Recognizing the Symptoms of Depression
Depression: Recognizing the Emotional Symptoms
Common symptoms of depression can make work and daily life almost impossible. Depression can skew your view of the world, making everything seem hopeless. Depression can make you feel utterly alone.
But you're not. Major depression affects about 14 million American adults, or about 6.7% of the population 18 or older in any given year. This guide will help you recognize some of the symptoms of depression.
SSRIs: Myths and Facts About Antidepressants
Millions of Americans suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can improve a wide variety of these conditions, making these drugs some of the most widely used. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), and Lexapro (escitalopram). Viibryd (vilazodone), approved by the FDA early 2011, is an SSRI and 5HT1A receptor partial agonist,...
Read the SSRIs: Myths and Facts About Antidepressants article > >
You may already know some of the emotional and psychological effects of depression. They include:
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or numb. These feelings are with you most of the day, every day.
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. You might no longer bother with hobbies that you used to love. You might not like being around friends. You might lose interest in sex.
- Irritability or anxiety. You might be short-tempered and find it hard to relax.
- Trouble making decisions. Depression can make it hard to think clearly or concentrate. Making a simple choice can seem overwhelming.
- Feeling guilty or worthless. These feelings are often exaggerated or inappropriate to the situation. You might feel guilty for things that aren't your fault or that you have no control over. Or you may feel intense guilt for minor mistakes.
- Thoughts of death and suicide. The types of thoughts vary. Some people wish that they were dead, feeling that the world would be better off without them. Others make very explicit plans to hurt themselves. One of the best ways to prevent suicide in someone that is depressed is to recognize the warning signs of suicide. Take these signs seriously.
The good news is that depression is a treatable condition that responds to a variety of treatments.
WebMD Medical Reference
Important Safety Information About Cymbalta
The most important information you should know about Cymbalta:
Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Be especially observant within the first few months of treatment or after a change in dose. Approved only for adults 18 and over.
Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is not for everyone. Do not take Cymbalta if you:
- have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or Mellaril® (thioridazine)
- have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
Before taking Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:
- about all your medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, glaucoma, diabetes, seizures, or if you have bipolar disorder. Cymbalta may worsen a type of glaucoma or diabetes
- about all your prescription and nonprescription medicines. A potentially life-threatening condition has been reported when Cymbalta was taken with certain drugs for migraine, mood, or psychotic disorders
- if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
- about your alcohol use
- about your blood pressure. Cymbalta can increase your blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure prior to and while taking Cymbalta
- if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breast-feeding
While taking Cymbalta, talk to your healthcare provider right away:
- 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, which may be symptoms of a potentially life-threatening condition
- if you have skin blisters, serious or peeling rash, hives, mouth sores, or any other allergic reaction. These may be serious, possibly life-threatening, skin reactions
- if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing. This tends to occur in the first week or when increasing the dose, but may occur at any time during treatment
- before you stop Cymbalta or change your dose
- if you experience headache, weakness, confusion, problems concentrating, memory problems, or feel unsteady, which may be signs of low sodium levels
- if you develop problems with urine flow
Most common side effects of Cymbalta (this is not a complete list):
- nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, fatigue, constipation, dizziness, decreased appetite, and increased sweating
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of Prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other safety information about Cymbalta:
- Cymbalta may cause sleepiness and dizziness. Until you know how Cymbalta affects you, you should not drive a car or operate hazardous machinery.
- People age 65 and older who took Cymbalta reported more falls, some resulting in serious injuries.
How to take Cymbalta:
Take Cymbalta exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Cymbalta should be taken by mouth. Do not open, break or chew capsule; it must be swallowed whole. Cymbalta can be taken with or without food.
Cymbalta is available by prescription only.
See Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning about antidepressants and risk of suicide, and Medication Guide.
DD CON ISI 28NOV2011
©Lilly USA, LLC 2012. All rights reserved.
Cymbalta is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
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Depression Glossary
- Antidepressant: Drugs to be used to treat depression...
- Dysphoria: An emotional state marked by anxiety, depression, and restlessness ...
- Dysthymia: Chronic depression that is less severe than major depression ...
- Major Depression: Depression that lasts for at least two weeks and interferes with daily life ...
- Psychotherapy: Treatment by talking about emotional problems ...
- View All Terms
Depression Triggers, Risks, Symptoms
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