Depression vs. Sadness

When darkness arrives earlier in the late afternoon and evening hours it has been said that many experience a drop in mood, as days grow shorter in the Fall and Winter months. For those with day jobs, a sense of missing the "day" may set in upon leaving work only to be greeted by a sunless sky. Waking to a morning alarm clock and dark skies, up before the sun can reinforce a low mood and make starting the day a bit more challenging.

Then there is the onset of Spring and Summer when daylight hours begin to expand, sunshine is present when the morning routine begins, the darkness of night is gradually postponed and sense of 'lightness" returns. Well, not always!

Experiencing changes in mood during either of these transitional changes in daylight exposure is often associated with a type of depression referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, for short. Typically, drops in mood will subside as we become acclimated to these changes, at other times low mood may persist and represents an indication for intervention. A good place to start is talking with your doctor (PCP) or mental health professional. Support groups can be a great source of help for many. ( 805Therapy.com offers affordable groups in Ventura County, CA. )

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

It's OK to let your children see you cry.

Resist comparing your life to others.You have no idea what their journey is all about.

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

While facilitating an incredible Men's Therapeutic Support Group it came to be known and accepted that there are times when men feel depressed and it ends up looking like anger!

Men''s Group, Anger Management and other info (805) 204-715

While depression is often debilitating, a milder form of depression exists:

Dysthymia - put simply, this is chronic low mood with shared similarities of depression. This can be diagnosed by a mental health professional.

Still wondering what is the difference between sadness and depression?
It typically comes down to your ability to function. Are your emotions interfering with your daily life? "It's OK to be sad or angry and have some of those feelings, but when you're affected physically, when you have changes in your appetite or your weight, or difficulty sleeping or focusing or you experience memory problems, that's when it becomes something more serious."

Unproductive emotions, meaning negative emotions, can make a person a magnet for more negativity.
When struggling with depression a person may isolate from the world around him or her, As a person with depression withdraws, he or she begins to make bad choices, stop exercising, or indulge in unhealthy vices such as drinking, smoking, or eating poorly. And may avoid social situations, argue with family or co-workers, and fail to stand up for him/ herself when they normally would.

In this tough economic climate, difficult events such as losing a loved one or ending a relationship may be compounded by stress, anxiety or anger triggered by financial difficulties. Job loss can also mean health insurance loss, and a person confronted with unemployment and depression may feel that therapy or antidepressants are not affordable options.

Steps you can take to help your mood that don't cost a thing.
A change in lifestyle is one of the most effective ways a person can battle depression - eating healthy, exercising, socializing, and trying to get regular sleep, a person can become less isolated and better equipped to manage his or her emotions.

Don't let pride stand in your way, you deserve to feel better!
Most cities have community mental health centers that offer services at a discounted rate. And for anyone really needing to speak with a therapist contact a doctor and try to negotiate lower fees. Also, many mental health professionals are willing to work with patients at a reduced rate. This is true for 805Therapy.com

What goes in a journal?
Your feelings, experiences, hopes and dreams, rants and raves. An angry letter (not to be mailed), anything you want.

A Poem
The world: a dark and difficult place.
With this empty hopeless life, I barely wake, barely sleep.
I dread tomorrows. I pray the lord my soul to keep.
To lay so still it tires me, to move about fails me.
As all my days and nights do meld, a desperate captive - I am held.
Outside pressures just go away, I've retreated and here I'll stay.

Another Example
Depression-What to make of the darker moods-A Jungian Perspective

When Saturn clutches the soul causing wounding and despair too much to bear. How tempting it is to abandon the soul to her suffering and find refuge in medication that quiets her screams.

And while the above are somewhat poetic other writings may include just a word or two; PAIN or ALONE using a black or other colored maker - whatever feels like it matches your mood.

A Reporting of Events
Today it seems everything went wrong. I overslept, was running late, spilled my coffee, got into an argument with ___________.

Felt angry and hurt when _______________________.

A Story (long or short)
- This is a helpful approach when you are not ready to own your experiences but, know the value of "getting it out" - Can use fictional characters, instead of yourself.

- This is a creative of way of telling your own story.

A drawing, picture or paint
This can be of the events you experience, of how you portray what feelings look like ( ie abstracts or just colors ), etc

A journal can be used whenever you want, it does not have to be updated on a daily basis unless that is something you find helpful. Your journal can simply be a tablet of paper, an online blog, a bound journal book, notes on your computer, etc.

When an animal in the wild is injured they "act as if" nothing is wrong and go into hiding (isolation) until they recover.

Another reason for isolating when struggling with depression is that we become overwhelmed with life. Depletion of one's life energy (lethargy) takes hold and previous levels of functioning often diminish or entirely disappear.

If you feel blue, you are feeling unwell, mainly associated with depression or unhappiness.

Feeling sorrowful or blue is just a passing phase, this is important to remember.

How do you relieve your boredom? Some common addictions: Alcohol, Gambling, Womanizing, Workaholism and Compulsive shopping

instead you may want to address boredom in a healthier manner


* Go to a workshop on a cutting-edge topic by a leader in the field.
* Take that course you've been thinking about.
* Experiment with something artistic or technical.
* Look into a controversial issue in politics or some other social field.
* Engage in a community service activity or hobby that's new to you.

Try nurturing your

Why do some kids struggle with depression?
the following factors may play a role:

Genetics There's a 25 percent chance a child will struggle with depression if one parent has it; that risk jumps to 50 percent or more if both parents are affected.

A chemical imbalance Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that play a vital role in regulating emotions.

Trauma. Dealing with a parental divorce, moving to a new home, or being the victim of abuse can be particularly traumatic to kids who haven't yet developed coping skills.

Hormones When hormones kick in boys and girls are equally at risk for depression.

Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Over prepare, then go with the flow.

Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

The most important sex organ is the brain.

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words'In five years, will this matter?'

Always choose life.

Forgive everyone everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Believe in miracles.

God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

Your children get only one childhood.

All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

The best is yet to come.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Yield.

Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Individual or therapeutic support groups in the Ventura County, California area.

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