Depressive Symptoms

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder

Depressive Symptoms

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression there is help.

What is Depression? Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. It effects how we think and how we handle our daily life. Depression will look different for everyone.

National Alliance on Mental Illness:
What is Depression?

Some common symptoms of depression

Loss of interest or sadness in usual activities most of the day.
Easily irritable with lack of interest in almost all, or nearly all activities in the day or every day.
Feelings of hopelessness where you may no longer value things that once were important as well as feeling helpless, isolated, worthless, etc.
Feelings of excessive guilt nearly every day.

Anxiety
Loss of energy or fatigue nearly every day.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions nearly every day.
Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

Talk to a doctor if you are having symptoms of depression that are lasting that effect your activities and daily living.

Why should I ask for help? Recognizing the symptoms of depression is the first step in seeking help. If left unaddressed it can make it hard for you to get through each day. It’s ok to feel helpless. Prioritizing your mental health is important to your well-being.

Experiencing depression can increase the risk of many types of physical and mental health problems that could lead to long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

How depression affects
the body

Changes in appetite
Changes in weight
Inflammation
Causes headaches, stomachaches, or other aches and pains
Trouble sleeping, over-sleeping, or insomnia
Fatigue or lower energy levels
Decreased pain tolerance
Eye problems or decreasing vision
Digestive problems or IBS

How depression affects
the mind

Memory problems
Trouble thinking clearly
Anxiety
Uncontrollable emotions
Suicidal thoughts
Mood swings
Excessive crying
General discontent
Loss of interest
Social isolation

Some things you can
do now

- Take a short walk
- Learn breathing techniques to help you relax like this video
- Write in a journal
- Maintain your hygiene like flossing your teeth or taking a shower
- Make sure to eat something
- Reach out to a trusted person in your life and share how you are feeling

No matter what you are going through, there are
things you can do to help improve your mood.

Ways to Cope with Depression

Develop a strong support network		Reduce your stress level

Improve your sleep		Avoid procrastination

Develop good nutrition		Learn to curb negative thinking

Create a wellness toolbox		Keep up with household chores

Health Plan Services

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression there is help. Your doctor is ready to help you. Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan (“Health Plan”) has a team that can help connect you to resources. Visit https://www.hpsj.com/behavioral-health-services/ for more information.

Health Plan members have access to listen to the audio health library topics (English or Spanish) 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 800-655-8294.

Social Service Case Management
Call to get resources if you need help to pay for food, rent, or other social needs that might be causing you stress. Call 209-942-6395 Monday to Friday 8 AM – 5 PM

Behavioral Health Services
Your emotional well-being matters. If the stress you feeling is too much you always have access to therapists and other related experts. Call Behavioral Health Services 888-581-7526.

Case Management
A program that gives you care to meet your health needs with other chronic health issues. Our nurses work with you, your doctors, and the person taking care of you. To join you can call 209-942-6352.

HealthReach 24/7 Nurse Advice Line
Need to ask a question about your health? Call a nurse or doctor 24/7 at 800-655-8294 to speak with someone when you’re not feeling well.

Depressive Symptoms

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder