The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. However, depression is generally observed as being a persistent state of sadness or a loss of the ability to experience pleasure. Those experiencing depression often lose interest in everyday activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

According to the standard diagnosis guide (DSM-V) published by the American Psychiatric Association, depression is diagnosed when an individual is experiencing either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure plus four or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:

• Depressed mood that persists or is present nearly every day.
• Loss of interest/pleasure in activities most days.
• Significant weight loss (without dieting) or gain of at least five percent of total weight in one month.
• Excessive sleepiness or insomnia.
• Feeling restless or slow nearly every day, observable by others.
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
• Decreased concentration paired with indecisiveness, observable by others.
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

If you feel you are experiencing any of these depression symptoms, contact your doctor and speak with them about your depression treatment options.