Recognizing depression and seeking treatment

Although depression might seem overwhelming, there's effective treatment. Even severe depression often can be successfully treated. Seek help if you have any signs and symptoms of depression, such as:

• Ongoing feelings of sadness, guilt or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
• Significant changes in your sleep pattern, such as trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much
• Fatigue or unexplained pain or other physical symptoms without an apparent cause
• Problems concentrating or remembering things
• Changes in appetite leading to significant weight loss or weight gain
• Physical aches and pains
• Feeling as though life isn't worth living, or having thoughts of suicide

Not sure how to get treatment? Consider turning to your primary care provider first — for example, your family doctor, internist, nurse practitioner, obstetrician or gynecologist. If needed, your primary care provider can refer you to a mental health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating depression.

Remember, depression is both common and treatable. If you think you're depressed, don't hesitate to seek help.