Am I Depressed?

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder.  Sometimes it’s difficult to sort out what’s going on, what to do and when to get help.

Common Types & Signs (From National Institute of Mental Health)

  • Major Depression: severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes.
  • Persistent depressive disorder:  depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms.
  • Postpartum (Perinatal) depression: much more serious than the “baby blues” . The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany perinatal depression may make it difficult for new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.
  • Psychotic depression: occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such delusions or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme”.
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer.  Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.
  • Bipolar is cycling of mania and depression highs lows, and used to be “manic depressive disorder”.

Some risk factors to depression are-

  • Personal or family history of depression
  • Major life changes, trauma, or stress
  • Certain physical illnesses and medications

Many behaviors of depressed people make the problem worse-

  • Seclusion activities: video gaming, tv, internet
  • Numbing activities: alcohol, drugs, unhealthy eating
  • Sleep Issues: off sleep cycle, racing thoughts, anxiety

There are many things that can help-

  • Set realistic goals, break large tasks into smaller ones.
  • Be around people, even when it’s tough. We are wired to connect and that social interaction can really help.
  • Get out and do things that you love!  Go to a movie, ballgame, church, social event…it really doesn’t matter what, just get out and engaged.
  • Exercise!  You don’t have to run a marathon; movement from walking your dog can kick start the ‘feel good’ hormones that exercise produces.
  • Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.
  • Think happy- surround yourself with positive influences and choose to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
  • Prayer and gratitude- keeping a journal to help sort out the difficult feelings and focus on thankfulness can really help.
  • Get out doors- or at least open the windows, fresh air and sunshine is so good for us!
  • Eat well- junk food really affects our function.  Go for fresh foods.  Avocados and nuts are great for lifting mood.
  • Let your family and friends help you.

Sometimes more help is needed

Life is meant to be enjoyed.  If feelings of depression, hopelessness or feeling down have lasted more than two weeks, talking with someone can really help.  You are not alone.  Many parents, kids and teens go through difficult phases.  A professional counselor or physician can often help sort things out.

With hope and joy-

Jenna Fleming is a licensed professional counselor serving kids, teens and parents in Georgetown, TX.   She offers counseling services, courses and classes to help families enjoy life more fully and get to a smoother, healthier path.

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