Depression Treatment: Your Heart and Mind Depend on It

By Kira Stein, MD and Erin Yates, Bsc

 You likely know the impact that depression can have on a person mentally. However, it’s important to note that depression takes a physical toll as well, and it’s important for a person suffering from emotional difficulties to realize that seeking treatment is essential for his or her overall health and wellbeing.

 It’s common knowledge that living with major depression has its mental health risks, including suicide, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and difficulties with attention; but these are not the only implications associated with depression. In fact, recent research has shown that depression can be linked with a number of physical conditions, including heart disease, stroke and decreased cognitive functions. And, the more severe the depression symptoms, the higher the risk for these illnesses.

Physical depression risks

When inadequately managed or untreated, the physical toll depression takes can be significant for sufferers. In fact, these individuals can find themselves at a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease or even death, and studies have proven that even people who did not previously have any type of coronary artery disease before suffering from depression had an increased risk of developing the condition after the onset of depressive episodes.

One study looked at patients aged 60 and older diagnosed with high blood pressure, and found that these people had 2-3 times the occurrence of heart failure when they were depressed. In addition, those who had been hospitalized before for heart failure and also suffered from depression had a higher mortality rate three months (7.9 percent) and a year (16.2 percent) after being hospitalized.

 There are also alarming numbers when it comes to depression and the risk of stroke. Studies indicate that untreated clinical depression also increases the risk of having an ischemic stroke and of dying from a stroke. Plus, individuals who suffer from chronic depressive symptoms for several years often experience a decline in cognition, even if the individual’s depression is in remission.

Seek Treatment for Depression

Considering these studies, it’s important for individuals suffering from clinical depression to also look at the physical ramifications of leaving their conditions untreated. After all, people commonly take supplements, engage in exercise and start healthy diets to improve their physical health, but don’t realize that they need to take into account their mental health, as well. Thus, if you or a loved one feel that depression has become a problem, you should have that person seek treatment in order to prevent further health problems in the future.

If you feel that you may need treatment for depression risks, West Coast TMS Institute in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles is available to help you. Contact us if you feel you would like to look into your depression risks, set up a psychiatric consultation and explore your options further.

References:

Abramson, J., et al. Depression and risk of heart failure among older persons with isolated systolic hypertension. Arch Intern Med. 2001 Jul 23;161(14):1725-30.

Empana, JP., et al. Clinical depression and risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Arch Intern Med. 2006 Jan 23;166(2):195-200.

Jiang, W., et al. Relationship of depression to increased risk of mortality and rehospitalization in patients with congestive heart failure. Arch Intern Med. 2001 Aug 13-27;161(15):1849-56.

Mojtabai, R. & Olfson, M. Cognitive deficits and the course of major depression in a cohort of middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jul;52(7):1060-9.

Pan, A., et al.  Depression and risk of stroke morbidity: a meta-analysis and systematic review. JAMA. 2011 Sep 21;306(11):1241-9. Review. Erratum in: JAMA.   Dec 21;306(23):2565.

**If you found Depression Treatment: Your Heart and Mind Depends on Itinteresting, you may want to learn more about ADHD by reading our next blog: LA Times Addresses Depression in Los Angeles.

Overcome Depression

Obstacles to Getting Depression Help

The more discouraging aspects of dealing with depression are the obstacles people must face as they try to take the next step in their treatment. Crossing the threshold to actually seeking outside depression help is a very large step, and one that deters many from seeking the assistance they need. By nature, those dealing with depression tend to withdraw from their normal activities, including interacting with the very friends and family that could offer support through this process.

Thanks to the Internet, there is a wealth of information now available for those who need depression help. While there are still challenges in figuring out exactly what information is appropriate and relevant to each individual depression sufferer, as time goes on the obstacles to treating depression are starting to fade. However, there are certain challenges that people do face in getting help for depression symptoms:

Top seven obstacles people face in seeking depression help

1) Lack of knowledge about the disorder: Information is available, but it is often completely overwhelming especially at first. It can be very hard to discern what information is relevant to any one specific person and what is affecting that individual. By knowing how to proceed, it is much easier to seek out depression help.

