What is depression?

Well, first of all we need to understand what depression is? Many 

people call it depression even if they are having stress. Depression 

itself is a disorder made from small day to day symptoms. If you 

are aware of it prognosis would be good.

So, according to DSM-5 Depression, otherwise know as major 

depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a very common and 

serious mood disorder.

Symptoms of Depression

  Persistent feelings of sadness

  Persistent feelings of hopelessness

  Loss interest in activities once enjoyed by the person

  Physical symptoms such as chronic pain and digestive issues

  These symptoms must be present for atleast 2 weeks

  Sadness and hopelessness should be persistent

Depression DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria

The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a 

diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing

 five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and 

at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed 

mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.

2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost 

all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or 

decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

4. A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical 

movement (observable by others, not merely subjective 

feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).

5. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate 

guilt nearly every day.

7. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or 

indecisiveness, nearly every day.

8. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation 

without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan 

for committing suicide.

To receive a diagnosis of depression, these symptoms must

cause the individual clinically significant distress or 

impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas 

of functioning.The symptoms must also not be a result of 

substance abuse or another medical condition.

You can check your depression score in the link below. 

Count the score before each statement you think is right for

 you.

https://www.increase-project.eu/images/DOWNLOADS/IO2/EN/CURR_M2-A12_Beck-Depr-Invent_(EN-only)_20170920_EN_final.pdf

And mind you people do not get your sadness mix with 

depression. You can ask any question related to it or consult 

your cases. Feel free.