What To Do About Depression By: Dr. Molly Mitchell National Edition May 23, 2000 It may be impossible to imagine, it's that time of year when everyone is talking about how good they feel. Spring is here, and the weather alone puts a bounce in people's step. But, for some people, depression is a fact of life. No amount of sunny weather will change it. It is very hard to feel sad when everyone else is happy. This is why springtime or holidays can be the most depressing times of all. Depression is an obstacle, and an extremely difficult one to face. It is hard to admit to or to identify. We actually use the term depression too loosely. People say they are depressed when they break a fingernail or when it rains. Depression is much more serious. There is no one reason why some people get depressed. It is also not uncommon. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans will experience some form of depression in their lifetimes. There is no distinction between rich or poor. Depression affects everyone. It does tend to be seen in girls and women more than males, though depression is often harder to detect in boys. On of the difficult things in identifying depression is that adolescence is a time of great turmoil. Mood changes are normal, sometimes lightening fast. Feeling sad, confused, or angry is part of life. Depression is more than this. Depression can hide well. Sometimes it doesn't come with the tears and sadness you might expect. Here are a few of the signs to watch out for: 7 Strong feelings of sadness or the belief that nothing will ever be OK again. 7 Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. Boredom can sometimes be an indication of depression. 7 Feeling easily hurt and sensitive. 7 Dangerous, wild behaviour, drinking and drug use. 7 Being tired, having no energy, and sleep difficulties. 7 Sudden changes like weight loss or gain, or a drop in grades. 7 Being preoccupied with death. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, tell someone. Getting good help is the most important step of all in treating depression. Find someone you feel comfortable with and tell them you are worried about something. There are many ways that you may find help. The first step may be to go to your regular doctor. He or she may send you on to a psychiatrist, who could prescribe medication. Medication is usually reserved for people who have been depressed for a long time. It may also be used when there are serious or dangerous symptoms, like suicidality. You might go to a social worker, psychologist or counsellor for therapy. You might go for therapy on your own, or maybe family therapy will be recommended. This therapist can help you figure out what might be really bothering you, and help you discover ways to handle your feelings. Different therapists work in different ways and it is OK to ask as many questions as you need when you meet the person you are going to be talking to. Dealing with depression can be very lonely. You may feel like you are the only person in the world to feel this rotten. This is not true. If you are looking for some more information for yourself, there is a great amount of it to be found on www.depression.com. There are articles, quizzes and links to just about any information you may need in you are interested in learning more about depression. You are not alone. You can get better. It's a big obstacle, but you can get to the other side.