Depresión: qué es, síntomas, causas, tratamiento y tipos

Depression isn’t just “having a bad day” or feeling blue after watching a sad movie.
It’s a medical mood disorder that can quietly move into your life, rearrange your energy,
sleep, appetite, relationships, and sense of self, and then refuse to leave. The good news?
It’s also one of the most treatable mental health conditions when people get the right support.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down what depression is, common signs and symptoms,
what may cause it, the main types of depression, and how treatment works in real life.
Think of this as a friendly, science-based explainerlike a conversation with a slightly nerdy
friend who reads clinical guidelines for fun but still understands memes.

Before we dive in, a quick but important note: If you’re currently struggling with thoughts of
self-harm or feel you might be in immediate danger, please treat this as an emergency. Contact
local emergency services or a crisis hotline in your country right away. This article is for
education, not a substitute for professional care.

What Is Depression?

Depression (often called major depressive disorder or clinical depression)
is a mood disorder that affects how you feel, think, and function day to day. It isn’t about being weak,
dramatic, or lazy. It’s a real health condition involving changes in brain chemistry, stress systems,
and even the way the body processes pain and sleep.

People with depression typically experience a persistent low mood and loss of interest
or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy. These symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day,
for at least two weeks and often much longer. They can interfere with work, school, relationships,
and basic self-care like eating and showering.

In the United States, depression is very common. Large national surveys have found that a significant
portion of adults and teens experience depression at some point in their lives. In other words:
if depression were a group chat, it would be uncomfortably full.

Common Symptoms of Depression

Depression can look different from person to person. Some people appear outwardly “okay” while feeling
completely numb inside; others struggle to get out of bed or keep up with normal responsibilities.
Still, there are common patterns experts look for.

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms

• Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or “heavy” most of the day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies, relationships, or activities that used to be enjoyable
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or like a burden to others
• Negative thinking, self-criticism, or constant self-blame
• Trouble concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
• Feeling slowed down mentally, or alternatively, very restless and agitated

Physical and Behavioral Symptoms

• Changes in appetite (eating much more or much less than usual)
• Unintended weight gain or weight loss
• Sleeping too much or not being able to sleep enough
• Very low energy, fatigue, or feeling exhausted even after rest
• Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, or digestive issues
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and everyday activities
• Neglecting personal care, chores, school, or work tasks

When Symptoms Become an Emergency

Some people with depression experience thoughts like “What’s the point?” or “People would be better off
without me.” Others may think about death frequently, imagine self-harm, or even make plans to end
their life. These are emergency-level symptoms, not something to “wait and see” about.

If thoughts of self-harm or suicide show up, it’s crucial to reach out immediatelyto a mental health
professional, a trusted person in your life, or a crisis line in your area. Getting help is an act of
courage, not a failure.

Main Causes and Risk Factors

There isn’t one single cause of depression. Instead, it’s usually the result of several factors
working togetherlike genetic tendencies mixed with life stress, physical health, and environment.
Here are some of the major pieces of the puzzle.

Biology and Brain Chemistry

Research suggests that depression involves changes in brain circuits that regulate mood, motivation,
sleep, and appetite. Certain chemical messengers (like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) may be
out of balance. That doesn’t mean depression is “just chemical,” but biology is definitely part of the story.

Genetics and Family History

Having a close biological relative (like a parent or sibling) with depression or another mood disorder
can increase your risk. Genetics don’t guarantee you’ll become depressed, but they can make your system
more sensitive to stress or major life changes.

Stressful or Traumatic Experiences

Major life eventslike losing a loved one, going through a breakup or divorce, job loss, financial
problems, discrimination, or traumatic experiencescan trigger depression, especially when someone is
already vulnerable. Chronic stress, burnout, and feeling unsafe or unsupported over time can also
wear down mental health.

Medical Conditions and Medications

Some medical conditions (such as chronic pain, heart disease, thyroid problems, or hormonal changes)
are linked to higher rates of depression. Certain medications and substances, including alcohol and
some drugs, can also contribute to or worsen depressive symptoms. This is a big reason health care
providers often check both physical and mental health when evaluating depression.

