depression being experienced by a woman in bed

Updated for 2026

Depression is one of the most common and misunderstood mental health conditions. It can affect mood, energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, motivation, relationships, work, school, parenting, and the way a person sees themselves and the future.

Depression is not laziness, weakness, or a personal failure. It is a real mental health concern that can be influenced by biological, psychological, social, hormonal, environmental, and life-experience factors.

This guide is designed as a starting point. It explains what depression can look like, why it may happen, how it can affect people at different stages of life, when support may be needed, and where to learn more about specific depression-related concerns.

If you are looking for clinical support, Your Counselling offers depression therapy in Calgary and online counselling for people who want help understanding symptoms, building coping strategies, and finding the next step.

How common is depression?

Depression affects people around the world and can occur at any age. The World Health Organization estimates that about 322 million people worldwide experienced depression in 2023, and it notes that depression can affect functioning and increase suicide risk. You can review the current WHO overview of depressive disorder.

Numbers can help show that depression is common, but they do not capture what it feels like personally. For many people, depression feels isolating even when many others are going through something similar.

That isolation is one reason support matters. Depression can make people withdraw, hide symptoms, minimize what is happening, or believe they should be able to handle it alone.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that involves more than feeling sad for a day or having a difficult week. It often includes a persistent change in mood, interest, energy, thinking, sleep, appetite, or functioning.

Some people experience depression as sadness, crying, or emotional pain. Others experience it more as numbness, irritability, exhaustion, shame, heaviness, disconnection, or a loss of motivation.

Depression can range from mild to severe. It may be connected to a specific event, such as grief, burnout, trauma, relationship stress, family conflict, hormonal changes, illness, or a major life transition. It may also appear without one clear cause.

A person does not need to understand exactly why depression is happening before seeking support.

What depression can feel like

Depression does not look the same for everyone. Some people continue working, parenting, studying, and showing up for others while feeling deeply depleted inside. Others may find daily functioning much harder.

Depression may feel like:

  • persistent sadness, emptiness, or heaviness
  • feeling numb or disconnected
  • loss of interest in things that used to matter
  • low motivation or difficulty starting tasks
  • fatigue that does not improve with normal rest
  • irritability, frustration, or anger
  • guilt, shame, or feeling like a burden
  • hopelessness about the future
  • difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • changes in sleep or appetite
  • physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, stomach issues, or tension
  • thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide

Not every person with depression will experience every symptom. The pattern, duration, severity, and effect on daily life all matter.

Common signs and symptoms of depression

The National Institute of Mental Health describes depression as involving symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, sleeps, eats, works, and handles daily activities. You can read NIMH’s current overview of depression signs, symptoms, and treatment.

Common signs may include:

  • low mood most of the day
  • loss of pleasure or interest
  • sleeping too much or too little
  • changes in appetite or weight
  • low energy or fatigue
  • feeling worthless, guilty, or hopeless
  • difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
  • moving or speaking more slowly, or feeling restless
  • withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
  • thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can also show up as irritability, anger, procrastination, perfectionism, overworking, avoiding people, using alcohol or substances to cope, or feeling physically unwell.

Why depression happens

Depression usually does not have one simple cause. It is often influenced by several factors that interact with each other.

Possible contributors may include:

  • family history or genetics
  • brain and nervous system factors
  • hormonal changes
  • chronic stress
  • grief or loss
  • trauma or adverse childhood experiences
  • relationship conflict
  • loneliness or isolation
  • burnout
  • medical conditions or chronic pain
  • substance use
  • major life changes
  • sleep disruption
  • financial, school, workplace, or family pressure

Understanding possible causes can reduce shame. It can also help a person and their therapist identify what kind of support may be most useful.

For a deeper look at this topic, read our related guide: Why Depression Happens: Understanding the Causes.

Depression and anxiety often overlap

Depression and anxiety are different, but they often occur together. A person may feel low, hopeless, and exhausted while also experiencing worry, panic, tension, or racing thoughts.

