Letters and Comments

Dealing With Depression

By U.S. News Staff

January 17, 2008 RSS Feed Print

After reading the first paragraph of "Get Healthier and Happier" [Dec. 24, 2007], I thought it was the first article that expressed a true understanding of depression.

The article refers to several complex theories and treatments of depression. It seems that hospitals, psychiatrists, and researchers think they have an answer. I know, since I looked to them for an answer for 25 years. Two years ago, I was finally referred to a psychologist who told me on our first visit, "I cannot cure you of depression, but I can help you live with it." These were the truest and most helpful words I had heard. There is no magic bullet for depression, and the medical profession must realize this. People with serious clinical depression need special help intended just for them in order to live with depression.

J. R. Price
Homosassa, Fla.

 

Thank you for pointing out that depression may be multifactorial, and therefore treatment approaches should include medication, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and exercise. However, it is important to note that if patients don't respond to treatment provided by primary-care doctors, they may consider getting a referral to see a psychiatrist. Patients who fail to respond to treatment may need a more complex medication regimen, usually offered by specialists in mental health.

Jacob Moussai, M.D.
Senior Resident Physician
Yale School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry
West Haven, Conn.

 

The real answer to depression is not just in exercise or light boxes—it's in thinking about other people, helping the community, and finding a way to be useful to those around you. Depression lessens considerably the more useful you become to others.

Davina Rubin
Napa, Calif.

Reader Comments Read all comments (5)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

A few clicks will help @TWLOHA win $1 Million for suicide prevention. Please share this with others. Vote here: http://bit.ly/7si7Be

victoria of GA 12:32AM January 17, 2010

Valium is a "minor tranquilizer" not a tricyclic antidepressant. Minor tranquilizers include Xanax, Ativan, and Librium. These medications are primarily for the treatment of anxiety. It is worth noting that minor tranquilizers bear a significant risk of addiction, although this can be managed off times by very gradually reducing the minor tranquilizer over a period of one to two months.

Tricyclic antidepressants were available prior to Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and other SSRIs. They were available in the 1950s. They are about as effective as the newer antidepressants, but have a poor side effects profile. Examples include Tofranil, Norpramin, Elavil, and Pamelor. Because of the side effects profile the dropout rates are much higher than the SSRIs Antidepressants have no potential for addiction.

I would also be interested in seeing an article that covers cognitive therapy (also known as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. Cognitive therapy is highly effective in the treatment of depression from mild to severe. The relapse rate is lower compared to medication. This is not to say that medication would not be appropriate. Cognitive therapy and medication do not conflict when combined and medication can be essential in disorders such as bipolar disorder. Also, I would just like to comment here about the term "talk therapy." This is a well accepted and widely used term, but I personally have some concern that it can be misinterpreted by people seeking therapy. I wonder if it makes it sound like therapy is "just about talking." Talk therapy means therapy that doesn't involve medication in and of itself, although the person may be taking medication. Cognitive therapy would be classified as talk therapy, however, there is a great deal of work for the client involved. There is "homework" required between each session. This might involve trying out a new behavior, reading, self-assessment forms, and identifying automatic negative thoughts to name a few. Those who do not do the homework will not make progress. Certainly cognitive therapy requires a good deal of talking, but there is much more involved.

I appreciated your article and found it helpful. I will be looking for more of your articles in the future.

Sincerely,

Harry T. Kilpatrick

Harry T. Kilpatrick of PA 3:01PM January 06, 2010

I am 80years old and almost 81 and I have been suffering from depression for quite some time. It has gotten worse in the last year as more and more health problems keep surfacing. I told one of my doctors last week that I think I am suffering from 80ites which is a believe is a general feeling of worthfulness that arives at that age. I excecise 4-5 times a week and that does seem to help some, but I still need medication and some visits to my psychiatrest to keep me going

LeRoy Anderson of AZ 9:33PM August 10, 2009

Letters and Comments

Welcome to the U.S. News Readers' Letters and Comments blog. Positive or negative, reader feedback provides added perspective to any story. New letters and comments will be posted here several times a week. Thank you for your submission.

advertisement

Cartoons

advertisement