When is depression a warning sign that something's wrong?

While some signs of depression are self-evident, many of us hesitate to call ourselves depressed. We'll write it off as being too tired or too stressed or justifiably sad because Boozer, our 18-year-old cat, couldn't hang on anymore. But here's the thing: Depression is actually one of the ways that your body sends a signal to you that something isn't quite working right - and that you should be thinking of coping strategies to get your mind and body on the right track.
The reason why depression is trickier than a David Blaine stunt is because some of the symptoms are on the subtle side. Your doctor - trained to be a medical detective - can put together a good treatment plan, but only if they know the whole picture. In an exam, they'll ask you about medical problems that could be related to depression. But you also want to be up front about your recent history - the changes in your life that might not be medical but can certainly influence your mood. While it may sound like you're going to confession, you should talk to your doc about major life events (like deaths in the family or financial stresses, and yes, changes in sexual pleasure or frequency, too), as well as changes in job and family situations (a retirement, for example).

Find out more about this book: You: Being Beautiful - The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty

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