What are the symptoms of depression and how is it diagnosed?

Doctors make decisions about diagnosis based on guidance. The main guidance used by NHS doctors is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

When you see a doctor, like your GP or a psychiatrist, they will look for the symptoms that are set out in the ICD-10 guidance. You do not have to have all of these to be diagnosed with depression – you might have just a few of them.

The symptoms of depression are:
•low mood and feeling sad,
•less energy and feeling less able to do things,
•losing interest in activities you used to enjoy,
•loss of concentration,
•becoming tired easily,
•sleeping and eating less,
•feeling less good about yourself (loss of confidence),
•feeling guilty or worthless,
•losing interest in sex, and
•thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and making suicide attempts.