Depression is one of the most common psychological and emotional problems American adults encounter. A study reports that about 13 to 20 percent of American adults have some form of depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, many severe cases of depression can ultimately lead to suicide.
Are there any solutions and treatments available to stem this unfortunate tide? Fortunately, the answer to this is yes. Unfortunately again, many of these treatments involves a soup of medicines that may have some form or side effect. As we discussed previously psychotherapy is another solution that is gaining popularity due to the favorable results they have exhibited.
For some people, the question that remains is if there are any “natural” depression treatments available that do not involve some cocktail of hard-to-spell medications that can be taken as a preventive and beneficial alternative to mainstream treatments. The answer is yes. Although it is recommended that any form of depression should be consulted with a doctor let’s take a look at a list of natural supplements that may help alleviate symptoms of depression.
It Starts with the Diet
Depression can be treated with better nutrition. Studies have shown that such treatment not only has a beneficial effect on the person’s physical health, but also a favorable effect on the person’s mental and emotional health. This nutritional treatment includes modification of diet, vitamins and minerals, and the addition of some amino acid supplements.
The amino acid supplements are essential elements that are precursors to neurotransmitters. The amino acids D, L-pheylalanine and L-tyrosine are a viable alternative to antidepressant drugs.
A deficiency in vitamins and minerals in the body can also cause depression. If this condition is corrected, depression owing to this cause can be alleviated. Even if you are not sure if you lack vitamins and minerals, supplementing your diet with them will often improve symptoms related to depression and will contribute to better overall health.
Some Very Useful Herbs
The herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in an extracted standardized form is being used in Germany and other European countries to treat depression in its mild and moderate forms. It is also known to alleviate anxiety and sleep disorders.
This herb claims many benefits – among them are its anti-depressive and antiviral properties.
The Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) extract, while not a primary treatment for major cases of depression, is an excellent supplement to any depression-related syndrome. Studies are beginning to show that Ginkgo can be used to treat some forms of depression that are not responsive to antidepressant agents. In cases of resistant depression, Ginkgo Biloba is beginning to appear attractive to the medical world.
Cut Back on Those Soft Drinks
Many practitioners advocate a nutrition oriented approach to treating depression. They believe that the answer to the depression question can be found in the diet of a person. Studies show that a decrease in the intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates can produce relief from symptoms of depression.
This diet will entail cutting out sugary drinks, pasta, white bread, and other processed foods. For your carbohydrate needs, it would be better to stick to grains, whole wheat, and other natural plant based carbohydrates. Also, cutting down on these kinds of food can do wonders for one’s overall health.
This treatment is recommended for those who feel depressed and languid during the late hours of the morning and the afternoon. For these people, eating sugary foods will induce a temporary feeling of alleviation from depression. However, this is only for a few minutes, and the body automatically reverts to languid depression.
Depression is one serious disorder that should not be taken for granted. Some people will equate depression with other natural feelings such as anger, happiness, and sadness. However, depression is much more complicated than that. It is a disorder and an ailment that can be treated by natural or medical means. It would do well to consult your doctor for more information on dealing with depression.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Dealing with Depression
Dealing with Depression
People often speak of feeling “depressed.” Indeed, it is normal to feel occasional sadness due to life’s disappointments. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is very different from those occasions when we experience sadness or despair. Clinical depression is a serious illness caused by a brain disorder and its effects on the individual’s ability to function in everyday situations is profound. The condition could affect moods, thoughts, behaviors, and physical well-being.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression strikes about 17 million American adults every year. This is even more than the number of cases related to cancer, AIDS, or coronary heart disease. What makes it even worse is that an estimated 15 percent of people suffering from depression end in suicide.
Dealing with depression may seem like a daunting task. Some people don’t even understand the real nature of the illness.
“A lot of people still believe that depression is a character flaw or caused by bad parenting,” says Mary Rappaport, a spokeswoman for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
It should be noted that dealing with depression does not merely involve willpower. It requires proper medical attention.
The good news is that depression is treatable. In fact, one of the first steps of dealing with depression consists of using either of the two major treatment options available – medication or therapy.
But first, an accurate diagnosis must be obtained before one can go ahead with dealing with depression. When diagnosing and dealing with depression, it is important to note that that there are three main categories of the condition. These are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar depression (otherwise known as manic depression).
The symptoms for each category of depression can vary, depending on the individual. And there are several factors that serve to increase the risk of depression. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the following are the common symptoms of depression as listed in the DSM-IV:
* Depressed mood
* Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
* Changes in appetite or weight
* Disturbed sleeping patterns
* Slowed or restless movements
* Fatigue, loss of energy
* Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
* Trouble in thinking, concentrating or making decisions
* Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Antidepressant drugs are often prescribed as a step in dealing with depression. These drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, work by altering certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin. This results in improved symptoms of depression and can help in dealing with depression.
Alternatively, persons suffering from severe depressive episodes may not be responsive to medications alone. In order to provide long term relief, psychotherapy is needed.
People often speak of feeling “depressed.” Indeed, it is normal to feel occasional sadness due to life’s disappointments. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is very different from those occasions when we experience sadness or despair. Clinical depression is a serious illness caused by a brain disorder and its effects on the individual’s ability to function in everyday situations is profound. The condition could affect moods, thoughts, behaviors, and physical well-being.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression strikes about 17 million American adults every year. This is even more than the number of cases related to cancer, AIDS, or coronary heart disease. What makes it even worse is that an estimated 15 percent of people suffering from depression end in suicide.
Dealing with depression may seem like a daunting task. Some people don’t even understand the real nature of the illness.
“A lot of people still believe that depression is a character flaw or caused by bad parenting,” says Mary Rappaport, a spokeswoman for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
It should be noted that dealing with depression does not merely involve willpower. It requires proper medical attention.
The good news is that depression is treatable. In fact, one of the first steps of dealing with depression consists of using either of the two major treatment options available – medication or therapy.
But first, an accurate diagnosis must be obtained before one can go ahead with dealing with depression. When diagnosing and dealing with depression, it is important to note that that there are three main categories of the condition. These are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar depression (otherwise known as manic depression).
The symptoms for each category of depression can vary, depending on the individual. And there are several factors that serve to increase the risk of depression. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the following are the common symptoms of depression as listed in the DSM-IV:
* Depressed mood
* Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
* Changes in appetite or weight
* Disturbed sleeping patterns
* Slowed or restless movements
* Fatigue, loss of energy
* Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
* Trouble in thinking, concentrating or making decisions
* Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Antidepressant drugs are often prescribed as a step in dealing with depression. These drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, work by altering certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin. This results in improved symptoms of depression and can help in dealing with depression.
Alternatively, persons suffering from severe depressive episodes may not be responsive to medications alone. In order to provide long term relief, psychotherapy is needed.
Depression During Pregnancy
Depression During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting period in most women’s life where many obvious changes occur everyday throughout the entire pregnancy, like the bulging of tummy and those that only pregnant women feel, depression included. The overwhelming feeling of an infant growing in pregnancy is a huge source of happiness and anticipation to most women. But for a few, that particular feeling could be a source of certain type of depression.
Depression during pregnancy is a subject that is not commonly discussed. Although pregnancy depression can be triggered by pregnancy itself, it can be a previous condition of other forms of depression. This is why depression during pregnancy should be given immediate attention.
It has been known that hormones of pregnant women are raging throughout pregnancy causing mood swings and the tendency to cry easily. Serious feelings of being down should never be taken lightly. It is important that pregnant women be open about their feelings to their partners and doctors. Previous miscarriage, fertility treatments, family history of depression, and stressful events are some of the risk factors of depression during pregnancy.
