Major Depression

Major Depression is a mood disorder in which an individual experiences at least a two-week period of a depressed mood or the loss of interest and/or pleasure in nearly all activities. A variety of symptoms may be experienced in a person with depression. The following is a list of the criteria used to diagnose persons who may be depressed:
bulletdepressed mood for most the day, nearly every day. For example, the person may report feeling "sad" or "empty". In children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable.
bulletnoticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in almost all or all activities most of the day, nearly every day.
bulletsignificant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in one month), or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
bulletlack of sleep or increased sleeping nearly every day.
bulletpsychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (feelings or restlessness or "being slowed down")
bulletfeeling fatigued or having loss of energy nearly every day.
bulletfeelings or worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
bulletdiminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
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© 2000 Red Oak Psychiatry Associates, P.A.    Updated 11/26/2007