2007年VOA标准英语-Depression May Be Over-Diagnosed

By Melinda Smith
Washington
12 April 2007
 
Watch report on Depression

The World Health Organization estimates at least 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression.  Now researchers with the American Psychiatric Association have found that many Americans who are diagnosed with depression may not be clinically depressed¹ after all, but simply experiencing normal emotional reactions.  VOA's Melinda Smith reports on why many psychiatrists² may need to revise their diagnoses. Carol Pearson narrates³ the video.

The study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry⁴ surprised researchers.  They now believe that at least 25 percent of Americans diagnosed with depression may simply be experiencing normal grief. 

 
Dr. Michael First
Mourning the loss of a loved one -- or the loss of a job -- can trigger sadness or depression.

Dr. Michael First of Columbia University in New York explains. "It's normal to be sad after a spouse⁵ dies.  We're arguing that it is also normal to be sad after another terrible thing happens, like you lose your job or you get divorced," he explains.

More than 8,000 Americans participated in the study. Researchers found that one in four people reacted normally to a personal loss that would make anyone sad.

The study raises concerns:  if some patients have been misdiagnosed, have they also been given the wrong treatment, like Kathy Anderson, who went into mental health counseling after she lost a son?

 
She now reaches out to others whom she believes are too quickly diagnosed as ‘clinically depressed.’ "I think it is such a prevalent term that it is almost expected that we be depressed."

Psychiatrists and psychologists use a common checklist of patients' symptoms when making a diagnosis⁶ of depression:

· Persistent⁷ feelings of sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness
· Loss of interest or pleasure in enjoyable activities
· Difficulty sleeping and making decisions
· Loss of appetite or overeating
· Thoughts of death or suicide

Researchers are saying doctors should pay more attention to the reasons behind the grief, and realize that no medication is 100 percent safe. 

Of even greater concern for some is that pharmaceutical⁸ companies fund many of the studies on depression and could influence diagnoses and treatments.

1 depressed   

adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的

参考例句：

• When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
• His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

2 psychiatrists   

n.精神病专家，精神病医生( psychiatrist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They are psychiatrists in good standing. 他们是合格的精神病医生。 来自辞典例句
• Some psychiatrists have patients who grow almost alarmed at how congenial they suddenly feel. 有些精神分析学家发现，他们的某些病人在突然感到惬意的时候几乎会兴奋起来。 来自名作英译部分

3 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

4 psychiatry   

n.精神病学，精神病疗法

参考例句：

• The study appeared in the Amercian science Journal of Psychiatry.这个研究发表在美国精神病学的杂志上。
• A physician is someone who specializes in psychiatry.精神病专家是专门从事精神病治疗的人。

5 spouse   

n.配偶(指夫或妻)

参考例句：

• Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday.她的丈夫星期天要来看她。
• What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?在婚姻中保持配偶幸福的最好方法是什么？

6 diagnosis   

n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断

参考例句：

• His symptoms gave no obvious pointer to a possible diagnosis.他的症状无法作出明确的诊断。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做一次彻底的调查分析。

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。

8 pharmaceutical   

adj.药学的，药物的；药用的，药剂师的

参考例句：

• She has donated money to establish a pharmaceutical laboratory.她捐款成立了一个药剂实验室。
• We are engaged in a legal tussle with a large pharmaceutical company.我们正同一家大制药公司闹法律纠纷。