If you feel depression during pregnancy, refer to the following symptoms to see if you have one or more to confirm:
* Continuous feeling of sadness that you can’t easily shake out
* Have trouble going to sleep
* Loss of interest on things you once enjoy doing
* Always feeling tired
* Negative thoughts of causing harm to yourself and/or to others
Always remember that the above mentioned symptoms of possible depression during pregnancy could be a normal phase of being pregnant. However, if what you’re feeling becomes overwhelming, it could mean a more serious condition. Therefore, seeing your doctor will be a good idea even if it was just a suspicion in the first place.
Even if it is still mild, depression during pregnancy can be prevented such as talking to your partner and/or your doctor. Exercising regularly with close supervision of your doctor plus a healthy eating habit has a great effect in keeping you healthy all the time. Lastly, have as much time as possible to relax and get errand assistance from your family or friends, and most importantly keep a positive thinking, are some of the things that can greatly help you avoid depression during pregnancy. Keep in mind that your health and the health of the tiny little angel inside you is a real blessing not every woman has the opportunity of having, are the most important of all.
Pregnancy is an exciting period in most women’s life where many obvious changes occur everyday throughout the entire pregnancy, like the bulging of tummy and those that only pregnant women feel, depression included. The overwhelming feeling of an infant growing in pregnancy is a huge source of happiness and anticipation to most women. But for a few, that particular feeling could be a source of certain type of depression.
Depression during pregnancy is a subject that is not commonly discussed. Although pregnancy depression can be triggered by pregnancy itself, it can be a previous condition of other forms of depression. This is why depression during pregnancy should be given immediate attention.
It has been known that hormones of pregnant women are raging throughout pregnancy causing mood swings and the tendency to cry easily. Serious feelings of being down should never be taken lightly. It is important that pregnant women be open about their feelings to their partners and doctors. Previous miscarriage, fertility treatments, family history of depression, and stressful events are some of the risk factors of depression during pregnancy.
If you feel depression during pregnancy, refer to the following symptoms to see if you have one or more to confirm:
* Continuous feeling of sadness that you can’t easily shake out
* Have trouble going to sleep
* Loss of interest on things you once enjoy doing
* Always feeling tired
* Negative thoughts of causing harm to yourself and/or to others
Always remember that the above mentioned symptoms of possible depression during pregnancy could be a normal phase of being pregnant. However, if what you’re feeling becomes overwhelming, it could mean a more serious condition. Therefore, seeing your doctor will be a good idea even if it was just a suspicion in the first place.
Even if it is still mild, depression during pregnancy can be prevented such as talking to your partner and/or your doctor. Exercising regularly with close supervision of your doctor plus a healthy eating habit has a great effect in keeping you healthy all the time. Lastly, have as much time as possible to relax and get errand assistance from your family or friends, and most importantly keep a positive thinking, are some of the things that can greatly help you avoid depression during pregnancy. Keep in mind that your health and the health of the tiny little angel inside you is a real blessing not every woman has the opportunity of having, are the most important of all.
Clinical Depression Symptoms
Clinical Depression Symptoms
Depression is a mood disorder that manipulates every portion of daily life. The illness affects all sectors of the populace in each socio-economic group, from children, adults, and the elderly. This overwhelming disease controls the mind, behavior, body, emotional state, and can even conclude the ability to maintain relationships. Clinical depression is a medical finding and is different from everyday connotation of “being depressed”.
According to the DSM-IV-TR criterion for diagnosing a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, two elements must be present, and that is depressed mood or anhedonia. It is satisfactory to have either of these clinical depression symptoms in combination with five of a list of other clinical depression symptoms over a two-week period, which includes:
ь Mental or physical fatigue and loss of energy
ь Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, anxiety, fear, or helplessness
ь Reduced amount of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities virtually every day
ь Changing appetite and noticeable weight loss or gain
ь Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day
ь Feelings of overpowering sadness or fear or the seeming inability to feel emotion
ь Difficulty focusing or making decisions or a generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition including memory
ь Disturbed sleeping patterns such as excessive sleep or hypersomia, insomnia, or loss of REM sleep
ь Repeated thoughts of death, not just fear of dying, persistent suicide ideation with specific plan, or a specific plan of committing suicide or suicide attempt.
Other clinical depression symptoms sometimes reported but not generally taken into account in diagnosis include:
ь Inattention to personal hygieneь Fear of “going mad”
ь Decrease in self-esteem
ь Change in perception of time
ь Sensitivity to noise
ь Physical pains and aches with the belief that may be signs of serious illness
Clinical depression symptoms in children are not apparent as it is in adults. Some of the symptoms that children might show are irritability, loss of appetite, learning or memory problems where none existed before, sleep problems such as recurrent nightmares, and considerable behavioral changes such as social isolation, aggression, and withdrawal.
An added sign could be the excessive use of alcohol or drugs, where depressed adolescents are at a specific risk of further critical behaviors such as eating disorders and self-harm.
One of the most extensively used instruments for measuring the severity of depression is the Beck Depression Inventory, which has twenty-one multiple-choice questions. For people who have not experience clinical depression, either personally or by frequent exposure to people who suffer from it, it is hard for them to understand the emotional impact and severity, taking it to be similar as “having the blues” or “feeling down”. Clinical depression symptoms indicate that clinical depression is a severe, possibly fatal methodical disorder distinguished by interconnected physical, cognitive, and affective symptoms that result for survival and function further than just sad or painful feelings.
Depression is a mood disorder that manipulates every portion of daily life. The illness affects all sectors of the populace in each socio-economic group, from children, adults, and the elderly. This overwhelming disease controls the mind, behavior, body, emotional state, and can even conclude the ability to maintain relationships. Clinical depression is a medical finding and is different from everyday connotation of “being depressed”.
According to the DSM-IV-TR criterion for diagnosing a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, two elements must be present, and that is depressed mood or anhedonia. It is satisfactory to have either of these clinical depression symptoms in combination with five of a list of other clinical depression symptoms over a two-week period, which includes:
ь Mental or physical fatigue and loss of energy
ь Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, anxiety, fear, or helplessness
ь Reduced amount of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, daily activities virtually every day
ь Changing appetite and noticeable weight loss or gain
ь Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day
ь Feelings of overpowering sadness or fear or the seeming inability to feel emotion
ь Difficulty focusing or making decisions or a generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition including memory
ь Disturbed sleeping patterns such as excessive sleep or hypersomia, insomnia, or loss of REM sleep
ь Repeated thoughts of death, not just fear of dying, persistent suicide ideation with specific plan, or a specific plan of committing suicide or suicide attempt.
Other clinical depression symptoms sometimes reported but not generally taken into account in diagnosis include:
ь Inattention to personal hygieneь Fear of “going mad”
ь Decrease in self-esteem
ь Change in perception of time
ь Sensitivity to noise
ь Physical pains and aches with the belief that may be signs of serious illness
Clinical depression symptoms in children are not apparent as it is in adults. Some of the symptoms that children might show are irritability, loss of appetite, learning or memory problems where none existed before, sleep problems such as recurrent nightmares, and considerable behavioral changes such as social isolation, aggression, and withdrawal.
An added sign could be the excessive use of alcohol or drugs, where depressed adolescents are at a specific risk of further critical behaviors such as eating disorders and self-harm.
One of the most extensively used instruments for measuring the severity of depression is the Beck Depression Inventory, which has twenty-one multiple-choice questions. For people who have not experience clinical depression, either personally or by frequent exposure to people who suffer from it, it is hard for them to understand the emotional impact and severity, taking it to be similar as “having the blues” or “feeling down”. Clinical depression symptoms indicate that clinical depression is a severe, possibly fatal methodical disorder distinguished by interconnected physical, cognitive, and affective symptoms that result for survival and function further than just sad or painful feelings.
