Ask yourself, or someone you love, the following questions:

  • Do you often have feelings of sadness or irritability?
  • Do you often have feelings of guilt or worthlessness?
  • Have you lost interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed?
  • Are there changes in your appetite or weight?
  • Are there changes in your sleeping pattern?
  • Are you afraid something bad is going to happen to you?
  • Do you have forgetfulness, inability to concentrate or make decisions?
  • Do you feel you have more problems with memory than most?
  • Do you often feel fatigue or loss of energy?
  • Do you have thoughts of suicide or death?
  • Have you felt or experienced three or more of the above symptoms for more than three weeks?

If you or a loved one answered yes to several of the above, it could be depression. Feelings of sadness affect everyone from time to time. But if those feelings don't go away, and they interfere with your life, it's time to seek help.

Your physician may want to evaluate you further, or recommend a specialist, such as the therapists of Deaconess Older Adult Mental Health. The good news is depression can often be treated if diagnosed correctly. Like all illnesses, depression requires medical attention, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Remember, depression is not a normal part of aging.

Concerned? Call us at 513.559.2750.
 
Deaconess Hospital