Depression. It's treatable.
Everyone feels sad sometimes. But if you feel sad for more than 2 weeks – or lose interest or pleasure in things – it may be depression. Talk to your doctor.
#45 in a series of Health Bulletins on issues of pressing interest to all New Yorkers. Volume 5, Number 11.
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Depression Is an Illness
Depression is more than being 'down in the dumps.'
- It is a medical illness that affects mood and
physical health.
- Depression can make some illnesses harder to manage,
such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Some people think depression is normal in older people. That's not true. It doesn't matter how old you are — no one has to live with depression.
It's Treatable
- Regular physical activity (such as a brisk daily
walk) can improve mild-to-moderate depression – and even help prevent
depression.
- Treatment may include medication, counseling, or
both.
- People with moderate-to-severe depression may need
medication.
- Many safe and effective medications are available. It
may take 4 to 8 weeks for medication to work fully.
- Counseling can also help. Talk to your family doctor or nurse practitioner. Or ask to see a social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
How to Help a Depressed Person
- Offer emotional support and encouragement, and be
patient.
- Encourage the person to find and stick with
treatment.
- Don't dismiss negative feelings or blame the person
for the depression.
- Invite the person to take part in simple activities – but don't take it personally if they turn you down. Take care of yourself. Being around a depressed person can be very difficult – you may need support as well.
If Only the Signs Were This Easy to Read
Symptoms of depression may be different in children and adolescents.
- A younger child who is depressed may get irritable or
angry instead of sad, be fearful and cry for little reason, or be
self-destructive.
- An older child or teen may develop problems with
behavior or school performance, be isolated and withdrawn, be overly
irritable, aggressive or angry, or use alcohol or drugs. Help is available.
- Talk to your child's doctor if you are concerned.
- Ask for a referral to a mental health professional who can diagnose and treat depression in children and teens.
Tips for Handling Depression
Taking even one of these steps can help you feel better:
- Get physical activity every day to improve mood and
manage stress.
- Keep it simple. Set simple goals and take small steps
to reach them. (Re-organize a drawer, not the whole house.)
- Do something you enjoy every day. Find ways to relax
every day.
- Spend time with people who can support you.
- Keep medical appointments and take all medication as
prescribed.
- Don't drink or use drugs. They can trigger, worsen, and prevent recovery from depression.
Problems in Pregnancy Or After Childbirth
Shifting moods are normal.
- Pregnant women and new mothers can feel joyful one
minute, and tired or anxious the next.
- "Baby blues" are also normal. New mothers sometimes
have trouble sleeping or concentrating.
- Usually these problems go away in a couple of weeks.
Depression is not normal.
- If you feel guilty, hopeless, or sad much of the time
– or sometimes think about hurting yourself or your baby – help is available.
- Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional, or call LifeNet (see More Information).
More Information
- Help with depression or alcohol or drug abuse:
1-800-LifeNet (800-543-3638) or call 311 and ask for LifeNet
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: www.aacap.org or
212-966-7300
- Families Together in New York State, Inc.: www.ftnys.org or
888-326-8644
- National Alliance on Mental Illness, NYC METRO: www.naminycmetro.org or 212-684-3264 (helpline)
- National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov or
866-615-6464
- National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org or 800-969-6642
Common Symptoms Of Depression
Ask your doctor about a simple test for depression if for the past 2 weeks you have often been bothered by:
- Little interest or pleasure in things.
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.
- Sleep problems (too much or too little).
- Fatigue, no energy.
- Appetite problems.
- Feeling bad about yourself, that you're a failure or
are letting people down.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Feeling slowed down (or speeded up).
- Unexplained physical problems that won't go away,
such as headaches, stomach aches, chronic pain.
- Thoughts about hurting yourself, dying, or suicide.
For copies of any Health Bulletin
Contributions
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
125 Worth Street, Room 342, CN 33
New York, N.Y. 10013
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner
Bureau of Communications
Geoffrey Cowley, Associate Commissioner
Cortnie Lowe, M.F.A., Executive Editor
Drew Blakeman, Senior Writer
Caroline Carney, Managing Editor
Prepared in cooperation with:
Division of Mental Hygiene
