You're moody, anxious, and snappy. And nothing seems to help. How to know if what you're experiencing is a touch of the blues--or a sign of something more serious.

Celeb mom Heather Locklear was admitted to an Arizona treatment facility yesterday for psychological problems. Her rep Cece Yorke says: "Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression. She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment. This is a confidential medical matter and no further statement will be released."

What made the beautiful and wealthy star, who seemed to have found happiness in actor boyfriend Jack Wagner, fall into a downward spiral? "Clinical depression doesn't care how rich or beautiful you are--it is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain," explains friend of momlogic family therapist Shannon Fox, Ph.D. "One of the notable factors of clinical depression is that you can have everything going for you, and yet you still feel overwhelmingly sad, lethargic, even suicidal."

Could Heather's depression and anxiety have been triggered by the March arrest of ex-husband Richie Sambora after driving drunk in Laguna Beach, CA with 10-year-old daughter Ava in the car? "Nobody would deny that being a divorced, single mom is an extremely stressful job," Dr. Fox, a mom of three, says. "To add even more stress in Heather's case, her ex-husband has issues with alcohol abuse and has endangered her only daughter by driving while intoxicated. That is enough to send any mother into a tailspin. Any mom would experience anxiety when leaving her child in the care of such a man. There is a difference, however, between stress and even extreme anxiety related to a specific situation, such as your ex driving drunk with your child, and debilitating anxiety that is not situation-specific and requires medical attention to experience relief from."

But how can one tell the difference? As moms, we've all felt stressed and anxious on a daily (if not hourly) basis. And it's easy to see why. "Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs there is," says Dr. Fox. "You have a million things to do, and you often put other people's needs in front of your own, which leaves you feeling drained. But the biggest difference between being down in the dumps over the stresses of motherhood and clinical depression is that clinical depression markedly impairs your ability to function on a daily basis." To tell if you're just going through a rough patch or are clinically depressed, Dr. Fox suggests says to be on the lookout for the following warning signs:

• crying a lot
• feeling restless or irritable
• having no energy or motivation
• experiencing a loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities
• eating too much or too little
• sleeping too much or too little
• feeling worthless or guilty
• having difficulty concentrating
• withdrawing from friends and family
• having suicidal thoughts or attempts

Feeling moody or crabby while folding laundry? That's OK. Can't get out of bed or accomplish simple tasks without bursting into tears? You may need help, especially if you've felt that way (or have experienced any of the above symptoms) for 14 days or more. Still unsure? Dr. Fox recommends trying the following test: "Do something that you love to do, such as painting, yoga, or reading a great book," she advises. "If you still feel like crying after or while you are doing it, you might be experiencing more serious depression." Make an appointment with a psychologist or psychotherapist immediately. Click here for referrals in your area. Or ask your family physician to refer you to a psychiatrist (a doctor who can prescribe medication to help alleviate
your depressive symptoms). 

Embarrassed to get help? Don't be. "There is still a stigma attached to depression and anxiety, but if Heather Locklear could admit to the world that she is struggling with depression and anxiety, how bad could it be to admit it yourself?" Dr. Fox asks. "Confessing that you suffer from depression and anxiety doesn't mean that you did anything wrong. It is not your fault that the chemicals in your brain are a little out of whack. You wouldn't be embarrassed to admit that you get migraines, would you? Clinical depression and anxiety are physical illnesses, too. Trust me, I've been in practice for over 15 years and the biggest complaint clients come into my office with is depression and/or anxiety--you are not nearly alone!"

If you don't want to seek help for yourself, do it for your kids. "Children of depressed moms often become depressed or anxious themselves," Dr. Fox explains. "Children need the security of knowing that Mommy's in control and can handle the tough stuff of life. When Mom is too depressed to get out of bed, kids have to grow up too fast and take on inappropriate responsibilities for their young age. Moms should protect their children by getting the help they need." Our thoughts are with Heather as she does just that.

Moms who've struggled with depression in Hollywood are more common than you think. We've compiled a list of other celebrity mothers who've battled the blues over the years. To view them, click "more photos" on the picture above.