Could it be Depression?

Depression is not just a temporary change in mood. It is a real medical disorder that can affect anyone, anytime with many emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms.

Symptoms of depression can include:

  • Sadness throughout the day, nearly every day
  • Loss of interest in or enjoyment of one’s favourite activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Trouble making decisions
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Feelings of irritability
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Aches and pains (such as headaches, stomach pain, joint pains or other pains)
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Change in appetite or weight
  • Feelings of restlessness or being slowed down

Diagnosing Depression

For a person considered to be suffering from a major depressive disorder, symptoms must either be new or must be noticeably worse compared to what they were prior to the episode. These symptoms also have to persist for most of the day, nearly every day for at least two consecutive weeks. The episode must also be accompanied by clinically significant distress or impaired functioning.

If you are already receiving treatment for depression, you may have noticed that you are still experiencing symptoms. It is important that you discuss these symptoms with your doctor to determine whether or not changes to your treatment plan are required.

Whether you suspect you have depression or are currently receiving treatment, complete the following checklist and talk to your doctor.

Emotions

Emotions

Fatigue

Fatigue

Sleep

Sleep

Weight

Weight

Unexplained Aches and Pains
Unexplained Aches & Pains
Thinking & Concentration
Thinking & Concentration