According to the DSMIV-TR, the diagnostic manual commonly used by mental health professional, the two primary diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder are depressed mod and loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, at least one of which must occur for a duration of at last two weeks.
A few people with a depressive illness are not sad or blue but instead have widespread loss of interest in their usual pursuits.
What used to be meaningful no longer is. Social relationships that once were enchanting now seem like an energy drain. Hobbies and other pursuits seem like a waste of time.
For some people, depressive involves a loss of interest in sex, diminished sex drive, or an overall loss of interest in other people.
Other sufferers might experience a notable loss of interest in food, in consequence, a loss of weight - although here again a minority of sufferers develop an excessive appetite and put in a lot of weight.
Loss of interest