The feeling of depression is a feeling of deep sadness. This feeling of sadness sometimes feels like it will never end. With illnesses there are many emotional changes. Your ability to talk, move, or take care of yourself may have changed.  The way you live your life as a patient or caregiver may also change during the course of an illness. Depression is a normal reaction to these changes and feeling of loss.  The loss experienced may be the loss of a significant person or thing, loss of ability to do things you like to do, loss of self worth, or loss of hope.

Note that our feelings of depression related to a change in our capabilities or a loss in our lives is part of our normal coping. Clinical depression is a diagnosis for an illness that is different from the feelings of depression we are discussing here.

Signs of Depression

• Over powering feelings of sadness
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Irritability
• Not wanting to be with friends and family
• Feeling tired
• Decreased interest in activities
• Thoughts of death
• Changes in eating habits (eating too little or too much)
• Difficulty thinking or remembering things
• Changes in sleeping habits (sleeping too little or too much)
• Crying
• Feeling that small tasks seem hard to do

What you can do:

• Remember that it is normal to feel depressed when you have an illness or when you are caring for someone who is ill.
• Talk about your feelings. Talking to your spouse, partner, friends and Home Care and Hospice team can help decrease feeling of sadness.
• Try to stay involved. Keep in touch with friends by phone or writing letters if you are able. Have a volunteer write for you if you are not able.  Invite family and friends to visit when possible.
• Find new ways to enjoy your favorite activities.
• Continue making your own choices and decisions about your care.
• Write down thoughts and feelings. Writing in a journal helps release feelings of sadness.  If you have difficulty writing, speak into a tape recorder or ask someone to write for you.
• Make a list of things you want to do. Break the list into small jobs. Ask friends to help.  Celebrate small progress.
• Let the sun shine in. Enjoy sunny days when possible.
• Surround yourself with things that feel good. For example, if you enjoy gardening, put flowers in your home. If you love to read, put those books you enjoyed or always wanted to read around you.  Read or have someone else read to you.  Take time to rest. Practice being kind to yourself.

If sadness gets worse, talk to your doctor or home care and hospice team. Medications to relieve depression may be helpful.

Please feel free to call your Suburban Hospice, Inc. team 833-888-7222 any time for questions or concerns you may have about depression. They will help you draw from your own resources and those available through Hospice to help you with this difficult time. You are not alone.