OCTOBER IS:  National Depression Education Awareness Month 2010

The fall is that time of year when we harvest the wheat, watch the changing colors around us and welcome in the change of season. We wave goodbye to those wonderful sunny days that warm us and give us life.  For many of us, the change of season signals the coming of winter, change in mood, lifestyle,  diet. We begin to slow down for a long cozy winter. For most of us, we are already planning for those sunny bright days to reappear. But there are many that suffer from depression and those sunny days seem too far away.  This is why the month of October has been named “Depression Awareness Month” focusing on this serious but common disorder.

Some of the symptoms of depression in adults are:

• Persistent sad or "empty" mood.
• Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty.
• Substance abuse.
• Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
• Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
• Irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
• Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
• Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

If you or someone you know has symptoms of depression, check with your doctor or local mental health agency and get a consult. 

Brought to you by Beatrice Community Hospital Gage County PATCH Community Health Promotion Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies  2010       

Sharon Langvardt, MS, LCIMFT PATCH coordinator and Marriage and Family Therapist  223-3103 slangvardt@bchhc.org or slangvardt@bvbh.net  228-3386   

Return to Archive Page