Depression
Depression: Are you depressed? Answer yes to (5) or more of these questions,
and you may have major depression. Criteria: (5) or more of the following
symptoms have been present during the same two week period and represent
a change from previous functioning.
1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by
either a subjective report (feels sad or empty) or observation made by
others (appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable
mood.
(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities
most of the day, nearly every day.
(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weigh gain (a change of
more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite
nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected
weight gains.
(4) insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable
by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed
down).
(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which
may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self approach about being
sick).
(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly
every day.
(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal
ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan
for committing suicide.
Note: These symptoms cannot be related to substance abuse (physiological
effect), and the symptoms cannot be a result of bereavement (After the
loss of a loved one).
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