Are You Depressed?: How to Tell
Depression is very serious mental illness characterized by abnormally low moods that prevent an individual from functioning normally. Depression not only affects a person’s mood. It can also have adverse affects on one’s activity level, personality, and physical and emotional health.
Unlike sadness, depression is not an emotion, but is characterized as a mental disorder. Severe depression, or “major depression,” may indeed be triggered by a sad or stressful circumstance, but this is not always the case. Other risk factors for depression may include:
- Biochemical factors (i.e. physical and chemical features of the brain)
- Genetic factors
- Hormone imbalances
- Insomnia
- Medications.
Depression Quiz
Perhaps you’re experiencing lingering feelings of sadness and are beginning to wonder, “Am I depressed, or just sad?” Take the following depression quiz to get a better idea of whether you are experiencing depression symptoms.
Periodically, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes a manual called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual contains clinical information about all known mental health illnesses. To be diagnosed with severe depression, you must have at least five of the symptoms of depression listed below for a minimum of two weeks.
- A depressed mood that continues to linger almost all day, every day (this may include: sadness, hopelessness, or irritability)
- A loss of interest in daily activities and activities that once brought enjoyment
- An inexplicable change in appetite and a significant fluctuation in weight (if weight loss, it must not be the result of dieting)
- Changes in behavior (increased agitation and restlessness or sluggish behavior)
- Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
- Constant fatigue and lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of worthlessness, and/or guilt
- Indecisiveness
- Thoughts of death and suicide.
If you answered “yes” to five or more of these questions, you are likely experiencing severe depression symptoms. Keep in mind, however, that his depression quiz is only a guideline and is not intended to in any way replace the diagnosis of a physician. Ultimately, a doctor must diagnose depression.
Are You Depressed? What Else You Should Know
In addition to the symptoms of depression outlined above, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists some additional requirements that must be met in order for your symptoms to be considered major depression. These are:
- At least one of your five symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest in activities that previously brought enjoyment (i.e. the first two symptoms in the above list).
- Symptoms cannot be the direct result of something other than depression (i.e. hypothyroidism).
- Symptoms cannot be the result of a “mixed episode” (i.e. mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder).
- Symptoms cannot be the temporary result of a grievous event, such as a death in the family.
- Symptoms must be significant enough to interfere with your ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
Talk to your doctor if you suspect symptoms of depression for further guidance and possible treatment.
Resources
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Staff. (n.d.) Understanding Depression. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Staff website: www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/Depressive _Illness/depressive_ill_understanding.html.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Tests and Diagnosis. Retrieved May 6, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Staff. (n.d.) Depression symptoms, causes and diagnosis. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness website: www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Mental_Illnesses/Depression/Depression_ Symptoms,_Causes_and_Diagnosis.htm.