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Signs
and Symptoms:
- Feeling
sad,
hopeless,
and
helpless
- Feeling
guilty
and/or
worthless
- Thinking
negative
thoughts
- Having
a loss
of
interest
in
things,
such
as
social
activities,
hobbies,
and
sex.
[Go
to
Self-Care
Prevention]
Still
not sure?
Ask yourself
with these
questions.
1.
Have you
just attempted
suicide
or are
you planning
suicide?
If yes to
one of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
get immediate
care.
If no,
continue
on to
the next
question.
2.
Have you
had a loss
of interest
or pleasure
in almost
all activities
most of
the day,
nearly
everyday
for at
least 2
weeks?
If yes to
one of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on to
the next
question.
3.
Has depression
interfered
with daily
activities
for more
than 2
weeks and/or
have you
withdrawn
from normal
activities
during
this time?
If yes to
one of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on to
the next
question.
4.
Have you
been in
a depressed
mood most
of the
day, nearly
every day
for at
least 2
weeks,
and had
any 4 of
the following
for at
least 2
weeks?
- Feeling
slowed
down
or
restless
and
unable
to
sit
still
- Feeling
worthless
or
guilty
- Changes
in
appetite
or
weight
loss
or
gain
- Thoughts
of
death
or
suicide
- Problems
concentrating,
thinking,
remembering,
or
making
decisions
- Trouble
sleeping
or
sleeping
too
much.
- Loss
of
enery
or
feeling
tired
all
of
the
time
- Headaches
- Other
aches
and
pains
- Digestive
problems
- Sexual
problems
- Feeling
pessimistic
or
hopeless
- Being
anxious
or
worried
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on
to
the
next
question.
5.
Has the
depression
occurred
as the
result
of any
of the
following?
- Taking
over-the-counter
or a
prescribed
medication
- Using
alcohol
or drugs
- A
medical
problem
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on
to
the
next
question.
6.
Are you
feeling
depressed
now and
do any
of the
following
apply?
- You
have
been
depressed
before
and not
received
treatment
- You
have
been
treated
for depression
in the
past
and it
has returned
- You
have
taken
medication
for depression
in the
past
If yes to
one
of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see
your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on
to
the
next
question.
7.
During
holiday
times,
do you
do one
or both
of the
following?
If no,
continue
on to
the next
question.
8.
Does the
depression
come with
dark, cloudy
weather
or winter
months
and does
it lift
when spring
comes?
If yes to
one of
these
symptoms
described
above, please
see your
doctor.
If no to
all questions,
use self-care
prevention.
Self-Care
Prevention
To
overcome
Mild,
Situational
Depression:
- Be
with
positve
people.
They'll
lift
your
morale.
- Do
something
to
help
someone
else.
This
will
focus
your
attention
away
from
yourself.
- Eat
healthy
foods.
Eat
at
regular
times.
- Get
some
physical
activity
every
day.
- Talk
to
someone
who
will
listen
to
the
tensions
and
frustrations
you
are
feeling.
- Avoid
drugs
and
alcohol.
These
can
cause
or
worsen
depression.
- Do
something
that
lets
you
express
yourself.
Write.
Paint.
Write
your
thoughts
in
a
diary
or
journal.
- Relax.
Listen
to
soft
music,
take
a
warm
bath
or
shower.
Do
relaxation
exercises.
- Do
something
you
enjoy,
even
if
you
don't
feel
like
it.
Watch
a
funny
TV
show
or
movie.
- Avoid
stressful
situations
or
taking
on
added
commitments
when
you
feel
depressed.
- Dont'
take
over-the-counter
herbs
for
depression,
such
as
St.
John's
Wort,
on
your
own.
Consult
your
health
care provider
first.
To
help
a
friend
who
is
depressed:
- Help
ypur
friend
get
an
appropriate
diagnosis.
Make
an
initital
appointment
with
a
professional.
Offer
to
take
your friend
to
the
appointment.
- Do
not
ignore
remarks
about
suicide.
Report
them,
immediately,
to
a
student
advisor,
teacher,
or
health
care
provider.
- Be
aware
of
the
type
of
medication
your
friend
needs
to
take
and
when
it
should
be
taken. If
necessary
alert
your
friend's
health
care
provider
about
any
side
effects
taht
you
notice.
- Be
supportive.
Depression
is
no
different
from
any
other
physical
illness.
It
requires
patience,
understanding,
love
and
encouragement. Encourage
your
friend
to
continue
with
treatment
and
to
see
his
or
her
health
care
provider
if
there is
no
improvement.
- Listen
with
care.
Encourage
your
friend
to
talk
about
his
or
her
feelings.
Point
out
your
friend's
successes and
attributes
when
he
or
she
feels
worthless,
helpless,
or
down
about
the
future.
Helping
your
friend
see previous
successes
can
help
give
the
confidence
needed
to
continue
with
treatment.
Your
friend
doesn't
need
you to
tell
him
or
her
what
to
do.
Listen
is
very
helpful.
- Encourage
your
friend
to
go
out
and
do
things
with
you
or
with
others,
such
as
to
see a
movie
or
to
do
things
your
friend
enjoyed
in
the
past.
Don't
push,
though,
or
make
too many
demands.
- Seek
support
from
organizations
that
deal
with
depression.
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