Healthylife® Weigh
Part 6
Signs & Symptoms
* Feeling sad, hopeless, helpless, and/or worthless
* Fatigue
* Loss of interest in daily activities, including sex
* Change in eating and sleeping patterns
* Anger, anxiety, or irritability
* Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions
* Thoughts of suicide or death
Strategy
* Accept thoughts as they are. Focus on your response, rather than trying to shoo away the emotion.
* Be with and call relatives and friends who lift your morale and make you laugh.
* Do something to help someone else.
* Keep up with your regular exercise.
* Do something different. Walk or drive to someplace new.
* Challenge yourself with a new project. It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it should be enjoyable.
* Watch a funny TV show or movie.
* Reflect on your expectations and make adjustments – it takes a long time to change habits and feel the new habits are “normal.”
* Change your clothes. Take a shower. Do small self-care activities.
If you feel depressed for two weeks or longer, see a doctor.
For a screening test for depression, contact:
Mental Health America
800-969-6642
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine