Dr. Gabrielle Melin, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist, recently posted on Mayo Clinic’s website concerning depression. The following are highlights from the article.
Information on depression is seen almost daily in the media. The World Health Organization projected that depression will rank second in worldwide disease burden by 2020. Heart disease will remain first.
Depression is recognized as the leading cause of disability measured in disability adjusted life years (DALYs). DALYs are defined as the sum of years of potential life lost due to premature mortality and the years of productive life lost due to disability.
The month of October was designated as national depression screening month several years ago. If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be depressed, get screened.
This can be done on-line or in with your health care provider. The PHQ-9 is one of the many self-rated depression screening tools. It asks you to rate different symptoms of depression over the last 2 weeks and takes just a few minutes to fill out.
A depression screening online is not the same as a professional diagnosis. If you are having frequent thoughts of death, that life is not worth living, or suicidal thoughts, seek medical attention immediately. Remember, depression can be treated.
If you are need of help, you can contact the following :
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) - Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
- Call your physician, health provider or clergy
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Work injuries can either cause or exacerbate your depression. It is important to notify your doctors of your symptoms. If it is diagnosed it is possible your depression could be found to be a consequential injury from you work injury.
Concerned about your mental health? | Mayo Clinic
