Signs & Symptoms
This common symptom refers to a persistent, overriding emotion of sadness or feeling "empty."
What is a depressed mood?
Often abbreviated as SAD, this type occurs at the same time each year, usually during winter.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine belong to this class of brain chemicals affected by depression.
What are neurotransmitters?
SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical formulas belong to this broad class of mood-regulating medications.
What are antidepressants?
This free, natural physical activity releases endorphins that can instantly boost mood and combat mild depression.
What is exercise?
This term describes a complete loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies you used to love.
What is anhedonia?
This type of depression occurs in a parent during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth.
What is Peripartum (or Postpartum) Depression?
If you have immediate family members with depression, you carry a higher risk due to this factor.
What is genetic predisposition? (Accept: genetics / family history)
This popular talk therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
What is CBT? (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
This 3-digit national hotline provides immediate, free, and confidential crisis support in the US.
What is 988?
Depression often disrupts this daily cycle, causing either insomnia or hypersomnia.
What is sleep? (Accept: sleep schedule)
Formerly called dysthymia, this refers to a chronic, low-grade depressed mood lasting for at least two years.
What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Chronic stress and depression can cause shrinkage in this brain region, which handles memory and learning.
What is the hippocampus?
These two distinct medical professionals are typically involved in comprehensive care: one prescribes medication, and the other provides talk therapy.
Who are a psychiatrist and a therapist (or counselor)?
This cognitive practice involves focusing on the present moment without judgment, often through deep breathing or meditation.
What is mindfulness?
This physical symptom causes an individual to feel constantly drained of energy, even without physical exertion.
What is fatigue?
Individuals with this condition experience severe depressive lows alternating with manic or hypomanic highs.
What is Bipolar Disorder? (Accept: Bipolar Depression)
This stress hormone is often found in abnormally high levels in individuals experiencing severe depression.
What is cortisol?
This medical treatment uses brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia, often for treatment-resistant cases.
What is ECT? (Electroconvulsive Therapy)
This habit involves logging daily thoughts, feelings, and tracking mood patterns over time to find depression triggers.
What is journaling?
To meet the criteria for a major depressive episode, symptoms must be present for at least this long.
What is two weeks?
This severe form of depression includes features like hallucinations, delusions, or a detachment from reality.
What is Psychotic Depression?
True or False: Brain imaging shows that depression actually changes the physical structure and metabolic activity of the brain.
What is True?
This modern, non-invasive treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain regions involved in mood control.
What is TMS? (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)
This behavioral strategy involves scheduling small, positive activities into your day to break the cycle of isolation.
What is behavioral activation?