Look around you. Everyone’s life seems like a hot mess. One in ten adults in the U.S. are depressed. People are struggling due to job loss, economic failure, war, terrorism, relational problems, shattered dreams and unmet expectations. It’s enough to make anyone lose heart.
Recent statistics estimate that by 2020, depression will be the second most common health problem in the world.

Things just aren’t supposed to be this way.

While most of us have experienced “down” days for no apparent reason, clinical depression is something altogether different. Making our way through it can feel very much like wandering through a desert wilderness—alone. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on inside, and get help if necessary.

How does clinical depression differ from the weekly blues, and what can we do about it? First, we need to understand the symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association outlines the criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders) by the following:

• Persistent blue sad mood
• Diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities
• Significant weight loss or weight gain
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or be decisive
• Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation with or without a specific plan. A suicide attempt or plan for committing suicide

If this sounds like you and your symptoms have persisted for longer than a two-week period, seek help. Medication can help but isn’t a cure all. Sometimes feelings of acute sadness underlie depression. If that is true for you, seek a qualified counselor to help process your feelings and beliefs.

As for the occasional bout with the blues, here are some tips to help:

• Notice your feelings
• Manage what life stressors you can and let go of the rest. Stress compounds anxiety and feelings of depression
• Don’t overcommit
• Practice good self-care skills by identifying what you need and doing it
• Practice deep breathing and muscle relaxation when tense
• Have some fun
• Don’t allow past hurts and offenses to build up and weight you down
• Allow yourself to grieve if you’re sad. When you bury your feelings, you only bury them alive
• Surrender your rights to have things be the way you want them to, and be willing to face challenges

Clinical depression is treatable. If you or someone you love is experiencing 5 or more of the depressive symptoms listed above for a two-week period or longer, professional help may be necessary. You don’t just get over it.
So take the time today to notice what’s going on for you in body, soul and spirit. Don’t wait till the blues becomes something more than you can handle.

Clinical depression is treatable. If you or someone you love is experiencing 5 or more of the depressive symptoms listed, consistently, for a two-week period or longer, professional help may be necessary. You don’t just get over it.
So take the time today to notice what’s going on for you in body, soul and spirit. Don’t wait till the blues becomes something more than you can handle.

Author's Bio: 

Rita A. Schulte is a licensed professional counselor in the Northern Virginia/DC area. She is the host of Heartline Podcast and Consider This. Her show airs on several radio stations as well as the Internet. They can be downloaded from www.ritaschulte.com/category/podcast or heard on Women’s Radio Network, as well as iTunes at Heartline Podcast. Rita writes for numerous publications and blogs. Her articles have appeared in Counseling Today Magazine, Thriving Family, and Christianity Today, Kyria. Her book on moving through the losses of life will be released in Fall 2013 by Leafwood Publishers. Follow her at www.ritaschulte.com, on FB http://www.facebook.com/RitaASchulte and twitter @heartlinepod.