Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
Feeling sad or having
a depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure
in activities once enjoyed
Changes in appetite – weight loss
or gain unrelated to dieting
Trouble sleeping or
sleeping too much
Loss of energy or
increased fatigue
Increase in purposeless
physical activity (e.g.,
hand-wringing or pacing)
or slowed movements and
speech (actions observable
by others)
Feeling worthless
or guilty
Difficulty thinking, concentrating
or making decisions
Thoughts of death
or suicide
for a diagnosis of depression.
Risk factors for depression
Several factors can play a role in depression:
Biochemistry:
Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms
of depression.
Genetics:
Depression can run in families.
For example, if
one identical twin
has depression, the
other has a 70 percent
chance of having the
illness sometime
in life.
Personality:
People with low self-
esteem, who are easily
overwhelmed by stress,
or who are generally
pessimistic appear
to be more likely to experience depression.
Environmental factors:
Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.
appears
to live in relatively ideal circumstances.
Recognizing anxiety symptoms associated with MDD
Depression is often accompanied by anxiety symptoms, and symptoms of anxiety may be assessed as part of a diagnosis of depression.
Determining the severity
of anxiety symptoms
associated
with MDD
To help recognize and rate the severity of anxiety symptoms associated with MDD, we use the term “with anxious distress”.
Anxious distress is defined as the presence of at least two of the
following
symptoms during the majority of days of a major depressive episode:
Keyed up or tense
Unusually restless
Difficulty concentrating because of worry
Fear that something awful may happen
Afraid of
losing control
Mild
anxiety
2 symptoms
Moderate
anxiety
3 symptoms
Moderate-severe
anxiety
4-5 symptoms
Severe anxiety
4-5 symptoms
with
motor agitation
Look out for number one (that’s you!)
By putting yourself first and focusing on managing your depression, you will be better equipping yourself to
handle the obligations in your life.
It’s easy to let yourself get distracted,
but so important to take care
of yourself first, before taking care of others.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family or friends to help balance things while you focus on yourself.
Goal setting
Working toward specific goals can help you live the life you want while managing depression. You may start with setting one small goal to accomplish each day (e.g., writing down 3-5 things you’re grateful for in a journal or going to sleep an hour earlier than usual). Ask yourself, "What's one thing I can do today that helps me get closer to where I want to be?" Once you become more confident, you can work on accomplishing larger, more long-term goals. Think of the short-term goals you set as stepping-stones to your larger recovery goal.
To help you figure out what goals to set, think about:
- What’s important to you?
- What are your hopes and dreams?
- What would you like to do more of?
- What does being happy mean to you?
- What is an area of life you would like to improve (e.g., relationships)?
Short-term goal ideas
- Be out of bed by a certain time
- Finish a household task
- Call a support group
- Spend some time with family
or friends - Go for a walk in nature
- Stick to a daily schedule
Long-term goal ideas
- Improve or build a relationship with
a friend or family member - Take a class or join a club
- Volunteer your time
- Get involved in the community
Download this form to help keep track
of your short- and long-term goals.
My symptom journal
Download this helpful journal to help keep track of your symptoms.
Online resources
Call or text the crisis hotline.
1-833-456-4566
Find a therapist through Theravive.
Find a support group in Canada.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Depression in older adults.
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/depression-in-older-adults
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Depression: An information guide.
https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/guides-and-publications/depression-guide-en.pdf
WebMd. Depression in older people.
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-elderly
HelpGuide. Depression in older adults: Signs, symptoms, treatment.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-in-older-adults.htm
Healthlink BC. Depression in older adults.
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/depression-older-adults
MyHealth Alberta. Depression
in older adults.
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ug5127
Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health. Depression.
https://ccsmh.ca/projects/depression/
Please note that Lundbeck is not responsible for the content and management of the websites mentioned above.
Looking for more information?
For more information about depression and its treatment, or to find help and resources,
you can refer to
the following websites:
MOOD DISORDERS SOCIETY OF CANADA
CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
camh.ca/en/hospital/Pages/home.aspx
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
cmha.ca/document-category/mental-health
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/depression
MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/
GOVERNMENT OF QUEBEC
https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/mental-health-mental-illness/depression
Please note that Lundbeck is not responsible for the content and management of the websites mentioned above.
Learn to support loved ones who are struggling with their mental health
The Be There Certificate is a learning experience aimed at providing you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to safely support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health.
Be There Certificate
Please note that Lundbeck is not responsible for the content and management of the website mentioned above.
We hope you find this information helpful. Don’t hesitate to discuss any questions or concerns that you have about MDD with your healthcare provider.