Depression Toolkit
Online Toolkit to Help Patients Manage Their Illness
The
internet has led a powerful new movement—the concept of self-management
to aid treatment of medical conditions. Individuals and caregivers
now routinely seek illness and treatment options via web communications.
Some such information is priceless; other components are worthless or even
dangerous. This recognition led Depression Center faculty and staff to
create a new Depression and Bipolar Toolkit (www.depressiontoolkit.org). This
toolkit offers a comprehensive and reliable patient guide to diagnosis,
treatment and recovery. It was made possible by a generous gift from the
Ravitz Foundation, and additional support from the Depression Center Community
Volunteers and the FRIENDS of the University of Michigan Hospital and Health
system. We now introduce it to you and request your guidance and input
in improving it. Our overall goal is to encourage patients and family members
to take an active role in improving management of their care.
The toolkit covers an array of important topics for those who are newly diagnosed, patients already going through treatment, family members and caregivers, and those who just want to better understand depressive and bipolar illnesses. In addition, a wide variety of “tools” are made available to download and use. Here is a glimpse into the main areas of the site:
Learn about your diagnosis contains information on the different types of illnesses that impact brain health, including depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. It provides a place to learn more about related conditions such as anxiety, pain and sleep disorders, and how to recognize when more than one diagnosis may be present.
Know your treatment options presents the most common approaches to treating depression. This section familiarizes patients, families and care givers with the wide array of options available, and how combinations of approaches are often used to help get patients well.
Take care of yourself details what an individual can do for him or herself to participate actively in their care and recovery. Depression, like diabetes or asthma, is a chronic condition that must be managed on a daily basis. This section offers practical suggestions on steps to take to manage day-to-day challenges.
Talk about it offers suggestions on how to talk to others about depression, when to share, and when to consider not sharing. The tools provided in this section offer ways to approach those conversations.
Rise above it all contains information on how to overcome the stigma of depression, accept a diagnosis, and cope with those who may not understand. This section includes inspiring stories from patients about how facing their illness actually opened doors to new understanding and fuller, more satisfying lives.
