Mood
Depression
Related terms · Depressive disorder
Depression is a disorder where a depressed mood or loss of interest persists, leading to changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, and daily functioning.
Meaning and Distinctions
What is depression?
Depression is a condition that impairs overall functioning, characterized not only by feelings of sadness but also by a loss of interest, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, poor concentration, feelings of guilt, and persistent thoughts of death. We check for the possibility of anemia, thyroid issues, pain, medication side effects, and bipolar disorder. Rather than simply aiming to improve mood scores, we focus on reconnecting basic daily functions such as bathing, eating, going to work, and conversing. Thoughts or plans of suicide, inability to eat or drink, delusions, hallucinations, or a state of euphoria despite little to no sleep require immediate mental health or emergency evaluation. Depression is a condition where a depressed mood or loss of interest persists, leading to changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, and daily functioning.
- Easily confused terms
- BurnoutWhile burnout may be prominently linked to the context of continuous burdens such as work or caregiving, depression can affect all areas of life.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- We first check for risks of self-harm, changes suggestive of bipolar disorder, thyroid issues, anemia, and the effects of current medications, while maintaining mental health treatment. Korean herbal medicine is not presented as a replacement treatment for depression; instead, it is used concurrently to address physical burdens that hinder daily recovery, such as issues with sleep, appetite, digestion, body heat, or energy levels.
- What to write down for your visit
- We examine which activities, such as bathing, eating, going to work, or conversing, have become difficult, and when changes in sleep and appetite occurred. We review your current diagnosis, tests, stage of psychotherapy, and a complete list of medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. While maintaining your existing treatment, we use Korean medicine to examine which specific symptoms are occurring concurrently, such as excessive drowsiness, poor digestion, feeling cold, feeling hot, or decreased energy. Please write this information down with the dates and show it during your consultation.
Sleep and Mind Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check the brief meaning first and then proceed to the detailed explanation.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuideDepressionDepression is a condition that impairs functioning, characterized not only by sadness but also by loss of interest, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, poor concentration, guilt, and thoughts of death. We also check for anemia, thyroid issues, pain, medication effects, and the possibility of bipolar disorder. Rather than simply raising mood scores, we aim to reconnect basic functions such as washing, eating, going to work, and conversing. Thoughts or plans of suicide, inability to eat or drink, delusions, hallucinations, or a state of euphoria despite almost no sleep require immediate mental health or emergency evaluation.→
- Medical GuideWhat should I check when I am confused between depression and burnout?Depression and burnout are not distinguished solely by whether symptoms improve when you take a break. During your consultation, please verify if the low mood and loss of interest persist even when away from work, how much sleep, appetite, concentration, and self-reproach have changed, and whether there were periods of euphoria between depressive episodes.→
- Sleep & Mind ColumnWhat is the difference between depression and burnout? Differences in occupational burnout, loss of interest, and recovery→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment explanations.
- NIMH: DepressionEmotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms of depression and when to seek help