Understanding Depression
Depression is a complex medical condition that can affect individuals across all ages, genders, racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, cultures, and educational experiences.
Current research indicates that its development is influenced by an interplay of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
It is also common for depression to occur alongside other mental health disorders or long‑term medical conditions, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain. These conditions can intensify depressive symptoms, and depression can, in turn, worsen the course of these illnesses.
In some cases, medications used to treat physical and mental health conditions may produce side effects that contribute to or exacerbate symptoms of depression.