If you have felt many of these symptoms nearly every day for two weeks or longer, you may have clinical depression, not just common sadness:
• Depressed mood: feeling sad, tearful, irritable, or easily angered
• Little interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Increase or decrease in appetite or weight
• Sleeping much more or much less than usual
• Restlessness or decreased activity
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Persistent negative thoughts
Sometimes depression can manifest as anxiety, with symptoms such as:
• Trouble sleeping
• Tense feelings
• Preoccupation with unpleasant or irrational worries
• Fear that something awful might happen
Depression is treatable. The first step is to seek help. Please talk to our doctor.
The typical symptoms of asthma include:
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Coughing
Asthma treatment is different for infants, children, and adults. Treatment varies and is based on your asthma symptoms, and how often you have these symptoms.
Depression is not a sign that you are weak. Depression is a common, treatable and serious medical condition.
Depression is usually the result of several factors, such as:
Stressful events: such as job loss, financial strain, conflict in a relationship, death of a loved one. Stresses may be recent or may build gradually.
Family history: depression is more common in people who have close relatives with depression.
Medical conditions: pain, chronic disease, loss of function, or other illness can lead to depression, as can hormone changes, such as during menstrual cycles, post-partum and menopause.
Your doctor may ask you to complete a screening questionnaire. Then he or she should ask questions to check for medical illness, family history, use of alcohol and other substances, and other concerns.
Some or all of the following steps may be appropriate, depending on your own wishes and the severity of your depression. Discuss these options with your doctor.
1. Lifestyle changes are recommended for all people with depression, including:
• Exercising regularly
• Setting a routine sleep pattern
• Healthy eating
• Avoiding alcohol and other “recreational” drugs
• Making time for pleasurable activities
• Spending time with friends and loved ones
2. Regular meetings with doctors and a psychotherapist:
• Seeing your doctor regularly: this plus lifestyle changes may lift mild depression
• Meeting with a psychiatrist for “talk” therapy and/or medication
3. Anti-depressant medication: Please discuss with your doctor the risk and benefits of medication, how to take and adjust doses and manage side effects. Regular follow up with your doctor is important.
4. Involve your family and close friends: support and encouragement of loved ones can be very helpful.
It is very important for you to come to every appointment with your doctor and therapist.
• If your doctor has prescribed an anti-depressant medication, take it as directed. If you have concerns or side effects, discuss them with your doctor; don’t just stop take the medication on your own.
