MARCH
26, 2006 --
The
Washington Post, in its March 23 lead story reported that depression,
in half the cases,was not cured by drugs.
The headline, however, looked at the matter this way: "Drugs Cure Depression
In Half of Patients" The New York Times, also on March 23, but on page
A20, reported that people whose depression is not relieved by one drug may
get relief by switching to other medication.
The simultaneous timing of the Post and Times stories appears to have been
prompted by articles on depression in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Both newspapers mentioned Dr. Thomas R. Insel, noting that he is director of
the National Institute of Mental Health, which funded the study (apparently
with $35 million in taxpayer money, according to the Post.)
The Post article citing government findings, noted that some 15 million Americans
are beset by depression, that 189 million prescriptions for anti-depressant
drugs were written in 2005, and that the treatment and economic consequences
of depression
cost the nation some $83 billion a year.
The Post article, by Shankar Vedantam, reported that in spite of "intensive
treatment (not defined) "[s]ignificant numbers of patients continue to
experience symptoms such sadness, low energy and hopelessness…"
I skimmed the Post and Times stories late in the afternoon of March 24, after
getting up from a nap, and still feeling somewhat anxious. (Neither the Post
nor the Times accounts allowed that anxiety is a depression symptom.)
I did not find mention in the news articles that drugs may cause drowsiness.
What I have experienced is that after napping, I am again anxious--at the time
lost.
Post writer Vedantam noted that causes of depression may extend beyond considerations
of chemical imbalances. This would suggest that medication (to redress non-existing
chemical balances) would be ineffective (possibly harmful?) Or, perhaps, a
condition of chemical imbalance has developed, leaving the patient vulnerable
to anxiety/depression which would have had little, if any impact, previously.
My hunch is that anxiety and/or depression become matters of concern when someone
becomes incapable of taking action -- removing clutter from an apartment, for
example, as I wrote about a year ago.
On another level, a sense of ineffectiveness might foster anxiety and depression
when this sense escalates from ineffectiveness to hopelessness. Sadness-based
depression might be a different matter. Who can go through live without experiencing
the sadness of loss -- or anticipating loss?
Persons, however well-intentioned, who urge us to "move on" (perhaps
implying we put it all behind us) are insensitive to reminders we get of difficult,
or sad events in our lives. I have written about the artful use of property
taxes to put an end, effectively, to my family's business.
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In
1999 a local reporter in New York City turned my attempt to provide
him with information on the matter into an occasion to pressure
me to go on camera and face his prejudicial accusations This reporter
is now with another New York station and, last week, interviewed
properly, without prejudicial accusations, a defendant in a homicide
case.
How does one "move on" when life hits us, unexpectedly, with reminders
of loss or perceived injustice? Move on? No, persevere is a more precise term … I
think. And how better to persevere than to be productive, in some way.
There a line spoken by Clarence, in Frank Capra's film "It's a Wonderful
Life" that is instructive, I think. Clarence asks George Bailey to help
him get his wings. George agrees, and asks how?
Clarence replies: "By letting me help you." (Quoting from the "It's
a Wonderful Life Book, by Jeanine Bassinger, p.279.)
On March 20, I decided, feeling somewhat anxious (notwithstanding prescribed
medication), to drive to Torrington to get away from my New York City
apartment.
With medication, the anxiety/depression seems to ease later in the day. I have
also found that a long drive -- within the speed limit -- also seems to have
a beneficial effect. (The Post report that drugs seem to cure half the depression
cases did not note that perhaps drugs ease cases of anxiety/depression about
half the day.)
Certainly it is difficult for us mortals to avoid sadness. And hopelessness?
Could this be fueled (pun not intentional) by, say, continued gas price squeezes,
or failure to obtain fairness from credit card companies -- or failure to find
any public official to endorse the "common good" principles of Federalist
57, or concern about making do after 65+
On reaching Torrington late in the afternoon, March 20 (Shana seems to lose a
year or two in the Litchfield County air), it was disappointing to find that
gas prices were still going up -- with regular at the Winsted Road Mobil station
now $2.59.9, five cents higher than four days ago.
I heard a radio report, March 24 that Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell expressed
concern about the resumption of higher gas prices . It would be wonderful, indeed,
if Gov. Rell also asked, publicly, why politicians and business leaders trash
the "common good" principles of Federalist 57.
Who knows -- a society that followed the sage counsel of Federalist 57 might
find a sudden drop in cases of anxiety/depression?
Thanks to anyone who might have read this piece. Writing about one's experience
with anxiety and depression -- a form of reaching out -- and sharing, is perhaps
also helpful.
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