How do I deal with a depressed patient?

Caregivers have dealt with depression of all sorts, and they know that there is no shame in feeling depressed.

The best thing you can do for a depressed patient is identify that she is depressed and tell a doctor or a psychiatrist. Help the patient get the help she needs.

Below are seven signs of depression, most of which are behavioral extremes:

1. Bleakness of outlook; feelings of despair, helplessness and hopelessness

2. Swift weight gain or weight loss

3. Sleeping problems, such as too much sleep, extreme fatigue or insomnia

4. Unusual jumpiness or curious sluggishness

5. Losing interests in things they once found important

6. Strong feelings of guilt and self-loathing, severe self-criticism of supposed faults

7. Difficulty concentrating