What to Do When You Feel a Little Blue
Some people think that depression will pass, but that isn’t always true. Sometimes you need to see a professional.
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Most people assume that depression is all in your head. In a way, that is correct, but you can’t always fix it on your own. Depression is an actual illness that requires long term medical treatment.
Depression can be a very lonely road to travel. You may feel like life just isn’t worth living or you may not want to take part in activities that you would normally enjoy. Other symptoms may include weight loss or gain, crying spells for no apparent reason, sleeping difficulties or sleeping more often, irritability, loss of interest in sexual activities, unexplained aches and pains and even thoughts of inflicting pain or death upon yourself. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see your family physician or call the local Mental Health Clinic and ask to speak to a counselor. Asking for help does not mean you are weak and cannot handle your own problems. It simply shows that you are willing to admit something is wrong and that you want to fix it.
The cause of depression cannot be pinpointed but it may depend on your family history. If your mother or father had a chemical imbalance, odds are that you too, will have inherited that imbalance. Depression can also be brought on by a traumatic event in your life such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or a divorce. Anything that is a major upset to your daily routine can lead to depression.
It is very important to see a doctor to treat your depression. They will run several tests to determine for certain that you are not suffering from some other form of mental disorder. From these results they will be able to better treat you as an individual as far as therapy and medication is concerned.
You can also help yourself at home by reducing your stress level and trying to surround yourself with friends and family who care about you. You could try to keep a journal to write down your thoughts, sometimes just getting it out of your system helps you to feel better, even if you just write it down then throw the paper away.
Some people would choose not to use drugs to treat depression. There are some alternatives to prescription drugs. St. John’s Wort and SAM-e are two over-the-counter treatments for depression. If you decide to treat with alternative medications, you should be sure to consult your family physician first to avoid any further health problems.
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