Childhood Depression
Childhood Depression
When first confronted with the concept of childhood depression, the normal reaction would be: “What does a child have to be depressed about?”
The question reveals two misconceptions most people have about childhood. The first reveals the general lack of understanding about depression. It is more than just the occasional bouts of sadness and feeling “down” when confronted with life’s difficulties. Depression is far more serious, more persistent, and can affect how we normally function.
The second misconception we have about childhood depression is that we generally believe childhood to be a happy, carefree period of our lives. And yet, we must keep in mind that children are powerless and have no control over their own lives. Now, imagine living day by day in this kind of frightening state.
When you are an adult and not suffering from depression, you always have the choice to change this state of affairs. But children are different because they do not have this choice yet, and hence the frustration that sets in as a result.
Causes
So if children, like adults, also get depressed, what causes childhood depression? Like adult depression, there is no clear-cut cause of childhood depression. There are certain risk factors in the lives children however which make them predisposed to childhood depression or could “trigger” the depressive state to set in. These risk factors include:
* Family history of mental illness or suicide
* Abuse, including physical, emotional, or sexual
* Chronic illness
* Significant family events, such as the loss of a parent to death, divorce or abandonment
It should be noted that each child is different and so the factors that lead to childhood depression may also be distinct with different causes for each one. What is important is timely identification that there is a problem so that the proper treatment plan may be adopted.
Symptoms
Childhood depression manifests itself through the following signs:
* Persistent sadness and/or irritability that is more extreme than a child’s oft-usual temper tantrum
* Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness
* Loss of interest in activities, including those previously enjoyed
* Change in appetite and marked weight loss or gain
* Change in sleep patterns, either unable to sleep or unable to stay asleep or waking up too early and unable to fall back to sleep
* Difficulty concentrating
* Anger and rage
* Headaches, stomachaches and other physical malaise seemingly without cause
* Becomes either more lethargic or more hyperactive
* Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If the child displays many of the symptoms listed above for longer than a few weeks, then childhood depression could be a possibility. It is normal for children to feel “down” on occasion, especially if there is a perceivable cause, such as disappointment in school or loss of a loved one. But if the feelings persists and they start to interfere with the child’s normal functioning, then seek professional help.
Childhood Depression
When first confronted with the concept of childhood depression, the normal reaction would be: “What does a child have to be depressed about?”
The question reveals two misconceptions most people have about childhood. The first reveals the general lack of understanding about depression. It is more than just the occasional bouts of sadness and feeling “down” when confronted with life’s difficulties. Depression is far more serious, more persistent, and can affect how we normally function.
The second misconception we have about childhood depression is that we generally believe childhood to be a happy, carefree period of our lives. And yet, we must keep in mind that children are powerless and have no control over their own lives. Now, imagine living day by day in this kind of frightening state.
When you are an adult and not suffering from depression, you always have the choice to change this state of affairs. But children are different because they do not have this choice yet, and hence the frustration that sets in as a result.
Causes
So if children, like adults, also get depressed, what causes childhood depression? Like adult depression, there is no clear-cut cause of childhood depression. There are certain risk factors in the lives children however which make them predisposed to childhood depression or could “trigger” the depressive state to set in. These risk factors include:
* Family history of mental illness or suicide
* Abuse, including physical, emotional, or sexual
* Chronic illness
* Significant family events, such as the loss of a parent to death, divorce or abandonment
It should be noted that each child is different and so the factors that lead to childhood depression may also be distinct with different causes for each one. What is important is timely identification that there is a problem so that the proper treatment plan may be adopted.
Symptoms
Childhood depression manifests itself through the following signs:
* Persistent sadness and/or irritability that is more extreme than a child’s oft-usual temper tantrum
* Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness
* Loss of interest in activities, including those previously enjoyed
* Change in appetite and marked weight loss or gain
* Change in sleep patterns, either unable to sleep or unable to stay asleep or waking up too early and unable to fall back to sleep
* Difficulty concentrating
* Anger and rage
* Headaches, stomachaches and other physical malaise seemingly without cause
* Becomes either more lethargic or more hyperactive
* Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If the child displays many of the symptoms listed above for longer than a few weeks, then childhood depression could be a possibility. It is normal for children to feel “down” on occasion, especially if there is a perceivable cause, such as disappointment in school or loss of a loved one. But if the feelings persists and they start to interfere with the child’s normal functioning, then seek professional help.
Childhood Depression
Adolescent Depression
Adolescent Depression
Adolescent depression or teenage depression is a disorder that occurs during the teenage years characterized by constant sadness, loss of self-worth, discouragements, and loss of interest in normal activities. Adolescent depression can be a passing response to many situations and stresses and depressed mood is common because of the normal maturation process, the stress connected with it, the influence of sex hormones, and the “independence” differences with parents.
Adolescent depression can also be a response to a disturbing event, such as breakup of girlfriend or boyfriend, death of a friend or relative, or failure at school. Teenagers who have low self-confidence are highly self-critical and feel a little sense of control over negative incidents, and they are specifically at risk to becoming depressed when they go through stressful experiences.
Real depression in teenagers is most of the time difficult to identify because their normal behavior is marked by both up and down moods, with irregular periods of feeling “the world is a great place” and “life sucks”. These types of mood may alternate over a period of hours or days. Unrelenting depressed moods, failing relationship with family and friends, uncertain school performance, substance abuse, and other negative behavior may signify a serious depressive episode. These symptoms maybe identified easily but adolescent depression often manifests very diversely than these classic symptoms of depression.
Too much sleeping, change in eating habits, and even criminal behavior such as shoplifting, may be signs of depression. Another common warning sign of adolescent depression is an obsession with death that may take the form of either fears about death and dying or suicidal thoughts.
About fifteen to twenty percent of American teens have experienced a severe episode of depression, which is like the percentage of adults suffering from depression. Long-term depressive disorder generally has its beginning in the young adult years.
Adolescent girls are twice as prone to experience depression. Contributing risk factors include stressful life events such as child abuse, both physical and sexual; loss of a parent to death or divorce; chronic illness; unstable caregiving, poor social skills; and family history of depression. It is also linked with eating disorders, specifically bulimia.
Symptoms of adolescent depression include temper or agitation; depressed or irritable mood; reduced pleasure in daily activities; inability to enjoy activities which used to be enjoyable; excessive daytime sleepiness; change in appetite, usually loss of appetite but sometimes an increase; change in weight, unintentional weight gain or loss; fatigue; difficulty making decisions; preoccupation with self; difficulty concentrating; acting-out behavior; excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt; memory loss episodes; feelings of worthlessness, self-hatred, or sadness; excessive irresponsible behavior pattern; and plans to commit suicide or actual suicide attempt.
If symptoms are continuing for at least two weeks and cause considerable sorrow or difficulty functioning, treatment should be sought. Treatments are similar to those of depressed adults and include psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. Seeking professional help for suitable treatment is required.
Adolescent Depression
Adolescent depression or teenage depression is a disorder that occurs during the teenage years characterized by constant sadness, loss of self-worth, discouragements, and loss of interest in normal activities. Adolescent depression can be a passing response to many situations and stresses and depressed mood is common because of the normal maturation process, the stress connected with it, the influence of sex hormones, and the “independence” differences with parents.
Adolescent depression can also be a response to a disturbing event, such as breakup of girlfriend or boyfriend, death of a friend or relative, or failure at school. Teenagers who have low self-confidence are highly self-critical and feel a little sense of control over negative incidents, and they are specifically at risk to becoming depressed when they go through stressful experiences.
