Page 32 - Harnett Life Fall 2018

Depression:

Coping

with the

Unexpected

By: Dr. Veronica L. Hardy

Dahlia was recognized for her upbeat personality, witty centrating, (4) feeling hopeless or guilty, (5) withdrawal,
charm, and contagious humor. At the office, she was known and (6) negative changes in the way you eat or sleep. When
to carry her load. On the home front, she made sure dinner experiencing such symptoms, the following steps may be
was on the table by 6 p.m., the laundry was folded and neat- beneficial.
ly tucked away, while still finding time to select the perfect
birthday gifts for those listed on her calendar. Dahlia’s zest 1. Contact a Mental Health Professional
for life was awe inspiring to onlookers who desired to have There are several types of mental health professionals who
just a fraction of her pace. can provide an initial assessment to determine if major de-
pressive disorder is present and provide individual therapy.
Over the past year, she has experienced several significant Such persons include licensed clinical social workers, li-
life changes that have affected her perception of life and censed professional counselors, psychologists, and psychia-
interaction with others. Her husband received a “dream” trists. In addition to contacting a mental health professional,
job offer in another state, which came immediately follow- be sure to make contact with your primary care physician
ing the miscarriage of their first child. He felt a new envi- to explore any biological factors that may be causing symp-
ronment would help them to grow as a couple and heal. toms that can “look” like depression, or allergies that may
She thought she had coped well with the miscarriage by contribute to irritability and discomfort (e.g. wheat, dairy,
closely identifying with the fact that it was not her fault. and peanuts). It is important to explore all factors that may
Due to the relocation, she landed in an area of unfamiliari- contribute to a change in mood.
ty with people, places, and things. She longed for her pre-
vious work environment, church home, and neighborhood 2. Support Group
grocery store. Therefore, starting from scratch to develop If a significant life experience has occurred, such as the loss
a new social network was turning into a daunting task. As of a loved one, divorce, or unexpected illness, then the sup-
her husband went to work each day, Dahlia was left in the port from a group of people experiencing similar circum-
home to dwell on her thoughts. At this time, self-blame stances may aid with the expression of feelings and provide
about the miscarriage returned in addition to grief about needed assistance.
abandoning her home, peers, and comfort zone. This daily
routine of isolation, guilt, and grief plummeted Dahlia into 3. Psychopharmacology
a depressed mood. At times, a primary care physician or psychiatrist may
recommend the use of medication to alleviate symptoms.
Depression can be expressed in differing ways according The use of medications is the choice of the patient/client,
to the individual. For example, in children and adolescents, therefore it is important to learn the purpose and side ef-
it may show as angry episodes or rebellion to authority fects of the prescribed medicine. In addition, it is necessary
figures (e.g. parents and teachers). In addition, in adults, it for patients to take into consideration that the psychotropic
may present as angry episodes, withdrawal, or deep sad- medications are not necessarily a cure but helps to decrease
ness. Although the presentation of symptoms may vary ac- the impact of symptoms to a certain extent. Therefore, it
cording to the individual, there are several key features of is recommended that psychotropic medications be used in
major depressive disorder. Those characteristics include but conjunction with mental health services so the person can
are not limited to: (1) a depressed or irritable mood most of learn daily coping skills for major depressive disorder.
the day, (2) thoughts of harming oneself, (3) difficulty con-