Depression isn’t just a temporary mood swing or a sign of personal weakness. It’s a serious medical condition with many emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms.
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Many people feel ashamed or afraid to seek help, others make light of their symptoms leading them to suffer in silence. It’s important to remember that depression isn’t a character defect or something that you have brought on yourself.
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Who Does Depression Hurt?
During their lifetime about 1 in 10 people in Canada will experience an episode of major depressive disorder (the diagnosis given to those suffering from depression)
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Unfortunately many people, unaware of how common depression is, avoid seeking treatment because they worry what others will think of them. They feel like they’re the only ones. Depression is in fact a widespread medical condition:
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- Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide6
- Women are more likely than men to experience depression5
- People with a family history of depression may be more likely to develop the disease7
- People with chronic illnesses may also be susceptible to the disease7
To learn more about how depression symptoms may impact your life,
complete the symptom checklist and talk to your doctor.
If you think a friend or loved one is depressed,
learn more about supporting someone with depression.
