Beating Depression

by Molly M. Ginty

Whatever stage of life you’re in, and whether you’re physically fit or living with chronic illness, you can find ways to be a wise steward of your health and well-being. Our health and wholeness are important keys to responding to God’s call for us and acting boldly on that call. That’s why Women of the ELCA have embarked on a new health initiative: Raising up Healthy Women and Girls. This ongoing column represents our commitment to the issue of women’s health.

Anutza Bellissimo had seen the signs before. When she started losing interest in daily activities, crying too readily, and tiring easily, she looked in the mirror and saw history staring back at her.

"Depression runs in my family, and I recognized its symptoms when I started developing them in my 20s," says Bellissimo, a 33–year–old Los Angeles resident. "I didn’t want to suffer the way my mother had, spending whole days inside with the shades drawn and sleeping as a means of escape. When I felt that dark cloud rolling in, I called my doctor and reached out for help."

Like an estimated 19 million Americans — 12 million of them women —  Bellissimo lives with depression, a medical disorder with a biological basis that can muddle thinking, impair concentration, deflate self–esteem, extinguish the sex drive, and cause significant weight gain or loss.

"Any major stress, such as a financial setback, a breakup, or the death of a loved one can give you the blues," says Judy Stange, executive director of the National Association of Mental Health Planning and Advisory Councils in Alexandria, Virginia. "But if these symptoms persist every day for two weeks and show no sign of improvement, you may have developed a case of depression."

Depression is linked to an imbalance in three brain chemicals: the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Usually appearing between ages 25 and 44, depression can be triggered by a variety of factors: heredity, stress, dietary deficiencies, prolonged use of certain medications, and chronic physical illness that can take an emotional toll.

One in every eight women develops depression at some point in her lifetime, and the disorder strikes women twice as often as men. Statistics like these have spurred a coalition of mental health organizations to name October 5 National Depression Screening Day (www.mentalhealthscreening.org).

Why are women more likely to be diagnosed with depression? Experts say part of the reason could be sociological, as the dual demands of family and home can make women more prone to stress. Women may also be socialized to show emotion more openly — and to reach out for help and get treatment when they are depressed.

"The biggest reason for the gender difference is probably biological," says Stange. "Women experience more hormonal shifts, and hormones affect brain chemistry."

Consider the most dramatic hormonal shift of many women’s lives: carrying and having a child. Up to 20 percent of pregnant women develop depression, and up to 15 percent of new mothers develop post–partum depression. Both conditions threaten the health of mother and baby, as both can interfere with the new mother’s sleeping patterns, eating habits, vigilance about following doctors’ orders, and ability to form a healthy attachment to her child.

"When my son Ethan was born four years ago, I had to force myself to get out of bed and I cried over everything from sad TV commercials to being unable to open a jar," says Dawn Glossa, 36, a Chicago mother of two.

"After I was diagnosed with postpartum depression, I knew I had to take precautions during my second pregnancy. My doctor gave me an antidepressant that is safe for breastfeeding mothers. And when my son Ian was born last year, he didn’t have to see me crying — or fighting to smile through my tears."

With the right care, women with the baby blues — and all women affected by depression — can overcome their exhaustion, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of interest in life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov) in Bethesda, Maryland, more than 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully with medication, psychotherapy, or both.

Drugs for depression include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa), tricyclic and tetracyclic medications, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexadrine. These medications usually require four to six weeks to begin to take effect, as does psychotherapy, which may be offered on an individual or group basis.

Studies show that for many women, regular physical exercise and alternative remedies can also ease the symptoms of depression. In addition to prescription drugs, for instance, Bellissimo has tried the supplements St. John’s wort and SAM–e. Today, she keeps her symptoms at bay by hitting the gym three times a week and taking dietary supplements called omega-3 fatty acids.

"Having a healthy support system is also key," says Bellissimo. "Though depression may make you want to isolate and withdraw, it’s vital to reach out to your friends, your family members, and your doctor."

The biggest risk faced by women with depression? Trying to cope with the condition alone.

According to the National Mental Health Association (www.nmha.org), 41 percent of women cite embarrassment or shame as barriers to treatment for mental illness, and fewer than half of women with depression seek the care that they need.

"Public awareness about depression is rising, but an unfortunate stigma still surrounds it," says Stange. "Those affected don’t want to look weak or vulnerable.

But we all need to recognize this is an actual illness, and we all need to work together to help those who suffer. Depression is very real, but fortunately, it is also very treatable."

Molly M. Ginty lives in New York. Her work has appeared in Ms., Marie Claire, Redbook, and Women’s eNews.

Article published in Lutheran Woman Today, October 2006