Taking the First Step

If you are concerned about some of your symptoms, here are a few important first steps toward finding relief:

1. Learn more about depression
Find out how depression affects your emotions and your body, and read about the various treatments available before speaking with a healthcare professional. You can also make a list of questions to ask during your visit. View some questions to ask your doctor.

2. Make an appointment with a doctor
Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional about your symptoms. He or she can tell you whether you have depression and work with you to plan a course of action that you feel good about. Your doctor may also suggest that you see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or a therapist. Learn more about different ways of treating depression.

3. Talk to your friends and family
Depression can be isolating. Your loved ones can be a real source of comfort and emotional support. They may even help you with practical things like finding a doctor or therapist. You don't have to face depression alone. After talking to friends and family about it, you might actually feel relieved.

A note about suicidal thoughts
Thoughts about death or suicide are common in depression, and it's important to take such thoughts seriously. If you feel like giving up or as if you might hurt yourself, get help immediately:

• Call your doctor
• Go to the emergency room
• Call emergency phone number
  

Symptoms of Depression

One of the most recognized symptoms of depression is a profound feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness. You may be surprised to learn that people with depression often experience physical symptoms too.

In general, if you've been experiencing some combination of the following emotional or physical symptoms for more than two weeks, and it clearly interferes with your life, discuss your concerns with your doctor:

Emotional Sadness throughout the day, nearly every day Loss of interest in or enjoyment of your favorite activities Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness Feeling stressed, nervous, or overwhelmed Trouble concentrating or making decisions Feelings of worthlessness Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt Irritability or restlessness Thoughts of death or suicide

Physical Fatigue or lack of energy Sleeping too much or too little Change in appetite or weight Aches and pains Headache Back pain Digestive problems Dizziness

Don't let this list of symptoms scare you. Treatments and therapies are available that can help ease and even eliminate the emotional and physical symptoms of depression.

Causes of Depression
There's no simple explanation for why people experience depression. It's a complex disease that may develop for a variety of reasons. It can affect anyone at any age, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level.

Some people become depressed after a major life change — the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job or a move. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming a parent or getting married, can trigger depression. Or, even a smaller change can sometimes trigger depression.

Some risk factors for depression include:

• A family history of depression
• Death or illness of a loved one
• Stressful conflicts, such as fights with family members or disputes at work
• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Major life events, such as moving, graduating from college, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, becoming a new parent, or retiring
• Financial difficulties

It is important to seek help if you think you are depressed.