Depression is a growing problem

"We are here to help shatter the stigma that comes with depression," said Barbara Gill, director of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, to everyone gathered in WHYY's Forum Theatre. On Thursday, June 20, the public television station WHYY filmed a two hour program titled "Shattering the Stigma of Depression" as part of its "Your Brain" series. Five of the world's foremost neuroscientists gathered on stage to discuss depression. Those participants included Murray Grossman, an associate professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Ray Suarez, host of National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation," moderated the show. Beginning with statistics, the panel stated that at least ten percent of the United State's population suffers from depression. Most normal people experience limited signs of depression when bad things happen -- but clinical depression is far more serious and is labeled a "brain disease," according to the group. Clinical depression results from a brain abnormality responsible for lower production of the enzyme serotonin. The panel compared a clinically depressed person's reduced serotonin in the brain to a diabetic's deficient insulin production in the pancreas. "Clinical depression is a real physical problem that can be treated with drugs," Grossman said. "The treatments out now are highly effective and side-effects are minimal." Grossman added that depression may not always be cured by medicine alone. The most effective treatments involve both mental and social treatment. He also said that psychiatry is both helpful and necessary in proper treatment of depression. The panelists added that "unending and unfocused" treatment does not work -- but all five are strong advocates of proven focused psychiatric treatments of 16 to 20 sessions. "We need to pay special attention to social issues," Grossman said. The panel cleared up a common misconception that depression is related to aging. Even adolescent moodiness, the panel agreed, if it goes too far, is something to worry about. "Depression is not a result of aging -- it is the same entity at five and 95," said panelist Ellen Frank. "We now realize that even kids can become depressed." The doctors all agreed that the symptoms of depression are fairly easy to pin down. In addition to obvious mood change, depressed people tend to exhibit changes in eating habits, sleeping habits, appetite, memory skills, motor skills, movement or in perception of life. One of the main focuses of the panel was the stigma of depression. "Often a depressed person will go through life thinking he is not adequate, always having to pull himself up by his bootstraps," said panelist Gary Gottlieb. Another part of the stigma is reflected in health insurance coverage. Although depression is a serious disease and requires both medicine and therapy, according to the five neuroscientists -- health insurance finds psychiatry too expensive to cover. "Actuarial decision making is and will be responsible for the incomplete treatment of depression," Grossman said. The second hour of the show consisted of the panel fielding questions from members of the audience about depression. Most of the questions came from people curious about non-medical remedies for depression. Panel members responded that the only "real" cures for clinical depression are medicine and talk therapy. "Compare where we were ten years ago to now, and we have definitely improved," Grossman said. "We are trying to develop better treatments, but we have to put where we are in perspective."