Depression is more than the blues

'Tis the season. No, it's not the season to be jolly, but just the opposite. Seasonal depression, according to WebMD, is a depression that occurs each year at the same time, usually starting in fall or winter and ending in spring or early summer. It is more than just "the winter blues" or "cabin fever." Between four and six percent of the U.S. population suffers from seasonal depression, while around 10 percent suffer a milder form of the disorder.

The exact cause for seasonal depression is not known, but several theories are out there. One theory is that with decreased exposure to sunlight, the biological clock that regulates mood, sleep and hormones is delayed, running more slowly in winter. Exposure to light may reset the biological clock.

Another theory is that brain chemicals that transmit information between nerves, called neurotransmitters (for example, serotonin), may be altered in individuals with seasonal depression. It is believed that exposure to light can correct these imbalances.

However, depression is not limited to just the winter months. Depression can loom over someone during any month of the year. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, about 18.8 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from some form of depression.

I want to clear one thing up right now, though. Depression is not simply feeling sad or down about something. Depression is a beast that sucks the energy from you and makes your body and mind unable to function normally. The enjoyment of life is gone. Anything that had given you some form of pleasure no longer has any effect on you. You are exhausted but can't fall asleep. You are starving, but the thought of food makes you nauseous. You are trapped, alone in the world, and there is no escape from the painful thoughts that haunt you over and over again. You are lost in a dark shadow with seemingly no hope of finding the light.

Some people in this situation think that there is no help and decide to end their misery. Suicide, closely linked to depression, is the third leading cause of death in 10- to 24-year-olds.

However, it does not need to come to that. While depression is not something that can necessarily be cured, it is something that can be curbed so a person can lead a normal life. There are several types of depression medications (antidepressants) used to treat depression and conditions that have depression as a component of the disease, such as bipolar disorder. According to WebMD, these drugs improve symptoms of depression by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters. It is believed that these brain chemicals can help improve emotions.

Counseling is also available to those who suffer from depression. While antidepressants work on the physiological causes of the depression, counseling works on the psychological causes of the depression. Usually the two working together are the best solution for overcoming depression.

For people with milder forms of depression, usually just getting outside and exercising or eating healthy is enough to improve the emotions.

If you feel like you suffer from depression, do not ignore it and think it will go away. Left undiagnosed and untreated, depression can worsen, lasting for years and causing untold suffering, and it can possibly even result in suicide. Those around you can't necessarily tell whether or not you suffer from depression just because you may be down at times.

It should not be the responsibility of your friends to find out what is wrong with you and help you through it. It is your responsibility to get help if you feel like it is too overwhelming. People are not mind readers, and most have their own lives and problems to worry about. As college students, we are half a step away from the real world, where we won't be able to rely on our parents or anyone else to help us through the problems in life. It is up to you to take responsibility for yourself and, if there is a problem, get help and change it. No one will do it for you.

However, that does not mean you need to feel alone in the world or that no one understands what you are going through. Depression is a common illness that affects millions of Americans. There are several treatment options available and there are professionals on campus who know how to help you through depression. Do not let it get out of hand and lead to suicide. Because once you go all the way down that road, you can't come back.