A woman sits, curled on a couch, face in her hands, crying! For many this is the face of depression.

A man walks, unsmiling and alone, along a path. His head is bowed and he seems lost in his thoughts. This too is the face of depression.

But depression can have many faces, and many people are extremely skilled at hiding their depression. Depression can look like a happy young mother, a successful business person, or a star athlete. It can be the busy college student, or the doting grandmother.

What is depression exactly? We are all up, and then down. We have times when we feel joy, and times when it feels like our world is caving in. These kinds of shifts in mood are part of life. But depression is something more.

Major depression may make you feel as though work, school, relationships, and other aspects of your life have been derailed or put on hold indefinitely. You feel constantly sad or burdened, or you lose interest in all activities, even those you previously enjoyed. This holds true nearly all day, almost every day, and lasts at least two weeks. During this time, people with depression experience some of the following symptoms:

• Eating too much or too little.

• Sleeping too much, or not enough.

• Loss of energy or feeling tired much of the time.

• Problems concentrating or making decisions.

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive, inappropriate guilt.

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide plans or attempts.

When these symptoms are present one may well have major depression. But major depression is not the only form of depression. Some people have what is called dysthymia,

Dysthymia refers to a low-level of depression that lasts for at least two years in adults or one year in children and teens. Its persistent hold can keep you from feeling good and can intrude upon your life. If you suffer from dysthymia, more often than not you feel depressed during most of the day. You may carry out daily responsibilities, but much of the zest is gone from your life.

Depression is serious. It cannot only make life difficult, but it can become so severe that people no longer want to live, and become suicidal.

The good news is that depression is treatable. Various talk and behavioral therapies as well as medications can give people back their lives. If you feel you, or a loved one might be suffering from depression, please call for help! Locally call your doctor, or call Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness, at 541-426-4524. If you are feeling suicidal call the crisis line, 541-398-1175.

Steven Kliewer is a licensed professional counselor and part of the leadership team at Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness.