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
Call 911 Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
|
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
|
Self Care at Home
|
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.
Copyright 2023.
Copyright ©
MedNOW Clinics. All Rights Reserved.
Medical Web Design by Remedy Connect.
See our Disclaimer
and Privacy Policy.
Website Admin