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Know the signs | Information from the National Institute on Mental Health

Lake Country Reporter (Hartland, WI) - 7/5/2016

The words "I'm depressed" get used so frequently that they lose meaning. Certainly we all feel sad, down, dejected, resigned or apathetic from time to time. But real depression is more than that.

The National Institute on Mental Health offers information on the signs and symptoms of depression.

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:.Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood.Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.Irritability.Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness.Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.Decreased energy or fatigue.Moving or talking more slowly.Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still.Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening or oversleeping.Appetite and/or weight changes.Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.Aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems without a clear physical cause or that do not ease even with treatment Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many.

Several persistent symptoms in addition to low mood are required for a diagnosis of major depression, but people with only a few - but distressing - symptoms may benefit from treatment of their "subsyndromal" depression.

The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness. INFORMAT I O N AND RESOURCES Need help? Consider the links below as places to start:.Find mental health resources by county at www.mhawisconsin.org..Visit the website for the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org, or visit the Wisconsin site at www.namiwisconsin.org. For information on Waukesha programs, send email to info@namiwaukesha.org.

.Find community-based health and human services information and resources at www.211wisconsin.org.

Learn more about services offered through the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services at www.waukeshacounty.gov/MentalHealthServices, including crisis intervention.