What are the symptoms of depression?

Caregiving might cause you to feel sad, empty or hopeless. It can also cause you to lose interest in things that would normally be enjoyable. If these feelings are persistent or disrupt your ability to function, you may be experiencing depression.

Depression, also called major depressive disorder, is diagnosed when signs and symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day for an extended period. These might include:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities
• Sleep disturbances
• Tiredness and a lack of energy
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Anxiety, agitation, irritability or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions or remembering things
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Guilt or self-blame about things that aren't your fault
• Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
• Unexplained physical problems, such as stomachaches or headaches