Observational Diagnosis

• 1). Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of depression listed below as listed in the New York Times (NYT) Depression Health Guide.
  
  Symptoms:
  Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
  A dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
  Fatigue and lack of energy
  Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
  Extreme difficulty concentrating
  Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
  Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities
  Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
  Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
  
  
• 2). Determine how long symptoms have been present. For depression to be diagnosed, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
  
  
• 3). Count, using the checklist, how many symptoms are present. If at least five symptoms are present for at least two weeks, that constitutes major depression. If two to four symptoms are present for at least two weeks, that constitutes minor depression.
  
  
• 4). Contact a mental health professional and set up an appointment to confirm the diagnosis.