Recognising depression and anxiety
People with a serious condition like heart failure are bound to feel very sad or down at times. However, if these feelings persist and you notice that your partner or relative is not enjoying daily activities as they used to, or that your relationship is suffering, then this could be a sign of depression.
It’s important to seek medical help for depression or anxiety as these conditions are often treatable. If left they can make your partner’s condition, as well as your general health, worse.
If you see some of the following symptoms in your partner or relative consistently for more than two weeks, then they may be depressed:
- despondent mood/feeling sad
- more irritable than usual
- changes in appetite
- loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- withdrawal from others
- excessive sleepiness or waking too early
- constantly tired/no energy
- feeling worthless or guilty
- feelings of hopelessness
- thoughts of death and suicide.
Your partner or relative may be overly anxious if they have any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks:
- excessive worry
- fear
- showing more tension than usual
- restlessness
- feeling jumpy or shaky.
