|
Log in
Donate To Depression Forums
Latest Forum Discussions
on: Saturday, 06 September 2008 00:01
on: Friday, 05 September 2008 20:38
on: Friday, 05 September 2008 19:23
on: Friday, 05 September 2008 18:36
on: Friday, 05 September 2008 18:24
Search
Member Testimonials
QUOTE (stuguinea @ Nov 28 2007, 09:09 PM) *
DF is a wonderful site that I stumbled upon during one of my greatest bouts of depression. Considering the large number of topics and threads available on the site I believe there is something for everyone here. In many cases I considered DF my therapist. The warm, inviting community provides a safe place to discuss your innermost thoughts (regardless how disturbing you think they may be) without fear of being judged or labeled. The community is understanding and the advice provided by the moderators and members is very good.
I have told others who I know are suffering from depression about this great website. What is disappointing is that when I try to illicit feedback from them about the site, they reply they have not had time to look at it. I tell them that they do not realize what a valuable resource this is. I believe all therapists should direct their patients to this website in order to ease their suffering. Unfortunately my therapists have never heard of it when I mention the name. At first they seem curious but nothing is ever mentioned after the initial conservation.
Great website. Very thankful it is available.
(QUOTE (stuguinea @ Nov 28 2007, 09:09 PM) *)
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
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
|
Youth Suicides Rise After Years of Declining Rates
|
Antidepressant warnings may be the cause After a generation of declining youth suicide rates in the United States, a sharp increase in the number of young people taking their own lives has captured the nation’s attention and concern.
 Voice for Change. New research shows that suicide rates for American youth rose significantly between 2003 and 2004, a troubling U-turn after a steady drop in suicides since the early 1990s. The release last month of two studies based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal a possible link between the spike in youth suicides and the release of government warnings about a potential increased risk of suicidal thoughts among young people who take antidepressant medications.
The first study, released in the September 2007 issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry, details a 14 percent increase in suicide rates for youth below age 19—the largest increase in this age group since the agency began collecting suicide data in 1979. The second study, published in the CDC’s Sept. 7 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, reveals an 8 percent increase in suicide rates for youth between the ages of 10 and 24, following a 28 percent decrease over the last 15 years. Suicide Increase Coincides With Government Warnings
Recruiting for Mental Health America Class of 2008!
Do you know of an individual or organization interested in becoming a Mental Health America affiliate? Is there a new MHA within your state organization? Mental Health America is now accepting nominations for its “Class of 2008” yearlong affiliate training program. The number of participants will be limited to 15, and where space is available, will be open to new executive directors and to affiliates who are in a rebuilding period. We also seek interested parties in Idaho, Wyoming, New Hampshire and South Dakota. For more information, contact kjohnson@mentalhealthamerica.net.
The rise in suicides in both populations coincides with the public controversy around the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to mandate a “black box” label that warns the public about rare but possible risks for children taking antidepressants. The decision and controversy preceding it sparked widespread media coverage and helped lead to an approximate 22 percent drop in antidepressant prescriptions for youth up to age 19. In contrast, the rate of such prescriptions for older adults—who were not a target of the warning—continued to increase during the same time period while their suicide rate decreased. All these findings are further supported by additional research conducted within the past year that demonstrates an association between higher antidepressant prescription rates and decreasing rates of suicide.
Although more research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of the rise in youth suicides, and the effect of the government warning on prescribing patterns, Mental Health America believes the data illustrate the importance of carefully communicating the full range of costs, risks and benefits associated with antidepressant use. It is critical that the FDA craft and test its messages to ensure they are optimally designed to support sound decision-making by both practitioners and families. The goal should be fully informed decision-making—including a risk/benefit analysis that addresses the dangers of forgoing treatment. Untreated Depression Poses Grave Risks
Suicide claims the lives of more than 30,000 Americans each year, and depression is the leading cause, despite the fact that it’s the most treatable of all mental health disorders. A recently released 10-year retrospective study by Mental Health America shows the percentage of Americans who believe depression to be a serious health problem nearly doubled from 38 percent in 1996 to 72 percent in 2006.
And a new study shows that depression is more debilitating to everyday life than are many chronic physical conditions, including diabetes and asthma. With an estimated 21 million Americans suffering from depression in any given year, and only half of all Americans with mental health conditions seeking treatment, the danger of untreated depression may far outweigh any danger associated with antidepressants.
Mental Health America continues to work with the FDA and other federal agencies to better educate communities about the inherent risks of untreated mental health conditions, and the importance of care and support for children and adults, as well as their families.
The e-Bell Newsletter is published by the Mental Health America, which works with its 320 affiliates nationwide to promote health, prevent mental disorders and achieve victory over illnesses through advocacy, education, research and service. To receive the e-Bell, visit Mental Health America’s Web site www.mentalhealthamerica.net or call 800-969-6642. Cited reproductions, comments and suggestions are encouraged. Mental Health America 2000 N. Beauregard Street 6th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 Phone: 703-684-7722 Fax: 703-684-5968 Information: 800-969-6642 TTY: 800-433-5959 Web site: www.mentalhealthamerica.net
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Board David Shern, Ph.D., President and CEO Holly Seltzer, Senior Director of Publications Ken Chamberlain, Director of Electronic Publishing Bridget Toland, Media & Publications Assistant
|
|
 |
|
 |
Comments 
|
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
This Month In Pictures
Members Online
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
Advertisement
|