Depression is a mood disorder that is common among people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and gender. It is diagnosed based on 5 or more of the following symptoms: lost of interest/pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy, persistent sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, feelings of guilt, low energy/fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, pain/aches in the body, and/or thoughts of death/suicide/suicide attempts. If you experience 5 or more of these symptoms for most of the days or nearly everyday for the past two weeks, you might be going through a depressive episode. It is important to seek mental health support to prevent depression from getting worse and more severe overtime. If left untreated, depression can become difficult to treat and become chronic. Treatment for depression can include psychotherapy and medication. Research show that medication and therapy combined are effective in treating recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) and other mood disorders. Duration of treatment differs from person-to-person and depends on how severe your diagnosis of depression is. Consult with a therapist or psychiatrist for an evaluation and treatment recommendations. Read more here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.