Learning library · Understanding your diagnosis
Major depressionMore than sadness
What depression actually is as a medical condition, how it shows up day to day, and the treatments that help most people recover.
More than sadness
Everyone feels sad or low sometimes. Depression is different. It's a common but serious medical condition that affects how you feel, how you think, and how you handle daily life, like sleeping, eating, and working.
It isn't a weakness or a flaw in your character, and it isn't something you can simply snap out of. The most important thing to know is that depression is treatable.
How it can show up
Depression looks different from one person to the next. Common signs include a sad, anxious, or empty mood that won't lift, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, and feeling hopeless, guilty, or worthless.
It shows up in the body, too: low energy, sleeping too much or too little, changes in appetite or weight, trouble concentrating or making decisions, and aches or stomach problems without a clear cause.
For a diagnosis, symptoms are there most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Not everyone has every symptom.
Why it happens
There's no single cause. Research points to a mix of genes, brain biology, life events and stress, and psychological factors. Depression can also come with other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
It's one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, and it can happen at any age. If you're living with it, you're far from alone.
Getting a diagnosis
A clinician makes the diagnosis by talking with you about your symptoms, how long they've lasted, and how they affect your life. Because some medical conditions and medicines can cause similar symptoms, they may check your physical health too.
Questionnaires like the PHQ-9, which you may see under Assessments in your portal, help measure how you're doing over time.
Treatments that help
Depression is usually treated with talk therapy, medicine, or both. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, help you notice patterns of thinking and doing that keep depression going, and practice new ones.
Antidepressants can help too. They usually take four to eight weeks to work, and finding the right one can take some trial and error. For depression that hasn't improved with other treatments, there are options like brain stimulation therapies.
Small steps that help
Alongside treatment, small steps add up. Try to move your body, even a short walk. Keep regular times for sleep and meals. Spend time with people you trust, and break big tasks into smaller ones.
Be patient with yourself. Feeling better usually happens gradually, not all at once, and it's okay to put off big decisions until you feel more like yourself.
When to reach out
If you notice signs of depression, talk with your care team. You can start with a message in your portal.
If you have thoughts of death or suicide, you don't have to wait. Call or text 988, any time, day or night, and if you're in immediate danger, call 911. This video is general education, not medical advice. Your provider can help you find the right plan for you.
4 min · captions with the CC button · 7 chapters · animated diagrams