Being a caregiver is a difficult and honorable job, but caregivers cannot take care of their loved ones if they do not take care of themselves. Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness are other symptoms of major depressive disorder, which may develop slowly. I encourage patients and/or family members to ask, “Is this antidepressant going to interfere with any other drugs? Sometimes a few brief therapy sessions can be effective in preventing mild anxiety or depression from progressing to full-blown major depression. If you ask me ‘whats it like being depressed’, that was the worst bit for me – the relentless low and hopeless feelings.”, A: “Yes I did. Cancer centers that are associated with medical schools often have very good oncology and psychiatry/ behavioral health departments. The Simple Questions That Really Help Depressed People. For example, patients may express sentiments such as, “I am really feeling down,” “I don’t feel like I normally do; I feel different,” “I’m so nervous that I cannot sleep at night,” “I can’t concentrate on my work,” or “When I’m supposed to be looking after my kids, I’m not paying attention to them.” Importantly, the healthcare team should be informed of any patient’s expressed desire for self-harm. Talk to your primary care or family physician. To help you understand why depression happens, here's a little background. While it is convenient for patients to coordinate a psychiatry visit when they meet with their oncologist, they might also need to see a psychologist or counselor more frequently, so finding a provider closer to home might be helpful if they are not available at their treating oncology center. Cancer Hope Network also connects patients with another person who has gone through a similar cancer experience to serve as a support system. You can find out about other people our Therapy Clinics have helped by clicking here. Thanks Hey, for an assignment I am going to interview someone with depression. Some estimate that major depression may be as high as 15%. Depression can make you selfish I guess, but you don’t mean to be. Associate Professor, Department of Psychology . If patients are uncomfortable about exercise, especially if they are out of shape, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and rehabilitation medical doctors can be helpful. There are a number of symptoms that happen for people that are experiencing GAD...). I never really felt like I could be brave enough to do any of them. I just felt like I was trapped by something I couldn’t see, and that I couldn’t get out. If you find that you are generally preoccupied with your health, or very anxious about certain medical conditions then you might be experiencing Health Anxiety. A newer entity Bipolar depression, although not present in DSM-V is a valid entity that presents with predominantly depressed mood that lies along a bipolar trait. Mood . It is a semi-structured interview guide which is administered by a psychologist or other mental health professional who is familiar with the diagnostic criteria of mental health conditions. Have you felt low/depressed/tearful every day, for most of the day, in the last two weeks? You might find that someone with depression is not doing much with his or her day and not engaging in activities that used to be important. “Over the last two weeks, how bothered have you been by feelings of fear or dread, as though something terrible might happen?”, “How often have you been … It sounds strange to say it now, some people talk about black clouds, or black dogs – but it wasn’t like that for me. We’re calling Depression a disorder because it is important to recognise that it is a psychological condition that should be taken seriously – and is much more than simply ‘feeling a bit low’. The only way I could get a break from it was by being asleep. Q: What are some techniques for managing depression and anxiety? [READ THE PHQ 9 ITEMS BELOW] 1. When these happen because of raised anxiety they're often called a panic attack. Although people have since told me that they felt like they were walking on egg shells around me as I was grumpier than usual. Even if you’re not depressed I think everyone should have therapy. What are some questions?? Most importantly, groups help to universalize what people are going through so that they can draw strength from others who have a similar experience. It’s amazing that life doesn’t come with an instruction book sometimes. Research shows that caregivers can be just as distressed as patients going through cancer. Anxiety, on the other hand, tends to be more sudden and severe, so this may be noticed by others a little sooner. I was lucky compared to some people. How do you feel about this? Meet Our Expert: Randy Hight, LCSW, OCW-C, is the Director of the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center (NMCWC) at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center in Roslyn, NY. Patients should seek treatment when symptoms interfere with their ability to cope or problem solve, or when it becomes difficult to handle everyday tasks, which could be educational or work-related, or when it becomes a challenge participating in their own care as cancer patients. While our friends will most likely be sensitive, there is a chance that their questions may feel a bit tactless or hurtful. Fear is also a symptom of anxiety, although patients might not know what they are afraid of. Medications may not be adequate by themselves. A technique called ‘Socratic questioning’ can help depressed people recover, a new study finds. York University . Find out the stories behind how we've already helped scores of people resolve problems and lead better lives. Some of the most common depressive disorders are: Major depression is characterized by symptoms that affect a person's work, sleep, eating habits, … Depression can have a big impact. Find out how you can arrange your first Psychotherapy appointment at one of our clinics, and what to expect when you arrive... ‘What’s it like being Depressed?’  This is often a question many people want to get an answer to  – but understandably feel uncomfortable to ask. I had lots of thoughts about how I could end my life. Depression survey questions to evaluate mental health and identify the level of depression. People are worried about saying the wrong thing or offending you. If a patient with pancreatic cancer is feeling ill or experiencing fatigue, pain, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, and weight loss, it should raise concern about not only the pancreatic cancer but also concern that the patient may be experiencing depression or anxiety. It is important for patients and their loved ones to learn how cancer can affect them emotionally, so they can be aware and catch the problem before it becomes severe. I think it’s just as hard for people around you to know what to do. A: “Not that I noticed. Google & Health Anxiety | What Is ‘Cyberchondria’? Additionally, the physical symptoms of pancreatic cancer that can cause depression, such as pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss, can also contribute to a person’s anxiety. Your current age . At NMCWC, she collaborates with doctors, social workers, nurses and local hospitals to provide programs that help improve the emotional and physical health of participants. I can’t thank my family and my Therapist at Dynamic You enough.”. Interview attire special tips – Some interview attire tips for the brave, and for people who like to experiment. A: “The best advice I can give is to get treatment as soon as possible. Because the word “depression” is a loose term and is inclusive of different diagnoses, researchers use various methods to evaluate the condition. What I really wanted was someone to make everything better for me again, and take away all the problems I was facing. Once the patient completes the questionnaire by checking the appropriate box, the score is calculated (1-4= minimal depression, 20-27 = severe depression). September 8, 2009. An evaluation of any patient’s mental health functioning should always include a suicide assessment. Tell me a bit more about the way you feel. On average it takes people up to 20 years to seek help and overcome Social Anxiety Problems. Socratic questioning is used by many therapists to help patients explore new perspectives on themselves and the world. you a couple of depression questions that you may be familiar with from the computer assessment that you have taken in the clinic. Following are the questions that will help you come closer to the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Life will get better at some point, just hang in there.”. Whilst Depression is different for each person, there are a number of symptoms that are very common as part of this disorder. Survivors often attend and serve as role models, recommending that patients infiltrate back into life, despite a devastating cancer diagnosis, and that every day, they set small goals for themselves, even if it’s simply getting dressed and getting the mail. It is understandable for patients with pancreatic cancer to feel sad and anxious sometimes, but if they are not adapting and their mood is interfering with their quality of life or causing other problems, then it is something that should be addressed.