When the 'Blues' Last For Weeks - Part One

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When the 'Blues' Last For Weeks - Part One

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Do you feel tired too much of the time. Or sad, empty? Has life

lost its spark? Does your body have the blues? Have you felt

this way for more than a few weeks? Do you wonder, " Am I

depressed? Or just out of sorts? " These days, many wonder if

they are depressed. And with good reason.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2008-02-07 10:01:00

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When the 'Blues' Last For Weeks - Part One

Copyright © 2006-2008 Bruce Elkin

Personal Life Coaching Services

http://www.bruceelkin.com/

Do you feel tired too much of the time. Or sad, empty? Has life

lost its spark? Does your body have the blues? Have you felt

this way for more than a few weeks?

Do you wonder, " Am I depressed? Or just out of sorts? "

These days, many wonder if they are depressed. And with good

reason.

" More ... people die of depression than of AIDS, heart disease,

pneumonia, cancer and strokes put together, " writes Gerrard

Nicci

in a Guardian review of 's book The Noonday Demon:

An Atlas of Depression.

" One in 10 people in America is on drugs to help their moods.

Five percent of its teenagers are clinically depressed. Fifteen

percent of people who are depressed eventually kill

themselves. "

Recent Statistics Canada reports indicate the situation might be

worse. One in three Canadians, they say, suffer from

depression.

And it is not just grown-ups; it is also our kids.

Consider this scenario: ny's seems sad and listless, easily

irritated. He's not interested in regular activities. He drags

himself around the house complaining he's " bored. "

His mom worries he is depressed. His dad disagrees.

" It is just got a case of the blues. It will blow over. "

He tells ny to " pull himself together. "

Is ny depressed? Or just temporarily down?

Twenty years ago, Dad might have been right. Now, Mom is likely

right.

Depression in teens, says Dr. Seligman, past president of

the American Psychological Society and author of The Optimistic

Child, has reached " epidemic " proportions. Suicide, often

related to depression, is the number two killer of teens in

Canada. Moreover, depression strikes earlier in life than ever

before.

So, how do you know if you--or--your child is depressed?

There are three types of depression. Major depression, chronic

low-level depression, and manic-depression (bipolar disorder).

I'll focus on the first two.

Symptoms of major depression are much the same in children as

in adults:

* Sadness, anxiety, or " empty " feelings

* Decreased energy, fatigue, being " slowed down "

* Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities

* Sleep disturbances (insomnia, oversleeping, waking much

earlier than usual)

* Appetite or weight changes (loss or gain)

* Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering

* Irritability or excessive crying

* Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness

* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

* Chronic aches and pains not explained by another physical

condition.

It's normal for us and our kids to be down from time to time.

However, if you or your child show five or more of the symptoms

of major depression and they last for two or more weeks, you

should get help from a mental help professional.

A less intense version of depression (dysthymia) involves long-

term, chronic, but less severe symptoms that can nevertheless

keep you or your child from functioning fully or feeling well.

The U.S. National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) says

dysthymia is diagnosed when a person suffers from at least two of

the depressive symptoms above, and their depressed mood lasts for

at least two years in adults, or one year in children or

adolescents.

While dysthymia is not as serious as major depression, the NIMH

warns that many people with dysthymic disorder also experience

major depressive episodes.

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to diagonose ourselves, or

see symptoms in children. When they feel bad for long periods,

many blame themselves, or circumstances, and fail to reach out

for understanding, and help.

Do not blame yourself. If you think you might be depressed,

talk to someone. A friend, family, priest, rabbi, pastor,

or spiritual advisor, your doctor, a school nurse or

counselor-anyone!

Talking with others who understand is the first step to

recognizing depression. It also helps you develop the

emotional mastery you need to rise above it.

Kids can't always explain how they feel, and they express

symptoms differently at different ages. Instead of telling

you they feel " worthless " or " hopeless, " they may act out

or be irritable. Other signs to be on the lookout for are:

* A drop in school attendance or grades

* Talk of running away from home

* Alcohol or other drug use/abuse

* Reckless, risky behavior

* Difficulty with relationships

* Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure

* Outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability,

or crying.

Teens are more at risk for depression than children.

Moreover, children, says Dr. Seligman, " do not become

hopeless. "

They rarely commit suicide.

But early-onset depression and chronic low-level depression are

serious. They can put your child at risk for major depression

later in life.

If you suspect a child is suffering from depression, try gently

talking with them. Listen carefully and respectfully; stay aware

of their feelings. Sometimes just being there for them can make

a dramatic difference.

If in doubt about yourself or your child, do seek professional

help. Talk to your doctor. Contact your community health

services or the local Mental Health office. Most phone books

have Crisis Lines listed in the front. They will direct you to

appropriate help.

Don't worry, for now, about what caused the depression. The key

is to get help for yourself and/or your child sooner rather than

later. Depression can be successfully treated, often without the

use of drugs.

The best treatment for depression is cognitive-behavioral therapy

(CBT). A time-limited therapy (6 to 12 weeks), CBT helps

sufferers identify--and change--the pessimistic views of

themselves and their future that give rise to negative emotions

and behaviors.

Although medication can be useful in some cases of major

depression, it is often prescribed indpendent of counselling.

I don't recommend that. Drugs mask the symptoms. To rise above

symptoms and develop effective behaviors, it is important to also

get counselling such as CBT.

Moreover, because it is skill-based, CBT works better than drugs.

You do not have to go off it. Once learned, you can use its

emotional mastery skills for ever.

Perhaps more important than its role in treatment is the fact

that CBT principles are the best tools for preventing depression

and emotional discorders such as anxiety, panic, and burn-out.

CBT principles such as " explanatory style " provide you with

tools

to depression-proofing yourself-and your kids! We will look at

prevention and tools for emotional mastery in part 2 of this

article-Building Healthy Optimism and Lasting Resilience.

* For more information about depression, it's treatment and

prevention see: The Optimistic Child (HarperPerennial, 1995)

by Seligman; and Emotional Mastery: Manage Your Moods

and Create What Matters Most-With Whatever Life Gives You!

(eBook, 2006), by Bruce Elkin.

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Bruce Elkin is a writer, coach, and consultant who helps

individuals and organizations create what matters most-in spite

of problems, circumstances, and adversity. His ebook Emotional

Mastery: Manage Your Moods and Create What Matters Most-With

Whatever Life Gives You is available on his website at:

http://www.BruceElkin.com.