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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 11 th 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.
Our DF Members
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The Challenges of Diagnosing and Treating Maternal Depression
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May 11, 2007 — Depression is one of the most common complications during pregnancy and the No. 1 risk factor for postpartum depression; approximately one in 10 women will have major or minor depression sometime during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
"It is a known medical fact that women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men are and that women have a 20 percent risk of developing depression during their lifetime, with that risk peaking during childbearing years," said Stanley Zinberg, M.D., M.S., ACOG deputy executive vice president and vice president for practice activities. "As ob-gyns, we need to look at the bigger picture and understand that good prenatal and postpartum care involves focusing not just on our patients' physical health but also on their emotional and psychological health," he added.
Recognizing Depression's Symptoms
Depression is often overlooked because it is incorrectly assumed that pregnancy protects women from depression and that postpartum depression is within a woman's control, according to Sharon T. Phelan, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque. "These are unrealistic expectations and only add to the stigma associated with depression," she noted.
Moreover, some of the symptoms of depression and the normal signs of pregnancy and new motherhood overlap, making depression hard to diagnose. As a result, many women and their doctors may ignore or underestimate the significance of their symptoms. "Half the battle lies in distinguishing between an exhausted and overwhelmed pregnant woman or new mom versus one suffering from an episode of depression," explained Paul A. Gluck, M.D., an associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Florida.
The signs of pregnancy-related depression are often similar to those of postpartum depression and include crying, sleep problems, fatigue, appetite changes, disinterest in daily activities, difficulty concentrating, irritability, apathy or heightened anxiety, obsessive thoughts or worries, and feelings of guilt or hopelessness. When these symptoms limit a woman's ability to function on a day-to-day basis, last for at least two weeks and intensify, it is time to seek medical advice, experts say.
While the causes of depression during pregnancy and postpartum are unknown, researchers believe that the levels and fluctuations of hormones likely play a big role. "Women need to understand that depression is a chemical imbalance. While most women adjust successfully to all the changes associated with pregnancy and new motherhood, there are about 20 percent of women who are overwhelmed by a prenatal or postpartum mood disorder and require professional help," added Dr. Phelan.
Making the Diagnosis
According to Dr. Gluck, obstetrician-gynecologists are the front-line physicians that most pregnant women and new mothers turn to, but many ob-gyns may not feel qualified to diagnose or treat depression because of their limited training in this area.
"Ob-gyns' uncertainty about making a diagnosis of depression should not prevent them from screening their patients," said Dr. Gluck. "There are several formal, self-administered tools to assist with the screening process that are both effective and easy to implement. Once depression is accurately diagnosed, ob-gyns can refer the patient to mental health specialists who can best manage her depression," he explained. In addition to screening, it is advised that physicians initially rule out other health problems.
Screening for pregnancy-related depression is critical. Untreated depression during pregnancy has been linked to higher rates of miscarriage, stillbirths, premature deliveries, intrauterine growth restriction, and low birth weight babies. "It's widely observed that depressed pregnant women may be delinquent about prenatal care, eat and sleep poorly, and are more likely to self-medicate with alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, all of which have serious health implications for mom and baby," noted Dr. Phelan.
If left untreated, postpartum depression can last up to a year and a half or longer. Studies have shown that women with untreated postpartum depression sometimes don't bond with their infants, leading to emotional, social and cognitive problems in their children later on. Furthermore, women who have suffered from postpartum depression in the past have a heightened risk of recurrence, from about one-in-three to one-in-four.
Managing a Treatable Condition
Though depression in women is a common problem, it is treatable with counseling and/or medication. For mild or moderate depression, experts suggest psychotherapy alone may be enough. In moderate to severe cases, treatment may include counseling as well as short-term use of antidepressant medications to improve the underlying abnormality of the chemical messengers in the brain, called neurotransmitters-serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants because they are effective, well tolerated, and have adverse effects that are less severe than those of older antidepressants. However, recent studies have indicated that exposure to SSRIs late in pregnancy has been associated with short-term complications in newborns, including mild respiratory distress, irritability, feeding problems, jitteriness and seizures. Individuals taking SSRIs may experience other side effects, including nausea, drowsiness or fatigue, decreased sex drive, headaches, weight gain or loss, and agitation.
"Uncertainty about the possible side effects on the newborn and the possible risk to the mother of relapsing if she stops her antidepressant medications during pregnancy makes decisions about the treatment of depression in pregnant women especially challenging for physicians and patients," said Dr. Phelan. "But one thing is for certain, women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should not stop any antidepressants without first consulting their physician," she added. Most experts believe that the risks of antidepressants are small compared with the negative impact of untreated depression on women and their babies.
According to ACOG, the use of SSRIs for the treatment of depression during pregnancy should be individualized based on their respective risks and benefits. ACOG also advises that paroxetine (Paxil®), a longer-acting SSRI, be avoided when possible by pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant due to the potential risk of fetal heart defects, newborn persistent pulmonary hypertension and other negative effects.
SOURCE:
News From ACOG
To learn more about Postpartum Depression, click here
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Depression Forums would like to hear from you!
Mental illness affects one in seventeen Americans. However, in this country alone, funding for mental health
facilities is dropping drastically and the care for the mentally disabled.
When the people who need those facilities have no where to go, they end up overcrowding emergency rooms.
Depression Forums would like to hear from you!
We would like to invite you to PM Forum Admin to share your story about your Depression or Mental Health issues as breaking the silence will help us to break open the stigma surrounding mental health that keeps people from getting the care that continues misunderstandings about those affected by mental health disorders.There is nothing better than to speak out, tell your story get the word out!
Together, we can help ourselves and others. Your stories would appear right here on DF's Portal.
Please PM Forum Admin for more information or to submit your story.
Sincerely,
The Depression Forums Administration Staff
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Depression & Mental Health FAQs 2
What is Clinical Depression? Clinical
depression can affect your body, mood, thoughts, and behavior. It can
change your eating habits, how you feel and think about things, your
ability to work and study, and how you interact with people. Clinical
depression is not a passing mood, a sign of personal weakness or a
condition that can be willed away. Clinically depressed people cannot
"pull themselves together" and get better. Depression can be
successfully treated by a mental health professional or certain health
care providers. With the right treatment, 80 percent of those who seek
help get better. And many people begin to feel better in just a few
weeks.
Depression a Big Factor in Poor Health World Health Organization Finds Depression Often Goes Untreated By Salynn Boyles WebMD Medical News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Sept.
6, 2007 -- Depression has a greater impact on overall health than
arthritis, diabetes, angina, and asthma, but it all too often goes
unrecognized and untreated, a report from the World Health Organization
(WHO) suggests. more... Depression a Big Factor in Poor Health
For Additional Information About Depression Write To: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
For free brochures on depression and its treatment call: 1-800-421-4211. or visit: http://www.nimh.nih.gov
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