According to the American Psychiatric Association, major depression causes ” clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of function.”**

If the defense doctor claims “It’s only depression?” then cite that quote about depression having the same effect on mortality as smoking.

*Vol 303, no l9, may l9,2010, JAMA, l938-l945, Rates of Major Depressive Disorder and Clinical Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury Charles H. Bombardier, PhD; Jesse R. Fann, MD, MPH; Nancy R. Temkin, PhD; Peter C. Esselman, MD; Jason Barber, MS; Sureyya S. Dikmen, PhD

JAMA. 2010;303(19):1938-1945

**APA DSM4 TR, at 350.

wolframalpha.com  is a neat website that pulls together information on a particular topic.  Let’s say you are researching hair loss - if you click the link above you can find what treatments exist, what population suffers from this disorder etc.

It’s great for research.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Depression-is-as-deadly-as-smoking/articleshow/5243242.cms

By Axelrod, Bradley N.; Fox, David D.; Lees-Haley, Paul R.; Earnest, Karen; Dolezal-Wood, Sharon; Goldman, Robert S.Psychological Assessment. Vol 8(4), Dec 1996, 422-427.Abstract

The underlying structure of the Postconcussion Syndrome Questionnaire (PCS) was evaluated in a large sample of medical and psychiatric patients. Three potentially viable models were generated using exploratory factor analysis with half of the sample. The other half evaluated the 3-, 4-, and 5-factor models using confirmatory factor analytic procedures. The factor analyses generated compelling data for a 5-factor model for the PCS questionnaire. However, internal consistency for each of the factors argued in favor of the 3-factor model. Balancing internal consistency, confirmatory factor analyses, and parsimony resulted in endorsement of a 4-factor solution for the PCS questionnaire for this sample. The factors are best described as clusters of psychological, somatic, cognitive, and infrequent complaints. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

Link to Purchase: http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=1997-02157-015

Having two psychiatric disorders, anxiety AND depression, may be harder to treat.  Medications for one disorder may worsen symptoms of another.

Therefore, if you fear you may suffer from anxiety, get treatment as soon as possible to keep your symptoms from worsening or developing into depression.

Help spread the word.  It’s dangerous if not treated.

Nearly 2/3 of those suffering from depression don’t get proper treatment.[1]

This is frightening when considering the pain this condition causes not only the patient but family members as well.  Unfortunately, social stigma may keep many people from seeking treatment or symptoms may be misdiagnosed by doctors who only have a very few minutes to devote to each patient in a managed care arrangements.  Symptoms can be so disabling that some people may not be able to work or even get out of bed in the morning.  Some cultures see depressed people as weak or lazy.[2]

A few years ago I was volunteering in India with my husband.  We met with a woman who was in the hospital and claimed to be unable to communicate.  Her family brought her in at wits end.  She stayed day after day.  My husband, a physician, conducted a thorough examination.  There was simply nothing physically wrong with the woman…except for her profound depression.

In that particular city, it was unacceptable to explain to the family that this woman had a mental illness.  Instead, we met with the head of the hospital and explained to the family that the woman suffered from a neurochemical imbalance which resulted in abnormal serotonin levels which could be helped by medication.

Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression making it clear that depression is more than just a feeling, it’s a chemical imbalance.[3]

The family and the patient were able to accept her condition when it was explained in terms other than mental illness. Sadly, mental illness is seen as something over which a person has control and often it is simply not the case.

If you or a loved one suffers from depression, get help… now.  Sometimes depression untreated may wreck havoc on your personal life, your spouse, your children and your work.

Remember, ask your doctor how long it may take before you could expect changes due to medications.  Some medications may take weeks before the patient feels results and some of my client’s don’t stay with the treatment thinking it’s not working after only a few weeks.
Give therapy and medication a chance, if not for yourself, for your loved ones.

[2] Id

[3] http://www.webmd.com/depression/recognizing-depression-symptoms/serotonin

You get 2 pages for free per day.

By Folzer, Sandra MareaAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Vol 71(2), Apr 2001, 245-251.Abstract

This article synthesizes information about brain injuries so as to help therapists understand these patients and treat them more effectively. It describes physical/cognitive and emotional features of mild brain injuries; discusses the difficulty of assessment; emphasizes the importance of family involvement; and, finally, reviews group and individual therapeutic interventions. Family involvement and group work are described as beneficial for these patients. Individual psychotherapy is indicated for those who have a more realistic perception of their skill level, can adjust to a new self, and are able to manage emotional reactions. Therapists must understand the physical, cognitive, and psychological effects of a brain injury so that they can empathize with their patients even when there is no definitive proof of injury. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

Link to purchase