Major Signs of Depression. A diagnosis of depression is made by a doctor or a licensed mental health practitioner following diagnostic criteria set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5). Depression is much different from occasional sadness, low mood, or loss of interest, in fact, for a diagnosis of depression, symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment in work, social, and other areas of life.
- Not everyone will experience every symptom, some may have a few, while others will have many.
- The signs and symptoms of depression can be severe or mild.
- The symptoms can vary based on the stage of depression.
- The symptoms are not attributable to substance abuse or some other medical condition.
