Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isnt the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.

How long must a person be depressed to be diagnosed with clinical depression?

How Can Depression Symptoms Lead to a Depression Diagnosis? To be diagnosed with major depression, you must have at least five of the symptoms listed above with at least one of the first two nearly daily for at least 2 weeks. Depression symptoms can last weeks, months, or sometimes years.

How can a person tell if they have clinical depression?

Warning signs include: A sudden switch from sadness to extreme calmness, or appearing to be happy. Always talking or thinking about death. Clinical depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets worse.

What is the main cause of clinical depression?

Theres no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause.

What is a clinical diagnosis of depression based on?

The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Is clinical depression considered a disability?

Depression is considered a psychiatric disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Its a significant mood disorder thats known to interfere with daily activities, which may include your ability to work. Depression sometimes becomes so severe that you can no longer go to work.