Campus Women

CHASING AWAY THE BLUES

atrisk and unfortunately, the majority depression, therapists have begun

Genesis Research Foundation, Fall 1992

Everyone feels a little sluggish in the first couple of weeks of school, but have you found yourself “outof touch” more than usual? Sleep patterns disrupted? A little more irritable? You may be suffering from the éffects of depression, the leading psychological problem affecting women today.

: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that eight million North American women will experience some form of depressive disorder in their life-times. Women under the age of 45 are most

will go untreated.

There are various therapies available today. Studies show that both psychotherapy and antidepressants are very effective ways to treat most depression. New medications have recently emerged, giving patients even more options. Psychotherapy is available from psychologists, social workers and clinical nurse specialists, but only psychiatrists can prescribe medication.

In addition to these classical:

treatments, some therapists have found new ways of dealing with the gloomy moods associated with depression. For those afflicted with seasonal

A _WQMAN'S HEALTH BILL OF RIGHTS

1. I have a right to be treated ag. an equal human being. a I have a right to be listened to and have my problems taken ; seriously.

a I have a right to an explanation that i can understand in my native language (using a translator if necessary) on any questions concerning my health care.

4. I have a right to know the choices I face in getting treated for any health problem, and to have the possible side effects of any drugs or surgical treatments clearly explained.

& I have a right to choose the types of treatment | prefer from among the options offered to me by my doctor.

6. 1 have a right for normal events in my life, such 2s pregnancy and menopause, not to be treated as discases requiring treatment.

7. I have a right to choose naturul therapies and no: be ridiculed for doing so.

8. [ have a right to request a second opinion on any major surgery or health decision.

9. I have a right to refuse any drug or surgical treatr-ent.

10. I have a responsibility to become knowledgeable about my body and

. how it works. \ ‘

11. I have a responsibility to learn as much as possible about my health problems so I can make informed choices.

12. I have a responsibility to look after my diet, reduce stress, exercise and relax on a regular basis.

1m 4 1 have the responsibility to avoid pressuring my doczor into giving me drugs when | don't need them.

14. I have a responsibility to prepare my questions fr my doctor beforehand and schedule adequate appointment time to discuss them.

1S.

1am ultimately responsible for my own healthcare, using my do.tor as a resource rather than an authority.

using artificial sunlight. Therapists may also encourage their clients to take dance classes. It is vital to break the patterns of living and thinking which support a depressed person’s melancholy way of life.

Whatcauses depression? No one really knows. Researchers are hunting formarkers that would indicate a physical cause for some depression, but they have yet to find them. Many patients with depression have hormonal abnormalities, however

these irregularities haven’t been

connected to central nervous system disorders. Equipment that measures brain waves shows atypical sleep , whichconfirms the sleep disturbances reported by many depressed patients. Moods can also be affected dramatically by life stressors, such as aheavy exams, essays or assignments. Women are thought to be especially prone to depression due to the emotional drain of caring for children and/or elderly parents.

Right now there are 12

. millien people in North America

struggling with feelings of depression. Many are refusing help because they believe in the “bootstrap theory” of handling emotional distress. This is particularly troublesome because some new, importantresearch coming out of the National Institute indicates that early episodes of depression may leave a kind of imprint on the brain which makes it easier to have later episodes, Early treatment may not only ease the emotional burden of the momen, it may prevent depression’s return. Chasing away the blues today may not insure that all of your tomorrows will be sunny, but it could help stop a pattern from developing to the point where rainy days are all that are left.