By Dra Maria Alice [email protected]
Dr Maria Alice is a consultant in General and Family Medicine and is director of Luzdoc International Medical Service in Praia da Luz, Lagos.
Don’t worry… about a thing,
Cause every little thing’s gonna be all right
Rise up this mornin’, smile with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds, pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, “This is my message to you”
I am certain that almost everyone knows this song. It is not a “by the book” Christmas song, but it could well be. Like many other Bob Marley songs, it has lyrics that fight depression, worries and tell us that we can reach genuine happiness, if we really pay attention and feel the “little things” that surround us – the warmth of the sun, the coziness of the fireplace when it is raining outside and, most of all, the real importance of companionship, friendship, the positive touch of another human being. And last but not least, do not forget the absolute “must” of putting things in perspective.
Financial depression and medical depression
The world is currently going through severe financial depression and consequently we are witnessing an increase, beyond what one would desire and consider possible, of cases of medical depression.
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical wellbeing.
Depressed mood is a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions and a feature of certain psychiatric syndromes.
You will undoubtedly need to see your doctor, so that the possibility of a physical or psychiatric medical condition is ruled out, but it helps to be positive about reality. I know it might be difficult, many times, like a titanic job, an effort to attain a target almost impossible to achieve, but we can try with a big help from our “friends”.
I am jumping to the Beatles now! Definitely, I am very musical tonight as I write this column. It is true, we will get by with a little help from our friends and … if we will get together, we will be all right!
When life is difficult for so many, we should not be negative about the little things we cannot have anymore, we should feel happy with the little but great things that are still free and easy to have.
Open your eyes and see the reality around you, see the real people and the real things that surround you. Find the possible alternative roads to a new way of life. They are there, you just have to actually look around and keep your head clear so that you can think properly.
Very important – get some friends to keep you company for the journey.
If this would be done, by the book, we doctors would have a lot less people in our offices complaining of depression and a lot less medicines would be prescribed. It would be cheaper, healthier and more productive.
Don’t worry, be happy
in every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double ‘cos when you worry, your face will frown, and that will bring everybody down, so don’t worry, be happy, put a smile on your face,
it will soon pass whatever it is,
don’t worry, be happy,
Let’s get together and we’ll feel all right.
This is another Bob Marley song and, in this difficult year of 2011, when the entire world is crying in deep suffering and the social and economic forecast for 2012 is tempestuous, I will use it as my Christmas and New Year’s message to all of you!
Best healthy wishes, Dr. Maria Alice Consultant in General and Family Medicine General Manager/Medical Director – Luzdoc International Medical Service Medical Director – Grupo Hospital Particular do Algarve
DON’T FORGET FREE DIABETIC SCREENING January 2012
Anyone interested should go to Luzdoc clinic in Luz, Lagos. Please ring for a date and time – 282 780700
