Medical Illness Stressors
Story of Medical Illness
I was diagnosed with scoliosis in the seventh grade. At first, it didn't bother me to have a curved spine; no one even knew except for my family. I was fitted for a back brace that I had to wear 23 hours a day. I hated every minute of it and was so embarrassed that I covered it up with baggy clothes. I stayed away from school dances and social events where kids could easily find out I was wearing a brace. I felt so ugly and deformed. I didn't know it then, but my illness caused me to be very depressed. I would cry myself to sleep every night, praying that I wouldn't have to wear the brace anymore. I never really told my parents how I felt about the brace and just tried to be positive. I ended up wearing the brace for two and a half years before I had a spinal fusion.
My depressed feelings didn't go away after having the spinal fusion. Instead of being embarrassed about the brace, I was embarrassed about my foot long scar. I also had a lot of medical complications from the surgery and was in a lot of pain. I then had to deal with physical pain as well as the emotional pain. I didn't want to tell my parents because they suffered a lot through my surgery and I didn't want to cause them anymore grief. I couldn't hide it, though. They could see that I was losing weight, becoming more irritable and had no energy. My mom took me to the doctor and a therapist who treated me for depression. I began to feel a little better within a few weeks on the medication. After some time in therapy, the doctor took me off the medication, and I was able to cope with my problems on my own.
Medical Illness Stressors
Although psychological complications of chronic illness in adolescence sometimes occur, any sudden or chronic illness or traumatic injury can contribute to depression. Also, certain medications may contribute to depression. For example, Accutane, a medication prescribed for acne, has been associated with depression and suicide and has a warning label that accompanies the medication when dispensed. Physical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, and anemia can also contribute to depression.
