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The following criteria define
major depression.
First, a person must exhibit at least five of the following nine symptoms
and these symptoms must be present for a minimum of two weeks:
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No one really
understands the torment of my soul. It's not life that I want to
escape...but the pain I feel. |
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- Depressed mood, nearly every day for most
of the day.
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- Diminished interest or pleasure in almost
all daily activities, every day.
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- Weight gain or loss when not dieting and
decreased appetite nearly every day.
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- Insomnia or sleeping too much nearly every
day
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- Loss of energy or fatigue nearly every day
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- Abnormal restlessness or a drop in physical
activity nearly every day
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- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or
inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
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- Diminished ability to think, concentrate,
or make decisions nearly every day.
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- Recurrent thoughts of death, or recurrent
suicidal thoughts without a specific plan; or a suicide attempt; or a
specific plan for committing suicide.
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The
DSM-III-R stipulates that one of the first two symptoms must be among the
five symptoms present. In order for any of the above to be considered a
symptom, it must reflect a change from that person's ordinary behavior.
Also, in addition to exhibiting at least of the five above symptoms, the
following must also be true: |
- The depression is not being caused by
another illness. (Some exceptions occur).
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- The depression is not the result of the
loss of a loved one.
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Causes
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Suicide Info
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Are
You Depressed
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Random Thoughts |
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Many thanks to the wonderfully talented Penny Parker
for the beautiful backgrounds and basic table layout used on this page.
Please visit her on the web at
http://www.graphicsbypennyparker.com
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