2) Denial: There is a very natural hesitation to admit that one needs help. Most people prefer to believe that they are capable of fixing the problem themselves and are reluctant to admit that they need outside depression help. Admitting you have a problem is an important first step.

3) Stigma: Individuals dealing with symptoms of depression may be wary of being judged by others, including members of their own families. Overcoming these stigmas by being open about your problem can make things easier.

4) Limited access to healthcare: Some individuals are faced with financial concerns that limit their ability to seek depression help. They may not know that there are many different treatment options many of which do not involve depression medication with a wide range of costs. Researching all of your options can give you hope.

5) Isolation from family and friends: Especially in the case of the elderly, there may be geographic restrictions to obtaining assistance. This is a factor not only in receiving depression help, but also in getting the support they need throughout their treatment. Seeking out support systems from family, community centers, religious affiliations, or other connections is a major contributor to getting successful depression help.

6) A lack of interest or motivation in self-care: As one descends into depression, he/she often starts to feel as if they are unworthy of being cared for. These people may feel as if depression is œtheir problem or œtheir fault. Realizing that depression is nobody’s fault will help you overcome it more quickly.

7) Irritability, causing estranged loved ones: One of the more destructive aspects of depression is its ability to drive away those people who are most likely to be helpful as one makes the decision to seek treatment. Understanding that your friends and family are likely to forgive you once you get better will help motivate you to get depression help.

Organizations ready to provide depression help

While there are many obstacles one may face before making the decision to seek depression help, there are also many groups that can provide assistance. Talking to knowledgeable resources about ones’ own symptoms and hesitations is a very important first step in deciding which course of treatment is best for each person.

Some helpful resources are:

• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (www.dbsalliance.org) has a grassroots network of nearly 1,000 patient-run support groups across the country. Its peer-led chapters and support groups serve about 70,000 people needing depression help every year.
• The National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (www.NAMI.org) offers an array of peer education and training programs, initiatives and services for individuals, family members, healthcare providers and the general public.
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) is exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide. The National Suicide Lifeline (1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433) is available toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Psychological and psychiatric care for depression Help

Susan McKinnon, Certified TMS Technician West Coast TMS Institute

TMS: A New Depression Treatment

When I first began my position at the West Coast TMS Institute as a Technician, I hoped that I would have the opportunity to witness chronically depressed patients benefit from this new treatment approach. After only a few months on the job, I’m pleased to report that I have seen firsthand the positive improvements that patients undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS have experienced.

Depression has affected some members of my own family; therefore, I‘m familiar with how devastating and difficult it can be. That’s probably one of the main reasons I was so excited to first learn about TMS and that it was proven to be so effective. Since the American Psychiatric Association includes TMS therapy as a recognized treatment for Major Depressive Disorder in its practice guidelines, another milestone has been reached in the advancement of this safe, non-invasive and effective option and will aid in more patients receiving a depression treatment.

In my own personal approach to health, I believe that medications are beneficial. However, I also believe that there has been a strong need for more non-pharmacological options for those who haven’t had relief from depressive symptoms with their prior medications.

The idea of TMS therapy may seem scary, but it’s completely different from shock therapy or any of the procedures utilized in the past. During my TMS technician training, I hesitated briefly before voluntarily undergoing a TMS treatment myself in order to learn more about the process. Because I had already thoroughly researched this new technology beforehand, I quickly reminded myself that the data shows that TMS is very safe. Although the TMS chair looks the same as a dentist chair, the experience is not at all like a root canal! The pulses delivered by the magnetic coil feel less intense than they may sound. Due to the very low risk of seizure during the treatment (about 1/30,000), a CPR and TMS-certified technician stays in the treatment room and monitors patients carefully during the  treatments. Furthermore, I really enjoy spending time and connecting with the patients during TMS depression treatment.

Social Disorders and Social Anxiety –> signs of a mood disorder

Depression Treatment Options For Different Types of Depression

While major depressive disorder can often be a disabling condition, the fact remains that it is highly treatable, with multiple depression treatment approaches available to the modern patient.  Being able to manage depression is one of the things that make psychiatry and psychology such rewarding professions. There are different types, or severities, of depression.  For each level of depression, there are usually different depression treatment approaches. Read the rest of this entry »