Depression (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Depression Overview
- Depression Facts/Statistics
- Depression Causes
- Depression Signs and Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Depression Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Getting Help: Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Depression Overview - Slideshow
Depression Signs and Symptoms
Clinical depression is not something you feel for a day or two before feeling better. In true depression, the symptoms last weeks, months, or sometimes years if you don't seek treatment. If you are depressed, you are often unable to perform daily activities. You may not care enough to get out of bed or get dressed, much less work, do errands, or socialize.
- Adults: You may be said to be suffering from a major depressive episode if you have a depressed mood for at least two weeks and have at least five of the following symptoms:
- feeling sad or blue,
- crying spells,
- loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities,
- significant increase or decrease in appetite,
- significant weight loss or weight gain,
- inability to sleep or excessive sleeping,
- agitation or irritability,
- fatigue or loss of
energy,
- feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, and
- thoughts of death or suicide.
For people who tend to suffer from an increase in appetite, tiredness, and the tendency to sleep (atypical depression), carbohydrate craving, sometimes specifically for chocolate, may occur. That has been found to sometimes be an indication that the person tends to suffer from irritability and anxiety in addition to depression.
- Children: Children with depression may also experience the classic symptoms but may exhibit other symptoms as well, including the following:
- poor school performance;
- persistent boredom;
- frequent complaints of physical problems such as headaches and stomachaches;
- some of the classic adult symptoms of depression may also be more obvious in children, such as changes in eating or sleeping patterns (Has the child lost or gained weight in recent weeks or months? Does he or she seem more tired than usual?); and
- teenagers may show depression by taking more risks and/or showing less concern for their own safety. Examples of risk-taking behaviors include driving recklessly/at excessive speed, becoming intoxicated with alcohol or other drugs, especially in situations where they drive or may be in the presence of others who engage in risky behaviors; engaging in promiscuous or unprotected sex.
- Parents of children with depression report noticing the following behavior changes. If you notice any of these, discuss this with your health-care provider.
- The child cries more often or more easily.
- The child's eating habits, sleeping habits, or weight change significantly.
- The child has unexplained physical complaints (for example, headaches or abdominal pain).
- The child spends more time alone, away from friends and family.
- The child actually becomes more "clingy" and may become more dependent on certain relationships. This is less common than social withdrawal, though.
- The child seems to be overly pessimistic or exhibits excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness.
- The child expresses thoughts about hurting him or herself, or exhibits reckless or other harmful behavior.
- Elderly: While any of the classic symptoms of depression may occur in elderly people, other symptoms also may be noted:
- diminished ability to think or concentrate,
- unexplained physical complaints (for example, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or muscle aches), and
- memory impairment (in about 10% with severe depression).
Next: When to Seek Medical Care »
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Antidepressant Side Effects
A new study says over half of all people treated with antidepressants stop taking them because of side effects. See more WebMD Videos »
Cymbalta is approved for the treatment of depression.
Important Safety Information
Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?
Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
You should also know that:
- ·Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
- ·Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
- ·All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
- ·Cymbalta® is not approved for use in patients under age 18.
Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:
- ·You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- ·You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
- ·You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine)
What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
- ·about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
- ·about your alcohol use
- ·if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life threatening condition
- ·if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
- ·if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant
While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
- ·if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
- ·if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
- ·before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
- ·if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta
If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.
What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Depression »
Major depression, also known as unipolar depression, is one of the more commonly encountered psychiatric disorders.
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