minister.

minister.

Dr. Young notes that there is definitely more depression in the winter in northern climes. “It is not just that it is dark and gloomy, but that you can’t get around as much. People become more isolated.”

Alcohol abuse may be associated with depression. “Alcohol is easily accessible and is an apparent solution to all kinds of stress and depression,” Dr. Young said. He noted that there are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every night somewhere in the county or in nearby-localities and that the area’s churches should have these schedules.

Dr. Young also pointed out that the holiday season that begins with Thanksgiving can be an emotionally trying time for many, particularly those who are “re-experiencing losses of a dear one.”

“It 4s supposed to be a time of family togetherness and looking forward to the New Year. Instead, you might hear ‘I sure miss Mother’ or ‘I wish Harry were here’,” said Dr. Young. It is also a difficult time for people who are not living alone by choice.

To break the holiday blahs, Dr. Young recommends going out for anevening, to break the monotony, or having somebody over for dinner. “Try to get out, get some exercise,” he adds.

Do people tend toVget more illnesses in the winter because they are depressed, or are people depressed because thpy tend to be sicker? “It’s the phicken and the egg,” Dr. Young replied.

AMA seeks to \

support bill

Virginia’s delegat es to the American Medical Associs tion’s House of Delegates have proposed that the AMA work for a Ml recently introduced by Congressman French "Slaughter, whiehjfe designed to remedy financial pfomems developing in the Medicare program and to assure good health care for the elderly. Slaughter reported, “The AMA delegates from Virginia have informed their national policy organization that my bill (the Health Care Savings Account Act) represents a novel approach to the funding of health care for the elderly.”