Depression: It’s More Than Feeling Blue

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Clinical depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. It affects more than 19 million Americans each year. Treatment for depression is usually successful, but fewer than half of those who suffer seek treatment.

What is Depression?

Depression is more than feeling sad or down or “blue”. Usually, these feelings pass in a few days. But depression remains and can interfere with your daily life. The illness can happen to anyone. Depression is never a “normal” part of life no matter your age, race, gender or health situation. ¹

Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms for each person are different. They differ in how often, how severe and how long they last for each person.

Some symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early morning wakefulness
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
• Restlessness, irritability
• Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Go here to see other symptoms of clinical depression. If you have five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you should see your doctor or health care professional for help.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor or health care professional about any of these symptoms you are having, even if you don’t think they are serious. They can help get you the treatment you need. More than 80% of those that seek treatment get better.². Also, building a relationship with a doctor or health care professional you trust and checking in with them regularly is a key part of successful treatment.

The nine item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a tool used to help diagnose depression. It also helps determine what kind of treatment will work best for each person. Talk to your doctor or health care professional about the PHQ-9.

MNCM reports the percentage of patients who are no longer depressed which we describe as being in remission (technically, they have a PHQ-9 score of less than five after six months of treatment) for clinics across Minnesota. You can view the rates here.

Additional Resources

Guides
Depression - National Institute of Mental Health

Deeper Understanding
Understanding Depression

Government Resources
National Institute of Mental Health