Are You Sick?

Depression

Is this your symptom?

Feeling depressed
Feelings of sadness or having no hope
Decreased joy from or interest in daily activities

Some Basics...

Depression is an illness that causes sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. These feelings last for a long period of time and can keep a person from their everyday activities.
Depression is common. About 1 in 20 people get depressed each year.
Stressful life events can cause depression. Women are twice as likely as men to have it.
People with depression can be treated. Healthy living habits can help a person to feel better. Counseling and medicine can also help a person to recover.

Symptoms

People with depression feel sad much of the time. They often have decreased joy from or interest in daily activities. Sometimes people may have one or more of these:

Major weight loss or gain and not dieting
Trouble sleeping or sleeping a lot
Easily upset
Mental slowness
Loss of energy
Feeling worthless or guilty
Not able to focus
Thoughts of death or about hurting oneself
Anxiety

Causes

It may be caused by chemical imbalance in the brain. Stresses in life can trigger depression or make it worse. Causes can include:

Death of a loved one
Divorce or other relationship problems
Loss of a job or stress from money problems
Major life changes, such as starting college or having a baby
Certain drugs
Severe or long-standing illness
Can occur in some families

Sometimes it can happen with no clear trigger.

Treatment

It can be treated with counseling or with medications. Sometimes both are needed.
Healthy living habits can make a person feel better. These include eating healthy and regular sleep and exercise.

When to Call for Depression

When to Call for Depression
Call 911 Now Attempted suicide Feeling like harming yourself or killing yourself You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now You feel severely depressed Acting very strange or confused You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours You want to talk with a mental health worker, psychiatrist, or counselor Symptoms keep you from working or going to school Alcohol or drug use You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Hard to focus or pay attention Moody or irritable Pregnant You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Mild depression symptoms

Call 911 Now

Attempted suicide
Feeling like harming yourself or killing yourself
You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

You feel severely depressed
Acting very strange or confused
You feel weak or very sick
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

You want to talk with a mental health worker, psychiatrist, or counselor
Symptoms keep you from working or going to school
Alcohol or drug use
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Hard to focus or pay attention
Moody or irritable
Pregnant
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Mild depression symptoms

Care Advice

Depression

What You Should Know:
- Depression is common. About 1 in 20 people in the United States and Canada get depressed each year.
- People with depression do get through this. Even people who feel as bad as you feel now. You can be helped.
- Healthy living habits can help you to feel better. Counseling and medication can also help you to recover.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Causes: There are many things that can cause or lead to depression. These include:
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce or other relationship problems
- Loss of a job or money problems
- Major life changes, such as starting college or having a baby
- Certain drugs
- Severe or long-standing illness
- Genetics: depression can occur in some families.
Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS:
- Some women feel depressed just before their period. This is because of changes in hormone levels.
- Your doctor can help you with this.
Tips for Healthy Living: There are things you can do to feel better. These include:
- Eat healthy: Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Get more sleep : Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Being well-rested improves your mood and your sense of well-being.
- Communicate: Share how you are feeling with someone. Make sure that your spouse, family, or friends know how you are feeling.
- Exercise regularly : Take a daily walk.
- Avoid alcohol.
Stay Active: Staying active can also make you feel better.
- Spend time outside of your home. Go on an outing with a family member or a friend. Go to the store. Go to a movie.
- Become involved in your community. Go to a place of worship or school. Join a club or parent teacher association.
- Start a new hobby.
- Take a daily walk.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Sadness or depression lasts more than 2 weeks
- You want to talk with a mental health worker, psychiatrist, or counselor
- You feel like harming yourself
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse

Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- NAMI is an online resource for finding community mental health programs.
- National toll-free phone number: 1-800-NAMI (6264). Available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm (Eastern Time).
- Website: NAMI.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- SAMHSA provides information and online tools for finding local mental health and substance abuse treatment programs.
- Treatment Referral and Information HelpLine phone number: 1-800-662-4357. Available 24/7.
- National Suicide Prevention LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255. Available 24/7.
- Website: Find Help and Treatment.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- The ADAA is a resource for finding treatment for anxiety and depression disorders.
- There is a Find Help link on the home page.
- Website and Find a Therapist: ADAA.
Call Your Doctor If:
- You have more questions.

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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