How depressed are you?

All of us feel blue, low or out of sorts every now and again. We may even say we’re ‘feeling depressed’. But true depression is more than simply being down in the dumps. But how can you tell the difference? The following lists have been adapted from The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

Moderate depression

Being bothered by things that aren’t usually a problem
Poor appetite
Overeating
Feelings of inadequacy
Inability to concentrate
Finding doing things an effort
Fearful of the future
Restless sleep
Feeling people are unfriendly
Loneliness
Increased irritability
Persistently feeling blue

Severe depression

Tearfulness
Getting no pleasure at all from life
Persistent fatigue and exhaustion
Unreasonably low self-esteem
High anxiety levels
Lack of interest in sex
Poor concentration
Memory losses
Lack of motivation
Feeling a burden to others
Early-morning waking
Persistent sleeping
Fear of being alone/extreme self-isolation
Unexplained physical aches and pains
Suicidal thoughts

If you have ticked at least five of these symptoms, then you may qualify as being depressed.

Back to How You Beat Depression

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