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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 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. Advertisement
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Depressive Diseases & Health Disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity. It affects between 3-7 percent of schoolage children, and between 2-4 percent of adults.
This year in America, more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.
A variety of signs may point to mental health disorders or serious emotional disturbances in children or adolescents.
Do your loved ones have a difficult time understanding your illness, because to them you "LOOK" fine? IDA helps friends and family see the courage and determination it takes to live with a debilitating illness, amidst the challenges, frustrations and losses!
"But You LOOK Good!" -myida.org
Feeling down once in a while is normal. But some people feel a sadness that just won't go away. Life seems hopeless. Feeling this way most of the day for two weeks or more is a sign of serious depression.<br /><br />At any given time, most people with diabetes do not have depression. But studies show that people with diabetes have a greater risk of depression than people without diabetes. There are no easy answers about why this is true.<br /><br />The stress of daily diabetes management can build. You may feel alone or set apart from your friends and family because of all this extra work.<br /><br />If you face diabetes complications such as nerve damage, or if you are having trouble keeping your blood sugar levels where you'd like, you may feel like you're losing control of your diabetes. Even tension between you and your doctor may make you feel frustrated and sad.<br /><br />Just like denial, depression can get you into a vicious cycle. It can block good diabetes self-care. If you are depressed and have no energy, chances are you will find such tasks as regular blood sugar testing too much. If you feel so anxious that you can't think straight, it will be hard to keep up with a good diet. You may not feel like eating at all. Of course, this will affect your blood sugar levels.
Insomnia can cause problems during the day, such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, trouble thinking clearly or staying focused, or feeling depressed or irritable. It is not defined by the number of hours you sleep every night. Although the amount of sleep a person needs varies, most people need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night.
A list of MH Disorders from Alzheimer’s Disease to Personality Disorders to Trichotillomania.
More than 28 million Americans — three times more women than men — suffer from migraine headaches, a type of headache that's often severe. Although any head pain can be miserable, a migraine headache is often disabling. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine headache is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine pain can be excruciating and may incapacitate you for hours or even days.
Special sectioned articles on info for men aged 50 plus. Men are living longer and longer....
Key info for men aged 25-50 OK, so you're not a kid anymore .... Key info for men under 25 The good news is .... Plus so much more!
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is a condition associated with severe emotional and physical problems that are linked closely to the menstrual cycle. Symptoms occur regularly in the second half of the cycle and end when menstruation begins or shortly thereafter. PMDD is not just a new name for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a condition that affects as many as 75% of menstruating women. It is, however, considered to be a very severe form of PMS that affects about 5% of menstruating women. Both PMDD and PMS share symptoms in common that include depression, anxiety, tension, irritability and moodiness. What sets PMDD apart is its severity. Women with PMDD find that it has a very disruptive effect on their lives. Please read on to get more information about PMDD -- what it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated.
Overview
Women may experience emotional and physical changes prior to menstruation. The medical term for these changes is "premenstrual syndrome," commonly called PMS. More than 150 symptoms are associated with PMS, ranging from breast tenderness to nausea to anger and irritability.
Help is available - Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD). National Sexual Violence Resource Center at 1-877-739-3895 (toll free)
www.nsvrc.org (24 hr access to information, resources, and research regarding sexual assault)
Pain and depression are closely related. Sometimes, depression causes unexplained physical symptoms — such as back pain or headaches. In other cases, depression may increase your response to pain, or at least increase the suffering associated with pain. Conversely, chronic pain is stressful and depressing in itself. Sometimes pain and depression create a vicious cycle. Some research shows that pain and depression share common pathways in the emotional (limbic) region of the brain. In fact, the same chemical messengers control pain and mood. In addition, both chronic pain and depression are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
In some cases, antidepressants can reduce the perception of pain — as
well as improve sleep and overall quality of life. Other types of
mental health therapy can be helpful as well. Often, treatment involves
both medical and mental health providers.~Mayo Clinic Asperger syndrome (AS) FAQ's
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A Potpourri of Mental Health Articles
How to Take an Antidepressant Part 1
How to Take an Antidepressant Part 2 Ways to fight the winter blues What if one therapy could help ward off addiction, depression, stress and even Alzheimer's, all the while keeping you slim and feeling great? In the interest of fairness to one and all Dr. Paul Donohue - Highs and lows of bipolar disorder Abused Children Face Depression Risk as Adults Omega-3 for bipolar disorder - Restoring the balance Study suggests interplay of gene, stress can predict depression One of 2007’s hottest food additives will be: omega-3. Study Questions 'Off-Label' Use of Antipsychotics A sweet drink twice a day might help people beat the blues. Talking To Doctors Depression May Be World's Most Disabling Disease FDA antidepressant warnings; Use caution when starting medications Mental Health Parity News
APA Urges Wide Interpretation of Mental Health Parity Law Health Reform Must Include Parity, Substance abuse Coverage, AMA Says. NY Enacts Mental Parity Law Timothyslaw.org Parity On! When the Cure Is Not Worth the Cost Vote for America's Mental Health in 2008 Depression Forums Announces Mental Health America's Hailing Approval of Federal Parity Legislation Mental Health Parity in Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Llifeline
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Our Soldiers & Veterans
Mental Health & PTSD Concerns Increasing For Our Veterans
Can I Seek Mental Health Treatment While In Military? Healing the Mental-Wounds of War Soldier suicides in Iraq up again Mental health care needs among recent war veterans. Signs of Military members Depression Tacoma conference on mental health care for military veterans Marine's Suicide Marked The End Of One Man's War Army Beginning to Address Better MH Issues Soldiers struggle to find Therapists US Veterans Face High Suicide Risk - Study Armys Top Official Pushes MH Overhaul Army Official Urges Mental Health Reform Angry Veterans File Lawsuit VA’s Suicide Hot Line Begins Operations The stigma of mental illness: what shall we do? Depression May Play A Bigger Role In Readjustment Than Previously Thought In Troubled Vets Serving Those We Serve Andertoon
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
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