Depression can feel like you’re underwater, struggling to hold onto a flotation device that keeps slipping away. For some people, the signs aren’t obvious at first — they just notice changes in their sleep, appetite, mood, or motivation. Symptoms can be mild or more intense, and they can look different from person to person.

One of the hardest parts is that depression doesn’t always have a clear cause. It can show up quietly or suddenly. But you don’t have to carry it alone. Support exists, and there are ways to feel better.