Getting Help with Depression

Depression is an illness. It affects the whole body, including the brain. It can change how a person feels emotionally and physically. Depression is treatable so it is important to speak with a health care provider if you experience any of the following:

Symptoms of Minor Depression

These feelings may be present for an extended period of time:

Overeating or poor appetite
Difficulty sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time
Feeling as though you never have enough energy
Difficulty concentrating
Chronic low self-esteem, pessimism or sadness

Symptoms of Major Depression

A more acute illness with symptoms of minor depression and some of these additional symptoms:

Loss of pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Significant weight loss or gain
Feeling worthless or guilty
Hopelessness, thinking things will never get better
A sense of being overwhelmed by sadness or of "going crazy"
Hard to explain, sometimes frightening, physical symptoms
Thought of death or suicide

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A reaction to lack of daylight. Symptoms can mimic those of minor or major depression. Occasionally people may experience this during the summer. Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder for both winter and summer include the following:

Changes in light levels and length of daylight intervals
Changes in ambient temperature
Changes in humidity
Disrupted schedules
Body image issues, particularly during "swimsuit season"
Financial strain from vacations

Getting Help

If you have experienced symptoms of minor depression or SAD for a while, consult a health care provider. If symptoms of major depression have been present for two weeks or more, contact a health care provider. Should you be experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact a health care provider or crisis line immediately.

Here are more helpful resources for Depression.