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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
In children and adolescents, symptoms of depression may include:
- Insomnia, fatigue, headache, stomachache, dizziness
- Apathy, social withdrawal, weight loss
- Drug abuse or alcohol abuse, a drop in school performance, difficulty concentrating
- Isolation from family and friends
- For dysthymia (minor, but long-term depression), symptoms are less intense and fewer in number, but long-lasting.
Call Your Doctor About Depression If:
- You or a loved one have suicidal thoughts, or have other signs of either major depression or dysthymia; help is available.
- You are considering alternative or complementary treatments for depression. It's important that your doctor be aware of all aspects of your treatment.
NOTE: There is a distinct difference between feeling "depressed" and having a depressive illness. If you have low spirits for a while, don't be concerned. However, if you feel you can't lift yourself out of your misery, seek help.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Amal Chakraburtty, MD on November 12, 2008
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Common Treatments for Depression