Real depression in teenagers is most of the time difficult to identify because their normal behavior is marked by both up and down moods, with irregular periods of feeling “the world is a great place” and “life sucks”. These types of mood may alternate over a period of hours or days. Unrelenting depressed moods, failing relationship with family and friends, uncertain school performance, substance abuse, and other negative behavior may signify a serious depressive episode. These symptoms maybe identified easily but adolescent depression often manifests very diversely than these classic symptoms of depression.
Too much sleeping, change in eating habits, and even criminal behavior such as shoplifting, may be signs of depression. Another common warning sign of adolescent depression is an obsession with death that may take the form of either fears about death and dying or suicidal thoughts.
About fifteen to twenty percent of American teens have experienced a severe episode of depression, which is like the percentage of adults suffering from depression. Long-term depressive disorder generally has its beginning in the young adult years.
Adolescent girls are twice as prone to experience depression. Contributing risk factors include stressful life events such as child abuse, both physical and sexual; loss of a parent to death or divorce; chronic illness; unstable caregiving, poor social skills; and family history of depression. It is also linked with eating disorders, specifically bulimia.
Symptoms of adolescent depression include temper or agitation; depressed or irritable mood; reduced pleasure in daily activities; inability to enjoy activities which used to be enjoyable; excessive daytime sleepiness; change in appetite, usually loss of appetite but sometimes an increase; change in weight, unintentional weight gain or loss; fatigue; difficulty making decisions; preoccupation with self; difficulty concentrating; acting-out behavior; excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt; memory loss episodes; feelings of worthlessness, self-hatred, or sadness; excessive irresponsible behavior pattern; and plans to commit suicide or actual suicide attempt.
If symptoms are continuing for at least two weeks and cause considerable sorrow or difficulty functioning, treatment should be sought. Treatments are similar to those of depressed adults and include psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. Seeking professional help for suitable treatment is required.
Adolescent Depression
Monday, September 25, 2006
When Do You See A doctor?
If you have depression, or at least you think you have one, you must realize that you should not diagnose yourself. You need to have a healthcare practitioner that is skilled to give you a correct assessment and professional diagnosis of your condition.
There is absolutely no reason to feel shy or embarrassed when talking to a healthcare provider regarding any symptoms of your condition. There are many healthcare professionals that are very understanding of your problem. After all, they were trained to study and treat depression.
If you have symptoms like these, do not hesitate consulting a medical practitioner. Before getting any actual help or treatment for depression, you must need to first have a diagnosis that is correct.
You see, these symptoms are also symptomatic of other problems. For example, weight loss, fatigue and sleeping patterns may not be caused by depression, but by some medical problem. Other symptoms like losing interest in activities that you previously enjoyed or problems with attention or memory may not be related to depression at all but may be indicative of a undiagnosed medical condition.
You need to consult a doctor so that you can make sure that the symptoms you are experiencing are actually a result of your depression and from there, you can start what the best treatment for you individual case. The doctor might ask you to answer questions to fully assess and help determine if you actually have depression and possibly conduct tests to determine that your symptoms are a result of some other health issue.
Depression is a medical condition that is real. Remember that having depression is not something that you want to have. You probably would not think less of someone who has influenza or is suffering from heart disease. In the same manner, you must not be ashamed or feel guilty that you suffer from depression.
Depression will not go away by "toughing it out" or "being strong.” Being weak in your will does not instantly cause you to be depressed. Most cases of depression can't simply go away just by trying to cheer up. You can't simply make it go away by doing exercises, taking vitamins or going on a vacation. Treating your depression requires professional help - you can't do it alone. Like any other serious illnesses, depression needs professional treatment from a healthcare practitioner. When you are suffering from depression, you need to ask for help to make the problem go away.
Your feelings might change when treatment comes along. You should be pleased to know that depression has proved to be one of the most easily treated conditions.
When you are seeking treatment for your depression, what type of healthcare professional should you see?
Although there are some issues raised on what treatment is the best for depression problems (whether it is drugs, therapy, or if it is a mixture of both), there is actually a type of healthcare professional that is highly qualified to help you recover from depression and various mood disorders that use medications or drugs: a psychiatrist.
Psychologists, in fairness, are also highly qualified to cure depression problems, but they are not medical professionals and as such, cannot prescribe medications. You should realize that psychologists specialize in therapy, especially talk therapy. If you do not know if you need drugs or medications, it might prove best to start your treatment of depression under a psychiatrist's care.
If you think you might also have a good chance of eliminating depression through talk therapy, many psychiatrists can also be good in this, although there are some that may refer you to more experienced therapists. More on this in the next chapter.
There is absolutely no reason to feel shy or embarrassed when talking to a healthcare provider regarding any symptoms of your condition. There are many healthcare professionals that are very understanding of your problem. After all, they were trained to study and treat depression.
If you have symptoms like these, do not hesitate consulting a medical practitioner. Before getting any actual help or treatment for depression, you must need to first have a diagnosis that is correct.
You see, these symptoms are also symptomatic of other problems. For example, weight loss, fatigue and sleeping patterns may not be caused by depression, but by some medical problem. Other symptoms like losing interest in activities that you previously enjoyed or problems with attention or memory may not be related to depression at all but may be indicative of a undiagnosed medical condition.
You need to consult a doctor so that you can make sure that the symptoms you are experiencing are actually a result of your depression and from there, you can start what the best treatment for you individual case. The doctor might ask you to answer questions to fully assess and help determine if you actually have depression and possibly conduct tests to determine that your symptoms are a result of some other health issue.
Depression is a medical condition that is real. Remember that having depression is not something that you want to have. You probably would not think less of someone who has influenza or is suffering from heart disease. In the same manner, you must not be ashamed or feel guilty that you suffer from depression.
Depression will not go away by "toughing it out" or "being strong.” Being weak in your will does not instantly cause you to be depressed. Most cases of depression can't simply go away just by trying to cheer up. You can't simply make it go away by doing exercises, taking vitamins or going on a vacation. Treating your depression requires professional help - you can't do it alone. Like any other serious illnesses, depression needs professional treatment from a healthcare practitioner. When you are suffering from depression, you need to ask for help to make the problem go away.
Your feelings might change when treatment comes along. You should be pleased to know that depression has proved to be one of the most easily treated conditions.
When you are seeking treatment for your depression, what type of healthcare professional should you see?
Although there are some issues raised on what treatment is the best for depression problems (whether it is drugs, therapy, or if it is a mixture of both), there is actually a type of healthcare professional that is highly qualified to help you recover from depression and various mood disorders that use medications or drugs: a psychiatrist.
Psychologists, in fairness, are also highly qualified to cure depression problems, but they are not medical professionals and as such, cannot prescribe medications. You should realize that psychologists specialize in therapy, especially talk therapy. If you do not know if you need drugs or medications, it might prove best to start your treatment of depression under a psychiatrist's care.
If you think you might also have a good chance of eliminating depression through talk therapy, many psychiatrists can also be good in this, although there are some that may refer you to more experienced therapists. More on this in the next chapter.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
What Causes Depression?
What Causes Depression?
Usually in our adolescence, we are exposed to many sudden and inexplicable mood swings as a result of our body undergoing various hormonal changes that prepare us for adulthood.
Aside from increased social pressures, the onset of menstruation, for example, introduces adolescent girls to premenstrual tension (or premenstrual syndrome) and the menstrual cramps, the former being a mixture of physical and psychological symptoms, including temporary weight gain, fluid retention, depression, fits of temper and the like.
Of these, depression is perhaps one of the most commonly identified conditions that both males and females attest to, particularly at the onset of puberty.
