The Many Layers of Depression

By: Margaret Schocken, Andrea Fischer, Erin Keller,  Zoe Looney, Breanna Radar, Faith Riggs, Mariah Tyler, and Ashley Wilson.

What is depression?

While we all feel upset, moody or low from time to time, many people will experience these feelings right away, for a long period of time (weeks, months and even years) and usually there is no reason for it. Depression is more than just a down mood – it is an intense condition that can affect your mental health. Most people do not know exactly what the cause of depression is. There are several things that can lead to these problems. Depression can usually result from a combination of longer-term or personal factors. Some of the causes are life events, family history, personality, serious medical illness, or drug and alcohol use, and also changes in the brain.

There are several types of depression. The main one is major depression which involves a low mood and/or loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities. There is also melancholia, psychotic depression, antenatal and postnatal depression, bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, dysthymic disorder, and lastly there is seasonal affective disorder known as SAD. Depression can be controlled by medical or psychological treatments. It is never too late to speak with someone about your recent signs.

-Breanna Radar

In a day and age where speaking up about mental health is encouraged, the phrase “I’m depressed” seems to be used more and more. However, there is a difference between being sad and being clinically depressed. There are plenty of open letters and blog posts on the internet addressing the issue noting that having a bad day does not mean one is necessarily depressed. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America lists feeling helpless, insomnia or oversleeping, feeling of emptiness, and thought of death or suicide as symptoms of depression.

-Erin Keller

Post Grad Depression:

As many of us know, college is filled with intense all-nighters, long lectures, and many crazy nights. But what happens after? For some people, the follow up of graduating college is a scary unknown. The high of graduation filled with the  accomplishment of finishing an education career, leaves many with a feeling of “what now?” This is the last time we are living in close proximity to our friends and have summer, spring and winter breaks. For some people, college was the best times of their lives and this feeling of “peaking” can leave some anxious. As we come upon our senior year of college, we realize it is our final year of freedom of a full time career and responsibilities that awaits us upon graduation. According to the American Psychological Association, millennials have the highest rate of depression of any generation. Talking to friends that have recently graduated has opened our eyes to seeing that post-college life isn’t as easy and it seems. They finally have the degrees they worked so hard for and resume filled with accomplishments that might strike out to employers. Another study reported that many millennials who have a higher usage of social media experience deeper depression. This depression is sometimes heightened during the post-college period when many are scrolling on their feeds and seeing their friends secure jobs and amazing opportunities. The best way to cope during this time is to steer away from social media and use the time to focus on yourself. There is so much time to discover your true self instead of putting a ton pressure on yourself. We are young, and the possibilities are infinitely endless. It’s also important to let others know how you’re feeling. Many college graduates and young professionals are feeling the same. You are not alone in how you are feeling. It’s important to have at least one person you can rely on to hear you out because you aren’t alone.

-Faith Riggs and Mariah Tyler

Ways to cope:

Music

Mental health is a hot topic in society right now.  Between school shootings and celebrity suicides, mental illnesses are being talked about now more than ever.  Whether diagnosed or not, everyone is dealing with something and coping in different ways. Some coping mechanisms are more impactful than others, and that’s a personal preference.

For me, music has been my outlet.  There is nothing more therapeutic than creating music, either alone or with others.  Making music isn’t just beneficial for mental health, but also the body’s entire wellbeing.  It’s so important to get your creative juices flowing and express your emotions. Singing is a natural antidepressant.  Singing actually releases endorphins in your brain that make you feel good/happy. Regardless of how you sound, singing creates pleasure.  Small things like singing along to the radio and in the shower can improve your mood throughout the day and also reduces stress. According to “11 Surprising Health Benefits of Singing” on takelessons.com, “singing releases stored muscle tension and decreases the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in your bloodstream.”  Something as simple as singing relaxes and calms the mind, body, and soul. It also gets more oxygen to the brain which improves mental alertness and concentration. Making music makes you more awake and focused, which can really be helpful with things such as ADHD. These are just some of the beneficial factors of music in relation to mental health.  Music has been so influential and helpful in my life through all the ups and downs, I would highly recommend giving it a try and seeing the outcome on your health.

-Margaret Schocken

Exercise

Some of the best methods to help your internal health start externally.  Physical exertion helps your body in so many more ways than what initially comes to mind.  Even if you have never considered yourself the typical “active” type, there are many different forms of exercise to try out until you find your fit.

Running is by far one of the best ways to release endorphins and personally my favorite. This activity could act as either a form of meditation or a great outlet to release built up anger/stress. While running you could jam out to your favorite music in the street or run through a quiet park to clear your headspace.  If running isn’t your thing and you’re looking for a more relaxing yet super effective method, Yoga might be the activity for you. Yoga is one of the the most natural anxiety/stress relievers and is especially trending in urban areas such as New York. Another fun, more light hearted activity to help boost positive mentality is a group workout class. There is an abundance of different types of classes offered whether it’s an energetic zumba class or a more focused ab class.  A huge plus side of going to group workouts is getting to socialize if you choose or doing it as a fun weekend activity with friends.

-Zoe Looney

Effects After Suicide on Families

Suicide is devastating, and the effects of suicide on family and friends can be severe. The loss of a loved one is never easy, however losing someone to suicide is a different type of loss that is very challenging to heal from. It leaves family and friends numb, angry or confused, guilty, and depressed. The need to understand “why” can be difficult because the circumstances surrounding the loved one’s death could be unclear. A person who loses a partner to suicide often feels rejection or betrayal. Partners have chosen to share their life with that person and their hopes and expectations of the future can be destroyed. Partners generally have one of the closest relationships with the deceased, which leads to questioning themselves about how they did not notice and the feeling of guilt that they did not do enough. Siblings can become isolated in their family because parents don’t want to involve their remaining children in the experience. This leads to siblings not wanting to share emotions with their parents because they don’t want to worry them.

Suicide impacts the deceased’s family and friends own mental health. Parents who lost a child to suicide often have higher rates of depression, physical problems and divorce. Children of parents who committed suicide are at a significantly increased risk for committing suicide themselves.

If someone close to you has lost a loved one to suicide, here are some ways to support your friend during this difficult loss. Though it can be uncomfortable, talking directly and acknowledging the situation can show that you are willing to talk about it and that your friend feels safe talking to you. Communicate genuinely and don’t hide your feelings. Sometimes we do not know what to say, but it is better to express that than to cover up feelings. Be an active listener and watch for warning signs. Sometimes someone who has experienced a loss by suicide will have suicidal thoughts themselves. Know the warning signs of suicide and ask your friend directly about thoughts of suicide. Recommend emotional support resources and if concerned, get professional help right away.

-Andrea Fischer