You're feeling anxious. You've lost interest in your favorite activities. You have no energy and no appetite. And yet when loved ones ask, you insist nothing is wrong. But, in fact, there may be something very wrong. Perhaps you don't recognize it or you don't want to: You could be depressed.

A disabling disease
Many people don't consider depression a serious health problem, but studies suggest otherwise. Researchers found that depression impacts health much more than chronic physical conditions do, including angina, asthma, diabetes and arthritis.

You may think you can simply "get over" depression, which might be why it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. That's unfortunate, because it can be treated successfully -- if it's diagnosed.

Warning signs
There's more to depression than just feeling a little down or sad now and then. Healthcare professionals diagnose depression based on the presence of certain persistent warning signs, including:

• Feeling sad, anxious or "empty"
• Feeling hopeless or pessimistic
• Feeling guilty, worthless or helpless
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Decreased energy or feeling fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep; or sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite and/or weight loss; or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Feeling restless and irritable
• Physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain

Feeling blue … or something more?
If you or a loved one is battling depression or another mental health problem, our doors are open to you. Please call the TMC Behavioral Health Center at 903.416.3000 or visit www.texomamedicalcenter.net. Click on Centers of Excellence in the left column, then on Behavioral Health Center.

P.O. Box 890 Denison, Texas 75021-0890