Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that has a negative impact on how you feel, think, and act. It is, thankfully, treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. It can cause a variety of emotional and physical problems, as well as a reduction in your ability to function at work and at home.
Depression symptoms can range from mild to severe and include the following:
- Sadness or a depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Appetite changes — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Sleeping difficulties or excessive sleep
- Energy loss or increased fatigue
- Increase in meaningless physical activity (e.g., inability to exercise)
- Increase of intentionless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
- Feeling insignificant or guilty
- Problems thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Suicide or death thoughts
For a depression diagnosis, symptoms must last at least two weeks and represent a change in your previous level of functioning.