The clinical line: depressed mood or lost interest in most activities, present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks.
Around that core cluster the other signs - changed sleep and appetite, exhaustion, slowed or agitated movement, poor concentration, worthlessness, thoughts of death. Ordinary sadness fades with circumstances; depression sits on you regardless and flattens function. A clinician confirms it and rules out lookalikes like thyroid problems.
What to do
Common questions
How do I know if I have depression?
The clinical anchor is duration and impairment. Per NIMH, a depression diagnosis requires symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks - and at least one of the two core symptoms: a depressed mood, or a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Around those core symptoms cluster the others: sleeping far more or far less, appetite or weight changes, exhaustion, moving or speaking noticeably slower or faster, trouble concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of death. The practical test is function - work, relationships, hygiene, the things you used to enjoy going flat. Ordinary sadness fades and flexes with circumstances; depression sits on you regardless. A clinician confirms the diagnosis and rules out lookalikes like thyroid problems and anemia. If you are thinking about death or harming yourself, call or text 988 in the US, or your local crisis line, right now. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you assess your pattern and plan the first appointment.