Cooperative Living January 2016 - 27

WebTalk | by Laura Emery, Field Editor
Beating the Winter Blues ―
Battling Depression
Depression makes it difficult to function and enjoy life. Just getting through the day can be overwhelming
and dealing with daily challenges can be nearly impossible.
C
hances are that you probably
know someone struggling with
depression. For some, it is
debilitating and can disrupt every aspect
of life. For others, it may come and go,
but be especially present during the
winter months (called seasonal affective
disorder).
The normal ups and downs of life
mean that everyone is bound to feel
periods of sadness or experience " the
blues " from time to time. But if emptiness
and sadness and hopelessness won't go
away, you may have depression.
No matter how hopeless you feel,
there are ways to feel better.
Understanding the signs, symptoms,
causes and treatment of depression is the
first step to overcoming the problem.
Here are some great websites to help you
or your loved one do just that.
www.depressionconnection.org
The Depression Connection for
Recovery is a place where change and
recovery are possible. Opportunities are
presented for individuals to improve their
health and wellness, live a more joyful
life, and strive to reach their full
potential. The website reads, " Our help
begins in providing the skills and tools
needed to reconnect or regain the
fullness, sense and purpose in living that
depression has taken away. "
www.webmd.com/depression
WebMD is a great resource for seeking
to understand depression and how to
deal with it. The site currently features
topics ranging from information on
common depression traps to avoid,
different types of depression, and
therapies that are most effective for
battling depression.
www.co-opliving.com
WINTER BLUES
Seasonal affective
disorder (SAD) is a form of
depression that occurs at
the same time each year,
usually in winter when
days are shorter and the
weather is colder. The
reduced light, warmth and
color of winter can leave
people feeling melancholy,
irritable or unusually tired.
Otherwise known as
seasonal depression, SAD
can affect mood, sleep,
appetite and energy levels. It's not
something to take lightly, as it can affect
one's relationships and social life, work,
The reduced light, warmth,
and color of winter can
leave people feeling
melancholy, irritable or
unusually tired
school and sense of self-worth. People
suffering from SAD may exhibit signs of
feeling hopeless, sad, tense or stressed, with
no interest in friends or activities they
normally enjoy. While a less common form
of the disorder causes depression during the
summer months, SAD usually begins in fall
or winter when the days become shorter
and sticks around until the brighter days of
spring or early summer.
While it is more prevalent in women and
young children, SAD affects about 10 to 20
percent of people. Like other forms of
depression, SAD is treatable. The more you
understand about seasonal depression, the
better equipped you'll be to manage or
even prevent the condition.
Here are some helpful websites to gain
a better understanding of SAD and how to
treat and manage it.
www.helpguide.org/home-pages/
depression.htm
This website is loaded with information
not only on the seasonal form of
depression, but also depression in general.
It covers the depression in different groups
of people (women, children, men, older
adults, teens, etc.), how to help someone
you know who may be suffering from
depression, tips for how to get more joy
out of life, signs and symptoms of
depression. It even covers postpartum
depression and " baby blues. " This is a
great resource for someone suffering from
depression, or for loved ones seeking to
understand and/or help someone going
through depression.
More helpful websites to check out:
www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
conditions/sad and psychcentral.com
/blog/archives/2012/12/30/10-winterdepression-busters-for-seasonalaffective-disorder/.
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January 2016 | Cooperative Living | 25
ERICA CASHION PHOTO

http://www.helpguide.org/home-pages/ http://www.depressionconnection.org http://www.webmd.com/depression http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/ http://www.psychcentral.com http://www.co-opliving.com

Cooperative Living January 2016

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