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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
Our DF Members
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Many Americans Know Little about Mental Illnesses,
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April 25, 9:00 a.m. (EDT)
Many Americans Know Little about Mental Illnesses, Most Agree Knowing
Warnings Signs Would Help, New Survey Shows
http://www.healthyminds.org/multimedia/Maybe.mov
Arlington, Va. – A survey released today by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found
a significant lack of consumer knowledge and understanding about the warning signs, causes,
and effective treatments for mental illnesses, such as depression. Almost half the public—44
percent—report knowing only a little or almost nothing at all about mental illnesses. But asked
whether they would benefit from knowing more about the warning signs of mental illness, 84
percent said yes.
“The consequences of this gap in knowledge are quite serious,” said Carolyn Robinowitz, M.D.,
secretary-treasurer and 2006 president-elect of the APA. “About one-in-five Americans suffer
from a diagnosable mental disorder during any given year. This means few families are
untouched by a mental illness. All families will benefit from understanding how these disorders
can impact their lives.”
The survey also showed that one-third of Americans mistakenly think that emotional or personal
weakness is a major cause of mental illnesses and almost as many think old age is a major cause.
In fact, research shows the causes of mental illnesses are genetic and environmental factors,
traumatic events, and other physical illnesses and injuries that have psychiatric side effects.
Robinowitz noted that advances in medical science have led to new and innovative treatments
that help people live full and productive lives. “Today we know more than ever about how the
brain works and how it affects overall health,” Robinowitz said. “We need to make sure
Americans get the benefit of these discoveries, and that means dispelling myths and providing
the facts so that people get the help they need. We really can help Americans have healthy
minds so they can enjoy healthy lives.”
Indeed treatments for mental illnesses are effective. The National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH) recently found the rate of successful treatment for depression (70-80 percent) compares
favorably to the rate for other chronic illnesses, such as heart disease (45-50 percent). The
survey showed that many Americans do not understand that common mental illnesses can be
successfully treated most of the time.
"Left untreated, mental illnesses can take an enormous toll on family life, the workplace, and
society as a whole,” Robinowitz said. Mental disorders comprise four of the 10 leading causes
of disability in the U.S. and the economic burden of depression alone was estimated at
billion in 2000.
Additional Findings
• Psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to help: Eighty-seven percent say it is important to
have a medical degree when it comes to being able to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
• Stigma persists: Thirty-one percent of adults surveyed say they would not seek treatment
because they fear what others may think.
• Mental health groups and the media can help with positive images: Almost two-thirds of
adults surveyed say positive stories in the news media about mental illnesses and positive
portrayals of people with mental illnesses in television programs and movies would have
“quite a lot” or “some” influence in overcoming the stigma associated with mental
illnesses.
“The most important point is for people to understand that mental illnesses are real and highly
treatable,” said Robinowitz. “Through the APA’s ‘Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives.’ campaign,
we are providing the most up-to-date, science-based information on common mental health
concerns, warning signs, where to turn for help, and treatment options.”
For professional help, people can turn to their primary care physician or a psychiatrist.
As medical doctors, psychiatrists specialize in how the brain works. They are the only mental
health practitioners who are trained in the biological workings of the mind and body.
About the American Psychiatric Association:
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose more than
37,000 physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental
illnesses including substance use disorders. Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives. Care that works to
get your mind healthy again so you can lead a healthy life.
May is Mental Health Month. Learn more by visiting the APA’s consumer Web site at
www.healthyminds.org.
About the Survey:
This national survey of 1,005 American adults ages 18 and older was conducted for the
American Psychiatric Association March 17-21, 2006 by Knowledge Networks. The sample is
based on a methodology designed to produce a representative sample of the U.S. adult
population.
Margin of error: The results achieved from all sample surveys are subject to sampling error.
Sampling error is defined as the difference between the results obtained from the sample and
those that would have been obtained had the entire relevant population been surveyed. The
sampling error for the total sample of this survey (n = 1,005) is plus or minus 3.1 percentage
points. Please note that when comparing smaller subgroups, such as respondents divided by
gender categories, or income, the margin of error increases.
SOURCE:-Porter Novelli: 202-973-1360
Lydia Sermons-Ward at APA
703-907-8640 or press@psych.org
SOURCE:-Porter Novelli: 202-973-1360
Lydia Sermons-Ward at APA
703-907-8640 or press@psych.org
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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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