Everyone knows what it’s like to feel sad or blue, even hopeless on occasion. Most of the time, for most people, these feelings are short-lived and will pass fairly quickly. When you have depression, however, those feelings persist and begin to impact your everyday life, causing pain for you and those close to you. Depression is a condition that affects not only a person’s mood, but his or her body, thoughts and general well-being. Depression is not something that a person is simply able to “shake off” or “pull together” — despite their best attempts. Without attention, depression can continue for months, years or, in some cases, a lifetime.
Some common symptoms of depression include persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings; feelings of guilt or hopelessness; agitation; lack of interest in your usual activities, hobbies or pleasures; noticeable decrease or increase in appetite and/or sleep patterns; fatigue; and loss of ability to concentrate. These usually permeate every aspect of a person’s life and make functioning and carrying on activities of daily life, such as work, school or relationships, troublesome.
While depression affects people of all ages and races, there are certain populations that are statistically at a higher risk, including teenagers, older adults and those experiencing significant life events. Members of the LGBTQ communities also experience higher rates of depression than the general population. This is attributed to numerous factors those of us who identify as LGBTQ may encounter, including discrimination, social prejudice, isolation, bullying and violence. Dealing with unsupportive families and communities also contributes to negative internalized feelings and can manifest in emotional conflict such as depression.
Unfortunately, the discrimination, ignorance and intolerance that members of the LGBTQ communities experience can occur over a lifetime. So it is important to stay vigilant for signs of depression regardless of age. Depression is treatable and manageable, provided you receive the help that is right for you and your situation.
In many cases, the precise cause of depression is hard to pinpoint. There are biological factors, such as genetics; psychological factors, which include a person’s temperament and coping style; and social/environmental factors, such as the general atmosphere in someone’s family and close relationships and the presence (or absence) of a support network. We know that certain incidents can act as “triggers,” causing a depressive episode. Stress and anxiety can often be catalysts, and common incidents that may cause depression include the loss of a loved one, a challenging physical illness, hormonal changes, certain medications or alcohol and substance abuse.
You’ve probably seen the many advertisements for antidepressants that have cropped up in recent years. More and more, people are taking these drugs to treat symptoms of depression. As helpful as they can be, medications are just part of the treatment equation. There is a growing belief that the relationship between brain chemistry and environmental factors, or life experience, actually works both ways, and that psychotherapy (also known as “talk therapy”) can also have a positive impact on brain chemistry.
Antidepressants can help address the brain’s chemical imbalance but, in terms of long-term health outlook, it is important to learn to identify and cope with those events in life that can trigger depression. That means connecting to a qualified therapist with whom you can explore and examine which areas of life may be causing you to feel stress, anxiety or loss — and develop effective strategies to deal with them. Even severe depression can get better, and will improve far more quickly, with an active treatment plan.
Many people who suffer from depression never seek treatment, thinking the condition is “all in the mind.” But it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, both in ourselves and in the people around us. Every 15 minutes a person dies by suicide in the United States. Suicide is also the second-leading cause of death in teens, according to the National Council for Community Behavioral Health. If you or someone you know expressed feelings of hopelessness, don’t be afraid to talk about it. Many times a gesture of concern can make the vital difference, and lead someone to reconsider his or her situation and seek help. If you don’t feel equipped to handle the symptoms, contact a qualified professional.
Resources
For individuals in crisis, the City of Philadelphia operates a 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 215-686-4420, so that’s the place to call when a situation is serious and urgent. Another great resource is The Trevor Project, a national organization specifically created to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth. It can be reached from anywhere in the United States, any time, at 866-488-7386 or thetrevorproject.org.
For people seeking more information about depression, or wanting to connect to an LGBTQ-affirming therapist in our area, Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia can help with information, resources and referrals. Contact 215-563-0663 ext. 248 or visit www.mazzonicenter.org.
Judy Morrissey, LCSW, is the director of Mazzoni Center’s Open-Door Counseling Program.
