According to the criteria listed in the DSM-5 (the 5th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), depression is defined as a state of sadness or apathy (loss of interest and/or motivation).
Symptoms of Depression
There are also more complex symptoms of depression, such as a lack of empathy, where individuals experience difficulty recognizing the emotions and feelings of others. These problems are particularly responsible for difficulties in social adaptation, which leads to withdrawal, thereby amplifying the primary symptoms.
Any one of these persistent symptoms associated with four of the following seven issues:
- Appetite disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Difficulty adapting to new or unusual situations
- Hyperactivity or motor delay
- Severe fatigue
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
