Which condition would best be described as a psychological state of ongoing sadness?

Depression is defined as a psychological state marked by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. It often affects a person's ability to function in daily life, leading to significant emotional and physical problems. Symptoms can vary in intensity and may include changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

In contrast, the highs of mania are associated with bipolar disorder and typically entail elevated mood, increased energy, and often impulsive behavior, which does not align with the concept of ongoing sadness. General anxiety disorder manifests primarily through excessive worry and anxiety about various aspects of life, rather than a predominant state of sadness. Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions), which do not inherently include the prolonged sadness characteristic of depression. Thus, depression is clearly the condition that best represents a psychological state of ongoing sadness.