TIP OF THE WEEK

Depression

 

“Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually fleeting and pass within a couple of days. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her. Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need treatment to get better.”

 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF DEPRESSION?

“There are several forms of depressive disorders. The most common are major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. Dysthymic disorder, also called dysthymia, is characterized by long-term (two years or longer) but less severe symptoms that may not disable a person but can prevent one from functioning normally or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.” One of the dysthymic disorders is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. “The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not respond to light therapy alone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.”

 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?

“People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.”

 

Symptoms

• “Persistent sad, anxious or ‘empty’ feelings”
• “Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism”
• “Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness”
• “Irritability, restlessness”
• “Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex”
• “Fatigue and decreased energy”
• “Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions”
• “Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping”
• “Overeating, or appetite loss”
• “Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts”
• “Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment”

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?

“There is no single known cause of depression. Rather, it likely results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors.”

 

HOW IS DEPRESSION DETECTED AND TREATED?

“Depression, even the most severe cases, is a highly treatable disorder. As with many illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is and the greater the likelihood that recurrence can be prevented. Once diagnosed, a person with depression can be treated with a number of methods. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.”

 

WHAT EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE TREATMENT?

“Researchers are looking for ways to better understand, diagnose and treat depression among all groups of people. New potential treatments are being tested that give hope to those who live with depression that is particularly difficult to treat, and researchers are studying the risk factors for depression and how it affects the brain. NIMH continues to fund cutting-edge research into this debilitating disorder. For more information on NIMH-funded research on depression, visit http://www.nimh.nih.gov.”

 

This tip of the week was excerpted from:
National Institute of Mental Health U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 07-3561, Revised 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN THE NEWS

 

GOVERNMENT OUTS SOME NURSING HOMES

November 28, 2007 -- NY Times -- Fifty-four nursing homes are being told by the government that they're among the worst in their states in an effort to goad them into improving patient care. The homes in question are among more than 120 designated as a ''special focus facility.'' CMS began using the designation about a decade ago to identify homes that merit more oversight. The homes on the list got not only the special focus designation, but also registered a lack of improvement in a subsequent survey.

 

There were no Ohio nursing homes among the 54 cited. Read more >>

 

BENEFITS OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SEEN AS OUTWEIGHING PRIVACY RISKS

November 29, 2007 -- The Wall Street Journal -- A sizable majority of Americans believe electronic medical records have the potential to improve U.S. health care and that the benefits outweigh privacy risks, according to a new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive poll. Read more >>

 

IN HOSPICE CARE, LONGER LIVES MEAN MONEY LOST

November 27, 2007 -- NY Times -- Hundreds of hospice providers across the country are facing the catastrophic financial consequence of what would otherwise seem a positive development: their patients are living longer than expected. Over the last eight years, the refusal of patients to die according to actuarial schedules has led the federal government to demand that hospices exceeding reimbursement limits repay hundreds of millions of dollars to Medicare.
Read more >>

 

 

INDUSTRY EVENTS

 

 

December 13, 2007, 2:00 p.m. -- CMS SNF/LTC Open Door Forum
Dial: 1.800.837.1935 Reference Conference ID: 18787698

 

Cuyahoga Community College Fall 2007 Calendar:Continuing Education for Gerontology Professionals

 

Medicare Learning Network:Learning resources and products for the healthcare professional.

 

Alzheimer’s Association Training Events

 

AOPHA Events

 

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Courses

 

Ohio Department of Health, Technical Assistance Program – New Programs

 

Ohio Health Care Association Events

 

 

 

An archive of The Nursing Home Weekly Update is available on our Web site. Click here >>