Depression
Depression is a mood disorder experienced by many people ranging from mild to severe at different stages. As you will see in the indicators below clinical depression should not be confused with occasional "blue" moods, pre-occupation or times when things just don't go well.
Many in the medical community believe depression is related to chemical imbalance or other biological origin. The other significant consideration is that depression results from intense or prolonged negative life experiences. Feelings of anger, sadness and confusion commonly accompany unexpected or continuous struggles with life issues.
The following are characteristics often associated with clinical depression:
marked sadness
decreased appetite
decreased motivation
lack of concentration
insomnia
excessive sleeping (especially daytime)
withdrawal from social activities
preoccupation with feelings of low self worth
sudden and repetitive crying spells
feelings of hopelessness
isolation
suicidal thoughts
Help for depressed feelings usually involves a combination of remaining involved, diet, exercise (very important), spiritual stimulation, counseling and possibly conferring with a physician about antidepressants.
A key to evaluating depression and most emotional concerns is to ask yourself two questions.
- How often do I feel this way? (Frequency)
- How long does the feeling last? (Duration)
Contact Info
Mood Disorders
Depressed Anonymous
Phone: 502-569-1989
www.depressedanon.com
Emotions Anonymous International Service Center
Phone: 651-647-9712; Fax: 651-647-1593
www.EmotionsAnonymous.org
Recovery
Phone: 312-337-5661
www.recovery-inc.org
www.Depressedteens.com
Depression and Related Affective Disorders
www.Ifred.org
National Foundation for Depressive Illness
www.befrienders.org
Samaritans International
www.blarg.net/~charlatn/voices
Voices of Depression
www.bpso.org
BPSO-Bipolar Significant Others
www.bpso.org/nomania.htm
How to Avoid a Manic Episode
www.dbsalliance.org
Depression & Bi-Polar Support Alliance
www.helpfordepression.com
Help for Depression with treatments, articles and more
www.miminc.org
Bipolar Disorders Treatment Information Center
www.wingofmadness.com
Wing of Madness: A Depression Guide
Suicide Support
Phone: 212-613-0300, 800-999-9999; Fax: 212-629-3756
www.covenanthouse.com
Friends for Survival
Phone: 916-392-0664
www.friendsforsurvival.org
NineLine
Phone: 212-613-0300, 800-999-9999
www.nineline.org
www.friendsforsurvival.org
Friends for Survival