HEALTH AND WELLNESS -Depression - Part 1

What is depression? If you were to ask your friends or family, or be brave enough to conduct a survey of passing strangers on a street corner, I guarantee you would get a variety of different responses. That is because depression has become an umbrella term used by many individuals to describe a number of different moods ranging from "the blues" to a severe, debilitating state where nothing but suicide could end their pain. There is quite a gap between these two ends of the spectrum. So, let's begin by defining depression more clearly.

First of all, I am very grateful to have a person who is feeling "depressed" actually sitting in my office. Most of my patients who are depressed may be referred by their primary care provider (and may not follow through). Some are brought by a family member or friend, not necessarily willing to provide details to a complete stranger. Very few individuals come on their on volition. So, when I am given this opportunity, I better be able to diagnose my client correctly.

As a psychiatrist, I rely on specific criteria to diagnosis an individual with a major depressive episode. The interview is critical in gathering the objective data. I rely on an acronym to obtain the necessary information - SIGECAPSS. This represents the following symptoms: (S) Sadness or depression; (I) lack of interest or anhedonia; (G) guilt, poor self-esteem, worthlessness; (E) loss of energy; (C) poor concentration; (A) changes in appetite, either increased or decreased; (P) psychomotor retardation or agitation - most likely observed by others ("All you do is sit around" or "You seem more edgy than usual"); (S) changes in sleep pattern, either increased or decreased; and, most importantly, (S) suicidal thoughts, plans, or intent. The DSM-IV manual (the psychiatrist's bible for establishing diagnoses) requires that at least five (or more) of the above symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) (S) depressed mood or (2) (I) loss of interest or pleasure. If the symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning such as family relationships then it becomes a major depressive disorder. I have also been required to rule out any medical condition that could contribute to depression (e.g. hypothyroidism), any concurrent use of alcohol or drugs that can influence or mimic some of the above symptoms, or bereavement symptoms that have not become more debilitating after a two month interval. I am not at all dismissing the depression that can be attributed to other general medical conditions, substance abuse, or pathological bereavement. These individuals are just diagnosed under a different terminologies. In addition, individuals with other mental illness, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or adjustment disorder with depressed mood can also experience the same symptoms. It is beyond the intention of this posting to address these other conditions but will be discussed at another time.

When I wrote above that I am "grateful" to be able to assess a person face to face, I truly meant this. Depression is treatable. Statistics claim that women are twice as likely to develop depression than are men. Based on the gender of my clients, I suspect that this statistic is true. However, men are also less likely to admit that they might be suffering from depression. Considering the other statistic that woman are more likely to attempt suicide but that men are more successful, I am concerned that this younger segment of my generation (the 46 to 54 year olds) are experiencing more stressors.

PLEASE!!!!! Even if you are feeling "a little blue", or if a friend, a colleague, a family member gives you some feedback about a change in your behavior, promise me that you will at least talk to your primary care physician. If you do not have one, turn your insurance card over and call the number for behavior health services for a referral. If you do not have insurance, there are community mental health services in your county that can offer you services. MOST IMPORTANT - if you have thoughts of suicide, please go to the nearest Emergency Room for an evaluation. Please promise me that. I may not know you or the extent of your grief or your stressors. But I do know that everyone on this earth is precious. Life is precious. Please have faith and know that you are loved.

With Blessing and Peace to all, Dr. Elaine

FASHION - Four Boobies

I don't know about you, but I always have to do a reality check when watching the latest ads on TV promoting skin creams that promise to reduce "fine lines". If you really pay close attention, the models complaining about their so-called wrinkles can't be any older than 30. What happened, you poor little thing? Did your pillow case have a crease in it? I guarantee that streak will disappear by mid-morning. Oops - sorry. I did not mean for my disgust at these marketing madmen to show through. As we age our body does respond to various environmental factors that cannot be easily erased. Doctors may find some plant extract that promises a fountain of youth, but I cannot believe that the answer is that simple. If I want my face to look years younger, and I'm talking so dramatic that people do a double take, I would have to visit a very reputable plastic surgeon. But most of us cannot afford that. So - this article is devoted to an area of our body, often neglected, but if properly cared for can take years off of our appearance in seconds! Yes you read that correctly. And I am not a marketing madwoman.

Let's talk boobies. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been doing handstands, starting in my teens, to counteract the effects of gravity. But Mother Nature had it's way with me. My dear manicurist reminded me of the pencil test. If you can hold a pencil under your breast, you need to wear a bra. Are you kidding me? I can hold the whole darn pencil cup and anything else on my desk under these babies. And as I began to look like those granny caricatures with the breasts, one always longer that the other (my right one), I was more embarrassed to "bare" myself to a lingerie consultant in a department store. Anyhow, if you glance at the racks, your were lucky to find an E cup size. Where are the Z's?

So, I decided to go into the very popular and sexy lingerie store in the mall. I found a bra to snap in the back. At my age, that's all I need. Give me a big enough cup - the store's largest size is a 40EE - and I can fold these babies in anywhere. Here's the problem. I am a curler. You know that silly game on ice with brooms? Well, when I lean down to sweep the stone, I stand up with 4 boobies - yes, count them, 4! As eager as I was to slide my babies into this beautiful, lacy adornment, my babies were just as eager to release themselves from their misery. So what was the price of bringing home a lovely item in a pink bag that had my husband jumping for joy? "That's for you and not for daughter Molly - Wow Elaine"! A woman - realizing that I will never look like those models, even if I attached wings to my back.

