Major Depressive Disorder or Clincial Depression is one of the most common mood disorders. It is characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Depression could manifest because of varying factors such as genetic vulnerability or predisposition, imbalances in the neurotransmitter levels in our brain and/or psychosocial factors. To understand this better, some key symptoms of Depression are listed as follows –

•  Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
•   Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
•   Irritability
•   Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
•   Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
•   Decreased energy or fatigue
•   Moving or talking more slowly
•   Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
•   Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
•   Appetite and/or weight changes
•   Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
•    Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment.