Living with Depression

Major depressive disorder, also known as depression, is a lifelong condition that can affect your relationships, work, and leisure-time activities. That's why it's important for you and your loved ones to understand that depression is an illness and learn what treatment options you have. The more you learn, the better able you will be to make informed treatment decisions.

Impact of Depression

A depressive episode can last a short or a long time—sometimes it can last for years. During an episode, you may feel like pulling away from your family and friends. Everyday tasks may seem too big to handle. You may lose interest in the activities that you once enjoyed. You may want to isolate yourself from others who may want to offer their support.

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Individuals are intended to be representative of patients with MDD and are not actual patients. They are intended to represent MDD patients who have experienced inadequate response after at least 6 weeks of treatment with an antidepressant. Caregivers and health care professionals seen here are intended to be representative of people who play an important and supportive role in the lives of MDD patients. The stories and experiences with treatment may not be representative of all patients with MDD. Only a health care professional can diagnose a patient.

Find Support

Remember, you're not alone. There are millions of other people whose lives have been affected by depression. Reach out to family, friends, and coworkers. Look into the many support organizations at your disposal. You can also find a variety of tools and resources in the helpful tools section that are designed to help you manage your depression, along with your health care professional.

Take an Active Role

Your doctor is there to assist you, but he or she can't do it alone. Your doctor needs your help. Here are guidelines to keep in mind to help make the most of your treatment.

Be open about your symptoms
Be honest about concerns
Be thorough about any changes since your last visit, and your overall well-being
Ask your doctor what you can do to get the most out of your treatment plan
Together, you and your doctor can develop a plan that feels realistic—and therefore easier to stick with

Getting the Help You Need

Work closely with your health care professional to develop a treatment plan for managing your depression symptoms. Seek support from family and friends so you can get back on track. You may also want to look into depression support groups. These groups are specially designed to assist people living with mental illness and learning how to overcome depression.

Here are a few more resources that are designed to assist someone living with depression.

Helpful tools that can make it easier to work with your health care professional
Support and resources from organizations, advocacy groups, and support groups

Still trying to get ahead of your depression?

Learn more

Important Safety Information and Indications for Seroquel XR and Seroquel

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). Seroquel XR and Seroquel are not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Patients, families, and caregivers should pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor. Seroquel XR is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years. Seroquel is not approved for patients under the age of 10 years.

Stop Seroquel XR or Seroquel and call your doctor right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms: high fever; stiff muscles; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure. These may be symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare and serious condition that can lead to death
High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with Seroquel XR, Seroquel, and medicines like them. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, your doctor should check your blood sugar before you start taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel and also during therapy. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening
Increases in triglycerides and in LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreases in HDL (good) cholesterol have been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels before you start Seroquel XR or Seroquel and during therapy
Weight gain has been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel. Your doctor should check your weight regularly
Tell your doctor about any movements you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts, as they may be signs of a serious condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD may not go away, even if you stop taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel. TD may also start after you stop taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel
Other risks include feeling dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, decreases in white blood cells (which can be fatal), or trouble swallowing. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these
Increases in blood pressure have been reported with Seroquel in children and teenagers. Your doctor should check blood pressure in children and adolescents before starting Seroquel and during therapy
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you have or have had low white blood cell count, seizures, abnormal thyroid tests, high prolactin levels, heart or liver problems, or cataracts. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter
Since drowsiness has been reported with Seroquel XR and Seroquel, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel. Do not drink alcohol while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Avoid breast-feeding while taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel
For Seroquel XR, the most common side effects in adults are drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, increased appetite, upset stomach, weight gain, fatigue, disturbance in speech and language, and stuffy nose. For Seroquel, the most common side effects in adults are drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, sore throat, weight gain, sluggishness, abnormal liver tests, and upset stomach. The most common side effects in children and adolescents are drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, and weight gain
Do not stop taking Seroquel XR or Seroquel without talking to your doctor. Stopping Seroquel XR or Seroquel suddenly may cause side effects

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information for both products with your health care provider.

Indications

Seroquel XR is a once-daily tablet approved in adults for (1) add-on treatment to an antidepressant for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who did not have an adequate response to antidepressant therapy; (2) acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; (3) acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or with lithium or divalproex; (4) long-term treatment of bipolar disorder with lithium or divalproex; and (5) schizophrenia. Seroquel is approved for (1) acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder in adults; (2) acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder in adults when used alone or with lithium or divalproex; (3) acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder in children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 years; (4) long-term treatment of bipolar disorder in adults with lithium or divalproex; (5) schizophrenia in adults and (6) schizophrenia in adolescents ages 13-17 years.

Click here to see the Prescribing Information for Seroquel XR, including Boxed Warnings.

Click here to see the Medication Guide for Seroquel XR.

Click here to see the Prescribing Information for Seroquel, including Boxed Warnings.

Click here to see the Medication Guide for Seroquel.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about Seroquel XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if Seroquel XR is right for you.

Patient photos are intended to be representative of typical patients with bipolar disorder and/or major depressive disorder and are not of actual patients.

Prescribing Information

Medication Guides