By Dianne Ruth, CCH, PhD
Regular Guest presenter on
KLZ 560 AM Radio Denver
Peggy Spiro Talk Show
(Resource Notes)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Are you Depressed?
(Page 2 of 2)
•
How can you help someone who is depressed?
•
Is depression inherited?
•
Can depression be temporary?
•
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
•
Is there more than one type of depression?
How can you help
someone who is depressed?
● Help him or her to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
● Encourage the person to stay in treatment until the symptoms are
resolved.
● If no improvement, help the person to evaluate and seek different
treatment.
● If necessary, make an appointment for the person with a qualified
professional and accompany them to their appointment.
● Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, affection, and
encouragement.
● Listen to the person from your heart–listen fully, without
distraction, without judgment and without criticism.
● Take any remarks about suicide
seriously and report them to the person’s therapist or a suicide hotline.
● Do not expect the depressed person to "pull themselves up by
their bootstraps" and to "snap out of it."
● Continue to reassure the person that with time and help, they will
feel better.
Top
Some people may
inherit a tendency toward depression say experts. A
recent study found that people who suffer from depression have fewer cells
in a certain part of the brain.
Studies indicate that people who have a family member who has been
or is seriously depressed have a 1 in 4 chance of having an episode of
depression in their lifetimes versus a 1 in 14 chance for the general
population.
Just because you might be vulnerable to suffering from depression does
not mean that you’re doomed. Even if you do experience some depression
in your lifetime, you can find many ways to overcome it.
There are
numerous tools, and widespread knowledge at your disposal, that your family
of origin may never have had. You are in a much better position to
control your life.
Top
Some depression may be more of the
feeling sad or blues variety,
otherwise known as mild depression. The effects may be enough to make you
feel down, however, they may not totally fit the criteria of clinically
diagnosed major depression.
Some causes may include:
● life
changes
●
relationship
problems
● financial
difficulties
● bereavement
●
social isolation
●
physical illness
●
substance abuse
If the symptoms begin within two months of a stressful situation, and
they don't create serious social or occupational impairment,
and they clear up within two to six months, then you may have
experienced situational or circumstantial depression.
Top
Seasonal changes caused by lack of sunlight in the
winter can
also trigger depression. This can usually be helped with full spectrum
lighting in your home and your work area.
Top
●
Major Depression
●
Dysthymia†
●
Bipolar formerly called
manic-depressive (manic: excessive mental and physical activity--elevation
of mood††
† DYSTHYMIC DISORDER
is characterized by at least two years of depressed mood for more days than not, accompanied by
additional depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major
Depressive Episode.
Women are two to three times more likely to develop
Dysthymic Disorder than are men.
Additional symptoms must include two or more of the following:
●
poor appetite or overeating
●
insomnia or hypersomnia
●
low energy or
fatigue
●
low
self-esteem
●
poor
concentration
●
difficulty
making decisions
●
feelings of
hopelessness
††BIPOLAR I DISORDER
is characterized by one or more Manic or
Mixed Episodes, usually accompanied by Major Depressive Episodes.
BIPOLAR II DISORDER
is characterized by one or more Major
Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode.
Not everyone
who is depressed or bipolar experiences every symptom.
Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms
can also vary from one person to another.
Mania:
●
inappropriate
elation
●
excessive
irritability
●
serious
insomnia
●
grandiose
notions
●
increased
talking
●
disconnected
and racing thoughts
●
increased
sexual desire
●
poor judgment
●
inappropriate
social behavior
MOOD DISORDER DUE TO A GENERAL MEDICAL
CONDITION. This depression is the result of a medical condition.
SUBSTANCE-INDUCED MOOD DISORDER. This
depression is the result of
drug or other substance abuse, a prescribed medication, another
treatment for depression, or toxin exposure.
Top
●
According to the
National Institute of Mental Health, psychotherapy only has a 20% success
rate.
●
I have a 97%
success rate, and over 37+ years experience.
●
THIS IS AN ALL INCLUSIVE
WELCOMING PRACTICE
I honor and respect your race,
religion, culture, sexual orientation and way of life including senior
citizens and those with disabilities.
I also welcome adults in
consensual, sane and safe, alternative sexual and other creative lifestyle
choices including those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Confirm
appointment location with Dr. Ruth prior to first meeting.
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4295 Gesner St.
San Diego CA 92117
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