MDD—often called “clinical depression”—is a common, serious medical condition. About 1 in 5 people will experience it at some point in life, and about 1 in 10 in any given year. It affects how you feel, think, sleep, eat, and function day-to-day.
A clinician looks for a group of symptoms that last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. At least five symptoms must be present, and one should be low mood or loss of interest/pleasure. Your clinician will also rule out other causes, like bipolar disorder, psychosis, or medical issues (for example, thyroid problems).
People often report:
Risk goes up with family history (genes), early life adversity, and ongoing stress or trauma. Women, younger adults, and people facing financial hardship are affected more often.
Depression involves several systems working together:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) help many people, especially with mild to moderate depression.
SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, and mirtazapine are common first choices
Using therapy and medication together can help when symptoms are severe or long-lasting.
If two or more adequate medication trials haven’t helped (often called treatment-resistant depression), options can include TMS/dTMS, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or ketamine/esketamine—discussed and monitored by your clinician.
These work best alongside professional care
Depression often comes in episodes. Without maintenance care, about half of people may relapse within two years. Sticking with treatment, using measurement-based care (regular check-ins and symptom tracking), and making shared decisions with your clinician can improve results and lower relapse risk.