Depression is a term we colloquially use to pertain to any particular period of prolonged sadness and lethargy. Colloquial use would even allow us to call depression any 'low' point in between periods of 'high' or happiness. A popular one-liner, which many of us are familiar with, even goes as far as saying that depression is in fact simply anger without enthusiasm.
However, the real essence of depression is the fact that you can't simply 'snap out of it', and that it has the capacity to disrupt your daily activities. It is characterized by prolonged sadness, anxiety, unusual mood shifts accompanied by a degree of irrational thought, pessimism, and is responsible for changes in the way we eat, sleep, or interact with other people that in effect incapacitates us from participating in productive activities.
Depression is deemed a disorder that requires treatment and attention first because it may be a cause for withdrawal from society as it gives a semblance of suffering, pessimism, and low self-esteem. Secondly, depression may cause changes in physical behavior (like eating or sleeping) that may disrupt regular daily activities or may be mortally dangerous for whoever suffers from it. It may also, in effect, harm interactions with other people, particularly those within the atomic community (like family and friends).
Lastly, the accompanying decrease in rational thought causes some people to eventually result to thoughts of harming oneself or even suicide.
Should you find yourself potentially exhibiting that degree of depression, it is best that you seek immediate help from a professional. The reason is because the many forms of depression, each varying in degree of abnormality it lends, are currently treatable. It will also allow you to accurately determine whether you may simply be suffering from a common or minor depression, which is a mild but similarly prolonged form of depression, or a severe or major depression.
What is severe or major depression then? Severe or major depression, which medical experts also call clinical depression, unipolar depression, or major depressive disorder, is a sort of depression that necessitates medical treatment.
This is because severe depression is thought to be a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. This particular brand of depression is recognized as possibly hereditary by many psychiatrists and specialists.
Doctors detect severe depression by particular behavioral patterns that emerge. The first is that of a constant feeling of sadness or anxiety. This may be accompanied by feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Another is when you feel lethargic, tired, or without energy despite the fact that you did not engage in any physical activity of any form alongside a feeling of restlessness. You may also feel a decreased capacity to concentrate and make decisions.
The more 'telling' signs that accompany the previous symptoms, which may be attributed to seasonal hormonal imbalances, strenuous physical activities, or physical sickness for non-depressive individuals, have a more or less social implication to them.
If you are suffering from severe depression, you may have a feeling of being uninterested in usual activities or hobbies and you may eventually withdraw from them. Changes in your appetite may also emerge, leading to drastic weight loss.
Another change is in sleeping habits, which may imply difficulty in sleeping, waking up too early, or sleeping too much. With these physically notable changes and the previous general symptoms is a prevalent feeling of inadequateness, hopelessness and guilt. Altogether, these may lead to thoughts of suicide or obsession over death and dying.
The fact that depression can happen to anyone including you, should be enough impetus to better understand depression. Understanding that people around you (and there are many of them) suffer from depression will both allow you to better interact with them, or, should you be suffering from it as well, allow you to benefit from support groups or other people who can better help you deal with the disorder and stop you from succumbing to it.
Usually in our adolescence, we are exposed to many sudden and inexplicable mood swings as a result of our body undergoing various hormonal changes that prepare us for adulthood.
Aside from increased social pressures, the onset of menstruation, for example, introduces adolescent girls to premenstrual tension (or premenstrual syndrome) and the menstrual cramps, the former being a mixture of physical and psychological symptoms, including temporary weight gain, fluid retention, depression, fits of temper and the like.
Of these, depression is perhaps one of the most commonly identified conditions that both males and females attest to, particularly at the onset of puberty.
Depression is a term we colloquially use to pertain to any particular period of prolonged sadness and lethargy. Colloquial use would even allow us to call depression any 'low' point in between periods of 'high' or happiness. A popular one-liner, which many of us are familiar with, even goes as far as saying that depression is in fact simply anger without enthusiasm.
However, the real essence of depression is the fact that you can't simply 'snap out of it', and that it has the capacity to disrupt your daily activities. It is characterized by prolonged sadness, anxiety, unusual mood shifts accompanied by a degree of irrational thought, pessimism, and is responsible for changes in the way we eat, sleep, or interact with other people that in effect incapacitates us from participating in productive activities.
Depression is deemed a disorder that requires treatment and attention first because it may be a cause for withdrawal from society as it gives a semblance of suffering, pessimism, and low self-esteem. Secondly, depression may cause changes in physical behavior (like eating or sleeping) that may disrupt regular daily activities or may be mortally dangerous for whoever suffers from it. It may also, in effect, harm interactions with other people, particularly those within the atomic community (like family and friends).
Lastly, the accompanying decrease in rational thought causes some people to eventually result to thoughts of harming oneself or even suicide.
Should you find yourself potentially exhibiting that degree of depression, it is best that you seek immediate help from a professional. The reason is because the many forms of depression, each varying in degree of abnormality it lends, are currently treatable. It will also allow you to accurately determine whether you may simply be suffering from a common or minor depression, which is a mild but similarly prolonged form of depression, or a severe or major depression.
What is severe or major depression then? Severe or major depression, which medical experts also call clinical depression, unipolar depression, or major depressive disorder, is a sort of depression that necessitates medical treatment.
This is because severe depression is thought to be a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. This particular brand of depression is recognized as possibly hereditary by many psychiatrists and specialists.
Doctors detect severe depression by particular behavioral patterns that emerge. The first is that of a constant feeling of sadness or anxiety. This may be accompanied by feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Another is when you feel lethargic, tired, or without energy despite the fact that you did not engage in any physical activity of any form alongside a feeling of restlessness. You may also feel a decreased capacity to concentrate and make decisions.
The more 'telling' signs that accompany the previous symptoms, which may be attributed to seasonal hormonal imbalances, strenuous physical activities, or physical sickness for non-depressive individuals, have a more or less social implication to them.
If you are suffering from severe depression, you may have a feeling of being uninterested in usual activities or hobbies and you may eventually withdraw from them. Changes in your appetite may also emerge, leading to drastic weight loss.
Another change is in sleeping habits, which may imply difficulty in sleeping, waking up too early, or sleeping too much. With these physically notable changes and the previous general symptoms is a prevalent feeling of inadequateness, hopelessness and guilt. Altogether, these may lead to thoughts of suicide or obsession over death and dying.
The fact that depression can happen to anyone including you, should be enough impetus to better understand depression. Understanding that people around you (and there are many of them) suffer from depression will both allow you to better interact with them, or, should you be suffering from it as well, allow you to benefit from support groups or other people who can better help you deal with the disorder and stop you from succumbing to it.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Natural Cures For Depression
Natural Cures For Depression
If symptoms of depression are many, so is its cure. Depression in any form affects your quality of life. Visiting a medical expert or a psychiatrist becomes the obvious choice when you experience this prolonged period of sadness. You go through some weeklong counseling sessions which no doubt cost you a fortune. And if medication is added to it, then the expenses are much more. Sometimes, medications for depression are over-prescribed. It is here that you look for more natural cures for depression.
It cannot be denied that many depression patients have recovered successfully from prescription medications and never had any such problems. Even talking about their problems through cognitive behavior therapy has improved their mental condition to a far greater extent. However, it cannot be denied that people can also benefit from natural cures of depression. Mild cases of depression are occasionally treated with natural cures. In chronic cases, medical help and medications become unavoidable.
Every year the number of people falling into depression increases. Studies reveal that depression is becoming so common that in the future, it will be one of the main causes of disability, not only in America but worldwide.
The effects of depression can only be mitigated. There is no absolute remedy for depression. Dietary changes or herbal supplements can only mitigate the effects of depression. An effective therapy program suggested by your doctor will help you understand what self-talk is and how it can used to minimize depression naturally. A light, brisk walk around 20 to 25 minutes will help you fight depression, especially when the effect of depression is mild.
