Seasonal Affective Disorder

Abba...this is a really hard time of year for so many.

Some are experiencing the first round of holidays and feasts without a loved one...
whether through death or a need for reconciliation.

Some are going through serious illness.

Some are experiencing great financial hardship.

Some are locked into bondages and/or addictions.

Abba, please touch each one, especially those who are reading this prayer and their loved ones.

I lift them all up to You, Abba.

You can bring healing...

Depression can have many symptoms some of which include: anxiety, memory loss, confusion, suicidal thoughts, phobias, overwhelming sadness, loss of appetite, fears, isolating, etc. There are several online Depression Tests that you can take to determine your rate of risk for clinical depression and to help you further understand depression. Some of them are:

WebMD Depression Symptom Quiz
Depression Triggers, Risk, Symptoms. Depression Myths vs. Facts. Test Your Depression IQ. Could it be depression?

Mayo Clinic Depression Self-assessment Quiz
Take this depression self-assessment to see whether you have symptoms of depression.

The holiday blues refers to specific feelings and symptoms that can mimic depression such as:

note: Members can discuss this workshop in the Message Boards HERE

Obie-host: Please join me in welcoming Linda Lufkin. She is the author of the book. A Pathway to Healing: One Woman's Journey through Depression

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days.When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better.

Document Description
For parents, the key to handling mental disorders of children is to recognize the problem and seek appropriate treatment. These disorders have specific diagnostic criteria and treatments, and a complete evaluation by a mental health provider can determine whether a child needs help. Some of the mental disorders commonly seen in children are depression, ADHD, and conduct disorder.

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What is Mental Illness? In the past, the subject of mental illness was surrounded with mystery and fear. Today, we have made tremendous progress in our understanding and especially, in our ability to offer effective treatments. However, questions about mental illness often go unanswered, and stand in the way of people receiving help.

Do you have the blues only certain times of the year?