Depression – When Sadness Becomes an Illness
- Trainer Misfit
- Oct 15
- 5 min read
All of us go through difficult moments. We may feel sadness, disappointment, or discouragement, it’s a natural part of being human. But when these feelings don’t go away, stretch into weeks, and everyday tasks start to feel like an overwhelming effort we may be facing depression.
Depression is not a “temporary low,” nor is it a sign of weakness. It is a serious mental health condition that affects both the mind and the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression, making it one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders. In Poland, it affects as many as 1.5 million people, while in Norway, research shows that around 1 in 5 adults experience symptoms of mental disorders each year with depression among the most common.
How Does Depression Show Up?
In international classifications (ICD-10 and DSM-5), depression is understood as a cluster of symptoms that persist for at least two weeks and significantly impact daily functioning. But for those experiencing it, these aren’t just items on a checklist it’s a daily struggle for energy and meaning.
The most common symptoms include:
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest or joy – activities that once brought pleasure no longer do
Fatigue and lack of energy – even simple tasks feel difficult
Sleep problems – insomnia or, on the other hand, oversleeping
Changes in appetite and weight
Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
Feelings of guilt, low self-esteem
Thoughts of death or feeling that “life is not worth living”
For some, depression means silent suffering; for others, an open struggle with daily life. It’s important to remember: depression doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it shows as withdrawal and quietness, other times as irritability or tension.
Where Does Depression Come From?
There isn’t a single cause. Depression usually develops through a combination of factors:
Biological – imbalances in neurotransmitters, genetic predispositions, somatic illnesses
Psychological – personality traits, difficulty coping with stress, past traumas
Social – loneliness, isolation, lack of support, social pressure, chronic stress
Sometimes depression follows a major loss of a loved one, a job, or health. Other times it develops gradually, without a clear reason. The fact that we cannot pinpoint a specific cause does not mean we are not “entitled” to seek help.
Depression in Numbers
Worldwide: WHO estimates that depression is one of the leading causes of disability across the globe.
Norway: According to Folkehelseinstituttet, as many as 22% of adults experience mental health problems in a given year – most often anxiety and depression.
Poland: Depression affects several million adults over their lifetime. Women are diagnosed twice as often as men, but men are at higher risk of suicide attempts.
Statistics remind us how widespread this condition is but behind every number is an individual story that deserves attention and care.
How Can We Help Ourselves?
The path to recovery looks different for everyone, but research shows that the most effective approach combines psychotherapy, social support, and when needed medication.
Professional help. Talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist is often the first step. A specialist can assess what you are struggling with and suggest appropriate treatment.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps change harmful thinking patterns.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) teaches how to cope with emotions and relationships more effectively.
Antidepressant medication used in moderate and severe depression. They help restore balance in the nervous system and create the space for therapy to be more effective.
Lifestyle and daily habits
Movement – even a 20-minute walk a day can improve mood.
Sleep – keeping a regular rhythm and evening wind-down routine.
Diet – balanced meals, limiting alcohol and stimulants.
Small steps – setting simple, achievable goals to build a sense of agency.
Social support. Talking to someone who listens without judgment can be the first step toward change. Depression often makes us want to withdraw but reaching out to others can help break the cycle of isolation.
Hope and Moving Forward
Depression may feel like life has come to a standstill. But research and the experience of millions of people show that recovery is possible. It takes time, patience, and often professional support but every step, no matter how small, matters.
If you recognize some of these symptoms in yourself, you don’t have to face them alone. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage and self-care.
Sources for Statistics and Epidemiology
Poland- “Depression Can Affect Anyone: Report on Three Waves of National Representative Survey in Poland Measured With PHQ-8 ”Toczyski, P., Feliksiak, M. (2024). Study on a representative sample of Polish adults. Findings: ~25.8% of respondents reported at least mild depressive symptoms; ~9.4% reported moderate or severe symptoms.PMC
Norway- Tromsø Study 7“Depression in an adult Norwegian population: prevalence and associated factors in the Tromsø Study 7.” In a population sample aged 40–90 years (~20,500 participants), the prevalence of depression (measured with SCL-10) was about 11.4% overall; ~14% in women and ~8% in men.Munin
Norway- study of major depression via population surveys and registry data “The epidemiology of major depression among adults in Norway: an observational study on the concurrence between population surveys and registry data - a NCDNOR project” (2024). Provides data on diagnosed depression and correlations between registry-based data and survey findings.Munin
Poland- EZOP Poland Study“ The prevalence of common mental disorders in the population of adult Poles by sex and age structure - an EZOP Poland study.” Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders, including depression, assessed using WHO CIDI3.0. Results show that depression occurs more frequently in women than in men.PubMed
Poland- study in primary care settings “The study of the prevalence of depressive disorders in primary care patients in Poland.” In a primary care population, ~23.3% scored positively for depressive symptoms (BDI), with a portion confirmed by psychiatric diagnosis.PubMed
Sources for Diagnosis, Criteria (ICD-10 / DSM-5), and Causes
For ICD-10 and DSM-5 criteria: official materials by the World Health Organization (WHO) (ICD-10; also ICD-11) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).
WHO – ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders (section on mood disorders, codes F32, F33)
APA – DSM-5, chapter on Major Depressive Disorder
For biological, psychological, and social causes: reviews of the literature, including epidemiological studies (such as the Tromsø Study, HUNT studies, EZOP Poland), which demonstrate the co-occurrence of depression with somatic illnesses, low income, and social status factors.
