New Booklet: Knowing When to Get Help
Feeling down every once in a while is a normal part of life, but if these feelings last longer than a couple weeks or even months, it may be a sign of depression.
Depression is treatable. Though people experience depression differently, look for changes in:
- Mood. Feeling irritable, restless, hopeless, sad, anxious, or “empty.”
- Activity. Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, including sex, or having trouble sitting still.
- Energy. Decreased energy, feeling tired, or moving more slowly.
- Cognitive ability. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
- Sleep. Difficulty sleeping, waking up too early in the morning, or oversleeping.
- Eating. Eating more or less than usual, often with unplanned weight gain or loss.
- Thoughts. Considering death or suicide, or suicide attempts.
For more information about depression and how it can be treated, read or order a copy the new easy-to-read booklet, Older Adults and Depression: Knowing When to Get Help.