MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). (In children and adolescents, this may be characterized as an irritable mood.)
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
• Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
• Insomnia nearly every day.
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
• Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder involves cycles of mania and depression. Signs and symptoms of mania include:
• Increased energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts, and rapid talking.
• Extreme irritability and distractibility.
• Decreased need for sleep.
• Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers.
• A sustained period of behavior that is different from usual.
• Increased sexual drive.
• Abuse of drugs.
• Provocative or aggressive behavior.
• Denial that anything is wrong.
Signs and symptoms of depression include discrete periods of:
• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood.
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.
• Loss of interest in ordinary activities.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Restlessness or irritability, sleep disturbances.
• Weight gain or loss.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.
INTERNET RESOURCES
Depression Resource List
www.execpc.com/~corbeau/
Dr. Ivan’s Depression Central
www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
Online Psych
www.onlinepsych.com/index.html/
Wing of Madness: A Depression Guide
members.aol.com/depress/index.htm
Sadness and Sorrow (this is an online support group for depression)
www.angelfire.com/az/saddnezz/
Depression and Suicide Prevention
suicidal.com/
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, Virginia 22203-3754
www.nami.org
Toll Free Helpline:1-800/950-6264
Front Desk: 703/524-7600
Facsimile: 703/524-9094
The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (NDMDA)
730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, Illinois 60610-3526
www.ndmda.org
Telephone: 800/826-3632
Fax: 312/642-7243
