Depression: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Depression Symptoms

Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index

Terms related to Depression:

Sadness
Worthlessness
Hopelessness
Guilt

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Depressive disorders are characterized by pervasive mood changes that affect all aspects of an individual's daily functioning. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood and is more than a case of persistent sadness. Symptoms of depression also include feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, lack of interest in daily activities, and even thoughts of suicide. Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.

Main Articles on Depression

Causes of Depression

Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as...learn more »
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment...learn more »
Cocaine and Crack Abuse Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that is smoked, snorted, and injected. Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that is...learn more »
Depression in Children Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include...learn more »
Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia, formerly known as fibrositis, causes chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints...learn more »
Holiday Depression and Stress Though the holidays are a fun time for most, for others, they're a sad, lonely and anxiety-filled time. Get tips on how to avoid...learn more »
Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone...learn more »
Mental Health Mental health is an optimal way of thinking, relating to others, and feeling. All of the diagnosable mental disorders fall under...learn more »
Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurologic disease characterized by a fixed inexpressive face, a tremor at rest,...learn more »
Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes...learn more »
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition, can develop after any catastrophic life event. Symptoms include...learn more »
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates and ends...learn more »
Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that tends to occur as the days grow shorter in the fall and winter. Symptoms...learn more »
Stress Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However,...learn more »
Suicide Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year,...learn more »
Teen Depression Depression in teenagers may be caused by many factors. Symptoms of teen depression include apathy, irresponsible behavior,...learn more »
West Nile Virus West Nile virus (West Nile encephalitis) is a brain infection caused by a virus. People become infected with the virus after...learn more »

Other Causes of Depression