What is depression?
Depression is not just "feeling sad." It is a disease that people with
diabetes have more often than people who do not. Some experts believe that
you are twice as likely to get depressed if you have diabetes.
There are three things to understand about
depression:
- Depression is not about who you are, it is about how you feel.
- Depression can be caused by many different things, including
medications, stress, and lack of exercise.
- You should keep asking for help until you find a solution that works
for you.
Below are some tips to help you decide if you should talk to your doctor
about depression and some of the ways he or she might help you.
Are you depressed?
Only a doctor can tell you that you have depression. Most doctors
understand depression very well but often it is not diagnosed because
people do not talk about their feelings and tend to hide their moods.
Talk as honestly about your moods with your doctor as you would with any
other health concerns. Use the questions below to help you tell your doctor
how depression might be affecting you.
- Have you been feeling sad or nervous for a while?
- Do you feel gloomy and "out of it"?
- Have you lost interest in hobbies or things you used to like to
do?
- Is it harder than usual to concentrate, remember things or make
a decision?
- Are you staying awake longer or oversleeping more often than
usual?
- Is your appetite what you think is "normal for you" or is your
weight changing?
- Are people telling you that you are more irritable or not
paying enough attention?
- Are you thinking of death or suicide frequently?
If you answer "yes" to more than half of these questions, bring this with
you to your next doctor's appointment.
Interactive tools to better assess your mood
You can be helped
Depression is a treatable disease. It has different causes in different
people, though, so each person has to be treated differently.
- You might have to change your diet, change the medications you are
taking, or exercise more.
- You might also have to take a type of drug called an
anti-depressant.
- You might be encouraged to take part in what is called "talk
therapy."
As your doctor will tell you, it may take a few tries to find the right
treatment. There is usually not a quick solution. Changes might be
required a few times but hang in there. Over 80 percent of people with
depression find ways to reduce or eliminate the disease and its
symptoms.
