What Are The Symptoms Of Major Depression

What are the symptoms of major depression

The onset of the first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild. The symptoms of major depression characteristically represent a significant change from how a person functioned before the illness. The symptoms of depression include:

- persistently sad or irritable mood

- pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy

- difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering

- physical slowing or agitation

- lack of interest in or pleasure from activities that were once enjoyed

- feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness

- recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

- persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

When several of these symptoms of depressive illness occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks, and interfere with ordinary functioning, professional treatment is needed.

Source: NAMI--The National Alliance on Mental Illness, copyright 2007; www.nami.org; 1-800-950-NAMI