In the fast-paced atmosphere of the modern world it's very easy for our lives to fall out of focus. Whether we're taking care of the needs of others or trying to maintain our stamina in a hectic workplace, we often put our own personal needs at the end of our to-do lists. It's very easy for the blues to hang on a little longer than they should.

Understanding the difference between the blues and depression is a first step toward feeling better.

Explore the topics below and identify whether you or someone you know is suffering from depression. If you or someone you know think that depression may exist, Blomquist Hale EAP is available to guide you through a process of recovery.

Everyone has ups and downs. But if you find that you are frequently down or that your feelings of being down seriously interfere with your usual activities, depression may be a likely diagnosis. Depression can be triggered by a major life event, such as the death of a loved one, separation, divorce, or a health problem (12 percent to 36 percent of patients with medical disorders develop depression). It also can be caused by an underlying medical disorder or interactions between various drugs. Chronic drinking of alcohol, even in moderate amounts, can cause or worsen depression.

Depression can be mild to severe. Many depressed people describe their condition as "living in a fog." They have limited interest in the activities of daily living. If you suspect that you or a loved one is clinically depressed, it's best to see your doctor for a professional evaluation. An estimated 80 percent of depressed individuals can be treated, with most feeling better within weeks.

More than 18 million people in the United States suffer from depression. About twice as many women as men suffer from this medical condition. Major depression is a whole-body illness that affects a person's body, feelings, thoughts, and behavior.

Everyone experiences bouts of the blues or periods of sadness now and then. However, if these feelings last more than a couple of weeks or interfere with daily life, a person may be suffering from clinical depression.

Depression involves a set of symptoms that can last for months and sometimes years. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with depression cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Professional treatment is needed.

What's the difference between a bad case of the blues and depression? The difference between depression and feeling down is how severe the symptoms are and how long they last. To help you determine if you are depressed, answer these questions.

• Do you often or usually feel sad, anxious or "empty"?
• Do you sleep too little or too much?
• Has your appetite shrunk, and have you lost weight? Or do you have a bigger appetite, and have you gained weight?
• Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed?
• Are you restless or irritable?
• Do you have persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, chronic pain or constipation, that don't respond to treatment?
• Do you have difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions?
• Do you often feel tired or have a lack energy?
• Do you feel guilty, hopeless or worthless?
• Do you have recurring thoughts of death or suicide?

If you or a loved one answered yes to three or more of these questions and have felt this way for longer than two weeks, or if the symptoms interfere with your daily routine, please contact us to help determine the best course of action.

The key to helping yourself or a loved one overcome depression is to understand the effects of depression on day-to-day living. These Quick Facts are the perfect way to start developing an understanding of depression and to prepare yourself to further explore the informative content below.

• Depression is a medical illness, not a character weakness.
• One in ten Americans each year experience a depression.
• Depression does not discriminate; it affects men and women, young and old, and people of all races, cultures, and incomes.
• Major Depression is 1.5 to 3 times more common among first-degree biological relatives of those with the disorder than among the general population.
• The economic cost of depression is estimated at $30.4 billion a year but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated.
• By the year 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the number two cause of "lost years of healthy life" worldwide.
• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suicide was the ninth leading cause of death in the United States in 1996.
• Two-thirds of people suffering from depression do not seek necessary treatment.
• 80% of people who have received treatment for their depression experience significant improvement in their lives.

Depression isn't a part-time problem. It can easily affect a person's performance in the office as much as it does in the home. The added stress of daily workloads, deadlines and professional communications may help to agitate the affects of depression.

At any one time, 1 employee in 20 is experiencing depression.

While more than 80% of depressed people can be treated quickly and effectively, nearly two out of three people with depression do not receive the treatment they need. Unfortunately, many depressed people suffer needlessly because they feel embarrassed, fear being perceived as weak, or do not recognize depression as a treatable illness.

Signs of depression in the workplace may include:

• Decreased job performance or productivity
• Difficulty attending to or concentrating on assignments
• Difficulty in decision making
• Withdrawal or irritability with coworkers or supervisors
• Safety risks and accidents
• Absenteeism
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Alcohol and drug abuse

While the issues one may be facing are of a personal nature, when they manifest in the work setting, they may quickly escalate into a professional problem. The key is to recognize the symptoms of depression early and to receive appropriate treatment. Blomquist Hale EAP can assist you in locating the appropriate treatment resources and helping you manage any work performance issues that you are facing.

