1. Mental Health Conditions

Depression

Depression is a state of sadness and despair. Like diabetes, depression is a real medical illness.

Signs & Symptoms

1. •Feeling sad, hopeless, helpless, and/or worthless.
   

2. •Fatigue. Loss of interest in life.
   

3. •Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions.
   

4. •Changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
   

5. •Acting very cranky. Anger. Anxiety.
   

6. •Thoughts of suicide or death.

The number of symptoms and how severe they are vary from person to person.

Causes

Most likely, depression is caused by a mix of: A family history of the illness; brain chemical problems; emotional issues; and other factors, such as a medical illness or alcohol abuse.

Another cause is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). With this, depression occurs between late fall and early spring due to a lack of natural sunlight.

In some persons, extreme stress, grief, etc. may bring on depression. In others, depression occurs even when life is going well.

Treatment

Treatment includes medication(s), counseling, and self-care measures. Persons who are depressed should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Self-Care / Prevention

1. •Take medications as prescribed. Get your doctor’s advice before you take over-the-counter herbs, such as St. John’s Wort, especially if you take other medications.
   

2. •Don’t use illegal drugs. Limit alcohol. These can cause or worsen depression. Drugs and alcohol can also make medicines for depression work less. Harmful side effects can happen when alcohol and/or drugs are mixed with medicine.

1. •Eat healthy foods. Eat at regular times. Get regular exercise.
   

2. •Try not to isolate yourself. Be with people you trust and feel safe with, even though you feel down.
   

3. •Do something you enjoy.
   

4. •Keep an emergency number handy (e.g., crisis hotline, trusted friend’s number, etc.) in case you feel desperate.
   

5. •If you have thoughts of suicide, remove any weapons, pills, etc. that could be used for suicide and get medical help.
   

FYI

Antidepressant medicines can increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in children and adolescents. This risk may be higher within the first days to a month after starting the medicine. Persons who take antidepressants should be closely monitored.

Do you feel depressed and do any of the following apply?

1. •You had depression in the past and it was not treated.
   

2. •You were treated for depression in the past and it has returned.
   

3. •You took medication for depression in the past.
   

4. •A close relative has a history of depression.

Has depression kept you from doing daily tasks for more than 2 weeks and caused you to withdraw from normal activities?

Have you been depressed most of the day, nearly every day and had any of these problems for at least 2 weeks?

1. •Feeling hopeless, worthless, guilty, slowed down, or restless.
   

2. •Changes in appetite or weight.
   

3. •Problems concentrating, thinking, remembering, or making decisions.
   

4. •Feeling tired all the time. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
   

5. •Headaches or other aches and pains.
   

6. •Stomach problems.
   

7. •Sexual problems.
   

8. •Feeling worried or anxious.
   

9. •Thoughts of death or suicide.

Has the depression occurred with any of the following?

1. •Recent delivery of a baby.
   

2. •A medical problem.
   

3. •Taking an over-the-counter or prescribed medicine. This includes antidepressants.
   

4. •Abusing alcohol or drugs.
   

5. •Dark, cloudy weather or winter months.

Have you had a lot less interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks?

Have you just attempted suicide or written a suicide note? Are you making plans for suicide? Do you have thoughts of suicide or death over and over?

Questions to Ask