Depression

Clinical depression is more than just feeling blue or down after a bad day at work or during a difficult period of life. People who are clinically depressed feel down, sad, or hopeless for significant periods of time, and can experience the following symptoms:

• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Lack of energy
• Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
• Appetite loss or overeating
• Difficulty thinking clearly, remembering or concentrating well enough to read or watch television
• Persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt
• Restlessness or irritability
• Thoughts of death or suicide

These symptoms can be similar to the experiences associated with grieving the death of a loved one. However, in depression, these feelings arise without such a loss, or they last much longer than the usual cycle of grief. Assess your risk of developing depression.

You can help prevent depression from taking its toll on you.

Watch out for depression symptoms

Remember that everyone feels down sometimes, but if you experience some of the above symptoms for an extended period of time, reach out to your doctor or a loved one for support.

Pursue hobbies and interests

Join a scrap booking club, softball league or exercise class. Go bowling, golfing, or hiking. Getting out of the house and involving yourself in activities that interest you can have a positive impact on your life.

Prepare for stressful events

The anniversary of a loved one’s death, the holiday season and other periods in life can be difficult. Prepare yourself emotionally for these events as much as you can by confiding in a loved one, meeting with a counselor and writing down how you may feel during these times and how you plan to overcome symptoms of depression should they arise.

Utilize available resources

TriWest’s Behavioral Health Portal includes a variety of resources and tools on grief and depression. Use these self-help tools to get started on your path to emotional wellness.

TRICARE benefit information

Read more about the TRICARE behavioral health benefit.