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National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, Oct. 11

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

Oct. 10, 2001 -- If you still feel anxious, jumpy, and depressed in the wake of last month's terrorist attack on the nation, you're not alone. A recent national survey shows that nearly half of all Americans feel the same way.

But if those feelings are as strong or are even worse than they were four weeks ago, it may be time to seek professional help. And Thursday offers a unique opportunity to find it.

On Oct. 11, exactly one month after the attacks, mental health volunteers will be available at some 2,000 sites across the country to screen for depression. The date for the 11th annual National Depression Screening Day has long been set, but this year, it could not be more timely.

"Clearly this is a stressful time for everyone," says screening day organizer Douglas G. Jacobs, MD. But some people could be at particular risk of developing mental-health problems, he says. "Anyone who has concerns should be screened," he says, adding that early intervention increases the likelihood of a good result.

Free screening sites will be set up at health-care facilities, shopping malls, libraries, colleges, and senior centers throughout the nation. To find the nearest site, call 1-800-520-NDSD (6373) or visit the screening web site at mentalhealthscreening.org. This year, approximately 2,000 doctors also will be participating in the program by offering screenings and mental health information to their patients. That is twice as many as last year, Jacobs says.

People who are depressed may come to their physicians with any number of symptoms that at first might not be associated with depression, including muscle aches, stomach problems, sleep disturbances, or loss of appetite, Jacobs tells WebMD. "That is why it is so important that doctors are aware of what to look for."

Sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, an inability to concentrate or make decisions, lack of energy, and feelings of hopelessness can all be warning signs of clinical depression, experts say. And thoughts of suicide are almost always a red flag that help is needed.

"At this point, if people who were not directly impacted by this tragedy are still feeling depressed to the point where they are having a lot of symptoms, they should definitely get it checked out," anxiety expert Jerilyn Ross, MA, tells WebMD. "I think a lot of people are still feeling uneasy because there has not been a sense of closure to these events. But people who are still feeling these events to the point that they are not functioning completely should get help." Ross is president of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and author of the book Triumph Over Fear.

Psychiatrist Frederic M. Quitkin, MD, of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, says people with no direct link to the tragedy who are still feeling overwhelmed by it probably have some form of depression and need to be evaluated.

If you missed a day or two of work after the attack, that's normal, Quitkin says. But if you still are having trouble going to work now, that is a problem. "In general, anyone who is consistently unhappy for more than a month ought to be evaluated. Obviously, this horrible event may impact that, especially here in Manhattan where most people saw the smoke or knew someone who died or was involved. But stress can easily exacerbate underlying psychiatric problems, so symptoms should not be ignored."