{"id":1900,"date":"2023-11-25T15:28:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T13:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mytherapist.gr\/?p=1900"},"modified":"2025-10-06T12:49:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T09:49:41","slug":"what-depression-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mytherapist.gr\/en\/mental-health-articles\/depression\/what-depression-is\/","title":{"rendered":"What depression is?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Depression is a mental illness that affects a large portion of the global population and can occur at any age. People with depression experience significant changes in how they think and feel, which in turn affects the way they behave and interact with others.<\/div>
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More specifically, depression includes a wide range of symptoms that often vary from person to person depending on its form and severity (for example, whether it is mild or severe), as well as the person\u2019s age and gender. For more information about forms and causes of depression, read more:\u00a0The causes and forms of depression<\/a>. There are, of course, certain symptoms considered fundamental and commonly shared by most people with depression.<\/div>
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\u201cI feel like I\u2019m at the dark bottom of a well\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s like I\u2019m stuck in quicksand; the more I move, the more I sink\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"depression\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The most common change is a negative and deeply 'low' mood. Low mood often includes sadness and grief, melancholy, or even crying, even when there is no specific reason. The person may feel as if they are falling apart, and at times may feel guilt or anger, becoming sensitive, irritable, and feeling an inner \u201cemptiness.\u201d In general, there is a sense that no one and nothing can bring pleasure anymore. Common symptoms also include fatigue, hopelessness, anxiety, and a sense of despair. Interest fades, and activities and hobbies that once brought anticipation, joy, or relaxation may be dismissed or abandoned.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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If you also feel that your mood is low, you can begin online psychotherapy right away with one of our licensed therapists.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind your therapist<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\u201cNothing better is meant for me\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

\u201cIf my life continues like this, what\u2019s the point?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

How can depression affect the way you think? Depression affects a person\u2019s ability to concentrate, remember things, and pay attention to situations that would normally interest them. It also makes it difficult to make decisions, even about everyday things, such as where to go, what to do, or what to eat later. Depression triggers negative thoughts about the self, such as the belief that one is worthless. Self-esteem and self-confidence decline, and a sense of incapacity takes center stage. Special attention must be paid to one of the most serious symptoms of depression: thoughts of death or suicide, which can occur. Sometimes the feeling that nothing will ever change creates such intense despair that the end of life seems like the only solution, but this is\u00a0NOT true.<\/strong><\/p>

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\u201cWhat\u2019s the point of trying, since nothing will change\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s like there\u2019s a wall in front of me\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Given all of the above, it is very natural for the person\u2019s reactions to life events and their behavior toward others to be affected. Many times they struggle to complete household tasks, or even simply read a book. They may have no desire to care for themselves, to shower, or to take care of their home. Because their effectiveness at work also declines, professional difficulties and financial problems can follow. In addition, they lose interest in social interaction and often withdraw from family and friends. Depression affects sleep quality, so the person may sleep far too much or far too little, and it also affects appetite, leading to sudden weight gain or loss.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"depression\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Don\u2019t wait for these symptoms to become even more intense. Reach out today to one of our licensed therapists.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind your therapist<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\u201cI\u2019ve fallen into depression!!!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

Many people often confuse depression with sadness or grief, since many of their symptoms overlap or resemble each other. In all cases, a person experiences intense sorrow, emotional pain, reduced interest in activities, changes in sociability, and impaired daily functioning. Sadness and distress, however, are natural human emotions in response to unpleasant events, such as a death, job loss, or breakup.<\/p>

To be diagnosed with depression, certain criteria must be met according to the APA (American Psychiatric Association), and a diagnosis can only be made by a qualified psychiatrist.<\/p>

Read more:\u00a0The causes and forms of depression<\/a><\/p>

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Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>