Depression

Diagnosis

Symptoms of depression are highly variable from person to person. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many. Symptoms also vary over time. Symptoms can change over a period of time and may include:

• persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
• hopelessness
• feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• loss of interest in sex
• feeling tired
• trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• trouble sleeping, waking up too early, or oversleeping
• eating more or less than usual
• weight gain or weight loss
• thoughts of death or suicide with or without suicide attempts
• restlessness or irritability
• physical symptoms that defy standard diagnosis and do not respond well to medical treatments

There is no blood test or diagnostic test for depression. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, giving special attention to:

• alcohol and drug use
• thoughts of death or suicide
• family members who have or had depression
• sleep patterns

The doctor may also perform a mental status examination or neuropsychiatric evaluation to obtain detailed information about your speech, thoughts, memory, and mood. A physical examination and other diagnostic tests can help rule out other causes of your symptoms.