Major depression is a prolonged deep sensation of sadness or feeling 'down', blue, hopeless, helpless or worthless. The following are common symptoms associated with depression:

• Feelings of sadness, loneliness, hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering things or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Restlessness or irritability
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Headaches, joint pain, back/shoulder pain, stomach pain/indigestion

Depression is NOT something you can just snap out of or get over. The first step is to understand facts about depression, and to understand that you are not alone. About one in six Americans experience an episode of depression at some time during his/her adult life.

Often, but not always, depression runs in families, and the course it takes is quite variable. Some people may only experience one significant depressive episode in their entire life, while others suffer with chronic depression which requires lifetime treatment.

There are many different kinds of depression, and depression can show itself in many different ways:

Depression and pain are often closely related. Sometimes, depression can cause unexplained physical symptoms. Up to 50% of people who are depressed also feel general pain and don't know why. Research is looking for ways to address both the physical and emotional impact of depression symptoms.

Treatment Resistant Depression: Antidepressants don't work for everyone. If you've taken anti-depressants and were dissatisfied with the results, you may have treatment resistant depression. Or you may be currently taking an antidepressant and not feeling enough relief from the symptoms of depression.

Depression in children may differ from depression in adults, so it's important to know the symptoms. You may notice sadness, withdrawing from family and friends, extreme sensitivity to failure, poor concentration, changes in ability to sleep, and increased irritability.

The symptoms of depression are related to complex biochemical changes in the brain. Research evidence suggests that chemical messengers such as serotonin and norepinephrine lose their normal balance in areas of the brain that govern mood, pleasure, sleep, appetite and energy.

Take our Depression Self Assessment