Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.

You are not depressed when you feel sad for a day or two; you are depressed when you experience a prolonged period of sadness that interferes with your ability to function. Depression occurs because of an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. It is an illness. And it is highly treatable.

Unfortunately, many people do not receive treatment for depression, and thus are at risk for suicide.

If you or have some of these symptoms below, please seek help immediately:

• Feeling sad for two or more weeks - Feeling   lethargic feeling like you have no  energy

•   Unable to concentrate

•  Sleeping too much or too little

•   Eating too much or too little

•   Feeling worthless

•   Feeling hopeless

•   Feeling helpless

•  Feeling negative or pessimisstic

•   Losing interest in activities that you previously    enjoyed

•   Crying frequently

•   Withdrawing from others

•   Neglecting personal appearance

•   Feeling angry

•   Feeling guilty

•   Unable to think clearly

•   Unable to make decisions

• Basically, if "the blues" do not go away after two weeks, you probably have depression. And you need to get treatment. So please make an appointment with a medical doctor and a therapist so you may be properly evaluated. Many people do not think of going to a medical doctor when they are depressed, but it is an important step because there could be a physical problem beside the chemical imbalance that is causing the depression. And please get into therapy. If the therapist believes that you need medication he or she can refer you to someone.

  Get help now.

  Get treatment now.

  Many people who have depression do not get help. So please, do the right thing and make those appointments.

  Again, you may need to take medication. So, please leave that option open. People take medication all of the time for a variety of ailments, why should taking medication for depression be any different?

  And please understand that when you are depressed that you affect the people around you. So get help for your loved ones as well as yourself. If you need to take medication, then you should do so. You can ask the doctor and therapist all of the questions that you can think of. And you can do your own research. You can seek a second and even a third opinion. But the bottom line is that you need to do what is necessary to get better.

  You might believe that you could never become suicidal, but protracted, untreated depression will make almost anyone suicidal, including you. So take action now. If you are depressed, make those appointments immediately.

  If finances are holding you back, then look for low-priced clinics in your community. Call 1-800-SUICIDE for referrals.

  If you are not depressed but know someone who is, please make sure that he or she receives help. Remember that untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide, so immediate action is required.

  Take action--

  Force yourself to take action.

  People care about you.

  So please take action now.

  And please read the following articles for additional information about depression.

  People With Depression Cannot "Snap Out Of It"

  "It's Not That Bad" is the Wrong Thing to Say to Someone Who is Depressed or Suicidal

   

  http://suicide.org

  by: Kevin Caurso

DEPRESSION DISTORTS THE THINKING

You probably have heard the expression "looking at the world through rose-colored glasses," which means that no matter what happens, everything seems wonderful. It is a distortion of reality.

But what about "looking at the world through depression glasses"? That is an expression that you do not hear, but probably should. Looking through "depression glasses" causes everything to seem horrible. Really horrible.

"Depression glasses" always distort things in a negative way. And thus these despicable glasses bring nothing but sadness and gloom.

And these glasses then seem to control your thoughts. You may have thoughts like these:

Everything is horrible.

And everything will always be horrible.

I am worthless.

I am a horrible person.

I can't do anything right.

Nothing ever goes my way.

Nobody loves me.

Nobody cares about me.

I feel terrible.

And I will always feel terrible.

I am overwhelmed.

I will never be happy again.

I hate life.

I am in horrible pain.

The pain will never end.

The pain just gets worse.

I do not want to live anymore.

I want to die.

STOP! That's right, stop right there. Take the glasses off. How? Get treatment for what is causing you to wear those horrible glasses. If you have thoughts like those above, you most probably have an untreated mental illness, like depression.

Depression distorts your thinking.

But depression is highly treatable. And the vast majority of people who get treatment for their depression get better.

If you are in a suicidal crisis, that is, if you are at a high risk for suicide right now, you need to call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK

Call now.

If you have thoughts of suicide, but are not suicidal, please make appointments with a doctor and a therapist so you can get assessed and treated.

Call now.

Do not delay.

Take the steps that you need to take to get better.

And throw away the "depression glasses" forever.

Thank you for taking action.

You are a great person.