The Purple Meanies:

A state of sadness that can be related to an external event. These tiny little gremlins will inhabit a large portion of your thought space for a short period of time and then, gradually, exit without a major fuss.

The Purple Meanies are normal occurances for everyone. Each of us will experience them in response to a stress factor or combination of stress factors: death, divorce, job, a birth, a wedding, a promotion, a financial obligation, friendship, or any number of other events which create stress. The purple meanies subside after a while, but may have a great impact on short-term productivity and concentration.

Depression is not just the purple meanies taking up space. It is the purple meanies taking up residence and refusing to leave. The purple meanies multiply by adding additional stress factors, including some that are completely invisible to the outside observer. They multiply and multiply until the victim is lost in the blackness.

Statistically, over 1 in 20 persons will have a depressive disorder over the next year. Translated, that means approximately 5% of people, right now, are suffering from some degree of depression that may require treatment. Each of them feels alone, isolated and helpless in the grips of the blues that just won't go away. That is the reason for this page. If one person sees it and finds a resource or a piece of information that helps him or her to deal with this disorder, then I will not have wasted my time or Geocities' space. Falling into depression is not a conscious choice and no conscious choice will make depression go away. A person who suffers from true depression cannot say "I'm going to perk up today." The disorder is far more complicated and debilitating.

This site is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace, supplant or contradict professional assistance.

Facts about Depression

Most Commons Types of Depression

Major Depression:

This is a most serious type of depression. Many people with a major depression cannot continue to function normally. The treatments for this include medication, psychotherapy, and, in extreme cases, electroconvulsive therapy. Diagnostic criteria include the presence of at least five major symptoms with one symptom being either:

• Depressed mood or
• Loss of interest or pleasure

            See Symptoms of Depression

Dysthymia

This is a mild, chronic depression which may last for tow years or longer. Most people with this disorder continue to function at work or shcool but often with the feeling that they are "just going through the motions". The victim may or may not realize that he/she is depressed. Anti-depressant medications or psychotherapy can help. Symptoms include:

• Depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years (one year for children and adolescents)
• Presence, while depressed of at least two of the following:
  • Significant appetite changes (eating more or less)
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Low self-esteem
  • Poor concentration
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Feelings of hopelessness
• During the two year (or one-year) period, never an absence of symptoms for more than two months
• No evidence of an unequivocable, clear major depressive disorder
• Symptoms not superimposed on a chronic psychotic disorder such as Schizophrenia or Delusional Disorder
• Cannot be linked to an organic factor such as illness or medication

Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

This type of depression results when a person has had a negative experience such as loss of a job, bereavement, financial setback, etc. Diagnostic criteria include:

• A reaction to an identifiable psycho-social stressor or stressors that occurs withing three months of the onset of the stressors
• The maladaptive nature of the reaction is indicated by impairment in occupational (or school) functioning or in usual social activities or symptoms that are in excess of the normal and expectable reaction to the stressor(s)
• The disturbance is not merely one instance of a pattern of overreaction to stress or an exacerbation of an identifiable mental disorder
• The maladaptive reaction has persisted for no longer than six months
• The disturbance does not meet the criterial for any specific mental disorder and does not represent Uncomplicated Bereavement.

Symptoms of Depression

Diagnosis of Major Depression

For major depressive disorder, at least five of the following symptoms are present during the same time period, and at least one of the first two symptoms must be present. In addition, symptoms must be present most of the day, nearly daily, for at least 2 weeks.

• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day.
• Significant weight loss/gain.
• Insomnia/hypersomnia.
• Psychomotor agitation/retardation.
• Fatigue (loss of energy).
• Feelings of worthlessness (guilt).
• Impaired concentration (indecisiveness).
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Treatment Phases for Depression

Anti-Depressant Medications

Am I Alone?

What Can I Do to Help Myself?

• Accept depression as an illness. It cannot be willed away
• Delay any big decisions including career, relationship and financial decisions, until symptoms subside
• Take notes and make lists of things to do or remember
• If you wake in the night, get out of bed until you become sleepy again
• Avoid demanding or complex tasks when at all possible. It only builds frustration if you cannot concentrate.
• Avoid being at home alone for long periods of time. Isolation increases the intensity of negative thoughts
• Get outside at least once a day
• Participate in light exercise activities
• Remember that afternoon and early evening are usually the peak energy hours
• Try to keep your hands occupied in simple or soothing task--working "from the neck down" when possible
• Cancel all unnecessary social engagements until you feel more like yourself
• Eat nutritious foods or snacks, even if your appetite is low
• Talk with your physician and, when necessary, seek referral to a professional counselor to help you recognize and deal with the feelings of depression
• Recognize that depression is not an indicator of a character flaw.
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