Depression Day
There are holidays and recognition days almost for
everything. So, there should not be a big surprise that October 8 is National
Depression Screening Day. The first of these days occurred in October 1990,
when Douglas Jacobs, MD followed through on his idea that screening for mental
disorders should be no different from screening for other physical illnesses.
Since that inaugural event 25 years ago, the program has greatly expanded, and
similar awareness days for a variety of mental disorders, such as eating
disorders and problems with alcohol use, now take place throughout the year.
These screening events are held in the community, at schools, at workplaces,
and in the military.
Sadness touches all of our lives at different times, but
depression can have enormous depth and staying power. It is more than a passing
bout of sadness or dejection, or feeling “down.” It can leave you feeling
overwhelmed and can sap the joy out of once-pleasurable activities. It has
physical, as well as emotional, symptoms. You may find that you cannot sleep or
eat, that you are fatigued, or that you have headaches or other aches and pains
that seem to have sprung up without a cause.
If you have ever suffered from depression or been close
to someone who has, you know that this illness cannot be lifted at will, or
wished away. A man in the grip of depression cannot solve his problems by
showing a little more backbone. Nor can a woman, who is depressed, simply shake
off the blues.
Too many people struggle silently with depression. Do not
be among them. Talk with your doctor, attend a depression screening event, or
use an online tool. There are medications and treatments that can help.
Effective treatment can lighten your mood, strengthen your connections with
loved ones, allow you to rediscover satisfaction in your interests and hobbies,
and make you feel more like yourself again.
Research continues to pave the way for better treatment
of mood disorders. Genetic discoveries and brain imaging techniques are helping
doctors better understand the biology of depression, which may make more
targeted, personalized treatment possible.
Right now, to find real and lasting relief, you may need
patience and persistence — which can be a tall order when you are feeling
depressed. Some people find a medication or therapy that works for them right
away. But for many others, the treatment path takes several turns and an
occasional detour. You may need to try several medications, alter a dose, or try
a new therapist. Side effects, health insurance coverage, and the stigma
associated with having a mood problem can be roadblocks, but you can overcome
them. There are even self-care strategies (including exercise, diet, and
meditation) and alternative therapies that help you heal.
Screening
Screening effort might be different, starting from the
detailed elaboration diagnostic methodic to a simple two-item questionnaire.
The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) asks,
Over a 2-week
period, have you been bothered by
(1) little interest
or pleasure in doing things; or
(2) feeling down,
depressed or hopeless?
Answering yes to either item means the problem should be
evaluated more fully. The primary care provider may make a referral to a mental
health provider, but there is enormous value when initial evaluation and
treatment can begin in the primary care setting.
The task force focused special attention this time on
women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth to a child. This is
quite important because mood problems are surprisingly common during these
periods. A majority of women experience transient changes in mood, but up to
15% of new mothers may experience significant depression during pregnancy or
after the baby is born.
Anyone who is suffering should not debate what it means
to have a “significant” mood problem. If you have gotten to the point of
wondering about it, that is the time to speak up, get support, and consider
helpful options.
Latest
Recommendations
A set of new recommendations released by the U.S.
Preventative Services Task Force say that depression is the top cause of
disability among adults and call for widespread depression screenings.
The recommendations are an update to the 2009 version,
which left it up to the doctor. These new guidelines now include pregnant and
postpartum women as well.
Specifically, the Task Force reported that early
screening is moderately effective in detecting and providing appropriate care
to persons suffering from depression, whether or not symptoms are present.
Certain risk factors are often associated with adult depression--those
experiencing significant changes in their lives, such as childbirth, sudden
loss, chronic illness, family histories of mental illness, and those who
struggle with substance use are at higher risk for developing depression.
Screening tests and assessments by mental health professionals can be very
useful in detecting depression, and these treatments usually includes
antidepressants and psychotherapy either alone or in combination, depending on
the severity of depressive symptoms.
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