Depression Impact Tool

The Depression Impact Tool allows you to learn about depression and build a list of your symptoms, as well as rate how much those symptoms affect your life. Choose a number from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates that the symptom has no impact on your everyday life and 10 indicates that the symptom has the greatest impact on your everyday life. It is important to remember that this is not a "score," but a way to communicate how much you believe the symptom affects your everyday life.

When you finish, you'll be able to print out your symptoms and share this information with your doctor. Rate all that apply to you.

Cymbalta and depression

Treating depression with Cymbalta

Sadness throughout the day, nearly every day
Feeling sad is a natural part of life, but prolonged sadness can be a symptom associated with depression, especially if you find that your sadness interferes with everyday life.

Loss of interest in or enjoyment of your favorite activities
If you have lost interest in the things you once enjoyed, like going to the movies, hanging out with friends, or walking the dog, you may be experiencing one of the common symptoms of depression.

Feelings of worthlessness
Do you feel like you don't matter or that you don't deserve to be happy? Have you experienced these feelings for an extended period of time?

Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt
Having excessive feelings of guilt should raise a red flag. Are you constantly blaming yourself when things don't turn out well? You may have done nothing wrong, but maybe you feel like what you do is never right.

Thoughts of death or suicide
Thoughts of death or suicide are common in depression, and it's important to take these thoughts seriously. If you feel like giving up, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline, 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).

Trouble making decisions
Having trouble making decisions? Do the little things frustrate you? Do some decisions seem too overwhelming or burdensome?

Fatigue or lack of energy
Feeling tired or fatigued nearly every day may be associated with depression. Do you drag yourself out of bed each morning? Do you feel like you have no energy to make dinner or do laundry?

Sleeping too much or too little
Sleeping too much or not enough may be a symptom of depression. Do you stay awake at night and feel sleepy during the day? Studies suggest that many with depression may have a variety of sleep problems.

Change in appetite or weight
A weight change of more than 5% (up or down) in a month when you haven't been trying to gain or lose weight may be a sign of depression.

Trouble concentrating
Has your performance at work gone down because you can't concentrate? Are you unable to focus on your daily tasks and projects? Is your mind always racing?

Feeling Slowed Down
Has your speech slowed? Do you feel like your thinking has slowed? Are you moving more slowly?

Restlessness
Are you easily agitated? Do you have trouble sitting still? Do you pace back and forth?

Important Safety Information About Cymbalta

Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Be especially observant within the first few months of treatment or after a change in dose. Approved only for adults 18 and over.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?

You should not take Cymbalta if:

You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
You are taking Mellaril^® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?

Before starting Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

about all of your medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, glaucoma, diabetes, seizures, or if you have bipolar disorder. Cymbalta may worsen a type of glaucoma or the control of blood sugar in some patients with diabetes
about your alcohol use
if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life-threatening condition
if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose
about your blood pressure. Cymbalta can increase your blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure prior to and while taking Cymbalta
if you experience headache, weakness, confusion, problems concentrating, memory problems, or feel unsteady while taking Cymbalta which may be signs of low sodium levels
if you develop problems with urine flow

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?

The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

Other safety information about Cymbalta:

Cymbalta may cause sleepiness and dizziness. Until you know how Cymbalta affects you, you should not drive a car or operate hazardous machinery.

Please read additional Safety Information and Boxed Warning for a complete list.