About Depression

• Everyone feels sad about things sometimes.
• Depression is when someone feels sad most of the time.
  • Depression can last a long time. 
  • Depression does not always go away by itself.
  • Depression makes it hard to enjoy friends and activities.

• Depression can start when something bad happens, like:
  • Someone you love dies
  • You get sick
  • You are abused
  • You break up with someone or get a divorce
  • You fight with friends or family

• A long illness 
• Problems in your family
• Problems with money
• Problems at work
• Drug or alcohol abuse 
• Having a hard time making friends 

• Someone who is depressed may:
  • Cry a lot
  • Look sad or angry all the time
  • Yell, scream or swear a lot
  • Sleep a lot or not at all 
  • Eat a lot or very little
  • Lose or gain weight  

• Stop liking things he or she used to like
• Spend more time alone
• Move around all the time or not at all 
• Begin talking about death or about people who have died
• Not be able to do anything for very long
• Stop taking care of himself or herself
• Stop seeing friends

• People who are depressed may try to hurt themselves.
• People who are depressed may try to end their own lives.
• If you start thinking about death or about hurting yourself, tell someone right away.

• Tell someone how you feel.  Talk to a family member, friend, or support provider.
• Visit a doctor – especially if depression gets in the way of everyday life.
  • The doctor may suggest you see a counselor. 
  • A counselor will talk with you about how you feel.
  • The doctor may give you medicine to help you feel better.

• Talking is a good way to show feelings of sadness and do something about them.
• Spending time with family and friends may help you feel better about yourself.  
• Join a support or advocacy group to talk with other people.  
• Don’t make big decisions (for example, moving or quitting a job).

• Talking is a good way to show feelings of sadness and do something about them. 
• Spending time with family and friends may help you feel better about yourself.   
• Join a support or advocacy group to talk with other people.  
• Don’t make big decisions (for example, moving or quitting a job).

• Do fun activities or hobbies.
• Set a goal for every day.  Make it simple – like calling a friend or doing exercise.

• Exercise is a great way to feel better.  Just walking can help.
• Use positive thinking and say positive things to yourself about yourself.
• Follow your doctor’s plan closely. Take medicine they give you. Visit a counselor if they tell you to.   

• If you feel depressed and can ask for help… ASK!
• Sometimes, a person can only show they are depressed by how they act.  
• If someone you know doesn’t use words and seems depressed, tell the people who care for him or her.