| Everyone gets into a funk now and then. Perhaps you | | | | worthlessness, or helplessness |
| are feeling stressed out, or you are disappointed at | | | | 3. Loss of interest in activities that were previously |
| recent events. You may even feel a bit blue because | | | | enjoyed |
| of your hormones or body chemistry. Usually, these | | | | 4. Feelings of fatigue and loss of energy |
| feelings do not last for very long before you are | | | | 5. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making |
| feeling positive again. | | | | decisions |
| But for some people, it is harder to pull out of a blue | | | | 6. Insomnia, waking in the early morning, or oversleeping |
| mood. They may experience these feelings more | | | | 7. Loss of appetite or weight gain due to overeating |
| frequently, and over longer periods of time. When this | | | | 8. Contemplated or attempted suicide |
| happens, these blue moods are not only | | | | 9. Restlessness or irritability |
| uncomfortable, they can affect your health. | | | | 10. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond |
| Bad news about bad moods | | | | to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, |
| A number of studies have linked depression and bad | | | | and chronic pain. |
| moods with an increased risk of heart disease. In | | | | If you or someone you know is suffering from a |
| addition, people who are depressed are four times | | | | depressive disorder, it's important to get treatment. A |
| more likely to suffer from fatigue. Physical pain, such | | | | clinically depressed person cannot simply "get over it." |
| as headaches, back pain, and abdominal pain, is also a | | | | They need help. |
| common symptom of depression. | | | | Managing moods and treating depression |
| According to a study at Kansas State University, you | | | | If you or a loved one is depressed, the first step is to |
| are more likely to become sick if you hold a negative | | | | schedule an examination with a physician so they can |
| mood for a longer period of time. Extroverted people | | | | rule out any physical causes. They can refer you to a |
| tend to be more positive and can shake a bad mood | | | | psychologist or psychiatrist if necessary. There are |
| more quickly, making them less likely to become ill. | | | | also numerous support groups that can help you on |
| In fact, an optimistic outlook helps to boost your | | | | your path to recovery. |
| immune system. A study published in the Journal of | | | | Whether you are suffering from a temporary blue |
| Personality and Social Psychology found that an | | | | mood or you are depressed, try the following methods |
| optimistic mindset helps people to weather stressful | | | | to improve your outlook: |
| events, such as surgery or illness. Conversely, people | | | | 1. Exercise - A recent study at UT Southwestern |
| with a more pessimistic attitude tend to have a | | | | Medical Center shows that even low-intensity exercise |
| reduced immune response to the stressful situation. | | | | several days a week can reduce symptoms in cases |
| Is it just a bad mood? | | | | of mild to moderate depression. A moderately intense |
| If you do find yourself in a bad mood frequently or for | | | | aerobic program reduces the symptoms by an |
| a long period of time, it is possible you may be | | | | average of 47 percent after 12 weeks. |
| depressed. What's the difference between depression | | | | 2. Eat a balanced, healthy diet - It is always important |
| and a passing blue mood? A depression involves your | | | | to support your body nutritionally. |
| thoughts, mood, and body. It affects every aspect of | | | | 3. Meditate - In recent years, several clinical trials have |
| your life, including the way you eat or sleep, how you | | | | shown that meditation is an effective way to manage |
| see the world, and how you feel about yourself. A | | | | and reduce stress. Meditation can take many forms, |
| clinical depression of this nature can make you feel | | | | but the primary goal is to relax and focus your |
| powerless and immobilized. | | | | attention. |
| Depression may include some of the following | | | | Remember, if you are depressed, these methods are |
| symptoms: | | | | not a substitute for proper care. Seek help if you think |
| 1. Persistent sadness and anxiety | | | | you are depressed. |
| 2. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, | | | | |