Depression quiz beyond blue plus#

Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.ĭepression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Risk Factorsĭepression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. Several persistent symptoms in addition to low mood are required for a diagnosis of major depression, but people with only a few – but distressing – symptoms may benefit from treatment of their “subsyndromal” depression. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom.

Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment.

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.

Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.

Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still.

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Learn more about getting help and finding a health care provider on NIMH's Help for Mental Illnesses webpage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized that having certain mental disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, can make people more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”Įxamples of other types of depressive disorders newly added to the diagnostic classification of DSM-5 include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (diagnosed in children and adolescents) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but it is included in this list is because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”).

Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.

This depression generally lifts during spring and summer.

Seasonal affective disorderis characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight.

The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.

Depression quiz beyond blue plus#

Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).

The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression).

Postpartum depressionis much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth.

A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder.

Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as: To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.

Research Training and Career Development Opportunitiesĭepression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder.

Research Conducted at NIMH (Intramural Research Program).

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