The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. However, depression is generally observed as being a persistent state of sadness or a loss of the ability to experience pleasure. Those experiencing depression often lose interest in everyday activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

 

According to the standard diagnosis guide (DSM-IV-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association, depression is diagnosed when an individual is experiencing either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure plus four or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:

• Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain (a change of more than five percent of body weight in a month)

• Significant increase or decrease in appetite

• Excessive sleepiness or insomnia

• Agitation and restlessness

• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day

• Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

 

If you feel you are experiencing any of these symptoms of depression, contact your doctor and speak with them about your depression treatment options.