Recession Depression

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Symptoms

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood


• Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early morning waking


• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain


• Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex


• Restlessness, irritability


• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)


• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions


• Fatigue or loss of energy


• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless


• Thoughts of suicide or death

Resources
Crisis Hotline

Find Treatment

Treatments

Find Support Group

En Espanol

Mental Health America

American foundation for Suicide Prevention

The times we live in are tough, job losses are at an all time high and there's no sign of relief in the economic outlook.

Crime is up as well as domestic violence and murder. Some studies show a direct relationship in the increased numbers to the money troubles we are all facing.

Experts call it recession depression.

What you need to know and what help is available to pull you out of the downward spin.

We see the signs weekly, long employment lines and the plummeting stock market. People are in need because of the tough economy and some are taking drastic measures.

For example, a man in California killed five members of his family, because he lost his job in Alabama authorities suspect man went on a shooting spree killing 11 after being laid off.

Or how about the children left at hospitals because their parents say they can't afford to keep them? The economy is taking its toll and we are all feeling it in one way or another.

A woman we spoke to asked not to be identified because of the stigma of depression. She says, "It is a lot like grief. You just go into shock and then you get angry..so then you kind of deny well..you know it really didn't happen and your mind is just thinking all sorts of things."

She says the sense of hopelessness you feel when you are worried about making ends meet can ruin your life if you let it.

She adds, "It was like I don't have a job. What's the point in getting up. I have applied here. I have sent a resume there and been online looking and there's nothing out there."

Michelle Morton with the Mental Health Association of America says in the Upstate the effects of the recession are causing many people to become depressed.

She says, "I think there is a strong sense of hopelessness in our community and on our crisis line we have seen a 30 percent increase on our calls. Many times related to financial stress, unemployment, anxiety, a lot of uncertainty about the future."

She says the results of not seeking help can be devastating.

According to Morton, "A lot of people were struggling before the recession so for them these problems manifested so its an even deeper sense of insecurity. A lot of sadness and unfortunately many times individuals are also suicidal."

In our area, suicides are up but experts caution until the end of the year they won't know if the reason is because of the downturn in the economy. According to Morton, it doesn't matter if you lost a job, still have one or are having trouble balancing credit cards, people in all walks of life are struggling.

She sees more people now complaining of physical ailments that show up because of their emotional stress.

She says, "There are strong links between depression, hypertension and heart disease. A lot of chronic physical illnesses. So physically your body can deteriorate."

Morton says the first step to getting back on track is easy, just talk to someone.

She says, "What we know is when we don't do anything things don't get better, many times they get worse."

She says the most important thing you can do is ask for help and focus on today, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Signs you may be suffering from depression can include sleeplessness, feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, chronic headaches and stomach aches as well as someone pulling back from activities they normally enjoy.

If you need someone to talk to there are people available to talk to you 24 hours a day. You can call for any reason. You can remain anonymous and it is free. (864)271-8888 or go to www.mhagc.com.

Do you think you maybe depressed? Take the Quiz to find out.