The following are possible signs of depression:
- Persistent low or sad mood. Low mood is consistently reported every day for 2 weeks
- Lack of interest in self, others or activities
- Lack of pleasure in activities
- Feeling hopeless about the future, e.g. unable to see themselves making any progress
- Changes in sleep pattern or appetite with no obvious organic cause
- Withdrawn/not attempting to initiate communication
- Avoiding certain situations or activities due to fears/anxieties
- Weepiness
- Lethargy/fatigue in excess of what can be expected post-stroke
- Increased irritability, angry outbursts, exaggerated sense of frustration
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Feelings of guilt
It is important to be aware that many of these signs may be present on their own, however, to diagnose depression formal assessment needs to be undertaken. To reach diagnostic criteria for depression five or more of the above symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks (and are a change from the person’s usual state). One of the symptoms displayed must be either depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure.
Page last reviewed: 25 Feb 2020
