Sadness comes and goes — but depression runs deeper. The DSM-5 checklist for Major Depressive Disorder works like a mood detective, uncovering the hidden patterns behind low energy, hopelessness, disinterest, and emotional numbness. It asks the questions that reveal how daily life has shifted — from how you sleep to how you think about yourself. It’s not just about feeling “off”; it’s about identifying when your emotional system is stuck in shutdown mode.
This checklist isn’t meant to define you — it’s meant to understand you. It gives language to what feels heavy and invisible. Once the signs are clear, the healing can begin through therapy, medication, routine, and support. Depression tells you nothing will change — but the checklist proves otherwise. It’s not about weakness. It’s about noticing the signs, breaking the silence, and slowly rebuilding your inner strength — one clear truth at a time.