Depresssion: Recognizing It, Where To Get Help, How to Help

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. To begin, if you are in a very dark place and have considered harming yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can call 24/7 to talk to someone who can help you find help: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Or text LIFE to 839-863. And their website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/



Please remember that you matter. Ask for help. It will get better.

Depression: What do you know about it? Have you felt depressed, and what did you do about it? What would you want others to know?


We all have days when we feel like we just want to stay in bed and not deal with life,  but if it reaches a point where a person literally cannot move, cannot get past the feelings of hopelessness, there might be need for professional help. Here are some signs to look for, whether in yourself or someone you know:

• Lack of interest in things that normally do interest you
• Wanting to sleep more than to be awake during a 24 hour period
• Or not being able to sleep at all 
• Not eating
• Overeating
• Lack of conversation with others
• Unable to concentrate
• Problems with memory
• A downfall in schoolwork or on the job performance
• Not taking care of personal hygiene
• Not doing basic housekeeping tasks for long periods of time
• Always being alone, not engaging with anyone
• Not speaking to anyone, including texting or phone calls
• Being angry all the time
• Being frustrated easily and for a long time
• Physical symptoms: Pain, breathing problems, stomach issues
• Physically harming of self: Cutting, taking drugs, "overmedicating,"drinking too much

 

What can cause depression?

• A change in your brain chemistry
• Hormonal changes, such as seen in Postpartum (after childbirth) Depression
• Genetic factors
• Ending a relationship
• Being bullied
• Being in an abusive relationship
• Living in a remote area with no opportunity for socializing
• Brain injury
• Low self-esteem
• Trauma: Something extremely upsetting has happened
• Major injury
• Death of a loved one
• Chronic illness
• Alcoholism or drug abuse-addictions can cause depression, and depression will sometimes lead to addiction
• Even some medications cause depression.

About postpartum depression:  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/index.shtml

Depression in Veterans: https://maketheconnection.net/conditions/depression?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Headterms|4567656266|c&utm_term=%2Bdepression|postpartum%20depression&utm_campaign=Search-Depression-BMM|133167247

 

Depression that's severe and long-lasting can indicate an imbalance in the brain. It is not going to pass and the person can't "just snap out of it." Take a look at the difference between a 'normal' brain and one that's been affected by depression:

Here are the parts of the brain. Those parts usually affected are the Amygdala, Thalamus, and Hippocampus:

 

Here is a more thorough explanation of how depression works, and how medications can help for some people:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression

 

What can help?

If it is mild, sometimes exercise is helpful. Movement increases the level of endorphins, the "feel good" hormones. Exercise can also help take your mind off things, include some social interaction, increase your confidence, and make you feel more in control. Speaking to a friend, a doctor, or a spiritual leader might help as well.

But when depression has become worse than a temporary funk, first, of course, be understanding if this is happening to a friend or to you.  Realize that it isn't a choice the person is making. Something is medically 'off' that needs to be helped. Therapy may be what's needed and possibly medications (anti-depressants) can help. Call your doctor, or that of the person in trouble, unless you feel the need for help is urgent. In that case, call 911 or take the person to an Emergency Room of your local hospital. Stay with the person until help is found. Remember that the brain is a part of your body, and it's not a sign of weakness that your brain isn't working properly.


If an anti-depressant is prescribed, be aware that it will probably be necessary to take it for several weeks before results are noticeable. Be patient. Work with your doctor to find the one that works for you.


Depression affects over 19 million adults every year.

You absolutely matter, and we want you here with us. Stay.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+matter+to+me&&view=detail&mid=D0CF42426A4FC959836FD0CF42426A4FC959836F

Aleppo: What's That All About?

Aleppo is a town in Syria that's been under siege for six solid years. Here is where Syria is-it is in the lower right corner colored green:

Here is a close-up of Syria. It's bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea

Here are some before and after pictures of the destruction of the city:

Yes, this is the same street before and after relentless bombing.

Fighting for control over Aleppo started in 2011 and continued until (presumably) an agreement was reached in December 2016. The fighting was between:

• Syrian Opposition
• the Free Syria Army
• Sunnis
• Fighters associated with Al Qaeda, which is responsible for terrorism worldwide

vs.

• The government of Syria
• including Hezbollah and Shiite militants
• and Russia

                                           This map from 2015 shows the war month to month in Aleppo.



Aleppo was originally the largest city in Syria, with over 2 million people living there. The city has a history dating back to about 5000 BC. Many of the buildings constructed thousands of years ago,  now lay in rubble due to bombings.

In the fighting, more than 31,000 people have died, including over 5,000 children.


Bombing has targeted schools, hospitals, stores (a marketplace in Syria is called a Souq), and rescue workers.

                                       Imagine your town having bombs raining down on it like this.



The White Helmets are a group of people dedicated to helping save as many lives as possible, at great risk to themselves. https://www.whitehelmets.org/en

What is it like for ordinary people living-or trying to live- in Aleppo now?  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37561618


When you see a news story about the situation in Aleppo, imagine what it would be like if it was your hometown being bombed and attacked relentlessly. Think of losing everything, with little hope of replacing it. Your neighbors are also in the same situation. Your school is gone, the place you or your family worked,  your place of worship, all the shops you usually go to, but most of all your sense of safety, all gone. And to have this continue for years without any hope of it ending.


Why do you think this battle raged for so long? Was it about power, control, authority? Could it happen in your hometown? Why or why not? Do you know anyone who came from a similar situation? Are there any lessons to learn from it? Do you think it will happen again? Why?


Let's open up discussion about these things and remember these are fellow inhabitants of Earth.