Depression is more than occasional sadness. It's a persistent heaviness that can affect every aspect of your life — your energy, your relationships, your ability to find meaning or pleasure in things that once mattered to you. Many people describe it not as sadness but as flatness, numbness, or going through the motions of a life they can't quite feel.

Depression can manifest in several forms:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) — a severe form characterized by persistent low mood, loss of energy, and a range of physical and cognitive symptoms.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) — a milder but more chronic form, often lasting for years and quietly undermining daily functioning.

Bipolar Disorder — a mood disorder characterized by periods of depression alternating with manic or hypomanic episodes.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — depression that occurs seasonally, most often in winter months when sunlight exposure is reduced.

Postpartum Depression — depression affecting new mothers, typically within the first year after childbirth.