Dr. Peter M. Lake:
Dr. Lisa's Interview

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, July 23 and November 12, 2005
Show 219

"It's difficult to tell the difference between normal mood swings and depression," says Dr. Lisa.

"There are three components of a person's world – work or school, friends and home. If an adolescent is struggling with two out of three areas, it's serious. If they are struggling with all three, it's nearly a psychological emergency," says Dr. Peter M. Lake, Medical Director at Rogers Memorial.

"Depression can be stigmatizing. Many people don't want to hear this diagnosis," says Dr. Lisa.

"The public health emergency in kids isn't being seen. We need to knock down some of the stigma to child psychiatry. Treating depression with medication alone is not enough. It's only partial treatment. Other growth and development issues need to be looked at. Therapy is very important. Adolescents need teaching, counseling and mentoring. Depression is an illness and research is making advances in diagnosis. Successful treatment needs to involve the whole family," says Dr. Peter Lake.