Do you need to have suicidal thoughts to be considered depression?

No, depression is a spectrum. Some have mild symptoms, while others have severe symptoms including thoughts of self harm. If you are concerned you may be depressed, please seek help online at HealthTap or at your local doctors' office.

As a non-mental health doctor, to me, depression represents anhedonia, lack of experiencing pleasure, associated with at least two weeks of sadness and forlorn attitude. Suicidal ideation is a critical deterioration in severity requiring emergency intervention. If any of this reflects you, seek help today.

Any time you have suicidal thoughts, weather depressed , angry, upset or bullied, you should talk to someone who you confide in or seek professional help.