Therapy that can lift your mood (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Therapy that can lift your mood

8:43am Tuesday 4th November 2008 in Questions & Answers By Dr Tom Smith

Q: I have had depression, on and off, since my teens. Most of the time I’ve had to take pills for it. Now I’ve been asked to try cognitive behaviour therapy. Is this just mumbo jumbo, or does it work? And do I have to come off my pills? I’m scared to do that, as I really depend on them.

A: Cognitive behaviour therapy is not mumbo jumbo. It is a well-proven method of improving depression. It involves changing your behaviour and your attitudes to your illness, and needs regular meetings with a skilled psychiatric team. It is good that you have been offered it. As it affects a different part of the brain from the areas affected by anti-depressant tablets you must keep on with your other treatment – do not stop your pills.

Q: My wife had breast cancer four years ago. She has been told there is no sign of the disease now. We would like a family, but don’t want to put her at risk. Could pregnancy start up the cancer again?

A: Until recently, women who have had breast cancer have been advised not to become pregnant, because of fears like yours. However, a study of breast cancer survivors aged 22 to 35 found that those who became pregnant had fewer than half the recurrent cancers than those who did not. It may be that the women who became pregnant had the best outlook, anyway, but the study certainly suggests that becoming pregnant after breast cancer doesn’t impose an extra risk. Do talk this over with her specialist.

Q: My neighbour has seen two doctors in the last five days. One said she had lumbago, the other said sciatica. She has arthritis and has awful pain but these last days it’s been hell. She has painkillers but no joy. She cannot sleep or sit and does not know where to put herself. We’ve tried hot water bottles, rubbing ointments, but it seems worse. I think it is a nerve complaint as when she touches the floor the pain in her hip is awful. Any ideas?

A: More than 95 per cent of all back pain is caused by spasm in back muscles because of a postural problem or a muscle strain or sprain. So most back pain is helped a lot by stretching and relaxing the affected muscles. However, as your neighbour also has arthritis, that may be difficult for her to do. As the pain is severe and is not responding to the usual treatments, she should go back to her doctor and explain that she is no better. She may then be referred to a back specialist or a physiotherapist – but she may also need a thorough examination and tests to make sure that there is no internal cause for the pain. Just taking or rubbing on more painkillers is unlikely to be the answer.