When It’s More Than “Feeling Blue” - It Might Be Depression
Nov 23, 2020
Live Well Sioux Falls has the pleasure of working with public health and nursing students, and we are grateful for this article provided by Kaitlin Warren, SDSU Nursing Student.
Need someone to talk to? Call the Helpline Center. Simply dial 211 to get connected to local resources.
According to the 2019 Sioux Falls Community Health Status Report, 37% of Sioux Falls residents report feelings of depression. This is a medical condition that can impact anyone, anywhere, even here.
It is normal to feel sad or "blue" from time to time, but when those feelings persist for long periods of time or interfere with your life in a negative way, it can be diagnosed as depression, which is a mental health disorder. Depression can affect your relationships, career, or daily activities and can be caused by biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
We are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative effects. Many people have lost loved ones, have lost jobs or haven't been able to maintain social contacts. These challenging times may increase the rates of depression, so it is important to get help right away.
Signs and Symptoms
- Feeling sad or anxious often or for long periods of time
- Feeling guilty
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Loss of motivation
- Loss of interest in your normal activities
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Restlessness or fatigue
- Feeling drained or “empty”
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Thoughts of suicide or previous suicide attempts
Our physical and mental health are closely linked together. Depression can happen in conjunction with other health disorders. Some of these include:
- Panic disorder
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Social phobias
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
Tips for Addressing Depression
- Don’t wait to get help. Schedule an appointment or talk to someone close to you.
- Set short-term goals
- Stay connected with your friends and family. If you can't be together in person, make phone or video calls to keep in touch.
- Share your feelings with someone you trust
- Focus on positive things
- Remember, this isn’t your fault and there is help available
Treatment
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of depression, it is important to get help right away. You can schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. Your healthcare provider may ask questions about your feelings and any changes happening in your life. They will likely do a physical exam as well, to rule out other medical diagnoses. Your provider will refer you to a mental health specialist if necessary, and that professional will ask you questions about your symptoms and obtain a full mental health history.
More Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255)
- National Teen Dating Violence Hotline (1-866-331-9474)
- Boys Town National Hotline- at risk teens and children (800-448-3000)
- Trevor Project Hotline-LGBT youth (866-488-7386)
- Child Help USA National Hotline- child abuse (1-800-422-4453)
- Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)
