Depression can manifest as a prolonged low mood that robs you of motivation, energy, and interest in things you once enjoyed. It often involves a persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness, and a sense that life's activities have lost their meaning. Physical symptoms such as changes in appetite, either overeating or a complete loss of interest in food can also occur.

Contrary to the outdated belief that depression is solely a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, current research reveals that it can be triggered by a variety of factors, including poor mood regulation, stress, traumatic experiences, grief, and loss. While antidepressant medication can be helpful and necessary in some cases, addressing the root causes and making adaptive changes through therapy has been empirically shown to be a more effective approach to treating depression.