Newspaper Page Text
■EH
hen It's More Than Just The Blues
Everyone yets "the blues" or feels sad occasionally, but when that sad feeling lasts longer than a few weeks, it
nta\ be more than just a temporary mooil. It may be depression.
E ach year. approximately
IK S million American adults sutler
from some form ol depression.
Some people have one episode in
a lifetime while others have
recurring bouts. (filter people
experience symptoms so sex ere
they are unable to function
normally. Still others experience
cycles of deep "lows" and severe
"highs." Whatever the form,
depression can destroy family life
as well as the life of the ill person.
Most people with depression do
not seek treatment because they do
not realize that depression is a
treatable illness. liven those with
severe depression can be helped.
There are three common types
ol depression
■ Major depression involves a
combination ol symptoms that
interfere with a person's ability to
work, study, sleep, eat. and enjoy
once pleasurable activities. Such a
disabling episode of depression
may occur only once during a
person's lifetime, but more often
occurs several times.
• Dysthymia is a less severe form
of depression involving long-term,
chronic symptoms that do not
disable, but keep a person from
functioning well or from feeling
good Many people w ith dy sthymia
also experience major depressive
episodes at some point in their lives.
■ bipolar disorder, also called
manic-depressive illness, is
characterized by cycling mood
changes: severe highs (mania) and
lows (depression). Sometimes the
mood changes are dramatic and
rapid, but most often they occur
gradually. When in the depressed
cycle, an individual can have any
or all of the symptoms of depression.
But when in the manic cycle, the
individual may be overactive, over
talkative, and very energetic. Mania
Admitting Psychiatrists on Staff at Houston Medical Center
Richard B. F.llis, Ml)
400 Corder Road. Suite 100
Warner Robins. GA 31088
(478)322-1113
Dan O. loanitescu. MI)
233 North Houston Road
Suite I4OF
Warner Robins. GA 31093
(478)923-3366
often affects rational thinking,
judgment and social behavior in
ways that cause serious problems
and embarrassment
Current research indicates that
some forms of depression, such as
bipolar disorder, may be hereditary .
In the past ten years, studies have
show n that rates ol depression are
consistently higher among children
of depressed parents than among
the general population. Physical
changes in the body can also be
accompanied by mental changes.
Medical illnesses such as stroke,
heart attack, cancer. Parkinson's
disease, and hormonal disorders
can cause depression. Life events
such as loss ol a loved one. divorce,
relocation, financial problems, birth
of a baby , or any stressful change
in life patterns can trigger
depression. Certain personality
traits can also make a person more
susceptible to depression.
The good news is that depression
can be treated successfully For the
majority of individuals suffering
from depression, treatment can
result in a return to normal
participation in daily activities and
enjoyments. The first step to getting
appropriate treatment for depression
is a physical examination by a
physician. Certain medications and
conditions can cause the same
symptoms as depression and the
physician should rule out these
possibilities. It it is determined that
there is no physical cause for the
depression, a psychological
evaluation should be done by either
the physician or a psychiatrist or
psychologist.
"A good diagnostic evaluation
should include a complete history
of symptoms, when they started,
how long they have lasted, how
severe they are. w hether the patient
had them before, and if so. were
they treated and how." explains Dr.
Kd Vincent, psychiatrist and
member of the medical staff of
Houston Medical Center "The
physician should also ask about
Sallyanne Pyle. DO
400 Corder Road, Suite 100
Warner Robins. GA 31088
(478)322-1113
Kd Vincent, Ml)
233 North Houston Road
Suite I4OF
Warner Robins. GA 31093
(478)923-3366
alcohol and drug use. and if the
patient has thoughts about death
and suicide. Questions should also
be asked about family history of
depression, vvliat treatment methods
were used, and how effective they
were."
There are a variety of
antidepressant medications and
psychotherapies that can be utilized
to treat depression. People w ith
milder forms of depression may do
well with psychotherapy alone.
Others w ith moderate to severe
depression most often benefit from
antidepressants. T he majority of
people with depression see good
results vv ith a combined treatment
method medication to gain
relatively quick relief from
symptoms and psychotherapy to
learn more effective way s to handle
life's problems, including
depression.
“Depression makes a person feel
exhausted, worthless, helpless, and
hopeless." comments Dr. Vincent
"Negative thoughts and feelings
make some people feel like giving
up. It is important for them to realize
that these negative views are part
of the depression and w ill fade as
treatment begins to take effect
Fnlisting the support of family and
friends is also vital to the successful
treatment of depression. Family and
friends often do not understand the
devastating effects on the person
suffering from depression. The
most important thing anyone can
do for a depressed person is to help
him or her find appropriate
evaluation and treatment."
If you think you or someone you
know may be suffering from
depression, call Houston
Healthcare's Behavioral Health
Services at (478) 542-7788
If four or more of the
following symptoms
persist for more than two
weeks , then that may he
a sign of depression.
Please call a mental
health professional if you
suspect you may he
depressed.
■ A persistent sad, anxious,
or "empty" mood
■ Loss of satisfaction with
life
■ Feelings of hopelessness
or pessimism
■ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness,
or helplessness
■ Diminished capacity to give
or receive affection
■ Loss of interest or pleasure
in ordinary activities
■ Sleep disturbances including
early-morning waking,
insomnia, or oversleeping
■ Fating disturbances including
weight gain or loss anil
changes in appetite
■ Physical aches and pains
including headaches and
lower back pain
■ Fvccssive crying
■ Restlessness, irritability,
or hyperactivity
■ l)ei reused energy, fatigue,
or slowed thinking
■ Difficulty in concentrating,
remembering, or making
decisions
■ Thoughts of death or
suicide; suicide attempts
m
* mn
* ppi
i j