Depression

[Guest guest]

Jean,

You wrote, " She just gave up and decided to just stay at home and take pain

meds all the time ... She is in those 4 walls with the blinds shut and wants no

one in either.

...when someone does not want to help theirselves,,,,what alternative is

there? "

I cannot say what is going on with , however, when I don't want to go

outside, shut everyone out, and simply take pain meds all day, these are all

sign

of depression. I am fortunate that my doctors understand the disease process

and the high risk of associated depression. They will not provide me with any

pain medication prescriptions if I am not also willing to address the other

healthcare issues, since they are very much interrelated.

When I was initially diagnosed, on the very first day I saw my GI & surgeon,

they said, " The first thing we have to do is treat your depression. " I said,

" I am not depressed. " They replied, " [You will be], Pancreatitis affects the

mood sensors that cause depression and it's important to get a handle on it

now. " I was then set up with a psychotherapist to address the issues of living

with chronic disease.

One thing I found that helps my depression the most is getting out of myself

by talking with and helping others. After talking to someone on the phone who

is newly diagnosed with pancreatitis, I find that I hardly noticed I was in

pain the whole time I was talking to them.

Besides providing someone with resources, there is absolutely little you can

do to help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. I do think that if

there was anyway would come to the Symposium or even be willing to have a

PAI member visit she would find that she isn't alone. There are many people who

participate in the telephone support group network that would love to call

her.

Many people with chronic illness and young children get involved with a

church and other community activities. That way they have someone looking out

for

them, but also there are more resources to give to the children to help foster

healthy social, emotional, and spiritual growth and development.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Pancreatitis Association International