Depression

Depression can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders.

Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, but men can also be depressed. Because men may be less likely to recognize, talk about, and seek help for their feelings or emotional problems, they are at greater risk of their depression symptoms being undiagnosed or undertreated.

Studies also show higher rates of depression and an increased risk for the disorder among members of the LGBTQI+ community.

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms, most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, you may have depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, waking too early in the morning, or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
• Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause that do not go away with treatment
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Not everyone who is depressed experiences all these symptoms. Some people experience only a few symptoms, while others experience many. Symptoms associated with depression interfere with day-to-day functioning and cause significant distress for the person experiencing them.

Depression can also involve other changes in mood or behavior that include:

• Increased anger or irritability
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Becoming withdrawn, negative, or detached
• Increased engagement in high-risk activities
• Greater impulsivity
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Isolating from family and friends
• Inability to meet the responsibilities of work and family or ignoring other important roles
• Problems with sexual desire and performance

Depression can look different in men and women. Although people of all genders can feel depressed, how they express those symptoms and the behaviors they use to cope with them may differ. For example, men (as well as women) may show symptoms other than sadness, instead seeming angry or irritable. And although increased use of alcohol or drugs can be a sign of depression in anyone, men are more likely to use these substances as a coping strategy.

In some cases, mental health symptoms appear as physical problems (for example, a racing heart, tightened chest, ongoing headaches, or digestive issues). Men are often more likely to see a health care provider about these physical symptoms than their emotional ones.

Because depression tends to make people think more negatively about themselves and the world, some people may also have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Several persistent symptoms, in addition to low mood, are required for a diagnosis of depression, but people with only a few symptoms may benefit from treatment. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the person, the illness, and the stage of the illness.

If you experience signs or symptoms of depression and they persist or do not go away, talk to a health care provider. If you see signs or symptoms of depression in someone you know, encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline  at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org . In life-threatening situations, call 911.

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Research suggests that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in depression.

Risk factors for depression can include:

• Personal or family history of depression
• Major negative life changes, trauma, or stress

Depression can happen at any age, but it often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although children may express more irritability or anxiety than sadness. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in childhood.

Depression, especially in midlife or older age, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present, and research suggests that people with depression and other medical illnesses tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  has also recognized that having certain mental disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, can make people more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Sometimes a physical health problem, such as thyroid disease, or medications taken for an illness cause side effects that contribute to depression. A health care provider experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help determine the best treatment strategy. 

Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

Some people experience treatment-resistant depression, which occurs when a person does not get better after trying at least two antidepressant medications. If treatments like psychotherapy and medication do not reduce depressive symptoms or the need for rapid relief from symptoms is urgent, brain stimulation therapy may be an option to explore.

Quick tip: No two people are affected the same way by depression, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment. Finding the treatment that works best for you may take trial and error.

Psychotherapies

Several types of psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or counseling) can help people with depression by teaching them new ways of thinking and behaving and helping them change habits that contribute to depression. Evidence-based approaches to treating depression include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Learn more about psychotherapy.

The growth of telehealth for mental health services, which offers an alternative to in-person therapy, has made it easier and more convenient for people to access care in some cases. For people who may have been hesitant to look for mental health care in the past, virtual mental health care might be an easier option.

Medications

Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. They work by changing how the brain produces or uses certain chemicals involved in mood or stress. You may need to try several different antidepressants before finding the one that improves your symptoms and has manageable side effects. A medication that has helped you or a close family member in the past will often be considered first.

Antidepressants take time—usually 4–8 weeks—to work, and problems with sleep, appetite, and concentration often improve before mood lifts. It is important to give a medication a chance to work before deciding whether it’s right for you. Learn more about mental health medications. 

New medications, such as intranasal esketamine, can have rapidly acting antidepressant effects, especially for people with treatment-resistant depression. Esketamine is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  for treatment-resistant depression. Delivered as a nasal spray in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital, it acts rapidly, typically within a couple of hours, to relieve depression symptoms. People who use esketamine will usually continue taking an oral antidepressant to maintain the improvement in their symptoms.

Another option for treatment-resistant depression is to take an antidepressant alongside a different type of medication that may make it more effective, such as an antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medication. Further research is needed to identify the role of these newer medications in routine practice.

If you begin taking an antidepressant, do not stop taking it without talking to a health care provider. Sometimes people taking antidepressants feel better and stop taking the medications on their own, and their depression symptoms return. When you and a health care provider have decided it is time to stop a medication, usually after a course of 9–12 months, the provider will help you slowly and safely decrease your dose. Abruptly stopping a medication can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Note: In some cases, children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 years may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. The FDA advises that patients of all ages taking antidepressants be watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.

If you are considering taking an antidepressant and are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to a health care provider about any health risks to you or your unborn or nursing child and how to weigh those risks against the benefits of available treatment options.

To find the latest information about antidepressants, talk to a health care provider and visit the FDA website .

Brain stimulation therapies

If psychotherapy and medication do not reduce symptoms of depression, brain stimulation therapy may be an option to explore. There are now several types of brain stimulation therapy, some of which have been authorized by the FDA to treat depression. Other brain stimulation therapies are experimental and still being investigated for mental disorders like depression.

Although brain stimulation therapies are less frequently used than psychotherapy and medication, they can play an important role in treating mental disorders in people who do not respond to other treatments. These therapies are used for most mental disorders only after psychotherapy and medication have been tried and usually continue to be used alongside these treatments.

Brain stimulation therapies act by activating or inhibiting the brain with electricity. The electricity is given directly through electrodes implanted in the brain or indirectly through electrodes placed on the scalp. The electricity can also be induced by applying magnetic fields to the head.

