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Step # 1

Ask yourself, "How much is your daily functioning and life satisfaction impeded by physical symptoms, or negative emotions, or negative thinking? (more days than not- take depression screening.)

Step #2

Review the depression checklist below. If your symptoms are severe enough to qualify for, "depression", please consult your medical doctor and seek counseling services.

Most depressive symptoms can be reduced within a month of beginning anti-depressant or antipsychotic medications along with counseling services. (©NIMH 2025)

Life transitions	grief/loss issues	complicated grief	depression
Job loss	relationship disappointments	terminal illness	(see checklist below)
Age-related passages	death of a loved one	chronic illness/disability Caregiver issues

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Grief symptoms can be confused with depression during the initial shock after a sudden death or severe loss of any kind. Grief differs from depression in that symptoms are less severe and less persistent. You will have good days, good moods, and relief from grief when you keep your mind and body busy. Grief moves in and out like the waves of the ocean while you still work, take care of children and family, and feel some enjoyment. A grieving person still enjoys children, lovers, and friends and finds some relief in relationships.

Depression is like a constant black cloud that is always over your head and can totally distort a person's attitude and motivations for living. A person who is depressed loses interest in daily activities that he/she usually enjoys and loses interest in his/her relationships.

Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated by your account or observation of others.

And the presence of 2 or more of the following:

• Poor appetite or overeating
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Low energy or fatigue
• Low self-esteem
• Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness

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