Suffering in silence Published Sept. 14, 2006 By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Many Americans have probably been taught about depression at one time or another. All military members receive annual suicide prevention briefings, but there may still be people suffering in silence from depression. It is never okay to forget about friends, coworkers or one's own happiness. There are many contributing factors which may lead to depression. A genetic predisposition to depression sometimes contributes, but especially in the military, situational factors are the main contributors, said Capt. Amy Elyse Isaia, psychologist and 20th Medical Group chief of Life Skills. Situational factors include the workplace, finances, relationships and families. Each person handles stress differently. However, people who are depressed may show some common symptoms. Some of the common symptoms to look for are: a significant increase or decrease in sleep, a loss of interest in pleasurable or social activities, guilty feelings, a decrease in energy, problems concentrating, an increase or decrease in eating and thoughts of suicide, said Capt. Catherine Callender, 20th MDG psychologist. There are some symptoms of depression to look for specifically at the work place. A person at a moderate level of depression may make mistakes in their work, act reclusive, not want to be part of the team; their uniform may not be up to par and they may seem to have a hard time concentrating. A person suffering from more severe depression may find it hard to even get out of bed and go to work and absences may occur, Capt. Callender said. There are different options on base to receive help for depression. One of them is contacting Life Skills. "When people are depressed, they often don't feel like engaging in activities they usually find enjoyable. We encourage them to make every effort to motivate themselves to socialize and engage in those activities because they typically end up having a good time, which lifts their spirits and improves their mood," Capt. Callender said. Another option is to seek counseling from a chaplain. For someone who is spiritual, a chaplain may be the better option because the counseling may hold a deeper meaning for them, she said. Also, a person suffering from depression can visit their primary healthcare manager and discuss possible medication, she added. However, medication may not be needed. "Essentially, what we know from research is that exercise can have a similar effect as anti-depressant medications," said Capt. Callender. A lot of people who are depressed do recognize the symptoms, but feel there is a stigma associated with depression, said Capt. Isaia. People should still get help, regardless of these feelings, because of the effects depression has on their lives. Depression affects families, work and health. The No. 1 effect of depression is on families. It adds additional stress emotionally to daily functions. It also leaves family members feeling helpless with their own efforts to help the person, Capt. Callender said. Work can be affected by the member because of the difficulty concentrating. Looking out for friends, family and co-workers by knowing the factors, symptoms and treatment may save someone's life.