Depression

Depression (specifically Major Depressive Disorder) is defined as a clinical mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a loss of interest and pleasure in nearly all activities, lasting for at least two weeks. According to the diagnostic standards used by the American Counseling Association (ACA), it involves a cluster of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms—such as changes in appetite, disrupted sleep, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness—that represent a significant change from previous functioning. Counselors view depression through a holistic lens, assessing how these symptoms impair a client's social or occupational life while utilizing evidence-based interventions to address both the biological and environmental factors contributing to the state.