What is Major Depressive Disorder?

Major Depressive Disorder is a common mental disorder which impacts the way you act, feel and think. It is characterised by persistent sadness and the lack of pleasure/interest. ¹

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

People may experience different levels of MDD from mild, moderate, to severe.

In your mind: Feeling miserable, unworthy and hopeless. Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. In your body: Exhaustion, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. Loss of appetite or eating excessively. People may notice: Difficulty focusing and concentrating. More irritable and withdrawn from other people.

The Statistics of Major Depressive Disorder

• Depression in a common illness worldwide with more than 300 million cases.
• Within the Malaysian primary care system, the prevalence of depression is estimated to be between 6.7-14.4%.
• Women are twice as likely to experience MDD in their lives as compared to men.

Living with Depression

As a teenager, school and studies seem like the most stressful thing in the world. We feel the immense pressure to succeed by standards that have been put upon us. Living with depression can feel like being sucked into a hole, as though we are consumed by what is expected of us and the pressures there are to live up to those expectations. Not only that, but it becomes difficult to cope with it. In my personal experience, I’ve found it hard to even think about my feelings because all that matters was the fact that I feel unbelievably down and being stuck in the low place I was at. But I surrounded myself with people that truly care for me and love me for the person I am. Today I am able to love myself and define my own self-worth and happiness. – Anonymous

Where can you seek help?