Utah is one of the top 10 states in the nation in which suicides occur.
Every state has different reasons for its suicide numbers, according to Fred Reimherr of the Mood Disorders Clinic at University Hospital, and U officials ar en't oblivious to the fact.
"Depression is a common disease. At any given time, 9 percent of women and 3 percent of men are battling the disease," said Julio Espinoza of the U Counseling Center.
Depression has many variations. It can affect someone mildly, moderately or severely. The effect that depression has on a particular person depends on his or her situation, Espinoza said.
Depression is a disease that usually affects someone emotionally, physically and cognitively, he said.
Age is the most dominant factor in determining how symptoms of depression are going to affect a person, he said.
Adults 18 to 25 years old sometimes get depressed over relationship stress or becoming more independent, while an adolescent age 13 to 17 sometimes will get depressed over his or her weight or friends, Espinoza said.
While there are differences in symptoms, the way people handle their battle with depression can be the same, he said. "There are treatments available to anyone needing help, such as counseling, medications or a combination of both."
Those dealing with depression should seek professional help.
"However, self-medicating is also how some people cope with their depression by using alcohol, street-valued drugs and prescribed medications," said Rob Hunsaker of the U Alcohol and Drug Education Center.
People do not always recognize that they are self medicating, Reimherr said.
Self-medicating is a learned treatment. Peer use is a primary source for self medicating, but people also learn by watching a family member or members who self medicate, Hunsaker said.
Many who self-medicate ignore other methods of treatment for reasons such as being criticized, not having the financial means or simply because self-medicating makes them feel better physically, Hunsaker said.
Whether one is self medicating or not, it is important that friends and family look for warning signs of depression. These signs can include excessive sleep, withdrawal from activity and dramatic shifts in mood.
"There are many things that can trigger depression. However, no matter what the cause, there is always a way someone can try to help make a difference," Reimherr said.
People who notice signs of depression in others should take action as soon as possible.
"When you begin to notice a difference in a person, let him or her know you are concerned and help him or her understand why," according to Espinoza.
He says helping a victim of depression involves trying to talk to the person about what is bothering him or her. But if one hesitates to talk, then it is best to let him or her know that he or she is welcome to share at any time.
If that fails, people who are closer to the person should be approached, or inevitably, "seek professional help as soon as possible because the earlier the treatment, the better chance at preventing a more severe problem," Espinoza said.
In most cases, professional help does prevent more severe problems such as attempted or successful suicide. "However, there is no permanent cure for depression, but neither is there for cancer, diabetes, arthritis or many other human conditions," Reimherr said.
jburnside@chronicle.utah.edu
New York University School of Medicine Online Depression Screening Test:
1- Have or do you feel sad, unhappy, blue, or "down in the dumps?" A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
2- Do you feel tired, have little or no energy, are you unable to concentrate? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
3- Do you feel uneasy, restless, or irritable? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
4- Do you or have you had trouble sleeping or eating? Weather it be too muvh or too little. A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
5- Do you feel that you are not enjoying the activites that you usually do? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time? 6- Do you feel you are or have lost interest in sex or are experiencing sexual difficulties? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
7- Do you feel that it takes you longer than usual to make decisions or are you unable to concentrate? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time? 8- Do you or have you felt inadequate, like a failure or that nobody likes you anymore? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
9- Do you or have you felt guilty without rational reason, or continuously put yourself down? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
10- Do you or have you felt that things always go or will go wrong no matter how hard you try? A- Never? B- Rarely? C- Sometimes? D- Very Often? E- Most of the Time?
