Dear Counselor,

I’ve been feeling down, and I don’t know if it’s just the blues or if I’m depressed.
Is depression the same as the blues? How can I tell the difference? When should I get help? What is the best way to treat it? Is medication always necessary?
     - Blue & Wondering

Dear Blue & Wondering,

I’m sorry you’ve been feeling blue. I know having the blues can feel miserable. You have asked some good questions. I’ll give you some general information about depression.

Most people get the “blues” occasionally. Frequently, this is caused by an unpleasant life situation. This is mild and it lasts only a few days. Generally, this is neither a cause for concern, nor an indication of depression. Depression is something more than this.

Depression is a mood disorder. Symptoms of depression can include sadness, frequent crying, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, insomnia or hypersomnia, decreased or increased appetite, loss of pleasure in activities and thoughts of suicide. These symptoms can be mild, allowing you to continue to function normally, or severe enough to be incapacitating.

You may have all or only a few of the symptoms. For a diagnosis of depression, symptoms must have been present for at least 2 consecutive weeks. Depression may be caused by a genetic predisposition (biological), a highly stressful life situation (environmental) or both.
You should seek treatment if the severity of your symptoms interferes with your daily functioning. See your physician and/or make an appointment to begin counseling. If you have suicidal thoughts, you should get immediate help. Tell someone. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Depression can be successfully treated. Either medication or counseling alone may relieve symptoms. Medication is not always required. However, studies have shown that the best treatment option consists of the combination of medication and counseling. The good news is that people, in most cases, no longer have to suffer with depression. Help is available.

It is important to note that my response here is limited to major depressive disorder, and it does not include a discussion of other mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression with psychotic symptoms.
      - MA

***************************
Next month our Dear Counselor topic will be “readers’ choice”. Email your questions to Mary Ann. Questions may be edited to omit identifying information. Please indicate if you prefer a personal reply.

---

All I Want for Christmas

Here we are again. It’s Holiday time. Thanksgiving has left many of us more stuffed than the turkey, and we are heading full-steam into the Christmas rush with hopes of creating that perfect Hallmark Christmas. How nice it would be to have the perfect tree surrounded by beautifully wrapped gifts; mouth-watering goodies filling the kitchen with their tantalizing sugar & spice smells; a mantle of fluffy, white snow creating a winter wonderland; and a house full of beloved family and friends bringing good cheer to all. That is the ideal, but as Ralphie learned, Christmas may not be perfect. Purchasing and decorating the tree can become one giant hassle, and the Bumpus’ dogs may abscond with the turkey. Maybe perfection just doesn’t exist and maybe that’s okay.

Sadly, many people have reasons to look toward the Holidays with dread. There is barely enough money to make it from paycheck to paycheck let alone to buy the tree, gifts, and extra groceries needed to make special meals and treats. There is too much to do in too little time resulting in less than merry feelings. Family circumstances of illnesses, divorces, estrangements and the deaths of loved ones create heavy rather than joyful hearts.

The Holidays may not match that old Hallmark ideal, but they can be made tolerable and even meaningful. Here is how to do it:

In my counseling practice, I have seen far too many people stressed and disheartened at Christmas. All I want for Christmas this year is comfort and peace for all those with whom my path has crossed. And for you, may your Christmas be blessed and peaceful.