16 — OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS — FEBRUARY 1999 Is it Sadness or Depression? BY TIM EVANS hen does feeling sad ‘ turn into depression? lf 1 just can’t seem to get my act together what does that really mean about me? Sometimes all I want to do is sleep. Am I depressed? What about these winter blues I have because it’s cold and gray out- side and I’m stuck inside? Many people will ask them- selves these questions and others like them at sometime in their life. Fortunately there is now much atten- tion being paid to the subject of depression and ways to treat it. These days admitting to yourself- and to others that you are suffering from depression ’doesn’t carry the stigma it once did. There are many places to go and professional peo- ple to talk to about depression as well as many treatment options. There is an abun- dance of information available on depres- sion; much of it lists some of the most common warning signs or symptoms to watch for. Many of these symptoms taken singly do not mean someone is ‘depressed, but taken together over an extended period of time they can be an indication oftrue d’epression. Bob Greene, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, explains that experi- encing five or more of these symptoms over a two-week or longer period can be a signal that a person is clinically depressed. Obviously, each one ofthese warning signs taken by itself or even in a combination with another doesn’t always spell depression. For example, a per- son can have the flu for a week or more, be tired all the time and have different sleeping pat- terns. Too much coffee can make you jumpy. According to Greene, depression involves a distortion of thinking and feeling. once did Everyone feels sadness in his or her life; it is a normal emotion. Out of proportion feelings of sadness, however, may signal depression. Green offered the loss ofa loved one as an exam- ple. It is normal to grieve and experience feelings of sadness. However, feelings such as not being able to go on or that life will never be the same could signal what is termedreactive depression, depression that comes from an event in life such as the loss of a loved one or getting fired from ajob. Another type of depression is endogenous (coming from with- in). This form seems to come up from nowhere. One characteris- tic of it is a murky feeling of general disinterest. Again, it is a distortion of our thought process. So what does an individual do when faced with the uncom- fortable question of whether they are truly suffering from depression? Greene’s advice is first to “come out” to yourself and “give yourself a break.” Depression is nothing to be ashamed of and it is not a sign of being a failure. Depression is very treatable and there are many options available. The one that comes to mind for most is the prescribing of anti-depressants, including the commonly prescribed Prozac. Prozac has great results for some, not so great for oth- ers. There are other drugs on the market that work very similar but with different side effects. There are also herbal reme- dies, the most prominent being St. John’s Wort. This herb is being touted as the natural alter- native to Prozac. St. John’s Wort contains the active ingre- These days admitting to yourself and to others that you are saflering from depression doesn ’t carry the stigma it dient Hypericin that may not be as potent as Prozac but studies seem to show that it has posi- tive results with the symptoms of mild depression. There are varying opinions on what form of the herb to take. Some say that concentrate is best, others say go for quali- ty. It is probably a good idea to talk to a licensed naturopathic approach to overcoming depres- sion. “Psychosynthesis is a spir- itual approach to psychology and psychotherapy. It is based in early psychoanalytical theo- ry, but takes psychoanalysis a step further into the realm of the superconcious, the theoretical psychic structure that holds such experiences as altruistic love, joy, and serenity; states of illumination, contemplation and bliss; meaning and purpose and life direction.” Gigante contin- ues, “through the psychosny- thetic approach we would diag- nose the underlying issues and work them through, all the while gradually freeing up the individual’s will, and energies from the higher self.” Psychosynthesis can also be used in addition to most other treatments. It “ provides an out- look, maps of the psyche, that helps us to know and under- standthe territory we are in, and then provides techniques to SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION . depressed mood . diminished interest in once enjoyed activities . weight loss or gain . change in sleep patterns; i.e. insomnia or too much sleep . feeling ofjumpiness or feeling lethargic . feeling of fatigue almost everyday . inability to concentrate . thoughts of death or suicide (Experiencing five or more of these symptoms over a two-week or longer period is a signal that a person is clinically depressed.) _ doctor about questions concern- ing dosage and how much and what brand to take. naturopath- ic doctors are educated and trained along much the same lines as a medical doctor, but emphasizing on nutrition and herbs. Michael Gigante, Ph.D. of Brattleboro, VT suggests psy- chosynthesis as another Lus FREE Referrals to any gayllesbian place in the U.$. or worldwide The Pink Pages Thousands of listings at gay/lesbian businesses and organizations and businesses that welcome you. The complete Pink Pages is on the web @ PO. Box 147 171 Commerce St. Hinesburg, Vermont help guide us through that terri- tory.” The most common advice for someone who fears she may be suffering from depression is not to be ashamed of herself for how she feels, and to shop around for a treatment that suits her. V We Want Your Body! (shape not important) The March issue of OITM will be EXTRA LARGE and there will be 1,000 more copies than usual. (Yea!) Please help us stuff envelopes and collate the paperon TUESDAY FEB. 23- 4PM at the OITM office above Daily Bread on Bridge St. in Richmond Call 434-6486 Our mailing services can save you postage dollars on your next bulk mailing! Contact Sarah Harrington at “your printing 8 mailing resource” §VPJlI7 VALLEY PRINT 8]WAIL _ Proud member of the Rainbow Business Association T. (802) 482-2995 F. (802) 482-2999 sharring@vp minc. corn