How do you know if you have Major Depressive Disorder?
Fluctuations in mood are a normal part of life. Everyone feels sad and depressed
occasionally. MDD is different—it is a common and serious medical condition that
interferes with daily life, causes significant distress, and impairs normal functioning.
Only a healthcare professional can diagnose MDD. Symptoms of MDD vary but depressed
mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities are key features of
the disorder. Additional symptoms that may be present include change in weight or
appetite, change in sleep habits, agitation or restlessness, fatigue, feelings of
worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts
of death or suicide.
If you are thinking about suicide or feeling suicidal,
please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
or contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Common symptoms of depression
People who have depression typically experience symptoms related to mood, behavior,
and physical functioning. The diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) is complicated
because the variety, number, duration, and severity of possible symptoms differ
from person to person. Depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
are considered to be key features of depression. Beyond one or both of these symptoms,
people with depression also experience a wide range of symptoms such as lack of
motivation, feelings of helplessness, perfectionism, crying spells, outbursts of
anger, substance use or abuse, gastrointestinal upset, headaches, or heart palpitations.
Depression is not the same for everyone
You don't need to experience all of the symptoms listed above to be diagnosed
with depression. Symptoms will also vary from person to person. For instance, compared
with depressed men, depressed women are more likely to experience guilt, weight
gain, anxiety, eating disorders, or increased sleep. Depressed older adults tend
to experience persistent sadness or "empty" moods.
Your symptoms may be a sign of Major depressive disorder. Click here to take a depression self-test. Only
a healthcare professional can diagnose depression.
It is important to remember that depression is a real medical condition like any
other. And, just as there are treatments for conditions like diabetes or heart disease,
there are treatment options available for depression.
Be sure to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional so they can determine
if you have symptoms of depression.
Did you know that some symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
can overlap, or that a person can experience both conditions at the same time? Learn
more about Depression and Anxiety
(GAD).
NEXT: DEPRESSION TREATMENT