What Is Depression?
Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. When a sad mood lasts for a long time and interferes with daily life, you may be experiencing depression.
Signs and symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in once-enjoyed activities, low energy, and changes in sleep. Difficulty concentrating, irritability, and physical aches and pains can also occur.
More serious symptoms include thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts or plans, self-harm, and substance misuse. These symptoms require immediate help from a qualified mental health professional.
How Common Is Depression?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 21 million U.S. adults experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year, or roughly 8.3% of adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found that about one in five adults reported symptoms of depression in 2022.
Myths About Depression
Myth 1: Depression is just sadness.
Fact: Depression is a complex mental health condition marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and other symptoms that can significantly impact daily life.
Myth 2: Depression is a sign of weakness.
Fact: Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw. It can affect anyone, regardless of strength or resilience.
Myth 3: Depression will go away on its own.
Fact: While some cases may improve without treatment, most require professional help. Treatment options include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
How Is Depression Screened?
Many people with depression are not recognized in routine care. Screening in primary care and other settings helps identify people who may be struggling but haven’t spoken to a clinician or family member.
The CDC recommends standardized screening tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-2 and PHQ-9, which ask about feelings of sadness and loss of interest over a two-week period. These tools include questions about mood, sleep, appetite, and energy, with scores used to assess depression severity — from minimal to severe.
Screening is recommended for all adults, including pregnant and postpartum people, as well as adolescents ages 12 to 18 for major depressive disorders, when systems are in place for diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. Screening alone isn’t enough — it must be connected to care.
What Happens After a Positive Screen?
A positive screening should be followed by an evaluation that reviews medical and mental health history and checks safety, including suicide risk. Providers can then offer therapy, medication, or both.
Many people still don’t get the care they need, so connecting patients to services is crucial.
Tips for Individuals and Caregivers
- If you or someone you care about feels persistently sad, hopeless, uninterested in activities, or has changes in sleep, appetite, or focus, ask a health care provider for a brief depression screening.
- If someone is in immediate danger or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Conclusion
Depression is common and treatable. Routine, validated screening tools such as the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9 — followed by evaluation and treatment — help identify people who need support and improve the chances they receive care.
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, asking for a depression screening during a medical visit is a simple, evidence-based first step.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. “Major Depression.” Accessed Oct. 31, 2025. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Depression.” Accessed Oct. 31, 2025. https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/conditions/depression
- JAMA Network. “Screening for Depression in Adults.” JAMA. Accessed Oct. 31, 2025. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2806144
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. “Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults.” Accessed Oct. 31, 2025. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-depression-suicide-risk-adults
