Carol, it is so true. My father-in-law takes medication for depression now in the nursing home. He has had that since his late wife passed away in late 2004.

Last night I saw a movie halfway and learned about Sylvia Plath, the poet who killed herself. she began with depression when she was 9 after her Dad died. Her famous poet husband Edward Hughes had love affairs and didn't support her a lot and even blamed her for not continuing to write her poems (She was a very good poet too before she married.) Even her new kids could not stop her from killing herself sucessfully through the gas in the oven. (She pulled out the towels to make sure the kids were alive.)

I realized depression can be so deep and someone has to talk to the patient a lot to convince them not to kill themselves. I cam imagine Alzheimer's makes it harder with the distortion of reality.

Good post!

Regards,
Nina

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

2/14/11 9:59am

Yes, Sylvia Plath authored some works of lasting value! What a sad example of what can happen with depression. It still infuriates me that health insurance generally covers mental heath issues differently than "physical" health - as if we can be separated into parts like that.

 

When Alzheimer's or other dementia enters the picture, treating depression is even more tricky, but often the correct treatment can help.

 

Thanks for your comment, Nina. As usual, you are right on.

Carol