|
It’s natural to worry when you learn that you have heart failure. It’s normal to feel frustrated and sad at times as you get used to the changes in your life.
Sometimes you can feel so sad and frustrated that it sets off depression. Depression is more than just feeling “down” at times. It is a serious medical condition. It can affect your life, appetite, sleep, work, and relationships.
Signs of depression
If you react so strongly to having heart failure that you can’t cope with your feelings, or if you lose interest in your usual activities for at least two weeks, you may have clinical depression.
Talk with a doctor if you have at least five of the following symptoms:
- Frequent sad feelings that last most of the day
- Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty for no reason
- Sleep problems
- Changes in appetite, and weight loss or gain
- Feeling irritable
- Trouble concentrating; feeling indecisive
- Feeling restless
- Loss of self esteem
- Thoughts of death or suicide
If you (or someone you love) have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor. He or she can make sure that you get the right form of therapy.
Learn more about depression.
Also of Interest
|
