Deborah Gray
Patient ExpertDeborah Gray wrote about depression as a Patient Expert for HealthCentral. She lived with undiagnosed clinical depression, both major episodes and dysthymia, from childhood through young adulthood. She was finally diagnosed at age 27, and since that time, her depression has been successfully managed with medication and psychotherapy.
Latest by Deborah Gray
ADHD, Distraction and Finishing Things
When I was a kid, every once in a while I would hear my dad swear as he hit his head on a cabinet door I had left open. It was a really bad habit of mine. I would open cabinets doors and never, I mean never, remember to close them. Actually, nothing’...
10 Tips for Staying Sane When Your Partner Is Depressed
Being in a relationship with someone who is depressed has its challenges. Here are 10 tips for securing your own well-being while trying to be a support system to your loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Light Therapy
February is a time when Seasonal Affective Disorder or (SAD) is most prevalent. There have been a lot of questions about the effectiveness and logisitcs of light therapy to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Here are some answers.
Resistance to Antidepressant Treatment
It may come as a surprise to anyone who’s read my writing to hear that I was reluctant to start antidepressant treatment for my depression. While I would not call myself "pro" medication, my life has been changed by antidepressants, and I ...
Taking a Vacation with Your ADHD Child (and Staying Sane)
Although children with ADHD may seem to be inherently anti-structure, they actually function best in a structured, familiar setting. But vacations and travel are all about getting away from the familiar - new places, new schedules, new people. As the ...
Recognizing Dysthymia in Children: When Depression is Chronic at an Early Age
Here's one woman's battle with dysthymia, chronic depression that had been a part of her life, and a part of her, since she was 7.
Bullying and Ostracizing Tied to Depression and Anxiety in Special Needs Children
**Children with special needs have always been a favorite target for bullying and teasing. It’s easy to see why - they’re different. Except for the occasional rebel, most children don’t want to be stand out from the crowd. Being different is generall...
Graduation Depression: Preparing for Change
For high school and college seniors, this is an exciting time. So close to the finish line All that hard work is about to pay off with a diploma and a bright, shiny new future. Woo-hoo! It’s Miller Time. Okay, so what about when Miller Time’s over? T...
Looking at Mike Wallace's Contribution to Our Understanding of Depression
“I didn’t know what was the matter with me. All I knew was that I was feeling lower than a snake’s belly…I remember we used to go to restaurants, and I’d say ‘Everybody’s pointing at me, the cheat, the fraud, the fake.’ You really believe these thing...
Help Make Your ADHD Child Resistant to Teasing
All children are the target of teasing and name-calling at one point or another. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to encounter more of this than most children, due in part to their problem with interpreting social cu...