Regular exposure to sunlight can affect a person’s helplessness to depression. Avoid consumption of alcohol or caffeine, as they play a significant role in sudden mood swings and make it much more pronounced. In addition to all these natural cure therapies, there is a new tool that can fight effectively against some forms of depression. The tool is Omega 3 fatty acids, which significantly reduce the level of depression, especially among people in the industrialized countries.
Always be in touch with your doctor, who will help you in developing a whole-life approach to your depression. Never stop your medication because it can prove fatal. Any consumption of herbal or nutritional supplements should be taken in consultation with your doctor. Live life. Beat depression.
Natural Cures For Depression
Manic Depression
Manic Depression
Have you encountered a person undergoing extreme mood swings, or sudden behavioral changes? The person is suffering from bipolar disorder or manic depression. These sudden mood swings can last for hours, days, weeks or even months. Bipolar disorder or manic depression results in quite distinct mood fluctuations that, once traced and analyzed, can be anticipated.
You are in depression when you deviate yourself from your normal activities. Your zest for life gets a backseat because of depression. There is a tendency to isolate oneself from the external environment and develop this strange behavior, which highlights your lack of confidence. Always remember that when you are in depression, others are also affected by the rough patches in your life.
Bipolar disorder or manic depression is not restricted to any particular age group. Though bipolar disorders usually start during late adolescence or early adulthood, they can also affect children or elderly people. This form of manic depression is not restricted to a particular sex, i.e. male or female, or to a particular race or class. It must be however notified, that manifestations of bipolar disorder or manic depression is different in men and women.
Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder or manic depression can be treated under proper medication and consultation with medical experts. Usually, bipolar disorder or manic depression is associated with certain general types of mood swings, namely, hypomanic episode, a major depressive episode, and a mixed episode.
Bipolar disorders or manic depression can be either categorized under Bipolar I disorder or Bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by elevated moods for at least a week, talkativeness, decreased need of sleep, flight of ideas, and so on. Bipolar II category, on the other hand, is characterized by depressive mood behavior with at least one hypomanic episode. The second disorder seriously hampers the social life of the patient because of erratic mood changes.
Bipolar disorders or manic depression are usually indescribable and are no instant cure for the illness. Such forms of depression can go on for hours, weeks or months if left untreated. It is always advisable to consult the doctor immediately if sudden changes in mood occur. Bipolar disorders or manic depression can always be treated with proper medications and therapy. But never leave it untreated because it worsens a person’s mental and physical condition to a great extent.
Always remember, more than doctors, it is the family and friends of the patient who help him or her in overcoming the problem. Always encourage him or her to seek the help and care of a psychiatrist immediately
Manic Depression
Simple And Easy Tips To Overcome Depression
Simple And Easy Tips To Overcome Depression
Simple And Easy Tips To Overcome Depression
If you know the symptoms of depression, you should also know some strategies for reducing the problem. Depression can be the result of many things, and it is necessary that you avoid those circumstances that upset you or make you feel depressed.
Every day, stories appear in print media and television that are mostly negative, highlighting the economic and social deprivations of humanity. Stories focused on destruction, war, crime, doom and despair will only aggravate the problem of depression rather than solve it. Avoid reading such negative stories and events. Helplessness will only add to your depression, rather than cure it.
Moreover, always see the positive side of life. Say good things about others, share with them your most memorable moments, and set aside all such moments that depress you.
Indulge yourself in lots of physical exercises. A healthy body is the root to a healthy mind, attitude, and thinking. Regular practice of breathing exercises will help you overcome your depression problems. These tips to reduce depression are simple but can work wonders if followed with determination and will.
Do not keep too many goals and expectations that will depress you further. Always keep aside one important goal that you think is necessary to achieve. When you try for many things at one go, you only aggravate the problem of depression.
There are many research materials and information available on depression and also its effective treatment. You can go through a vast array of information and make those important decisions about your health and ways to cope with your health problems. Although you can reduce the problem by applying the useful tips mentioned on online websites and books on depression, it is your psychiatrist who can really help you out in curing the problem.
Depression causes a serious imbalance of brain chemicals and many other internal changes that need serious medication and treatment. It is not something you should be ashamed of. Depression is just like any other illness which just needs full support from the family. Always have a hopeful heart. It is a must to overcome depression.
Make few but good friends who will be always there to support you in good and bad times. Never allow depression to grow in isolation. Make it a point to have your near and dear ones around you. Socialize as much as you can when you feel depressed. That will mitigate your problem to a great extent. Watch good movies, especially comedy, or visit funny and humorous web sites or read funny books. Light things will make you feel good and reduce your depression problem.
Positive thinking always gets your brain going. Involve yourself into lots of singing and dancing activities that will signal that your brain is really happy. Go for lively music that really rejuvenates the mind and soul and overcomes your depression. Try to engage yourself in as many activities as possible. A healthy routine must be followed to keep your body and mind healthy. Physical exercises affect your brain chemicals, and this can really help in reducing you depression problems.
Try to hold as few grudges as you can. This can only aggravate your frustration level and cause depression. The more you learn to forgive and forget, the better for you. Always reserve a quiet time where you can spend quality time with yourself. This certainly does not mean isolation. It is essential because this is the time you give to yourself.
Simple And Easy Tips To Overcome Depression
How To Treat Depression
How To Treat Depression
Depression is very common among Americans, especially given the fast life they live. Though the treatment for depression is quite simple, it requires extra care and a little cheering up to help the patient come out of the problem. The cost of the treatment is no doubt expensive; but given the problem, everyone should take advantage of the various depression treatments that are available today to cure the problem.
There is nothing wrong with consulting a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is the best guide in this field. You should consider yourself lucky that today there are all sorts of depression treatments to help you overcome the problem. You should get the best treatment. Your family will always expect a positive result from the best treatment available.
Among the vast array of treatments available, psychotherapy is one of the most popular depression treatments that allows the patient to slowly uncover hidden feelings and the root of the problem. These short-term therapy sessions involve a healthy discussion between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient. These sessions mainly involve a healthy interaction with the patient to help him overcome the problem by finding positive solutions.
People may suffer from either bipolar disorder (manic depression) or major depressive disorder.
Bipolar disorder mainly involves certain episodes of depression, where a person may experience certain unexpected emotional outbursts that are difficult to control. These episodes may last for hours, days, weeks, or even a month. Treatments for bipolar disorders usually involve the application of both medication and psychotherapy. Psycho-education is beneficial, as it helps the patient and the family members to understand the root cause of the problem.
Major depressive disorder mainly involves sadness, loss of pleasure, excess crying, headaches, and digestive problems. Apart from normal medications, other treatments involve Electroconvulsive therapy, Lithium and Anticonvulsant medication, which are used for prevention of such outbursts. In these cases, consulting a doctor is a must, as he or she can help you come out of the problem.
Today, various depression treatments and medications are actually helping a large number of patients to return to their normal course of activities and get a proper sleep, which most patients lack. The treatment for depression depends on the severity of the problem. In case of mild depression, psychotherapies are suggested. Medication is usually recommended when the depression problem is severe and cannot be handled with psychotherapy alone.
Your medical consultant will get you the right kind of treatment and medication depending on the severity of the problem. A combination of psychotherapy and medication may be suggested if the problem of depression is serious. Specialized help from a psychiatrist is usually recommended when there are no positive results from medication alone.
The best treatment for depression is to engage yourself in lots of physical activities. Overconsumption of alcohol will only aggravate the problem. Do not suffer the problem of depression alone. Talk to your near and dear ones. There is no more effective treatment than this.
