Mental Health News Fall 2006

7th Anniversary Issue MENTAL HEALTH NEWSTM YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES FALL 2006 FROM THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL NEWS SCENE VOL. 8 NO. 4 The Psychological Dimensions of Physical Illness By the National Institute cancer and other physical illnesses. How- of Mental Health (NIMH) ever, skilled health professionals will recognize the symptoms of depression and Depression and Cancer inquire about their duration and severity, diagnose the disorder, and suggest appropriate treatment. esearch has enabled many men, women, and young people with Depression Facts cancer to survive and to lead fuller, more productive lives, Depression is a serious medical condi- Rboth while they are undergoing treatment, tion that affects thoughts, feelings, and the and afterwards. As with other serious ill- ability to function in everyday life. De- nesses, such as HIV, heart disease, or pression can occur at any age. NIMH- stroke, cancer can be accompanied by sponsored studies estimate that 6 percent depression, which can affect mind, mood, of 9- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. and al- body and behavior. Treatment for depres- most 10 percent of American adults, or sion helps people manage both diseases, about 19 million people age 18 and older, thus enhancing survival and quality of life. experience some form of depression every About 9 million Americans of all ages year. Although available therapies allevi- are living with a current or past diagnosis ate symptoms in over 80 percent of those of cancer. People who face a cancer diag- treated, less than half of people with de- nosis will experience many stresses and pression get the help they need. emotional upheavals. Fear of death, inter- Depression results from abnormal ruption of life plans, changes in body im- cancer, depression may impact the course cancer patients in one study were receiv- functioning of the brain. The causes of age and self-esteem, changes in social of the disease and a person's ability to ing antidepressant medication. Persons depression are currently a matter of in- role, lifestyle, and medical bills are im- participate in treatment. with cancer, their families and friends, tense research. An interaction between portant issues to be faced. Still, not every- Despite the enormous advances in and even their physicians and oncologists genetic predisposition and life history one with cancer becomes depressed. De- brain research in the past 20 years, de- (physicians specializing in cancer treat- appear to determine a person's level of pression can exist before the diagnosis of pression often goes undiagnosed and un- ment) may misinterpret depression's risk. Episodes of depression may then be cancer or may develop after the cancer is treated. While studies generally indicate warning signs, mistaking them for inevita- triggered by stress, difficult life events, identified. While there is no evidence to that about 25 percent of people with can- ble accompaniments to cancer. Symptoms support a causal role for depression in cer have depression, only 2 percent of of depression may overlap with those of see Cancer on page 34 Heart Disease and Depression Staff Writer the leading cause of death in the U.S. and untreated. Persons with heart disease, rowed or clogged and cannot supply Mental Health News While about 1 in 20 American adults ex- their families and friends, and even their enough blood to the heart, the result is periences major depression in a given physicians and cardiologists (physicians coronary heart disease. If not enough oxy- year, the number goes to about one in specializing in heart disease treatment) gen-carrying blood reaches the heart, the epression can strike anyone. three for people who have survived a may misinterpret depression's warning heart may respond with pain called an- However, research over the heart attack. signs, mistaking them for inevitable ac- gina. The pain is usually felt in the chest past two decades has shown Depression and anxiety disorders may companiments to heart disease. Symptoms or sometimes in the left arm and shoulder. that people with heart disease affect heart rhythms, increase blood pres- of depression may overlap with those of (However, the same inadequate blood Dare more likely to suffer from depression sure, and alter blood clotting. They can heart disease and other physical illnesses. supply may cause no symptoms, a condi- than otherwise healthy people, and con- also lead to elevated insulin and choles- However, skilled health professionals tion called silent angina.) When the blood versely, that people with depression are at terol levels. These risk factors, with obe- will recognize the symptoms of depres- supply is cut off completely, the result is a greater risk for developing heart disease. sity, form a group of