Dr. Marin Garza

"Because of the cultural beliefs in the Valley, no one wants to see a psychiatrist or be labeled as having a mental illness," said Dr. Marin Garza, interim medical director of the Tropical Texas Center for Mental Health and Mental Retardation."They see depression as a weakness in character, something they should just ‘get over.'"

But, Garza said, depression is not a weakness in character.It is an illness caused by an imbalance in the brain's chemistry.

"We really need to get the word out there that this is something that can be successfully treated," he said."And that people should not be ashamed to talk about it."

Experts say some of the symptoms to look for include a persistent sad or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness, a change in appetite or sleeping patterns, loss of interest in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, loss of libido, decreased energy, fatigue, suicidal thoughts and difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.

"Paula," a 41-year-old McAllen woman who didn't want to use her real name, was diagnosed with severe depression when she was 32.

...
Garza said if people recognize these symptoms in themselves or in a friend or loved one, it is important to get help as soon as possible.Left untreated, depression can worsen and lead to suicide.

It took four years for Paula to recover with the help of an antidepressant and antipsychotic medication, and she has had no relapses so far.

Paula said it is uncommon to make a full recovery from severe depression.She is using her experience to reach out to others who are suffering.

"I went through this and I think I came out a better person," she said."Before, I was super aggressive and career-driven.I found my faults and learned a lot about myself."

But, Garza, who has spent 26 years as a family practitioner, said symptoms of depression can also manifest themselves physically.Someone complaining of chronic headaches, pain or digestive disorders, may actually be suffering from depression.

"Many people in the Valley will come to me and say ‘Oh, my neck hurts or I have this headache that won't go away,'" he said."If a patient comes to me presenting various aches and pains, I know right away to look at depression as a possible cause."

Those who have suffered from depression say it is an isolating and debilitating illness.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.8 million American adults - 9.5 percent of those age 18 and older - will experience a depressive episode in a given year.

...
That's a saying many people know," Garza said.

"Men choose much more violent means of committing suicide, such as shooting or hanging themselves," Garza said."On the other hand, women will usually take pills or try to slit their wrists and are more likely to survive."

...
Garza, who has been with MHMR for 11 years, said that it is now widely understood within the medical community that depression is caused by an imbalance of the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and that there is a genetic component to the disease.

"We used to think that something bad happened to someone that causes depression," he said."But, within the past 10 years, we've learned more about depression and understand that it is physically based with a genetic component."

While depression can be brought on by a traumatic event in one's life, such as the death of a loved one, family problems or divorce, most people can bounce back from these difficult times by themselves.

However, those who are predisposed genetically to clinical depression because of a chemical imbalance will not be able to recover without medical intervention.

...
Garza said women with a family history of depression, who have a history of early parental loss, who do not have a solid support system of friends and family and who have recently experienced a traumatic event are more likely to suffer from clinical depression.

"The key is that the person has had at least two depressive episodes that persist for at least two weeks," Garza said."That person should get help from a physician or local mental health clinic."

The brain contains billions of cells, or neurons, that must communicate with each other to maintain bodily functions.

Communication between neurons is created and controlled by various kinds of chemicals called neurotransmitters.

...
Garza said that since Prozac went on the market in the early 1990s, more people have been treated for their depression.SSRIs have fewer side effects than the older tricyclic antidepressants.

As a result of more people being treated for their depression, some of the stigma from the illness has worn off.

"Now we see commercials on TV all day for antidepressants," he said."It's becoming something that people are becoming less afraid to talk about, but they still need to know what symptoms to watch for."

"Because of the cultural beliefs in the Valley, no one wants to see a psychiatrist or be labeled as having a mental illness," said Dr. Marin Garza, interim medical director of the Tropical Texas Center for Mental Health and Mental Retardation."They see depression as a weakness in character, something they should just ‘get over.'"

But, Garza said, depression is not a weakness in character.It is an illness caused by an imbalance in the brain's chemistry.

"We really need to get the word out there that this is something that can be successfully treated," he said."And that people should not be ashamed to talk about it."

Experts say some of the symptoms to look for include a persistent sad or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness, a change in appetite or sleeping patterns, loss of interest in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, loss of libido, decreased energy, fatigue, suicidal thoughts and difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.

