|
Log in
Donate To Depression Forums
Latest Forum Discussions
on: Friday, 29 August 2008 17:20
on: Friday, 29 August 2008 17:15
on: Friday, 29 August 2008 16:15
on: Friday, 29 August 2008 14:50
on: Friday, 29 August 2008 14:45
Search
Member Testimonials
"Thanks so much. I finally feel like I can talk about myself and be understood and not criticized. I already feel such a connection to so many people here. I've been dealing with my issues for decades and have never found a place like this. I have already learned so much and hope the help I've given has been useful. I'm so grateful for this place. Already I've laughed and cried. I finally feel home. Thanks for a place to be understood."
(-Two of Me)
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
|
Gift the gift of good health this holiday season with festive treats for healthy bodies
|
11/28/2007 -LAS CRUCES - You may think visions of sugar plums and video games dominate local wish lists, but there are lots of ways to put some health in your holidays.
The best gift you can give yourself and others is to start with honest, realistic expectations about the whole gift-giving process, said clinical psychologist Al Galves of Las Cruces.
"The simplest way to have healthy, happy holidays is not to get too excited. It's pretty simple, if you don't have too high expectations and know that holidays put a lot of pressure to be happy and to be "up.' Be aware of the tension and pressure on giving gifts," Galves said.
Both giving and receiving can be fraught with trials and tribulations.
"It can be really hard to deal with the disappointment of getting gifts that aren't what you wanted and you're trying to be nice about it," said Galves, author of "Lighten Up. Dance With Your Dark Side" (Tasora, ), in itself, an opportunity to give the gift of self-awareness and help those who suffer from seasonal angst and depression. The book offers helpful information and exercises for discovering, acknowledging and coping with and transcending emotions like anger, fear, anxiety, jealousy, sadness and guilt. His book also includes relaxation
and meditation techniques.
Galves thinks honesty can be the best policy with loved ones, even at Christmas, and notes that one year, tired of getting the same old gift from his nearest and dearest, he decided it was time to say something.
"After getting underwear again, I finally spoke out and said, "I can buy my own underwear,'" and the issue was resolved, he said.
Galves has recommendations for gifts that are likely to nurture health and good feelings.
"Give people sessions at a spa or fitness clinic, or a certificate for a massage. Giving people things they can use to do something is a good idea," he said.
Being active can help people cope with holiday stress, he said, but added that the holidays can also be a good opportunity to enjoy time alone or with friends and family.
"Take some time during this time of year to sit back and relax and get off the train," he advises.
With a little planning, you can even enjoy - and give - healthy goodies.
Mountain View Market, 1300 El Paseo Road, will custom make or help you assemble special gift baskets for people with allergies or who are on special diets.
"Our baskets are for people who have special needs. We can put together all kinds of foods for vegans, diabetics and people with celiac disease, for instance, so they can have fun, too," said Kathy Stott, who manages Mountain View's vitamin, supplement and health products area.
She led a tour of the store's "grab and go" section, which offers yummy baked treats like vegan oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies, and wheat- and gluten-free muffins in exotic flavors like pumpkin spice and mesquite banana, which is made with brown rice flour and mesquite meal.
"People should be able to have real goodies, not things that are bland or don't have the consistency of the real thing. Now we have lots of choices and we all have all the ingredients if people want to make their own healthy treats," Stott said.
For those who are concerned about a healthy planet, the cooperative market also has organic wool and cotton socks and clothing, environmentally friendly cosmetics and cleaning products, and recyclable cloth gift and tote bags.
Festive treats for healthy bodies range from gift baskets filled with tinctures, lotions and balms blended by Trish McCaull of Las Cruces to classics like Dr. Bonner's peppermint soap, a perfect holiday stocking stuffer.
Inspire kids and couch potato adults to move away from the video games with gifts that encourage movement. Find out about their hobbies and favorite sports. Gift choices could include anything from footballs and basketballs to golf or fishing equipment, inline skates, a family trampoline and bike or ski accessories or something as simple and inexpensive as a jump rope and free weights.
And stylish new workout gear could fortify New Year's resolutions. Choices include new hiking boots, swimsuit and goggles, dance leotards, warmup suits or chic sweats. Package with exercise DVDs or gift certificates for a session with a personal trainer or a series of yoga, dance, Tai Chi or other exercise classes.
Books are also a nice way to share some healthy tips and concepts, particularly if you know your recipient's tastes.
Oprah's popular health guru, Dr. Mehmet C. Oz and his coauthor Michael F. Roizen, have followed their bestsellers "YOU: The Owner's Manual" (Free Press/Simon & Schuster) and "YOU: On A Diet" with a title that should appeal to all the aging Baby Boomers on your list: "YOU: Staying Young: An Owner's Manual For Extending Your Warranty." There is also a "YOU: Staying Young" workout DVD.
"Healthy & Fit After Fifty" (AuthorHouse) by Steve Fisher, discusses "ways to improve physically, emotionally and spiritually to help readers look and feel better, live longer and with a higher quality of life, overcome lifestyle sickness or disease, remain physically active and have better sex," according to Fisher, a doctor of naturopathy.
Inspire some open minded investigations of alternative medicine with "What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know: The Truth About Alternative Treatments and What Works" by Edward L. Schneider, M.D., and Leigh Ann Hirschman (Avery Press).
Or explore the world of herbal medicine, curanderas and folk healers and their tradition in "Healing with Herbs and Rituals: A Mexican Tradition" by Eliseo "Cheo" Torres (University of New Mexico Press), who includes a glossary of helpful herbs.
Take a fun approach to inspire and fortify New Year's resolutions with innovative books on diet and weight loss.
"Our Lady of Weight Loss" by Janice Taylor (Viking Studio) is a spiritually-oriented artist's approach which promises "Miraculous and motivational musings from the patron saint of permanent fat removal." For more fun, check out Taylor's Web site and online support system and e-newsletter Our Lady of Weight Loss Kick in the Tush Club at www. ourladyofweightloss.com
Spice up dieting with offerings like "Mexican Light" (Cocina Mexicana Ligera): Healthy Cuisine for Today's Cook" by Kris Rudolph (University of North Texas Press). This bilingual guide offers healthy recipes for soups, salads, appetizers, entrées, side dishes, desserts and beverages with added tips for low-carb, low-fat options, information on do-ahead party planning and a special section devoted to varieties and preparation methods for our No. 1 regional health food: chiles.
For an extra treat, package a healthy cookbook with a basket stocked with cooking utensils and ingredients for one or more of the recipes in the book.
Healthy gift ideas
• Health club membership
• Gift certificate for massage or body work
• Sessions with a personal trainer
• Exercise and sports equipment
• Workout clothes or footwear
• Health oriented books
• Custom gift baskets with healthy foods or cosmetics
• Cooking items: cooking classes, healthy food prep items like steamers and low-fat, sugar free, light and other healthy cuisine cookbooks
SOURCE:
By S. Derrickson Moore Sun-News reporter
S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com
|
|
 |
|
 |
Comments 
|
This Month In Pictures
Members Online
139 Users Online:
116 Guests
1 Anonymous
22 Visible:
Camilia, Isabeau, pinknixon, Appleguy, ohioankev, peterryard, azncollegegurl21, Leyna, JCee, Sore_Head, Thimble, tigereyes6169, fuzz963, Procrastination Queen, Silver_wlf, gubbels, amazinggrace, dragsum, DoubleJ, benzo_girl, kirkwuk, ISeeBluePeople, |
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
|
Living Well with Depression and Bipo...
The Food-Mood Solution
Pass Through Panic
Anxiety & Depression Workbook For Du...
Depressed and Anxious
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
