Stumbling in the Darkness

Characteristics of Depressive Illness

• not being able to think as clearly or as quickly as in the past, difficulty making decisions
• poor concentration
• continuously feeling sad, low, hopeless, and irritable
• loss of pleasure/ interest in usual activities and hobbies
• increase/ decrease in appetite
• not being able to fall asleep/ stay asleep, waking up early, OR sleeping more than usual
• agitation or a slowing down of movements
• decrease in sexual interest or activity
• loss of energy - feeling totally tired out
• feelings of worthlessness and self-blame without justifiable cause
• the presence of aggression or hostility, frequent illness or continued absences from work/school
• engaging in self-destructive behaviours - excessive drinking/ drug use, self-injury, reckless activities (i.e. drinking while under the influence)
• recurring thoughts of death - suicidal ideation, wishes of death, or actual attempts

What To Do If You Are Feeling Down

• Explore your situation and figure out why you are feeling down. Accept that it is okay to feel this way sometimes. Mourn, cry, write a letter saying all the things you want to say. Yell if you have to, but get it out. Feel what you feel then give yourself time to heal and move on.
• Take charge of your life and BELIVE IN YOURSELF. Change the things that must be changed for things to get better for you.
• Talk about your feelings with people who are close to you. Write poetry. Draw. CREATE. Channel the energy of your feelings into something positive like writing the words and music to a song.
• When you’re ready to move on, get yourself motivated again. Exercise, eat right, get your energy level back up. DO NOT waste too much time moping around, waiting for your energy level to go back up by itself.
• Let yourself HAVE FUN again. Go out with friends. Play-wrestle with your pet (or siblings…). Jump on your bed. Laugh a lot at a stupid movie. Dress the total opposite of your usual, without any explanation to anyone, and not even on Halloween
• Love yourself enough to care. Tap into your

Statistics on Depression

• Some form of depression affects over 17.5 million Americans each year
• More than 1 in 5 Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime
• Almost two-thirds of all cases are not treated
• Almost 80% of those who experience depression can feel better with proper treatment
• Clinical depression commonly co-occurs with other medical illnesses
• One in ten Americans experience some disability from a diagnosable mental illness
• Depression can affect anyone, regardless of background, though major depression strikes women twice as often as men