Feeling Blue? You’re Not Alone

In fact, on average, 34 million Americans have depression. It is a real condition and it can be treated. Depression is not a sign of weakness. It’s your body’s way of telling you that you may need help. The good news is, you don’t have to live with depression. Learn the signs and symptoms of depression. If you think you are depressed, talk to your doctor about getting treatment.

Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health are promising. Studies show that more than 80 percent of people with depression show improvement. Yet only about 57 percent of them seek help.

So how do you know if you have depression or if you’re just feeling a bit “down in the dumps”? The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor. However, knowing what symptoms to look for can help you prepare for your doctor visit. It can help you to make the most of your time there.

Depression does have very specific symptoms. But, they may vary from person to person. Symptoms must last for 2 weeks or more and include:

Many antidepressants, like ZOLOFT (sertraline HCl), have been proven well tolerated and effective for the treatment of depression in adults. They may be right for you. Go to www.ZOLOFT.com to learn more about depression and how to talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Depression is a serious medical condition, which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behavior. A combined analysis of studies involving 9 antidepressants showed that in people under 18 this risk was 4% for those taking antidepressants compared to 2% for those taking sugar pill. This risk must be balanced with the medical need. Those starting medication should be watched closely for suicidal thoughts, worsening of depression, or unusual changes in behavior. In children and teens, ZOLOFT is only approved for use in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

ZOLOFT is not for everyone. People taking MAOIs or pimozide shouldn't take ZOLOFT. Side effects may include dry mouth, insomnia, sexual side effects, diarrhea, nausea and sleepiness. In studies, few people were bothered enough by side effects to stop taking ZOLOFT.

ZOLOFT is approved to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults over age 18. It is also approved for OCD in children and adolescents age 6 to17 years.

ZOLOFT is not habit-forming and is not associated with weight gain. So talk to your doctor about how ZOLOFT might help you. ZOLOFT comes in 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg tablets. You and your doctor can discuss a dose for you.

For full prescribing information for ZOLOFT, visit www.zoloft.com/pi.