"Paula," a 41-year-old McAllen woman who didn't want to use her real name, was diagnosed with severe depression when she was 32.

...
Garza said if people recognize these symptoms in themselves or in a friend or loved one, it is important to get help as soon as possible.Left untreated, depression can worsen and lead to suicide.

It took four years for Paula to recover with the help of an antidepressant and antipsychotic medication, and she has had no relapses so far.

Paula said it is uncommon to make a full recovery from her severe depression, but is using her experience to reach out to others who are suffering.

"I went through this and I think I came out a better person," she said."Before, I was super aggressive and career-driven.I found my faults and learned a lot about myself."

But, Garza, who has spent 26 years as a family practitioner, said symptoms of depression can also manifest themselves physically.Someone complaining of chronic headaches, pain or digestive disorders, may actually be suffering from depression.

"Many people in the Valley will come to me and say ‘Oh, my neck hurts or I have this headache that won't go away,'" he said."If a patient comes to me presenting various aches and pains, I know right away to look at depression as a possible cause."

Those who have suffered from depression say it is an isolating and debilitating illness.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.8 million American adults - 9.5 percent of those age 18 and older - will experience a depressive episode in a given year.Depression has become the most common of the four major mental illnesses in the United States, followed by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

...
That's a saying many people know," Garza said.

"Men choose much more violent means of committing suicide, such as shooting or hanging themselves," Garza said."On the other hand, women will usually take pills or try to slit their wrists and are more likely to survive."

...
Garza, who has been with MHMR for 11 years, said that it is now widely understood within the medical community that depression is caused by an imbalance of the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and that there is a genetic component to the disease.

"We used to think that something bad happened to someone that causes depression," he said."But, within the past 10 years, we've learned more about depression and understand that it is physically based with a genetic component."

While depression can be brought on by a traumatic event in one's life, such as the death of a loved one, family problems or divorce, most people can bounce back from these difficult times by themselves.

However, those who are predisposed genetically to clinical depression because of a chemical imbalance will not be able to recover without medical intervention.

...
Garza said women with a family history of depression, who have a history of early parental loss, who do not have a solid support system of friends and family and who have recently experienced a traumatic event are more likely to suffer from clinical depression.

"The key is that the person has had at least two depressive episodes that persist for at least two weeks," Garza said."That person should get help from a physician or local mental health clinic."

The brain contains billions of cells, or neurons, that must communicate with each other to maintain bodily functions.Communication between neurons is created and controlled by various kinds of chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Serotonin, dopanine and norepinephrine are types of neurotransmitters.
...
Garza said that since Prozac went on the market in the early 1990s, more people have been treated for their depression.SSRIs have fewer side effects than the older tricyclic antidepressants.

As a result of more people being treated for their depression, some of the stigma from the illness has worn off.

"Now we see commercials on TV all day for antidepressants," he said."It's becoming something that people are becoming less afraid to talk about, but they still need to know what symptoms to watch for."

MARIN GARZA, M.D.

Dr. Marin Garza es el Director Médico del Centro Tropical de Texas para el MHMR.El obtuvo su título en Farmacia en 1969 de la Universidad de Texas de Austin y su M.D. de la Universidad de San Diego.El tiene experiencia en el área de abuso de sustancias siendo miembro del Consejo de PDAP y en su trabajo como medico de TTCMHMR.El apoya los esfuerzos legislativos, familiares, de consumidores, y de educación pública.El aboga para incluir un centro de desintoxicación que cuente con un sistema de post-cuidado que incluya educación familiar.El busca en disminuir las barreras al servicio.

MARIN GARZA, M.D.

Dr. Marin Garza is Medical Director for Tropical Texas Center for MHMR.He received his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1969 from U.T. Austin and his M.D. in 1975 from U.C. San Diego.He has prior experience in the field of substance abuse as a previous Board member of PDAP and in his work with dual-diagnosis at TTCMHMR.He supports legislative, family, consumer, and public education efforts.He is an advocate for a detoxification center with an aftercare system that includes family education.He looks forward to decreasing barriers to service.