NCLEX RN Practice Question

Clinical depression is a diagnosable mental health condition marked by sustained sadness, loss of interest in activities, and symptoms such as changes in sleep, energy, or appetite. These symptoms disrupt daily life and typically persist over a longer period. Emotional responses to life events, such as grief, differ because they are usually temporary and do not interfere with functioning in the same persistent and profound way. Additionally, while external stressors and mood fluctuations could be factors in other conditions, they are not defining features of clinical depression.