How To Treat Depression
Monday, September 11, 2006
Depression Is A Real Illness
Depression Is A Real Illness
Because most people get depressed from time to time, there is that eternal question if depression is a real illness. The answer is: yes. The clinical one, that is. It has been said that about one out of eight United States residents will likely become clinically depressed. Some experience it once in a lifetime, while others have multiple episodes.
This is a fact: if a person gets depressed for the first time, there is a 50 percent chance that he will fall to the same predicament again. And come the second time, there is the threat that he will go into a third depressing episode.
Depression is a real illness as it involves the mental, emotional and even physical faculties of the person. It is not just a transient sad feeling that will go away when one wills it to. There are symptoms and signs as well as corresponding treatment. If not handled properly and immediately, it may escalate to worse conditions. Like any other illness, depression has also variations.
There are three types of depressive disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depression is a culmination of all the symptoms and signs that intervene with one's capability to act normally. It can happen once, but recurring episodes are possible.
Its less severe counterpart is dysthymia which is characterized by the same symptoms of major depression, only they do not totally interfere with one's activities. A person who has dysthymic disorder can suffer major depression sometime during his life.
Bipolar disorder is also a type of depression that involves drastic mood changes, from being very high one minute to severely depressed the next. The manic cycle can make the person hyper and overenthusiastic but it changes as soon as the depressed cycle hits. The depressed cycle encompasses all the symptoms of depression.
Because depression is an illness, there are symptoms. Again, they are the following:
1. Persistent "empty" feeling
2. Unbelievable hopelessness
3. Feeling guilty and worthless all the time
4. Lack or loss of interests in activities that used to bring joy to the patient and this includes sex.
5. Prominent fatigue
6. Has a difficult time making decisions
7. Development of sleep problems
8. Loss of appetite and drastic weight change or loss
9. Suicidal attempts and thoughts.
10. Pronounced irritability
11. Physical aches and pains that have no physiological basis
The good news is at the end of this dark tunnel called depression, there is hope. Treatment is available in three types: psychotherapy, antidepressant medicine and the combination of the two. There are also times when electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and light therapy are employed. We will discuss these in depth in upcoming posts. So, stay tuned.
Depression Is A Real Illness
Because most people get depressed from time to time, there is that eternal question if depression is a real illness. The answer is: yes. The clinical one, that is. It has been said that about one out of eight United States residents will likely become clinically depressed. Some experience it once in a lifetime, while others have multiple episodes.
This is a fact: if a person gets depressed for the first time, there is a 50 percent chance that he will fall to the same predicament again. And come the second time, there is the threat that he will go into a third depressing episode.
Depression is a real illness as it involves the mental, emotional and even physical faculties of the person. It is not just a transient sad feeling that will go away when one wills it to. There are symptoms and signs as well as corresponding treatment. If not handled properly and immediately, it may escalate to worse conditions. Like any other illness, depression has also variations.
There are three types of depressive disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depression is a culmination of all the symptoms and signs that intervene with one's capability to act normally. It can happen once, but recurring episodes are possible.
Its less severe counterpart is dysthymia which is characterized by the same symptoms of major depression, only they do not totally interfere with one's activities. A person who has dysthymic disorder can suffer major depression sometime during his life.
Bipolar disorder is also a type of depression that involves drastic mood changes, from being very high one minute to severely depressed the next. The manic cycle can make the person hyper and overenthusiastic but it changes as soon as the depressed cycle hits. The depressed cycle encompasses all the symptoms of depression.
Because depression is an illness, there are symptoms. Again, they are the following:
1. Persistent "empty" feeling
2. Unbelievable hopelessness
3. Feeling guilty and worthless all the time
4. Lack or loss of interests in activities that used to bring joy to the patient and this includes sex.
5. Prominent fatigue
6. Has a difficult time making decisions
7. Development of sleep problems
8. Loss of appetite and drastic weight change or loss
9. Suicidal attempts and thoughts.
10. Pronounced irritability
11. Physical aches and pains that have no physiological basis
The good news is at the end of this dark tunnel called depression, there is hope. Treatment is available in three types: psychotherapy, antidepressant medicine and the combination of the two. There are also times when electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and light therapy are employed. We will discuss these in depth in upcoming posts. So, stay tuned.
Depression Is A Real Illness
How Do I Know If I Am Severely Depressed?
Curiously easily diagnosable and treatable medical problem, depression happens to at least 20 million American adults every year. As we discussed earlier, although everyone has experienced sadness and feelings of being depressed, people that are suffering from true depression have many frequent and recurring long-term symptoms, making them view life as something not worth living.
How would you know if you have a depression problem? Here are more depression symptoms. These symptoms vary in each person, although if these happen to you, it might be wise to consult a doctor.
If you are experiencing at least five of the symptoms listed above and have begun interfering with family activities or work for more than a week, ask your doctor for a thorough checkup. This would most likely include having a comprehensive physical exam (although some symptoms might be caused by other health problems that you have) and a detailed clinical history. Just be honest and open on what and how you are feeling.
Do not even think of diagnosing yourself. Likewise, you cannot rely to a friend or a member of your family for diagnosis. Only a doctor that is properly trained to check illnesses is the only one that can fully determine if you are having a depression episode.
If you want, you could try self-evaluation tests available on the Internet that could help you gauge the symptoms that you have, or at least, can prepare you when you visit your doctor. Think of these tests as a way of communicating your symptoms better to a healthcare professional when you go in for a visit. Of course, online tests prove no match to an actual consultation.
For other people, depression is recurrent, which simply means that they experience depression episodes often - once or twice in a month, at least once a year, or many times throughout their lifetimes.
Do not feel embarrassed, shy, or ashamed of your depression problem. People of various ages, ethnic groups, races, and social classes get this problem. Although depression can happen at any given age, depression commonly develops in people whose ages lie between 25 and 44. If you have a depression problem, you're not the only one. Every day, there are more than 20 million American adults that are experiencing depression problems.
Be persistent and patient and you will find the method that suits you best for determining depression.
How would you know if you have a depression problem? Here are more depression symptoms. These symptoms vary in each person, although if these happen to you, it might be wise to consult a doctor.
- Sadness that is prolonged
- Crying spells that are unexplained
- Significant and abrupt changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Anger, irritability, anxiety, worry, agitation
- Pessimism, indifference
- Energy loss
- Persistent lethargy
- Guilt feelings and unexplained sense of worthlessness
- Difficulty in concentrating and indecisiveness
- Inability in taking pleasure in interests you previously enjoy
- Social withdrawal
- Unexplained pains and aches
- Extreme fatigue when you have not done much
- Recurring and frequent thoughts of suicide or death
If you are experiencing at least five of the symptoms listed above and have begun interfering with family activities or work for more than a week, ask your doctor for a thorough checkup. This would most likely include having a comprehensive physical exam (although some symptoms might be caused by other health problems that you have) and a detailed clinical history. Just be honest and open on what and how you are feeling.
Do not even think of diagnosing yourself. Likewise, you cannot rely to a friend or a member of your family for diagnosis. Only a doctor that is properly trained to check illnesses is the only one that can fully determine if you are having a depression episode.
If you want, you could try self-evaluation tests available on the Internet that could help you gauge the symptoms that you have, or at least, can prepare you when you visit your doctor. Think of these tests as a way of communicating your symptoms better to a healthcare professional when you go in for a visit. Of course, online tests prove no match to an actual consultation.
For other people, depression is recurrent, which simply means that they experience depression episodes often - once or twice in a month, at least once a year, or many times throughout their lifetimes.
Do not feel embarrassed, shy, or ashamed of your depression problem. People of various ages, ethnic groups, races, and social classes get this problem. Although depression can happen at any given age, depression commonly develops in people whose ages lie between 25 and 44. If you have a depression problem, you're not the only one. Every day, there are more than 20 million American adults that are experiencing depression problems.
