Are You Feeling Blue?

It always seems that the winter months bring on depressive feelings in people more often than at any other time of the year. We all get down periodically and you might be relieved to know that experiencing these feelings once in awhile (otherwise known as having a case of the blues) is perfectly normal.

Depression, however is a more serious condition that just feeling low now and then. Depression is a complex and critical problem that can affect us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It can affect our relationships with friends and family leading to marital and family distress. When these feelings persist over longer periods of time, the effects can be debilitating.

Some symptoms of Depression are:

• Feelings of Helplessness and Hopelessness
• Persistent Sadness and despair
• Feelings of Worthlessness, guilt or apathy
• Difficulty sleeping
• General fatigue
• Diminished sex drive
• Anxiety
• Changes in normal eating habits, gaining or losing weight
• Alcohol and/or drug abuse
• Loss of Pleasure in usual activities
• Difficulty Concentrating
• General Fatigue or Loss of Energy

The symptoms listed above make it very clear that to be depressed is to suffer. The hopelessness and helplessness that people experience when they are depress is more than just a frame of mind, it can be an entire way of being. People withdraw and stop trying, they stop caring about and for themselves, and this inevitably makes them worse. As their lives deteriorate, family and friends are affected as well. It is difficult to maintain closeness with someone who is constantly negative and critical, or disinterested in having fun. Partners feel hurt and alienated, children feel responsible and guilty and these feeling can often turn to resentment. In this cause and effect cycle the depressive symptoms can get worse.

When to get help.

The best time to go for help is in the beginning, before your symptoms get really bad. Depression is progressive and without some type of intervention, either personal or professional, it can get worse. Some red flags might be when you, a family member, or close friend notice that depressive feelings are beginning to affect your life in negative ways. If you are not clear about what you need to do to make things better, you should talk to a professional.

It is essential to take the following into account when deciding to seek professional treatment;

• Suicidal thoughts or feelings
• Acute depression turning chronic
• Lifestyle disruption
• Reality testing

Types of Treatment

As with any change in our general health it is always good to have a medical checkup to rule out any organic causes for depression.

The most commonly used treatments for depression are psychotherapy and antidepressant medication and many people use a combination of the two.

There are many different antidepressant medications available and there have been many improvements in these drugs over the last 10 -20 years. Speaking to a psychiatrist can help you decide which medication will be the most viable for you. A psychotherapist can also help you decide whether medication is a necessary adjunct to your treatment.

Psychotherapy is often as effective as medication. Although not as fast acting, it can be superior to drug therapy because rather than just dealing with symptoms, psychotherapy addresses the root cause of our depression. The three most effective therapies for depression are

• Cognitive therapy (which teaches us how to identify and correct distorted thinking),
• Behavior therapy (which teaches us how to behave more effectively)
• Interpersonal therapy (which teaches relationships skills).

Depression is highly responsive to good treatment and good treatment is available from a variety of sources.