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MEDIA CONTACT:  Nancy Dumas
PHONE:  (248) 442-7986

DEPRESSION ON THE RISE AMONG YOUNG WOMEN

Farmington Hills, MI (November 15, 2000)-Depression was once a condition that was more commonly associated with seniors. Now, it is on the rise among youth-especially young women.

Botsford General Hospital staff psychiatrist Jennifer Margolis, M.D., believes that there are two reasons for the increased number of depression diagnoses for young people.

"First, physicians are now more willing to diagnose young individuals with clinical depression. Secondly, determining values, establishing self-identity and developing self-esteem in today's culture are more complex and more difficult. This is especially true for adolescents struggling with the normal developmental processes of connecting with their peers and differentiating themselves from their parents. This can result in a lack of direction, alienation from their parents, overemphasis on obtaining peer approval, unstable sense of identity and a sense of failure. And without the tools needed to cope, an adolescent can become mired in feelings of loneliness, worthlessness or hopelessness."

Did You Know?

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Each person is unique, and the events that trigger depression in some people do not do so in other people. Events that are known to lead to depression include worrying about grades, worrying about parental and peer acceptance, dealing with self-esteem issues, suffering broken relationships, experiencing confusion over sexual identity and suffering rape or incest.

Dr. Margolis takes a humanistic approach when treating patients suffering from depression, "I take the time to listen to my patients and learn more about their lifestyle, relationships and family history," she says. "Often, the key to unlocking people from the chains of depression can be found by examining these areas with the patient."

The Need to Get Help

Seeking professional help to battle clinical depression is imperative. Severe depression can not only lead to relatively mild problems (including headaches, stomach pain or nausea), but it can also lead to much more serious difficulties (such as breathing problems, chronic neck and back pain and suicide).

Know the Signs

If you get that "down in the dumps" feeling from time to time, that is perfectly normal. However, according to Dr. Margolis, you may have clinical depression if you experience five or more of the following symptoms for more than two weeks straight: 

Other common signs of depression among young women include irritability, angry outbursts and problems in school.

If you are depressed, starting the healing process is as easy as easy as picking up the phone. You can obtain a referral to a physician through HealthMatch, Botsford Health Care Continuum's physician referral service. The toll-free phone number for this free service is 1-877-442-7900.

The Botsford Health Care Continuum is an integrated system of care that includes Botsford General Hospital, the Botsford Physician Network, Community Emergency Medical Service, the Botsford Continuing Care Corporation and the Botsford Center for Health Improvement.