By Erika Larson

Activities editor

Students curious about the symptoms of depression were directed to the character of Eeyore on Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” at Thursday night’s workshop, “Feeling Low?”

A video clip of Eeyore not wanting to attend his own birthday party illustrated the depression symptoms of a persistently sad mood, low self-esteem and a low energy level.

Veronica Perez, a clinical psychology graduate student and co-leader of the workshop, identified several other symptoms and types of depression.

“Depression can cause people to lose pleasure in everyday activities,” she said.

Other symptoms she noted included a reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain, “crying at the drop of a hat,” treatment not helping persistent physical symptoms like headaches, difficulty concentrating, feeling guilty or worthless and thoughts of suicide.

“A lot of people with depression just have difficulty just getting up and going to class,” she said.

Everyone faces some of these symptoms some of the time, but those with clinical depression experience five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, Perez said.

Major depression is the most common type, she said.

“Disthymia is milder than depression, but the symptoms last for two years or more,” she said. People with this type of depression begin to avoid social situations, she said.

Those with manic depression fluctuate between being overly excited to being sad and then going back to normal, she said.

The symptoms of seasonal defective disorder diminish in the spring or summer, she said. The absense of the sun may even cause depressive feelings, she said.

Perez said treatment should be sought when “no amount of good news, good friends or good support can help.”

Bree Trammell, a clinical psychology graduate student and co-leader of the workshop, said true depression “interferes with everything-your daily activities and your lifestyle.”

She said suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 24 and offered tips for helping someone struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide.

“Confidentiality is not an issue because you’re dealing with someone’s life,” she said.

She advised the 50 students in attendance to be good listeners and not be negative. “You don’t have to say the right thing,” she said. “Be there for them.”

She said to be direct when encouraging someone to seek help.

“A lot of people think that depression or sucicide is a a sign of weakness,” she said. “It’s not. Seeking help is such a sign of strength.”

Cara Pschirrer, community counseling graduate student and co-leader of the workshop, had students divide into groups to discuss practical ways to eliminate a depressed mood.

Students suggested artistic outlets such as playing the guitar, talking with a friend, exercising and doing something for yourself like shopping or getting a professional massage.

Pschirrer suggested adopting good sleeping habits, such as going to bed at the same time every night and having a “wind-down routine.”

Students also had the opportunity to fill out a depression screening questionnaire to determine to what degree they are experiencing the symptoms of depression.