Depression
It’s normal to feel sad or blue when you have
a long-term illness. If the sadness is severe or
lasts a long time, you may have clinical
depression along with your physical illness.
Clinical depression is a serious illness. It is
also treatable. Depression is more common
when you have other medical illnesses and
conditions like these:
• cancer
• heart disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• diabetes
• hormonal disorders
• after a stroke
Symptoms of depression
• sad, anxious or "empty" mood that lasts for
weeks or months
• sleeping too much or too little
• appetite changes and weight changes, either
up or down
• loss of pleasure and interest in activities
once enjoyed, including sex
• irritability, restlessness
• physical symptoms that do not respond to
treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive
disorders
• difficulty concentrating, remembering or
making decisions
• feeling tired, not enough energy
• feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• thoughts of death or suicide
Most people with depression, however, do not
seek the professional help they need. Why?
• They don't know the symptoms.
• They think depression will just go away.
• They are embarrassed to talk about how
they're feeling.
• They don’t want people to think they are
crazy.
What you can do
The good news is that depression can respond
to treatment. Certain medicines and also talk
therapy are effective treatments for
depression. Most people do best by using
both. Tell your doctor your symptoms. Explain
that you may have a clinical depression.
Call the Mental Health America Help Desk
for services in your community and more
information. It was formerly known as the
National Mental Health Association.
SOURCES
www.depression-screening.org
sponsored by the National Mental Health
Association
This is for education only. Ask your own doctor any questions you have about your health. © 2008 by Vanderbilt University.
All rights reserved. Vanderbilt Medical Center Patient & Family Centered Care HC-0250 06/09