The overlap can feel confusing. Anxiety may make it hard to rest, while depression may make it hard to act. Anxiety may create fear about the future, while depression may make the future feel pointless or heavy.

Signs that depression and anxiety may both be present include:

  • constant worry combined with low mood
  • panic or tension alongside exhaustion
  • difficulty sleeping because of anxious thoughts
  • loss of motivation because everything feels overwhelming
  • avoidance that increases both worry and shame
  • feeling physically tense but emotionally drained

You can read more in our related article: Are Depression and Anxiety Related?

If anxiety is a major part of what you are experiencing, anxiety counselling may also be relevant.

Depression across different life stages

Depression can affect people at different ages and life stages. The symptoms may look different depending on development, responsibilities, family context, hormones, health, and life circumstances.

Childhood depression

Children may not always describe depression as sadness. They may show distress through irritability, withdrawal, clinginess, behaviour changes, school struggles, stomach aches, sleep problems, or loss of interest in play and friendships.

Parents may notice that something feels different, even if the child cannot explain it clearly.

For more detail, read Childhood Depression: Causes, Signs, and Support Options.

Teen depression

Teen depression can sometimes be mistaken for “normal teenage behaviour.” While mood changes can be part of adolescence, persistent low mood, irritability, withdrawal, hopelessness, school avoidance, sleep changes, self-harm, or loss of interest should be taken seriously.

Teens may need support that respects their growing independence while also involving parents or caregivers when appropriate.

For parents, read A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression.

Depression in adults

Adult depression may be connected to work stress, relationships, parenting, caregiving, burnout, loneliness, grief, trauma, identity questions, health concerns, or major life transitions.

Adults may keep functioning externally while feeling depleted internally. Some may describe feeling like they are “going through the motions” rather than fully living.

Individual counselling can help adults understand symptoms, stress patterns, relationship dynamics, coping habits, and the deeper experiences that may be contributing to depression.

Depression in older adults and seniors

Depression in older adults may be overlooked or mistaken for aging, illness, grief, or personality change. Older adults may experience sadness, loss of interest, low energy, sleep changes, irritability, physical complaints, memory concerns, loneliness, or reduced motivation.

Depression is not an inevitable part of aging. Support can still make a meaningful difference.

For more, read Depression in Older Adults and Seniors.

Hormonal, postpartum, and seasonal depression

Some forms of depression are closely connected to hormonal shifts, reproductive stages, seasonal patterns, or changes in light, sleep, routine, and stress.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression can affect mood, bonding, sleep, appetite, anxiety, guilt, irritability, and the way a new parent feels about themselves. It is more than ordinary exhaustion or adjustment after having a baby.

Support is important because postpartum depression affects the parent, baby, partner, and family system.

Read more: Postpartum Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Support Options.

Depression near ovulation

Some people notice mood changes at specific points in their menstrual cycle, including around ovulation. These symptoms may be connected to hormonal shifts, stress, underlying mood concerns, PMDD, or other health factors.

Read more: Depression Near Ovulation: Why It Happens and What You Can Do.

Summer depression

Seasonal mood changes are often associated with winter, but some people experience lower mood, irritability, sleep disruption, body-image stress, social pressure, heat-related discomfort, or routine disruption during the summer.

Read more: How to Cope with Summer Depression in Calgary.

When depression needs support

It may be time to seek support when depression symptoms last for more than a short period, interfere with daily functioning, or feel difficult to manage alone.

Consider reaching out if depression is affecting:

  • sleep
  • appetite
  • work or school
  • parenting or caregiving
  • relationships
  • motivation
  • self-worth
  • physical health
  • ability to enjoy life
  • ability to complete daily responsibilities

Support is especially important if depression includes hopelessness, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, substance use, severe withdrawal, or major changes in functioning.

When urgent help is needed

Depression can sometimes become urgent. Safety should always come first.

Seek immediate help if you or someone you care about:

  • is thinking about suicide
  • has a plan to hurt themselves
  • is self-harming
  • is talking about wanting to die or not wanting to be here
  • feels unable to stay safe
  • is at immediate risk because of substances, violence, abuse, or severe distress

If there is immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada.

