Baseer Maroof, LCSW · Raleigh, NC · Adults 21+
What depression is
Everyone has low days. Here’s where ordinary sadness ends and depression starts.
In short
- Major depression means at least five of nine symptoms over the same two weeks, most of the day, nearly every day.
- One of the five has to be low mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
- It has to cause real distress or get in the way of work, relationships or daily life.
- Persistent depressive disorder is the long, lower-grade version: two years or more.
The nine symptoms
The nine symptoms
Tap a symptom to see how it shows up. ★ marks the two core symptoms.
Paraphrased from DSM-5 summaries. This is education, not a test; a clinician makes the diagnosis.
The rules
Paraphrased. A clinician makes the diagnosis.
Major depression
Five or more of the nine symptoms during the same two-week stretch, a change from how you usually are. At least one is low mood or loss of interest. The symptoms cause distress or impairment and aren’t better explained by a substance or medical condition. (StatPearls MDD; NIMH)
Persistent depressive disorder
Low mood most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years. Along with it, at least two of: poor appetite or overeating, sleeping too little or too much, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration or indecision, hopelessness. It’s never gone for more than two months at a stretch. (StatPearls PDD)
Grief is different
Grief comes in waves tied to the loss and usually leaves room for warm memories and moments of humour. Depression tends to be more constant and colours everything, including how you see yourself. They can overlap; if grief has turned into the symptoms above, it’s worth seeing someone.
How common
U.S. adults, past year, 2021 NSDUH.
| Group | Major depressive episode |
|---|---|
| All adults | 8.3% (21.0 million) |
| Women | 10.3% |
| Men | 6.2% |
| Ages 18–25 | 18.6% |
| With severe impairment | 5.7% (14.5 million) |
NIMH. Of adults with an episode, 61.0% received treatment.
Rule-outs
Worth a medical checkOnce, early
Depression can be driven or worsened by medical conditions and by medications or substances. A check-up when symptoms are new, or when they don’t fit, is good practice. Tell your doctor about alcohol, cannabis and other substances; they matter here.
Sources
All sources, linked4 references⌄
- StatPearls. Major Depressive Disorder. NCBI Bookshelf NBK559078. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559078/
- StatPearls. Persistent Depressive Disorder. NCBI Bookshelf NBK541052. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541052/
- National Institute of Mental Health (2024). Depression (brochure). www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression
- National Institute of Mental Health. Major Depression (2021 NSDUH statistics). www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
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