Depression Symptoms

What’s the difference between depression and just having the run-of-the-mill blues? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), published by The American Psychiatric Association, you suffer from depression if you have at least five of the following nine symptoms at the same time:

1. A depressed mood during most of the day, particularly in the morning
2. Fatigue or a lack of energy almost every day
3. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day
4. Lack of concentration, and indecisiveness
5. Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day
6. Significantly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day
7. Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death)
8. A sense of restlessness (psychomotor agitation), or being slowed down
9. Significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than five percent of your body weight in a month)