Can depression go away?

Depression can improve, especially when people receive the right support. For some people, symptoms improve with counselling, lifestyle changes, social support, medical care, medication, or a combination of supports. For others, depression may be recurring and require ongoing management.

There is no one-size-fits-all path. What helps depends on the person, the severity of symptoms, the causes involved, the level of support available, and whether other concerns such as anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, or medical issues are also present.

It is usually better to seek support early rather than waiting until depression becomes severe.

How counselling can help with depression

Counselling can help people understand depression, reduce shame, identify patterns, develop coping strategies, process difficult experiences, and rebuild a sense of connection, meaning, and support.

In counselling, you may work on:

  • understanding symptoms and triggers
  • building coping skills
  • reducing avoidance and isolation
  • working with negative self-talk
  • processing grief, stress, trauma, or relationship pain
  • improving routines around sleep, food, movement, and rest
  • setting boundaries
  • addressing hopelessness or shame
  • strengthening support systems
  • deciding whether medical or additional support may also be needed

Therapy is not about being told to “just think positive.” It is about having a safe, structured place to understand what is happening and take realistic steps toward support and change.

Your Counselling offers depression therapy in Calgary for people who want support with low mood, hopelessness, irritability, emotional numbness, fatigue, self-criticism, and related concerns.

Depression counselling in Calgary and online

Some people prefer in-person counselling. Others prefer online counselling because it reduces commute time, supports privacy, or makes therapy easier to fit into work, school, parenting, or caregiving schedules.

Depending on your needs, the most relevant starting points may be:

If depression and anxiety are both part of what you are experiencing, anxiety counselling may also be worth exploring.

If you are not sure where to start, you can book a free consultation with the Your Counselling Client Care Team. They can help you think through therapist fit, counselling options, appointment format, and next steps.

Related depression guides

This page is a starting point. For more specific depression topics, these related guides may help:

Depression: a quick recap

  • Depression is a real mental health condition, not a personal failure.
  • It can affect mood, sleep, energy, appetite, concentration, motivation, relationships, and daily functioning.
  • Depression may look different in children, teens, adults, older adults, postpartum parents, and people experiencing hormonal or seasonal mood changes.
  • Depression can be influenced by biological, psychological, social, hormonal, environmental, and life-experience factors.
  • Depression and anxiety often overlap, but they are not the same condition.
  • Counselling can help people understand symptoms, build coping strategies, reduce shame, and find next steps.
  • Urgent support is needed if there are thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or immediate safety concerns.

Depression can feel isolating, but support is available. You do not need to know exactly what is causing your depression before reaching out. A conversation with a counsellor can help you understand what is happening and what kind of support may be helpful.

Frequently asked questions about depression

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that can affect mood, energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, motivation, relationships, and daily functioning. It is more than having a bad day or feeling sad for a short time.

What are common symptoms of depression?

Common symptoms of depression can include persistent sadness, emptiness, numbness, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep changes, appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, guilt, hopelessness, irritability, withdrawal, and thoughts of death or suicide.

Why does depression happen?

Depression can be influenced by many factors, including genetics, brain and nervous system factors, hormones, chronic stress, grief, trauma, relationship conflict, loneliness, burnout, medical concerns, substance use, and major life changes.

Can counselling help with depression?

Yes. Counselling can help people understand depression symptoms, reduce shame, build coping strategies, process difficult experiences, improve routines, strengthen support systems, and decide whether additional medical or specialized support may be needed.

When should someone seek help for depression?

Someone should consider seeking help when depression symptoms persist, feel overwhelming, affect work, school, parenting, sleep, relationships, motivation, or daily responsibilities, or include hopelessness, self-harm, or thoughts of suicide.

Are depression and anxiety related?

Depression and anxiety are different, but they often overlap. A person may experience low mood, hopelessness, or fatigue along with worry, panic, tension, or racing thoughts. When both are present, counselling can help clarify symptoms and support next steps.

Where can I get urgent help for depression in Canada?

If there is immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada for suicide crisis support.