Number of Americans taking antidepressants doubles

A research finding recently reports a contradiction, that the use of antidepressants has doubled over ten years (to 27 MILLION!), while the number of people seeking professional help has declined. The irony is that, as our understanding of some of the biological processes of depression has grown and with that knowledge a surge in new medicines, our nation would seem to be experiencing more depression than ever.

You might want to review the article to learn...

• What percentage of Americans now are prescribed an antidepressant? Does the number alarm you?
• What does the increase in the use of medication potentially mean?
• What are some of the other (off-label) uses of antidepressants? Why do you imagine that these medications might be used in that way?
• What does the article suggest as the reason why more people are asking for an antidepressant?

Here's the link to the original article...

Number of Americans taking antidepressants doubles
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-03-antidepressants_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Human services workers will benefit by having thorough knowledge of depression, and the separate ways in which medication and psychotherapy work to alleviate suffering from this disorder.

-Jeff

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Peer counseling may help women with postpartum depression

Sometimes the most potent part of our helping role in human services comes from the journey of our own experiences. This is a core strength of group counseling and peer counseling.

A recent study looked at the potential benefit of peer counseling for women with postpartum depression. When exploring this article, consider the following...

• What are some of the symptoms of postpartum depression?
• How were peers utilized to help new mothers?
• What scale was used to quantify the strength of the depression? What does it measure?
• What kind of training would you think would be helpful to someone considering volunteer work as a peer counselor? Have you ever provided peer counseling?

Here's a link to the article...

Peer counseling may help women with postpartum depression
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/01/peer-counseling.html

This is a great reminder that you can be a healing part of others' lives at any level of training.
-Jeff
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Panel tries to help teens in depression

Adolescence can be a time of strong emotions, conflict and self doubt. Universal to this developmental stage is the experience of occasional (yet transient) sadness and hopelessness. Perhaps because "the teenage blues" are so common and short-lived, there may be a tendency to discount or misjudge the frequency and impact of clinical depression in children.
This article reports on the findings of a health research panel on the importance of conducting depression screening with adolesents.

• What percentage of the teen population are estimated to experience clinical depression?
• What were the recommendations of the panel?
• Why is now a pivotal time in addressing this issue?
• Read more about the panel's findings, including the names of the two questionnaires referenced in the article, at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf09/depression/chdeprrs.htm

Here's the link to the source article...

Panel tries to help depression
http://headlines.ocregister.com/news/depression-19890-health-children.html

We could all use a reminder that developmental crises might also mask other emotional disorders.
-Jeff
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Money doesn't make us happy but experiences do

We've always heard that money can't buy happiness, and while we laugh about the statement and wish that we had more money, this study seems to reinforce the truism.

• Why might experiences bring more happiness than money?
• What does the author suggest is the "return on investment" for spending money on experiences rather than belongings?
• Is the study sample large enough to convince you that the findings have scientific reliability?
• What would you rather get for your next birthday... something to own, or a shared entertainment experience? If so, what might you enjoy?

Here's the article at LA Times.com...

Money doesn't make us happy but experiences do
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/02/money-doesnt-ma.html

Here's hoping that this year brings you better experiences AND more money!

-Jeff

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Army sees sharp rise in suicide rate

In an earlier blog entry, I referenced an article about the reported increase in drug abuse amongst military members. In today's link, you'll find a report of the increase in the incidence of suicides in military personnel.

• To what does the military attribute the increase in military suicides?
• Are all suicides occuring in battlefield assignments?
• What are some of the many steps the military is taking to respond to the problem?
• How might military culture contribute to the problem of suicidal soldiers?
• How could the human services worker help this population?

Here's a link to the article in the LA Times.com...

Army sees sharp rise in suicide rate
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-army-suicides30-2009jan30,0,6065061.story

Keep up the studies, we need you in this field more now than ever.
-Jeff
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ER doc sees economy sickness

One of the invisible costs of an economic reccession is the impact financial worries place upon one's mental health. As worry increases, it can manifest itself with symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks and even depression.
The article of interest takes the view of this through the perspective of an emergency room physician.

• How widespread is the incidence of stress due to the economy?
• What symptoms of stress can mirror that of a medical condition?
• What two types of unusual advice does the physician give his stressed patients?
• How is the economy impacting you or those close to you?
• How do men and women experience economic stress differently, according to the APA survey?

Here's a link to the article in the OC Register...

ER doc sees economy sickness
http://healthyliving.freedomblogging.com/2008/10/23/er-doc-sees-economy-sickness/300/

And a link to the APA survey referenced in the OC Register article:

APA POLL FINDS WOMEN BEAR BRUNT OF NATION'S STRESS, FINANCIAL DOWNTURN
http://www.apa.org/releases/women-stress1008.html

It appears that this will be a time when we will all benefit from our skills of resilience.
-Jeff
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Happiness is contagious in social networks

Can a friend of a friend of a friend (that is, by three degrees of separation) affect how happy you are? According to the research reported in this article, it is quite possible, and increases with the level of happiness of those closer to you.

• Which is more contagious and lasts longer... happiness or unhappiness?
• What other health issues were being studied using the similar methodology?
• Have you noticed the "contagion level" of certain emotions when socializing? Have you ever left a social event or quit an online group because the emotional temperature didn't match your own?
• How purposeful would you say you are in seeking out social networks that match your emotional life?
• What is your reaction to the concept that your own mood has far-reaching effects to others you may not even know?
  

Here's a link to the article...

Happiness is contagious in social networks
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/05/happiness.social.network/index.html

It appears that there's new proof that "birds of a feather flock together"!
-Jeff
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Kids Konnected offers sense of belonging

It is said "necessity is the mother of invention." That is, we create things to fill a void and fulfill a need.
This article talks about a self-help group created by a teenager who wanted to connect with other teens going through the same predicament. The group has survived and grown over several years.

• What is the focus of the group?
• What need does this fulfill for its' participants? Why do you imagine there was a void previously?
• What are the potential benefits of this group beyond what a counselor can provide?
• What 'expertise' have you possibly developed because of something you encountered or endured?
  

Here's the link to the article in the OC Register...

Kids Konnected offers sense of belonging
http://headlines.ocregister.com/news/kids_7424___article.html/konnected_cummings.html

and a related article...

Kids Konnected links children of cancer patients to their peers
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kids-snell-says-2235020-children-cancer

Look for the everyday ways in which you can help your community.
-Jeff
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