Please note that this information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or disorder. If you feel that you are suffering depression or any other significant problem, it is important for you to consult an appropriate professional including your personal physician.
If you have experienced more than 2 or 3 of these symptoms for more than a couple of weeks, you may want to consider talking to an appropriate health care professional.
Changes in sleep including too much sleep, inability to fall asleep, waking frequently during the night, or waking earlier than you need to and not being able to go back to sleep.
Changes in appetite including either increased eating (particularly of comfort foods like ice cream, chocolate, macaroni and cheese) or loss of appetite with weight loss when you do not intend to lose weight.
Changes in "mental abilities" such as decreased attention, decreased memory, or poor concentration.
Depressed mood and sadness for most of the day almost every day.
Crying every day or almost every day.
Avoidance of usual activities, friends, family members because you just don't feel like you can manage it.
Thoughts that your situation is hopeless and that things are never going to work out for you.
Thoughts that you would like to die, or thoughts of killing yourself . If you are having these thoughts please get help immediately!
Loss of enjoyment or interest in things you usually like to do.
Changes in the 'tempo' of your behavior- showing either significant slowing in your responses that is noticeable to others or showing restlessness and agitation.
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt throughout the day most days.