时差N小时:抑郁症的警讯

Dear Annie: Today I mourn the loss of a dearfriend. She was vibrant, energetic and full of life,but on a crisp autumn afternoon, she committedsuicide.

亲爱的安妮：今天我要悼念一位亲密的朋友。她曾是一位热情活泼，精力充沛，生机勃勃的女生，然而在一个萧瑟的秋天的下午，她自杀了。

I do not know what transpired in the final hoursof her life, but I do know she had been under atremendous amount of stress. I have been in thehealth care profession for many years and am ashamed to say I missed the warning signs.

我不知道在她生命的最后时刻发生了什么，但我知道她一直都承受着巨大的压力。我从事医疗保健行业多年，但羞愧的是我竟然忽略了这个警讯。

I ask your readers to take the time to really listen to others and be aware of the warningsigns of depression.—Michelle in Greensboro, N.C.

恳请读者们花点时间去倾听别人，及时发现忧郁症的征兆。——北卡罗来纳州格林斯伯勒的米歇尔。

Dear Michelle: Our condolences on your terrible loss. According to the National Institutes ofHealth, symptoms of depression include: persistent sad or anxious feelings; feelings ofhopelessness and/or pessimism; feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness;irritability, restlessness; loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable; fatigue anddecreased energy; difficulty concentrating and making decisions; insomnia, early-morningwakefulness or excessive sleeping; overeating or appetite loss; thoughts of suicide;persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even withtreatment.

亲爱的米歇尔：对于你痛失爱友，我们表示深切的慰问。国家卫生部公布抑郁症包括以下症状：长期感到悲伤和焦虑;感到绝望，厌世;有负罪感，否定自我的价值;坐立不安;对日常生活缺乏兴趣，丧失愉快感;整日无精打采，精力下降;无法集中注意力，反应迟钝;失眠，早醒或睡眠过度;暴饮暴食或食欲不振;产生自杀的念头;持续性疼痛，头疼，痉挛或消化不振，经治疗依然不见好转。

It is easy to miss the signs if you aren't looking because your friend or family memberseems fine, but depression increases during the winter months. Please tell your loved oneshow much they mean to you.

如果不注意观察，很容易错失这些迹象，因为表面看来你的朋友或家人似乎都很健康。而且抑郁症在冬季会更加严重。请告诉你爱的人，他们对你来说有多重要。