Learn to recognize the symptoms of clinical depression:

1) a persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood

2) sleeping too little, especially early-morning waking, or sleeping too much

3) loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

4) restlessness or irritability

5) persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment (such as headaches, chronic pain, constipation or digestive disorders)

6) difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

7) fatigue or loss of energy

8) feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

9) thoughts of death of suicide

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, you may be suffering from clinical depression.

Clinical depression is treatable at any age--it is not normal to become depressed as you grow older. For more information call the Mental Health Association of Roanoke Valley at (540) 344-0931. You can also call 1-800-HIT-HOME for counseling.