Do I Have Depression?

Depression is more than a temporary feeling of sadness or lack of energy - it is a medical condition that requires treatment. If you think you may be depressed, see your health professional or a licensed therapist for diagnosis and treatment right away. Untreated depression may get worse.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Here are the symptoms listed by the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing major depression. Remember, only a doctor or licensed therapist can accurately diagnose depression. It's important to obtain a professional evaluation.

You are diagnosed with major depression if you have at least five of the symptoms listed below for at least 2 weeks in a row, and one of the symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest. If you have fewer than five symptoms, you may still be depressed and need treatment.

1. Depressed mood most of the day, almost every day. You may feel sad or empty, or others might have noticed that you appear sad or tearful.
2. A significant loss of pleasure in either all or almost all of your daily activities
3. A significant weight gain or weight loss or a decrease or increase in your appetite
4. Difficulty either falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much
5. Noticeable changes in how you walk and talk-you may appear restless or move very slowly
6. Extreme fatigue or loss of energy
7. Feeling worthless or having inappropriate guilt
8. Difficulty thinking or concentrating or having problems remembering
9. Thinking a lot about death or suicide

Types of Depression

There are other types of depression. They may have a variation in symptoms and some symptoms only appear during certain times of the month or year.

1. Dysthymic disorder (chronic mild depression) occurs when a person has only 2 to 4 symptoms of depression for a period of at least 2 years.
2. Double depression. This occurs when a person with dysthymia also has an episode of major depression.
3. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women who have regular and severe emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms that interfere with daily life may have PMDD. This is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but has symptoms that are more severe.
4. Postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in a mother after giving birth. It is a serious condition, affecting 10-15% of new mothers. Symptoms range from mild to severe depression and may appear within days of delivery or gradually, perhaps up to a year later. Symptoms may last from a few weeks to a year.
5. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). People who have seasonal affective disorder are depressed only at a certain time each year, usually in the fall and winter months; although symptoms of SAD may appear in the spring.
6. Adjustment disorder with depression. Sometimes a stressful situation can cause temporary symptoms of depression.

Depression impairs your ability to function in your daily life. However, depression is not diagnosed if your symptoms are due solely to substance abuse or another medical condition, such as hypothyroidism.

If you think you have depression after reviewing this list, print the list and circle those symptoms that apply to you, and then take the list to your health professional.

next: Serious Consequences of Untreated Depression