Depression is loosely defined. It's more of a broad term that refers to constant sadness (mood) and could include a nutritional deficiency, constant or frequent nausea because of bad digestion, mercury leaking from dental amalgams, constant stress, toxin overload, a recent unrecognized traumatic experience, or subconscious memories.

You have to first take notice of when it started, and then you have to also think about what other significant events happened at the time.

Don't convince yourself that you have Depression if it is only that you haven't been eating well.

Her is a definition:
Depression, in psychiatry, is a symptom of mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of loss, sadness, hopelessness, failure, and rejection. The two major types of mood disorder are unipolar disorder, also called major depression, and bipolar disorder, whose sufferers are termed manic-depressive (see bipolar disorder). Other types of Depression are recognized, with characteristics similar to the major mood disorders, but not as severe: they are adjustment disorder with depression, dysthymic disorder, and cyclothymic disorder.
Close to 20% of Americans are likely to suffer major Depression at some time, and women tend to be more susceptible to the disorder than men. Major Depression is likely to interfere significantly with everyday activity, with symptoms including insomnia, irritability, weight loss, and a lack of interest in outside events. The disorder may last several months or longer—and may recur—but it is generally reversible in the short run. Source:

Usually if you feel sad for no apparent reason for an extended period it would be sign of depression. The conventional treatment is by way of drugs and/or psychotherapy, but this approach may not have a very good outcome with about 60% of patients being left with "treatment resistant depression". Drug therapy does not address the underlying physiological causes of depression, and if depression is due to a biochemical imbalance, the, of course, talk therapy won't help.

An alternative approach is described at:

Depression is a Nutritional Disorder at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/depression_disorder.html

and ask to be referred to a nutritional doctor or a clinical nutritionist for help.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.

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Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman

Here is a good questionnaire that I have used many times
If the link doesn't work, just look up "Goldberg Depression questionnaire".


http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?id=973&type=doc&cn=Depression%20(U...


Good luck.