Demystifying Depression/What Is Depression

What is Depression?
Depression is a very real medical condition that involves both psychological and biological factors. It is not simply "in your head". Numerous studies have shown significant changes occur to the anatomy of the brain during the course of depression. Depression is a whole body illness, not only affecting the brain. Those with depression experience a wide variety of physical and mental symptoms. Strong emphasis should be placed on the fact that depressed mood is only one symptom of many involved in an illness that encompasses many.

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.