Women & Depression

Recently, I was listening to a TV show which recounted the feelings this woman was feeling after her husband’s death. She cried all the time, crying herself to sleep on most nights. When she did awake in the morning, which was usually in the early hours of the morning, she just couldn’t gather the muster needed to actually get out of bed, but would lie there listless for hours. She isolated herself from all friends, sometimes, breaking times for social meetings only minutes before she was suppose to be there, as she simply could not face seeing anyone. She felt incredible feelings of sadness which she could not shake.

This lady denied being depressed, protesting that she was grieving for her husband. However, her husband had died 2 years prior. Diagnostic criteria indicate that Depression as profound as what this lady felt, is not normal if felt for longer than 6 months after the occurred loss.

What makes us so ashamed to admit to being Depressed? We wouldn’t feel ashamed to admit to anemia, or a sore throat. Yet, Depression is a clinical illness too. An illness one has no control over, just as with any other illness. Treatment is available too, that is both effective and efficient. Yet, 50% of people who are Depressed, refuse to seek treatment. Lack of treatment has grave consequences!

Several indicators of the clinical nature of Depression exist. PET Scans (i.e. a sophisticated type of X-Ray) indicate that people without clinical Depression show a lot of brain activity; however, if Depressed, hardly any brain activity is observed. Everything slows down; even thoughts are slower, and at times, non-existent.
Clinical Depression is a chemical issue. There is significantly less serotonin in Depressed individuals. Whether the decrease of serotonin, which is a potent nervous system neuro-transmitter, is due to a smaller amount being manufactured, or the reabsorption is happening to quickly, is still unclear.

Women have a 2:1 higher risk of suffering with Depression than men; therefore, hormonal issues might also be involved. Additionally, genetics seem to play a part: first degree relatives do have a higher risk of clinical Depression. Even though genetically pre-disposed, a loss situation seems to trigger the actual illness. This trigger could either be something which occurs in present time, such as the death of the husband in the above situation; or an unresolved issue from childhood.

Basically, three types of Depression exist:

• Dysthmia: This illness exhibits a lower level of symptoms, over a longer period of time. The personality itself, at times, seems imbued with the depressive type symptoms.
• Major Depression:
• Bi-Polar Affective Disorder: This illness not only has a period where the clinical signs of Depression present themselves; but periods where the person feels euphoria, and thoughts become rapid paced and nonsensical.

Medications, which work on various neuro-transmitters do exist to treat Depression. If very mild, Depression may be treated with psychotherapy solely. However, if Depression is moderate to severe, than a combination of therapy plus medications seems to be the most effective treatment.

However, medications are not a ‘magic pill’. At times, they take a few months to become effective. If a person does not realize the length of time to feel better, they may quickly self-discontinue, due to side-effects, which are many times only temporary. At times, people discontinue these medications, as their expectations, or those of their significant others, are not met as anticipated (i.e. quickly). For a few unfortunate people, medications are not effective.

Alternative therapies do exist which can be used for patients who are resistant to medications. Among them are:

• Electro-Shock Therapy (ECT): This therapy is no longer like the horrors that presented in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Currently, ECT is given under anesthesia, and not felt by the patient at all. A shock is administered which will make the patient’s have seizures. However, the adjuvant medications which are given to the patient prior to ECT make these seizures non-existent to an outside observant. The entire procedure lasts about 10 minutes. Treatments are given 3 times a week for one month. ECT is the most effective and rapid treatment for Depression.
• Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS): A pacemaker is inserted under the patient’s skin next to the vagus nerve. The pacemaker internally stimulates the nerve, which changes neurotransmitters which are secreted by the nervous system.
• Trans Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): These magnetic pulses target specific regions of the brain. It is still in the research stage, but will be a optional therapy in the very near future.

Natural/Homeopathic Alternatives:

These therapies may be given instead of, or in conjunction with traditional therapies. A few of these treatments are identified below:

• Light Therapy: This treatment is traditionally given for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD may be a part of Dysthmia, Depression, or Bi-Polar Depression, or independent of other types of depression. The light increases serotoning, and increases melatonin. Melatonin helps a person to sleep. Sleep is a essential part of a person’s return to health.
• St John’s Wort: Must be careful in administration to people who have allergies. It also may interact with other medications, so please advise your physician/pharmacist if you are taking.

• Acunpuncture: Acupuncture may change the amount or type of neurotransmitters. In ancient philosophies it also unblocks clogged energy and permits it to be released into the depressed body.

• Exercise: Exercise is always a helpful therapy in Depression. It elevates moods, and changes neurotransmitters. No matter what therapy is chosen, exercise should always be an integral part of the treatment plan. One must keep moving!!!!

• Inversion Therapy (i.e. literally means upside down therapy). The patient stands on one’s head for 15-30 minutes every day. The increased blood flow to the brain is consider re-energizing due to the increased oxygen, and possible change in neurotransmitters. Yoga incorporates inversion therapy as a part of its practice.

To summarize, many therapies exist to treat clinical Depression which are effective. Be willing to explore your options, as you may be depressed. The treatment you choose may literally make the difference between life and death.