Most people have felt sad or in a bad mood- but depression is more then just having a few bad days. It is an illness that affects daily functioning and lasts longer than just a few weeks. It is the most common of mental illnesses: with studies showing that 17 percent of the U.S. population (between 5-12 percent of men and 10-20 percent of women) will suffer from at least one depressive episode in their lifetime.  Without treatment it can last for years. With professional treatment- symptoms can and do improve! Symptoms of Depression:  A range of symptoms that may be felt Inability to find pleasure in things you once enjoyed. Feelings of hopelessness and/or worthlessness. Exaggerated sense of guilt or self-blame. Loss of sexual desire. Dissatisfaction with life in general Withdrawal from others or activities. Neglect of responsibilities and appearance. Irritability Impaired memory, inability to concentrate, indecisiveness, and confusion. Reduced ability to cope with stressors Chronic fatigue and lack of energy. Loss of appetite or compulsive eating. Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping. Unexplained headaches, backaches, stomach aches, or nausea. Causes: The Causes of depression are varied. Personality, environment or chemical imbalance. It can be the result of an unhappy event, stress or from a shortage of chemicals  in the brain. These imbalances can be a result of illness, certain medications, an infection, improper diet or genetics. How can you know it is time to seek professional help? Sadness or bad days usually don't stay for longer than a few weeks. If your symptoms just don't seem to resolve themselves- there are trained professionals who can help. If the emotional pain or symptoms seem to outweigh pleasures much of the time, or if your symptoms are affecting day to day functioning in your job, social life, family relationships or school- it is time to seek help. At its very worst- if suicide feels like an option seek immediate help. Call your doctor, go to the ER or a Licensed Mental Health Professional.  How can a counselor help?   educate and empower you with knowledge and hope help you recognize your own symptoms so as to avoid future episodes help you learn and build on coping skills teach you how to challenge depressive thinking and behavior help you identify support systems teach communication skills help you identify and build on your strengths For more information go to the National Institute of Mental Health at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ ...read more

Grief is a strong emotional, physical or spiritual reaction to loss. When most think of grief, they think of the grief that comes when we have lost a loved one to death. It can also be a result of many different kinds of losses; such as the loss of a job, a home, or a divorce. It is usually accompanied by a large array of emotions-shock, anger, guilt, disbelief, or fear. There can be physical reactions such as insomnia, fatigue, pain, weight loss  or gain, or nausea. There may also be spiritual reactions such as disappointment in religion or a strengthening of faith.Emotions can be overwhelming, with the fear that they may never subside. These feelings are normal and part of the grieving and healing process. Grieving takes time and happens gradually and there is no normal time table. Grief more often comes in waves- depending on what you are doing or triggers that make you remember your loss. The Hospice Foundation of America refers to it as like a rollercoaster."Like many roller coasters the ride tends to be rougher in the beginning, the lows may be     deeper and longer. The difficult periods should become less intense and shorter as time goesby, but it takes time to work through a loss. Even years after a loss...we may still experience astrong sense of grief."-Hospice foundation of AmericaEvery-one's reaction to grief is personal and different. There is no one right way to grieve.Grief may never fully go away but in time it won't remain center stage. If your sadness is so constant that it keeps you from resuming life- you may be experiencing a more complicated grief.Complicated Grief:You've been grieving for 4 months with no days of reliefYou struggle with normal daily activities and it is affecting your ability to concentrate, sleep, eat or socialize. You feel you can't go on living after the loss and think about suicide, dying, or hurting yourself.Some try to numb their feelings through drug or alcohol use.A professional and licenced counselor can help you through the healing process. Grief Counselors are professionally trained and knowledgeable on the grieving process. They provide a safe and caring atmosphere where you can feel supported through this process. They assist in understanding and recognizing the ranges in reactions to loss and trauma and help you find ways to express your grief. They can assist inaddressingand reducing stresses in your life- through organizing and prioritizing day to day and recovery related tasks. You will develop or strengthen healthy coping skills and learn to plan ahead for triggers. Those who are grieving don't need to do it alone.For more information or to set up an appointment feel free to email me at Jennifer.b.west@gmail.com or go to my website at jenniferwest.homestead.comOther Resources:http://www.griefnet.org/http://www.compassionatefriends.org(for those who have lost a child)http://www.griefresourcescatalog.com/catalog/(for books and catalogs on subject)http://www.nhpco.orghttp://www.counselingforloss.com ...read more