As we embark upon the holiday season, it is important to remember that this can be a difficult time for some family members and friends. Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually times of reflection and introspection. This is the time approaching the New Year, when we began to evaluate our wins and losses, celebrations and regrets, accomplishments and failures. As a lay person, you may not know when a point of criticality has occurred or is occurring; therefore you MUST seek out the proper licensed mental health professional to address depression. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in America, and should not be taken lightly.
The diagnostic criteria for Major Depression: (to be utilized only by licensed professionals)
Sleep Disturbances (too much or too little)
Interest, as in the lack of interest in activities are normally enjoyed (Also known as anhedonia).
Guilty Feelings (Hopelessness usually accompanies the guilt)
Energy, or lack of energy, known to professionals as Anergia
Concentration Difficulties (not related to ADD)
Appetite Disturbances (too much or too little)
Psychomotor Difficulty (retardation or agitation)
Suicidality*
*A medical emergency
Please be advised that if any relative or friends has more than 4 of the above signs and symptoms, you should strongly encourage them to seek medical attention.
You have to be aware of the soft signals for the “Holiday Blues”.
Soft Signs:
- Social isolation
- Irritability
- Short-tempered
- Carbohydrate craving
- Crying spells
- Decreased libido
A lot of people miss this medical problem. There may be several people, family and friends, that are predisposed to this illness, functioning around you daily. These groups, such as the chronically mentally ill and schizophrenics, for example are also predisposed to higher suicide completion rates.
Points to Ponder:
- All people with noticeable signs or depression should be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional.
- People with undiagnosed mental illness often complete suicide.
- There are effective treatment modalities for patients with depression.
- “Holiday Blues” and other forms of depression can exacerbate other medical problems, i.e., hypertension and diabetes.
- The overall rate is suicide completion in America is increasing.
If you need further help please feel free to call your local NAMI or Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Enough Said,
Dr. O
What’s Your Current Mental Status?… Click on the link below and take Dr.O’s Mental Evaluation Screening to assess your current mental status:
http://www.drowensmd.com/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=7
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