Recognizing Alcoholic Depression

Major studies abound on the effects of alcoholism and even more can be found about depression. Although there is very little in the medical community about both in conjunction, it is common knowledge that the two run hand-in-hand. These are both very serious illnesses which require immediate attention. If you or a loved one has any of these signs, it is suggested that treatment be sought in one form or another.

No one can say for sure if alcohol-consumption and alcoholism cause depression and the reverse is also true: no one knows for certain if depression is a major cause of alcoholism. This is, of course, is in the world of true medical studies. Anyone affected by either of the two in real-world situations knows that there is a correlation. The specifics of the hows and whys are not important.

If you think you are suffering from depression, this may be the first sign that you are. This is an early stage of recognition of a problem. If you suffer from symptoms of depression, but vehemently deny a problem when someone asks, this too is a sign that you may be suffering from clinical depression. Other signs of depression are as follows according to the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Illinois:

Prolonged sad facial expression for no apparent reason, unkempt appearance, weight gain or loss, sleeping problems, decreased sex drive, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness and emptiness, personal thoughts of being a failure or that no one cares about you, reduced physical activity, and an attitude of giving up.

If have any of these signs and you often drink alcoholic beverages, you may have just discovered the core contributor to your depression. Ask yourself this:

Do you drink to get drunk? Do you gulp your first drinks? Do you hide your drinking? Do you show off your drinking? Is your life centered on when you can get a drink? Does drinking affect your everyday behavior or duties to job, school, and family?

Answering "Yes" to any of these questions is a sign that you have a drinking problem or that you may be an alcoholic. Often, when under the influence of alcohol, symptoms of mild depression can be greatly exaggerated or reasons for depression may be invented where none actually exist. While, at first, alcohol can remove mild depression, prolonged drinking will only aggravate the condition. Depression also may set in the day after a binge. While under the affects of a hangover, depression can also be magnified due to the mental disassociation and physical impairments of the alcohol withdrawal.

To test to see if there is this correlation with alcohol and depression in yourself, you can try a couple of things. First, simply stop drinking for several weeks. Not a drop. If you cannot stop drinking, and this test is not reason enough for you to stop, then you may be an alcoholic and you should seek professional counseling and treatment. If you are not an alcoholic, and you can stop drinking for several weeks, note the changes in your symptoms of depression. Have they lessened or disappeared altogether? If so, you have found your first step to recovery. Remember, drinking again, may not bring the depression back immediately. Be careful about further consumption of alcohol. It will take several days to several weeks for the cycle to begin again.

The most important factor is the recognition of alcoholic depression. Once recognized, there is help available. Seek out the treatments from a local health professional or organization such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Talk about depression with your doctor and find the treatment that is best for yourself. Many wait until it is too late-they have already lost jobs, homes, family, friends, or possessions. Don't be one of those. Take some action and responsibility before you are affected by loss.