One of the most common places to find and fight depression is in the home. Depression in the home can come from almost any direction. Perhaps the depressed person is involved in a tense relationship or is going through a divorce. Perhaps a child is having trouble performing at school or adjusting to a new area after a move. Caring for an aging or disabled relative in the home may also magnify the effects of depression.

What is known is that depression can run in families. Depressed parents may have depressed children. Knowing how to overcome depression in the home will help you create a place focused at supporting those affected, instead of a place that enables the illness to grow.

The most important thing anyone can do for the depressed person is to help him or her get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for depression. This may involve encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to abate (several weeks), or to seek different treatment if no improvement occurs. On occasion, it may require making an appointment and accompanying the depressed person to the doctor. It may also mean monitoring whether the depressed person is taking any prescribed antidepressant medication. The depressed person should be encouraged to obey the doctor's orders about the use of alcoholic products while on medication.

The second most important thing is to offer emotional support. This involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement. Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully. Do not disparage feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Report them to the depressed person's therapist.

Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, to the movies, and other activities. Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused. Encourage participation in some activities that once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, religious or cultural activities, but do not push the depressed person to undertake too much too soon. The depressed person needs diversion and company, but too many demands can increase feelings of failure.

Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her "to snap out of it." Eventually, with treatment, most people do get better. Keep that in mind, and keep reassuring the depressed person that, with time and help, he or she will feel better.

The first months of a baby's life should be a time of joy for new parents. But for many new mothers, these months are marked by sadness, fear, anger or anxiety.

It's common to have short spells of sadness or grouchiness after giving birth, because of the pain, change in hormone levels, and lack of sleep. But sometimes the feelings are extreme and won't go away. These feelings may be signs of postpartum depression.

The baby blues can make a new mother feel alone, afraid and exhausted. These feelings are common and normal. But women who suffer from postpartum depression are so overwhelmed by these feelings that they can't function normally. They feel hopeless and anxious. They may feel angry at their partner or at their baby. They may begin to wonder whether they are cut out for motherhood.

Talk with your EAP counselor or doctor if you experience any of the following warning signs:

• Sadness or anxiety that lasts for more than two weeks after giving birth
• Strong feelings of depression and anger that appear a month or two after your baby is born
• Increased or decreased hunger
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Trouble sleeping
• Sleeping too much
• Fear that you might hurt your baby or yourself
• Sadness, guilt or hopelessness
• Little interest in your baby or other members of your family

It's important to know that although postpartum depression can be serious, it doesn't mean that you're unfit to be a parent. Pain from giving birth and changes in your body may contribute to the depression. The sudden drop in hormones and lack of sleep may also be factors.

Postpartum depression can be treated. The sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner you can begin to enjoy the new member of your family. But you must get professional help to be diagnosed and treated.

If you have the symptoms of postpartum depression, you can do a lot to improve your situation. In addition to talking with a doctor, it's important to take the following steps:

• Rely on your family and friends. By talking with friends and relatives who have children, you may also find others who have dealt with similar emotions.
• Share your feelings, no matter how frightening they may seem, with your partner.
• Try to create some private time for yourself.
• Get the support of your partner, and ask for help with cooking, cleaning and taking care of the baby. And don't be afraid to speak up when you feel overwhelmed.
• Getting help for postpartum depression starts with recognizing the symptoms, and then realizing that you are not alone. If you or a loved one is living with postpartum depression, seek advice from your doctor right away.

The first step is getting appropriate treatment.

Treatment choice will depend on the outcome of the evaluation. Your Blomquist Hale EAP program can help or refer you into a program that will help. Also there are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depression. Most people do best with a combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life’s problems. 

Stages of Recovery

Feeling better.
Recovery occurs in stages. There may be a time when some or all of your symptoms of depression have disappeared. You may seem to be your previous self. It may seem as though your depression has been successfully treated. However, it is important to continue your therapy to avoid a relapse. Talk with your therapist or doctor about the improvements you notice. Discuss if and how your treatment will change as a result of your improvement.

Medication for depression is taken to help symptoms and to prevent the depression from recurring.
If you have been treated for past episodes of depression, medications may be prescribed for a longer time. You and your therapist and doctor should discuss ending treatment together. Together  you can determine which areas have improved. You can also see which areas need further work.

