|
Main Menu
Log in
Welcome Guest
 Sponsored Links
Advertisement
Donate To Depression Forums
Latest Forum Discussions
on: Thursday, 09 September 2010 06:12
on: Thursday, 09 September 2010 06:05
on: Thursday, 09 September 2010 06:03
on: Thursday, 09 September 2010 05:43
on: Thursday, 09 September 2010 04:46
Search
Current Poll
Find A Therapist
Advertisement
Depression & MH FAQ's Helping Over 40,000 Members
Mental health is how we think, feel and act as we cope with life.
It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad or stressed sometimes. But with a mental illness, these feelings do not go away and are severe enough to interfere with your daily life. It can make it hard to meet and keep friends, hold a job or enjoy your life. Mental illnesses are common – they affect about one in five families in the U.S. It is not your fault if you have one. These disorders – depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and many others - are real diseases that you cannot will or wish away. Fortunately, they are often treatable. Medicines and therapy can improve the life of most people with mental illnesses. Family Doctor 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. Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Facts: * Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide. * Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. * Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated in primary care. * Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments. 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. 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. 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. |
What We Are AboutWelcome to the Depression Forums We are so glad that despite the fact that you are feeling such despair you still have the need, desire, will and determination to ask for help. We know you are seeking answers to your immediate questions, concerns and crisis situation. This forum is NOT able to provide IMMEDIATE crisis or suicide intervention or professional counseling. We MUST refer you elsewhere. If you are suicidal and are looking for resources that offer immediate assistance, please go to the HOTLINE SECTION IN THE FORUMS. ********************************************************************** WHAT IS THE DEPRESSION FORUMS AND WHO ARE ITS MEMBERS? This WEBSITE & bulletin board system was set up with one sole purpose in mind. It fills a void by offering a meeting place or forum for discussions, via a computer website, to individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, ADHD and OCD. This forum does not employ and is not sponsored or monitored by any members of the medical community. No individuals on this forum participate in a professional capacity. We do not have access to professionals in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, social work or suicide prevention, nor are any of our members here in a professional capacity. We are an informal group of individuals from various religions, age groups and ethnic backgrounds. This makes little difference though, our medical condition is the bond that we all share. We are individuals with the commonality of mental illness who are seeking to meet others for the purpose of listening, supporting, and helping our fellow members. Through a series of posts, we assure others that they are not alone and that on this forum we share information and our common experiences. We have an area set up on the forum to discuss and answer general concerns and questions about depressive illnesses. We also have separate areas available to discuss the pros and cons of the most commonly prescribed medications for our conditions. WHAT IS CLINICAL DEPRESSION? We do not know you personally but we already know quite a bit about you as far as what you are feeling and experiencing. We know that many individuals will suffer a major bout of clinical depression in their lifetime and that many of those depressive episodes cause an individual to experience suicidal thoughts. We know that most forms of depression, while not fully understood, have been found, through extensive research, to be linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain, most commonly serotonin. We know THAT DEPRESSION is A REAL ILLNESS and NOT a PERSONAL WEAKNESS or CHARACTER FLAW. Recovering from depression often takes the help of a medical professional not unlike other illnesses. We know you CAN'T just will it away. We know that you CAN'T allow yourself to believe that if YOU were a stronger person YOU could shrug OFF THESE HORRIBLE FEELINGS. You suffer from an illness that requires professional intervention. However, we know that depression is an illness that can be properly diagnosed and successfully treated! There are many symptoms associated with clinical depression - Feeling totally overwhelmed and anxious. - Having trouble overcoming feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness. - Trouble falling or staying sleeping, or sleeping much more than normal. - Feeling very tired and having little or no energy. - Losing the ability to feel enjoyment in daily activities that used to be quite pleasurable, including sex. - Having difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, making decisions and accomplishing tasks. - Feeling very pessimistic, negative and extremely critical of yourself. - Being told that others have noticed a change in your mood and behavior. - Relationships with family members and other people have changed and you are losing interest in being around other people. - Persistent feelings of sadness and frequent periods of crying. - Feeling that there is nothing in life to look forward to. - An increase in the use of alcohol and drugs. - A dramatic weight lose or gain is quite common. - Having recurring thoughts of suicide. You can find some comfort in the fact that we can describe you without having ever met you. We can do that because you suffer from a well defined illness. We can also do that because most or all of us on this forum have been there. You are not alone in this suffering and you are not experiencing anything unique. We know you believe that no one else has ever felt as low as you are right now but that is not true. The truth is that the symptoms that you are experiencing now are more common than you may know. The good news is that you don't have to go on living this way! Help is available! Many of us on this forum have successfully battled back from the pit of despair and blackness, as you will, and we now celebrate our decision to choose life. We have found the will, hope, desire and means to take back control of our lives. Depression can be successfully treated with medication and therapy. Dozens of very effective medications are available to correct the chemical imbalance in the brain. Therapy is highly