Depression – It is not always apparent when a friend or loved one is depressed. Reaching out sooner than later can lead to suicide prevention. Downloading the App onto someone’s phone can assist them in reaching out in their time of need.

Depression – It is not always apparent when a friend or loved one is depressed. Reaching out sooner than later can lead to suicide prevention. Downloading the App onto someone’s phone can assist them in reaching out in their time of need.

Based on research, depression, or melancholia as it was first called, was recognized as far back as ancient Greek times. Today, depression is known as clinical depression, major depression, or simply, depression.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.1

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.2

Symptoms

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

  • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
  • Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
  • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
  • Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
  • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.3

When to see a doctor

If you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, any health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.

When to get emergency help

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Also consider these options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:

Call your doctor or mental health professional.

Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Use that same number and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

Reach out to a close friend or loved one.

Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.4

What does this mean to you? By purchasing the Here I Am App for a loved one dealing with depression, you’ll be letting them know that in their time of extreme duress, you’re available to them through the Here I Am App. With the Here I Am app on their phone, they’ll be able to reach out to you. And with the emergency message providing you with a map and their exact GPS location, you’ll be able to send emergency services, if necessary, to where they are. And of course, if you’re able, you’ll be able to get to them too. As the Here I Am App is only $1.99 USD, download it for them. By doing so, you’ll be letting them know that you care – that they matter to you, especially in their time of need.

For more information on Depression, please visit the following sites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_depression

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression