What are the symptoms?
Depression can cause different symptoms in different people, and
they may be hard to notice at first. For example, a child may seem
grouchy and irritable. An older adult may be forgetful. If you think
a loved one is depressed, learn more about what symptoms to look
for, and urge the person to get help if needed.
People who are depressed may:
- Think and speak more slowly than
normal
- Have trouble concentrating, remembering
and making decisions
- Display changes in their eating and
sleeping habits
- Lose interest in things they enjoyed
before they were depressed
- Have feelings of guilt and
hopelessness, wondering if life is worth living
- Think a lot about death or suicide
- Complain about problems that don’t have
a physical cause, such as headache and stomach ache
All of these symptoms can cause a
problem with your quality of life. If you have had a few of these
symptoms for at least 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. You may have
depression that requires treatment. |
