How to tell the difference between Seasonal and Chronic Depressions

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By chryssy67
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faces of depression

The difference between Seasonal (winter blues) and Chronic Depressions.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

someone to talk to
self-accessment
keep a journal
find a doctor
call for help

Step 1

winter blues - softpedia.com

Feeling down every once in a while is normal but there are many people who suffer emotionally when the seasons change.

More precisely, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD or "winter blues") occurs in the months when the days are short and sunlight is least abundant. Many people experience serious mood changes, decreased energy, excessive sleepiness and an unusual craving for sweets and starchy foods. Even though these depressive moods can seem severe they clear up during the summer months. In general, this type of depression occurs during a particular time of the year and is mostly cyclical.

Note: In countries like Sweden where suicidal rates are high, people suffer vitamin D deficiencies due to lack of sunlight. Sunlight (and vitamin D) balances serotonin levels in the brain; without it, melatonin levels rise quickly making people lethargic, irritable and extremely depressed.
Step 2

depression - kimatv.com

Chronic Depression is a moderate to severe level of sadness in people who perceive themselves as helpless, have a loss of interest in most activities and are unable to enjoy life. This type of depression is usually accompanied by a myriad of undesirable symptoms including low self-esteem, panic, rage, melancholy, guilt, loneliness and apathy, and it is a condition that greatly affects the physical body.

Long-term (chronic) depression is an emotional stressor which largely interferes with other functions such as sleeping, eating, work performance, learning ability, and relating to others and when left untreated can become detrimental to one's life.

Note: In the U.S., approximately 12 million women suffer depression each year, while an estimated 6 million men have a depressive disorder every year. Young people suffer 1 in 10 at any given time.
Step 3

listen to me - postershop.com

Whatever you may have been taught about managing your emotions, Depression is NOT a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or something that you can just "snap out of." If you feel there's something wrong find someone who will listen to you! Get help as soon as you can!

Here are three online websites to help you with your self-assessment: (confidential)

1) Mental Health of America: http://www.depression-screening.org/screeningtest/screeningtest.htm

2) The Depression Center: (allows you to print results to show your doctor) http://www.depressioncenter.net/wbdat/

3) MayoClinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00103_D