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If you have a long-term illness, it's natural to feel low once in a while.¹ But if you feel down most of the time, you could be depressed.

If you think you might be depressed, read through these questions:

• Do you feel sad or tearful most days?
• Have you lost interest in doing things you used to enjoy?
• Have you gained or lost a lot of weight without trying to?
• Do you have trouble sleeping most days, or do you sleep too much?
• Have friends or family noticed that you seem agitated or slowed down most of the time?
• Do you have far less energy than usual?
• Do you feel guilty or worthless?
• Do you have a hard time making decisions?
• Have you thought about death or killing yourself?

If you answer yes to some of these questions, you could be depressed.² Please talk with your doctor about how you feel.

Your doctor may ask you questions about your feelings and your illness. Together, you can talk about different treatments. There are good treatments for depression, but they can take time to work.

If you want to learn more about depression and how it's treated, see Depression in adults.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.