signs and symptoms sion and inquire about their duration heart attack. The part of the heart that Furthermore, people with heart disease that often serve as both a predictor of and and severity, diagnose the disorder, and does not receive oxygen begins to die, and who are depressed have an increased risk a response to heart disease. Furthermore, suggest appropriate treatment. some of the heart muscle may be perma- of death after a heart attack compared to depression or anxiety may result in nently damaged. those who are not depressed. Depression chronically elevated levels of stress hor- Heart Disease Facts Chest pain (angina) or shortness of may make it harder to take the medica- mones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. As breath may be the earliest signs of heart tions needed and to carry out the treat- high levels of stress hormones are signaling Heart disease includes two conditions disease. A person may feel heaviness, ment for heart disease. Treatment for a "fight or flight" reaction, the body's me- called angina pectoris and acute myocar- tightness, pain, burning, pressure, or depression helps people manage both tabolism is diverted away from the type of dial infarction ("heart attack"). Like any squeezing, usually behind the breastbone diseases, thus enhancing survival and tissue repair needed in heart disease. muscle, the heart needs a constant supply but sometimes also in the arms, neck, or quality of life. Although we know more about the of oxygen and nutrients that are carried to jaws. These signs usually bring the person Heart disease affects an estimated 12.2 cause and treatment of mental illness to- it by the blood in the coronary arteries. million American women and men and is day, depression often goes undiagnosed When the coronary arteries become nar- see Heart Disease on page 30 NON PROFIT Mental Health News Education, Inc. ORGANIZATION 16 Cascade Drive U.S. POSTAGE PAID Effort, PA 18330 WHITE PLAINS, NY PERMIT NO. 153 PAGE 2 MENTAL HEALTH NEWS ~ FALL 2006 Mental Health News Advisory Council Sigurd H. Ackerman, MD, President & Medical Director Pam Forde, President Dominick Lepore, MS, CTRS, Vice President Edythe S. Schwartz, ACSW, Executive Director Silver Hill Hospital Putnam Family Support and Advocacy Westchester Medical Center - Behavioral Health Center Putnam Family & Community Services Nadia Allen, Executive Director Michael B. Friedman, LMSW Andrew P. Levin, MD, Medical Director J. David Seay JD, Executive Director Mental Health Association in Orange County Public Policy Consultant Westchester Jewish Community Services NAMI - New York State Richard Altesman, MD, Representative Maureen Friar, Executive Director Robert M. Lichtman, PhD, DAPA Janet Z. Segal, LCSW, BCD, Chief Operating Officer American Psychiatric Association National Assembly Supportive Housing Network of New York Rockland Psychiatric Center Four Winds Hospital Gene Aronowitz, PhD, Director of Operations Steven J. Friedman Constance Lieber, President, Board of Directors Kren K. Shriver, MPH, MD, Clinical Director Fordham-Tremont Community Mental Health Center Mental Health & Public Policy Analyst NARSAD Hudson River Psychiatric Center Peter C. Ashenden, Executive Director Kenneth M. Glatt, PhD, ABPP, Commissioner Glenn Liebman, President & CEO Michael Silverberg, President Mental Health Empowerment Project Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene Mental Health Association In New York State NAMI - New York State Chris Ashman, MS, Commissioner Arnold Gould, Co-President Robert Litwak, CSW, Assistant Executive Director Alan B. Siskind, PhD, Executive Vice President & CEO Orange County Department of Community Mental Health NAMI Queens/Nassau Mental Health Association of Westchester Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services Jeannine Baart, MS Flemming Graae, MD, Chief, Child & Adolescent Hon. Nita M. Lowey Jeffery Smith, MD Mental Health Education Consultant Psychiatry, Westchester Medical Center U.S. Congress - 18th District Private Practitioner Alan D. Barry, PhD, Administrative Director, Steven Greenfield, Executive Director Paige Macdonald, Executive Director Steven H. Smith, PsyD, Consulting Psychologist Department of Psychiatry, Norwalk Hospital Mental Health Association of Nassau County Families Together in New York State Grace Church Community Center Peter D. Beitchman, DSW, Executive Director Ralph A. Gregory, President & CPO Lawrence Mandell, President & CEO Thomas E. Smith MD, Medical Director The Bridge United Way Of Westchester & Putnam United Way of New York City Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services Alexander J. Berardi, LCSW, Executive Director Mary Guardino, Founder & Executive Director Randall Marshall, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Andrew Solomon, Contributing

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