Depression is characterised by sad mood and/or a diminished ability to enjoy things, accompanied by other symptoms including:
- feelings of pessimism or hopelessness
- anxiety
- feeling worthless, helpless or feelings of guilt/self-blame
- reduced energy levels
- decreased sexual interest (libido )
- restlessness and irritability
- feeling tired but experiencing insomnia, early-morning waking or oversleeping
- changes in appetite or weight
- difficulty concentrating or poor memory
- periodic thoughts of death, suicide or feeling that life is not worth living.
It is very rare for someone to experience all of these symptoms, but depression is usually diagnosed when a number of them have been present every day for at least two weeks. Of course, having one symptom in isolation does not mean that a person is depressed because the majority of the symptoms are not exclusive to depression.
Temporary depressed mood or sadness
should be distinguished from a depressive disorder which needs clinical
treatment, known as a major depressive disorder, clinical depression or
unipolar depression. A person may experience a depressive episode once, for
example as a reaction to losing a relative, or repeatedly. Individuals with a
major depression are at increased risk for suicide. Seeking help and treatment
from a health professional dramatically reduces that risk.
Older depressed people may have cognitive
symptoms, such as forgetfulness. Depression is often experienced in persons
with PD.
