Depression is quite a troubling name for human beings. More than millions of people every year get affected by depression. The affects of depression may vary according to the types of depression. The most troubling forms of depression are major depression or clinical or chronic depression. The criteria for depression depend upon the signs and symptoms of depression, for example (If it is severe the criteria for the diagnosis is different as compared to the mild depression and vice -versa). Therefore it is very necessary to first identify the symptoms and then after diagnosis criteria. Following are the signs and symptoms that most of the specialists are looking for, for the diagnostic criteria of major depression.
For the diagnostic criteria of depression, a person has to exhibit five to six of the following symptoms for more than two weeks. Sadness, irritation, or anger whole day, you feel disturbed all the time. You might put on or loose significant amount of weight in only a few days. Your diet gets hugely affected; you might suffer from eating disorders as well. Loss of interest in all sorts of activities that gave you pleasure in the past. You would not even like to talk about your favorite activities. It has been noticed that people suffering from depression get easily retarded almost everyday. As a result of which sufferer is not able to perform daily duties, life gets completely slowed down. Fatigue or loss of energy almost entire day. One of the biggest symptoms is negative thoughts. Negative thoughts become a permanent part of your thinking. Even positive things appear negative to you. Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt occur in your minds on regular basis. Suicidal thoughts are also one of the biggest symptoms of major depression. Sleeping problems such as insomnia and hypomania. Both are sleeping disorders that cause too much or too less sleep. Physical problems such as stomach pain, pain in the chest and headache is also another symptom. Consider this one as a symptom if the pain persists for more than two weeks. They also make sure that the symptoms do not meet the criteria of mixed episodes. The symptoms of depression that cause significant amount of stress at job, social life or friendship. Specialists also make sure that the symptoms are not due to drugs abuse or any other medicine. The symptoms are not because of grief. For example, after a death of loved ones, the symptoms may continue for more than month or two. They also make sure that symptoms are not due to impairment, mere worthlessness etc. These symptoms are not considered for diagnosis criteria because these symptoms automatically disappear with the passage of time.
Diagnosis needs to be done if you find more than five to six of the above symptoms lasting for more than two weeks. After proper diagnosis proper treatment method needs to be considered to get rid of depression.