I have often heard that December is the worst month for suicides. The logic is that with the gloomy, cold weather and sometimes loneliness leads to overwhelming despair. Actually, that couldn’t be more wrong. Statistically speaking, December is actually the least likely month for suicide. That being said, it does open up a great dialog among people about issues involving depression. Many of us grew up in a time when we didn’t express feelings such as these. Unfortunately, not talking about a subject doesn’t make it go away. Depression has received such a stigma that many feel that it makes people feel weak to even bring the subject up.
Depression, like all mental disorders, is a real disease and should be treated as such. Unlike a heart attack or stroke, this condition has signs and symptoms that might not be obvious to everyone. Broadly defined, depression is a feeling of sadness or utter apathy that lasts for several days to several years. It can severely affect the way that you interact with the world and how you perceive your own feelings. Think mental illness is not a real diagnosis? Look up PET scans of a brain that is normal compared to a person suffering from depression and you will see differences in the activity levels in all areas of the brain.
Depression can have many side effects on the body. The biggest impact is the emotional toll that it takes on a person. This can include a loss of pleasure and an uninteresting attitude in things that were once enjoyable. Some patients report a sense of guilt, lack of hope, or even thoughts of suicide. On the physical side, depression can cause many symptoms such as fatigue, aches, insomnia or excessive sleep. You might notice a change in appetite in one extreme or the other. Some are so consumed with the feelings of despair that they simply forget to eat while others self-medicate with food. This can lead to extreme weight loss or weight gain. I want to remind you that if you or someone you know ever mentions suicide or exhibits other warning signs, they should be taken seriously. Do not hesitate to call the hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE. If you have a plan to commit suicide, go to an Emergency Room immediately!
Depression is not well understood, but it is thought that feelings of gloom originate in the way that the chemical neurotransmitter serotonin is moved across the brain. Serotonin is regarded by many researchers as the substance responsible for maintaining good moods and giving a sense of euphoria. For this reason, many medications that are available to treat depression concentrate on the imbalance of serotonin inside the brain. Think of the electrical neuron pathways inside your brain as a highway with a bridge out at one end. Millions of times each second, cars (or serotonin) ramp off one end of the road and land on the other to continue their path (like the Dukes of Hazard). However, some of the cars don’t make it over the ramp and get stuck at the bridge, or the axon. For people with depression, too many cars full of serotonin can’t make the jump. The body sends the chemical Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) to clear out all the cars that didn’t make it. An older class of anti-depression drugs, MAO Inhibitors, work to stop the body from removing the serotonin and allow it to try to jump the bridge. A newer class called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs, work to speed up the process that the serotonin car can make another jump to get across the road.
Medications can be great for severe cases, however, I am a strong believer in holistic medicine, or treating every facet of a person’s wellbeing. If feel like you are suffering from symptoms of depression, I encourage you to talk with your physician. However, there are several great methods to work on the problem for mild cases of depression. First of all, move your body! Exercise releases endorphins which act as natural anti-depressants. Keep a balanced meal full of protein and mega-3 fatty acids to promote the release of endorphins and maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Depression is a serious matter that affects over 18 million Americans. Do not be ashamed to ask for help if you feel that you need it. Real strength comes from knowing your own limitations. Stay safe out there.
M. Eric Williams, MS, NR-P is a Mississippi native and the Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Technology Education at Jones County Junior College. He is a current Doctoral student at Delta State University and has 15 years’ experience in healthcare. If you have questions or comments, you may contact him at eric.williams@jcjc.edu
