It is important to identify signs of clinical depression such as pessimism, refusal to eat, diminished concern about personal appearance, and reluctance to make decisions. Medical referral for clinical depression is imperative because there are medications and other interventions that can effectively alleviate the feelings of sadness and despair that accompany clinical depression. One must determine if loneliness is a symptom of depression or an emotional state that can be changed by one's own efforts. Whether the lonely person is the health care giver or a health care receiver, the ability to use creative strategies for coping with loneliness can turn loneliness into a more comfortable experience.