RAN INTO DEPRESSION page 65 AN OLD FRIEND TODAY. SHE WILL SOON BE MY NEW NEIGHBOR AT THE HEATHERWOOD. WE REMINISCED ABOUT THE GOOD OLE DAYS AND SHARED OUR DELIGHT ABOUT OUR FUTURE. AT THE HEATHERWOOD YOU WILL ENJOY COMPANIONSHIP, DAILY MEALS, HOUSEKEEPING, 24-HOUR STAFFING AND SO MUCH MORE. Lori Blume puts in long hours in her home based graphics business. - thc ATHERWOOD RETIREMENT COMMUNITY ull and .eaning_ftd Retirement... For information call Kathy Ostrowski (810) 350-1777 22800 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN C 2 .110_22 ./A1S C (L 0 CS cz()$J, 200. WEST BLOOMFIELD NURSING CENTER IS T HEALTH CARE FACILITY OF CHOICE How To Help Encourage individuals to seek pm- fessional help. Encourage them to continue with treatment until it is con- cluded. It may take several weeks or months before the beneficial ef- fects of antidepressant medica- tions are noticeable. Offer emotional support. Talk with the person and listen. Allow the person to express his feelings but point out realities and offer hope. Don't accuse the individual of laziness or faking illness or expect him to snap out of it. Depression is an illness that requires time for healing and appropriate treat- ment. Don't ignore remarks about sui- cide. Report them to the patient's doctor. Get help. Dealing with a de- pressed person can be exhausting. stigmas still prevent too many people from seeking help that is available." Dr. Rubin believes there are multiple causes for depression. It is caused by a combination of med- ical, genetic, and psychological fac- tors, including family history, ** ,:qoxag- 04:: e're proud to report that in a recent Health Department survey, West Boomfield Nursing Center was ranked in the top 3% of long term care facilities in Michigan for meeting or exceeding State and Federal standards. West Boomfield Nursing Center, recognized in the community as a top provider of health- care for the past ten years, continues to dedicate itself to serving the elderly population. We offer three levels of care: a beautiful assisted living environment, a post-acute rehabili- tation center, and a superb skilled care residence. These three centers provide you with a continuance of care without disrupting your lifestyle. Visit our outstanding facility and see why we're considered the B E S T . Beaumont affiliated offering Exceptional care and Call 248-661-1600 Superb service by a for more information. Talented staff. You and your family members deserve the BEST. - - - - The Alternative to the Commonplace 6445 W. Maple Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322 underlying illnesses, medications, and sometimes excessive use of drugs or alcohol. It does tend to run in families, the research showing that it's close to three times more common among patients who had a parent with the illness. It's also biologi- cal in origin for many; there may be bio-chemical imbalances caus- ing disruptions in the brain that are linked to depression. In par- ticular, neurotransmitters — chemical messengers that relay impulses from one nerve cell to another — may be off balance. Or there may be environmental caus- es such as the shorter daylight hours of winter or a stressful job. Usually a person is born with a propensity to develop depres- sion. Another interesting finding is that depression affects more women (1 in 4) than men (1 in 10). The important point is that de- pression is treatable. Psy- chotherapy and antidepressant medications can be used singly, but more often are used in com- bination to successfully treat the disease. 'The last 40 years have seen a steady increase in the number of medications effective in treating depression, the newer ones often developed with fewer side effects," says Dr. Elliot Luby, clinical pro- fessor of psychiatry and law at Wayne State University and di- rector of residency training in psy- chiatry. "Which medication is prescribed depends largely upon a patient's symptoms, age, gen- eral health and the side effects of the drugs." All antidepressants seem to work by restoring the proper bal- ance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Older classes of antide- pressants — the tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors — affect neurotransmitters thought to be related to depression but also related with some that are not. This leads to undesirable side ef- fects including low blood pressure and incontinence. Today's antidepressants are not habit-forming and often take any- where from three to 12 weeks to have an effect. Moreover, patients generally need to continue drug therapy for six months or more af- ter symptoms disappear to help prevent recurrence. Prozac was the first in a cate- gory of drugs called selective sero- tonin reuptake inhibitors (SRRIs). Since its approval by the FDA, two other SSRIs are available: Zoloft (sertraline) and Praxil (paroxetine). These drugs act specifically on serotonin in the body, making it more available for nerve cells so that the transmission of messages doesn't disrupt the chemistry of the rest of the brain. More re- cently, Effexor (venlafaxine), a drug that selectively inhibits the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, became available of- fering another option for limited depression. "For some, short-term use of antidepressant drugs is effective," says Dr. Luby. "For others, main- tenance on medication is essen- tial. It is the skilled physician who has the knowledge to determine when medication is necessary and to select the right drug from the many now available, and to mon- itor a patient's reactions. Serious DEPRESSION page 68