Symptoms used to diagnose
The ruleLow mood on most days for at least 2 years (1 year in young people), plus at least 2 of the symptoms below, never symptom-free for more than 2 months.
Core symptoms
- Depressed mood most of the day, more days than not
Other symptoms
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Low energy or fatigue
- Low self-esteem
- Poor concentration or difficulty deciding
- Feelings of hopelessness
How diagnosis works
- Depressed mood most of the day, more days than not.
- At least 2 of: appetite change, sleep change, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, hopelessness.
- Never without symptoms for more than 2 months at a time.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Therapies & support
- CBT
- CBASP
- Interpersonal therapy
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024