Hello Darlings,
Waking up to sad news this morning that famous Hollywood movie director Tony Scott apparently committed suicide yesterday in Los Angeles, California. He was 68 years old, and had achieved considerable success in the film industry directing hit movies including two hugely popular films starring Tom Cruise - Top Gun and Days of Thunder. According to police, Tony Scott jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in suburban Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. His black Prius car was parked nearby, and apparently a suicide note was found in the car.
No one just wakes up one day, and jumps off a bridge killing themselves. Such news is tragic, and it is very sad to think of the impact this will have on his family and friends. Clearly there is much more to the story, which is maybe the most important legacy that Tony Scott could leave behind - awareness of the negative effects of depression - and treatment options that can help save lives and the enormous collateral damage caused by severe depression!
From Wikipedia: Depression, also called despair, is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical well-being.Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable; experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions; and may contemplate, desire, or even attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may be present.Depressed mood is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder. It is a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions, and a side effect of some medical treatments. Depressed mood is also a primary or associated feature of certain psychiatric syndromes such as clinical depression.
Clearly when someone resorts to jumping off a bridge to commit suicide, some form of depression was the root cause. While awareness and treatment options are increasing, our society is still moving at a snail’s pace given these alarming statistics:
- About 16 percent of adults will experience depression/anxiety at some point in their life.
- Of those who develop depression/anxiety, only about 20 percent will receive adequate treatment.
- About 97 percent of those reporting depression/anxiety also reported that their work, home life and relationships suffered as a result.
- According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately 8% of adult Canadians will experience a major depression/anxiety at some point in their lives, and around 5% will in a given year.
- Depression/anxiety continues to be Canada’s fastest-rising diagnosis. From 1994 to 2004, visits for depression/anxiety made to office-based doctors almost doubled. In 2003, that meant 11.6 million visits to doctors across Canada about depression/anixety.
- Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with depression/anxiety. However, this may simply indicate that men are less comfortable seeking help or do not get an accurate diagnosis since depression/anxiety in men often manifests itself as a substance use problem.
- Bipolar disorder is a less common form of depression/anxiety that affects about around 1 to 2% of Canada’s population.
- 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.
Depression Statistics: Women Fact Information
- Women are twice as likely to experience depression/anxiety as men.
- Approximately 7 million women in the United States are clinically depressed.
- One in five women can expect to develop clinical depression at some time in her life.
- Depression/anxiety is the leading cause of disability in women.
- Only one of every three depressed women will seek professional help.
- Almost 15 percent of women suffering from severe depression will commit suicide.
- About 10 percent of women will experience postpartum depression in the months following the birth of a child.
- Married women have higher rates of depression than single women, with depression most likely during childbearing years.
- Depression/anixety in women occurs most frequently between the ages of 25 and 44.
If you suspect yourself or a loved one is suffering from depression, know that your family doctor is a good person to ask for help. An additional useful resource is this website www.depressionhurts.ca - AND IF I CAN HELP, PLEASE FEEL WELCOME TO EMAIL ME ANYTIME…
With Love…
Marta
Source: Bayridge Anxiety and Treatment Center
Image Source: From whathephoque.tumblr.com; dustjacketattic.blogspot.ca; bullettmedia.tumblr.com;
