A person may be depressed if, over a certain length of time, they have experienced either (or both) of the following:
- a sense of sadness, emptiness, or low mood for most of the day, nearly every day
- a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities, even ones usually enjoyed
These symptoms may include changes to their appetite and sleep, lethargy, worry and negativing thinking patterns. For a diagnosis of depression, a psychologist will look for a range of symptoms that may impact on a person’s daily life.