Depression

Signs and Symptoms Include:

Depression has been described by some sufferers as:

"lasting sadness" or despair.

Lasting anxious, or empty mood

Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex

Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down”

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Restlessness or irritability

Sleeping too much, or can’t sleep

Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain

Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

An episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

A moderate episode, and then mild low mood is termed “dysthymia” when it is chronic.