Depression is a potentially deadly disease but we can fight against it

Life is full of ironies. Three years ago, when comedian Robin Williams hanged himself to end his suffering from drug addiction and chronic depression, everyone got the shock of their lives.  It was but a tragic way to bid his life goodbye. Despite of the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, Williams, who had rose to fame by making people laugh on his films chose to end his life by putting off his "jolly" mask and showing everyone his true emotions. This reminds me of Britney Spears' song entitled "Lucky". The said song rings true to Williams' life, it clearly states that despite the Hollywood fame, there's something missing in his life. Once the spotlights went off, he'd find himself alone and lonely. When he's all by himself, that's when depression creeps into him. 

"The truth shouts: No one is spared from depression."

Depression, a frequently misunderstood illness, seems to get media attention only when it's associated with a celebrity's death by suicide, or a celebrity makes controversial remarks about it. 

In the Philippines, depression was on the news because of now controversial remarks by comedian, TV host, and actor Joey De Leon. The veteran comedian gave such an insensitive remark that irked the public. He said: "Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila." (Depression is something people make up. Something they do to themselves.) De Leon has since issued a public apology, explaining that he had wrong ideas about depression and that he was sorry for trivializing the pain of those suffering from it. 

There will really be times when we'd feel that the world will crumble before us. Personally speaking, I've had the worst time this year after having gone through a narcissistic relationship with my ex. So it's understandably so that for quite sometime, I really went through depression because at the time I really thought everything was my fault. I felt so worthless after i was devalued and then eventually discarded by him. But clinging on to God's promises, I know all these things shall pass. If it's not okay today, it's not yet the end. Eight months had passed since he left me hanging and totally left me as he blocked me off his life. I thank God for giving me the strength to carry on and I thank my family, my friends, and fellow bloggers for all the help and inspiration. It's true that there are still times when I feel sorry for myself, but still I am blessed to have been alive and enjoy the company of my loved ones. 

According to ManilaMed psychiatirst Tomas Bautista, MD, it's not surprising for someone like Joey De Leon to make incorrect, or even insensitive statements about depression, which is still a widely misunderstood and even stigmatized disease.

“It’s a wake-up call. Persons like Joey de leon, whom we thought ay educated, ay wala palang alam sa depression. That’s one. Two, kasalanan ba ni Joey yun? E hindi naman niya specialty ang psychiatry.

“So for his part, wag na sana siyang makialam sa mga bagay na hindi naman siya ang expert. Ayoko siyang i-bash. Kung tingin nya na-hurt niya ang mga depressed na tao then humingi siya ng tawad. Para naman sa akin, wake-up call talaga yun for everybody,” said Dr. Bautista. 

What depression means?

Dr. Bautista clarified that the word “depression” means two things. Usually, like Joey De Leon, many people think depression refers to the low, bad feeling we get when we go through loss, defeat, or feel frustration; the pain of separation, or loneliness.

In that sense, every person can get depression.  This type of depression can get really intense for example, when a loved one dies and a person grieves.

“ Pag nonpathological na depression, yes. Kasi ang depression is like you become depressed because you didn’t get what you want. Something happened that you didn’t expect. You lost somebody. May stages naman ang grieving, diba? End part ng grieving is depression and then acceptance na,” said Dr. Bautista.

This type of depression, no matter how intense or painful, eventually passes. It goes away, the person goes back to normal and moves on with his or her life.

This is not the case with pathological depression, which is not simply a bad feeling but an illness in the brain.  It can last weeks, months, years, or even a lifetime. If untreated, there is an increased likelihood that the depressed person may commit suicide.

HIV/AIDS amongst the Youth: An Alarming Reality and What We Can Do About It?

Purple Plum Fairy recently attended a round-table discussion on HIV and AIDS held at the Manila Medical Center(ManilaMed) Hospital with no less than Dr. Rontegene Solante, Infectious Disease Specialist. This initiative from ManilaMed is with regards to the 2016 National Study on the State of HIV Epidemic. 

Dr. Solante with the members of the media and Purple Plum Fairy herself.

As one of the country’s leading hospitals, ManilaMed is taking the lead on the issue of urban health, seeing that there is a need to address it in the midst of rapid urbanization and gentrification. I was surprised to find out that HIV had not only become prevalent amongst adults but more so with the youngsters. Yes, you’re reading these facts correctly. The youth aged 15-24 accounted for all new HIV diagnoses according to Dr. Solante based on a recent study by the Department of Health. 

Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Manila Medical Hospital (ManilaMed)

According to Dr. Solante, most of those new diagnoses amongst the youth (roughly about 81%) occurred among gay and bisexual males. Most likely out of any age group will be linked to care and have a suppressed viral load (that is, having a very low level of the virus in the body, which helps the person stay healthy and greatly reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to others). Addressing HIV in youth requires that we give young people the information and tools they need to reduce their risk, make healthy decisions, and get treatment and care if needed.

Manila Medical Center’s Campaign against Breast Cancer: Fighting the Big C with Early Detection

Let's all fight against Breast Cancer! Have yourself checked!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Filipino women, with one in every thirteen women get diagnosed by the time they turn 40. It is also the leading cause of death among women worldwide and is the most prevalent in the Philippines. Statistics reveal that one of every four women diagnosed with breast cancer die within the first five years. 

Despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and management in recent decades, Filipino women are diagnosed each day and more will lose their lives to the said disease in the next couple of years. Raising awareness is an important part of reducing the impact of breast cancer on Filipino women and families. Manila Medical Center (Manila Med) acknowledges the need for early detection because this is the best way we could all fight against breast cancer. 

Unfortunately, like most Filipinos, we're the type who would only bother to visit the hospital and have ourselves checked if and when "may nararamdaman na." But most of the time, most of us would really avoid going to the hospital and seeing a physician. We fear of finding out that we're not in good health as we thought or we fear the expenses of having to undergo treatment. 

This entire month of October, Manila Medical Center invites all Filipino women to take time out to make sure family, friends and loved ones are well informed, and to ensure those affected know they are not alone in their breast cancer journey. Everyone should also take this opportunity to have their breast check-up for their own peace of mind. After all, early detection is the key against the Big C. Breast cancer awareness and early detection give women a higher chance of beating the disease. 

Dr. Dennis Sacdalan, Head Cancer Unit of Manila Medical Center

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a special time to acknowledge and support the many women and families across the country affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month originated in the United States back in the 80’s and the month of October is now internationally recognized for breast cancer awareness.

The pink ribbon connotes Breast Cancer Awareness

ManilaMed launches new State-of-the-Art Cancer Care Unit

ManilaMed lives up to their tagline: One care makes the difference!

When one member of the family has acquired the Big C, everyone in the family is affected. The mere mention of the word Cancer is enough to scare people. With the crucial times we now have where cancer cells become active more than ever, it’s even scarier to think how much we need to allot as saved money for our hospital confinement if we do not have health insurance. The good news is hope is still within reach. ManilaMed, one of the country’s leading hospitals, recently opened a newly constructed Cancer Care Center. They offer holistic cancer facility with state-of-the-art equipment as well as fresh approach in treating cancer patients. 

Purple Plum Fairy was invited during the press briefing at ManilaMed last month where the expert doctors discussed the future of cancer in the country. They also gave us a glimpse of the procedures for newly diagnosed admitted patients, the benefits of multi-disciplinary team approach for each cancer patient, the advancement and innovative technology for radiotherapy, the side-effects and complications that may arise using their Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment. 

Cancer Care Unit at the ManilaMed

The beds at the Cancer Care Unit