The brain stimulation therapies with the largest bodies of evidence include:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• Magnetic seizure therapy (MST)
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

ECT and rTMS are the most widely used brain stimulation therapies, with ECT having the longest history of use. The other therapies are newer and, in some cases, still considered experimental. Other brain stimulation therapies may also hold promise for treating specific mental disorders.

ECT, rTMS, and VNS have authorization from the FDA to treat severe, treatment-resistant depression. They can be effective for people who have not been able to feel better with other treatments; people for whom medications cannot be used safely; and in severe cases where a rapid response is needed, such as when a person is catatonic, suicidal, or malnourished.

Additional types of brain stimulation therapy are being investigated for treating depression and other mental disorders. Talk to a health care provider and make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks before undergoing brain stimulation therapy. Learn more about these brain stimulation therapies.

Natural products

The FDA has not approved any natural products for treating depression. Although research is ongoing and findings are inconsistent, some people use natural products, including vitamin D and the herbal dietary supplement St. John’s wort, for depression. However, these products can come with risks. For instance, dietary supplements and natural products can limit the effectiveness of some medications or interact in dangerous or even life-threatening ways with them.

Do not use vitamin D, St. John’s wort, or other dietary supplements or natural products without talking to a health care provider. Rigorous studies must be conducted to test whether these and other natural products are safe and effective.

Daily morning light therapy is a common treatment choice for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Light therapy devices are much brighter than ordinary indoor lighting and considered safe, except for people with certain eye diseases or taking medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight. As with all interventions for depression, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up by a health care provider are strongly recommended. Research into the potential role of light therapy in treating non-seasonal depression is ongoing.

A primary care provider is a good place to start if you’re looking for help. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker, who can help you figure out next steps. Find tips for talking with a health care provider about your mental health.

You can learn more about getting help on the NIMH website. You can also learn about finding support  and locating mental health services  in your area on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. 

Once you enter treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Here are some other things you can do outside of treatment that may help you or a loved one feel better:

• Try to get physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost your mood.
• Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.
• Eat regular, healthy meals.
• Break up large tasks into small ones; do what you can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait.
• Try to connect with people. Talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.
• Delay making important decisions, such as getting married or divorced, or changing jobs until you feel better. Discuss decisions with people who know you well.
• Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.

Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions, including depression. The goal of a clinical trial is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Although people may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, they should know that the primary purpose is to gain new scientific knowledge so that others can be better helped in the future.

Researchers at NIMH and around the country conduct many studies with people with and without depression. We have new and better treatment options today because of what clinical trials have uncovered. Talk to a health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you.

To learn more or find a study, visit:

• Clinical Trials – Information for Participants: Information about clinical trials, why people might take part in a clinical trial, and what people might experience during a clinical trial
• Clinicaltrials.gov: Current Studies on Depression : List of clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) being conducted across the country
• Join a Study: Depression—Adults: List of studies currently recruiting adults with depression being conducted on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD
• Join a Study: Depression—Children: List of studies currently recruiting children with depression being conducted on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD
• Join a Study: Perimenopause-Related Mood Disorders: List of studies on perimenopause-related mood disorders being conducted on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD
• Join a Study: Postpartum Depression: List of studies on postpartum depression being conducted on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD

Free brochures and shareable resources

• Understanding the Link Between Chronic Disease and Depression: This fact sheet provides information about the link between depression and chronic disease. It describes what a chronic disease is, symptoms of depression, and treatment options, and presents resources to find help for yourself or someone else.
• Depression: This brochure provides information about depression, including different types of depression, signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and how to find help for yourself or a loved one.
• Depression in Women: 4 Things to Know: This fact sheet provides information about depression in women, including signs and symptoms, types of depression unique to women, and how to get help.
• Perinatal Depression: This brochure provides information about perinatal depression, including how it differs from “baby blues,” causes, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and how to find help for yourself or a loved one.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder: This fact sheet provides information about seasonal affective disorder, including signs and symptoms, how it is diagnosed, causes, and treatment options.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): More Than the Winter Blues: This infographic provides information about how to recognize the symptoms of SAD and what to do to get help.
• Teen Depression: More Than Just Moodiness: This fact sheet is for teens and young adults and provides information about how to recognize the symptoms of depression and what to do to get help.
• Digital Shareables on Depression: These digital resources, including graphics and messages, can be used to spread the word about depression and help promote depression awareness and education in your community.

Federal resources

• Depression  (MedlinePlus - also en español )
• Moms’ Mental Health Matters: Depression and Anxiety Around Pregnancy  (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Research and statistics

• Journal Articles : This webpage provides articles and abstracts on depression from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine).
• Statistics: Major Depression: This webpage provides the statistics currently available on the prevalence and treatment of depression among people in the United States.

Multimedia

• Depression Mental Health Minute: Take a mental health minute to watch this video on depression.
• NIMH Experts Discuss the Menopause Transition and Depression: Learn about the signs and symptoms, treatments, and latest research on depression during menopause.
• NIMH Expert Discusses Seasonal Affective Disorder: Learn about the signs and symptoms, treatments, and latest research on seasonal affective disorder.
• Mental Health Matters Podcast: Depression: The Case for Ketamine: Dr. Carlos Zarate Jr. discusses esketamine—the medication he helped discover—for treatment-resistant depression. The podcast covers the history behind the development of esketamine, how it can help with depression, and what the future holds for this innovative line of clinical research.

Last Reviewed: March 2024