Understanding depression

Depression is a treatable illness that is generally not visible to the naked eye. There are no bruises, sores or fevers like you’d see with other illnesses. The symptoms of depression are an unshakeable sadness or melancholy mood, as well as feelings of hopelessness, changes in appetite, fatigue, excessive sleeping, loss of interest in favorite activities, and feelings of worthlessness. If you are living with depression, you may not recognize the combination of these symptoms, so it’s important to talk to a physician or counselor who can diagnose and treat your illness.

MAYBE I’M JUST SAD

Maybe you are. Sadness and grief are normal emotions that everyone experiences. But if your sadness or melancholy mood lasts for several weeks and it’s keeping you from enjoying life, you should consider being assessed by your physician or a mental health professional.

I MIGHT SNAP OUT OF IT

If you’re living with clinical depression, it’s unlikely you’ll “snap out of it.” Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that may need medicine or specific therapies to correct. Talk to your physician or a mental help professional who can assess whether your symptoms indicate depression.

“DO I REALLY NEED TREATMENT?”

If left untreated, depression is likely to become more severe and more difficult to treat. As it progresses, severe depression can lead to missed work, broken relationships, divorce, additional health problems and—at its worst—suicidal thoughts. Depression is treatable, so don’t suffer in silence!