2006年VOA标准英语-New Study Shows Persistence Pays Off in Tr

By Melinda Smith
Washington, D.C.
29 March 2006
 
waatch Depression Meds report

Depression can affect anyone from time to time, but when it goes from the usual "blues¹" to something far more serious, medical attention should be sought.  Without treatment, depression can trigger additional physical and emotional illness, cause problems at work, bring on alcohol and drug abuse, and even suicide.  A major study of depression recently released by the National Institute of Mental Health may help doctors redefine treatment options so that if one medication is ineffective, patients do not lose hope.

------------------------------------------------------

  
  

Irene Wozny…Linda Fuller…Clarence Beckett are among the 121 million people worldwide who have struggled with depression, but they got help and the right medication. Depression is the most common form of mental illness. It often carries a social stigma².  Only in recent years have some patients been forthcoming about their disease.

“We're contributing members in society and most people don't know that," said Irene.

"The first two times I had it, I hid it,” admitted Linda.  “I only told my husband and my children.  I didn't want anyone to think I was losing my mind.  You're ashamed of it, but it's really nothing to be ashamed of…"

All of the 4,000 volunteers who participated in the recent study were given anti-depressants.  At least one-third of them saw their symptoms disappear by taking the first drug.  But how to help the others?

Dr. Patrick McGrath of the New York Psychiatric Institute says, "Patients want to know that and doctors need to know it too."

Researchers discovered that by switching to a different anti-depressant, another 25 percent of the volunteers also felt better. 

Dr. John Rush of the University of Texas-Southwestern added this: "It didn't matter what drug the patient was switched to, they were all the same in terms of benefiting patients."

Trial and error…finding the right medication…sometimes combining more than one medication…and giving each medication four to six weeks to work… or not. The study showed the patient and health care provider should try a range of treatments based on the needs of the individual. One of three volunteers in the study went into remission after finding the right medication.  That rose to about half of those studied when more participants switched to a different anti-depressant or combined drugs. 

 
Dr. Frederick Goodwin 
  
Psychiatrist³ Frederick Goodwin, a former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, says behavioral therapy can also help make a difference.

"If there are activities…if there are relationships, people, things that still give you pleasure, try to focus on those things.  If there are things that constantly remind you of defeat and frustration⁴, try to avoid those things.  Sometimes these relatively⁵ straightforward⁶ simple sounding things can be the beginning of pulling yourself out of it," said Doctor Goodwin.

When VOA met Clarence Beckett, he was homeless, but he was fortunate in one sense because he had medical attention. The World Health Organization says fewer than 25 percent of those with depression have access to treatment.

The researchers of the depression study acknowledge their findings were done under ideal conditions with careful monitoring of patients.  But they worry that many others suffering from depression might not be as persistent⁷ with their medical care and give up too soon.

1 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

2 stigma   

n.耻辱，污名；(花的)柱头

参考例句：

• Being an unmarried mother used to carry a social stigma.做未婚母亲在社会上曾是不光彩的事。
• The stigma of losing weighed heavily on the team.失败的耻辱让整个队伍压力沉重。

3 psychiatrist   

n.精神病专家；精神病医师

参考例句：

• He went to a psychiatrist about his compulsive gambling.他去看精神科医生治疗不能自拔的赌瘾。
• The psychiatrist corrected him gently.精神病医师彬彬有礼地纠正他。

4 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

5 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

6 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

7 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。