Which of these may be a symptom of depression?
- A. Feeling, sad, worthless, or guilty
- B. Fatigue
- C. Loss of pleasure
- D. Problems doing tasks at home or work
- E. Change of appetite
- F. All of the above
The correct answer is all of the above. Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or miserable. Most of us feel this way sometimes for short periods. But depression as a medical condition affects your daily life in a persistent way. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, or if you think you may be depressed.
Depression is a state of mind – if you try hard enough, you can snap out of it.
- A. Myth
- B. Fact
The correct answer is myth. Depression is a real medical disorder that causes real suffering. Brain scans have shown that certain areas of the brain look different in people with depression. It's unclear what causes the disorder, but an imbalance of brain chemicals or genetics may play a role.
If a friend or loved one talks about suicide, what should you do?
- A. Don't be alarmed – suicide is rare
- B. Seek professional help immediately
- C. Check back tomorrow to see if the person is feeling better
The correct answer is to seek professional help immediately. Suicide can be prevented with prompt intervention. If you or a loved one feels suicidal, call your doctor right away or call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Never try to manage the problem on your own.
Depression is more common in women.
- A. Myth
- B. Fact
The correct answer is fact. Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life may play a role. At puberty, girls have twice the risk for depression than boys. Many women experience mood changes and even depression around their period, after childbirth, and around the time of menopause.
People who are depressed tend to:
- A. Eat more than usual
- B. Eat less than usual
- C. Either A or B
The correct answer is either A or B. While some people lose interest in food when they are depressed, others turn to food for comfort and overeat.
Children don't get depressed.
- A. Myth
- B. Fact
The correct answer is myth. A depressed child may complain of aches and pains, refuse to go to school, or worry all the time. About one out of every five teenagers has depression at some point in their teens. Note any changes in your teen’s daily routines or behaviors. This can be a sign of depression.
Men may spend more time at work when they are depressed.
- A. Myth
- B. Fact
The correct answer is fact. Men often react to depression in different ways than women. They are more likely to work long hours, abuse alcohol or drugs, lose their temper, or behave recklessly.
Which types of talk therapy are effective in treating depression?
- A. Support groups
- B. Psychotherapy
- C. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- D. All of the above
The correct answer is all of the above. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you how to fight negative thoughts and develop self-awareness and problem-solving skills. Psychotherapy can help you understand the issues behind your thoughts and feelings. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.
Depression can make the symptoms of other illnesses seem worse.
- A. Myth
- B. Fact
The correct answer is fact. If you have a health condition like diabetes, depression can make the symptoms more severe. Feeling sad or down also makes it harder for you to do the work needed to manage your illness. Getting help for depression usually makes it easier to successfully treat your condition.
Which of the following is true of antidepressant medicines?
- A. Antidepressants usually start working right away.
- B. Antidepressants are addictive.
- C. If one type of antidepressant doesn't help, chances are another one will
- D. You will probably need to take antidepressants for the rest of your life
The correct answer is if one type of antidepressant doesn't help, chances are another one will. It can take 4 to 12 weeks for it to work fully, so try to be patient. Some benefits start earlier than that. If your medicine isn’t helping, talk to your doctor. Changing to a different antidepressant or adding a second medicine may help.
Depression is very difficult to treat.
- A. Myth
- B. Fact
The correct answer is myth. Most patients get better when treated with medicine, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. The first step is to talk to your doctor, who can refer you to a mental health professional. Make that first call, and you will be on the path to your recovery.