Herrick Lipton of New Horizon Counseling Center presents the signs and symptoms of clinical depression.

1. CLINICAL
DEPRESSION
T H E S I G N S A N D S Y M P T O M S O F
Herrick Lipton
herricklipton.com

2. Clinical depression is a
debilitating condition that often
occurs in conjunction with other
physical or mental health issues. It
affects over 10 million American
adults, as well as one in eight
adolescents.
AN
OVERVIEW

3. Contrary to popular belief,
depression is not just
characterized by bouts of sadness.
It can make a person more
susceptible to heart problems,
self-harm, and death. It is
important to be able to recognize
signs of depression by knowing
the difference between sadness
and a more serious problem.
AN
OVERVIEW

4. The symptoms associated with
clinical depression must be
present for two or more weeks in
order for the condition to be
accurately diagnosed.
DIAGNOSIS

5. A person suffering will experience
a depressed mood and a lack of
enjoyment or fulfillment. He or
she may appear to be lethargic on
a daily basis, be unable to make
decisions, report anhedonia, and
have recurring suicidal ideations.
A feeling of hopelessness is an
indicator of depression.
DEPRESSED
MOOD

6. A person with depression can
either lose his or her appetite
entirely, or compensate for the
lack of feeling by overeating.
Furthermore, clinical depression
will affect sleep cycles and mood,
which can lead to a lack of
concentration, and to physical
aches that have no explanation.
DEPRESSED
MOOD

7. The severity of the symptoms
depends on what kind of
depression a person is
experiencing, but the symptoms
themselves are standard across
the board. The four types are as
follows:
TYPES OF
DEPRESSION

8. This can can tether an individual
to his or her bed for days. He or
she will not see the point of eating,
moving, or maintaining personal
hygiene. This form of depression
is one in which suicide is least
likely, simply because the
depressed person does not have
the energy to get out of bed.
MAJOR
DEPRESSIVE
DISORDER

9. This is is a type of relentless, low-
grade depression. It is
characterized by feeling
moderately depressed most days
for two years at least, and by a
difficulty remembering times in
which you felt better.
Unfortunately, the rate of suicide
and self harm is higher in this
category.
DYSTHYMIA

10. This is a type of depression
characterized by intense mood
swings known as hypomania or
mania, followed by depression.
These shifts can occur anywhere
from a few times a year to a few
times a week.
BIPOLAR
DISORDER

11. This is a disorder in which a
person experiences symptoms of
depression only during specific
seasons. It is most common in the
winter, although it can be present
in other seasons as well.
SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE
DISORDER