I am so thankful for Mother’s Little Helper. I’ve suffered from chronic depression for thirty years and routinely take antidepressants. However, several weeks ago I entered a major depressive episode.

For those of you who are younger, my title is a riff on the Rolling Stones’ Hit Mother’s Little Helper. “And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day.” The song, recorded in 1965, deals with the popularity of prescribed tranquilizers such as valium and their dangers—addiction or overdose.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE SENT ME RUNNING TO MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER

According to the National Library of Medicine, a major depressive episode is defined as five or
more depressive symptoms for over two weeks. Additionally, you must have either a depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure, symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment, and no manic or hypomanic behavior should be present.

Symptoms include:

• Depressed Mood           Yep! That’s me!
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in most or all activities, Definitely met this one!
• Significant weight loss (or poor appetite) or weight gain, Of course, I’m the one who gains weight! Drat!
• Insomnia or hypersomnia,
• Psychomotor retardation,
• Fatigue or loss of energy, OMG! I didn’t want to lift a finger!
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt,
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, and Unable to accomplish anything!
• Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), or suicidal ideation, plan, or attempt.

MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER NOT WORKING

To put this in plain English, I went into a tailspin, developed brain fog, and gained weight. I had no energy and would feel like crying if I needed to do anything that was in the least bit difficult physically or mentally. Basically, my battery was dying.

MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER REFRESH

A visit to the psychiatric nurse brought a change of medication. I took half of my old medication for seven days and half of my new medication for seven days before dropping the old pills. Midmorning of the first day I felt as if some had plugged me into the electrical socket. The brain fog lifted as my mind began to charge. The pleasure of living returned. I am so grateful.

MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER OR THERAPY

Johns Hopkins points out that depression may be caused by chemical changes in the brain and tends to run in families. Additionally, certain illnesses or life events can bring on this mood disorder. Sometimes the cause is not clear.

Treatment consists of medication. Most people are not as lucky as I am. Generally, it takes about four to eight weeks for them to have a full effect.

Cognitive behavioral or interpersonal therapy is also important because it helps you change your twisted views about yourself and your situation, improving your relationships and ability to manage stress.

Many times, therapy and medications are prescribed concurrently.

MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER AND MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

Unfortunately, mental health still carries a stigma. The American Psychiatric Association has identified three areas of stigma:

• Public stigma involves the negative or discriminatory attitudes that others may have about mental illness.
• Self-stigma refers to the negative attitudes, including internalized shame, that people with mental illness may have about their own condition.
• Structural stigma is more systemic, involving policies of government and private organizations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental illness. Examples include lower funding for mental illness research or fewer mental health services relative to other health care.

LAST THOUGHTS ON MOTHER’S LITTLE HELPER

Abusing prescribed drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol is not the way to fix mental health issues. Therapy and targeted drugs are. We should not be ashamed to seek help. Would you recommend someone with a broken arm, severe chest pains, or a giant swollen lump not to seek help? Just because you cannot see evidence of a problem does not mean it does not exist.

Sigh. But I agree with Mick Jagger, “What a drag it is getting old.”  Now that my brain is fixed, I’m getting my knee repaired in February.

Go Figure!

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