Health Tips: Spot depression, bust stress

Stigma thwarts treatment for mentally ill

The stigma of mental illness keeps many of the 54 million Americans -- one in five -- who suffer from a mental disorder from seeking treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

However, thinking medication cures mental illness is a myth, according to the NIMH. New medications made available over the past few decades have helped countless people manage the symptoms of mental illness, but treatment also includes behavioral and family dynamic changes.

The Menninger Clinic, which is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, says:

-- Embrace therapy. Individual and group therapy with a counselor or psychiatrist helps patients gain greater understanding of the factors contributing to their mental illness and gives them support.

-- Don't patronize. Telling someone with depression or other form of mental illness to "just snap out of it" minimizes a person's struggle with mental illness.

-- Don't hesitate. Parents should get help if they believe their child has the signs or symptoms of mental illness.

Anxiety and depression screening

To bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depressive illnesses and assist individuals in finding help, 13 national health organizations have organized National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week May 6-12.

-- The most common signs of anxiety and depression include feelings of being down or blue, phobias, constant uncontrollable worrying, poor concentration, loss of pleasure, sleeping problems, anxiety attacks, unexplainable aches, pains or headaches, obsessions, rituals and ongoing feelings of nervousness or tension.

-- Individuals can screen themselves online at freedomfromfear.org to learn if they may be suffering from an anxiety or depressive illness.

Spotting depression in kids

With the doubling of the suicide rate among 10- to 14-year-olds in just 10 years, child experts warn it is time to take depression in children seriously.

"Many people don't expect that children, especially very young ones -- 5-, 6- or 7-year-olds -- can be depressed," says Dr. Herbert Mandrel, medical director of the national children's crisis charity KidsPeace and the KidsPeace Children's Hospital in Orefield, Pa. "Kids often don't show all the same, familiar signs and symptoms we see in adolescents and adults."

For help in spotting signs of depression in children, visit www.kidspeace.org. A sneak peek:

-- Depressed children don't always look sad or depressed, but they may have a change of behavior -- angry outbursts, disciplinary problems in school and aggressive or negative behavior, which calls for closer attention.

-- In children and younger teens, there may be an overabundance of sleep, withdrawing and sleeping after school, or refusing to get out of bed.

-- It is typical of older teens who are depressed to lose weight, while younger children and young teens may gain weight.

A relaxation technique to combat stress

Repeated and prolonged stress can do damage to the mind and body, but there are ways to counter the effects of chronic stress, according to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Long-term stress, with its flood of stress hormones, can increase risk for many physical disorders, including stroke, gastrointestinal problems, high levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, sleep disturbance, immune suppression, impotence, asthma and premature aging. Chronic stress, especially in people who easily anger, can lead to higher risk for insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

A relaxation response technique involves these simple steps:

-- Pick a personal focus word, sound, prayer or short phrase.

-- Sit comfortably in a quiet place.

-- Close your eyes.

-- Progressively relax your muscles from feet to neck.

-- Breathe slowly and naturally, and as you do, say your focus word, sound, phrase or prayer silently to yourself as you exhale.

-- Assume a passive attitude and don't worry about how well you're doing.

-- Continue for 10 to 20 minutes. Time yourself by peeking occasionally at a watch or clock.

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(e-mail: consumerhealth@upi.com)