Is It Just the Blues or Depression?

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We all face ups and downs in life and struggle with challenging events. During these times, we may experience an occasional sadness or the “blues.” But when the temporary sadness becomes long lasting or interferes with your ability to function, you may be suffering from a common, serious illness-depression. No two people become depressed in exactly the same way. Many people have only some of the symptoms, varying in severity and duration.

Depression can drain your energy and self-esteem and interfere with your ability or wish to get help. It can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health. Many people choose to not talk about depression because of the stigma associated with depression. I was one of them.

Having depression doesn’t mean you’re weak, lazy, unmotivated or a failure…it means you need treatment. I know now that depression is not “in your head” or something you can shake off.

As winter approaches, many people start to feel gloomy or depressed. This condition is referred to as seasonal affective disorder or (SAD). This depression often occurs at the same time of the year every year; starting in fall and ending in spring. SAD usually runs in the family and can be helped by sunlight or artificial light.

I have personal experience with seasonal affective disorder. Once fall begins, I start to feel lethargic, tired and irritable. When I found out that I suffer from SAD, I took action. I realized that I had two choices-

1) Suffer quietly and let depression take over my life or 2) Get help and feel great.

Some Common Symptoms of Depression Include:

  • You feel sad or cry a lot and it doesn’t go away.
  • You feel restless and tired most of the time.
  • You have a negative attitude most of the time.
  • You’re indecisive. It’s hard to make up your mind.
  • You find it difficult to concentrate or remember.
  • You’ve lost your confidence.
  • Life seems meaningless or hopeless.
  • You don’t feel like doing a lot of the things you used to like–like music, sports, being with friends, going out.
  • You want to be left alone most of the time.
  • You get irritated often.
  • You over-react to little things.
  • Your sleep pattern changes; you start sleeping a lot more or you have trouble falling asleep at night.
  • Your eating pattern changes; you’ve lost your appetite or you eat a lot more.

These feelings may make you feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative feelings are part of the depression. Ignoring the symptoms or thinking that they will just go away is not an effective way of dealing with your depression.

When you don’t treat your depression, it can get worse, last longer, and prevent you from getting the most out of your life.

As a life coach, I am aware that coaching is not effective on someone who is depressed. Coaching requires energy and action; depression saps your ability to do both. If you feel like you may be suffering from depression or know someone who is, get help.

There are several treatment options available such as therapy and/or prescription or alternative medications.

It’s best to not try to treat your depression alone. Don’t let anyone talk you out of you seeking treatment. There is a lot of great info at Depression Guide.

Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach an Author of Successful Thinking for a Successful Life: How to Banish the Unhealthy Thoughts and Habits That Limit Your Success. Her Successful ThinkingTM program is an affordable coaching resource that offers support and encouragement when there are roadblocks to success.