Depression is estimated to affect around 5% of the population (about 7% of women and 4% of men). Lifetime risk is thought to reach 14–18%, meaning nearly one in five people may face it at some point. Depression also does not always look the same — it often “wears many masks,” which can make it harder to recognize.
The scale of the problem is visible not only in epidemiological data, but also in healthcare statistics. In 2024, nearly 878,000 patients received healthcare services where depression was listed as the main diagnosis or a co-existing condition. This most often involved people aged 65–74, with support provided primarily in primary care as well as psychological, psychiatric and addiction-treatment clinics.
In the same year, 1.9 million people purchased reimbursed antidepressant medications — almost double the number recorded in 2013. On the one hand, these figures show how widespread depression is. On the other, they may reflect growing public awareness: more people are taking symptoms seriously, seeking support and starting treatment.
Depression is not the same as sadness, and not every period of low mood means depression. The line can feel thin, but the difference is fundamental. In depression, low mood is not a short-lived reaction to a difficult event or “just a bad day.” It is a state that lasts at least two weeks, is present most of the time and begins to significantly interfere with everyday functioning.
Alongside feeling down, many people experience loss of energy, reduced motivation and a loss of interest or pleasure — things that once felt enjoyable can become indifferent. Problems with concentration and memory, feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, sleep disturbances and changes in appetite are also common.
Some people withdraw from relationships, while others feel constant tension and anxiety. In more severe cases, thoughts of giving up on life or suicidal thoughts can appear — this always requires urgent help.
In everyday language, people sometimes say “I’m depressed” to describe a rough patch. In medicine, however, depression is something much more serious. Sadness is a natural emotion and can be a response to loss, disappointment or exhaustion. It often changes with circumstances and may ease with support, rest or a positive event.
In depression, mood tends to stop being reactive — even when external circumstances improve, the suffering does not lift. Anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure) can develop, along with a clear decline in daily functioning. It is the persistence, depth of symptoms and their impact on life that distinguish depressive disorder from a temporary slump.
Because depression has complex causes — biological, psychological and environmental — diagnosis is not based on a single symptom or a brief worsening of mood.
To consider a depressive episode, at least two of three so-called core symptoms should be present for most of the day: persistently low mood (not dependent on current events), clearly reduced energy and increased fatigue, and loss of interest or the ability to feel pleasure.
In addition, at least two other symptoms should occur, such as difficulty concentrating or making decisions, low self-esteem, excessive guilt, pessimistic thoughts about the future, sleep or appetite problems, anxiety, reduced sex drive or suicidal thoughts.
If you notice this pattern — especially if symptoms are intensifying or do not go away with time — it is not worth waiting for it to “pass on its own.” Early consultation with a doctor or mental health professional increases the chance of effective treatment.
If you suspect depression, ask for help without hesitation. The most sensible and safest first step is a visit to a doctor — either your family physician or a psychiatrist. This is not something you can diagnose on your own based on an online test or one difficult conversation with a loved one.
A doctor will calmly ask how long symptoms have lasted and how strongly they affect daily life, sleep, appetite, work and relationships. Sometimes, to make sure low mood is not caused by another medical condition, additional tests may be needed. Only after considering the full picture can the right treatment plan be chosen.
The most important message is that help is available and depression can be treated effectively. Seeking medical support is not a sign of weakness — it is a responsible step toward protecting your health.
