What is Depression? > Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness.* Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.PREVALENECE Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Facts epression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide. ssion is among the lead causes of ee worldwide Depression diagnosed and t eated in ed care. Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.