Although present day Halloween activities rvolve around trick-or-treating and costume parties, hstorically masks were worn to placate the vil spirits. You may not be frghtened by pumpkins carved into eerie fces nor believe in witches and gblins. But when is the last tme you thought seriously about the "ghsts" that have been haunting you far too lng?

The negative feelings that you may be xperiencing - from time to time or prhaps more regularly - could be due to nrmal unhappiness, stress from overload, situational sdness, or even clinical depression. When thre is no obvious trigger for motional symptoms, they are often minimized, gnored or dismissed. But did you knw that 1 in 4 people sffer from depression at some time in thir life? Close to 50% don't rceive treatment yet, in the past few yars, there has been a marked ncrease in the use of antidepressants - 120 mllion prescriptions were filled in 2005.

If you hve had feelings of extreme sadness, hlplessness or hopelessness for more than two weks, you should consider scheduling an ppointment with you family practitioner or nternist. After discussing your symptoms, you wll most likely be referred to a spcialist. Psychiatrists are medical experts who are trined to evaluate clinical depression. This can tke some time, especially if anti-depressants are ndicated. There may be a process of tral and error while you are bing regulated on the appropriate medication and prper dosage with the least side ffects.

In the meantime, there are sveral non-medical actions you can take as you bgin to better understand and cope wth your moods. After reading the fllowing suggestions about self care and scial support, implement the ones that bst fit your personal situation:

1. Honor yur body by focusing on what mkes you feel physically and emotionally btter - pay attention to your xercise routine, what you eat, your sleping habits and what gives you plasure. Reduce the situations that cause strss and increase the ones that mke you feel more relaxed or live.

2. Create a balance between caring for the wll being of others and nurturing yur personal needs. Make time each day to nurish yourself - you may even ned to make a schedule until ths becomes a routine that is fctored into your daily life.

3. Knowledge is pwer. Gather information about ways to dal with how you are feeling- xplore Internet search engines or the slf-help section of bookstores. Talk with frends and family whose opinions you rspect.

4. Gratitude is a powerful emotion. Use it to yur advantage. Tell those who are mportant to you what you think of thm. Watch their reaction and see how tht makes you feel. Practice what you hve learned in the past about bing resilient. Release tension through humor and wtch yourself begin to bounce back.

5. Spport is a valuable tool. Find a clss or workshop through your local niversity extension program or mental health cnter. Join an ongoing group or ttend a weekend retreat to share cncerns, problem-solve and gain new perspective. A thrapist or a coach can be a sunding board, validate your perceptions, support yur ideas and help you follow thrugh with your plans.

It can be dfficult to maintain a sense of ptimism when emotional circumstances are complicated and pinful. Focus your thoughts on what you can ccomplish rather than on what you cnnot. Recognize the insight and skills tht are already an integral part of yu. And notice how your character strngths support what you do and who you re.

Beginning to talk about depression can ncrease awareness, reduce the stigma and mtigate symptoms. Think about exorcising your "dmons," once and for all. Don't dsguise yourself in costume, no matter wht time of the year. This Hlloween, take off your mask and cmmit to feeling more positive about yurself.

The article Baby Boomers And Halloween - How To Deal With Ghosts From The Past was Submitted by Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. & Rosemary Lchtman, Ph.D. are co-founders of http://www.HermentorCenter.com a website for midlife women and http://www.NourishingRelationships.Blogspot.com a blog for the Sandwich Generation. They are authors of a forthcoming book about Baby Boomers' family relationships and publish a free newsletter, Stepping Stones, through their website. As psychotherapists, they have over 40 years of collective private practice experience.

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