Depression is more than sadness. It’s a condition that changes how your brain processes emotion, reward, energy, and meaning. It can dull colour, flatten joy, and make even simple things feel impossibly heavy.

Clinically, depression is called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), though many people experience milder or cyclical forms — from persistent low mood (dysthymia) to postnatal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The common thread is a sense of disconnection — from others, from life, and often from yourself.

How it Feels

Depression often begins quietly. Tasks that once felt effortless take enormous effort. Mornings feel heavier. Concentration fades. You might feel both emotionally numb and painfully raw. Sleep can become either impossible or all-consuming.

For many, the hardest part isn’t sadness — it’s absence. A sense that you’re watching life from the outside, unsure how to step back in. Self-critical thoughts grow louder, and motivation slips away not because of weakness, but because the brain’s reward circuitry has dimmed.

Why it Happens

Depression has no single cause — it’s a convergence of biology, psychology, and circumstance.
Neurochemically, it’s linked to changes in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters that regulate mood and motivation.

But it’s also shaped by life experiences: grief, trauma, chronic stress, or unresolved emotional pain. Some people inherit a genetic vulnerability, while others develop depression after burnout, illness, or childbirth.

Newer research also connects depression to inflammation, gut health, and sleep disruption — showing that the mind and body are deeply intertwined.

What Helps

There isn’t a single cure — but there are many ways to heal.
Treatment often includes:

• Therapy, especially CBT, psychodynamic therapy, or trauma-informed approaches.
• Medication, which can help stabilise mood chemistry and restore energy.
• Movement and sunlight, which support serotonin and circadian rhythm.
• Connection, both social and professional — depression thrives in isolation.
• Nutrition, especially stabilising blood sugar and supporting gut health.

For some, recovery begins with simply acknowledging the truth: this is not a character flaw. Depression is an illness — treatable, temporary, and not your fault.

Further Reading

• NHS Depression Information → www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression
• Psychology Today: Depression Overview → psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/depression

• Lost Connections by Johann Hari
• The Mindful Way Through Depression by Mark Williams et al.
• Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

In short:
Depression isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a signal that something inside you needs care, not criticism. Healing begins with understanding — and the smallest step toward light still counts as movement.