Can you have a mild form of depression?

Mild and moderate depression According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the symptoms of mild or moderate depression are similar to those of severe depression but less intense. A person with mild depression may experience: feelings of sadness. a loss of appetite.

What is a chronic form of depression?

Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymia (dis-THIE-me-uh), is a continuous long-term (chronic) form of depression. You may lose interest in normal daily activities, feel hopeless, lack productivity, and have low self-esteem and an overall feeling of inadequacy.

What are the symptoms of chronic depression?

The primary symptom of chronic depression is feeling sad, down or “empty” for an extended period of time. A person with this diagnosis might feel normal on some days, but their good mood usually doesn’t last for more than a couple of weeks at a time. Other symptoms include low self-esteem, low energy,…

What is treatment for mild depression?

For many people with mild depression, talk therapy (also called psychotherapy or psychological counseling) appears to be an effective treatment. Some people benefit from a combination of talk therapy and medications.

What are the DSM criteria for depression?

Depression DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria. The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Is there any such thing as ‘mild depression’?

Dysthymia, sometimes referred to as mild, chronic depression, is less severe and has fewer symptoms than major depression. With dysthymia, the depression symptoms can linger for a long period of time, often two years or longer. Those who suffer from dysthymia can also experience periods of major depression–sometimes called “double depression.”