When used that way, it implies a mood or emotion that is present for awhile, often linked to our thoughts about a current event or circumstance.  Within hours or even a few days, our mood changes and we find ourselves returning to previous levels of clarity, renewed energy, and a sense of hopefulness. As we continue on with our lives, another situation may arise which we experience as frustrating, sad, discouraging, or devastating. Once again we may say or hear others say, “I’m feeling depressed.”

On another level, when a person says, “I am feeling depressed”, it may be associated with a brain disease/disorder called depression.  It is my intention to give an overview of some possible signs and symptoms to pay attention to as you become more conscious of the possible meanings of the statement,” I am feeling depressed.” Awareness and knowledge can lead to different choices and then, different outcomes.

Depression is a disease that affects the entire mind, body and spirit, causing a person to feel miserable in many ways.  Changes in brain chemistry make it happen.  It is a brain disease, which affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health and possibly, their appearance. Having been diagnosed with depression does not mean that a person is “damaged goods” or that the individual is going “crazy”, even though the individual with depression may feel that way many days. A depressive illness is not due to a personal weakness or a character flaw. It is related to an imbalance or disruption in brain chemistry. The brain is an organ in the body. It can get “sick” just like the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys. People with depression have a disease that requires diagnosis and treatment.  Having worked in this field for 16 years as a psychologist. I always recommend that a person check first with his or her medical doctor and listen to the recommendations for treatment, knowing that there are choices available.

People experiencing depression cannot talk themselves into feeling good or out of feeling bad. They cannot snap themselves out of it.  Often, others assume that people who are suffering from depression are just lazy or lack motivation to get their lives together.  People with depression may be labeled as having a behavior or attitude problem. This is simply not true.  Depression can appear out of nowhere, when everything is going fine, at a time when it appears that there is no reason to be depressed. Stress or a stressful life event does not have to be present, but it can trigger or exacerbate a depression.

Depression does not get to be used as an excuse for someone’s behavior. It can be treated. Left untreated, it can rob someone of experiencing life to its fullest while still alive, and then, can cause a previously healthy and happy person to kill himself. My brother died at age 26.  He ended his own life. His depression had not been treated.   I wonder often what his life would be like now at the age of 54 years old had his depression been treated.  I wonder and I hope that with more education about this disease, people will make choices that will support life.  Each choice affects a relationship with oneself and a relationship with others. As a side note, I also wonder how many marriages have ended that involved undiagnosed and untreated depression as a contributing factor. I wonder.

Depression is the most common disease seen in all of medicine. It is often confused with other illnesses.  Many people who think, or who are told that they have a vitamin deficiency, sinus headaches, low sugar, menopause, burnout, and are “run down and need a rest” actually have depression that helps to explain what they are experiencing.

The following are signs and symptoms of depression. It does not mean that each person will experience each and all of these. However, it is prudent to pay attention to them, especially as they persist over time and when they reflect a change in normal patterns:

• Persistent and sad mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, pessimism, or worthlessness.
• Alcohol/drug abuse (which often masks depression and anxiety).
• Chronic fatigue, or loss of interest in ordinary, and once pleasurable activities, including sex.
• Disturbances in eating or sleeping patterns.
• Irritability increased crying.
• Apparent hypochondria, but person actually feels symptoms. They are real, not imagined.  However there is no other medical explanation.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide plans or attempts.
• Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment – headaches; stomach problems; pain in the back, neck, joints and mouth.
• Thoughts of being an ineffective, worthless person, even though there is no reason to feel that way.

In the brevity of this article, I am not naming the specifics of the different types of depressive illnesses such as bi-polar or manic depression, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Cyclothymia, Atypical Depression and Pre-menstrual Syndrome. I would like to mention Dysthymia, which is a chronic to mild depression.  A person can usually continue to function, but does not experience the pleasure in life as a person without depression does. What I have noticed in my work as a psychologist is that this type of depression can sneak up on a person. It is subtle. It slowly affects a person physically, spiritually and emotionally. One can settle for less, not knowing there are options. There are options. “I’m feeling depressed” is like a warning side on the dashboard of our car. Pay attention. It means something. It can be a reminder to be taking better care of us in the area of exercise, food choices, taking a break, having some fun, feeding our spirits with whatever is nourishing to our souls. And then, pay attention to symptoms that persist. I wonder and I have seen what else is possible. You are worth pursuing all of the possibilities.