Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Why is it that the holidays seem to escalate depression and stress in so many people? An increase in social activities, a busy work schedule, and missing loved ones who are no longer with us are all triggers. These feelings can lead to depression over the holidays. People who have struggled with adverse life events such as divorce, unemployment, bereavement, chronic medical problems, psychological trauma, alcohol, or substance abuse are more likely to develop depression.
For some people these feeling go way after they get back to their normal routine, but for others, they linger and are exacerbated by the holidays or other life altering situations.
Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, frequent crying episodes, loss of interest in social activities, decreased sex drive, changes in appetite, insomnia or excessive sleeping, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, guilt, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide and poor memory. If you’ve been struggling with depression or anxiety for several weeks or months, it might be time to see a professional. Seeking help from a board-certified psychiatrist is optimal.
Depression DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.1
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
4. A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
5. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
7. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
8. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
When anxiety and PTSD disorders are left untreated or undertreated, several areas of the brain like the hippocampus, which regulates emotions, and the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision making and planning abilities can shrink, which often causes long-term damage. Seeking treatment early is best, but it’s never too late.
Different therapy options and protocols may work better for certain conditions and should be patient specific.
A wide variety of mental health conditions and emotional disorders can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). This can help individuals function more efficiently and increase wellbeing, while decreasing depressive thoughts and tendencies. Often psychotherapy is used in combination with medications. Additionally, adding healthy lifestyle changes into one’s daily life can significantly improve their mental health such as, exercise, eating a healthy diet, meditation and getting high quality sleep.
Psychotherapy offers several different types depending on the individual’s needs. Below are a few examples of universal psychotherapy options:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Psychoanalysis
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Supportive therapy
Dr. Richard J. Capiola
With triple board certification in general psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and forensic psychiatry, Dr. Richard J. Capiola has been in practice for 27 years. During his training at Tulane Medical School and UCLA, Dr. Capiola developed a keen interest in the treatment of depression and anxiety overlapping with drug and alcohol abuse. This focus led to his role as chief medical officer for Oglethorpe Inc., which specializes in the treatment of mental health and addiction. He has been instrumental in the clinical development and oversight of 12 specialty treatment centers in five states.
Dr. Capiola’s specialties include adult and adolescent psychiatry, treatment of anxiety, depression, and substance use problems, and forensic psychiatry, where he evaluates patients with legal issues related to mental health.
Dr. Capiola is the chief of psychiatry for Physicians Regional Medical Center and was the medical director for the Wilough at Naples for many years. He’s served 10 years with The Joint Commission, which evaluates hospitals nationwide for quality of care and safety.
Dr. Capiola was the featured neuropsychiatrist in the recent book “Don’t Give Up On Me” with Darryl Strawberry. His confidential private practice focuses on using each individual’s inherent strengths to achieve the goal of living a healthy, well-balanced life.
Dr. Richard J. Capiola, MD
239.649.7494
700 2nd Avenue North | Suite 305 | Naples, Florida 34102
Reference:
5th ed. Arlington: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
