Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder

• In order for a diagnosis of MDD to be considered, you must have a sudden change in your mood, and feel very depressed for at least two weeks; or you must have lost the ability to feel pleasure or interest in your life.
  
  

Other Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

• If your sudden mood change is accompanied by five additional symptoms from the list below, you may be diagnosed with MDD. The symptoms include: sadness, lack of will to do anything, weight loss or gain, excessive sleeping or insomnia, fidgetiness or slowness, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, or thoughts of death.
  
  

Symptoms of Dysthymia

• On the other hand, if you have been plagued by a generally low mood most of the day for most days for at least two years, a diagnosis of dysthymia will be considered.
  
  

Diagnnosing Dysthymia

• For a diagnosis of dysthymia to be made, you must have two of these symptoms: low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, helplessness, too much sleeping or eating or not enough.
  
  

Seek Professional Help

• If you have depressive symptoms you should consult with a medical or mental health professional to receive a proper diagnosis. Treatment is available for both MDD and dysthymia, and includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and anti-depressant medication.