Depression

Possible Symptoms:

• sadness for a long time
• lack of pleasure or interest in life
• decreased energy or really tired
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• early awakening from sleep, cant get to sleep
• loss of sex drive
• loss of confidence, poor self image
• intense feelings of guilt
• unable to concentrate
• thoughts of suicide

Depression is the medical term used to describe one of the disorders of mood. Depression usually means too much sadness or an intense sensation of feeling down. Everyone may have experienced sadness or lack of energy from time to time. Often these feelings are as a result of a big change in our lives such as a loss. These losses may include the death of a loved one, a failed relationship or the loss of job for example. One can also suffer depression after giving birth or as a result of substance abuse. Most of the time we get over these feelings and carry on. If these feelings are so intense that they interfere with normal living or working, or if they last too long or occur for most of the day, then they may suggest that the person is suffering from a mental illness.

Please answer the following questions if you feel you may be depressed.

Questions

Do you feel...

Low mood or intense sadness?

or

Lack of interests or pleasure?

or

Decreased energy or fatigue?