Don’t Dismiss the Blues
7/5/2022
By Cory Fernandes, D.O., family medicine physician, Primary Care Associates of Laredo
It’s no secret that mental health is often a taboo subject in the minority community. Often in minority cultures, parents will tell their kids not to talk about their struggles with mental health or not to seek help because it may bring embarrassment to the family. In these recent post-COVID months, we’ve all had days when we’ve felt down, and nothing seems to be going right.
COVID, though a terrible and devastating disease, has reemphasized the importance that mental health has on a person’s health. A person’s thoughts, feelings, and the way they view themselves plays a large role in their successes, failures, struggles, triumphs, as well as their physical well-being. If you ever find the bad days outnumber the good ones and you can’t seem to shake the “blahs,” don’t minimize these feelings as just a “blue” period. Feelings of intense sadness, helplessness or hopelessness that endure for more than a few days and as long as several weeks – and begin to interfere with your ability to function daily basis – may in fact be clinical depression.
“We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.” – Michelle Obama
Clinical depression is a common condition, affecting 8.4% of all American adults—an estimated 21 million adults—in 2020. July is National Minority Mental Health Month, which raises awareness on the special challenges that racial and ethnic minority populations encounter regarding mental illness in the U.S. The prevalence of major depressive episodes is 7 percent among Hispanic adults and is the highest at 15.9% among those who report having two or more races, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Clinical depression can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or health status. Despite this, only half of Americans diagnosed with clinical depression receive treatment for it, according to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). Many people tend to explain away their symptoms, dismiss them as a personal weakness rather than a legitimate medical condition, or try to treat symptoms on their own. This can actually make the condition worse, because most people who experience depression need treatment to get better – and early treatment is more effective and decreases the likelihood of a recurrence down the road.
Causes
Depression has many causes: biological (internal factors in our biological make-up), cognitive (mental issues), genetic (relating to one’s family background or development), and situational (based on one or more external life events). Often, depression is the result of a combination of these factors. While there is no single cause, here are a few common factors:
- Women are more likely to develop depression than men – possibly due to hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and childbirth, and aging
- Some medications can actually cause depression
- Depression is more likely to occur with certain illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, hormonal disorders, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies have also linked depression with early stages of multiple sclerosis, or brain changes that result after a significant health event such as heart attack or traumatic brain injury.
Recent research links depression with a broad variety of health conditions, with depression serving either as a trigger or an outcome of the condition. Studies have also shown that depression can develop from causes as far-ranging as allergies to inadequate B-vitamin intake in the diet; and that depression itself can contribute to conditions related to weight gain or greater pain sensitivity.
Side Effects
Depression can increase your risk for certain chronic conditions or make the symptoms of existing conditions worse. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes and clinical depression are more likely to experience life-threatening diabetes-related complications, according to a NIMH study released earlier this year. Women who are pregnant and suffer from untreated depression are more likely to deliver prematurely. Depression has been linked to thinning bones in pre-menopausal women. And one in four cases of obesity has been linked with depression or anxiety disorders, according to research.
Signs, Triggers & Symptoms
Depression is not a sign of weakness or a personal deficit. Multiple studies using imaging of the brain have shown actual brain changes in people who suffer from depression, in the portions of the brain that regulate mood, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior, as well as imbalances in chemicals that brain cells use to communicate with each other. Also, trauma or stressful situations can trigger depression: financial trouble, work pressure, a difficult relationship or a divorce, or the death of a family member.
Symptoms of depression are not the same for everyone. The specific symptoms of depression, their severity and duration, differ from one individual to another. Many people experience a combination of symptoms. Health experts consider a patient to have a diagnosis of depression when at least five of these symptoms occur nearly every day for at least two weeks.
If you’re struggling with symptoms of depression, talk first with your family, friends, or your family physician. Your doctor can conduct a physical exam, psychological evaluation, and perform tests to rule out other possible causes such as a medication, virus, or hormonal imbalances. Your doctor may also use a simple questionnaire to determine the severity of your symptoms, and if your doctor feels that you would benefit from more help, you may be referred to a mental health professional for a complete diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. An initial evaluation typically includes any family history of depression; a complete list of symptoms, including duration and severity; any prior treatment; thoughts about death or suicide; and any alcohol or drug use. Depression is often treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
“I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not alone. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not gonna be the last to go through it.” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
If you feel that you’re experiencing some symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor and schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Your symptoms may be caused by an unrelated health condition that can be simply resolved, or, if depression is the diagnosis, early detection and prompt treatment are most effective.
For more information about primary care services, visit https://bit.ly/3NqhIsc or call (956) 796-4990.
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Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.
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