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Depression and Sickle Cell Disease
(Thank you to Dr. Tony LaBruzza for this information.)
 
On Depression...
Many people with chronic illnesses, like sickle cell disease and diabetes, feel depressed at times because of the constant stress of coping with the illness. Such feelings are a normal reaction to stress or loss; but if these negative feelings are very intense and last for a long time, they may be a sign of clinical depression that needs professional attention.
 
The common symptoms of clinical depression are:
- Feeling sad, down, blue, unhappy, or irritable.
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
- Lack of energy, fatigue.
- Inability to experience pleasure.
- Loss of interest in sex.
- Changes in weight, often weight loss.
- Changes in sleep such as difficulty falling asleep, waking in the middle of the night, or waking up too early in the morning.
- Feeling guilty or worthless.
- Feeling like life is not worth living.
- Feeling "trapped" and seeing no way out.
- Thoughts of death, dying, or suicide.
 
If you are experiencing the above symptoms, you may be suffering from clinical depression. The good news is that depression is treatable. Please discuss your symptoms with your doctor or health care provider. For more information, you can call the following toll-free information line:
1-800-248-4344.
You can also find information about depression on the Web at the following sites:
 
Depression Resources List Compiled and maintained by Dennis Taylor at (URL)
http://www.execpc.com/~corbeau/
 
Depression FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
http://www.psych.helsinki.fi/~janne/asdfaq
 
HealthGuide: Depression
http://www.healthguide.com/
 
The following is an excellent source of mental health information that is brief and easy to read:
The Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection provides online information about "Alcohol and Substance Use, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Cults, Cultural Issues, Depression, Eating Disorders, Family Issues, Relationships, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Orientation, Sleep, Stress, Study Skills, Time Management, Traumatic Events".
http://uhs.bsd.uchicago.edu/scrs/vpc/vpc.html
 
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Basics   Parents' Guide   Espanol   Depression