Ask the Expert: Stress Management
By Peggy WinburneJune 9th, 2008
We’re hosting an online conversation with Dr, Mace Coday, a behavioral health psychologist with expertise in weight management, tobacco use, health promotion and stress-related disorders. She cares for patients at UT Medical Group, Inc., and is an assistant professor of preventive medicine and psychiatry at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Coday will answer your questions about stress and stress management. Ask your questions here and read more on the subject at http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/lifestyle/health-fitness/
June 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Dear Dr. Coday,
I'm going through a depressed time because of the loss of a brother. I'm 54 and was diagnosed bi-polar last fall and am on Limectal (50 mg). My doctor and I are watching to determine if I'm also in need of a depression medicine. Since my brother's death on 5/17/08, our family has traveled a couple of weeks and back home last week I wanted to just sleep alot, probably about 4 days. Now, I'm better, but still unmotivated. I do what I have to do, but still feel sad.
Do you have any comments or feel I need to see my doctor? I have been seeing her for several months and will be seeing her in July.
Thanks.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
For Sharon,
Sorry for the loss of your brother. Having a close family member pass away can be quite stressful. It is normal to have different periods of time for grieving. For some it can go by quickly, for others it can drag on. If not properly addressed grief can turn into a full blown case of clinical depression. At this point it is too early to know if this your normal grieving response time, or if you are suffering from depression also. I think it is great you are being actively treated by your doctor for bipolar disorder. Might I recommend that you see your doctor as planned in July. From now until then, I think that you might benefit from some grief recovery work that you can do on your own. Try any bookstore self help section and find a book on the topic. One that I can recommend is called "On Grief and Grieving" by ELizabeth Kubel-Ross and David Kessler. In July, if you are still having difficulty with sadness, I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about the possibility of counseling in addition to your medication(s). Your doctor can help you decide if adding an anti-depressant is warranted. There is also a lay-led support group for depression and bipolar disorder offered weekly. If you are interested in more details about the support group meetings comment back and I will find this for you. Thanks, Dr. Coday