The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders indicates the following symptoms for depression:
- Depressed mood including feelings of sadness or absurdity in most days
Loss of pleasure in activities that have been enjoyable for a person before
- Sleep too much or less than necessary
- Reduce or increase unwanted weight or change in appetite
- Physical or emotional disturbances and numbness
- Reduced energy or fatigue
- Feeling trivial or sinful
- Problems in concentration or decision
- Uninvited thoughts of death or suicide
These symptoms vary from person to person, and may change over time. To diagnose depression by the physician, five or more of these symptoms must be present within a two-week period.
