Body and Energy
Physical changes that may happen
- Low energy or fatigue
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Appetite or weight changes
- Headaches or body aches
- Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
Depression can affect mood, sleep, energy, appetite, focus, and daily life.
Depression
Book AppointmentRecognizing Depression Symptoms
Depression can look different from person to person. These signs do not diagnose depression, but they are reasons to talk with a qualified provider.
Mood Changes
How depression may feel
- Sadness or emptiness
- Hopelessness
- Irritability
- Guilt or worthlessness
- Loss of interest in usual activities
Daily Life Signs
How depression may affect routines
- Withdrawing from family or friends
- Missing school, work, or responsibilities
- Using alcohol or substances to cope
- Difficulty keeping up with hygiene or meals
- Avoiding activities you used to enjoy
Thinking and Focus
How depression may affect thoughts
- Trouble concentrating
- Indecision
- Negative thoughts about yourself
- Feeling like a burden
- Thoughts of death or self-harm
When to Seek Help for Depression
Call for support if mood changes last more than two weeks, interfere with daily life, or worry you or someone close to you.
- Symptoms last most days for more than two weeks
- You stop enjoying things that usually matter to you
- Sleep, appetite, work, or school are affected
- You feel hopeless or overwhelmed
- You are using alcohol or substances to cope
- You have thoughts of self-harm or suicide
How We Support Depression Care
Care depends on your symptoms and history. Options may include counseling, primary care evaluation, medication discussion, follow-up visits, or referral.
Mental Health
Counseling and Support
- Talk through symptoms and stressors
- Build coping and safety strategies
- Include family support when appropriate
- Referral may be recommended depending on need
Primary Care
Health Review
- Review sleep, medications, and health history
- Consider medical contributors when appropriate
- Discuss lifestyle supports without blame
- Coordinate with mental health care when needed
Medication
Medication Discussion
- Discuss benefits and risks clearly
- Review side effects and safety
- Follow up to monitor progress
- Medication is not required for everyone
This page is educational and is not a diagnosis or a replacement for medical advice. Care options depend on your symptoms, safety needs, health history, provider availability, and whether services are offered in-house or by referral.
How to Start Depression Support
A simple path to talking about mood, sleep, energy, safety, and care options with a provider.
Call or Request a Visit
Tell us you want to talk about mood, stress, sleep, or mental health. You do not need the perfect words.
Talk With a Provider
We ask about symptoms, safety, health history, medications, and what support you have.
Review Care Options
Your provider can discuss counseling, primary care support, medication questions, telehealth when appropriate, or referral based on your needs.
Plan Follow-Up Safely
Depression support often works best with follow-up. Do not stop or change medicines without guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.
Understanding Depression
Depression can affect mood, body, thoughts, sleep, and daily life, and support is available.
Depression is more than having a hard day. It can affect mood, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, work, school, relationships, and interest in activities that usually matter to you.
A clinic visit can help you describe what has changed, review safety, consider possible medical contributors, and discuss whether counseling, primary care support, medication questions, telehealth, or referral may be appropriate. This page is educational and does not diagnose depression or replace medical advice from your provider.
Related resources: Depression Support, Anxiety Support, Telehealth Visits, Annual Checkups, Anxiety, Conditions We Treat, FAQs, and Contact.
Depression Can Look Different for Each Person
Some people feel sad or tearful. Others feel numb, irritable, tired, disconnected, guilty, or overwhelmed. Any persistent change that affects daily life is worth discussing with a provider.
Safety Comes First
If you may harm yourself or someone else, call 911. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Depression FAQs
Short answers for patients and families.
Depression is a health condition that can affect mood, body, thoughts, and behavior. A qualified provider can help evaluate symptoms and discuss care options.
Not always. Some people use counseling, lifestyle supports, or other strategies. Medication may be discussed when symptoms are moderate, severe, or persistent.
Encourage them to call for help. If they may harm themselves or someone else, call 911 or 988 right away.
Yes. Primary care is a common place to start. We can talk through symptoms and recommend next steps.
If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. If depression symptoms feel unsafe, severe, or rapidly worsening, seek urgent help.
Do not stop or change prescribed medicines based only on website information. Some medicines need careful adjustment. If you have side effects, cost concerns, or questions, contact your provider for guidance.
