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David Mrazek, M.D.
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David Mrazek, M.D.
David Mrazek, M.D.
Dr. David A. Mrazek is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and a professor of psychiatry at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mrazek has developed a federally funded psychiatric pharmacogenomics research program and implemented clinical psychiatric pharmacogenomics services at Mayo Clinic.
He has received numerous awards including the Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education from the American College of Psychiatrists and the Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Mrazek has focused his current efforts on using pharmacogenomics testing to improve clinical care. One of his specific goals is to decrease the risks of taking psychiatric medications.
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Depression blog
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Feb. 13, 2009
Repeat episodes of depression: Look for warning signs
By David Mrazek, M.D.
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Just as it's important to know that depression is a treatable disease, it's worth knowing that having had an episode of depression increases your risk down the road for more episodes. That shouldn't discourage you because proper treatment can make a huge difference. But it's important to watch for warning signs of repeat episodes of depression.
What's an episode of depression you ask? An episode is a period of time. For example, depression (formally called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is diagnosed by having at least two weeks duration of five or more of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood
- Decreased enjoyment in pleasurable activities
- Sleep disturbance (increased or decreased)
- Appetite disturbance (increased or decreased)
- Excessive or inappropriate guilt or feelings of worthlessness
- Decreased energy
- Concentration difficulties or indecisiveness
- Change in your daily activity. You may feel slowed down, or sped up; increased to the point of feeling fidgety
- Recurrent thoughts of death
These symptoms need to present almost all day nearly every day. In addition, the symptoms also need to cause significant concern or difficulty in all areas of one's life. Finally, the symptoms can't be due to a medical illness or feelings of grief, such as with the loss of a loved one.
Please see your health care provider for additional information about depression, evaluation for depression and options for treatment. If you have suicidal thoughts, contact your provider or seek care at the nearest medical center. Another resource for help is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
56 comments posted
February 18, 2009 11:49 a.m.
My depression and anxiety comes and goes. Right now it is really bad. Is there a way to treat this without medication?
- Jay
February 17, 2009 6:25 p.m.
I had severe, unrelenting clinical depression with panic attacks for 7 years. Finally, I have the right meds, and feel very well indeed. My question is about bipolar disorder. My husband has had a low grade depression as long as he can remember. In the last 10 years he has become increasingly irritable, with me especially, and then blows up. His irritability is huge! Other symptoms of bipolar I don't see. He takes meds for it which seem to do nothing. He also has ADD. I can hardly bear his irritability another minute -- he tries to squelch it, but can't. He sees a therapist, also psychiatrist, and goes to anger management classes. Do you think this is truly a bipolar disorder?
- deb
February 17, 2009 10:00 a.m.
I have a question. I have been on antidepressants for many years. Several times it has been obvious when the meds no longer are doing their job. Switching to a new med then helped. Now I've been on one for a very long time. I don't have that distinct feeling that it isn't working any more, but I am having many signs of increased depression. It could be situational...but it has been going on quite a while. Each time I go to the dr. & discuss it there seems to be some new reason, and I'm "holding my own." But is that sufficient? How can I tell? Having had some bad reactions to meds I don't want to switch unless absolutely necessary. One thing depression does is erode my judgment & sense of self...so how can I tell when "holding my own" changes to "needs more help"? I've always been quiet and somewhat solitary, so how do I figure out if it has become excessive? I live with very outgoing, extroverted types..so I tend not to trust their judgment of what's "normal"! Please respond.
- susan
February 16, 2009 7:26 a.m.
I think I just found out what I am looking for after spending a lot time surfing the net.I am very happy to post my comment in this blog. I gathered lot of information from this site. Nice blog. Tom Find the latest news about Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Discuss Mood Disorders topics with members of the Health Community. Manic Depression News and Discussion Forum
- tom2000
February 14, 2009 9:46 a.m.
Your doctor has aboviously never been depressed neither have I but my husband, son and sister have and just living with then is painful, so I would be a little neurotic too, if I thought I was going to get it
- Susan
February 13, 2009 5:27 p.m.
It has taken 20 years and I had exhausted all treatment options, then I was re-born with treatment via Ketamine infusions. I am well aware of the warning signs of depression and each time they creep up I get scared. Now it is to the point where my doctor thinks I'm neurotic and worrying needlessly. I do get worried and after 20 years of TRD I don't ever want to go back there. Should I be that concerned about recurring symptoms or just let them go?
- eljay
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56 comments posted