Depression

Depression is not a weakness of character. It is a medical condition that affects a person's eating, sleeping, working, and getting along with friends. A clinically depressed person cannot simply "snap out of it" any more than a person with an ulcer could simply will it away. 

Depression affects a person's physical health, as well as how he or she feels, thinks, and acts toward others. It brings about a mixture of feelings and thoughts that can cause someone to depart from his or her usual behavior.

Depression affects more people than any other mental health condition. Unfortunately, fewer than half of the people who have depression seek treatment. Too many people believe that depression is a normal part of life’s ups and downs, rather than a real health problem. As a result, they may delay seeking help or not seek help at all. The good news is that it is possible to manage the symptoms of depression.

There are several types of depression - major depression, dysthymia, bipolar depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Clinical Depression or major depression is a serious and common disorder of mood that is pervasive, intense and attacks the mind and body at the same time. Current theories indicate that clinical depression may be associated with an imbalance of chemicals in the brain . Other factors may also come into play, such as negative life experiences including stress or loss, medication, other medical illnesses, and certain personality traits and genetic factors.

Symptoms of depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping more than usual
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Dysthymia is a milder form of depression that lasts two years or more. It is the second most common type of depression but because people with dysthymia may only have two or three symptoms, may be overlooked and go undiagnosed and untreated.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that follows seasonal rhythms, with symptoms occurring in the winter months and diminishing in spring and summer. Current research indicates that the absence of sunlight triggers a biochemical reaction that may cause symptoms such as loss of energy, decreased activity, sadness, excessive eating and sleeping.

Bipolar Disorder also known as manic-depression, is a type of mental illness that involves a disorder of affect or mood. The person's mood usually swings between overly "high" or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, with periods of normal mood in between.

May is Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month was created more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. 

Mental Health Month information taken from Mental Health America http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may/

For more information on depression, please visit:

A Place of Hope - Intensive Christianity based treatment for depression, anxiety, anger and more.

Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitationhttp://www.bu.edu/cpr/resources/index.html

National Depressive and Manic-Depression Association (also known as Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) Toll Free: (800)826-3632 http://www.ndmda.org/

National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. Toll Free: (800) 239-1265 http://www.ifred.org/ifacts.html

For tips on serving customers with depression, please visit: www.chemeketa.edu/wso/servingdepression.html

Updated September, 2009 by Cassy Polen, Disability Program Navigator.