Depression can ruin our relationships, both at work and at home, with adults and children, and with friends and family members. By withdrawing from life, we stop cultivating the positive impact we all can have on our own and others' growth, most importantly as mothers to our children. Worst of all, severe depression can lead to suicide, which of course is irreversible.

But depression needn't have this terrible impact because it is highly treatable. New and better medications, along with various types of psychotherapy, can bring hope to almost all sufferers. Electroconvulsive therapy (what used to be known as "shock" therapy) is a further option that has improved intractable cases.

So, what should you do if you have had some of the symptoms of depression -- loss of interest in previous enjoyments, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns or appetite (or both), thoughts of death and suicide -- and they have persisted for at least 2 weeks?

First, acknowledge the possibility that you may be depressed, and don't blame yourself. Being depressed is not a consequence of a weak spirit, nor does it imply that you're a bad person. More likely, your depression developed from a multitude of challenges, or from a genetic imbalance of those magical chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Hormonal fluxes, especially during the perimenopausal and menopausal years, can often affect neurotransmitter balance as well.

Next, seek help from those close to you. I bet you'll be surprised when all they want to do is help. And don't be surprised if they mention that they've noticed you've been blue for awhile, or if they share their own experiences with depression.

Seek medical attention. Your doctor will probably do a comprehensive exam to rule out any undiagnosed medical illnesses that can masquerade as depression and that perhaps can be cured by very different treatments. Also, many primary care doctors are comfortable starting the safer antidepressants available now (such as Prozac), and they can also refer you to resources in your community, including counselors and psychiatrists.

If you are deeply depressed in the middle of the night, don't despair. Most communities have emergency mental health services -- look for them in the phone book or call the local emergency department or 911.

Once you start taking steps to deal with your depression, you'll be amazed at how much better life gets. It can take some time to get depression under control, but it's worth it!