What is depression?

Major Depression or as it is often referred to as Clinical depression can have many symptoms. These symptoms may vary in quantity and severity from person to person. Symptoms can include... Persistent sad, anxious, or empty moods. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism. Feelings of helplessness, guilt or worthlessness, Loss of appetite or over eating and weight gain. Loss of interest in sex or hobbies or other activities that you once enjoyed... .Thoughts of death or suicide... Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions. Other symptoms may include over sleeping or insomnia. Decreased energy, fatigue, restlessness, irritability. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain, headaches and digestive disorders.

Another type of depressive disorder is manic-depressive illness. This illness is not as prevalent as Clinical Depression. A manic depressive can experience any or all of the symptoms of Clinical Depression when in a depressed cycle. When in a manic cycle one can experience additional symptoms which can include... disconnected and racing thoughts... Inappropriate elation... Inappropriate irritability... Severe insomnia... Grandiose notions... Increased talking... Increased sexual desire... Increased energy... Inappropriate social behavior. This tape is not appropriate for the Manic Depressive. Manic Depression must be treated with the appropriate medication. Manic Depressive disorders are treated differently than Clinical Depression. This is another reason why consultations with a Psychiatrist is so essential. In most cases the symptoms of manic depressive disorders are relieved with medication alone.

Seasonal Affective Disorder
Another form of depression researchers refer to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. If you notice your feelings of depression are tied to the winter months of decreased sunlight and lack of out-door activities, you may be suffering from SAD! The symptoms may be... a craving for carbohydrates... that includes sugars and starchy foods.... Other symptoms include over sleeping... over eating... fatigue... social withdrawal and decreased sexual desires.

Causes of Clinical or Major Depression
Opinions from the professional community seem to vary. Some say a chemical imbalance causes depression and others say depression causes a chemical imbalance. If there is a common thread as to the cause, it would seem to be "compulsive negative thinking". This is also a mixed bag as some professionals say there is not necessarily always a cause. Some of the type of thinking that can lead to "compulsive negative thinking" and depression are:

•Loss (of any kind: through. death, job loss, divorce, health, pet's death,
           financial change, moving, change in relationships
•Anger directed inward
•Guilt
•Unresolved conflict
•Loneliness

Other factors:
•Genetic
•Chemical imbalances
•Seasonal changes (also see Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D.)
•Resulting from different stages in life
•Success
•History of depression
•Illness
•Medications

Characteristics of depression
•Loss of interest in usual activities
•Loss of appetite
•Constantly tired, lack of energy
•Sleep disturbances
•Mood swings
•Lack of feelings
•Often angry and irritable
•Unable to concentrate
•Slowdown both mentally and physically
•Spiritual "emptiness"
•Crying-a lot
•Aches and pains that won't go away
•Low self-esteem
•Mostly negative feelings and thoughts
•Cannot cope
•Feelings of hopeless
•Thoughts of death and/or suicide
•Problems with relationships
•Job or school problems

How to help a depressed person
•Be patient
•Accept the person as they are
•Listen and "be there" for them
•Encourage and support (but be realistic)
•Encourage them to express feelings
•Help to identify the problem
•Help them to do something
•Affirm accomplishments no matter how small
•Pray for them (with them if appropriate)
•Focus on their relationship with God (when appropriate)
•Talk about forgiveness of self and others.
•Encourage to write their thoughts and feelings
•Encourage doing for others
•Encourage positive thinking, provide hope where possible
•Suggest they seek professional help

In giving help, do not
•Blame or suggest that the person "snap out of it"
•Reject or desert the person even if it is not easy to be there
•Expect too much of the depressed person. Praise any  task completed

Suggestions for the depressed person
•Seek professional help
•Identify and accept feelings
•Be kind to yourself
•Do something even if you don’t feel like it. Act, and the feeling will follow.
•Exercise (if at all possible)
•Allow yourself to be human
•Tell yourself over and over, "God loves me just as I am."
•Learn to let go of negative thinking and turn it over to God
•Join a support group (see references)
•Don’t dwell on sad music, change your choices to upbeat music

Warding off depression  
•Learn how to stop all negative thinking before it gets out of hand (see references)
•Take should have , could have, and would have out of your thinking process 
•Eat a balanced diet
•Be physically active
•Beware of becoming too hungry, too angry, too lonely or too tired
•Find activities you can enjoy doing (dancing, sports, crafts, something active!)