October Is National Depression Awareness Month

“It takes courage to look at your pain from a fresh approach. It takes courage to understand the need to change. It takes courage to step out in faith and act.” ~Turning Your Down Into Up: A Realistic Plan For Healing From Depression by A Place of Hope founder, Gregory L. Jantz, PhD

Many people who suffer from depression don’t even realize it. Or they suspect they’re depressed, but say and do nothing about it. Either way, it’s a lonely, debilitating existence, which you may very well know if you’re the one living with depression, or have experienced depression in the past. Sometimes it takes perceptive friends and family members to notice the signs and to reach out with the help and hope that finally makes a difference.

During National Depression Awareness Month this October, get to know the signs of depression — for yourself or a loved one who may be struggling in silence.

Some depression indicators include:

• Loss of enjoyment in established activities
• Restlessness, fatigue, or lack of motivation at work
• An increase in irritability or impatience
• A sense of being overburdened with life and its activities
• A lack of spiritual peace or well being
• Constant anxiety or vague fear about the future
• Anger at God for how you feel
• Social Isolation and distance from family or friends
• A pattern of pessimistic or critical comments and/or behaviors
• The belief that your best days are behind you
• Upon waking, apathy about how the day will turn out
• No motivation to try new activities
• A significant change in appetite
• Recurring disturbances in sleep patterns
• Increased agitation or inability to relax
• Fatigue, lethargy or loss of energy
• Sadness, despondency, despair, loneliness
• Inability to concentrate, focus, or make decisions
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
• Plans for suicide or an attempt at suicide

If any of these symptoms sound familiar — in yourself or a loved one — please refer to our depression survey for a complete list of 38 depression indicators. Keep in mind that you never know who within your social circle, online or off, may be struggling. So take the time to share via your social networks this blog post, the depression survey, Turning Your Down Into Up, and any other resources you find helpful this National Depression Awareness Month.

If you or a loved one need depression therapy, A Place of Hope can help. Contact Us for more information.