Advertisement
 
 
Log in
Welcome Guest



User:
Pass:
Anonymous: 
Advertisement
Donate To Depression Forums
Latest Forum Discussions
on: Friday, 10 October 2008 15:45
on: Friday, 10 October 2008 13:54
on: Friday, 10 October 2008 11:50
on: Friday, 10 October 2008 11:42
on: Friday, 10 October 2008 11:41
Search

Advanced Search

Member Testimonials
"You have no idea what this means to me.Yes, I may be having a difficult time at home, but knowing that at least one person is thinking about how I'm doing is so great. So thankyou, Erin, so much."
(-Helpless_broken)
HOPELINE 1-800-SUICIDE
hopeline.com
Advertisement
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 11th 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
www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called DF Potpourii. Make your own badge here.

Anxiety and aging

By Lindsay

Anxiety and aging

January 21, 2008 11:06 AM EST

        Recently I had coffee with a friend who is worried about her 86-year-old mother, who lives in the Midwest. "Lately it seems like she's worried about everything," my friend told me. "She never used to be this way. Do you think she has an anxiety disorder?"

It's possible. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders among older adults. Approximately 11% of people ages 55 and over suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. Although most anxiety disorders start in early adulthood, they tend to last well into the later years. In addition to enduring anxiety disorders from their youth, older adults become increasingly susceptible to anxiety caused by illness or a medication. That's because both illness and the need for medication become more common with age.

Yet anxiety in older adults has received relatively little scientific attention. Most of what's known comes from studies of young and middle-aged adults, but the findings on anxiety medications don't all hold true for older people. Age-related changes in the absorption and metabolism of drugs tend to make drugs linger longer in the body, increasing the risk for harmful effects even at doses considered safe for younger people. In addition, older adults are more likely to be taking multiple medications for a variety of conditions, some of which may interact with anxiety medications.

Because of these medical realities and the greater risks to health, doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety drugs in lower doses or they recommend different therapies. Drugs known as benzodiazepines are used sparingly because some effects, such as sedation and impaired cognition, can be exaggerated. If benzodiazepines are used, the best choices are short-acting versions, such as lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), or temazepam (Restoril). These don't linger in the body as long as long-acting ones such as diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), or chlordiazepoxide (Librium). In general, short-acting drugs cause less sedation and cognitive impairment, making them safer for people who need to drive.

An alternative, and a better choice for some individuals, is buspirone. It doesn't cause sedation or cognitive impairment, and its pattern of drug interactions may be favorable depending on the other medications on a person's prescription list. However, research on buspirone has been disappointing, with a number of studies finding it less effective than benzodiazepines in treating anxiety. And buspirone carries two other drawbacks: It takes several weeks to take effect, and it does not improve insomnia, a frequent complaint among older people with anxiety.

A third medication alternative is to try an antidepressant. Antidepressants are effective for many anxiety disorders, and may also help if depression is part of the picture. Like buspirone, they can take several weeks to work. Also, as with any medication, adverse effects and drug interactions need to be considered.

Preliminary studies have found that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for older individuals with two types of anxiety disorders: panic disorder and social phobia. When used along with medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy may reduce the amount of time the drug is needed. For older people who can't tolerate anti-anxiety medications, this form of therapy can be used by itself.

I shared some of this information with my friend. But I also offered to refer her mother to one of my colleagues in the Midwest. Only a formal evaluation will reveal whether her mother is really suffering from an anxiety disorder, and then provide information about how best to treat it.

Are you, or someone you know, older than 55 and suffering from an anxiety disorder? How is it being treated?

Dr. Michael Miller has been on staff of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a large teaching hospital in Boston, for more than 25 years. He is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Anxiety and Phobias
Anxiety disorders-which include panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias-are among the most common mental illnesses, affecting about 23 million American adults. Thankfully, never before have there been so many therapies to help control anxiety. is a special report from Harvard Medical School that provides up-to-date information on these treatments, as well as information on the many types of anxiety disorders, their symptoms, causes, and getting a proper diagnosis.
Source:
© 2008 by Michael C. Miller, M.D., Harvard Medical School


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 the 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
Depression News From Medical News Today
Latest Depression News From Medical News Today.

Izard Nobel LLP Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against Biovail Corporation
The law firm of Izard Nobel LLP, which has significant experience representing investors in prosecuting claims of securities fraud, announces that a lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of those who purchased Biovail Corporation ("Biovail" or the "Company") (NYSE: BVF) between December 14, 2006 and July 19, 2007, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Non-Invasive Treatment For Depression - Rush University Medical Center Psychiatrist Led Clinical Trials Of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now an entirely new treatment option for patients suffering from depression. Dr.




ADHD News From Medical News Today
Latest ADHD News From Medical News Today.

Many Factors To Consider In Getting Treatment Right For ADHD
The quality of a child's relationships and their diet are now known to be minor risk factors implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Biological factors, including genetics, remain the most significant factor, however, so they must all be considered before treatment can begin. "ADHD is rarely encountered as a pure, discrete disorder," says Professor Alasdair Vance from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.

ADHD Stimulant Treatment May Decrease Risk Of Substance Abuse In Adolescent Girls
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have found that treatment with stimulant drugs does not increase and appears to significantly decrease the risk that girls with ADHD will begin smoking cigarettes or using alcohol or drugs. Their report in the October Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine parallels the findings of several earlier studies in boys, which needed to be confirmed in girls.




Anxiety / Stress News From Medical News Today
Latest Anxiety / Stress News From Medical News Today.

