Process - Physician - Fraser Health Authority

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?Most times when you feel down, you’re not depressed. Feeling sad or lowis a big part of life and can’t be avoided. When something goes wrong inyour life, whether it’s an argument with your partner, conflict with yourboss, or a physical illness, your mood might drop.Depression is not…Most times when you feel down, you’re not depressed.Feeling sad or low is a big part of life and can’t beavoided. When something goes wrong in your life,whether it’s an argument with your partner, conflictwith your boss, or a physical illness, your moodmight drop.If you feel especially sad or irritable because of thissituation, maybe with poor sleep, not wanting to seefriends or family, eating too much or not enough – thenyou’re probably experiencing low mood. Low mood willtypically go away in a week or two, especially if there’san improvement in the situation that started it.Depression is…But suppose it doesn’t go away and just gets worse.You might be depressed:1. if your mood is very low or you have almost nointerest in your life almost everyday, and thisfeeling goes on for weeks; AND2. if you have other problems like:■ big changes in weight or appetite;■ not being able to sleep enough or sleepingtoo much;■ feeling that you are always restless orslowed-down;■ thinking that you are worthless or guilty;■ feeling really tired much of the time;■ feeling numb or empty;■ having a lot of trouble concentratingor making decisions;■ thinking about death or suicide.SELF-CARE DEPRESSION PROGRAM3 ANTIDEPRESSANT SKILLS WORKBOOK