Depression Center: Symptoms, Causes, Medications, and Therapies

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Depression Trends:

Getting Help For Depression

When you have depression, it's more than feeling sad. Intense feelings of sadness and other symptoms, like losing interest in things you enjoy, may last for a while. Depression is a medical illness, not a sign of weakness. And it's treatable.

To find out more, answer these questions.

Are you:

Feeling depressed, but haven't talked to a doctor?
Just recently diagnosed and don't know what to do?
Currently off your depression treatment?
Stopped your depression treatment?

Next > Next >

Step 2

Step 3

I Think I'm Depressed

How to get help.

I Just Got Diagnosed

Your next steps.

I'm Getting Help

What to expect from treatment.

I've Stopped My Treatment

How to get back on track.

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Understanding Depression -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

For major depression, you may experience five or more of the following for at least a two-week period:

Persistent sadness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including sex
Difficulty concentrating and complaints of poor memory
Worsening of co-existing chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
Insomnia or oversleeping
Weight gain or loss
Fatigue, lack of energy
Anxiety, agitation, irritability
Thoughts of suicide or death
Slow speech; slow movements
Headache, stomachache, and digestive problems

Understanding Depression -- Symptoms