In the past several months, our teams of medical providers have begun screening everyone for depression. Why? Because depression is a serious medical condition which is widespread and affects nearly 1 in 10 adults. Interestingly, women are affected twice as often as men. Even more alarming, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports depression is present among one in five teenagers. Blog-follower, Vicki Anderson from the Granado Communications Group, reminds me that October is the National Mental Health Awareness Month.
While many of us experience times of depressed mood and sadness. People with major depression (that requires some form of professional intervention), encounter prolonged periods of sadness that interfere significantly with quality of life and can negatively impact their physical health. For example, psychological stress associated with depression can increase weight, risk for insomnia and cortisol levels, therefore increasing the risk for diabetes. In addition, having depression can increase your risk of death following a heart attack according to studies cited by the National Institute of Health.
Now, grab a pen and sit down. Below is the Patient Health Questionnaire 8 (PHQ-8) which could indicate a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (according the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Circle any of the numbers below that pertain to your personal mood:
- Do you have little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Are you feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
- Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or sleep too much?
- Do you feel tired or have little energy?
- Do you have poor appetite or have a problem overeating?
- Do you feel bad about yourself or that you have been a failure or let yourself or your family down?
- Do you have trouble concentrating on things such as reading the newspaper or watching television
- Do you move or speak so slowly that other people have noticed. Or the opposite: are you so fidgety or restless that you move around a lot more than usual?
If you experience “more than half the days” of at least five of the eight criteria you could have major depressive disorder. If you experience two, three or four of the eight criteria (especially including #1 and /or #2), then you may have another form of depression.
Please contact your primary care provider and get an appointment to review your answers in more detail. Treatment may involve medication and counseling (or counseling alone). But treatment is needed. If you have lack of personal funds, The Galaxy Center in Garland or The Genesis Center are among many resources available to assist you with the guidance you need to better yourself. Do not ignore the warning signs of depression; help is available.