Living with Diabetes

Spotting depression is the first step. Getting help is the second.

If you have been feeling really sad, blue, or down in the dumps, check for these symptoms:

• Loss of pleasure — You no longer take interest in doing things you used to enjoy.Change in sleep patterns — You have trouble falling asleep, you wake often during the night, or you want to sleep more than usual, including during the day.
• Early to rise — You wake up earlier than usual and cannot to get back to sleep.
• Change in appetite – You eat more or less than you used to.
• Trouble concentrating — You can't watch a TV program or read an article because other thoughts or feelings get in the way.
• Loss of energy – You feel tired all the time.
• Nervousness — You feel so anxious you can't sit still.
• Guilt – You feel you "never do anything right" and worry that you are a burden to others.
• Morning sadness — You feel worse in the morning than you do the rest of the day.
• Suicidal thoughts — You feel you want to die or are thinking about ways to hurt yourself.

If you have three or more of these symptoms, or if you have just one or two but have been feeling bad for two weeks or more, it's time to get help. Talk to your doctor about to help you determine if the cause of your depression is the result of a medical condition or lifestyle factors.