Depression
Electroshock treatment is particularly valuable in severe
depression when there may be danger of suicide. Recently, a new technique of
electroshock has shown promise. Brief bursts of current are applied to one side
of the brain instead of to both sides.The one-sided treatment has been reported
to be fully as effective as two-sided, while minimizing or even completely
avoiding the temporary confusion and memory disturbance that may sometimes
follow the latter.
Solving the Major Problem The big problem is recognition of
depression, particularly when it leads, as it so often does, to distressing
physical troubles. Keenly aware of their real aches and pains, people with
depression often regard their blue feelings as results, not causes.
Many try doctoring themselves for long periods, fruitlessly.
If and when they do seek medical help, many fail to mention any feelings of
dejection. Some even vehemently deny feeling depressed, many doctors find,
apparently out of a belief there is something shameful about depression. There
is not. It is one of the most common of all disorders and hits people in all
walks of life, even the most brilliant. Now something can be done about it.
When you seek medical help for any physical complaint, a good doctor will
usually want to ask many questions, get a full case history. Increasingly alert
to what depression can do, to the many physical disguises it can take; he will
want to probe for any clues that it may be a factor in your case. Cooperate.
You can help by answering his questions and by volunteering information.
If you
have experienced a change of mood-if, along with your physical troubles, you
have been aware of feeling low in mind, dejected, for months or even weeks-let
him know.
The chances are that by doing so you will save yourself much
misery and needless expense. Suicide is a constant threat in the depressed
person.
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