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             One definition is â€œan emotional state of dejection and sadness, ranging from mild discouragement and downheartedness to feelings of utter hopelessness and despair.â€ Another definition is â€œexaggerated sadness coupled with pessimismâ€¦which the person thinks will persist indefinitely regardless of what they do about itâ€ (Irwin, p8). Either way, depression is an illness that involves the mind and body. It can affect psychological things, such as the way someone feels about themselves, and biological things, such as eating and sleeping. There are many different types of depression with many different symptoms. Depression also affects many types of people. This disorder can be treated, but it is the personâ€™s responsibility to get help (NIMH, p1).
             Depression ranges from mild to severe types. A mild type of depression can simply be a â€œblue moodâ€ or even just a bad day. Some psychiatrists say that it is normal to feel down when youâ€™re overly tired or stressed. These sieges of â€œthe bluesâ€ generally subside quickly but can also escalate to moderate depression (Irwin, p10).
             Moderate depression can also be called neurotic depression. This type of depression has the same symptoms as mild depression but is felt more intensely. It can even interfere with a personâ€™s job or home life. This type of depression is almost always a reaction to a loss or an upsetting event. The depression is only considered neurotic when the sense of loss is disproportionate to the event that caused it (Irwin, p12).