People with depressive illnesses may not all experience the same symptoms, but symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety or feelings of emptiness
- Hopelessness and/or pessimism
- Guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that used to be pleasurable
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
- Persistent aches or pains that do not ease, even with treatment
(Note: Adapted from the County of Los Angeles Public Health and the National Institute of Health Publication 08-3561.)
Resources from Other Organizations
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Maintenance Treatment of Major Depression in Old Age addresses the need for practical strategies to manage depression in older people to avoid death, or recurrence of depression and disability.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has multiple resources available to the public regarding antidepressant use. Some of the information includes the latest news about product labeling, risks and side effects related to medications, and summaries of essential information related to medications.
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Older Adults and Depression presents information and resources regarding depression in people who are aging.