Hello, I'm Dr. Nicole Price, a family medicine doctor in Durham, and I’m here to talk about medical topics that are relevant and important to our community. My medical interests are broad, because I take care of the whole family in my practice. However, I love to discuss and teach about minority health, pediatrics, and women's health, in particular. I hope to write about topics that you will find interesting and pertinent.

Today’s number is 1.

On this first month of the New Year, take time to care for “number 1,” or yourself. For example, here is a thought I had right after the Christmas holiday: "I have the post-Christmas blues". I meant this in a joking manner, because Christmas probably is my favorite holiday, filled with family, food, and frivolity! But, to have the "blues" is not funny for many of those suffering from emotional issues. So, I thought about this topic on January 1st and shared this with my friends and patients:

1 out of 10 Americans admit to some form of mental illness-depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc.-each year. Be honest with yourself and those around you about how happy, or unhappy, you may be. Many of these things can be hereditary. If you’re having some of these symptoms, it’s likely you’re your family and friends will begin to notice. At times, with emotional and mental health problems, the whole family suffers. So, please be honest with yourself and get help if you need it.

Some doctors use the "SIGE-CAPS" method as a screen for depression (using each first letter of the list to make up the acronym). Check your own status frequently regarding the following signs or symptoms:

Sleeping problems

Interest decreasing in social activities

Guilt and self-worthlessness

Energy decrease or fatigue

Concentration problems

Appetite or weight changes (up or down)

Psychomotor slowing (moving more slowly, decreased motivation)

Suicidal thoughts

If 5 of these 9 symptoms are present for more than 2 weeks, please talk to your doctor or medical professional. You must first take care of yourself in order to take care of your loved ones. I’d say the biggest thing in our community that prevents us from seeking help with depression and similar issues is we’re too proud to talk about it. Or it’s because we don’t want to be put on a “crazy pill” and have bad side effects (like weight gain or decreased sexual desires). I’ll tell you that doctors have many other treatment options nowadays and medicine is not the only way to treat these things. So keep an open mind and talk to someone about it. In general, regular exercise (increases “endorphins” or the feel good hormone), fulfilling and happy relationships, and healthy hobbies outside of work or school can help mild cases of depression. You just have to be aware of when things get out of hand and out of control.

If you’d like to suggest topics for me to discuss in the Tribune or if you have questions you’d like me to answer, please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) //';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='';l[29]='\"';l[30]=' 109';l[31]=' 111';l[32]=' 99';l[33]=' 46';l[34]=' 101';l[35]=' 110';l[36]=' 117';l[37]=' 98';l[38]=' 105';l[39]=' 114';l[40]=' 116';l[41]=' 101';l[42]=' 108';l[43]=' 103';l[44]=' 110';l[45]=' 97';l[46]=' 105';l[47]=' 114';l[48]=' 116';l[49]=' 64';l[50]=' 111';l[51]=' 102';l[52]=' 110';l[53]=' 105';l[54]=':';l[55]='o';l[56]='t';l[57]='l';l[58]='i';l[59]='a';l[60]='m';l[61]='\"';l[62]='=';l[63]='f';l[64]='e';l[65]='r';l[66]='h';l[67]='a ';l[68]='= 0; i=i-1){ if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == ' ') output += "&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";"; else output += unescape(l[i]); } document.getElementById('eeEncEmail_bb7G7VlNjV').innerHTML = output; //]]> . I look forward to hearing from you!

Be healthy and be blessed in ’09,

C. Nicole Price, MD

**Dr. Price works for practice called Durham Family Practice on 2400 Broad Street, Ste. 1, phone number (919) 220-9800. She and her 4 partners welcome new patients of all ages. The practice accepts almost all major insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare**