Digging yourself out of that funk

The blues. We all encounter a period of time when we are feeling down. Maybe there was job loss, the end of a relationship, or trouble dealing with an illness. Those things naturally bring us a feeling of depression. Usually when the thing we are dealing with is over or resolved, we start to feel our mood lift and we begin to feel better.

But what if you don't begin to feel better? What if it becomes too hard to think positively or see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Symptoms of depression can range from mild to severe. You may withdraw from interacting with family or their social groups; find it hard to eat or sleep; lose interest in activities you once thought were interesting. It may be hard to get out of bed and bathe and you may find that everything that you once did easily is now a challenge.

There are millions of people dealing with clinical depression. The good news is, it's treatable. You don't have to live with feeling depressed without addressing your symptoms.

Don't be afraid to seek help. When you're dealing with depression, having conversation with a friend or a trusted family member won't help solve the issue. Seeking services from a licensed professional is still somewhat taboo in today's society. If you had an issue with your heart you would not hesitate to see a cardiologist. If you had an issue with your foot, you would not hesitate to see a podiatrist. So when you are experiencing depression, why would you hesitate to see the therapist?

Professional help should be sought if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others. Take your health seriously.

To find a professional in your area, call United Way at 211.