The symptoms of depression can vary from person to person. However, depression is generally observed as being a persistent state of sadness or a loss of the ability to experience pleasure. Those experiencing depression often lose interest in everyday activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

According to the standard diagnosis guide (DSM-V) published by the American Psychiatric Association, depression is diagnosed when an individual is experiencing either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure plus four or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:

• Depressed mood that persists or is present nearly every day.
• Loss of interest/pleasure in activities most days.
• Significant weight loss (without dieting) or gain of at least five percent of total weight in one month.
• Excessive sleepiness or insomnia.
• Feeling restless or slow nearly every day, observable by others.
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
• Decreased concentration paired with indecisiveness, observable by others.
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

If you feel you are experiencing any of these depression symptoms, contact your doctor and speak with them about your depression treatment options.

One depression treatment option is NeuroStar Advanced Therapy, which uses a pulsed magnetic field to stimulate neurons which can increase levels of neurotransmitters. This depression treatment offers an alternative option for those who can not take medication due to intolerance of side effects. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy TMS has no side effects, is non-invasive and has many other benefits.