Diagnosing depression

Doctors distinguish between run-of-the-mill lows that come and go in response to events in your life and the clinging cloudiness of clinical depression, which can hang around for weeks without letting up. If you're clinically depressed, medications may help. You may be clinically depressed if five or more of the following are true for at least two weeks straight:

• You feel sad, empty, anxious, or irritable just about all the time.
• You take little interest or pleasure in most, if not all, of your daily activities.
• You lack energy.
• Your normal appetite changes or you've lost or gained a significant amount of weight.
• You feel agitated or sluggish in your responses.
• You feel worthless or guilty.
• You have trouble sleeping—or you sleep more than usual.
• You have difficulty concentrating or making simple decisions.
• You often find yourself thinking about dying or suicide.