October 13, 2000

Depression is diagnosed if a person experiences the following for two weeks or more:

• feeling sad or blue
• not enjoying previously pleasurable activities
• difficulty concentrating
• loss of sleep or sleeping too much
• increase or decrease in appetite
• irritability
• feeling hopeless and worthless
• loss of energy
• thoughts of suicide

For more information, call the MGH Outpatient Psychiatry Division at 724-5600.