DEPRESSION: PART II

* THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF INFORMATION ARTICLES

What is Depression?

A formal definition might read like this: Depression is an adjustment reaction to a life event; a mild long-standing state of sadness; or deep despair that makes it hard to function from day-to-day.

Depression is an illness, just like diabetes or heart disease. Depression is an illness that affects the entire body, not just the mind. Depression is an illness that one in five people will suffer from during their lifetime. Depression is the leading cause of alcoholism, drug abuse, and other addictions. Depression is an equal-opportunity illness - it affects all ages, both genders, all races and economic groups (However, women suffer from depression almost twice as much as men do).

Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide.

What Depression is Not:

Depression is not something to be ashamed of. Depression is not the same thing as feeling "blue" or "down". Depression is not a character flaw or the sign of a weak personality. Depression is not a "mood" someone can just snap out of (we wouldn't ask someone who has diabetes to "snap out of it").

Some thoughts about how depression may feel (note: these are not "clinical" symptoms):

- You're having trouble making simple decisions
- Things seem to be "off" or "wrong"
- Getting up in the morning takes a great deal of effort
- You don't feel hopeful or happy about anything in your life
- You can't seem to carry on a normal conversation because you're having difficulty expressing yourself
- You're crying a lot, at things that are normally insignificant or at nothing at all
- You're anxious and worried a lot
- Your senses seem dulled; food tastes bland or you don't have an appetite, music doesn't seem to affect you, and you don't feel joy in your surroundings
- You have recurring thoughts of death and/or suicide. Suicide seems like a welcome relief

Clinical Symptoms of Depression:

- Losing interest or pleasure in most activities
- Feeling anxious or irritable
- Feeling miserable, sad, or very irritable almost every day
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering
- Feeling tired, sleeping too much or too little
- Thinking of death or suicide
- Having medically unexplained aches and pains

Can I ask if someone is suicidal?

Most people are afraid to ask if someone is contemplating suicide for fear that it might upset the person or put thoughts in their head. You CANNOT cause someone to commit suicide! If at any time your depressed family member or friend is occupied with thoughts of suicide or death, call their doctor or therapist right away. Always take this kind of talk seriously. If any of the following sings are apparent, get help immediately.

Signs of suicide:

- Talking about hopelessness and worthlessness
- Suddenly becoming happier and calmer during a depressive episode
- Making unusual visits or calling people one cares about
- Making arrangements or getting one's affairs in order
- Giving things away

Take the person to the local emergency room or call 911.