St. Julie Health Ministry Cabinet

HUMAN CONCERNS
Provide support and loving assistance in times of need

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Depression is often defined as sadness, hopelessness, discouragement or simply feeling “down in the dumps.” Sometimes, people deny they are sad, yet they look like they are about to cry at the drop of a hat. Some people complain of feeling “blah,” having no feelings, or feeling nervous. Some people report somatic complaints such as bodily aches and pains.

Many people report irritability, increased anger, responding to events with angry outbursts, blaming others, or have an exaggerated sense of frustration over minor matters. In children and adolescents, an irritable or cranky mood may develop rather than sadness. They often have an irritable look on their face.

Many people report a loss of interest in activities in which they once found pleasurable, such as their hobbies. Family members notice that the individual seems socially withdrawn.

Basic body functions are often impaired. There may be a significant reduction in sexual interest or desire. Appetite is often reduced and many people report feeling they have to force themselves to eat. Some individuals crave sweets or carbohydrates, which may result in weight gain. In infants, there is poor suck, disinterest and unresponsiveness during feedings, which may eventually lead to a failure to thrive. Eating disorders may develop in children and adolescents. Sleep disturbance is common. Most often, people report middle insomnia, waking during the night and an inability to fall asleep again or terminal insomnia, waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. Initial insomnia, difficulty falling asleep may occur. Some people report hypersomnia, which is oversleeping.

Many people report psychomotor changes. These changes may be agitation, including the inability to sit still, pacing, hand-wringing, pulling or rubbing skin and clothing or psychomotor retardation, such as slowed speech, slowed thinking processes, slowed body movements, long response times to questions, and speech that is decreased in volume, inflection, amount or variety of content or even muteness.

Some people report decreased energy, tiredness and fatigue. Even the smallest task requires significant energy. Simple self care routines such as washing and dressing each day take twice as long.

There is an overall sense of worthlessness and guilt, often to delusional levels. Some people ruminate over their past minor failings. Neutral events are often personalized and serve as evidence of personal defects and failures. There is a pervasive inability to think, concentrate or make decisions. Many people complain of poor memory and of being easily distracted. In children and adolescents, academic decline is prevalent. Family members are often concerned that their aging parent may be developing dementia.

Some people report auditory and visual hallucinations. Children frequently report hearing things and seeing things that no one else can see or hear.

Thoughts of death, suicide ideation and ultimately suicide attempts result from distorted thoughts that the world, their family and they themselves would be better off if the individual were dead. Suicidality is associated with overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. While there are cases of suicide reported among children, teens and adults, the elderly are at highest risk for suicide. The lowest rate of suicide attempts is reported among those with a spiritual/religious connection.

Parish Bulletin
5/25/03

To be continued next 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

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Health Ministry Cabinet

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever”

Hebrews 13:8

We are a group of health professionals who as parishioners have joined together with a common interest. This interest, a concern for our parish family, centered around our desire to address wellness and healthcare needs of our parish family.

 We have a desire to have a holistic approach to ministering to our parish. A community of 9000 people (3600 families) navigating the world today often feels that their physical being is looked as separate from their spiritual being. In our walk with Jesus we know that this isn’t so. This is often apparent when we face bodily health concerns.

We are committed to bringing you faith based health related educational offerings and in the near future will paper survey our parishioners.

God’s blessing and peace,
Health Cabinet

Committee members:

Mary Jo Cronin R.N. B.S.N. 
Kathy Bewley D.O. 
Cheryl Scallon Psy.D
Mary Anne Krajewski R.N. 
Julie Anzallone R.N. 

An Invitation to Join this Ministry
Click Here

Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group

Caregiver Education & Support Group

4th Tuesday of each month 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Brighton Gardens by Marriott
16051 LaGrange Rd.
Orland Park
708-403-2001

For additional information and meeting confirmation, call 888-301-1819.

Complimentary Adult Day Care available upon request.

Would you like to serve in this ministry?

“There are varieties of service, but the same Lord.  There are varieties of activity, but in all of them and in everyone the same God is active.  In each of us, the Spirit is seen to be at work for some useful purpose.”

                                                                   1 Corinthians 12:5 

The Mission of St. Julie’s Health Care Ministry is to facilitate optimal well-being for all our parish members.  Jesus was actively concerned and involved in the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of those who came to Him.  We believe that we who are health care professionals within our Parish can and should use our time and talents to do what we do best:  provide programs and activities that foster holistic health. 

Print the form found at this link.

Fill in the requested information.
Then mail or deliver it to the parish Office

St Julie Billiart Parish
Health Ministry Cabinet
7399 West 159th St.
Tinley Park, IL 60477-1398

Or call
(708) 429-6767
Ask for a representative of the
Health Ministry Cabinet
to contact you.