It certainly seems like everyone has had bad sleep habits or poor appetite at some time in their lives. However, to be diagnosed with unipolar major depression, sad feelings or loss of interest in life have to be present along with several specific physical and mental symptoms at the same time (see Appendix B). These depressed symptoms must be severe enough that they interfere with your normal work, school, family, and social life. If this sounds like you, you may have unipolar major depression.
- Are there blood tests or brain scans that diagnose unipolar major depression?
- Why are so many physical symptoms in the definition of depression?
- My sadness seems reasonable and bearable how much sadness is normal?
- What is the single most important symptom of unipolar major depression?
- Is depression a fad diagnosis?
- Why can’t everyone diagnose their own depression?
- How is unipolar major depression diagnosed?
- Why are there so many different names for depression?
- All this information seems overwhelming what can I do to fight all these problems?
- How can I gauge the severity of my depression and understand how it changes over time?
- What should I do if I am feeling suicidal?
- It seems like the way I think is different now that I am depressed. Could this be true?
- Was my depression caused by recent disappointments and failures?
- Is indecisiveness a symptom of depression?
- Why do my thoughts and movements feel like they’ve slowed down?
- Is major depression a medical disease or just a bad attitude?
- What physical symptoms are typical with serious depression?
- Can I take antidepressants to give myself more energy?
- Why do I never seem to get any restful sleep?
- Why do I always binge on junk food and put on weight when I get depressed?
