Identifying Depression Depression, like most mental illness runs the continuum of severity. This can either be mild or major. It can last from weeks to months. It can involve anxiety symptoms as well. Primarily characterized by sadness and/or loss of pleasure in nearly all activities is called depression. Additionally, there may be symptoms such as changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and psychomotor activity (changes in both mental and physical responsiveness and/or activity).
If a person is depressed, then they may struggle with feelings of low self worth, recurrent thoughts of dying, as well as difficulty in making decisions. In children and adolescents the mood is often manifested as irritability rather than sadness. Some people may deny having feelings of sadness; instead they may report feeling numb or having no feelings at all.
Taking Action Looking at how severely one’s functioning may be impaired is an important first step. If the person’s level of functioning has been significantly impaired, i.e. they are having difficulty performing their daily routine, seek professional help immediately. A trip to the family doctor to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing the mood disorder is a good place to start.
Assessing whether there have been any significant changes in circumstances, relationships etc. that may be contributing to the depression is the next thing you need to do.
Third, take action immediately to get help if your loved ones indicates that they have a plan or intentions to harm themselves. Call a mental health professional that you have been referred to by a reliable source or check your phone book for community mental health services. Another option is to call 1-800-784-2433 a suicide prevention hotline. If the threat is imminent, call 911.
Avoid Waiting and Just Get Help There are times when people do not seek help and one of the biggest reasons is because they feel shame about having a mental illness. The reality is that our minds are vulnerable to illness just like our bodies. There is no shame in developing the flu or some other medical condition, so why is there with the mind? If people avoid seeking help because of the shame they feel, then they only languish longer than necessary.
Can Counseling Really Help? With the help of a counselor, a person can gain perspective about their illness and resolve problems that may be contributing to the depression and assist the person in developing coping skills.
But in addition to counseling, medication may also be a treatment option depending on the severity of the depression. You can discuss this with your counselor, who could then refer you to a psychiatrist to prescribe and manage the necessary medication.
Relief is available for difficulties that plague our minds. This means that those who seek out the help, wisdom and counsel of those whom God has equipped to facilitate the healing of the mind are non other than the wise.
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