Health Ministry

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Cont. from last week………

Although depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, there is a negative social stigma associated with the disorder. While we frequently speak of having diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, depressed people are often embarrassed by the diagnosis. This embarrassment serves to further exacerbate the symptoms.

Differentiating between sadness, normal grief and depression may be difficult. There are many situations which result in sadness, such as the loss of a loved one, unemployment, and other experiences which are part of every day life. Grief reactions are normal responses to sad situations. There are times in life to weep. Father Steve so eloquently stated during the funeral Masses of some of the youth of our parish last summer that, “today, even God weeps.”

However, Major Depression is diagnosed when most of symptoms described persist each day, for most of the day, for a period of two weeks and the individual’s functioning is impaired at home, school/work and in social settings. People with Major Depression are encouraged to seek professional health care.

The best treatment for depression is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy is aimed at alleviating the depressed mood and at developing healthy thought patterns. A medication regime targets neurotransmitters in the brain’s chemistry and relieves depressive symptoms in about 3 – 6 weeks. It is important to recognize that depression can be alleviated, and that with proper treatment, the individual is likely to return to normal functioning.

St. Julie Billiart Health Ministry Cabinet will continue to offer information on depression and other health related issues in the future. A survey to determine topics of interest to you will be conducted during the weekend Masses in June.

Parish Bulletin
6/01/03