"Ugh. I'm depressed." We've all said it, and even the most happy-go-lucky among us will have an occasional bout of the blues. Sometimes it's the big stuff that triggers it—like getting fired, losing a loved one, or splitting up with your spouse—but often enough, feeling low can come from things as simple as a Grey's Anatomy rerun, crappy weather, or a rough night's sleep. But does that mean you’re actually depressed? Not so fast. (Looking to improve your mood? Prevention has smart answers—get a FREE trial + 12 FREE gifts.)
For most of us, these feelings come and go. But when sadness persists for more than two weeks and affects your ability to function at work, at home, or in other aspects of your life, you may have what's known as major, or clinical, depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is a serious mental illness that affects about 17 percent of all adults during their lifetime.
Unfortunately, distinguishing between a rough spell and clinical depression isn't always easy. Take our quiz and find out if you're just temporarily down in the dumps, or whether you may be more seriously depressed—and learn what to do to turn around your mood.
