Know the symptoms

Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether you are depressed or just feeling blue. Here are some symptoms to watch for:

• Feeling sad or anxious

• Feeling guilty, helpless, or worthless

• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities that you enjoyed in the past

• Feeling hopeless

• Having less energy or feeling tired

• Too little or too much sleeping 

• Having trouble concentrating or making typical daily decisions

• Changes in appetite or weight

• Feeling irritable or restless

• Thoughts of suicide or death

If you have most or all of these symptoms every day for at least 2 weeks, you may have depression.

You can get help

If you have symptoms of depression, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may refer you to a counselor or other mental health specialist. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe medicine for your depression. A combination of counseling and medicine can be helpful in treating depression.

Studies have shown that exercise can also be helpful in treating depression. And getting regular exercise, like walking, is also a great way to keep your heart healthy.

Call 911

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help right away. If you're at immediate risk, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Getting help

If there is no immediate risk, call your healthcare provider or seek help online. If you're worried about a friend or loved one, ask them in a caring way if they are thinking of harming themselves and help them get support. Here are some resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). Or contact them online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. This resource provides immediate crisis intervention and information on local resources. It's free and confidential. 

• National Institute of Mental Health. Visit their website at www.nimh.nih.gov to learn more about depression.