Oct. 9 is National Depression Screening Day — part of a week that highlights the needs of the mentally ill.

DeKalb Medical Center hosts its annual Depression Screening Day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is scheduled yearly as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week to help individuals who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Depression is a medical condition that affects our thoughts and feelings, [and] in general, affects our ability to function in everyday life," said Sherry Simpson, MA, LAPC, NCC, a licensed counselor who will administer screenings along with other professionals.

Depression doesn't discriminate, although it is present more often in women than in men.

"A lot of intense research is still focused on the causes of depression. Is it an interaction between a genetic predisposition and our life history that determine a person's risk in having a depressive episode?" Simpson said.

Because stress can exacerbate depression, those with stressful jobs can have depressive episodes — whether you're a nurse, physician or therapist, she said.

While periods of ups and downs are normal in a person's behavior, a clinically significant episode is one that lasts two weeks or more, she said. Individuals may exhibit a "persistent sad, anxious or empty sort of mood, or a sense of hopelessness, worthlessness or pessimism," she said.

"A person can lose interest in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, and that includes sex," Simpson said. Usually, when a person exhibits five or more of these symptoms, he or she may be experiencing depression, she said.

Depression doesn't manifest itself the same way in every person.

"A number of people have had different experiences with it: nighttime insomnia, and lying in bed all day but not sleeping, having problems remembering and concentrating," she said. "Someone may experience appetite and weight changes."

Simpson said since there is a strong link between any medical condition and a psychiatric disorder, the screenings will focus on the relatedness of depression and heart disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, she said.

"Once you get into a [severe] medical condition, you're more likely to become depressed, and then there are more complications with your medical condition. It's a vicious cycle," she said.

Depression is usually treatable with specific medications and therapy.

The staff at the screenings will provide a list of counselors and health care providers in DeKalb County who can assist with psychiatric or depressive disorders.

For more information, call 404-501-7720.