Depressive Disorders
"Depression (Major Depressive Disorder or Clinical Depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Some forms of depression are slightly different:
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Persistent Depressive Disorder (also called Dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder.
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Postpartum Depression is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.
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Psychotic Depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder."
Maine Resources
If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, please call the Maine Crisis Hotline at 1-888-568-1112. It's open 24/7.
Psychology Today - Maine: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/depression/maine
This website contains a filterable list of therapists that specialize in working with depression.
NAMI Maine: http://www.namimaine.org/page/SupportGroups
Since 1984, NAMI Maine has been offering support groups throughout the state. The provide free and confidential opportunities for people to find support and information, safe places to share stories about struggles and successes with mental illness or co-occurring substance use, and offer the chance to learn from people experiencing similar issues and learn new skills to approach daily challenges.They offer Support Groups as well as many other services that can be search by county.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Support Group:
https://211maine.communityos.org/zf/profile/service/id/286758
Support group for adults dealing with symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder; meets on holidays. Meets in Portland on Wednesday from 2-4pm. See 211 listing for further details.
Suicide.Org: http://www.suicide.org/support-groups/maine-suicide-support-groups.html
Contains an active list of suicide-related support groups in Maine.
Maine Suicide Prevention Program: http://www.maine.gov/suicide/index.htm
The goal of the Maine Suicide Prevention Program (MSPP) is to reduce the incidence of fatal and non-fatal suicidal behavior among Maine citizens across the lifespan. The Maine Suicide Prevention Program strongly believes that it is essential to provide educational resources and training so that Maine residents can identify and address suicidal behavior when it occurs. Their training partner for this endeavor is NAMI Maine. Throughout the year, they offer a variety of training programs, such as Suicide Awareness, Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, Protocol Development Training for Schools, Lifelines Lessons Teacher Trainings, and Supporting Families, Supporting LGBT Youth.
Postpartum Support International - Maine: http://www.postpartum.net/locations/maine/
Lists the Coordinators and other area resources such as groups, telephone support, and services that are available for no charge. They also list local events, trainings, and volunteer opportunities.