Why is screening for depression important?
Sometimes people who have depression do not realize they are depressed. They (or others) may call themselves lazy or stupid. They may think that if they try harder, act smarter, or just "get over it," they can get back to normal.
Since depression can present as physical symptoms, sometimes people mistake depression for a medical condition and seek medical tests that may show nothing is amiss. While this type of medical exploration is important, doctors should also screen for depression to address possible overlapping symptoms.
Many people with depression mask their symptoms to get through each day, pretending to feel okay while on the inside struggling to find the energy and motivation to truly engage with life. This can be exhausting and lonely, prompting deeper feelings of depression or unhelpful coping strategies such as drug abuse, sef-harm, or even suicidal thoughts.
Deborah A. O'Donnell, PhD
is a licensed psychologist in Maryland (#03958)
Dr. O'Donnell earned a PhD at
Yale University
Dr. O'Donnell completed a doctoral internship at
Children's National Medical Center
988 Lifeline
How can we raise awareness about depression and other mental illnesses?
During the month of October, please pay special attention to the feelings you are having, or notice these in friends, family, or colleagues. Reaching out to your doctor will be a first step to be screened for symptoms. Seeking further help from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor can be life-changing.
While feelings of shame or embarrassment may emerge at the thought of honestly opening up to someone else, please know that you are not alone.
We all deserve to feel engaged with life and have the opportunity to feel okay. Mental health counseling can teach coping strategies to manage depression. Psychiatric medication can assist with reducing symptoms of depression and other psychiatric disorders and allow us to maintain well-being.
In what ways is depression different than sadness?
Sadness is part of being human. Sometimes life is unfair or overwhelming. Sometimes we experience tragedy or loss. We may grieve, feel overtired, or experience a pessimistic attitude from time to time. Often, these emotions are reactions to life situations that bring on stress or insecurity.
Feeling sad sometimes is normal. It is easy to get discouraged when we have a bad day. No one can be happy all of the time. With sadness, getting a good night’s sleep, receiving emotional support from a loved one, or engaging in a favorite hobby can usually elevate our mood and get us back on track.
Clinical depression, on the other hand, is a serious psychiatric disorder that can be treated with psychotherapy and psychiatric medication. According to the CDC, 1 in every 6 adults in the United States will experience depression at some point in their lives.
Symptoms of depression can include: Persistent or lasting depressed, hopeless, or “empty” mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, appetite and weight changes (eating too much, or losing your appetite), changes in sleep patterns (such as inability to sleep or sleeping too much), agitation/restlessness/irritability or slowed movements/thinking/speech, decreased energy/feeling tired almost every day, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, trouble concentrating, or recurrent thoughts of death/suicide.
Active thoughts of suicide are a psychiatric emergency and need immediate treatment.
Not every symptoms needs to be present for a diagnosis of depression, and the disorder can present differently in different people. Depression can often co-occur with anxiety, trauma, substance abuse disorders, or chronic health conditions.
Each month I use this space to feature a mental health theme:
Did you know that October 9th is
National Depression Screening Day?
National Depression Screening Day is situated within Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place during the first full week every October and was established by Congress in 1990 to recognize the need to raise awareness and address mental health challenges.
Dr. O'Donnell accepts:
Medicare
Tricare/Humana Military
Dr. O'Donnell is an out-of-network provider for other health insurance companies
Insurance
Education
Training
Dr. O'Donnell completed clinical training at Yale University:
-Center for Anxiety and Mood Disorders
-Center for Eating and Weight Disorders
-Child Study Center
-Parenting Center