What is Major depressive disorder (MDD)?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is when someone feels really sad and tired for a long time, like a heavy storm that won’t go away.

Imagine you have a toy box full of your favorite toys, cars, dolls, blocks. Every day, you play with them and feel happy. But then, one day, the storm comes in, and all your toys get covered in gray clouds. You don't want to play anymore. It feels like no matter what happens, everything is just meh. That's kind of what MDD feels like, it’s like being stuck under a big, heavy blanket that doesn’t let you see the fun.

When someone has MDD, they might:

• Lose interest in things they used to love
• Have trouble sleeping or sleep too much
• Feel tired all the time
• Have hard time making decisions

It’s like your brain is playing a slow song that won’t stop, and you can’t dance to it anymore.

Sometimes, people need help from doctors or friends to feel better again. It's not always easy, but with support, they can get back to playing in the sunshine.