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Show Friday, Mfi Statesman SpYciaj Features depending on a patient's specific needs. Some starting place; LI! www.depressionxom G www.mentalhealth.samtisai.gov/ emns/nspi/ D www.dbsalTiance.ocg 1 B Who Is at risk of depression? Everyone, regardless of age, income, class, sex, race or creed is at risk of depression. The most common risk factor is a family history of the illness. In addition, people who undergo catastrophes, extremely stressful situations, abuse, serious illnesses or the death of a loved one are at higher risk. 2B 1 6 a WrBtarethe-hoOdaybtuea"? "Holiday blues" describe mrM depression that occurs during the holiday season. Everyone is atrisfc,but the holiday blues especially can aflect people who are stressed; fatigued or lonely. Unrealistic expectations* over-cornmeirdalizatiort and financial constraints also can contribute to the seasonal blues. Tips for coping with stress and depression; during the hoEdays include: '.. ."i Keep expectations for the holiday season managcabie. T Remernber that the holidays donft banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely. '.'-] Do something for someone else. *. • Be. aware that excessive drinking will! only increase feelings of depression. C If you axe not already exercising,, find a way Co start. It docs not have to be a formal program. v Spend time wiih supportive and! caring people 1 ".: Moderate your stresses amU avoid! becoming overcommittedl r: Seek professional help if the holiday Hues become too severe and begin to develop into symptoms of depression1. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of depression in adults include: • Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood E3 Sleeping too much or too little and middle-of-the-night or early-morning wakening • Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain • Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex El Restlessness, irritability • Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive disorder S3 Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions El Fatigue or loss of energy Q Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless 13 Thoughts of suicide or death Anyone who has five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer may have clinical depression and should see a doctor or a qualified mental-health professional. 1 / • What Is seasonal affective disorder; and what can be done about ft? 3 B Do the symptoms of depression differ In children and adolescents than those experienced by adults? Symptoms of depression seen in children and adolescents: ra Frequent sadness, tearfulness or crying • Feelings of hopelessness IB Withdrawal from friends and activities il Lack of enthusiasm, energy or motivation • Major changes in eating or sleeping habits • Increased irritability, hostility or rage 9 Indecision or inability to concentrate • Recurring thoughts or talk of death and suicide or self-destructive behavior In addition, children who are depressed may show the following signs: Q Frequent physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt D Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure • Pattern of dark images in drawings or paintings • Play that involves excessive aggression directed toward oneself or others or that involves persistently sad themes Adolescents with depression may exhibit: B Poor performance in school B Overreaction to criticism GS Feeling unable to satisfy ideals 53 Poor self-esteem or guilt H Restlessness and agitation • Substance abuse • Problems with authority • Suicidal thoughts or actions Diagnosing mental illness in chilO B HOW can you recognize dren and adolescents is difficult. If depression In a college student home for the holidays? these symptoms are causing problems, Parents can expect their college stuparents should seek professional help. dents to be the people they always were 4 a Do seniors have different when they come home. They should pay symptoms as well? attention and ask quesThe symptoms tions if they sec a drasamong seniors are the tic change in behavior same as those in all or relationships, or if other adults, but they they notice such signs frequently go unnoas weight gain or ticed and untreated weight loss. Students when they occur with with depression can be other illnesses or life sluggish and sad, or events. Although they can be angry, depression is not a norrebellious and even mal part of the aging frenzied. But these process, other illnesses same symptoms could and physical health signal that a student is conditions can trigger involved in drug abuse it. For example, oneor having other probquarter of the 600,000 people who lems, so it's important to mk questions experience a stroke also experience and to listen carefully to the answers. clinical depression. Such illnesses as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, heart / • Can substance abuse cause disease, cancer and arthritis also can depression? trigger symptoms of clinical depresSubstance abuse can cause depression. Individuals who are 65 and older sion as a result of chemical changes in commit 20 percent of all suicides in the the brain. But depression can lead to United States, although only 13 percent substance abuse, as well. Many people of the U.S. population is over 65. turn to drugs or alcohol to relieve the Therefore, early recognition and treatmisery of their depression. ment arc crucial. 5 i Do men and women have different symptoms? O B What are the warning signs that someone Is at risk of committing suicide? Although the basic symptoms are the same, men may exhibit their symptoms in a different way than women. For example, men may be more willing to report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies and sleep disturbances. Women, on the other hand, talk more openly about feelings of sadness, worthlessness and excessive guilt. Men more frequently turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed. Some become frustrated, discouraged, angry, irritable and even abusive. Men also may throw themselves compulsively into their work as a way to hide their depression. Others may respond to depression by engaging in reckless behavior, taking risks and putting themselves in harm's way. Signs of potential suicide include: • Talking openly about committing suicide H Talking indirectly about "wanting out" or "ending it all'* n Taking unnecessary