Depressed? Prozac can help!

Depression is often described as an illness with at least five of the following symptoms. At least one of them must be symptom number 1 or 2 (American Psychiatric Association, 1994): 1. sadness or depressed mood. This is where Prozac may help. 2. loss of interest or pleasure in all or most things that you usually enjoy 3. significant weight loss or gain 4. difficulty sleeping (too much or too little sleep) 5. feeling very restless (unable to sit still) or feeling very slowed down 6. being tired all the time 7. having feelings of worthlessness or guilt 8. difficulty thinking or concentrating 9. having repeated thoughts of death or dying These symptoms need to be present for a period of at least two weeks and occur most of the day nearly every day. Furthermore, you must rule out other factors such as medical illness or the effects of drugs, alcohol, or certain medications, which could cause these symptoms. These symptoms need to be present for a period of at least two weeks and occur most of the day nearly every day. Furthermore, you must rule out other factors such as medical illness or the effects of drugs, alcohol, or certain medications, which could cause these symptoms.