Introduction: Identifying Depression

Jun 2, 2003 - © Mari Brodersen

DIAGNOSIS

In spite of the differences in its presentation, depression is a diagnosable illness because its various manifestations have certain attributes in common.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM), the latest version of which is DSM-IVTR, provides a listing of the attributes that most or all depressions have in common:
**Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
**Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all activties most of the day, nearly every day.,
**Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
**Insomnia (inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping more than normal) nearly every day.
**Psychomotor (pscyhological and muscle) agitation or slowing nearly every day.
**Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
**Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
**Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
**Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

Nine symptoms are listed, but only five are needed to make the diagnosis of depression. Other important criteria for determining if one is suffering from depression include:

**Having symptoms for at least two consecutive weeks.
**The symptoms causing "clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning."
**The symptoms are not due to physical illness, medications, or street drugs.

If you feel that you or a loved one is depressed, please see a local mental health professional for an evaluation. If you or a loved one feels suicidal, you must seek help immediately by going to the nearest emergency room.

The copyright of the article Introduction: Identifying Depression in Female Depression is owned by Mari Brodersen. Permission to republish Introduction: Identifying Depression in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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