Most of us suffer from bad days or bad moods and we can snap out of those
feelings within hours or days. However, there are many people who suffer from what is diagnosed as clinical depression. These are individuals who experience depression with symptoms lasting for more than two weeks. Studies show that even children as young as 3 can suffer from depression, which often goes undiagnosed because their symptoms of anger, irritability and acting out mask the actual problem. For adolescents, depression leading to suicide is a major cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds. Seniors over the age of 65 can also suffer from clinical depression, which is often misdiagnosed as dementia or senility.

Depression can be genetic, passed down in families for generations. If you start asking questions about the family tree you'll most likely find out about how Mom or an aunt or a cousin is described as sad all the time, moody, down or having mood swings. Depression is also found to be associated with biological disorders and it can even be caused by dysfunctional environmental factors.

The National Institute of Mental Health states that depression affects 25 percent of all women and 12 percent of all men in the United States. Unfortunately there's a stigma (existing even now in the year 2008) attached to "getting help" and people don't seek out proper treatment quickly. They're stuck living with this debilitating emotional state almost in secret. Serious depression can frequently be treated successfully with medication, psychological therapies or a combination of both.

Symptoms of depression include:
• loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities or things
• feeling hopeless or helpless
• feeling consistently sad or anxious, including bouts of unexplained crying
• feeling worthless, helpless or empty
• feeling guilty
• insomnia, early morning waking or oversleeping
• weight loss or weight gain; suddenly or consistently and includes no interest in eating
• loss of energy, feeling lethargic or slow, tired
• restless, irritable, snapping
• difficulty concentrating, making decision or feeling any motivation
• headaches, chronic pain that doesn't respond to treatment, stomach problems
• thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts

If more than four of these symptoms are present, I suggest that you look for help by contacting a physician or a mental health specialist. If you know someone dealing with thoughts of suicide, they need an immediate referral to a doctor, a hospital, a clinic or an emergency room. You can also contact 911 to report your concerns.

Depressed women are more likely to put more blame on themselves and underestimate their ability to control a situation, whereas men are more likely to blame others and overestimate their ability to handle situations. Women who are depressed may appear constantly angry and be overly critical. Nothing is good enough and negativity is the thread woven through most of their conversation. Depression hides behind many smiles.

A quote by Abraham Lincoln reveals, "I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell; I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible. I must die or be better, it appears to me." Instead of quiet lives of desperation, let's face the fear of depression in order to live the best possible life available to each of us now.

For support or a caring referral, e-mail Kim at kschafer@insidescv.com.