Diagnosing Depression

Learn the classic symptoms of this serious condition.

How do you know if you're just feeling blue or if you're truly depressed?

"Everybody has a day or two when they feel some sadness," says Edward J. Cumella, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and director of research and education for the Remuda Ranch Treatment Centers in Wickenburg, Arizona. "Maybe you're a little under the weather; maybe something unpleasant happened." This tends to pass, however, and is temporary.

Depression, on the other hand, drags on for weeks or months. It affects your mood, thoughts, and even physical body, including the way you eat and sleep. Studies find people with depression are also more likely to develop such serious diseases as heart disease and diabetes. Classic symptoms of depression include:

• Difficulty concentrating



• Short-term memory loss



• Pessimism



• Loss of enjoyment of activities you once found pleasurable



• Fatigue



• Irritability



• Changes in appetite



• Lack of sexual desire



• Difficulty sleeping

If your symptoms last for two weeks or more, you may need more than home remedies. Make an appointment to see your doctor.

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