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Depression
is the fourth leading public health problem in the world
(mywebmd.com). According to the National Institute of
Mental Health, women experience depression about twice
as often as men, likely due to menstrual cycle changes,
pregnancy, and miscarriage. Depression affects two out
of ten women.
By Cynthia
Remke, special to Mormonchic.com |
Even
though 20% of women are affected by depression, only one
in three women ever seeks help (mywebmd.com).
Why
don't women get professional help?
One reason might
be embarrassment. Throughout history depression has been
seen as a moral failing or personal weakness not the health
problem that it is. Another reason women may not seek
help may be lack of understanding about this illness.
Sadness is a normal reaction to loss, adversity, and pain.
However, with depression these feelings of sadness don't
go away. According to Dr. Charlotte E. Grayson of mywebmd.com,
"sometimes the feeling of sadness becomes intense,
lasting for long periods of time and preventing a person
from leading a normal life and if left untreated can worsen,
lasting for years, and causing untold suffering, and possibly
result in suicide." It is important to recognize
the signs of depression and seek help if experiencing
any of the symptoms.
Signs
of Depression (from
mywebmd.com)
- Sadness
- Loss of Energy
- Loss of enjoyment from
things that were once pleasurable
- Difficulty concentrating
- Uncontrollable crying
- Difficulty making decisions
- Irritability
- Unexplained aches and
pains
- Stomachache and digestive
problems
- Decreased sex drive
or sexual problems
- Headache
- A change in appetite
causing weight loss or gain
- Thoughts of death or
suicide
- Attempting suicide
- According to, Health-Choosing
Wellness, there are several other signs:
A change in sleep patterns: either
difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
A change in activity level: either
increased physical activity or slowed down levels
of activity
Feelings of worthlessness; excessive or inappropriate
guilty feelings
According to
Linda Yeates, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
from Magna, Utah, people usually seek help for depression
after experiencing some of the physical symptoms, such
as sleeplessness, or because of relationship problems.
Often spouses encourage their partners to get help because
their irritability is causing problems in their relationship.
Though this is not always the case. Melinda Burg of West
Valley City, Utah is recovering from depression which
occurred after a miscarriage. She first noticed something
was wrong when she kept forgetting things like paying
her bills and other important tasks. She was also sleeping
excessively. She tried spending extreme amounts of money
to feel better. Her husband felt like it was something
she needed to handle on her own. It wasn't until she became
suicidal that her family recognized her need for professional
help. For her, therapy has been the key to her recovery.
Things
you can do to help deal with depression
Ideas for Managing Depression (from Linda Yeates, LCSW)
- Talk
to a trusted friend or relative about your feelings.
Don't isolate yourself.
- Eat
healthy
- Exercise
- Get
plenty of sleep
- Increase
positive self talk
- Make
yourself participate in activities that you use to
find pleasurable
- Journal
- Spend
time with positive people who build you up
- Manage
your stress
The
National Institute of Mental Health also suggests:
Set realistic goals and assume a reasonable amount of
responsibility. Break large tasks into small ones and
set priorities. Postpone important decisions until the
depression has lifted. If
you feel that you need professional help, ask your family
physician suggest or refer you to someone who can help
you. You can also contact your state division of mental
health for local agencies.
If you or a
loved one are experiencing depression it is important
to remember that your "mood will improve gradually,
not immediately. Feeling better takes time. People rarely
snap out of a depression. But they can feel a little better
day by day" (nimh.nih.gov). The prophet Lehi taught
us that "[wo]men are, that they might have joy"
(2nd Nephi 2:25). The Lord wants us to be happy and joyful.
It is important to take care of our mental health so that
we can be successful and happy wives, mothers, sisters,
daughters and friends. Sometimes we can take care of ourselves
on our own. Other times we need professional help. Our
Heavenly Father wants us to do what will help us to feel
joy.
Additional
Resources
National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov)
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (www.nami.org)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(www.samhsa.gov)
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (www.DBSAlliance.org)
National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. (www.depression.org)
National Mental Health Association (www.nmha.org)
References
mywebmd.com
Health-Choosing Wellness, Prentice Hall, 1989
National Institute of Mental Health, nimh.nih.gov
Linda Yeates, licensed clinical social worker, Magna,
Utah
Melinda Burg, West Valley City, Utah
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