Clinical depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a serious medical condition that goes far beyond temporary feelings of sadness or grief. While everyone experiences low moods in response to life’s challenges, depression is persistent, pervasive, and interferes with a person’s ability to function. It is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw; it is a complex disorder involving the regulation of mood, thought, and physical energy. It fundamentally alters how an individual perceives reality, often trapping them in a cycle of hopelessness that they cannot simply escape.