From the Counselor's Desk: Depression: The holidays and beyond...

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If the Hallmark holiday specials and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" are to be believed, the holiday season makes us feel connected, appreciated, loved, cherished, grateful, hopeful and happy, and reminds us of what's really important. Getting together with family, donating one's time and money to those less fortunate, and exchanging gifts are ways to express this mindset. For some folks, the spirit lasts long after the holiday decorations are taken down.

Unfortunately, however, the holidays can have quite a different effect on many people. It's a busy, stressful time, where expectations of the "perfect" holiday with a "perfect" family fall painfully short. It's a milestone where people evaluate their lives: broken relationships, losing a job, inadequate financial resources, the death of a loved one, being reminded of one's failures and worrying about an uncertain future cause heartache, distress, anxiety and helplessness. College students have the added stress of end-of-semester demands. The decrease in daylight hours adds insult to injury. It's no wonder people become depressed.

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Although there is much focus on it in the media during the holiday season, depression affects many people year-round. According to the World Health Organization, almost 19 million American adults have a depressive disorder. That's nearly 10% of our population, and half of them are women. Depression affects all people regardless of age, geographic location, demographic or social position. In fact, would you be surprised to know that Adam Duritz (Counting Crows lead singer), Drew Carey, J. K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books), actor Owen Wilson ("Wedding Crashers"), Rosie O'Donnell, singer Sheryl Crow, and Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy bassist) all live with depression? No one is immune.

So how do you know whether you're depressed? Here are some typical symptoms to look for:

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persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
restlessness, irritability
persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive problems and chronic pain
thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts

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The key word here is persistent. According to the DSM-IV-TR (the handbook by which mental health professionals define and diagnose psychological disorders), five or more of these symptoms would be present--every day or nearly every day--during the same two week period, and would represent a change from a person's usual behaviors. Depression is not a weakness or a character flaw...it is a real medical illness. The good news is that with proper treatment, most people will improve.

If you are experiencing several of the symptoms listed above, these are the actions I recommend to be taken:

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If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately or get to the nearest emergency room, where your safety can be protected, and treatment can begin.
Make an appointment to meet with your primary physician for a complete physical. Sometimes the symptoms of depression are actually caused by a physiological reason.
Make an appointment with a counselor (381-1365). Having a non-judgmental person to talk to is very healthy, and you'll also learn it is extremely helpful in your quest to feel better.
Remember that people rarely "snap out" of a depression. Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.
Mild exercise, going to a movie, a sporting event, or participating in other social events may help.
Let your family and friends help you. Contrary to popular belief, asking for and accepting help is a sign of strength and health.

Depression is one of the most treatable mental disorders and has an extremely high success rate with the proper treatment. If you or someone else is having difficulty around the holidays--or any time of the year, for that matter--seek help immediately. You're worth it!