KEEP THE QUIT CLUB

Many members experience anxiety (definately during hell week/month) but often signs of depression emerge that nicotine (and possibly the 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes) have been masking for some time. Or it can be a short period of depression while the body is adjusting to running on its own without nicotine/adrenaline and 4,000 chemicals. In either case please consult your physician if they are unmanageable or worsening, for many it is only short term help they need from their doctors while their bodies adjust.

What Is Depression? Mayo Clinic

	Signs and Symptoms
	Causes
	Risk Factors
	When to Seek Medical Advice
	Diagnosis
	Complications
	Treatment
	Self-Care
	Coping Strategies
	Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Depression is a disorder that affects your thoughts, moods, feelings, behavior and physical health. People used to think it was "all in your head" and that if you really tried, you could "pull yourself out of it." Doctors now know that depression is not a weakness, and you can't treat it on your own. It's a medical disorder with a biological basis.

Sometimes, a stressful life event triggers depression. Other times depression seems to occur spontaneously, with no identifiable specific cause. Whatever the trigger, depression is much more than grieving or a bout of the blues.

Depression may occur as repeated episodes over a lifetime, with periods free of depression in between. Or it may be a chronic condition, requiring ongoing treatment over a lifetime. The disorder affects more than 18 million Americans of all ages and races.

Medications are available that are generally safe and effective, even for the most severe depression. With proper treatment, most people with serious depression improve, often within weeks, and can return to normal daily activities.

Signs and Symptoms

Two hallmarks of depression � symptoms that usually confirm the diagnosis � are:

Loss of interest in normal daily activities. You feel no interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy. This is called anhedonia.
Depressed mood. You feel sad, helpless and hopeless, and may have crying spells.

In addition, for a doctor to diagnose depression most of the following signs and symptoms must also be present most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks:

Sleep disturbances. Sleeping too much or having problems sleeping can be signs you're depressed. Waking in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep are typical.
Impaired thinking or concentration. You may be unable to concentrate or make decisions and have problems with memory.
Significant weight loss or gain. An increased or reduced appetite and an unexplained weight gain or loss of more than 5 percent of your normal weight can indicate depression.
Agitation or slowing of body movements. You may seem agitated, irritable and easily annoyed. Or you may seem to do everything in slow motion and answer questions slowly in a monotonous tone of voice.
Fatigue. You feel weariness and lack of energy nearly every day.
Low self-esteem. You feel worthless and have excessive guilt.
Less interest in sex. If you were sexually active before developing depression, you may notice a dramatic decrease in your level of interest in having sexual relations.
Thoughts of death. You have a persistent negative view of yourself and the future. You may have thoughts of death, dying or suicide.

Depression can also cause a wide variety of vague complaints, such as generalized itching, blurred vision, excessive sweating, dry mouth, gastrointestinal problems (indigestion, constipation and diarrhea), headache and backache.

Children, teens and older people may react differently to depression. In these groups symptoms may take a different form or may be masked by other conditions.

Many people with depression have symptoms of anxiety as well. Anxiety that develops after age 40 is often related to depression rather than being an independent problem.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you feel sad, helpless, tired or worthless, if your eating and sleeping habits have changed greatly and if you show little interest in once enjoyable activities, see your doctor to determine if depression is the cause. If you know someone who exhibits the characteristics of depression, encourage them to see their doctor.

Additional Resources!!

National Mental Health Association

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

National Institute of Mental Health

DS00175

February 15, 2001

� 1998-2002 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Sharing our Tradition of Trusted Answers" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.