Ask The Doctor: December 2021
Is it true that men and women exhibit different signs of depression?
Although women suffer from depression more commonly than men, they tend to present with similar symptoms, such as depressed mood and withdrawal from friends, family, and activities that once brought enjoyment. In some cases, however, they may exhibit some unique signs of this common mood disorder. Men, for example, may appear angry, irritable, impatient, and aggressive when depressed, while women may exhibit symptoms we associate with depression, such as sadness, fatigue, anxiousness, guilt, and hopelessness.
Perhaps the biggest distinction is how men and women respond to depressive symptoms. Though this isn’t true in all cases, women are much more likely than men to talk with their primary care physician about their symptoms or seek out counseling. Part of this may be related to stigmas about men acknowledging their own uncomfortable feelings or about the nature of depression itself. It’s important that men and women understand that depression can affect anyone at any age, and that getting help will not only improve their mental health, but their physical health and their quality of life, too.
I have to move my mother into a memory care community. What questions should I ask as I try to decide on a facility?
One of the first questions to ask is about the level of care. This refers to how much assistance will be provided for activities of daily living (ADLs) as well as the management of your mother’s health. ADLs typically include things like bathing, dressing, eating, etc. If you have a good idea of what your mother needs, then you can determine whether the level of care at a particular facility will be a good match. You’ll also want to make sure you know the monthly rate for housing, meals, and care, and exactly what is covered.
You should also ask about the training the staff has received and how medical emergencies are handled. If your mother has any special medical needs, such as diabetes or mobility challenges, you should ask how the facility accommodates special care needs.
And of course, you want to know how the facility and staff communicate with the family. If possible, try to talk with other families who have loved ones living in the memory care communities in question. Additionally, be sure to get a thorough tour of the facility. You should feel free to ask any question, no matter how trivial it may seem. You want a place that will take good care of your mother, and you also want the confidence you made the right decision.
I’ve heard the term “psychosomatic” to describe symptoms that don’t appear to have any medical explanation. Is this a real phenomenon or does it really just refer to people exaggerating or faking their symptoms?
Psychosomatic disorder, which is sometimes referred to as somatic symptom disorder, is a real psychological condition that may affect more than 5 percent of the population. People who have psychosomatic disorder aren’t faking anything. The pain or other symptoms they experience are very real to them, and they can cause considerable stress and anxiety. Much of the frustration people have is due to the lack of a diagnosis to explain their distress.
Anyone at any age can have somatic symptoms, though they tend to appear in individuals living chaotic and unsettled lives or those with a history of abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and other psychological disorders, such as depression. If you have symptoms, but tests repeatedly show negative results and a physical examination reveals no obvious cause of your symptoms, you may want to consider seeing a mental health provider. Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and the use of certain antidepressant medications may be helpful.
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