What we think of as depression is actually part of a category of mental health conditions called Mood Disorders. These include Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and more.
People living with these conditions experience depressive episodes that can last weeks, months, and even years. These episodes include:
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Social withdrawal
- Difficulty completing daily tasks
- Trouble functioning at work or school
- Low energy or exhaustion
- Loss of interest in previously meaningful activities
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
A useful way to think about depression is as an energy conservation response. When life feels overwhelming, unwinnable, or hopeless, the brain shifts into a protective mode. Instead of pushing forward, it tells the body, “Save your strength.”
This shutdown response is not a character flaw. It is an evolutionary survival strategy: the brain’s attempt to conserve energy when it believes additional effort won’t improve the situation.
For short periods, this shutdown is healthy. After receiving bad news or going through something emotionally intense, people often need time to rest, pause, and recover.
Depression becomes a problem when shutdown mode persists for an extended period and interferes with daily life.
How Common Is Depression?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)’s depression factsheet:
- About 21 million adults in the United States experience a depressive episode each year
- Nearly 21% of Americans will experience Depression at some point in their lifetime
This means practitioners in non-clinical roles including job coaches, vocational rehabilitation staff, and case managers will work with many clients who have experienced or are currently experiencing depressive symptoms.
Remember: Depression is not a sign of weakness, laziness, or lack of motivation. It is a medical condition.
How Depression Feels
People experiencing Depression often describe:
- Feeling slowed down
- Feeling numb or disconnected
- Feeling undeserving of care or support
- Having trouble making decisions
- Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
- Feeling overwhelmed by small tasks
- Feeling like they are letting others down
- Feeling ashamed for not “trying harder”
These feelings make it extremely difficult to ask for help, which is why many people hide symptoms or mask their distress.
Depression can also look different depending on someone’s gender, age, and cultural background. For example, in the United States, men tend to experience more anger and irritability when depressed and engage in riskier behaviors. In some cultures, depression manifests as physical pain rather than emotional distress.
To learn more about the various forms of depression, visit the ADAA’s Depression web page.
Reflection Exercise
Take a moment to reflect on the ideas from this page. You can write your responses, think them through, or skip this section if now isn’t the right time.
- What messages have you heard about depression, helpful or unhelpful?
- How might those messages shape the way clients talk or don’t talk about their experiences?
- What, if anything, stands out to you from this description of depression?
This reflection is intended to support awareness of how personal and cultural messages can influence how depression is recognized, named, or minimized.
Remember to notice what you’re thinking and learning. Take a break if you need one.
When you’re ready, continue to The Depression Shame Spiral
Disability and Mental Distress 