Feeling Depressed: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you feel sad or blue?

See significance of feeling sad or blue if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have frequent thoughts of death or suicide?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Are you no longer interested in activities that you once enjoyed?

Yes

Have you had feelings of unusual sadness for 2 weeks or longer?

Yes

Do you find it difficult to concentrate?

Yes

Do you often feel restless or anxious?

Yes

Are you troubled with feelings of worthlessness or guilt?

Yes

Have you had a change in your sleep pattern, either an inability to sleep or wanting to sleep all the time?

Yes

Have you had a recent change in your appetite?

Yes

Have you gained or lost or more in the past 6 weeks without trying?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	January 12, 2007
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer