"What do you mean? I know what depression is. I've been depressed before, but I pulled out of it..."

Unfortunately, depression is one of those misunderstood things that many mistakenly think they understand. The normal "sadness" type of depression, however, is quite different than the deep, all-encompassing, long lasting pain of clinical depression. Almost everyone has experienced some of the elements of depression, but for some people it becomes a full scale disorder.

Clinical Depression:

Clinical Depression may be caused by a chemical imbalance, physical difficulties, emotional problems, stress, unrecognized sources, or a combination of these things. Certain people may have a genetic predisposition for depression, triggered by stressors. Others may have a "world view" that has them interpret events in a negative way. It is not clear, however, whether these negative cognitive patterns cause depression, or are a consequence of it.

As you can guess from all of this, clinical depression is a complex illness that is often a negative feedback cycle, spiraling between thoughts and biochemistry. Biochemical imbalances make negative thoughts worse, making biochemistry even worse, and so on. To quickly just "snap out of it" is often impossible.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a depression linked to shorter hours of daylight during the winter months. Bipolar depression, or manic-depression, is depression that alternates with states of grandiose highs marked by high energy and poor judgment. Bipolar depression is almost always inherited and biochemical in nature, but occurs less often than unipolar (regular) depression.

William Styron, author, writes about the pain of depression, "That the word 'indescribable' should present itself is not fortuitous, since it has to be emphasized that if the pain were readily describable most of the countless sufferers from this ancient affliction would have been able to confidently depict for their friends and loved ones (even their physicians) some of the actual dimensions of their torment, and perhaps elicit a comprehension that has been generally lacking; such incomprehension has usually been not due to a failure of sympathy but to a basic inability of healthy people to imagine a form of torment so alien to everyday experience."

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

Some common symptoms of depression are: apathy, low energy, deterioration of health and/or physical appearance, frequent crying, low self-esteem, loneliness, trouble sleeping or marked increase in hours slept, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, drop in appetite and/or sex drive, paralysis of will or increase in procrastination, inability to get pleasure out of activities once enjoyed, increased negative outlook on the world, increase in the frequency and amount of use of alcohol/drugs to deaden emotional pain.

An often used diagnostic for depression is the Beck's Depression Inventory, a multiple choice test that shows the depth of a depression. It can be taken at Counseling and Psychological Services, at the Cowell Student Health Building. An evaluation by a professional can also be obtained there.

Treatment for Depression:

Treatment for depression usually involves some combination of talk-therapy and medication. The talk therapy can help sufferers fight the cognitive distortions they experience in their minds that perpetuate their depression. It can also help them deal with some underlying causes or conflicts that may be involved. The medications simply increase the concentration of the certain key neurotransmitters in the synapses of nerve cells. It is believed that low levels of these biochemicals are involved in depression, and these medications are very effective. Millions of Americans take such medications.

The Cost of Depression:

Tragically, an estimated 70% of sufferers never avail themselves of these effective treatments. Depression has a stigma attached to it that motivates many to deny that they or a loved one have it or to suffer silently for fear of embarrassment. In a 1991 poll, 43% surveyed said that depression is a sign of personal weakness.

Medical science has shown that these people are incorrect, but reluctance to acknowledge the truth about this illness continues. As a result, many suffer needlessly and longer than necessary, and others take their own lives. Changing wrong attitudes is the first step in doing something about this.

If you think you or someone you know might be suffering from clinical depression, help should be sought. It can't hurt and it definitely can help.

Resources and Help:

To be screened for depression, see Counseling and Psychological Services on the 2nd floor of the Cowell Student Health Building. Tel: 723-3785. The Bridge Peer Counseling Center can be reached at 723-3392. The Beck's Depression Inventory can also be found in David Burns' book Feeling Good.