There is a difference between feeling depressed, and being clinically depressed. We all feel depressed from time to time. But, how do we know when our feelings of anxiety or sadness, has crossed into something more serious? That's what Depression Screening is all about, and October is Depression Screening Month. Maybe it's you, or someone you know...But, awareness is the first step in recovery.

Here are some links that might help you understand depression, and the symptoms of depression a little better. Learn how you can help yourself or someone you love.

Depression-Screening.org

Life is full of good times and bad, happiness and sorrow. But if you've been feeling "down" for more than a few weeks or are having difficulty functioning in daily life, you may be experiencing more than just the "blues." You may be suffering from a common yet serious medical illness called clinical depression.

The good news is clinical depression is highly treatable. Most people with depression, however, do not seek the professional help they need -- often because they don't know the symptoms, think depression will go away on its own, or are embarrassed to talk about how they're feeling.

Families for Depression Awareness...

Families that work together are best able to cope with depressive disorders. Our organization, Families for Depression Awareness, helps people in caregiver roles and people with depressive disorders understand the conditions, reduce stigma, and share issues.

Understanding Depression...

There’s a vast difference between “feeling depressed” and suffering from clinical depression. The despondency of clinical depression is unrelenting and overwhelming. Some people describe it as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. They can't escape their unhappiness and despair. However, some people with depression don't feel sad at all. Instead, they feel lifeless and empty. In this apathetic state, they are unable to experience pleasure. Even when participating in activities they used to enjoy, they feel as if they're just going through the motions. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person, and they may wax and wane in severity over time.

Teen Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and How To Help - A Guide For Parents and Teachers...

Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide. Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated, and as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many things you can do to help.

Blogging Depression

From Postpartum Progress...

So last week, in the midst of all the economic craziness and the passage of a 700 BO-ZILLION dollar bailout package you may have missed that the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity Act of 2008 passed. Yes, it was inserted into the bailout package. Strange, although ironically it may make perfect sense since the ups and downs of the market are sending a lot of peope into anxiety and depression, according to USA Today.

Bring New Meaning to Mental Health Day...

Some days I’m completely useless. Today is one of those days. So you can imagine how pleased I was to learn about World Mental Health Day. I was so pleased, in fact, that I’ve started celebrating a day early. Won’t you join me?

Letters From Exile...

Twenty-something muddling through. I blog a lot about depression and sometimes what I had for dinner.

Depression and Major Depression...

Many people will be surprised when they find out that I have suffered major depression for most of my life. Although there are many types of depression, they are usually distinguished between depression and major depression.

By the time I had reached my early twenties I had suffered at least three episodes of depression. Over the next thirty years I had multiple breakdowns and was diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).I had been treated for it with medications and most of the time it seemed successful at least until the next occurance. Each episode seemed to get longer and more difficult to deal with.

From Just Joolz...

I’ve always been an insomniac. I go through periods where 3-4 hours of sleep a night is the best I can manage. I’ve seen many doctors about it, and all they ever did wasprescribe a course of sleeping pills and send me on my (not so merry) way. In December 2006 I had another onset of insomnia, I saw a local doctor several times over a period of 2-3 months, she kept asking if I had any ‘worries’ on my mind, to which I responded no. She prescribed increasingly strong sleeping pills, none of which helped. After 3 months of very little sleep I was despairing. I felt terrible, I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t want to be around anyone, I couldn’t see myself ever feeling good again. I sought a second opinion and was instantly diagnosed with severe GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) and depression (triggered by the anxiety). I felt so releived to know there was actually something wrong with me, and that something could be done about it. I was prescribed Lexapro and this had an almost immediate impact on me. But the first step in getting better was the feeling that the doctor actually understood me and wanted to help, I finally had HOPE.

Also See:

• WebMD - Depression Symptoms, Types, Complications and Warning Signs
• Are You Depressed?
• How To Beat Post-Summer Blues

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election