Is it the blues or depression?

The Road To Mental Wellness > Depression > Is it the blues or depression?

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With the dead of winter coming this February first to a colder climate near you, many will feel inexplicably down. Many still will chalk it up to having the winter blues, but is it the blues or Depression? Here’s what you need to know.

Depression and the blues are two different psychological states. The blues refer to a temporary feeling of sadness, low mood, or melancholy, often caused by a specific event or situation, and usually resolve within a few days. Depression is a persistent and severe state of sadness, loss of interest and pleasure in life, and can also include physical symptoms like fatigue and changes in appetite. Depression is usually longer lasting and may require treatment.

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Say you get ghosted after going on a few dates with someone. Not cool by the way. You may feel sad about it for a few days, aka, blue, but move past it. Then BAM! you’re back to swiping on your favorite dating app. In other words, your feelings were temporary.

Depression though, as mentioned above, it’s a long-term persistent mental illness. Usually marked by loss of interest and the energy to counter said loss of interest. Depression is so debilitating in fact, that it’s the leading cause of disability in the world.

STOP DEPRESSON SUMMIT - When you should check in on a friend with mental illness.

Jonathan speaking at the 

Jonathan Speaking at the Stop Depression Summit

 On February 23, 2023

His talk was on the ways in which you can take back your life when you have trauma and major depressive disorder

Now, you can watch Jonathan Speak at the Stop Depression Summit – FREE!

I was honored to be part of such a wonderfully resource rich summit with some of the foremost experts in the field.

Spot the difference between the blues and depression.

1.  Duration: The blues is a short-lived feeling, whereas depression can last for weeks or months.

2.      Intensity: The blues are mild to moderate, while depression is severe and persistent.

3.      Causes: The blues is usually triggered by a specific event or situation, while depression can have multiple causes such as genetic, biological, environmental or psychological factors.

4.      Functionality: A person experiencing the blues can still carry out their daily activities, while a person with depression may have difficulty functioning in daily life.

5.      Treatment: The blues usually resolve on their own, while depression may require treatment such as therapy or medication.

6.      Symptoms: In addition to sadness and loss of interest, depression can also include symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide.

Need help? Go to Our Mental Health Resources Centre

Learn to Manage and Thrive

  • His lifelong battle with depression
  •  The benefits of exercise
  • How to start to overcome the dread and exhaustion of depression
  • How small steps make huge differences
  • Scientifically backed techniques to help minimize depression, anxiety, and PTSD’s effects
  • How to set boundaries with yourself when you have a mental health condition·
  • How to optimize living your life with these debilitating mental illnesses.
Front and back cover of the road to mental wellness - 8 sings your relationship is hurting your mental health.
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Finally, if you know you have the blues and want to shorten its stay, try walking and getting a full night’s sleep. However, if you think you may have depression, make an appointment to see a mental health professional. And read our post on Depression: When Depression Speaks

Front and back cover of the road to mental wellness - 8 sings your relationship is hurting your mental health.
Want to get the complete Audiobook version Free! Go to our Homepage and use the Scriber form to receive our newsletter. Boom the book is yours.

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Jonathan Arenburg

Jonathan Reginald-Nixon Arenburg (Born January 14, 1976) is a Canadian mental health blogger, speaker, and published author. Retired from the fire service and long-term care fields, he has written and self-published an autobiographical account of his life-long battle with anxiety, depression and more recently, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Titled, The Road To Mental Wellness, he wrote it for what he calls “therapeutic release.” He published it in hopes it would help others going through similar mental health conditions. The sales of The Road To Mental Wellness have been steady selling over 300 copies since its release on October 10, 2021(World Mental Health Day). Arenburg has also been involved in a collaborative publication Called Lemonade Stand Volume III, a book featuring 20 authors who bravely tell their stories of PTSD. All authors where from the military and or emergency services. Published by Joshua Rivedal and Kathleen Myers for the i’Mpossible project, a mental health advocacy organization. Jonathan has also appeared on several mental health podcasts including The Depression Files, A New Dawn, and The Above Ground Podcast Arenburg has also consulted with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Honorable Brian Comer and Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada, on improving the mental health care system in Canada. Additionally, Jonathan was recognized in The Nova Scotia Legislature by the Honorable, Chris Palmer, Kings-North MLA, for his Book, The Road To Mental Wellness, his fight to make the mental health care system better. In addition, Chis acknowledged the support he gives to others.

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