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Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior May Be Part of a Chronic Situation

Depression ranges from mild, short-term mood swings to chronic, severe depression. This can be caused by a biological imbalance such as a deficiency of serotonin (5HT) in the brain. Other causes could include stress, abuse of alcohol or drugs, and a myriad of other things.

The symptoms may include frequent sadness or crying, a sense of hopelessness or having no control over yourself, intense guilt complex, decreased interest in things that were once of interest, decreased appetite, insomnia, and muscle and joint pain. In some cases, clinical depression goes away on its own in time. However, in other instances, symptoms may continue or worsen. If left untreated, this could lead to major depressive disorder or major dysthymia, which is a condition characterized by major life changes. Major depressive disorder and major dysthymia often require hospitalization, and treatment with antidepressants is often effective in controlling the symptoms of these disorders.

Many people who suffer from depression may eventually become addicted to prescription medications like antidepressants. Because of this possibility, medical professionals such as doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists often prescribe antidepressants to depressed patients who cannot otherwise cope with the symptoms of their mood disorder on their own. Unfortunately, while treating depressed patients, doctors are also treating those with major depressive disorders who have addictive tendencies.

A distinction should be made between situational depression and clinical depression. Situational depression is usually characterized by feelings of sadness that are widespread and long-lasting. People with situational depression feel sad whenever they do not receive an adequate amount of praise or attention, such as after a breakup. Because these feelings are so pervasive and long lasting, it can be difficult for people with situational depression to acknowledge their illness and seek help. It is not, however, a major depressive disorder, and people with this type of depression can and should seek treatment.

In addition to situational depression, another form of clinical depression has its roots in physical problems. People with physical problems, including arthritis and fibromyalgia, may suffer intense sadness and anxiety for days or weeks at a time. Physical illnesses can be more intense than emotional problems because they force a person to look inward instead of outward. While physical problems are serious, people with these illnesses should be treated with care and not placed on antidepressants without proper consultation.

In addition to feeling deeply unhappy about one's life, people with clinical depression also experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. People with this form of clinical depression report feeling physically ill, fatigued and emotionally exhausted even during periods of happiness. In addition, people with situational depression are likely to develop avoidance habits, such as avoiding certain social settings, hobbies, or activities. They may also turn to alcohol or drugs to alleviate their sadness. Even if they are not physically addictive, people with situational depression are likely to withdraw from family members and friends and lose interest in most activities, including hobbies, sports, and causes they may have devoted their lives to.

Although it is quite common for people to experience periods of sadness or feeling blue for extended periods of time, these symptoms can also indicate another mental health condition called bipolar disorder (Bipolar I disorder). Bipolar disorder is often marked by mood swings that occur between periods of normal functioning and extremely extreme responses towards normal activities or thoughts. The frequency and intensity of depressive episodes can vary widely from once a week to several times a week, while episodes of hypomania (a temporary manic state) are more infrequent and occur only when the sufferer is experiencing normal mood swings. However, anyone can experience mild episodes of either state, and some mild cases of situational depression do not necessarily lead to suicide thoughts.

There is a close relationship between seasonal climate and mood and the symptoms of clinical depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the winter months are the most severe in terms of daily precipitation and temperature, which may lead to a decline in bodily functions. Because people need more energy to regulate their body systems, this can translate to a decreased appetite, fatigue, weight gain, and an overall decline in general health. While seasonal weather variations may not always lead to suicidal thoughts, people who experience severe mental health problems during times of year when there is an imbalance of extreme heat or cold may be at higher risk for suicide because of their inability to adequately respond to the seasonal variation in temperature.

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