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(It's more
common than you think...)
Every year, more than 19
million American adults experience clinical depression. It affects
men, women and children of all races and socio-economic groups, causing them
to lose motivation, energy and the pleasure of everyday life. Clinical
depression often goes untreated because people don't recognize its many
symptoms. The good news is that almost everyone who gets treated can
soon feel better
Could You Be Depressed?
Below
is a checklist of 10 symptoms of clinical depression. If
you experience five or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks, or
if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, see
your doctor or contact Birmingham Group Health Services, 435 East Main
Street, Ansonia, CT 06401, (203) 736-2601
(ask for "Heather"), for a professional screening and
more information about depression.
Depression Checklist
q A
persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
q
Sleeping too little or sleeping too much
q
Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
q
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
q
Restlessness or irritability
q
Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment (such as
headaches, chronic pain, or constipation, and other digestive disorders)
q
Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
q
Fatigue or loss of energy
q
Feeling guilty, hopeless or
worthless
q
Thoughts of death or suicide
(The "depression check list" and other information on
this page was obtained from, and copyrighted and published by, Mental Health
America,
www.mentalhealthamerica.net. No part of this document may be
reproduced without written consent.) |
