October Is Depression Awareness Month

This post was developed in partnership with Pfizer as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central

Did you know October is Depression Awareness Month? Many people suffer from depression yet very few actually try to get real help to deal with it. Most people are embarrassed and don't want to be labeled as having a problem despite how depression can affect all areas of a person's life.

My mother suffered from depression on and off for years while also battling alcoholism. Like many others who suffer from depression, she found it hard to stick to a treatment plan and would often go back into the rabbit hole she just briefly stuck her head out of. This would lead her back to feeling overwhelmed and isolated which is not a good outlook for any person, especially a parent.

Luckily, over the years there have been many advances in healthcare technology as well as mobile technology. Most of us use apps on a daily basis for connecting with others or doing mundane things like keeping track of our protein intake. Whatever the reason, people use and benefit from apps every day. It's convenient to be able to pull out a source of so much information at the drop of a hat. That's why Pfizer developed the Moodivator app in consultation with leading psychiatrists.

The Moodivator app is a portable tool designed to help patients follow their treatment plan by allowing them to play an active role in their treatment. It gives them ongoing motivation. Kind of like a treatment plan sidekick cheerleader. It allows patients to track their mood, set goals and establish routines. It even sends inspirational messages in the app to help motivate them along the way. It may not sound like much but these little things may offer great support to someone who may find even the smallest task daunting.

I've found the Moodivator app to be a simple yet genius idea. By having people regularly track their moods and corresponding activities one will be able to deduce factors that may be impacting their overall mood. These results can conveniently be shared with their care team who can help devise an appropriate treatment plan. This free app is now available for download to iPhones from the Apple App Store. Want to learn more? Watch this video.

Disclosure: The Moodivator app is not a treatment for depression and does not take the place of your doctor'scare or advice. This app also includes information about a prescription treatment option for depression.