Know the Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Depression is a common and treatable condition. This brain condition leaves a person feeling sad—but it’s different from normal sadness.

Depression can make it hard to work, concentrate or do everyday tasks. Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or health situation. It can affect people of any race or ethnic group.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

People with depression feel down most of the time for periods lasting at least two weeks. They also have at least one of these symptoms:

• No longer enjoy or care about doing the things they used to like to do
• Feel sad, down, irritable, hopeless or cranky most of the day, almost every day

Depression can also make people:

• Lose or gain weight.
• Sleep too much or too little.
• Feel tired or have no energy.
• Feel guilty or worthless.
• Forget things or feel confused.
• Think about death or suicide.

Are There Treatment Options?

Safe and effective treatments for depression are available. They include seeing a psychotherapist, taking medications or a combination. Talk with your primary care provider to decide what options are right for you.

As you recover, remember that taking good care of yourself can also help boost your emotional state. Specifically, get regular exercise, like walking briskly or cycling three to five times each week. Be sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid drugs and alcohol; they can worsen depression symptoms.

Finally, reach out to friends and family whom you are comfortable with. Talking openly and surrounding yourself with supportive, understanding people is important for recovery.

Learn more about our Behavioral Medicine team at PacMed. Our team of licensed therapists offers individual, couples and family therapy. They also can help with medication management and provide psychiatric evaluation. To make an appointment, use our appointment tool or call 206.621.4045.

Are You or Someone You Know in Crisis?

If you are thinking about suicide or hurting yourself, help is available:

• In an emergency, call 9-1-1
• Go to the emergency room at your local hospital
• Call the King County 24-Hour Crisis Line: 1 (866) 427-4747
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255
• Call your health care provider and tell them it is urgent