My husband stinks at depression. He's never experienced it in any great degree before now. Being a female with chronic illness, I am much more aquainted with this unwelcome state of mind. You don't feed a depression--you starve it!

     In the past, Steve has weathered burn-out, anxiety, and a moderate mid-life crisis.  For the first time, he is battling a big dark ugly depression.  He is having trouble bouncing back from an illness, so I suspect that his new "companion" is both physical and emotional is origin.  What are the signs?  He feels low in energy.  Steve is frustrated that his zest is gone.  His thinking is fuzzy, his appetite is off. 

     We're going to a GI specialist Thursday, and as he checks other stuff, I'm going to ask him to check Steve's blood sugar.  Lots of physical things contribute to depression. People tend to think that depression is just peeving or grieving run amuck.  Maybe, but it can also have a powerful hereditary component, or can start mentally and grow into a chemical thing.  Depression can also have it's origin in illness. It can also start with a tragic situation and normal grieving over unhappy incidents and stress.  Stress alone can cause hormonal imbalances-- I don't remember all the terms--endorphines and receptors and stuff.  Ask your doctor.  Depression is now recognized as a serious issue that can impair your health. 

     If you are being dogged by a moderate depression, I can tell you what to do about it.  Don't cuddle it and cherish it.  Don't even look at it squarely (but do tell your doc about it.)  Surround yourself with positive people.  Read your Bible.  Play bright, happy music--no Barry Manilow, for those old enough to know who he is. Don't drink--alcohol is a depressant.  It will leave you lower.  Don't try to do depression alone.  Talk to your doctor, your best friend, and your dog.  Depression doesn't hang around groups--it is like a one-person cat. 

     Treat depression with chocolate--not the whole bag, silly. Just a little. Gaining weight will depress you more.  If you crave carbs, try cereal or whole wheat toast with peanut butter.  Soy shakes are good, too.  Don't overdo the carbs.  Low blood sugar enhances depression, so eat healthy food. 
Some people think exercises helps.  It doesn't help me, but all those runners can't be wrong.  Give it a try. 
     Keep up your routines.  Get showered, dressed, and put on makeup.  Smile at your reflection.  Convince yourself that you can take on the day.  "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  Rom. 8  Make morning appointments so that you don't sit in the house alone with that thick, dark cloud.      If the depression lasts longer than a week or two, seek professional help. Do not be ashamed, do not think you should have beaten it yourself.  This is a temporary condition, not an indication that you have failed.  You'd throw a life preserver to a drowning man, wouldn't you?  Others are able to pull you out of the depression.  There is no need to be swept away.      I'm sure Steve will find some root causes and be back to himself in a while.  I told him as I left for work, "Do what you did yesterday.  Shower and dress and go to the office."
"Wear a dress to the office?" he grinned.  Wow!  That might depress a lot of folks.  My husband is a pastor!