The End of Depression: important information you need to about depression

Depression is a common mental illness that affects a person's daily life. The condition can affect many different areas of life, including work, relationships and overall quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. Depression can have many different symptoms, including low mood, loss of energy, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, loss of self-esteem, feelings of guilt and even thoughts of death or suicide. Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and they can also vary over time. Depression can come in different forms, including major depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or bipolar I disorder. Major depression is a prolonged period of symptoms lasting at least two weeks, while SAD occurs during the winter months when there is less natural light. Bipolar I disorder includes periods of depression and mania or hypomania. Depression can have many different causes, including genetic predisposition, stress, traumatic events, hormonal changes or certain medications. Environmental factors such as unemployment, relationship problems or financial difficulties can also trigger or exacerbate depression. A diagnosis of depression is usually made by a qualified professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The diagnosis is based on an assessment of the symptoms, the duration of the symptoms and the severity of the illness. There are various methods of treating depression, including psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes.