Symptoms of depression
published: Wednesday | March 12, 2003
THERE ARE defined criteria in behavioural science to identify depression in
individuals. A person is said to have experienced a major depressive episode
when five or more of the following symptoms are present:
A persistent sad mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
Changes in appetite or weight
Changes in sleep patterns
Restlessness or decreased activity that is noticeable to others
Loss of energy or feeling tired all the time
Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
In order for a qualified healthcare professional to make this diagnosis, at least one of the first two symptoms must be present. Also, the symptoms must have lasted for at least two weeks; have been present most of the day, nearly every day; and have been troublesome enough to cause distress or interfere with work, social life or daily functioning.
