Depression And Its Causes Depression is a serious health problem that could affect anybody, at any age. It's more than the down feeling that everybody experiences from time to time. Depression involves a "down" mood, along with some other symptoms, and lasts for more than a couple of weeks. This problem affects the total person, and in adition to all the feelings, it can change behavior, physical health, and appearance, academic performance, and the ability to handle, normal, everyday decisions and pleasures. Depression is diagnosed by a group of symptoms that occurs for more than a few weeks, and interferes