We all have days when we feel sad or a bit down. That’s a natural part of being human, and those feelings usually pass. But depression is different. It’s not just a bad day or a temporary mood. It’s a persistent, heavy feeling that hangs over you, impacting your life day after day.

Imagine feeling those low, sad feelings, not just for a few hours, but most of the day, every day, for more than two weeks. It’s like a dark cloud that won’t lift, making it hard to do even the simplest things. When this happens, and when your daily life is clearly affected, it’s more than just a passing sadness. It’s a sign that you might be experiencing depression, and it’s important to seek help. 

It’s more common than we might think. The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 tells us that about 1,000,000 people aged 16 and above in Malaysia have depression. It affects people of all ages, though it often begins during the challenging years of late teens and early adulthood.

No matter your age or gender, depression can impact anyone. It’s not a sign of weakness, but a genuine health condition that deserves our understanding and support. There are different types of depression, such as: Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Learn more about them in the infographics below.