coping mechanisms.
• Practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.

If you’ve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help as soon as possible.