More City High Flyers Seeking Help As Credit Crunch Bites, London, England
The Priory Group has issued a list of top ten indicators for stressed City executives which should act as warning signs that professional help should be sought. As the global economy goes into meltdown, experts at the Priory Group are coping with escalating levels of depression and related conditions amongst staff in the financial sector, also leading to a rise in people seeking treatment for drink and drug abuse.

40 Million Americans Endure Anxiety Everyday
Despite anxiety and stress being one of today's most common disorders, it is regularly under diagnosed by medical professionals. Most of us experience occasional feelings of anxiety -- muscle tension, headache, nausea, fatigue, or trembling -- before important events such as exams, public speaking, first dates, or during times of stress such as a divorce, job change or a change in residence.




Bipolar News From Medical News Today
Latest Bipolar News From Medical News Today.

Awareness Campaign - To Dispel Myths About Mood Disorders - Mood Disorders Association Of Ontario
The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO) today launches "It's All In Your Head!" an initiative to promote awareness of the work of the MDAO and dispel myths about mental illness. Volunteers will be in the Yonge-Eglinton subway station and the Yonge-Eglinton Centre to hand out "heady" information to commuters during the evening rush hour. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder will affect one in five individuals at some point in their life.

Childhood Bipolar Disorder Could Extend Into Young Adulthood
Young adults who had bipolar disorder as children are likely to suffer from manic episodes, according to an article released on October 6, 2008 in Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder that involves episodes of mania and depression. There is significant debate about how pediatric bipolar disorder, which affects children, should be diagnosed.




Mental Health News From Medical News Today
Latest Mental Health News From Medical News Today.

WHO Report Shows Mental Health Services In England Leading The Way In Europe
Health Secretary Alan Johnson today welcomed publication of a landmark international report, which highlights that mental health services in England are leading the way in Europe. The report from the World Health Organisation, published to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, showed that: - England directs 13.

American Psychiatric Association Draws Attention To Mental Illness Awareness Week 2008
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is Oct. 5-11, and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is raising awareness of mental health issues and the importance of eliminating the stigma surrounding them. Now in its 25th year, Mental Illness Awareness Week provides communities across the country with an opportunity to acknowledge the human and economic toll taken by mental illnesses and to celebrate new treatment advances. Most Americans know someone with a mental illness.




Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today
Latest Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today.

Schizophrenia Society Of Ontario Announces October Awareness Month
"Schizophrenia is a treatable brain disease." A significant element to the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario's awareness campaign this year is the website: with information on the October Awareness Campaign itself, the Access to Treatment initiative, as well as encouraging people to give to our organization.

Wiley-Blackwell Announces Launch Of Asia-Pacific Psychiatry
Wiley-Blackwell, the scientific, technical, medical and scholarly publishing business of John Wiley & Sons, Inc (NYSE: JWa), (NYSE: JWb), today announced that it will be publishing a new psychiatry journal titled Asia-Pacific Psychiatry focused on the Asia and Pacific Rim region.




Schizophrenia News From Medical News Today
Latest Schizophrenia News From Medical News Today.

FDA Approves New Injection Site For RISPERDAL(R) CONSTA(R) For Schizophrenia Treatment
Alkermes, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced that patients with schizophrenia now have a new administration option for RISPERDAL® CONSTA® [(risperidone) Long-Acting Injection]. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new injection site, the deltoid muscle in the arm, for RISPERDAL CONSTA for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. RISPERDAL CONSTA was previously approved as a gluteal injection only.

Schizophrenia Society Of Ontario Announces October Awareness Month
"Schizophrenia is a treatable brain disease." A significant element to the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario's awareness campaign this year is the website: with information on the October Awareness Campaign itself, the Access to Treatment initiative, as well as encouraging people to give to our organization.




Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia News From Medical News Today
Latest Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia News From Medical News Today.

Cognitive Deficits And Sleep-breathing Disorders In Children
Like adults, children can suffer from sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In new research published in the November issue of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, scientists explore the interaction between sleep, breathing, and brain function and find that about two-thirds of children with SDB have some degree of cognitive deficit.

Symptoms Of Major Depression Relieved By St. John's Wort
New research provides support for the use of St. John's wort extracts in treating major depression. A Cochrane Systematic Review backs up previous research that showed the plant extract is effective in treating mild to moderate depressive disorders. "Overall, we found that the St.




Andertoon
Vote for DF
Rate this Site for Psych Central:
A Potpourri of Mental Health Articles
Mental Health Parity News
Suicide Prevention Llifeline
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Amazon Books
Advertisement

Feeling GoodFeeling Good

David D. Burns

New $7.99

Dialectical Behavior The...Dialectical Behavior Therapy Workboo...

Matthew McKay, Jef...

New $14.93

The Stress AnswerThe Stress Answer

Dr. Frank Lawlis

New $16.47

The Instinct to HealThe Instinct to Heal

David Servan-Schre...

New $10.85

The Food-Mood SolutionThe Food-Mood Solution

Jack Challem, Melv...

New $10.17

Depression-Free, Natural...Depression-Free, Naturally

Joan Mathews Larso...

New $10.17
Our Soldiers & Veterans
edclogo


eatingdisorderscoalition.org
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
Att: Mental Health Professionals
Take advantage of this excellent opportunity
to promote your practice, research, career
and expertise.
Depression Forums, Incorporated is now starting a
Therapists Directory so that we will offer to our members
access to a searchable database of Mental Health
Professionals and facilities Nationwide dedicated to
providing treatment services and support for
those with mental health disorders.
List your individual or group practice in
Depressionforums.org's
Therapist's  Directory
and help prospective clients and referral
sources learn more about you and the services you offer.
Communicate in detail your unique credentials and expertise.
Contact Forum Admin.