Category: Depression

Depression changes much more than a person's mood.

Research suggests it also alters the way people think, remember, make decisions and interpret events in their lives.

Many of these changes happen automatically, making negative experiences seem more important, more memorable and more difficult to escape.

Positive experiences, meanwhile, can be overlooked or quickly discounted.

Over the years, psychologists have identified a number of characteristic thinking patterns linked to depression.

Together, they help explain why depression can be so persistent and why it can be difficult to break free from its grip.

Here are some of the most common ways depression affects the mind.

Defeating depression is a major victory, but over half of recovered patients face a relapse.

Why does depression return for some people and not others?

Depression relapse arises from a mix of psychological and behavioural factors including lingering thinking habits, medication effects, therapy and everyday lifestyle choices.

Explore these 10 essential, data-backed insights that offer a clearer picture of what drives relapse -- and what may help prevent it.