By Eric Hipple
Eric Hipple is a former NFL quarterback whose ten-year career was spent entirely with the Detroit Lions, from 1980 to 1990. His accomplishments include two playoff bids and a divisional championship. However, Hipple's life took a tragic turn in the year 2000, when his 15-year old son Jeff died by suicide. After struggling with depression himself in the aftermath of his son's death, Hipple decided to devote his energies to helping others to detect and treat depression, and to break down the stigma surrounding depressive illnesses.
Now, Hipple is an Outreach Representative for the University of Michigan Depression Center, and speaks publicly about the importance of early detection and prevention of depression. His primary message is one of hope: that depression is a treatable illness. "If I can make a difference in someone's life, then Jeff didn't die without a purpose" says Hipple. Mr. Hipple also serves on the board of the Mental Illness Research Association (MIRA), and the American Association of Suicidology (AAAS).
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
A: Depression is a real illness that takes many shapes and forms. According to the University of Michigan Depression Center, some depressed patients show subtle signs and symptoms for months before they are officially diagnosed and treated, while others withdraw from people and isolate themselves. Some depressed patients become irritable and moody and have angry, eruptive outbursts while others experience a profound sense of sadness and just do not feel like themselves anymore. Depression differs from "regular" sadness in that the feelings are ongoing, impair behavior or functioning, and prevent people from enjoying activities that usually bring them pleasure.
The following are some of the symptoms of depression, which are experienced over an extended period of time (more than two weeks):
A: The University of Michigan Depression Center reports that the good news about depression is that safe and effective treatments are available for most people suffering from the illness. The most effective treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy known as "talk therapy." However, if left untreated, depression has a strong tendency to recur. It also is likely to co-occur with other illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse.
It is very important to get the right treatment for depression. Ninety percent of all suicides are due to some type of untreated or undiagnosed mental illness, depression being one of those. If someone suffers from depression and does not get treatment, the chance of them taking their own life is greater than someone who is treated.
Q: Where can I learn more about depression and related illnesses?
A: The University of Michigan Depression Center is the first ever comprehensive, multi-disciplinary center dedicated to research, education, treatment and public policy of depressive and bipolar illnesses. The Center brings together the world-class resources of the U-M Health System and members from more than fourteen U-M Schools and Colleges. The result: a unified approach to diagnosing, understanding, treating-and eventually preventing-depression and bipolar disorder. To learn more about depression education, treatments or research at the Center, please visit our Web site at www.depressioncenter.org.
In addition, the Depression Center has relationships with many organizations across the nation that might be able to provide you additional help and resources closer to home. A list of websites offering depression information has been compiled by the University of Michigan Depression Center. Click to download or view the PDF.
Eric Hipple is a former NFL quarterback whose ten-year career was spent entirely with the Detroit Lions, from 1980 to 1990. His accomplishments include two playoff bids and a divisional championship. However, Hipple's life took a tragic turn in the year 2000, when his 15-year old son Jeff died by suicide. After struggling with depression himself in the aftermath of his son's death, Hipple decided to devote his energies to helping others to detect and treat depression, and to break down the stigma surrounding depressive illnesses.
Now, Hipple is an Outreach Representative for the University of Michigan Depression Center, and speaks publicly about the importance of early detection and prevention of depression. His primary message is one of hope: that depression is a treatable illness. "If I can make a difference in someone's life, then Jeff didn't die without a purpose" says Hipple. Mr. Hipple also serves on the board of the Mental Illness Research Association (MIRA), and the American Association of Suicidology (AAAS).
Q: What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
A: Depression is a real illness that takes many shapes and forms. According to the University of Michigan Depression Center, some depressed patients show subtle signs and symptoms for months before they are officially diagnosed and treated, while others withdraw from people and isolate themselves. Some depressed patients become irritable and moody and have angry, eruptive outbursts while others experience a profound sense of sadness and just do not feel like themselves anymore. Depression differs from "regular" sadness in that the feelings are ongoing, impair behavior or functioning, and prevent people from enjoying activities that usually bring them pleasure.
The following are some of the symptoms of depression, which are experienced over an extended period of time (more than two weeks):
- Restlessness and irritability
- Loss of enjoyment of hobbies, friends, family or other leisure activities
- Recurring unexplained aches and pains that do not go away
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Others noticing a change in mood
- Significant change in weight (either loss or gain)
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Trouble managing chronic illnesses
- Thoughts of or an attempt at suicide
A: The University of Michigan Depression Center reports that the good news about depression is that safe and effective treatments are available for most people suffering from the illness. The most effective treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy known as "talk therapy." However, if left untreated, depression has a strong tendency to recur. It also is likely to co-occur with other illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse.
It is very important to get the right treatment for depression. Ninety percent of all suicides are due to some type of untreated or undiagnosed mental illness, depression being one of those. If someone suffers from depression and does not get treatment, the chance of them taking their own life is greater than someone who is treated.
Q: Where can I learn more about depression and related illnesses?
A: The University of Michigan Depression Center is the first ever comprehensive, multi-disciplinary center dedicated to research, education, treatment and public policy of depressive and bipolar illnesses. The Center brings together the world-class resources of the U-M Health System and members from more than fourteen U-M Schools and Colleges. The result: a unified approach to diagnosing, understanding, treating-and eventually preventing-depression and bipolar disorder. To learn more about depression education, treatments or research at the Center, please visit our Web site at www.depressioncenter.org.
In addition, the Depression Center has relationships with many organizations across the nation that might be able to provide you additional help and resources closer to home. A list of websites offering depression information has been compiled by the University of Michigan Depression Center. Click to download or view the PDF.
