Everyone feels low at times, but with depression the feeling is deeper, more unpleasant and doesn't go away quickly or becomes so bad that it can interfere with everyday life. Severe depression is sometimes called clinical depression.

Research carried out by the World Health Organization shows that depression is a more disabling condition than angina, arthritis, asthma and diabetes. Depression affects one in five people at some point in their lives.

Depression is a complex, long-term illness and there is not always one clear reason why someone is depressed. It is more likely to occur if there is a history of depression in the family.

Symptoms of depression can include:

• Losing interest in life
• Feeling restless, agitated and anxious
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty getting to sleep
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Exhaustion
• Not coping with things that used to be manageable

Treatment

Depression can sometimes be a symptom of a treatable condition, such as thyroid disease or chronic fatigue syndrome, so it is important to seek professional help to rule out any underlying illness.

Depression can also be a combination of other psychological problems like as anxiety or stress.

Professional help includes treatments like counseling and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or medication such as antidepressants.

Whether you suffer from clinical or mild depression, here are a few key things to remember:

• Try to stay positive; look at the bigger picture and remember that this life is short. Also, look the blessings bestowed on you from Allah this will put the negative things into perspective.

• Do beneficial tasks to keep yourself busy and to take your mind off things that make you depressed.

• Get some regular exercise, this should help with feelings of wellbeing and keep you fit.

• It might help to talk things over with a relative or friend or someone else close to you.

• Du'aa' (prayer or supplication) is very beneficial in the protection and treatment of depression. There are many authentic du'aa's that deal with anxiety and distress.

Depression is a complex illness that involves the mind and body and can cause a variety of emotions and physical problems. There is no simple remedy that will make clinical depression go away completely, but it can be managed and controlled to make life more comfortable.