Depression Mode

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a

common and serious medical illness that

negatively affects how you feel, the way you

think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also

treatable. Depression causes feelings of

sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities

you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of

emotional and physical problems and can

decrease your ability to function at work and at

home.

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to

severe and can include:

« Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

« Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

« Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting

« Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

« Loss of energy or increased fatigue

« Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing,

handwringing) or slowed movements or

speech (these actions must be severe

enough to be observable by others)

« Feeling worthless or guilty

« Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions

« Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms must last at least two weeks and

must represent a change in your previous level

of functioning for a diagnosis of depression.

Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid

problems, a brain tumor or vitamin deficiency)

can mimic symptoms of depression so it is

important to rule out general medical causes.