Your Body: Depression Dangers

iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor

Bruce Springsteen has recently discussed his battles with depression, and revealed that he’s not alone and — fortunately — has a support system.

A recent study says millions of depressed Americans may be falling through the cracks, however. Nearly 3 in 4 American adults, who would meet the clinical criteria for depression, may not even be getting screened for it.

Here are some signs you may be depressed:

  • If you are having trouble sleeping — either too much, or struggling with insomnia.
  • If you’ve noticed a change in appetite.
  • If you’re not finding joy in things that used to make you happy.

If you’re experiencing these signs, ask for help. This is 2016 — let’s help drop the stigma regarding psychiatric or mental illness, and think of it like having high blood pressure. If you had hypertension you would treat it, right? There’s help for depression.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print