No purpose in life

Everyone gets the blues sometimes — they are a normal, but not terribly fun, part of life. However, when the feelings you're describing linger for weeks, or months, when it keeps you from getting to sleep at night, or getting out of bed in the morning, you may be what is considered, clinically depressed.

Depression is an affective, or mood, disorder. It's estimated that depression affect's over ten million Americans. There is chronic, low grade depression, in which a feeling of sadness may last for weeks and recur every few months, but you can still function; and, major depression, where you are unable to function in at least one daily activity; are plagued by feelings of loneliness, despair, and helplessness; have changes in both eating and sleeping patterns; and/or, may have thoughts of suicide.

Below are some symptoms you may be experiencing if you are suffering from depression. You may experience none, one, or some of these:

• Continual feelings of sadness, emptiness, and helplessness that seem to have no cause
• Loss of interest, or pleasure, in ordinary activities, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, and feeling slowed down
• Sleep problems (i.e, insomnia, oversleeping)
• Eating problems (i.e., loss of, or increased, appetite; bingeing)
• Difficulty concentrating, or making decisions
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
• Irritability
• Excessive crying
• Chronic physical aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or suicidal attempts

If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms, and you're a student at Columbia, please make an appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) by calling x4-2878. If you're off-campus, you can contact iFred (International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression) by visiting their website or calling for immediate telephone support at 1.800.442.4673 for a referral in your area.

Feeling unfulfilled in life can really be a bummer. You do have options, though.  If you haven't already, you could try getting involved in a volunteer organization. It may take some work on your part to determine your own morals and values, and then to find the group or organization that will meet your needs. Sometimes, working with people less fortunate can give a type of gratification that isn't available from daily tasks. Or, if you're concerned about the state of the world, try working with Greenpeace, Students for a Better Environment, or an international economic, or political refugee organization. All of these are listed at Columbia through Community Impact, located in Earl Hall, or by phone at x4-2617.

Good luck in your quest to find fulfillment. Remember, life is a journey and, often, it only gets better.