Depression in the news
If you have a minute, open an internet browser and search the news for the term “depression.” We did this search today on Google and there were 113,000 results. Of course, since our search was fairly general the search results included a few news items about weather, i.e. a tropical depression; however, there were a number of news articles regarding “clinical depression.” Here are links to a few of these news items:
- Euthymics says potential depression drug has promise at higher doses
- Talk Therapy Can Ease Depression, But…
- Which Comes First: Depression or Weight Gain?
- Medicare declines to cover Cyberonics’ anti-depression device…
- STUDY: Working Out Makes You Happier
Depression and treating depression
Clinical depression treatment takes a multifaceted approach at Cottonwood Tucson that looks at the whole person. Our board certified psychiatrists are skilled at treating clinical depression using non-habit forming medications to gently re-regulate the depressed person’s brain functioning. Individual and group therapy is helpful in identifying behavioral and attitudinal components of clinical depression and can help patients lighten and stabilize their mood and develop more adaptive ways of managing thoughts and feelings that may act as triggers to depressive episodes. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) our therapists help patients to identify and challenge unhealthy or irrational beliefs that can cause emotional pain. Grief groups, trauma therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help lessen the emotional resonance of painful memories help patients to explore and process the root causes of their depression. Over time, depression can actually shrink key areas of the brain.
At Cottonwood Tucson, our clinicians understand how the right kind of exercise can trigger the release of chemicals that stimulate the growth new brain tissue. We also know that physical activity is also key in optimizing the brain’s ability to think clearly and produce a happy, steady mood.
“Depression is a deadly disease…and it’s very treatable”
If you are a regular reader of our blog, then you know that we often publish posts that deal with the disease of depression. Often patients who suffer from depression, as well as their family members, wonder quietly “is recovery possible?” So today we want to share a really beautiful and hopeful story of one man’s journey through depression.
In 1997 Jay Johnston was a high school senior. A few weeks prior to his high school graduation he attempted suicide using a shotgun. He was not successful, but he was left disfigured and legally blind. He had to re-learn to walk and talk; and not only did he succeed, this past week he received his law degree from Lewis and Clark.
Here is a report from Fox12 Oregon on Jay’s law school graduation and the road he traveled to achieve his goal.
If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.
Jay’s story is one of hope, honesty and commitment to his own health and willingness to advocate for suicide prevention.
