Signed,
Forgetful Amsterdam

Everyone gets the blues sometimes — they are a normal, but not terribly fun, part of life. However, when the feelings you're describing linger for weeks, or months, when it keeps you from getting to sleep at night, or getting out of bed in the morning, you may be what is considered clinically depressed.

Depression is an affective, or mood, disorder, that is said to affect over 10 million Americans. There is chronic, low grade depression, in which a feeling of sadness may last for weeks and recur every few months, but you can still function; and, major depression, where you are unable to function in at least one daily activity; are plagued by feelings of loneliness, despair, and helplessness; have changes in both eating and sleeping patterns; and/or, may have thoughts of suicide.

Here are 12 signs of depression that you can use to assess whether this fits your bill or not. If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms, and you're a student at Columbia, please make an appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) by calling x4-2878. If you're off-campus, you can contact the National Foundation for Depressive Illness at 1.800.248.4344 for a referral in your area.

• Continual feelings of sadness, emptiness, and helplessness that seem to have no cause
• Loss of interest, or pleasure, in ordinary activities, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, and feeling slowed down
• Sleep problems (i.e, insomnia, oversleeping)
• Eating problems (i.e., loss of, or increased, appetite; bingeing)
• Difficulty concentrating, or making decisions
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
• Irritability
• Excessive crying
• Chronic physical aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or suicidal attempts

If you don't fit the bill of a depressed person, but you're just feeling unfulfilled in your life, you have some other options. Try getting involved in a volunteer organization. Sometimes, working with people less fortunate can give a type of gratification that isn't available from daily tasks. Or, if you're concerned about the state of the world, try working with Greenpeace, Students for a Better Environment, or an International Economic or Political Refugee Organization. All of these are listed at Columbia through Community Impact, located in Earl Hall, or by phone at x4-1492.

It may be that you need to add something to your daily routine that has value in your own estimation. There are also books that may help your thinking in some new directions. Try Ram Dass's book, How Can I Help. Or, you may want some pastoral counseling, available by looking in the phone book, or for Columbia students by calling x4-6242, and asking for the religious counselor of your denomination. It's going to take some work on your part to determine your own morals and values, and then to find the group or organization that will meet your needs. However, you will most likely find that by adding an activity to your life that gives of yourself to others, you will find some deeper meaning and satisfaction to your existence.

Alice

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