Depression Symptoms

There are several signs and symptoms that help a healthcare professional determine if a person is suffering from depression. In general, a person must have five (or more) of the symptoms listed below during the same two-week period. These symptoms must represent a change from the way he or she used to function. In addition, at least one of the symptoms must be either #1 depressed mood or #2 loss of interest or pleasure in activities.

Common symptoms of depression²

1. Depressed or irritable mood most of the day—nearly every day
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities (such as hobbies, work, sex, or being with friends) most of the day—nearly every day
3. A sudden change in weight (weight loss without dieting, gaining more than 5% of body weight in 1 month), or a change in appetite
4. Inability to sleep or sleeping too much, nearly every day
5. Agitation or restlessness (observed by others) nearly every day
6. Constant fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Frequent feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt nearly every day
8. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions nearly every day
9. Frequent thoughts of death or suicide (or a suicide attempt or plan)

Important note: If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately through your healthcare professional, or call 411 to get the phone number for the nearest local suicide hotline.

In addition to having five or more of the symptoms above, in order to lead to the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD)This is a physician's term for a specific type of depression. A person who suffers from a major depressive disorder must have either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. The person must have these symptoms consistently for at least a two-week period. Furthermore, this mood must represent a change from the person's normal mood. It should also be having a negative impact on his or her daily function, such as family, work, socializing, etc. A depressed mood caused by drugs or alcohol, or one caused by a medical condition, is not considered a major depressive disorder. Remember, only a doctor can properly diagnose this or any other disorder., the symptoms must cause significant distress or impair the person's ability to function. This means the symptoms have a negative affect on how the person functions socially, at his or her job, or in some other aspect of their life.

It's important to know that there are several different illnesses that can account for symptoms of depression. Your doctor or other healthcare professional must rule out other possible causes (including other medicines or illegal drugs) before diagnosing you with depression.²

Depression is Not the Same for Everyone

You don't need to experience all of the signs and 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.

It is important to remember that depression is a 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. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of depression, take the Depression Self-Screener and then discuss the results with your healthcare professional.

Did you know the 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 the overlap of depression and GAD.

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