Research has shown that people who survive a life-threatening trauma are at increased risk of suffering depression, a sense of hopelessness that can disrupt a person’s ability to function. People who have suffered from a critical illness or chronic disability, such as heart attack, stroke or a mental health problem, are also at high risk for depression.

There are many reasons why this is the case. Depression may be a response to a sense of loss and frustration caused by diminished abilities due to illness. The illness itself may affect the physical or metabolic functioning of the brain.

Depression is an illness

It is important to remember that depression is also a very real illness. It is not a sign of weakness, or something someone can will away or simply “snap out of.” Depression can change the way people think and behave and the way a body functions. It can also interfere with someone’s ability to follow important care instructions pertaining to illness, such as those concerning meals and medications.

If you suspect you may be suffering from depression, talk to your doctor or caregiver. Don’t ignore the symptoms or hope they will go away on their own. Depression can be treated in a variety of methods, including counselling, medication or a combination of these.

Take this to your doctor

You can use this printable checklist to see if you have the symptoms of depression.

Print two copies, and keep track of how you feel and behave for two weeks. Each day, rate your experience of each symptom on a scale of 0-5:
0 = not at all; 1 = mild; 2 = slight; 3 = medium; 4 = strong; 5 = intense.

Take the completed tables to your doctor or caregiver, as a starting point for discussion