Sad? Lonely? Scared? Find Relief from Depression

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

The majority of people may feel depressed at times. Losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, and other challenging situations can lead a person to feel sad, lonely, scared, nervous or anxious. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, these feelings are normal reactions to life’s stressors. However, when changes in mood and behavior interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy fun activities, it could be a sign of depression. Silver Cross is offering a screening to help people find relief to this debilitating illness.

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, Silver Cross Hospital Behavioral Health Services will offer a free, anonymous questionnaire assessing risk for mood and anxiety disorders and a confidential meeting with a behavioral health professional. These Depression Screenings will occur in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center from 3 to 7 p.m. Family members are welcome. A brief presentation on depression and its treatment will occur between 5:30pm and 6:00pm. For more information, or to register to attend the program, call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or visit www.silvercross.org.

[ A Sponsored Feature from Silver Cross Hospital ]

“Everyone experiences periods of sadness now and then,” says Stephen Kehoe, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Silver Cross Hospital. “However, clinical depression can cause a person’s overall health to decline because they may not be motivated to make healthy choices. For this reason, it is imperative to seek help.”

Types of Depression

Three main types of depressive disorders exist —major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.

• Major depression is disabling and will interfere with the ability to work, study, eat, and sleep. Major depressive episodes may occur once or twice in a lifetime, or they may re-occur frequently. They may also take place spontaneously, during or after the death of a loved one, a medical illness, or other life event. Some people with major depression may feel that life is not worth living and some will attempt to end their lives.

• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years. Although it is less severe than major depression, it involves the same symptoms as major depression, mainly low energy, poor appetite or overeating, and insomnia or oversleeping. It can manifest as stress, irritability, and the inability to derive pleasure from most activities. People with PDD might be thought of as always seeing the glass as half empty.

• Bipolar disorder, once called manic-depression, consists of a mood cycle that shifts from severe highs (mania) or mild highs to severe lows (depression). During the manic phase, a person may experience excessive happiness, irritability, a decreased need for sleep, grandiose notions, increased talking, racing thoughts, increased sexual desire, increased energy, poor judgment, and inappropriate social behavior.

Causes

Research shows the tendency to develop depression may be inherited and that an uneven balance of naturally occurring mood-influencing chemicals in the brain can play a role. People who view themselves negatively or who are easily overwhelmed by life challenges may be more likely than others to experience depression.

Treatment

Recent research indicates that the most effective treatment for any form of depression includes both medication and counseling. Medication effects may be seen within a few days of starting your prescription but full effect usually takes four to six weeks so long as the medications are taken exactly as prescribed. Oftentimes patients are tempted to stop taking medications too soon. However, it is necessary to keep taking them until their physician says to stop, even when they begin to feel better. Counseling provides valuable support and strategies for coping about situations in life and the stressors that come with treatment of any debilitating illness. With the treatment of depression, recovery is the rule -- not the exception.

About Behavioral Health/Chemical Dependency Services at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital’s Behavioral Health Department provides behavioral health and chemical dependency services for adults 18 years and older, utilizing a holistic, patient-family centered approach. Our interdisciplinary team is comprised of licensed and certified behavioral health and chemical dependency professionals, offering a variety of services, including:

• Behavioral Health Inpatient Program;
• Behavioral Health Partial Hospitalization Program;
• Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient Program;
• Chemical Dependency Intensive Outpatient Program;
• Dual Diagnosis Outpatient Track for patients experiencing co-occurring symptoms of emotional illness and substance abuse or dependence.

Admission and referral information may be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling our dedicated intake phone line at (815) 300-1053. Callers can reach a trained behavioral health clinician to determine the best possible treatment for each caller or answer any questions concerning behavioral health or substance abuse. Referrals are welcome from other hospitals, family physicians, social service agencies, the clergy, mental health professionals, employers, family members and friends.

At Silver Cross Hospital, services are covered by most major health insurance policies. Our staff will assist callers in determining benefits and other sources of coverage.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their service