[Mari]

Pain of Depression: A Journey Through the Darkness



Monday, October 22, 10:00pm Eastern Time

An examination of depression, including the emotional and physical toll the condition takes on those who suffer from it.

Also: its symptoms and treatment options; its stigma within some ethnic communities.

CC, Stereo TVG

[Mari]

Hi,
I watched the first 6 mins and then fell asleep on the couch.

The show started by showing that people with depression often go into see mdocs about their physical symptoms (sleep, anixety/chest pains, digestive issues). These people do not mention their emotional issues to the mdoc.

So after the mdoc rules out the physical issues, he/she has a standard questionaire (can't remember the name of it) to screen the patient for depression.

Then they said that mdocs are able to prescribe for depression nowadays because they have a wide range of meds available to them.
That's when I realized that depression is a whole different world from bipolar. I remember thinking that when I when to sleep.

I would not send a loved one with emotional issues to an mdoc.

I was watching the show to see if it was going to say anything new about depression. It will be repeated, as most shows on PBS are.

Mari


http://www.freedomfromfear.org/viewt...p?topic_id=197

THE PAIN OF DEPRESSION: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE DARKNESS, NEW FILM PROVIDES HOPE FOR MILLIONS

Depression can strike anyone at any time. The mental illness afflicts more than 20 million Americans each year, making it the leading cause of disability in the United States.

The Pain of Depression: A Journey through the Darkness explores the physical and psychological challenges of depression, whose symptoms range from insomnia to debilitating fatigue. Compelling stories from depression sufferers capture the illness’ devastating impact on their families, friends and communities.

This informative documentary, airing on public television stations nationwide beginning October 1, 2007 visit http://www.painofdepression.org takes viewers on a journey to understand depression through the first-hand experiences of three people. Their family members and friends express their early misconceptions about the illness and recall how their loved ones fought depression with counseling, medication and lifestyle changes.

John, a self-described "macho man” first became depressed at the age of 40. He stayed in bed, felt sick and lost interest in playing with his children. John’s denial and resistance to treatment prevented him from seeking help. Once he did, John regained the rewarding family life he once enjoyed.

Michele felt depressed following the birth of her first child at age 23. After years of going untreated, the young mother of four took action only after realizing the extent of her illness' effect on her family. With support and an appropriate treatment plan, Michele learned to gain control of her life.

Alice, a middle-aged African-American woman, plunged into a major depressive episode following a series of life stressors and the events of September 11, 2001. Unable to work, she relied on the financial support of welfare, family, friends and her church to survive. In time, Alice emerged from the darkness stronger and with a message of hope: depression can be conquered.

Throughout the film, nationally recognized experts from the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, New York State’s Psychiatric Institute and the Hispanic Treatment Program at New York State’s Psychiatric Institute discuss the cutting-edge research and theories about depression: its neurophysiology, symptoms, treatments and the role of family and friends in an individual's recovery.

The documentary also touches upon the stigma of mental illness within various ethnic communities, including Latinos, and details the need for a customized treatment plans for these populations.

Produced in 2006, The Pain of Depression is co-produced by Mary Guardino, the founder of Freedom From Fear, a non-profit national mental illness organization committed to educating and supporting people with depressive disorders, and Academy Award-winning production company State of the Art, Inc. and presented by American Public Television through the Exchange service at no cost to public television stations nationwide.

For more information, please visit http://www.painofdepression.org/ and check the schedule for local air dates.