Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include:
-Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
-Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
-Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
-Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
-Loss of energy or increased fatigue
-Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
-Feeling worthless or guilty
-Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
-Thoughts of death or suicide

Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, but they do not die as a result of their actions.
Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk. Being connected to family and community support and having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

What are the warning signs of suicide?
Warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide include:
-Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
-Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
-Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
-Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
-Talking about being a burden to others
-Withdrawing from family and friends
-Giving away important possessions
-Saying goodbye to friends and family
-Putting affairs in order, such as making a will
-Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
-Talking or thinking about death often

Other serious warning signs that someone may be at risk for attempting suicide include:
-Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
-Making a plan or looking for ways to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
-Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
-Using alcohol or drugs more often
-Acting anxious or agitated
-Changing eating or sleeping habits
-Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge