What is the meaning of feeling blue?

Feeling blue is an idiom which means feeling unwell, and it is usually associated with unhappiness and depression. Feeling down, blue or sad is a normal experience in life, however, depression occurs when these normal feelings of sadness persist for longer than 2 weeks. When a person is feeling depressed, they should consult with their doctor for available treatment options.

Depression is neither a sign of failure or weakness of an individual nor is it the normal grief experienced when a loved one is lost. The symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of self blame and guilt
• Planning or thinking of committing suicide
• Changes in appetite, such as loss of appetite or overeating
• Overuse of drugs and alcohol
• Feelings of sadness, helplessness or hopelessness
• Withdrawing from other people
• Experiencing feelings of sickness, pains and gastrointestinal problems

There are many ways of helping to minimize the effects of depression, such as:

• Embracing self-praise when successfully accomplishing a task or goal
• Being assertive and aware of personal rights
• Eating well and exercising
• Assigning a pleasant task to do every day to remain occupied

However, if the condition persists, a doctor should be consulted for an expert referral to a psychologist for further treatment.