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Information for Patients and Caregivers
Depression (Sadness)
What is depression and sadness?
Definition:
Depression is sadness that happens in response
to an event or due to changes in your body
chemistry. Depression is sadness that is greater
than normal and greatly impacts your daily
life.
How do people describe depression
and sadness?
Individuals describe depression
as the darkest time in their life. Many people
report frequent crying spells, problems with
sleep (either sleeping all day or not enough
sleep), problems with eating (too much or
not enough), feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless,
even feeling like they want to hurt themselves.
In addition, people with sadness and depression
may have trouble experiencing any pleasure
from normally pleasurable activities.
SUMMARY OF THE SYMPTOMS OF
DEPRESSION
IF ...there
is no physical illness of the brain or psychiatric
illness.
THEN ...depression consists
of five of these symptoms
present for two weeks (one
of them must be Item 1 or 2):
-
Depressed mood
every day for most of the day
-
Very little interest
or pleasure in most activities
nearly every day for most of the day
-
Noticeable weight
loss or weight gain - or a major
change in appetite
-
Sleep disturbance:
not being able to get to sleep. or waking
early or being very sleepy nearly every
day
-
Feeling agitated,
or feeling slowed-down nearly every
day
-
Feeling excessively
tired or lacking in energy nearly
very day
-
Feeling worthless
or guilty nearly every day
-
Feeling unable
to concentrate or make decisions
-
Frequent thoughts
of death or suicide
(Cancersourcern.com)
What happens to people when
they experience depression and sadness?
Individuals who report sadness
and depression say they have no desire to
do anything, even those things that used to
bring great pleasure. Depression is an illness
in which an individual’s mood goes wrong,
making him or her feel very low in their spirits;
it stays low and affects the person’s day-to-day
life. Not wanting to talk to family or friends
is also a common result of depression. Depression
is not the same as an occasional, short-lived
mood of sadness. In depression, these low
feelings are severe, and persistently present
for two or more weeks.
What causes depression and
sadness?
Depression can occur from some
specific event in life, or for no identifiable
reason. Depression can happen from certain
medications, from having fatigue, or from
chemical changes in the brain. Having cancer
can make people feel depressed, but depression
is also very treatable.
How do people cope with depression
and sadness?
Every person uses different
strategies when they are depressed and sad.
Here are some tips other people have found
helpful when they’re depressed:
-
Make an appointment with
your doctor, tell exactly how you feel and
ask for help.
-
Make a list of all the
medications you take; show this to your
doctor or nurse. Some medicines may have
to be stopped.
-
Get adequate sleep at night;
avoid napping during the day.
-
Go outdoors and walk in
natural settings, such as a garden or park.
-
Join a support group. This
can help relieve the isolation that is commonly
felt by those who are depressed.
-
Try controlled breathing
and relaxation exercises; these help release
mood-enhancing substances from the brain.
-
Make an appointment with
a counselor, pastor, priest or psychologist.
-
Try identifying something
that brings you pleasure, and do this every
day.
-
Be with other people as
much as possible.
-
Express your feelings through
journal writing or creative expression (dance,
cooking, exercise, painting and music).
-
Avoid alcohol consumption;
it can make you depressed.
-
Try meditation or massage.
-
Participate in regular,
routine exercise (walking for 20 minutes,
3-4 times per week, for example); exercise
has been proven to improve mood and well-being.
-
Do not try to lose weight
at this time; eat foods that are nutritional
to maintain good health. Ask for assistance
from a dietician if you are having problems
eating.
-
If medicines have been
ordered for you depression, take them as
directed.
What can family members and
friends do to help me with my depression and
sadness?
-
Ask family members and
friends to stay with you (if you live alone)
so that you are not by yourself.
-
Ask family members and
friends to talk with you about what you’re
going through.
-
Ask family members or friends
to sit with you during difficult times,
sometimes just having someone there with
you is enough.
-
Ask family members and
friends to help you with your daily needs
(such as bathing, brushing your teeth, changing
your clothes) until you are able to care
for these on your own.
-
Have family members or
friends help you walk through relaxation
exercises, controlled breathing exercises,
or visualizing pleasant scenes in your mind.
-
Ask family members and
friends to help you with situations or chores
that you identify as stressful, such as
going to your doctor visits, writing out
bills, helping with household chores, carpooling
children.
How can I talk with my family
members about my depression and sadness?
-
Try to describe your depression
and how it is affecting you.
-
Ask your family members
for ideas to help you deal with your depression.
-
Be open and honest about
your feelings with your family members.
-
Ask family members what
they think might be causing your depression.
What should I report to my
doctor or nurse?
-
Recurrent thoughts of death.
-
Problems concentrating,
thinking, remembering, and making decisions.
-
Feelings (or actions) that
you want to hurt or kill yourself.
-
Not wanting to get out
of bed or get dressed.
-
Loss of interest in activities
you used to enjoy, including sex.
-
Weight loss of more than
5 pounds in one week.
Where can I get more information?
-
Rawl, SM, Given, BA, Given,
CW, Champion, VL, Kozachik, SL, Barton,
D, Emsley, CL &Williams, SD (2002).
Intervention to improve psychological functioning
for newly diagnosed patients with cancer.
Oncology Nursing Forum, 29(6): 967-75.
-
Badger, TA, Braden, CJ
& Mishel, MH (2001). Depression burden,
self-help interventions, and side effect
experience in women receiving treatment
for breast cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum,
28(3): 567-74.
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