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Depression in Primary Care
August 31, 2007
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Doctors say depression disorders remain under diagnosed fifty percent of the time.
And when it comes to depression, anyone can develop it no matter your race, age,
or gender.
The illness can take a serious toll on your mental and physical well-being.
Edward Drass is as family practitioner for Lee Memorial Health System. He says when
people suffer from depression they usually “have no energy, no desire to do the
thing they like to do to more serious findings of feeling worthless, hopeless, wanting
to commit suicide.”
Depression is non-biased and can affect anyone. It can even affect people who full
and busy live. But doctors and patients say there are sure signs to look for. Pam
Bergau says “When I got into a really depressed state I isolated myself from my
family, my friends, I didn’t want to be around my parents. I spend 90 % of my time
in my room. I cried, I didn’t like myself.”
Dr. Drass says “Sometimes there is a serious need for treatment so these people
can get back to their normal life and be able to function, work, take care of their
family.”
While treating depressive disorders was traditionally thought of as a job for a
mental health specialist, new studies suggest that family physicians are actually
at the forefront of treatment. Dr. Drass says that doctor to patient relationship
is a very special one. “There is a confidence factor because they do disclose things
to me that on a first time meeting with a psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health
counselor they may not,” says Drass.
Pam agrees. “I felt he would be the most honest person with me. I would be more
open with him as well because we do see each other on a more on that one-to-one
basis,” she says.
Depression is a chemical imbalance and some patients say medication can make them
feel better. Primary care physicians prescribe nearly 85% of anti-depressant medications
compared to mental health specialists.
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