Signs of Depression

The topics in this section provide general information about depression. If you are a consumer or family member seeking detailed information about depression, we encourage you to visit Depression in our Recovery section.

Everyone feels sad or gets down from time to time, but sometimes it's more than that. Sometimes, it can be clinical depression.

Clinical depression affects more than 19 million Americans each year. Unfortunately, less than half of the people who have clinical depression seek treatment. Many people believe that it is a "normal" part of life and that they will pull out of it on their own.

Untreated depression causes unnecessary suffering and disruption in daily life and work, and costs about $44 billion a year in lost workdays, decreased productivity, sick leave and other costs.

Depression is a real illness. The good news is that it can be treated, and that success rates for treatment are very high.

Know the Signs

The signs and symptoms of clinical depression are:

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of pleasure and interest in once-enjoyable activities, including sex
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive disorders
• Difficulty concentrating at work or at school, or difficulty remembering things or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Thoughts of suicide or death

Seeking help is the healthy thing to do!

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you could have clinical depression. See a doctor or qualified mental health professional for help, right away.

If you are supervising an employee who exhibits any of these symptoms and has frequent, unexcused absences, discuss the situation with the individual, but do not try to diagnose the problem. Suggest that the employee seek help from his or her doctor or from an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).