or life-threatening risks D Giving away personal possessions n Making final arrangements, saying goodbyes Adolescents also show the following warning signs: i - Suicide threats, direct and indirect n Obsession with death • Poems, essays and drawings that refer to death Seasonal affective disorder (SA0)i occurs when a person's "biological clock*" or rircadmn rhythm is out of step with the daily schedule- It usually is caused by season changes, and the worst months for most SAD sufferers are December. January and February. However, some people are affected! in the summer as weft Younger people and women are at highest risk. The disorder may be related to melatonin, a chemical in the brain that increases production, in the dark. Many peopfe respond well to phototherapy or brightlight therapy, which seems to reduce the brain's production of rrrelatonhr. You should discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your doctor l O i What Is postpartum depression, and who Is at risk? Hi Dramatic change in personality or appearance E Irrational, bizarre behavior • Overwhelming sense of guilt or shame n Changed eating or sleeping patterns O. Severe drop in school performance 9 « Does depression affect other Illnesses? The biggest effect of depression on other illnesses is related to motivation. Because depression can cause patients to be unmoOvated, they may be (ess likely to follow through on treatment regimens. 1 U B DO other Illnesses affect depression? The risk of clinical depression is often higher in people with serious medico) illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Many illnesses can produce mood changes, and several medications can cause depression as a side effect But depression is not "normal" for people struggling with serious health conditions. If a patient docs experience depression, it's important to treat both illnesses at the same time. Prevention also can help. For example, research has shown that heart attack patients who participate in Iraditional group psychotherapy may live longer than those who do not receive therapy, 1 1 i What Is the best way to treat depression? Medical professionals may recommend an afltidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination. Research also shows that exercise can be highly effective. Treatment is based on each individual's needs, including physical state, habits, preferences and resources. When depression may be hereditary, the same medication or treatment that worked for other family members may work best for the patient as well. 1 2 B What are the different degrees of depression, and how are they treated differently? Depression can be mild, moderate or severe. In general, mental-health profes- DEPRESSION KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE sionals me the same types of treatment on all levels of severity: therapy, medication* exercise or a combination. The biggest difference occurs when individuals are so seriously depressed that they are at risk of hurting themselves or others. In that case, hosprtalization may be required until the patient's condttkm can be stabilized. i v i Is treatment effective? Clinical depression is a treatable illness. More than 80 percent of all patients who seek treatment improve. But to ensure success, patients must maintain their treatment and must parsue other options if initial medications or types of therapy do nofl work. Individuals with depression should never give up. 1 4 B What f» the (ate^ Information on teens and antfdepresvant medication*? The Food and Drug Administration has issued an order calling for a "black box" warning on all amidepressants given to teens. If a child or adolescent is taking an antidcpTe3sant, parents should check with the child's physician before stopping the medication. While 2 percent to 4 percent of adolescents and children taking antidepressants may have suicidal thoughts or impulse* in the first few weeks, 5 percent to 25 percent of those diagnosed with depression are at risk of suicidal thoughts or impulses if they do not take the medications, h is important to work closely with a psychiatrist or other physician, have frequent follow-up visits in the first few weeks and watch for signs of suicide or morbid thoughts. PostparTum blues or "baby blocs*' can cause mood swings in up to 80 percent of new mothers. It usually slarts three to five days after delrvery and should subside as hormone levels begin to stabilize. If a new mother continues to have mood swings or feelings of depression after two- weeks, she may have postpartmn depression. In this case, she experiences afl the symptoms of depression; but they only occur after childbirth. Mother* witfo postpartum depression also may exhibit excessive preoccupation with the child's health or have thoughts of harming the baby. One-tenth1 of I petrcem of new mothers may experience postpartum psychosis. Symptoms, which usually appear within Ehe first two to three weeks following childbirth, may include; 7" Delusions I'. Hallucinations T~ Refusal to eat "Z Inability to cease activity :- Frantic energy Zl Extreme corrfusfon 3 Memory fauCi Incoherence • Paranoia Q Irrational statemencs C PVeoectrpatfoYi with trivial things* 1 9 B How can postpartum depressionfewtreated? Treatmem of pmtpMtim depression may include therapy or a combination of therapy and antideprcssant merfrea:uon, Stodtts show some medications apparent!y have tm harmful effects on breastfeeding mfantfc- A woman dragnosed with poslpartam psychosis should be hospnafrzed •avail she fa in stabfe 20. SftouMSfear depresefori? Nb, Ffcopfe with depression or any other land of mental! illness are far more Jifcely to be vfethns of violence than fa commit violence against others, Ffrerakfrip and support from family, friends and others often can help the patient improve more; quickly. Bat the .stigma of menial i ft ness cars came those who- need help m fear Hosing their friends,, support systems and even thefr jofcs. As a result, many may delay or avoid treatment. Because early treatment is the best indicator of success, this delay cm prove to> be devastating for the person in need of care, — Fort Wibrth Star-Tek%ram &Gut(C£. rof OHWJCTrcm1 COWPiLEO BY • O B Where can •omeonewfth depression find hetp? There are marry resource* available. COOK" eHu.oft£r*-5 wstefu. THE M£I*T« T*tftfU!«r COUBiTV. TSXA-S. WEBTffi R£T«AG.*no«/r*fi?M(»T COUWTY rCXO3iTB'*T(O»a BY ff |