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Depression Blog

By Nancy Schimelpfening, About.com Guide to Depression since 1998

National Depression Screening Day

Friday October 2, 2009

October 8, 2009 will be National Depression Screening Day. Screening sites all over the US will be offering free depression screenings. International screening sites are also available. If you are concerned that you may be depressed, take a moment to look up the site nearest you and get your free screening. You can also take a free online symptoms screening on this site.

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Comments

October 16, 2007 at 7:36 am
(1) Candace says:

I am absolutely sure I am depressed….but there doesn’t seem to be ONE damn thing I can do about it. lol I just don’t know what to say or do anymore.. NOBODY I know seems to understand or even care how I feel and I just….I don’t know. I have completely run out of words…energy..you name it. What possible solutions could anyone offer me NOW?

October 6, 2008 at 6:15 pm
(2) Judy says:

I have had depression for years. I know how it feels. I also had a breakdown before too. If you would like to talk email me. I need a good friend who knows whaat it feels like.

October 10, 2008 at 12:15 am
(3) Nicole says:

Judy and Candace- you are not alone- I have been sufferring for more years than I want to count. I have offered help and support to others but it never comes back. Feel terribly alone but can’t give in to it because I have to work to support myself and have other responsibilities.

Is there a way we could communcate, and Nancy can you refer us to a blog or other group for support and help? I don;t want to continue only to weep and express feelings but want serious help and guidance.

September 27, 2009 at 1:59 pm
(4) Gautam says:

Everyone undergoes a depressed state. Some acknowledge it and others dont. The ones that acknowledge it and take action to deal with depressions are the ones that win. The ones that acknowledge depression but wait for someone else to help them with their problem lose. And those that never acknowledge are just known as normal folks that continue to pretend to lead so called normal lives. Every one goes through cycles of happiness and sadness and fear is most felt during sadness when self confiudence is at its lowest. Every situation has a positive isde and if we concentrate on that depression can be overcome without need for others to help.

October 7, 2009 at 6:39 pm
(5) JJ says:

Frustration that cannot find a site with useful info on sites for depression screening tomorrow…sites listed for Az. are few and far between and I know a woman who only has a bicycle in Prescott Valley and cannot get to Kingman, Tempe, Bullhead City or whereever…Not very helpful at all and a waste of my time, y’all.

October 8, 2009 at 11:29 am
(6) Loraine says:

There is a difference between sadness and depression. Everyone has periods or days of sadness throughout their lives, a normal reaction when something emotionally traumatic happens, stressful situations, at a loss, etc. which we can and do “get over”, but depression is something that lingers long after the traumatic, stressful events have passed, for seemingly no rational reason at all, and lasts longer than a week or two, and you find it hard to overcome, often not something one can simply “get over” or fix by oneself.

As someone who has suffered from severe depression for over a decade, now post-depression, I am thankful there is such a day promoting depression screenings, awareness and understanding of depression. The deceptive part about depression is that no one notices when it starts as it can become the day to day “norm” in your life making it difficult to become aware of it and identify it, which is why depression screenings, and promoting awareness and understanding of depression is so important.

I would also like to share a link to Dr. Martin Seligman’s Authentic Happiness website that similarly has screenings that are extremely helpful, and information on Positive Psychology that helps lastingly decrease depression symptoms, helps people identify and relearn/ create happiness that lasts. These tools helped me move past depression, past medication, and on to a happier me.

Authentic Happiness

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