It doesn’t matter where you live or what race you are. Depression is depression and it’s not selective. It’s not about being down for a week or two over the split up of a relationship or the loss of a job. Depression is much more than sadness and is categorized as lasting for two weeks or more. The symptoms of depression can be devastating not just for the woman who is living them, but for those around her who love her and can’t reach through the darkness.

Symptoms of Depression include (but are not limited to):

1. Feelings of persistent sadness
2. Difficulty concentrating and remembering
3. Unorganized thoughts
4. Eating and sleeping changes (increase or decrease)
5. A loss of interest in sex
6. Feeling disconnected from loved ones—from everyone
7. Physical complaints/ailments without any medical explanation
8. Anxiety often accompanies depression
9. Mood swings are common
10. Weepiness out of the blue

Chemical imbalances can cause depression and so can stressful events. Prolonged stressful situations can lead to depression, i.e., money problems or a rocky relationship.

Depression is treatable. Anti-depressants, psychotherapy, (with or without partners) and self help all contribute to curing depression. The most important thing to remember is that there is hope. You will find something that works for you, even if it’s not the first time around.

Medication (A Few Notes)

When treating depression with medication, please expect some trial and error. If a medication doesn’t work well for you in four to six weeks, or if you are experiencing very uncomfortable side effects, you may need to switch medications. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. It’s very common to go through two to three different medications before finding the one that’s right for you. It’s a long road, but the right match in medication will be found for you if in fact you need medicinal therapy. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned with weight gain because some anti-depressants cause it.

Resources

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
730 North Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610-3526
Telephone: (800) 826-3622
Web site: http://www.ndmda.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
Telephone: (703) 524-7600
Helpline: (800) 950-NAMI
Web site: http://www.nami.org

National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (703) 684-7722
Information Line: (800) 969-NMHA
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: http://www.mnha.org

American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 682-6000
Web site: http://www.psych.org

American Psychological Association
Office of Public Affairs
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Telephone: (202) 336-5700
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: http://www.apa.org

American Association for Marriage and Family
1133 15th Street, NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 452-0109
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: http://www.aamft.org

National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (800) 421-4211
Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

I hope these resources prove helpful to all who need them. We have to join together, those of us who are not suffering and those of us who are, and open our hearts to one another. Reach out our hands to those in need; and when we are in need, those very same hands we held will be holding our own.

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