Clinical depression is a serious illness that affects at least 19 million adults in the United States every year, according to Mental Health America. Symptoms vary among individuals but typically include negative changes in the way the person feels, thinks and behaves for a period of at least two weeks. Treatment with medication, psychotherapy or both is effective in about 80 percent of clinical depression cases, but only 1/3 of patients seek treatment on their own. Family, friends, supervisors and co-workers can help by recognizing the signs of depression and encouraging the individual to seek medical care.
Step 1
Identify changes in the person’s behavior during the previous two weeks or more that might be related to depression. These changes may include alcohol or drug abuse, disinterest in daily activities that the person once found enjoyable, neglecting responsibilities, isolation and poor hygiene.
Step 2
Identify changes in the person’s appearance or physical health during the previous two weeks or more that might be related to depression. These changes may include significant weight gain or loss, sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, unexplained headaches or stomachaches, fatigue or digestive disorders.
Step 3
Ask the person to talk about changes in his feelings during the previous two weeks or more. These feelings may include hopelessness, helplessness, irritability, anxiety, agitation, worthlessness, guilt, inability to focus or make decisions, loss of memory, sadness or emptiness.
Step 4
Ask the person if any major life events have occurred, including divorce, ending a relationship, moving, changing jobs, death of a loved one or financial losses. Depression may be triggered by negative life events.
Step 5
Make notes of your observations and discuss them with the individual. It may be helpful to record the information on a calendar to identify patterns.
Step 6
Encourage the person to see his primary-care provider or a mental-health professional if he has experienced five or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer: persistent sad, empty or anxious mood; changes in sleep patterns; changes in appetite and weight; loss of interest in activities; restlessness or irritability; persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment; difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions; fatigue; feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless; or thoughts of suicide or death.
Step 7
Offer assistance and support.
Tips and Warnings
- According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, it is helpful to say, “I’m here for you,” “you are not alone in this” and “I understand that you have a real illness and that is what causes these thoughts and feelings.” Avoid saying, “it’s all in your head,” “snap out of it,” “look on the bright side,” “stop worrying” or “stop acting crazy.”
- Call 911 for emergency assistance if the person threatens to hurt himself or others. Do not leave a suicidal person alone. Other warning signs include hallucinations, delusions, excessive drinking or drug use, not eating or sleeping for several days, or being unable to care for himself or others in his care.
