DEPRESSION

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What is depression?

Depression is a common health problem that affects how you feel and how you are able to cope with life.

It is especially common in adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease. This is because having a chronic illness that results in pain and life- threatening complications (like sickle cell disease) can increase the risk for depression.

If not treated, depression can cause physical problems. It can also affect your ability to work, go to school, or function normally at home.

 
 

symptoms

If you have or have had any of the following symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you may have depression:

• Little interest or pleasure in doing things

• Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

• Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

• Feeling more tired or having less energy than usual

• Poor appetite, overeating, or big weight changes

• Feeling bad about yourself, having a lot of guilt, or feeling like you are a failure

• Trouble thinking or making decisions

• Moving or speaking slowly so that other people have noticed, or being so restless that you are moving around a lot more than usual.

 
 

You can also call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at:

1-800-273-8255.

 

Treatment and management

 
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Talking with your provider about steps you can take to manage your depression is a great start.

  • You and your provider might decide that it would be best for you to see a mental health specialist (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor).

  • A mental health specialist can help you to determine the best course of treatment. Treatment may include medicine, counseling, or both.

 
 
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Depression checklist

For you and your health care provider

 

Screening:

🄯 Talk with your provider about screening for depression every year. This can be done in the once with a simple set of questions.

Manage depression:

🄯 If screening shows that you have depression, talk with your provider about steps you can take to manage your depression.

🄯 Also, find out if you have any other conditions, such as anxiety, post- traumatic stress disorder, or substance abuse.

Medicine:

🄯 Ask your sickle cell provider which depression medicines would be safe for you to take.

 
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SECTION OVERVIEW

 
 

  • If you think you would be better off dead, or think you may hurt yourself in some way, you need to talk to a provider as soon as possible. You can also call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

  • Talk with your provider about screening for depression every year.

  • You should follow up with your primary care provider or mental health specialist for your depression