I was wondering if depression is real? Took some random online test. The result said I had symptoms of moderate/high depression. But I am not very sure of these test.

Question

Hello Yes, Depression is real just like tuberculosis, diabetes, and malaria. Depression occurs due to neurochemical imbalance in the brain - mainly depletion of serotonin. It has certain causes behind it which could be biological, psychological and social. It has a treatment and can get better like so many other diseases. Its as real as the person who can face it. However, online tests results are a bit iffy, if taken in absence of a trained professional (psychiatrist or psychologist) who can guide you about the relevance, or evaluate you themselves for depression. The tests may not be wrong completely and could point out the need for meeting a trained professional. Good luck.

Era Sharma Dutta · Accepted Answer

Hello Yes, Depression is real just like tuberculosis, diabetes, and malaria. Depression occurs due to neurochemical imbalance in the brain - mainly depletion of serotonin. It has certain causes behind it which could be biological, psychological and social. It has a treatment and can get better like so many other diseases. Its as real as the person who can face it. However, online tests results are a bit iffy, if taken in absence of a trained professional (psychiatrist or psychologist) who can guide you about the relevance, or evaluate you themselves for depression. The tests may not be wrong completely and could point out the need for meeting a trained professional. Good luck.