|
Log in
Donate To Depression Forums
Latest Forum Discussions
on: Friday, 16 May 2008 10:53
on: Friday, 16 May 2008 10:39
on: Friday, 16 May 2008 08:47
on: Friday, 16 May 2008 08:10
on: Friday, 16 May 2008 05:09
Search
Member Testimonials
QUOTE (mikey @ Mar 25 2008, 04:34 PM) *
I've just been offered a job after 3 months being unemployed and moneyless. Yay!
I've just found a great new depression forum! This one! taz.gif
(mikey)
HOPELINE 1-800-SUICIDE
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
Our DF Members
|
Symptoms and Danger Signs
|
* Talking about suicide.
* Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness.
* Preoccupation with death.
* Suddenly happier, calmer.
* Loss of interest in things one cares about.
* Visiting or calling people one cares about.
* Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in order.
* Giving things away.
A suicidal person urgently needs to see a doctor or psychiatrist.
Symptoms of Major Depression
Not all people with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more symptoms, for more than two weeks, consult a medical doctor or psychiatrist. While the symptoms specified for all groups below generally characterize major depression, there are other disorders with similar characteristics including: unipolar depression, bipolar illness, anxiety disorder, or attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity. Remember that only a medical doctor can diagnose depression.
In Adults
* Persistent sad or "empty" mood.
* Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty.
* Substance abuse.
* Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
* Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
* Irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks.
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
* Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
* Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.
In Infants
It’s important to understand what constitutes normal development in infants, children and adolescents vs. what may be signs of a depressive illness. You may not see a drastic change in a child/adolescent's behavior or mood if they were born with a depressive illness. It may be part of their make-up having been present from day one.
* Unresponsive when talked to or touched, never smile or cry, or may cry often being difficult to soothe.
* Failure to gain weight (not due to other medical illness).
* Unmotivated in play.
* Restless, oversensitive to noise or touch.
* Problems with eating or sleeping.
* Digestive disorders (constipation/diarrhea).
In Children
In children, depressive illnesses/anxiety may be disguised as, or presented as, school phobia or school avoidance, social phobia or social avoidance, excessive separation anxiety, running away, obsessions, compulsions, or everyday rituals, such as having to go to bed at the exact time each night for fear something bad may happen. Chronic illnesses may be present also since depression weakens the immune system.
* Persistent unhappiness, negativity, complaining, chronic boredom, no initiative.
* Uncontrollable anger with aggressive or destructive behavior, possibly hitting themselves or others, kicking, or self-biting, head banging. Harming animals.
* Continual disobedience.
* Easily frustrated, frequent crying, low self-esteem, overly sensitive.
* Inability to pay attention, remember, or make decisions, easily distracted, mind goes blank.
* Energy fluctuations from lethargic to frenzied activity, with periods of normalcy.
* Eating or sleeping problems.
* Bedwetting, constipation, diarrhea. Impulsiveness, accident-prone.
* Chronic worry & fear, clingy, panic attacks.
* Extreme self-consciousness.
* Slowed speech & body movements.
* Disorganized speech - hard to follow when telling you a story, etc.
* Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, arms or legs ache, nail-biting, pulling out hair or eyelashes. (ruling out other medical causes)
* Suicidal talk or attempts.
In Adolescents
Depressive illnesses/anxiety may be disguised as, or presented as, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, risk-taking behavior such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, carelessness when walking across busy streets, or on bridges or cliffs. There may be social isolation, running away, constant disobedience, getting into trouble with the law, physical or sexual assaults against others, obnoxious behavior, failure to care about appearance/hygiene, no sense of self or of values/morals, difficulty cultivating relationships, inability to establish/stick with occupational/educational goals.
* Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, neck aches, arms or legs hurt due to muscle tension, digestive disorders. (ruling out other medical causes)
* Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability.
* Uncontrollable anger or outbursts of rage.
* Overly self-critical, unwarranted guilt, low self-esteem. Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions, possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork.
* Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements, or restlessness (anxiety).
* Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities.
* Low energy, chronic fatigue, sluggishness.
* Change in appetite, noticeable weight loss or weight gain, or abnormal eating patterns.
* Chronic worry, excessive fear.
* Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings, speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.
* Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts.
In the Elderly
Many people feel that it is normal for elderly persons to be depressed. This is a dangerous misconception. If you suspect an older adult is suffering from a depressive illness, a thorough medical examination should be given as soon as possible.
* Unusual complaints of aches and pains (back, stomach, arms, legs, head, chest), fatigue, slowed movements and speech, loss of appetite, inability to sleep, weight increase or decrease, blurred vision, dizziness, heart racing, anxiety.
* Inability to concentrate, remember or think straight (sometimes mistaken for dementia). An overall sadness or apathy, withdrawal; inability to find pleasure in anything.
* Irritability, mood swings or constant complaining; nothing seems to make the person happy.
* Talk of worthlessness, not being needed anymore, excessive and unwarranted guilt.
* Frequent doctor visits without relief in symptoms; all tests come out negative.
* Alcoholism, which can mask an underlying depression.
Symptoms of Mania:
* Decreased need for sleep.
* Restless, agitated, can't sit still. Increased energy, or an inability to slow down.
* Racing, disorganized thoughts, easily distracted.
* Rapid, increased talking or laughing
* Grandiose ideas, increased creativity.
* Overly excited, euphoric, giddy, exhilarated.
* Excessive irritability, on edge.
* Increased sex drive, possibly resulting in affairs, inappropriate sexual behaviors.
* Poor judgment, impulsiveness, spending sprees
* Embarrassing social behavior
* Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations
SOURCE:-
SAVE's Mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.
© Copyright 1995-2005 SAVE
|
|
 |
|
 |
Comments 
|
This Month In Pictures
Members Online
216 Users Online:
204 Guests
1 Anonymous
11 Visible:
mmoose, echo78, cutehobbit, Reborn, Lindsay, smothered_hope, Gandalf_The_Grey, Coop, lifeasiknowit, JCK, Mimen, |
Medical News
Andertoon
A Potpourri of Mental Health Articles
Mental Health Parity News
Suicide Prevention Llifeline
Amazon Books
Our Soldiers & Veterans
edclogo
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
Link To Us
Please use the image below and the code provided to link back to us 
|
The Food-Mood Solution
The Instinct to Heal
The Instinct to Heal
SOS Help for Emotions
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Workboo...
Self-Coaching