Types of Depression

“Depression” is an umbrella term. Under it, there are several specific diagnoses that mental health
professionals use, based on symptom patterns, timing, and triggers.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major depressive disorder involves at least two weeks of significant depressive symptomssuch as
low mood or loss of interestalong with issues like sleep changes, appetite changes, fatigue, and
difficulty concentrating. These symptoms interfere with daily functioning at work, school, or home.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Persistent depressive disorder is a chronic, long-lasting form of depression. Symptoms may be less
intense than major depression but last for at least two years in adults (one year in children and teens).
People often describe it as “I’ve always been this way” or “I’m just a gloomy person,” but it’s actually
a treatable condition.

Depression in Bipolar Disorder

In bipolar disorder, people experience alternating mood episodeslows that look like
depression and highs called mania or hypomania. The depressive episodes can be very similar to major
depression, but treatment plans are different. This is why an accurate diagnosis is so important.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often
beginning in the fall or winter when there’s less daylight and improving in the spring or summer.
Symptoms include low mood, fatigue, increased sleep, carb cravings, and difficulty functioning during
the darker months.

Perinatal (Including Postpartum) Depression

Perinatal depression includes depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. It’s more
than typical “baby blues.” It can involve deep sadness, anxiety, emotional numbness, and difficulty
bonding with the baby. It is serious but treatable, and seeking help early can protect both the parent
and the child.

Other Forms and Specifiers

Clinicians may also describe depression with specifiers such as:

• With psychotic features: depression accompanied by hallucinations or delusional beliefs
• With anxious distress: significant anxiety alongside depressive symptoms
• Situational or reactive depression: depressive symptoms tied closely to a major stressor

These details help guide the most effective treatment plan.

How Depression Is Diagnosed

There’s no single blood test or brain scan that can instantly confirm depression. Instead, health care
professionals use a combination of:

• A detailed conversation about symptoms, history, and daily functioning
• Standardized questionnaires or rating scales for depressive symptoms
• A review of medical history, medications, and family mental health history
• Sometimes, lab tests to rule out physical conditions like thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies

Diagnosis is based on patterns: how long symptoms have been present, how intense they are, and how much
they affect life. A key point: if your mood is getting in the way of living the life you want, it’s worth
getting evaluatedwhether or not you “fit” some stereotype of depression.

Treatment Options for Depression

The big message from decades of research is reassuring: even moderate to severe depression often improves
with the right treatment. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but several evidence-based options can
be combined and adjusted over time.

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)

Several types of therapy have strong evidence for treating depression, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing
  unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on relationships, life roles, and
  communication patterns that affect mood.
• Behavioral activation, which helps people gradually re-engage with meaningful
  activities and rewarding experiences.

Therapy can be in-person or virtual, individual or group-based. For many people, having a nonjudgmental,
trained professional to help sort through thoughts and experiences is a game-changer.

Medication

Antidepressant medications can help correct some of the brain chemistry imbalances associated with
depression. Common options include:

• SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
• SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• Other classes such as atypical antidepressants or older medications when appropriate

Antidepressants are not “happy pills” and they don’t change your personality. They typically
take a few weeks to show full benefits, and there can be side effects, especially at the beginning or
when changing doses. Decisions about starting, stopping, or adjusting medication should always be made
with a qualified health care provider.

Brain Stimulation Therapies

For people with severe or treatment-resistant depression, options like electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can be
considered. These treatments sound intimidating, but modern versions are carefully controlled and can be
lifesaving when other treatments haven’t worked, especially in situations involving high suicide risk
or when someone can’t eat, drink, or care for themselves due to depression.

Lifestyle and Complementary Strategies

While lifestyle changes alone usually aren’t enough for moderate to severe depression, they can be
powerful additions to therapy and/or medication:

• Regular movement or exercise, even gentle walking
• Consistent sleep routines and limiting all-night scrolling sessions
• Balanced nutrition and staying hydrated
• Spending time outdoors and getting natural light exposure
• Mindfulness practices, breathing exercises, or relaxation techniques
• Limiting alcohol and other substances that can worsen mood

Some people also benefit from structured light therapy for seasonal depression, always under guidance
from a professional, especially if they have other eye or mood conditions.

