Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a persistently low mood, decreased energy, and a loss of interest in everyday activities. As one of the most common mental health conditions, depression can cause you to feel sad, empty, and hopeless. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for depression.

Depression Basics

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What Causes Depression?

Triggers and Types

Depressed woman lying on the couch
11 Types of Depression: What You Should Know

Treatment Options

antidepressant-facts
10 Surprising Antidepressant Facts

Explore Depression

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Depression Rates Are Higher Than Ever—Experts Say These 5 Things Need to Change
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What Causes Depression?
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How to Make Sure Social Distancing and Self-Isolation Don't Hurt Your Mental Health
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Are Weight Gain Pills Safe? When to Use Them
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What Are Brain Zaps During Antidepressant Withdrawal?
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10 Things To Know From Those Who Have Attempted Suicide
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What To Say to Someone Who's Depressed
Asian senior man has an insomnia or sleepless on bed at home due to stress, nervous and concern
How Daylight Saving Time Affects Mental Health
Depressed man on sofa
How To Know if You're Depressed
Financial Hardship Is a Major Risk Factor for Suicide, Experts Say , unhappy beauty girl having bad trouble and getting depression illness sitting on wooden floor daydreaming in money background
Financial Stress Is a Leading Catalyst for Suicide—Here’s How You Can Find Help
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The Scientific Reason Why Some People Experience Depression After Surgery
Depressed and irritable woman curled up on her couch
10 Medical Conditions Linked to Depression
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22 Celebrities Who Experienced Depression
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12 Nondrug Remedies for Depression
man sitting with friend and consoling him
Why People Die by Suicide and How To Prevent It From Happening?
Young woman practicing yoga in backyard
Research-Backed Exercises That May Help Reduce Anxiety
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10 Tips for Dating With Depression
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Hysteria, Demons, and More: Depression Diagnoses Throughout History
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8 Ways To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder
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Common Medications That Can Cause Depression
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What to Say–and What Not to Say–When You Talk About Suicide
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Lack of Exercise Is Key to Heart Disease–Depression Link
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How Are Depression and Sex Drive Connected?
Sharon Rosenblatt Suns Out
I Used Birth Control to Stop My Period and Improve My Mental Health
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11 Types of Meditation That Can Help Treat Depression
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Actress/singer Selena Gomez arrives at the 2017 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
What Depression Feels Like and Treatment Options
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Can a 'Depression Nap' Actually Improve Your Mood?
Woman consoles man who appears upset.
4 Possible Reasons Why Mental Health Is Getting Worse
Female Doctor Talking to Patient
The Risks and Benefits of Going Off Antidepressant Medications
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Danette May Lost Her Son at Birth–Here Is How She Found Inner Strength and Healed Through Self-Care
Suffering woman crying at home
What Doctors Want You to Know About Situational Depression
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How To Keep Seasonal Affective Disorder From Harming Your Relationship
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9 Inspiring People Tackling Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health Stigma on Instagram
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Alanis Morissette is Breastfeeding on Our May Cover—and It's a Tribute to Moms Everywhere
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Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and How It's Treated
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How to Know If Your Bad Mood Is Actually Depression
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'Election Stress Disorder' Is Real—Here's the Causes, Signs, and Coping Mechanisms You Can Use
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Perfectionism and Anxiety: The Problem With Trying to Be Perfect
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This Instagram Activist is Smashing the Stigma on Depression
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Michelle Obama Says She Has 'Low-Grade Depression'—Here's What That Means, According to Experts
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I'll Never Hide the Truth About My Suicide Attempt From My Kids
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Depression Relapse Triggers and How to Deal With Them
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Why Global Warming Is a Serious Threat to Our Mental Health
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How to Spot the Warning Signs of Suicide
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What Parents Need to Know About the Rise in School-Aged Children's Suicide Attempts
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10 LGBTQ+ Health Resources Providing Quality Medical Care for the Community
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The In-Person Voting Challenges Faced by Chronically Ill and Disabled American Voters
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Experts: Spring Season, Plus Money Woes, May Prompt Suicide Spike
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Why You Need to Watch Your Elder for Signs of Suicide
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Patients Who Screen Positive For Depression Are Not Getting Timely Follow-Up Care Study Shows
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Will COVID-19 Make Seasonal Affective Disorder Worse? Here's What Experts Say
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What to Know About Sleeping and Depression
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Why Taking a Hot Bath Could Be Better for Treating Depression Than Exercise
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Can Your Eye Color Affect Your Risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
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Ryan Phillippe on Depression: 'I'm Just Innately Kind of a Sad Person'
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Most People Who Are Depressed Don't Get Treatment, Study Says
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Type "Clinical Depression" Into a Google Search Bar for an NIMH Self-Diagnostic Quiz
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Why Everyone on Facebook Is Taking the #22Pushups Challenge
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Is It Bad to Stay Inside For an Entire Day?
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World Mental Health Day: What Does Depression Look Like?
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Happiness Really Is Contagious, Study Finds