How To Recognize If You Suffer From Depression

A Simple Self-Assessment Can Detect Early Signs

Have you been feeling down lately? How does one tell the difference between "the blues" and real depression? Just in time for National Depression Screening Day, October 9th, comes this advice from Frederic Flach, MD, KHS, author of THE SECRET STRENGTH OF DEPRESSION (Hatherleigh Press):

"Recognizing the early signs of clinical depression is usually something that you have to do for yourself," he explains. "People are reluctant to confront others with the possibility that they may be experiencing a depression—even many physicians dealing with their patients may hesitate to say anything. Fortunately, this self-appraisal is quite straightforward. All it requires is a little self-discipline and a splash of honesty."

Flach offers the following list of questions that you should ask yourself if you think you may be depressed:

* Do you feel sad, down, dejected, dismayed?
* Have these blue feelings been hanging around for weeks or more?
* Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you wake up early in the morning, feeling just awful and unable to get back to sleep?
* Has this insomnia been going on for more than a few weeks?
* Has your appetite been poor for a while and have you lost 10 or 15 pounds in a few weeks without even trying?
* Have you gained 15-20 pounds or more over the past weeks because you’re the kind of person who eats anything in sight when you are unhappy?
* Has your sexual drive diminished, if it’s there at all?
* Do you have a hard time concentrating?
* Do you have a hard time making decisions?
* Do you have a negative outlook? Here consider the whole range of pessimistic thoughts, from total hopelessness to the more subtle tendency to assume whatever is going to happen won’t turn out right.
* Are you a little bit afraid most of the time? Or very afraid without apparent cause?
* Have your relationships with those around you, at home or work, deteriorated? Do you find yourself irritable, short-tempered, getting into arguments? Do you feel rejected?
* Have you begun to avoid social contacts? Have you started to let your phone ring until the answering machine picks up the message, after which you do not return calls even to the best of friends?
* Do you put things off, including answering these questions?

According to Dr. Flach, "the more yeses, the more suspiciousyou should be that you are depressed." But, he continues,recognizing this is a good thing. "You should seriouslyconsider talking with your primary care physician, or a psychiatrist, or a mental health professional to find out more. Recognizing that you may be depressed is the first step in getting help so that you can feel better."

To arrange an interview with Dr. Frederic Flach or for a review copy of THE SECRET STRENGTH OF DEPRESSION, please call Meredith Cosgrove at 800-528-2550 x222 or email publicity@hatherleighpress.com.