How to Identify Depression

Major Depression
This is a major depressive episode longer than two weeks with at least five of the seven following symptoms:
- sleep alteration
- decreased interest in activities
- feelings of guilt
- decreased energy
- difficulty concentrating
- alteration in appetite
- thoughts of suicide

Situational Depression
Greater than two months with the above symptoms after suffering a significant life change, such as bereavement or retirement. Significantly, your symptoms improve with time after the major event, so most therapists feel that your long-term functioning is better if you can manage to get though this without drugs.

Vascular Depression
Depression that commonly occurs after a brain or blood-vessel disorder, such as a stroke, or after a heart attack or heart surgery. Patients with lesions in the left hemisphere of the brain, especially of the left prefrontal cortex, tend to have increased frequency and severity of depression. The greatest risk period of depression following a stroke appears to be the first two years afterward, peaking within the first three to six months.

More warning signs of depression

Montel Williams speaks out about his suicide attempts