How can we look years younger? Wear a bra that fits. Rather than sag or look like some sort of circus freak (I am sure my fellow curlers might think that), we can look perky. And being perky does take years off of our figures. I plan to find my tape measure and send into this wonderful website I found on line. I had guesstimated my size since I did not have the tape measure handy, thinking the answer would be, SORRY, you should have done handstands. But they actually carry cup sizes I never knew of. Hurray for us. And I am sorry to the male baby boomers reading this article. Although the content applies to women only, you might want to share it with your wife.

Here is Linda, the Bra Lady's website: http://www.lindasonline.com/bra-school.html

As we say on the ice, Good Curling. I know mine will be a lot more comfortable! Dr. Elaine

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

BABY OIL AND IODINE - A RECIPE FOR SPF MINUS 15

Oh, I can smell it now. That combined concoction led to a sublime sunburn, which eventually, maybe after three days and bottles of Bactine numbing spray, turned into a golden bronze tan. And let's not forget, we may have been sipping on the Funny Face fruit drink determined to rival Kool-Aid without the calories. Problem? Funny Face had cyclamate as it's sweetener, soon removed from the market for increasing the risk of kidney cancer. So there I was, enjoying the peaceful summer and listening to the Beach Boys or Sgt. Pepper, and contributing to the possible decline in my mortality.

My kidneys are fine, thank you very much, but it is the, what do you call them - sun spots, liver spots, age spots - that have chosen to remind me of my younger, reckless days. Hey, was SPF part of our vocabulary back then? Oh, if we knew then what we know now. I tell you what, I wouldn't need an extra blotch of cover up on the side of my nose and forehead to conceal my "sun freckles".

Do you like to get a little sun in the summer? I'm guilty. I admit that I love to feel the warm rays on my face and body with a cool drink in my hand. I don't have to be on vacation or have a cabana boy around to feel totally relaxed. But now, with all of the research devoted to skin cancer and it's prevention and the SPF products on the shelves with SPF numbers beginning to outnumber my age, I am now encouraging all of my Baby Boomers to follow these prevention guidelines:

- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
- Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours.
- Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
- Do not burn.
- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
- Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of 6 months.
- Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

For a beautiful looking and a safe tan, I just book a Buff and Bronze at the clinic. Please consult the skin care department for the specials they are offering this week. Your skin will thank you!

For more information, please visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at http://www.skincancer.org

INTRODUCTION TO WE ARE BOOMING

This is my very first posting and I am thrilled to have figured this blog site out on my own. There may be some flaws but I will work them out as we go. I am computer-challenged.
The conception for this blog developed from a contest I had entered offered under Oprah's new network, OWN. They asked everyone with a desire to own their own show and an idea worth considering, to submit a 3 minute video. I actually was able to do this with a little help from my oldest son and very little, "Mom you are lame with the computer" attitude .
My idea to target baby boomers was a no brainer. First of all, I turned 60 last year and screamed louder on that day than my Mother did in giving birth. However, it so happens that I am exactly 1 day younger than Bruce Springsteen and he looked mighty fine on the cover of AARP. So, our wonderful generation, often being overlooked these days, and having specific needs and concerns has now become my passion.
Why should we take pride in our generation? We were Time's Man of the Year in 1966. We span Grandparents to new Empty-Nesters, making up about 1/3 of the population, and driving over 75% (a conservative figure) of the Economy.
On this blog site, we will deal with nostalgia. It will have it's own segement. Send in your favorite childhood memories. I still am obsessed with the penny candy I could get from Pup-Pup's Cloverfarm store in the '50's - red licorice records, small wax pop bottles with some juicy 1/2 ounce of liquid inside. Where did Fantan gum go? Or Tom Tucker's mint gingerale which could only calm my tummy?
Health and wellness is another segment. I am prepared to bring the lastest knowledge to my boomers. Remember baby oil and iodine? Was SPF part of our vocabulary. Look for the lastest discussions re. skin cancer prevention guidelines this week.
We will cover fun topics as well as more difficult subjects under this heading. Did you know that the younger segment of our population (the 46 to 54 year olds) had the highest suicide completion rate for the past 2 years in a row. Being a psychiatrist, I am prepared to tackle issues of depression, of substance abuse, of bereavement.
Cooking will also be a very important part of this blog. Send in your favorite childhood recipe and let's manage to make it more healthy. Yes, LDL was another missing part of our vocabulary. Any Grandmother's wishing to part with a secret recipe? We want to share with our group.
And the most important aspect that we should all address is, "Do you have a dream that you want to accomplish?" "What are you waiting for?" Are motto is, "No Regrets". I want you all to realize that the oldest members of my generation will turn 65 in 2011. So, what are you doing now and are you planning to make changes. Were you fortunate to plan ahead, or are you more typical of the generation that lived day by day.
And don't forget our music. No other generation can match that era of brilliant tunes, lyrics, and spirituality.
So, there you have it. I will address all of these topics individually on a weekly basis for a year and see what response I get.