Be persistent and patient and you will find the method that suits you best for determining depression.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Signs Of Depression
Signs Of Depression
Everyone goes through rough times where we feel sad or down in the dumps. Actually, it’s pretty normal to feel that way on occasion.
Crying can be cathartic and beneficial, allowing us to release all the negative stuff that is causing us to feel bad.
However, when depression seems to be going nonstop and the patient just can’t snap out of it no matter how hard he or she tries, then that probably signifies depression.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in America. It has been reported that about 9.5 million Americans suffer from depression almost every six months. You should remember that depression does not choose a victim as it could practically affect anyone whatever social status or race.
It is important that we know the signs of depression so that we can deal with it and have it alleviated.
If the following signs have been going on for more than two weeks, then you should seek professional help.
1. The person has drastic change of appetite.
If the person suddenly gains weight or plummets to a stick-thin figure, then chances are he might be depressed. This is just one sign that has to correspond with other signs to validate the existence of depression.
2. He suddenly has a sudden change in sleeping patterns.
The person could be a sound sleeper his entire life and then suddenly, experiences insomnia and other sleeping problems. This could be a symptom that depression is lurking.
3. The person suddenly loses interest in things and activities he used to enjoy.
If a person had been passionate about an activity, e.g., basketball, and then suddenly makes a 360 degree turn, that could be a symptom of depression.
4. There is energy loss and presence of fatigue.
You may see an apparent change in attitude. The person does not want to actively participate in activities. Energy is seeped from him and when asked what the matter is, he could only shrug and retreat back to his sadness.
5. The person feels he is unworthy.
This is when depression can be moving into a serious mode. The person begins to feel that he has nothing to live for and unworthy of being loved and appreciated.
6. The person starts losing hope.
Gone is his optimism to live another day. He is already hopeless and no amount of "hope springs eternal" can pull him out of this rut.
7. The person feels guilty without any reason at all.
The person stops himself from being happy because he feels he has no right to be one. He harbors guilt for no apparent reason.
8. He becomes indecisive.
What used to be a firm decision-maker suddenly becomes fickle-minded and too indecisive. Depression occurs when one is too insecure to come up with decisions.
9. He is suicidal.
This is such an alarming sign that medical help must be provided as soon as possible.
10. He experiences melancholia.
Melancholia is that sadness that completely engulfs the person and is characterized by the following: waking up two hours earlier than the usual, languidly moving in the morning and walking slowly.
11. He becomes mentally disturbed.
He suddenly thinks of morbid things, detaches himself from his usual mindset and starts hallucinating.
12. He develops physical aches.
A depressed person gets stomachaches or muscle pains with no physiological basis at all.
13. He obtains that "My life is passing by" feeling.
Other than assimilating the "Life is unfair!" and "what has gone wrong?" drama, a clinically depressed person also feels that he is just simply watching his life deteriorating from afar.
14. The person becomes antisocial.
A depressed person is likely to isolate himself from his family and friends. But there is also a case when a depressed person gets so frightened being alone that he clings to people all the time. However, no amount of social involvement makes him feel better.
Depression, if not seriously taken and treated, would lead to more severe mental illnesses or even death. Everyone has to know the signs and symptoms so the next time he has a hunch that a loved one is currently suffering depression, he could immediately ask a doctor to administer professional assistance.
Signs Of Depression
Everyone goes through rough times where we feel sad or down in the dumps. Actually, it’s pretty normal to feel that way on occasion.
Crying can be cathartic and beneficial, allowing us to release all the negative stuff that is causing us to feel bad.
However, when depression seems to be going nonstop and the patient just can’t snap out of it no matter how hard he or she tries, then that probably signifies depression.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in America. It has been reported that about 9.5 million Americans suffer from depression almost every six months. You should remember that depression does not choose a victim as it could practically affect anyone whatever social status or race.
It is important that we know the signs of depression so that we can deal with it and have it alleviated.
If the following signs have been going on for more than two weeks, then you should seek professional help.
1. The person has drastic change of appetite.
If the person suddenly gains weight or plummets to a stick-thin figure, then chances are he might be depressed. This is just one sign that has to correspond with other signs to validate the existence of depression.
2. He suddenly has a sudden change in sleeping patterns.
The person could be a sound sleeper his entire life and then suddenly, experiences insomnia and other sleeping problems. This could be a symptom that depression is lurking.
3. The person suddenly loses interest in things and activities he used to enjoy.
If a person had been passionate about an activity, e.g., basketball, and then suddenly makes a 360 degree turn, that could be a symptom of depression.
4. There is energy loss and presence of fatigue.
You may see an apparent change in attitude. The person does not want to actively participate in activities. Energy is seeped from him and when asked what the matter is, he could only shrug and retreat back to his sadness.
5. The person feels he is unworthy.
This is when depression can be moving into a serious mode. The person begins to feel that he has nothing to live for and unworthy of being loved and appreciated.
6. The person starts losing hope.
Gone is his optimism to live another day. He is already hopeless and no amount of "hope springs eternal" can pull him out of this rut.
7. The person feels guilty without any reason at all.
The person stops himself from being happy because he feels he has no right to be one. He harbors guilt for no apparent reason.
8. He becomes indecisive.
What used to be a firm decision-maker suddenly becomes fickle-minded and too indecisive. Depression occurs when one is too insecure to come up with decisions.
9. He is suicidal.
This is such an alarming sign that medical help must be provided as soon as possible.
10. He experiences melancholia.
Melancholia is that sadness that completely engulfs the person and is characterized by the following: waking up two hours earlier than the usual, languidly moving in the morning and walking slowly.
11. He becomes mentally disturbed.
He suddenly thinks of morbid things, detaches himself from his usual mindset and starts hallucinating.
12. He develops physical aches.
A depressed person gets stomachaches or muscle pains with no physiological basis at all.
13. He obtains that "My life is passing by" feeling.
Other than assimilating the "Life is unfair!" and "what has gone wrong?" drama, a clinically depressed person also feels that he is just simply watching his life deteriorating from afar.
14. The person becomes antisocial.
A depressed person is likely to isolate himself from his family and friends. But there is also a case when a depressed person gets so frightened being alone that he clings to people all the time. However, no amount of social involvement makes him feel better.
Depression, if not seriously taken and treated, would lead to more severe mental illnesses or even death. Everyone has to know the signs and symptoms so the next time he has a hunch that a loved one is currently suffering depression, he could immediately ask a doctor to administer professional assistance.
Signs Of Depression
What is depression?
What is depression?
Depression is a state of mind which results in a serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future
On a more serious note, depression is a period of feeling "the blues" which lasts longer than several weeks and may include thoughts of self-inflicted injury or suicide.
Pretty scary, isn’t it?
Just tune in to your evening news and you will see the results of depression. Parents and family members who didn’t have a suspicion that their loved one suffered from depression, therefore they missed the tell-tale early signs of detection.
This appears to be true of our youth. It seems like not a day goes by that we don’t learn of another teen or even pre-teen, commit a violent act that stemmed from a state of severe depression.
How is a parent to know? And if you ARE fortunate to detect the depression, what is your next step? This is extremely important when it comes to our children.
Because some of the symptoms are so illusive, they can be easily overlooked in our busy day to day activities. We may push the thoughts to the back of our minds and decide to have that discussion “tomorrow.” Sadly, sometimes “tomorrow” just does not come.
Anyone can have it!
Depression has no boundaries. Rich, poor, fat, thin, young or old depression does not discriminate!
What we hope to share with you is that we can help. Detecting the early signs of depression in yourself or loved ones should be your paramount concern.
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