Depression

What is Depression?
"The Common Cold of Mental Health"

Depression has been called "The Common Cold of Mental Health." We all know that everybody feels "down," "blue," "bummed," hopeless, or pessimistic from time to time. That's normal.

Many people wonder "When does 'feeling down' cross the line into depression?" That's a tough question, because it's not always an "Either-Or" kind of thing.

We hope that reading this information will help you understand your situation a little better, which then may make it easier to get the help you need.

In considering whether you need help with depression, it might be useful to consider the following three dimensions: Frequency, Severity and Duration.

Three Dimensions of Depression
Frequency:
How often do you feel down or depressed? Every day? Three times a week? Once a month? All the time?

Severity:
How bad is it? Do you feel suicidal? Totally hopeless and stuck in a dark hole? Or just kind of lousy and negative?

Duration:
How long does it last? Until you see your partner? Until you go home for the weekend? Just a couple of hours? Does it drag on for days, weeks, or even months? Have you felt somewhat depressed your whole life?