As we know the Hessian matrix is symmetric in a finite-dimensional environment. What about the Hessian operator $D^2F$ for a functional $F:H\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$, where $H$ is a Hilbert space and $D$ is the Fréchet derivative? More specifically, $D^2F(p)$ ($p$ is a critical point of $F$) plays an important role in infinite-dimensional Morse theory, but little proof of the self-adjointness of this operator is shown in any book I have read about infinite-dimensional Morse theory. I would be really grateful for anyone who can show me more details about this.