Awareness important in combatting depression
by Holly Woodruff
October is National Depression Awareness Month. Many organizations and groups will work to eliminate stigma and encourage treatment for depression during the next few weeks, but we can all do our part every day by talking to others and asking for help when we need it. Consider joining Earlham’s chapter of Active Minds on Campus, a national student-led organization dedicated to education about mental health issues and the reduction and elimination of the stigma associated with those issues. You can make a difference in both your own life and lives of others!
Did you know that …
• Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year. (“Archives of General Psychiatry,” 2005 Jun; 62(6): 617-27)
• As many as one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents have clinical depression. (Center for Mental Health Services, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1996)
• A majority of people who die by suicide were experiencing depression at the time. (”Clinical Neuroscience Research,” 2001; 1: 310-23)
Depression is a medical condition that can affect your mood, body and thoughts. It has many causes, including biological factors, genetic predisposition, external situations and psychological factors. A period of depressed mood that lasts for several days is a normal part of life and not necessarily a cause for concern, since everyone has the blues on occasion. Increased stress can bring on a depressed mood that lessens when the stress is relieved.
Major depressive disorder (often referred to as “clinical depression”) is usually found to be present when at least five of the following are present most or all of the time for a period of two weeks, interfere with daily functioning and are not attributable to other factors (such as substance abuse or grief):
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day (must be present)
2. Loss in interest or pleasure in most or all activities, especially “fun” activities
3. Change in appetite and/or weight
4. Change in sleep habits; feeling exhausted most of the time
5. Feeling anxious or restless, or feeling “slowed down”
6. Increased irritability
7. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
8. Inability to focus or concentrate
9. Wanting to withdraw from others and be alone most or all of the time
10. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you think you might have depression, you can try these things on your own to see if the depression abates:
• Exercise daily, especially outdoors (sunshine can help ease feelings of depression)
• Reduce, or better, eliminate the use of alcohol or other drugs
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Get adequate sleep
• Seek emotional support from family and friends (but don’t ask them to be your therapist)
• Focus on the positive and try to minimize negative thoughts
• Set realistic goals and practice good time management
• Recognize what you have control over and let go of the things you can’t control
If you think a friend or family member might be struggling with depression, talk openly with him or her about your concerns. Listen with empathy and understanding and help the person to get appropriate, professional help. Don’t try to cheer the person up or make him/her feel better; do let them know you care. Emphasize that depression is a treatable illness and not a sign of personal weakness.
Many famous people live with depression: Rosie O’Donnell, Mike Wallace, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Drew Carey, Anthony Hopkins and Harrison Ford are just a few.
Counseling appointments can be made online at www.earlham.edu/~sas/counseling.edu Holly Woodruff, director of counseling can be reached at woodrho@earlham.edu.
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