Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85232
IGNORE THE SIGNS OR TO PUSH THEIR FEELINGS TO ONE SIDE IN THE HOPE THAT THEY WILL GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN. IT'S COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO acknowledging the signs as they perceive depression to be a sign of personal weakness or failure, when in fact depression is a sign that our body needs some attention. Sometimes the signs and symptoms of depression aren't readily recognised because they may develop slowly over a period of time. In these instances, it may be friends and family, or other people around you that notice the signs first. If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of clinical depression, the good news is that depression is treatable. There are many different types of effective treatments available. However, finding the support that best suits your needs can take time, and it can be a process of trial and error before you arrive at the support that is most appropriate for you. For people experiencing mild to moderate and weight loss can simply be consequences of undergoing cancer treatments, like chemotherapy. If you are coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, this complexity can make it hard to recognise if you might also be experiencing depression. Of course there are a number of other reasons why the signs and symptoms of depression might go unrecognised. It's common for people to ignore the signs or to push their feelings to one side in the hope that they will go away on their own. This can be especially true for people who are used to 'toughing things out' or putting the needs of others before their own needs. It's possible too that some people are fearful of depression there are a variety of self- management strategies that have proved successful in improving mood. These strategies include getting exercise and keeping physically active, maintaining a daily routine, ensuring good sleeping habits and finding healthy ways to relax and manage daily stresses. These are strategies you can do on your own, but you may also like to involve friends and family. After all, other people can be good motivators, and their lives can benefit from these strategies too. Many people access support through talking with friends and family, or talking with other people who are experiencing similar difficulties. Talking can help you feel less alone and can help others understand how you are feeling so they can help you to manage day to day. Other people find that they require more structured and professional forms of talking support, such as psychological therapies. The range of psychological therapies available is vast, and it can be a confusing area to navigate. There is good evidence to support the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) in treating depression. CBT focuses on altering the negative thinking patterns that can play a role in causing depression, as well as changing how you might behave in certain situations. IPT is a therapy that focuses on improving your relationships and the way you relate to others. Behaviour Therapy and Problem Solving Therapy (PST) have also proved helpful in the treatment of depression. These sorts of therapies can be accessed through a referral from your GP, or you can contact a registered psychologist or counsellor directly. The Cancer Society also offers free and confidential counselling services to people living with cancer, both during and after their treatment. Antidepressant medications offer another form of effective support in treating depression. Antidepressant medications are typically prescribed to people experiencing moderate to severe depression, and are not generally recommended for people with milder forms of depression. A range of different classes of antidepressant medications are available. The different classes work in slightly different ways, but they all act on chemicals in the brain that are related to emotions and motivation. The antidepressant medications that are most commonly used are called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and include citalopram (Cipramil), fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Aropax). Antidepressant medications can only be prescribed by a doctor. Some antidepressant medications can interact with breast cancer treatments so it's important to talk to your doctor about this if you are considering antidepressant medication. Depression can be hard to recognise, not least because some of the signs and symptoms of depression can be confused with those of cancer and cancer treatments. If you think you might be experiencing depression it's important to seek support. While it may sound like a cliché, realising there may be a problem and getting support is the most important thing you can do. Dr Kate Perry, Health Psychologist