Depression

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that affects millions of people every year. Depression negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. People with depression have an immense feeling of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

Symptoms can include:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms must last at least two weeks for a diagnosis of depression.

If you think you or a loved one may be depressed, call the Summa Health Behavioral Health Institute at 234.867.7965.