recommended in addition to medication to help you feel better about yourself and to deal with life in healthier ways. In addition to taking medication, talking to a therapist about life's serious events and daily challenges can speed your recovery. It can also help you learn how to cope with the serious problems and sad events that inevitably occur throughout one's lifetime. Coming here and asking for help was your first step on the road to recovery. You visited us looking for life saving alternatives. You DO have choices! Finding the right combination of medication and talk therapy is your second step. You don't need to suffer needlessly any longer. WHY DOESN'T THESE DEPRESSION FORUMS OFFER IMMEDIATE SUICIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION? 1.) In all honesty, we do not have the qualifications, training and expertise to do so. This forum does not employ and is not sponsored by any members of the medical community. We do not have access to professionals in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, social work or crisis/suicide prevention nor are any of our members here in a professional capacity. 2.) This is a volunteer staffed bulletin board system. Private messaging or chat facilities for 'live' communications are available but not monitored. We do not have a central location to initiate or respond to "one on one" phone calls. 3.) Moderators and members log on and off the forum at will. There is no assurance that an individual capable of offering assistance will be logged on at any given time. Posts are read and answered at will by any member who chooses to do so. Posts and replies are NOT monitored by any other individual for content. Your message may not be read or replied to for an extended period of time. 4.) The member population on the forum is constantly changing. We are a community of individuals, each at a different stage of personal recovery. Many members, although not suicidal, are just beginning their journey back to health. We do not regulate the replies posted by any individual. Because of the open nature of this forum, there is no assurance that your post will be answered by a person who has progressed far enough to be able to do so in a helpful manner. He or she, in an effort to respond as best they can, may post information that is not appropriate, accurate, supportive, or meaningful. Some replies may reflect the depressive, pessimistic or negative feelings of the author. ON A PERSONAL NOTE We know you are having a real tough time with life right now. There are many people on this forum who have been in the exact same situation. We know it feels hopeless and it feels like it will never end. Trust us. Everyone here is recovering or has recovered. It can and does get better. You will feel happy again, be able to smile and you will look forward to another day. Take action now. Take back control of your life. Get help from a suicide crisis hotline, your family doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. Once you have been diagnosed, accessed and have started a treatment plan of medication and therapy, please come back to the forum and let us know how you are doing. Once the immediate crisis is past, we are here to encourage, support and help you in any way we can. We care about you. We'd love you to join our forum as you begin your road to recovery. We all understand what you are going through because we share so much in common. You will be accepted here for who you are. You will find hope and inspiration in our community that is always open and always here to listen and share "our" collective experiences, information and knowledge with you. In no time you will become an active, participating member of our discussions. We look forward to the day when you will feel well enough to help those that will join the forum after you. As our needs and mental health status change, we all GIVE and TAKE what we can, when we can. We look forward to hearing from you again. That is what we are all about. That is why we are here for each other. That is why we will be here for you. Donations would be greatly appreciated. |
This Month In Pictures
Members Online
Follow Us
Facebook - Become A DF Fan!
Medical News
Vote for DF
Suicide Prevention Llifeline
 Featured Articles
Andertoon
Link To Us
Please use the image below and the code provided to link back to us
Advertisement
Sponsoring DF
Partnering organizations that share the mission of mental
health promotion and suicide prevention are crucial to the
continuing success of DepressionForums.org. It
is one of the reasons for the excellent response we receive from our members.
Is your organization interested in
supporting Depression Forums? Benefits of being a supporter:
If you are interested in having your
organization become a
supporter of DF please: We would like to invite you to partner with Depression Forums, 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. There is hope! Together, we can help. Warm Regards, ~Lindsay and The Depression Forums Administration Staff Write For Us!
If you would like to volunteer to write for our DF blog as to what is going on @ depressionforums.org, then just go ahead and get in touch with us by PMing Forum Admin and we’ll get back to you at the earliest. edclogo
 Think you can help? Contact DF
Do you have expertise in a particular area such as Psychology, graphic/web design, journalism, public relations, IT, (Web Geeks Needed!) or fund raising? We need your assistance volunteering for DF. We're always looking for additional Forum and Chat Moderators as well, keeping DF the safe haven it has always been for our members. If you're interested, this would be a wonderful way of giving back to DF. Contact Forum Admin for more details. Tweets
SuicidePreventionLifeline
The Walk To Washington Countdown
 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 |
The Depression Forums - A Depression & Mental Health Social Community Support Group:
Sign In »
New user? Register Now!
Help
New user? Register Now!
Help
Copyright © 2010 The Depression Forums Incorporated - A Depression & Mental Health Social Community Support Group. All rights reserved.
Information supplied on The Depression Forums should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for medical advice from a health professional or doctor.
* DF © is an acronym for DepressionForums.org
DF © does not endorse any product advertised on Depression Forums Incorporated.
| About Us | Terms Of Service | Privacy Policy | Contact Us |
Information supplied on The Depression Forums should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for medical advice from a health professional or doctor.
* DF © is an acronym for DepressionForums.org
DF © does not endorse any product advertised on Depression Forums Incorporated.
| About Us | Terms Of Service | Privacy Policy | Contact Us |