Living With Depression: Practical Tips

Treating depression is rarely a straight line. It’s more like hiking a trail with switchbacks: sometimes
you feel better, sometimes symptoms flare again, and sometimes you realize you’ve been climbing all along
even though it feels like you’re standing still. These strategies can help:

• Break tasks into very small steps. “Do laundry” becomes “put clothes in hamper,” then
  “start the washer.” Micro-steps count.
• Use routines. Simple routines for sleep, meals, and basic self-care reduce the mental
  effort required to get things done when energy is low.
• Stay connected, even a little. A short text, a meme, or a quick call can help maintain
  social ties when long hangouts feel impossible.
• Track patterns. Mood-tracking apps or a simple notebook can help you and your provider
  notice what helps and what triggers dips.
• Be honest with your care team. If a treatment isn’t working or side effects are rough,
  speak up. Adjusting the plan is part of the process, not a failure.

When to Seek Help

It’s time to reach out to a professional if:

• Your low mood or lack of interest lasts for more than two weeks
• Symptoms interfere with work, school, or home life
• You feel numb, hopeless, or disconnected from people you care about
• You’re using alcohol or substances to cope with your feelings
• You’re having thoughts of self-harm, death, or that others would be better off without you

You don’t have to wait until things are “very bad” to ask for help. Early support can prevent symptoms
from getting worse and make recovery smoother.

Experiences Related to Depression: How It Feels in Real Life

Facts and checklists are helpful, but depression is ultimately a human experience. While everyone’s
journey is unique, certain themes show up again and again in people’s stories.

Imagine someone who used to be the “reliable friend” at workalways on top of deadlines, always ready
with a joke in meetings. Over a few months, they start missing minor tasks, then bigger projects. They
drag themselves out of bed, feeling like they’re moving through wet cement. On good days, they manage
to appear mostly normal; on bad days, they stare at their screen, rereading the same email five times
and still not hitting reply. By the time they realize something is seriously wrong, they’re already
exhausted, ashamed, and convinced they’re failing at life.

Or picture a college student far from home, juggling classes, a part-time job, and the pressure to
“make it all worth it.” At first, homesickness feels normal. But over time, the student stops going
to clubs, then to class. They can’t focus on reading assignments; everything blurs together. Group
chats go unanswered. Their roommates think they’re just introverted, but inside the student is
fighting a constant loop of thoughts like “I’m not good enough,” “I’m wasting everyone’s money,”
and “There’s no way I can catch up now.” Depression often feels like being trapped in a story where
every possible ending looks bad.

Many people describe the guilt that comes with depression as one of the hardest parts. They may think,
“Other people have it worse,” “I should be grateful,” or “I have no right to feel this way.” This
self-judgment can delay getting help, because they worry they’re overreacting or just need more willpower.
But depression doesn’t ask whether your life “looks okay on paper.” It can show up in high achievers,
people with supportive families, and people who look “fine” on social media.

Recovery stories often include one small turning point: deciding to tell a friend what’s really going on,
making a first therapy appointment, or honestly answering a doctor’s question about mood. Sometimes
progress is slow and unglamorous: showing up to therapy even when it feels pointless, taking medication
consistently even when you’re not sure it’s working yet, or dragging yourself outside for a short walk
instead of staying in bed all day.

Over time, many people notice subtle shifts before the big ones. They laugh at a joke they would have
ignored a month ago. They catch themselves making a plan for next week. They realize they got through a
stressful day without spiraling. The depression might not vanish overnight, but the world starts to gain
color and texture again.

If you recognize yourself in any of these experiences, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. Depression
is common, serious, andcruciallytreatable. Reaching out for help is not the end of your story; it’s the
beginning of a different chapter, one where you don’t have to carry everything by yourself.

Conclusion

Depression is a complex mood disorder with emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms that can disrupt
every part of life. It can stem from a mix of biology, life experiences, health conditions, and stress,
and it shows up in several different forms, from major depressive disorder and persistent depression to
seasonal and perinatal types. The impact is realbut so is the hope.

Effective treatments exist, including therapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments, and, in some cases,
brain stimulation therapies. With professional help and support from others, many people recover or find
ways to manage depression so it no longer runs the show. If depression is part of your life right now,
you deserve care, not criticismand there is absolutely no shame in asking for it.