Getting Help For Depression
When you have depression, it's more than feeling sad. Intense feelings of sadness and other symptoms, like losing interest in things you enjoy, may last for a while. Depression is a medical illness, not a sign of weakness. And it's treatable.
To find out more, answer these questions.
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I Think I'm Depressed
How to get help.
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I Just Got Diagnosed
Your next steps.
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I'm Getting Help
What to expect from treatment.
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I've Stopped My Treatment
How to get back on track.
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Depression in Elderly May Predict Dementia
A new study suggests that rather than being a cause of memory decline, depression in older people may be an early symptom of dementia.
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Understanding Depression -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
For major depression, you may experience five or more of the following for at least a two-week period:
- Persistent sadness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including sex
- Difficulty concentrating and complaints of poor memory
- Worsening of co-existing chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Weight gain or loss
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Anxiety, agitation, irritability
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Slow speech; slow movements
- Headache, stomachache, and digestive problems