This is such a wonderful community. I am constantly amazed at how we all share and open ourselves and our lives to one another, esp. if we think it may help in some way.

I find this on the net:

In diagnosing clinical depression, health professionals use the following list of symptoms as a guide. Keep in mind, any diagnosis of depression must be made by a qualified physician, therapist, or other health professional. Nearly everyone suffering from depression has pervasive feelings of sadness. In addition, depressed people may feel helpless, hopeless, and irritable. You should seek professional help if you or someone you know has had four or more of the following symptoms continually or most of the time for more than two weeks:

Loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed.
Noticeable change of appetite, with either significant weight loss not attributable to dieting or weight gain.
Noticeable change in sleeping patterns, such as fitful sleep, inability to sleep, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much.
Loss of energy, fatigue.
Feelings of worthlessness.
Persistent feelings of hopelessness.
Feelings of inappropriate guilt.
Inability to concentrate or think, indecisiveness.
Melancholia (defined as overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief) accompanied by waking at least two hours earlier than normal in the morning, feeling more depressed in the morning, and moving significantly more slowly.
Disturbed thinking, a symptom developed by some severely depressed persons. For example, severely depressed people sometimes have beliefs not based in reality about physical disease, sinfulness, or poverty.
Physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches.
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide, wishing to die, or attempting suicide. (Note: People suffering this symptom should receive treatment immediately!)

Adapted from American Psychiatric Association, www.psych.org, Let's Talk Facts pamphlet series, Depression (revised 1997)