In addition to continuing treatments, there are many things that you can do to slowly ease yourself back to normal. Keep in mind that these things are important as you begin to feel better. They are even more important in maintaining your improved feelings.

If you don't feel better.
Treatment of depression takes time and patience. If you do not notice any improvement or changes after several months in treatment, do not get discouraged. Talking with your doctor or therapist about your lack of improvement will be important in finding a treatment that works for you. Speak with your doctor or therapist about any symptoms which you continue to have. Discuss your expectations for change.

Taking Care of Yourself

During the first few months when you feel better, you should think about areas of your life which may have led to, or worsened, your depression. Think about the changes that need to be made. You may already know what kinds of changes are necessary.

While you are recovering you will continue to have daily demands on your time and effort.
This may be overwhelming at times. Be sure to care for yourself in the following ways:

Increase the amount of structure in your daily life. Maintain a consistent daily schedule.
Set small, realistic goals. Do one thing at a time. This way, tasks won't feel so overwhelming. Reward yourself for each goal you reach.

Practice thinking positively.
People who are depressed often have gloomy or negative thoughts about themselves. Blaming yourself, feeling hopeless, and expecting failure in the smallest tasks are examples of such negative thoughts. Begin to overcome these negative thoughts.

Challenge your negative beliefs.
Don't just accept them. If you find yourself thinking a negative thought about yourself, try to look at it another way. Often depression makes people think the worst. Stepping away from the problem and looking at it realistically can help you understand how your depression affects your outlook. Write the problem down. Think about it. You will see that your negative beliefs do not make sense.

Notice good things about yourself.
Noticing good things will help you put your negative thoughts in perspective. The negative thoughts you have may not be as accurate as you think.

Write down good things.
Write down even the small things that you feel good about. Write down the nice things other people say to you. Carry this list with you as a reminder that there are many things that you can do well.

Avoid making major life decisions when you feel depressed.
Depression changes how you think about yourself. Depression changes how you feel about situations. The decisions you make when you feel depressed may be clouded. Such decisions may not be in your best interest. If you must make a major decision about your life, ask your doctor, your therapist, or someone you trust to help you think about things. Once you start feeling better, begin making decisions again. But be sure to return to your responsibilities slowly and gradually.

Ask for help when you need it.
Depression changes the way you think about yourself. It is easy to think that no one wants to hear about your problems. It is easy to believe that you may be a burden to the people you talk to. However, there are people who want to help you. They want to understand what you are feeling. Your doctor, therapist, family members, and friends all want you to be well. Don't be afraid to ask people for help.

Don't criticize yourself when things go wrong.
Accept the fact that there will be setbacks. Feeling better takes time. Making positive changes in your life takes time. Sometimes changes can only be accomplished with trial and error. Allow yourself to be patient. Be sure to notice improvements.

Consider taking stress management or assertiveness courses.
These courses offer skills that may help you overcome your depression. These courses can help you deal with stress and relationship problems. These kinds of courses help with the issues that cause depression.

Consider joining a self-help group.
Join a group that is for people who have had trouble with depression. It will be helpful to talk to people who have had the same problems as you.

Get help for problems that make depression treatment more difficult.
If you or a family member have concerns about your alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor or therapist. Therapy, a self-help group, or drug-rehabilitation is important for long-term success in treating any depression.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
This nonprofit organization supports research on suicide. It also offers information on suicide and its prevention as well as support for survivors.

American Psychiatric Association
This medical society's Web site offers fact sheets, booklets, and news articles on a wide range of mental health issues. It also includes a listing of psychiatric societies throughout the United States that can provide referrals to psychiatrists.

American Psychological Association
The organization's Web site has information and helpful publications on mental illness and many other topics for psychologists, parents, teens, and others. It also carries news on psychology and offers referrals to psychologists in the United States and Canada.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (formerly the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association)
This nonprofit organization provides information, advocacy, and support for people with depression and bipolar disorder, as well as their family members. The Web site has detailed information on suicide prevention strategies for anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide or for concerned family and friends.

Families for Depression Awareness
Families for Depression Awareness helps families recognize and cope with depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides. The site provides detailed handbooks for families dealing with depression in children and teens as well as adults.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)