Dealing with Depression

What is depression?

Sadness is a normal feeling we all experience, especially when we encounter upsetting situations. Most of the time we cope with these sad feelings, we eventually begin to feel better, and we are able to recover from the event without treatment. Depression is different from sadness related to grief and loss or a temporarily upsetting event. When people experience depression nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and have significant symptoms, they may meet criteria for a clinical diagnosis.

"The most common type of mood disorder is Major Depressive Disorder, which affects 6.8% of adults any given year" (MHFA). Major Depressive Disorder (most often referred to as major depression or clinical depression) is a mood disorder that can affect emotions, thoughts, behavior, and physical well-being, making it difficult to perform daily living activities, to fulfill everyday responsibilities, and to have satisfying relationships with others.

How do I know if I have depression?

Symptoms:
- unusually sad mood, loss of enjoyment or interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, lack of energy and tiredness, feeling worthless, thinking about death or wishing to be dead, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feeling agitated, sleep problems, change in appetite
Emotions:
- sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and irritability
Thoughts:
- self-criticism, self-blame, worry, pessimism, impaired memory, indecisiveness, believing others see you in a negative light, suicidal thoughts
Behavior:
- crying, withdrawal from others/isolation, neglecting responsibilities, lacking self-care/poor hygiene, loss of motivation, slowed down, using alcohol or other drugs
Physical:
- chronic fatigue, weight gain or weight loss, sleeping too little or too much, headaches, constipation, loss of sexual desire, unexplained aches and pains

Some children and adolescents experience irritability rather than sadness when they are depressed. And, the likelihood of onset increases with puberty.

Are there different kinds of depression?

Other mood disorders include Bipolar Disorder, Post-Partum Depression, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Seasonal Depression, and Chronic Depression, also known as Dysthymia.

What should I do if I'm feeling depressed?

One of the greatest helping tools for people with depression is talking to a trusted friend, family member, or a professional mental health provider. Mental health providers are trained to help people understand why they feel depressed and to help them find healthy ways to cope with depression in order to feel better.

Events that happen in relationships and between family members can contribute to feelings of depression. When people work together to solve problems, depression can be relieved. Sometimes people are able to work things out on their own, and sometimes they need help from a counselor. "Mental health professionals can provide emotional support and also teach coping skills so that you can handle feelings of depression on your own" (MHFA).

Some people try to avoid or escape from feelings of depression. Learning and practicing healthy coping strategies can produce long-lasting benefits for individuals and others in relationship with them.

Getting Help

LIFE is full of challenges, but you do not have to face them alone.

Counseling/therapy could be a helpful way to deal with these challenges.

This Life Counseling is dedicated to helping you discover solutions for managing life's difficulties.

We offer a variety of interventions to meet your unique needs in order to support you on your journey through THIS LIFE.

This Life Counseling is here to help!

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