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Understanding & Coping With Depression

If you're reading this because you are feeling depressed, the counseling information below may be able to help you get some control back.

I want to applaud you for taking steps to get yourself out of your rut.

It may have taken everything you had to roll out of bed today. Perhaps you’ve had a significant loss of something, or someone, in your life. Maybe things are just sad or you just aren’t that interested in much.

All moods have levels that lay along a continuum or scale. For instance, there has been a time when you were happy, a time when you were ecstatic, and times that were in-between.

The same applies to depression:


If things are hurting badly, and you feel suicidal or are thinking of killing yourself, please, go to the CRISIS link

When considering your depression level remember: you're feeling down and thinking negatively. To realistically estimate the degree of your depression will be a challenge. You'll probably think you are worse off then you really may be.

To more accurately estimate your level of depression use the following criteria. Knowing this will help you decide what to do next.

Over the past 2 weeks,
how many of these statements have been true?

  • Feeling sad, empty or depressed most of the day, nearly every day

  • Having little or no interest or pleasure in most of your daily activities, most of the day, nearly every day.

  • Feeling very irritable or easily angered nearly every day.

  • A big change in your appetite nearly every day or a significant weight loss.

  • Difficulty falling asleep or difficulty staying asleep.

  • Feeling very tired or lacking energy most of the day, nearly every day.

  • Feeling unable to move or pain when moving.

  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating; and inability to make decisions nearly every day.

  • Feeling worthless or very guilty, nearly every day.

Have any of these caused distress or problems in social, work, school or other important areas of your life?

Please note:

This is only a personal evaluation. It is not a test for depression. It will not a replace an assessment by a behavioral / mental healthcare professional.


WHAT TO DO

If you counted 5 or more of the above statements as true over the past 2 weeks there is a good chance you are experiencing a level of Major Depression.

This is a level of depression that calls for intervention. Contact a doctor, counselor, or psychiatrist in your area.

If you don’t have the means to pay for this, your state will have some form of mental health facility where you can be treated with no or little cost. You most likely will find this facility listed in your phone book, or contact your local hospital.

Don’t be turned off by my suggestion of a psychiatrist. It does not mean you are “crazy”!

Psychiatrists are M.D.'s who specialize in treating mental health issues, and Major Depression is a mental health matter. Get the help you need and deserve.

If you’ve estimated your depressed mood to be higher on the scale, you still may benefit from using a medication that can help lift you back to a normal mood range. You'll need to consult someone able to prescribe medications.

No matter where on the range your level of depression fits, you can get benefit from meeting with a counselor or therapist.

Here is some information to consider about the use of:

Medications

Let's take a look at the causes of depression and some methods to cope on Counseling for Depression: Page 2




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