HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Is Depression Getting in Your Way?

There

are millions of men, women and children throughout the world who suffer from clinical depression, substance abuse and other serious mental illnesses. According to recent statistics, more than five million Americans experience a dramatic episode of mental illness each year, affecting one in five families. Almost twice as many women as men reportedly are clinically depressed. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than half of the Americans who suffer from depression now seek treatment, up from one-third ten years ago. However, nearly 60% of the people in treatment do not receive adequate care, the researchers found. According to Dr. Ronald Kessler of Harvard University, an important reason that people with depression (and other mental illnesses) fail to receive proper care is because many seek help from well-meaning (but unqualified) family doctors, gynecologists, urologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, religious clergy and even mental health professionals who are simply not up to speed in terms of their knowledge to adequately diagnose depression and other psychiatric disorders, prescribe appropriate psychiatric medications when necessary or do effective psychotherapy. I was recently; browsing through the Community and Social Services classified ad section of the Herald Tribune and happened to notice that a local organization was looking for 'counselors', a 'case manager' and a 'residential manager' to work with at-risk female teens residing in residential group homes. The requirements were "a BA in behavioral health and a minimum of two years direct experience in the delivery of services to families and children and a minimum of one year prior supervisory/management experience.? I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 25 years and worked for many years with at-risk youth. One thing that I can say definitively is that hiring inexperienced staff to work with the most difficult and challenging of populations, is a waste of time, money and energy for all concerned. Although there was no mention of salary, I can assume that the money budgeted for these very crucial positions would be paltry at best. If we as a society are really concerned about helping our youth and anyone who suffers from mental illness, we must realize that this population deserves the best treatment provided by the most qualified and experienced therapists. Unless this happens, we will continue to falter in our efforts to truly help people who suffer with emotional and psychiatric problems. So what should you do if you or your partner feels depressed and irritable most days, has consistently low energy, poor concentration, is either sleeping too much or is suffering from insomnia,

Living

HEALTHY feels hopeless, worthless, complains of aches and pains that have no medical basis, has a poor appetite or is overeating or at worst has thoughts or plans of suicide or has even made a suicide gesture or attempt? Or perhaps your cocktail hour is beginning earlier each day and that the high point of your daily existence is that double martini or vodka or bottle of wine or you are using cocaine, heroin, marijuana, nicotine or other substances to help get through the days? And what about all those medicines in your cabinet, that have been prescribed for you by your doctor or doctors? Do you exceed the recommended dosages to "calm your nerves? and worries? Be honest with yourself. It's OK to acknowledge that you're depressed and feeling out of sorts. Remember that sadness is short-term and depression is long-term. You must also know that bi-polar disorder may 'look like' depression, but unless properly diagnosed can worsen with the incorrect medication. So if you find that some or all of these debilitating symptoms persist over an extended period of time, despite exercise, massage, natural remedies, meditation and yoga; then it's time to take action and seek out the expertise of a competent mental health professional. Ask your family doctor for recommendations or, if you feel comfortable, ask your friends or family members for names of therapists and psychiatrists who will give you the excellent care that you deserve. The good news is that there are a variety of effective treatments available, including counseling and medication, that can not only ease symptoms but can help you to get to the root of your problems and your depression. We all have issues (both current and historical) than can eat away at our sense of well- being and interfere with our being able to live to the fullest. My professional bias is that pill pushing without helping people to understand the origin of their problems and subsequently how to overcome them, is bandage therapy at best and at worst, a complete waste of time, money and life. So if depression or any other mental health problem is getting in the way of your life, be good to yourself and acknowledge, address and take whatever steps necessary to resolve your issues. This positive action 'will' change your life. By Beatty Cohan, a Sarasota psychotherapist and author specializing in family and marital therapy and sexual dysfunction. She can be reached at (941) 955-6116 or wwww. askbeatty.com. www.LivingOutEast.com/LivingHealthy 53

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