- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Dr. Gabrielle Melin, board certified in general psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, is looking for ways to empower patients and families dealing with chronic mental illness. She encourages patients to commit to working together with their physicians and health care teams.
Dr. Melin completed medical school at the University of Minnesota. She completed both her psychiatry residency and consultation-liaison fellowship at Mayo Clinic before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 2001. She is medical director of Mayo Clinic Psychiatry Emergency Services in Rochester, Minn. She has special interests in emergency psychiatry, adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.
"Instilling hope is one of the most important things we can do for patients and families. Mental illness can be chronic and significantly impacts lives. Our goal is to provide the best treatment and education so that patients can manage their symptoms more effectively," she said.
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Depression blog
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April 16, 2008
Welcome to our new depression blog
By Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Welcome to our depression blog.
| Need more help? |
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I think it is important to know that depression is treatable. There is hope and medicine is making tremendous strides in understanding depression and how to best treat it. Depression can erode one's sense of self, self-esteem and self-confidence.
People describe not having the same zest for living that they normally do. Characteristic signs and symptoms that can accompany depression include depressed mood, decreased interest in pleasurable activities, sleep, energy, and appetite disturbance, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness.
Thoughts of suicide also may accompany depression. Talking about suicide does not mean that one will act on the thoughts. It is imperative to ask for help so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. Use resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Be active in your treatment and make sure you're well-informed about your illness. Learning what steps you can take to manage your depression is empowering!
My hope is that the stories you share will help both yourself and others. Depression can feel like an ongoing battle at times. Instead, let's reframe depression as a chronic illness like diabetes or chronic pain. We don't have a cure, but there are tools that help you to manage depression effectively. You don't have to do it alone. Thanks, and I look forward to your comments.
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