Faculty and Staff Assistance Program : Depression
What is depression?
On occasion, every one of us feels "sad", "down in the dumps", or "depressed". These feelings are a natural, normal response to life and everyday stress, and are part of every healthy person's life. Generally, these feelings come and go, always passing after a relatively short period of time.
Clinical depression is more serious. It is a medical condition with very specific symptoms. Symptoms are troublesome, severe and persistent (lasting longer than two weeks) enough to interfere with our work performance, our personal or workplace relationships, social life and daily functioning.
What are some common signs and symptoms of Depression?
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings; crying spells
- Decrease or loss of interest in activities that normally are pleasurable; increase difficulty completing usual activities of daily living
- Difficulty verbalizing feelings; irritability; temper outbursts
- Appetite (either decrease or increase) and weight change (either loss or gain)
- Tension; difficulty relaxing
- Sleep disturbance: insomnia, frequent waking, early morning waking with diffuclty getting back to sleep, or oversleeping
- Decrease or loss of physical and mental energy: fatigue: feeling "slowed down"
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, isolation and lonliness
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Withdrwal from family, friends or co-workers; increase conflict with others; apathy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Persistent physical aches and pains or digestive disorders that are not caused by physical disease
- Marked decrease in work performance (working more slowly than usualm increase in mistakes, missed deadlines, decrease interest or involvement in work); increased absenteeism or tardiness
- Increased alcohol or substance use; increased pharmaceutical or over-the-counter drug use for pain, sleep, gastrointestinal distress
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts; self-destructive behavior
What causes Depression?
The causes of depression are many and varied. It is seldom traceable to one cause and is not caused by any single factor. Researchers agree that it is a result of several influences - genetic, biological, psychological, and life stresses - acting together.
- Difficult life transitions such as the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one by death, separation or divorce, a child leaving home, or retirement may contribute to depression
- Everyday life at home (i.e. balancing childcare and work responsibilitiesm child or eldercare concerns, family illness, marital or relationship tension or conflict, financial difficulties) may contribute to depression
- Stress in the work place (i.e. job change, increase performance demands, change in leadership or organization) may contribute to depression
- Sometimes depression is associated with a general medical illness (i.e. diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, etc.)
- Drinking too much alcohol and substance use contributes to depression
- Our family history and personal history may increase our vulnerability and contribute to depression
If you have five (5) or more of the above signs or symptoms, or if you want more information about depression and its treatment, contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at 216-1410.