Suicide
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "THE BLUES" AND DEPRESSION
|
The Blues |
Depression |
| Feel "down," "depressed," "sad" for a day or two or even a week. |
Feel very "down," "depressed," "sad" for weeks on end. |
| May eat more or less, sleep more or less, feel tired for a day or two or a week, but can do what needs to be done. |
Gain or lose weight without trying, excessive sleep or lack of it interferes with ability to function, can't do what needs to be done no matter what |
| Think, "If I keep busy or get lots of sleep or exercise, I will feel better." Person is able to act on these thoughts to feel better. |
Person believes that nothing can change the way they feel, and nothing interests them. |
| Person has a sense that this will pass; tomorrow or next week will be better. |
Person feels hopeless that anyone can make this better--not themselves, and not anyone or anything else. |
| Even though things are bad now, the person knows he or she has much to contribute when he/she feels better. |
Person has a profound sense of worthlessness and/or guilt. |
| Though it's difficult, if the person really tries hard, he/she can think, evaluate, and make decisions. |
Person's thought processes are slowed, concentration is impaired, and the simplest decisions seem impossible. |
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
| The Blues |
Depression |
| Person might think for a moment, "If I were dead, I wouldn't have to deal with this," but the thought passes. |
Person thinks of what it would be like to be dead, may wish he/she was dead, or may think of ways to die or ways to kill himself/herself. |