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More People Have The Blues Than Ever... Are You One?

The study comes from the CDC and shows in the general population—rates of depression have climbed to about one in 12 people.  However among women around the age of 40 and older—the rate is one out of every eight.

Researchers believe many cultural factors are to blame- including juggling family, jobs, children, marriage, and sometimes caring for older parents. Yet few women- two out of three don't talk to their doctor about it- and we doctors don't ask.

Signs of depression are sometimes obvious—sometimes really noticed by loved ones and include:

  • Sadness that is persistent.
  • Not enjoying the everyday things that used to make you happy.
  • Lack of energy
  • Poor sleep
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Problems concentrating
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Changes in appetite or weight

The keys here are recognizing the problem—and doing something about it. There is a real need to remove the stigma of the condition. It's not simply a matter of "getting it together" or "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps."

Depression is a disease that can and needs to be treated- just like diabetes or high blood pressure—and you don't always need medication. Please talk with your doctor.

For more info: nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/

Mental Health—and other hotlines here in Colorado: rockies.edu/emergency.htm

 

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