February 2001 Better Breathers Meeting

How's Your Mood? Depression and Anxiety

Better Breathers welcomed Joyce Edelen ED.D. this month. She is a Community Educator with the Mental Health Association of Kentucky. She spoke to us about the symptoms of depression and gave us a screening tool to judge ourselves.

Depression can occur for numerous reasons, but frequently, only the symptoms are treated rather than the illness. There is no need to suffer with depression because there is help. Depression is in the brain and can affect our thoughts, physical condition and general behavior. It creates a chemical imbalance, which can be corrected with medication.

Depression can occur with other problems like heart disease, arthritis, or COPD. It is a co-ocurring clinical depression. If symptoms don't go away within a couple of weeks, then it's time to get help.

Some Symptoms of Depression
  • Persistant sad or "empty" mood.
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities.
  • Decreased energy, fatigue or being "slowed down."
  • Sleep disturbances like insomnia, early waking or oversleeping.
  • Eating disturbances like a loss of appetite or overeating.
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  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness.
  • Thoughts of death, suicide or made suicide attempts.
  • Irritability or excessive crying.
  • Chronic aches and pains for no apparent reason.


    • If you find someone who is depressed, ask how they feel. Ask if they thought about suicide. If they have, ask if they own a gun. If they say yes, then ask if they have made plans to commit suicide. Frequently, if they have a gun and made plans, they will use it. Make sure this person gets help.

    If a person is on depression medication from their doctor, it is important they continue to take it regularly. Sometimes people see taking those pills as a sign of weakness and feel they can do without them. The medication corrects an imbalance in their system and is very important. If you live with this person, count the pills to be sure they are taken.

    Better Breathers Support Group thanks Joyce Edelen for taking time to talk to us about depression.

    For more information or assistance:
    Mental Health Association of KY
    120 Sears Ave.
    Suite 213
    Louisville, KY 40207
    Phone: 502 893-0460

    On the web, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is at www.nmha.org.

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