Don’t overlook warning signs of depression—or wait for your doctor to spot them first. While experts recommend that family physicians look for symptoms in their patients, studies show that many do not. That means it’s up to you to monitor your moods and recognize red flags. Ask yourself if you’ve experienced any of these recently: A persistently sad, empty or anxious mood; persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, pain or digestive disorders; an unexplained shift in the length of your sleep; prolonged reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain; loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex; persistently feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless.

• See your doctor soon if you suspect you’re depressed. It’s a real disease, not just a “mood” issue, and there are plenty of treatments that can get you relief.
• If you’ve had suicidal thoughts, tell someone and seek help now, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to talk to a trained counselor.
• A low-level, chronic type of depression called dysthymia affects 11 million adults—and responds to the same treatments that can lift major depression.
• People with “atypical depression” may have bright moods—but also may sleep or eat too much, feel weighed down by life, or are very sensitive to rejection.
• Irritability, restlessness, anger, reckless behavior and even violence can also be signs of hidden depression.

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