Recognizing Depression and Anxiety in Others

Recognizing Depression and Anxiety in Others
Learn about depression and anxiety conditions.

Depression and anxiety conditions are serious medical illnesses that affect around 50 million American adults.

Everyone has times when they're feeling down. For people with the medical condition called depression, feeling very sad or having no interest in activities can last for a long time. Sometimes this happens to people for no obvious reason, even when their lives are going well.

How to tell if your friend or family member might have depression or anxiety symptoms.
If you think someone you know might have depression or anxiety symptoms, you can help them fill out a checklist to see if their symptoms match the ones related to the condition.

Anxiety conditions can fill people's lives with overwhelming anxiety symptoms and fear. Unlike the slight anxiety caused by a stressful event, like a business presentation or a first date, anxiety conditions are constant and can grow worse with time if not treated. Each anxiety condition has its own specific symptoms, but what they all have in common is intense, irrational fear and dread.
Discover ways to help your friend or family member.
Find out how to encourage and support your loved one. Learn what it feels like to have one of these conditions. Discover how you can help yourself during this hard time. Get information about online resources and answers to often asked questions.
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Next: How to Tell
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Depression is a serious medical condition, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behavior. Children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants may be  at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior within the first few months of treatment. This risk must be balanced with the medical need. Those starting medication or changing doses should be watched closely for suicidal thoughts, worsening of depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. In children and teens, Zoloft is only approved for use in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A patient Medication Guide about "Antidepressant Medicines, Depression and Other Serious Mental Illnesses, and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions" is available.
Zoloft is not for everyone. People taking MAOIs or pimozide shouldn't take Zoloft. Concomitant use of Zoloft with NSAIDs or aspirin may be associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Side effects may include dry mouth, insomnia, sexual side effects, diarrhea, nausea and sleepiness. In studies, few people were bothered enough by side effects to stop taking Zoloft. Side effects may result from stopping Zoloft particularly when abrupt. You should, however, stop taking Zoloft if you get any of the following symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome, a rare but life-threatening reaction, such as fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, trouble thinking clearly, a change in mental functioning, sleepiness, or change in your breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure.
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as there is a potential risk to the fetus with Zoloft. Like many antidepressants, Zoloft can be present in breast milk so tell your doctor if you are nursing.
Zoloft is approved to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults over age 18. It is also approved for OCD in children and adolescents age 6-17 years.
Zoloft is not habit-forming and is not associated with weight gain. So talk to your doctor about how Zoloft might help you. Zoloft comes in 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg tablets. You and your doctor can discuss a dose for you.
The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
This product information is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.
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