Maryland Bar
Bulletin
Publications :
Bar Bulletin
Editor: W. Patrick Tandy
January, 2004
| LAP Zone |
"The Face of Sadness" |
By Carol P. Waldhauser, MSBA
Lawyer Assistance Program |
Mary Doe, Esquire, sought treatment for
her high blood pressure immediately. John Doe, Esquire, sought treatment for
his diabetes. Jane Doe, Esquire, suffers from a head illness known as clinical
depression and, although the human brain needs health care just the same as any
other part of the body, Jane failed to seek treatment. Eventually, the illness
took her life.
Clinical depression is an illness. Many
people use the term depression loosely, referring to temporary sadness
caused by almost any kind of personal setback or life event. Conversely,
clinical depression is a medical illness that affects a person’s body, mood and
thoughts. It may appear suddenly, as an acute (short-term) episode or develop
slowly, as a chronic (long-term) episode. For those that suffer from this
illness, however, the side-effects may make you feel crazy, yet life looks as
normal as it goes on.
Clinical depression occurs in all age,
racial and socioeconomic groups. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed and
treated for major depression. On the other hand, men are less willing to
acknowledge a problem. Studies suggest that some men may mask their symptoms
with alcohol or drug use. Moreover, people usually don’t seek treatment for
depression because they mistakenly think:
- Depression is a weakness, not an illness;
- Depression is a normal part of aging;
and/or
- Depression is best dealt with by
non-health professionals.
Although family, friends and other support
networks can be helpful, evaluation and treatment are best handled by licensed
health-care professionals. In diagnosing clinical depression, the first step is
a thorough physical exam to rule out other illness. Primary care physicians –
who are often trained in recognizing depression - can help determine the best
approach to treatment and refer patients to other appropriate health
professions, counselors, etc.
Signs and Symptoms
The difference between someone who is just
blue and someone with clinical depression is the duration and severity
of the symptoms. For the individual who is clinically depressed, the blues do
not go away after a long weekend, a happy turn of events or a favorite activity.
See your doctor if you experience five or more of these symptoms for more than
two weeks:
- Feel sad, anxious, irritable, nervous or
empty
- Sleep too little or too much, trouble
falling asleep or waking up
- Appetite and/or weight gain or loss
- Loss of interest in activities once
enjoyed
- Restless or slowed behavior
- Persistent physical symptoms - such as
headaches, chronic pain or digestive disorders - that don’t respond to
treatment
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or
making decisions
- Fatigue, loss of energy
- Feeling guilty, worthless or hopeless
- Thoughts of suicide or death (seek
professional help immediately)
- Change in work style – work slower than
usual, missing deadlines, inability to complete tasks, call in sick often,
decreased involvement with work or interaction with co-workers.
[The above information has been compiled
by the Wellness Councils of America and its affiliated wellness councils. The
information contained in the above check-lists has been carefully reviewed for
accuracy. It is not intended to replace the advice of your physician or health
care provider.]
In addition to the above, lawyers often
exhibit the following:
- Inability to meet professional or
personal obligations – procrastination, file stagnation and neglect, lowered
productivity, missing deadlines (statutes, filing responsive pleadings or
motions), excuse-making and misrepresentation to clients.
- Emotional paralysis – inability to open
mail or answer phones
- Persistent sadness or apathy, crying,
anxiety, “empty” feeling
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
things
- Changes in sexual energy or desire
- Feelings of bafflement, confusion,
loneliness, isolation, desolation, being overwhelmed, unavailable to what is
going on around you
- Thoughts of suicide, planning suicide,
suicide attempts.
Clinical depression is finally recognized as
a medical illness and effective treatment is available. It is counterproductive
to ignore, deny or downplay the fact that someone may be suffering from clinical
depression.
Furthermore, clinical depression is believed
to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain – specifically, a disturbance
of neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep and appetite. A depressed person
often displays the “face of sadness.”
With early recognition, intervention and
support, most people can overcome depression and get on with their lives.
Colleagues, family members and friends play important roles in the recognition
of depressive symptoms and helping those in need get treatment. If you are
experiencing symptoms of clinical depression or know a judge, lawyer, law
student or staff person who is in need of help or want more information on
clinical depression, health-care referrals, etc., contact Carol Waldhauser at
the MSBA Lawyer Assistance Program at (410) 685-7878 or (800) 492-1964, ext.
252, or e-mail cwaldhauser@msba.org.
