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on: Friday, 20 November 2009 18:54
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Current Poll

How do you react to holiday stress?

Does the Holiday Season Stress You Out or Make You Happy?

  Yes. The end of the year holidays stress me out.


 Nope. I love holiday season.


 The holidays do a little bit of both.


 What stress? I live for this time of year.


 Love the season, can't stand the in-laws.


 The kids get hyper -- I get annoyed.


 Panic sets in as the days count down.


 I get depressed, moody, and cranky.


 I'm already stressing, and the holidays haven't even begun....


 Expenses (the cost of gifts, parties, etc.)


How do you react to holiday stress?

 Eat too much


 Don't exercise


 Isolate myself


 Spend too much money



16 Total Votes
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Depression & Mental Health FAQs
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated 40 million
Americans living today will suffer from major depressive illness during their lives.

Seasonal affective disorder is major depression that appears in the fall or winter and goes away in spring, thought to be caused by lack of sunlight.



Postpartum depression occurs within four weeks of a women giving childbirth. Most new mothers suffer from some form of the �baby blues.� Postpartum depression, by contrast, is major depression, thought to be triggered by changes in hormonal flows associated with childbirth.

Catatonic depression is a rare form of major depression characterized by (at least two): Stupor, excessive motor activity, extreme negativism, peculiarities in voluntary movement, and repetition of other people's words or actions. - mcmanweb.com



Psychotic depression is a rare form of depression characterized by delusions or hallucinations, such as believing you are someone you are not and hearing voices.


According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the US population age 18 and older in a given year, have a depressive disorder.
Depression is a chronic illness that exacts a significant toll on America's health and productivity.  It affects more than 21 million American children and adults annually and is the leading cause of disability in the United States for individuals ages 15 to 44.


Lost productive time among U.S. workers due to depression is estimated to be in excess of $31 billion per year.  Depression frequently co-occurs with a variety of medical illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and chronic pain and is associated with poorer health status and prognosis.  It is also the principal cause of the 30,000 suicides in the U.S. each year.  In 2004, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, third among individuals 15-24.


According to the World Health Organization, depression is presently on track to becoming the world's second-most disabling disease (after heart disease) by the year 2020.

Depression is responsible for some $87 billion a year in lost productivity in the US (a conservative estimate), and according to Bank One, is responsible for most lost work days in its employees after pregnancy and childbirth.

Additionally, one million people worldwide die by their own hand, most as a result of a mood disorder. Finally, the linkage between depression and a host of physical illnesses makes it arguably the world's greatest killer.

Research presented at the 56th Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychiatric Association shows a marked link between bipolar disorder and migraines.

The odds of migraine in persons with bipolar disorder were 40% higher than the general population.

Data obtained from 36,984 people aged 15 and over, who screened positive for manic or depressive episodes with migraine, were compared against those who screened positive for mania but who didn�t suffer from migraines.

Amongst males, 14.9% of those with manic episodes were also diagnosed with migraines compared with 5.8% of the general population. Amongst females, 34.7% had both migraines and bipolar disorder compared with 14.7% who only had migraines.unquote.gif

While the research was skewed towards persons who were already diagnosed with bipolar disorders, what does it mean for people who suffer from migraines but who may have an undiagnosed bipolar disorder?



Migraines and headaches aren�t fully understood but the manifestations are very real and debilitating for their sufferers:

Throbbing pain
Nausea
Heightened sensitivity to light or sound
Seeing dots, wavy lines, flashing lights, or blind spots
Difficulty with speech, sensation, or movement

 


An estimated 2.1 million American adolescents have experienced major depression within the last year, according to a new comprehensive government study.  Researchers surveyed more than 67,000 young people ages 12 to 17 and found that one in 12 had suffered from serious depression in the previous year.Nearly 13 percent of girls had struggled with depression, compared to less than 5 percent of boys. Odds of depression increased with age -- just 4 percent of 12-year-olds experienced depression but that climbed to 11 percent for older teens.

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Facts From Myths About Depression

By Lindsay
 

 Myths About Depression  Can you separate facts from myths about depression?


Depression is hurtful but not a major medical condition.
 

The correct answer is: Myth

Depression isn’t simply a temporary case of “the blues.” It’s a common, serious medical condition that can disrupt one’s daily functioning. At the extreme, people with depression may harm themselves. Brain imaging research shows that the brains of people with depression function differently than those of non-depressed people. In depressed people, brain areas that regulate mood, behavior, thinking, appetite and sleep seem to function abnormally. Also, important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters appear to be out of balance.

  • If your parent and grandparent had depression, you’re sure to get it eventually.
     

    The correct answer is: Myth

    Because depression can run in families, scientists suspect that genes play a role. You’re three times more likely to develop depression if your parents suffered depression. But it’s not inevitable that you’ll get the illness, too. Scientists believe the risk of developing depression results from a combination of genetic, biochemical, psychological, and environmental factors.

  • Only emotionally troubled people become depressed.
     

    The correct answer is: Myth

    Depression affects people from all walks of life, not just people with previous emotional troubles. Depression can strike after the loss of a loved one, trauma, or other stressful situations like the loss of a job.

  • Most people with depression never go to a mental health professional.
     

    The correct answer is: Fact

    Only 39% of people with severe depression see a mental health professional. People with depression often see their primary care doctor. Also, many depressed patients remain undiagnosed or undertreated. Some cases of depression are tough to treat. But the vast majority of cases are highly treatable with antidepressants and talk therapy. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is.

  • Depression is most common in elderly people.
     

    The correct answer is: Myth

    People assume the elderly suffer depression most often. In fact, middle-aged people 40 to 59 have the highest rates of depression. Depression is not a normal part of aging. However, ill health, medication side effects, social isolation, and financial troubles can trigger depression in elderly people. Older people belong to a generation that often feels ashamed to admit to feelings of sadness and grief. But it’s crucial that they seek help, especially because white men 85 and older have the highest suicide rate.

  • Depression causes physical pain.
     

     The correct answer is: Fact

    Depression causes emotional symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and hopelessness. But it can also cause physical symptoms such as chest pain, queasy or nauseated sensations, dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain, sleep problems, exhaustion, and changes in weight and appetite. It can also worsen back and joint pain and muscle aches.

  • Talking about depression only makes it worse.
     

    The correct answer is: Myth

    Different types of psychotherapy, or talk therapy, have been proven effective in treating depression. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches people new ways of thinking to replace negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. In another approach, interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people to understand troubled relationships and find ways to work through the difficulties.

  • Being optimistic can cure depression.
     

    The correct answer is: Myth

    Depression is debilitating. Most people with the disorder will require treatment to get better. Few can will themselves to get well through positive thinking. Depressed people may need medication to normalize brain chemicals.

  • Source:

    National Institute of Mental Health: “Depression.” American Psychiatric Association: “Psychiatric News: Children of Depressed Parents Have More Health Problems.” CDC: “Depression in the United States Household Population, 2005-2006.” MedlinePlus: “Depression.” WebMD Medical Reference: “Depression: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms.” This tool does not provide medical advice. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
    © 2009 WebMD, LLC

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    For Additional Information About Depression Write To:
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    6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
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    For free brochures on depression and its treatment call:
    1-800-421-4211.
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