Dairy Initiatives

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Beyond the Bottom Line

Depressed?  Who--Me?

MADGE ALBERTS
Children, Youth and Families Program Leader, University of Minnesota

Everyone gets down in the dumps once in a while. Heck, the current milk prices are enough to make even the most sturdy farmers a bit on edge. These feelings of depression are usually brief, and have only slight effects on our daily lives.

But prolonged depression can take hold without our even realizing it. It has the potential to wreak havoc not only with our own life, but with the lives of those around us. And very often, the person who is depressed is the last one to recognize it.

Depression can begin as feeling sad, or "having the blues." But not all depression feels this way. Sometimes depression is more a case of feeling nothing at all, or feeling numb or empty.

Below are some symptoms of depression. If someone you know has more than a couple of these--especially if they are new behaviors--or if even one symptom is present in an extreme way, it could mean that they are depressed. To help them get their feet back on the ground and feel better about life, encourage them to seek help from a medical or mental health professional or clergyperson.

It's important to note that the following signs do not always indicate depression, and there may be other signs not included on this list. But these are commonly recognized signs of depression.

Physical Signs

• Change in eating habits (eating too much, too little)
• Unwillingness to take care of physical appearance (shower, shave, wash/comb hair, etc.)
• Change in sleep habits (unable to sleep, or sleeping too much)
• Inability or decreased ability to concentrate
• Loss of interest in sex
• Headaches
  

Emotional Signs

• Feelings of guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Negativity
• Hopelessness
• Feelings of inadequacy
  

Behavioral Signs

• Difficulty getting started or putting things off
• Difficulty going about daily life and/or work
• Slow or reduced activity
• Avoiding people
• Greater focus on problems than pleasures
• Little things create extreme reactions
• Not enjoying activities formerly enjoyed
• Difficulty making decisions
• Excessive and unconscious watching of television
• New or excessive use of alcohol or other drugs
• Thoughts or threats of suicide
  

People who are depressed may not recognize it in themselves. Likewise, it may be hard for family members or friends to admit that depression may be present, or to take action to help the person. Yet this is exactly what is needed.

How to Help Yourself

If you feel you may be at risk for depression, there are some things you can do to help avoid it.

• KEEP BUSY.  Cutting yourself off from work, family, and friends reinforces depression.
• STAY ACTIVE.  Exercise and physical activity helps the body produce chemicals it needs to counteract depression.
• TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS.  Find someone who's willing to listen and talk. Particularly if you're a man, this might be hard for you. Push yourself to do it. It will help.
• WATCH YOUR DIET.  Eat healthy foods to keep your energy level high.
• READ.  Many self-help books and pamphlets are available to help you understand your emotions and overcome problems.
• BE OPEN TO HELP.  Let other people help you. Seek professional help if you feel out of control.

How To Help Someone Else

• LISTEN. Be available if the person wants to talk. Encourage him or her to talk without pressuring.
• BE PATIENT--even if he or she isn't.
• WATCH CAREFULLY for signs of suicide such as direct suicidal threats (particularly if the person seems to have a plan), making preparations or final plans for a family to live without him or her, giving away prized possessions, sudden and unexplained changes in behavior or mood swings, or comments about not being around much longer.
• DON'T PRESSURE the person to "snap out of it." He or she probably can't.
• DON'T SAY, "I know exactly how you feel." You probably don't.

If you feel significant depression or risk of suicide is present, be as assertive as you need to be in getting the person to see a clergyperson, doctor, or counselor. This may mean actually making the appointment and taking them to it.

The current massive changes in agriculture, and the way in which those changes are affecting individual farmers--especially those whose identities are very closely tied to farming--creates an environment where depression is a very real possibility. Keeping alert to signs of depression in yourself and others, and acting on them early, can go a long way toward helping prevent long-term, debilitating depression.