What is required for a diagnosis of depression based on symptom criteria?

For a diagnosis of depression, specifically Major Depressive Disorder, the criteria established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) indicate that an individual must experience a minimum of five symptoms from a specified list. These symptoms must persist for at least a duration of two weeks.

This requirement is essential as it ensures that the diagnosis reflects a significant level of impairment in functioning and emotional distress. The symptoms can include mood changes such as persistent sadness or irritability, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, changes in sleep patterns, appetite disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Meeting the threshold of five symptoms over a two-week period is critical because it helps distinguish between occasional feelings of sadness or temporary mood fluctuations and a more serious, debilitating condition that requires clinical attention. Therefore, this criterion plays a crucial role in accurately diagnosing and subsequently treating individuals who may be experiencing depression.