Depression

Depression is often a reflection on our environment or on how we feel about ourselves; it is our body's way of letting us know that something is not right. While much progress has been made in terms of advancing GLBTT* issues in our culture, there is still a long way to go. We may think that we have no reason to be depressed because we've got it so much better than the generations who came before us. But the reality is that there are still many subtle and overt forms of oppression and violence towards GLBTT* people (see Oppression).

Simply recognizing that you are GLBTT* may be enough to bring on symptoms of depression. Speaking with a GLBTT* positive counselor may be a helpful place to start if you suspect you may be depressed (see Counseling Services).

There are several symptoms that may appear with depression, including anxiety, panic, or worry that doesn’t go away. Depression is not always accompanied by sadness. Instead, you may experience irregular sleep cycles, lack of energy, lack of interest in life or activities that used to be interesting, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of guilt or worthlessness.

There are strong connections between depression and suicide, so if you are suffering from depression, try to get help for yourself even if you haven’t considered harming yourself or ending your life.

Depression doesn’t have to remain in your life. There are various forms of treatment for depression, including counseling or therapy, medications, and making changes to patterns or situations that trigger depressive episodes.

Managing Depression (downloadable and interactive toolkits)
http://heretohelp.bc.ca/skills/managing-depression