Depression

Symptoms
Worried you may be suffering from some type of depressive disorder? Symptoms can include: poor appetite and significant weight loss OR increased appetite and significant weight gain, insomnia OR sleeping too much, restlessness, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, inability to concentrate or make decisions, sense of hopelessness, anger or irritability, uncontrollable crying, decreased sex drive, and suicidal ideation. To qualify as a major depressive episode, at least 4 of these symptoms must be present nearly everyday for at least 2 weeks. However, even if you are not experiencing at least 4 symptoms or even if your symptoms have not been present for 2 weeks, if you feel you might hurt yourself, contact the Counseling Center or another mental health professional IMMEDIATELY. If you're in crisis on the weekend or outside the hours of 8 am to 4:30 pm, a 24-hour emergency service is available by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Treatment
Most depressive disorders are readily treatable with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

You are not alone
One of the scariest emotional experiences a person will ever suffer is a major depressive episode. More than one in five Americans can expect to have some form of depression in their lifetimes. More than one in 20 Americans experience a depressive disorder every year. Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health problems facing people today.

You are not to blame
Many people still carry the misperception that depression is a character flaw, a problem that happens because you are weak. They say, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!" or "You're just feeling blue, you'll get over it." Depression is not a character flaw, nor is it simply feeling blue for a few days. Most importantly, depression is not your fault. It's a serious mood disorder which affects a person's ability to function in everyday activities. It affects one's work, family, and social life. Today, much more is known about the causes and treatment of this mental health problem. We know there are biological and psychological components to every depression and that the best form of treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Contrary to the popular misconceptions about depression today, it is not a purely biochemical or medical disorder.

So what causes it?
There are as many causes of depression as there are people who suffer it. Depression is most often experienced as a depressed mood, which may sometimes be related to some recent, notable event which occurred in one's life. While depression may be related to feelings of grief after the loss of a loved one, those feelings are natural and generally subside after a period of mourning. Depression caused by medications or substance/alcohol abuse is not typically recognized as a depressive episode; though, depression experienced after certain medical procedures (such as postpartum depression) is recognized as such. Family history and genetics also play a part in the greater likelihood of people becoming depressed in their lifetimes. Increased stress and inadequate coping mechanisms to deal with that stress may also contribute to depression.

What do I do now?
Take the depression questionnaire below. If after completing the questionnaire you feel you may be experiencing depression, contact the USI Counseling Center at 812/464-1867. We can provide information, short-term counseling, and referrals to a mental health professional in the community for long-term therapy and/or an assessment for medication.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a SAFE ZONE for individuals of all ethnicities, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, physical appearances/sizes, and gender identities.