TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION EFFECTIVE

"Depression is a huge topic. There are many types of depression, & the effects of depression on a person depend in large part on age, sex, pregnancy status & many other unique characteristics of a person. Depression is one of the most important conditions that doctors diagnose & treat. Major depression is the second leading cause of disability among all diseases & injuries. Nonetheless, many people are embarrassed to talk about it, tell their doctors about it or get treatment. Short screening tests for depression are available, & people at risk for depression can use a longer instrument, the PHQ-9, widely available to help diagnose & monitor treatment for depression.

"Treatment for depression is pretty effective.Initial treatment of people with mild to moderate depression is effective (resulting in response or remission) in about 60% of people affected. Most primary care doctors, including family doctors & internists, are comfortable treating their patients with mild or moderate depression. Some people will need additional treatment, & those with severe depression or who do not respond to initial therapies will benefit from seeing an expert, such as a psychiatrist. Treatment is more effective when begun promptly after symptoms begin. However, some people have difficulty recognizing their symptoms as being due to depression, in additional to the barriers I mentioned above.

"The official diagnosis of depression requires five of these nine symptoms, as obtained during a medical history by an expert:

> Feeling depressed:  "sad," "hopeless" & "down" are some common terms.

> Loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person used to enjoy.

> Significant change in appetite or weight.

> Change in sleeping habits:  Too much or too little."

> Physical restlessness, or its opposite, slowing of physical movement.

> Fatigue or less or energy.

> Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

> Poor ability to think or concentrate.

> Recurrent thoughts of death, which may or may not include a plan to hurt oneself.

SOURCE:  Dr. Keith Roach, Norfolk Daily News, 6/4/21

I was diagnosed with clinical depression quite a few years ago. I have suffered off & on from at least five of the symptoms listed above. Eventually, my depression seriously hampered my ability to adequately fulfill my responsibilities as head administrator of Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, Nebraska, & I left that position in 2014. Since then my depression has largely been controlled through medication & therapy. If you have any suspicion at all that you might suffer from depression, you owe it to yourself & to those you love to seek the advice of a medical professional.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

We got back from our trip to Iowa & Minnesota yesterday afternoon. Our visits with my brother Mark & his family, my niece Christal & her family, & my son Nathan & his family were unqualified successes. Now, after spending 10 of the last 17 nights on the road, we're off to California tomorrow for another 12 nights on the road. Our flight leaves from Omaha at 5:55a tomorrow morning, which necessitates leaving Norfolk by 2:30a. [I scoff at your pity.] We'll be visiting Lois' sister Wanda & our brother-in-law John in Kingsburg again. Lois & Wanda will be spending a week at a Joni & Friends Camp [GOOGLE "Joni & Friends."] John & I are going to spend some time at their estate next to Lake Tahoe.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE FLORIDA

"Vultures causing problems. Residents of a Florida neighborhood said they are beset by an invasion of turkey vultures that are damaging homes & causing major messes. Resident Judy Oliveri said her neighborhood in the Tampa suburb of Westchase is overrun with the large black birds, & they've been multiplying since they showed up 3 years ago."  NDN, 5/18

"Seven sharks circle beachgoers on rubber raft in Pensacola."  Drudge Report

"DeSantis decides to allow biological men to compete in women's sports as long as they wear high heels." Babylon Bee

. . . LIKE CALIFORNIA

"Gavin Newsom tries to woo Californians back by disguising state as TX." Babylon Bee

TRENDING

"Kamala Harris visits Tomb of Unknown Soldier to tell him to enjoy the long weekend." Babylon Fee

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"Having trouble sleeping? You're at a higher risk of dying."  Drudge

COVID

"More Democratic governors moving to FL to escape their own COVID policies." Babylon Bee

"Wuhan beginning to rethink newly installed sign reading 'Birthplace of COVID.'" Babylon Fee

ABORTION

"In a new poll commissioned by the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List, a majority of American voters said they’d be more likely to support a pro-life political candidate than a candidate who backs abortion on demand."  Alexandra DeSantis, National Review Online