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on: Friday, 20 November 2009 17:49
on: Friday, 20 November 2009 14:23
on: Friday, 20 November 2009 14:07
on: Friday, 20 November 2009 11:53
on: Friday, 20 November 2009 10:59
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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 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.
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members.
If you're interested, this would be a wonderful
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Search Results for "nature"
Health News
Feb 4, 2008, 10:49
Uncontrollable, unpredictable, and constant stress has far-reaching
consequences on our physical and mental health. Stress can begin in the
womb and recur throughout life. One of the pathological (abnormal)
consequences of stress is a learned helplessness that leads to the
hopelessness and helplessness of clinical depression, but, in addition,
many illnesses, such as chronic anxiety states, high blood pressure,
heart disease, and addictive disorders, to name a few, also seem to be
influenced by chronic or overwhelming stress.
Nature, however, has provided us with wonderful processes (mechanisms)
to cope with stressors through the HPA axis and the locus
coeruleus/sympathetic nervous system. Furthermore, research has shown
us the biological processes (mechanisms) that explain what we all
intuitively know is true--which is, that too much stress, particularly
when we cannot predict it or control its recurrence, is harmful to our
health.
I
have schizophrenia, which is a brain disease that usually hits most
severely when the brain reaches maturity—around 20 or 21 years old. I
had my first psychotic break when I was in my senior year of college
and have been disabled by the illness for over ten years now.
My official diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder, which means that in
addition to having symptoms of schizophrenia, I also have trouble with
depression. I'm lucky to have a very supportive family and a wonderful
doctor who have helped me learn how to live with my illness. The new
generation of anti-psychotic medications that became available in the
mid-1990s made a big difference.
I'm doing so much better now than during the first horrible years of
being sick. I have an art studio and am able to work a couple of hours
a day. I'm able to live on my own now, and one of my best friends lives
in my building. Lately I've become deeply interested in spirituality
and have found a wonderful spiritual director through my church.
Everyone with schizophrenia needs to know there is hope. This is what helped me:
- Find an understanding, kind doctor who knows a lot about schizophrenia and the latest treatments
- Take
advantage of local mental health services—sometimes they can help get
you a case manager, a social worker, housing and even employment
- Stop drinking alcohol and using drugs that aren't prescribed—they interfere with medication and make recovery almost impossible
- Learn
as much as you can about the nature of the illness, and then study your
symptoms to figure out warning signs and ways to avoid bad episodes
by John Cadiganhttp://www.peoplesayimcrazy.org/index.html
Can Americans Be Happier? 
PBS has announced that a new series will air during the
first week of the
2010 New Year that examines this question.
This Emotional Life, a co-production of Vulcan Productions
and the NOVA/WGBH Science Unit, unfolds across three, two-hour episodes, exploring the nature of the social relationships that are the key to our human
happiness; the obstacles to happiness, negative emotions, which we can't live
with and can't live without; and the sometimes misguided pursuit of happiness
itself. Each episode weaves together the compelling personal stories
of ordinary people and the latest in brain science research, along with
revealing comments from celebrities such as Chevy Chase,
Larry David, Elizabeth Gilbert, Alanis Morissette, Katie Couric and Richard
Gere. “Science has revealed three important facts about happiness:
You can't be happy alone; you can’t be happy all the time; you can be happier
than you are. Our three shows examine each of these three facts,” notes Harvard
psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness ,
Professor Daniel Gilbert. Prof. Gilbert’s research has examined why people so
often mispredict what will make them happy. The three episodes — which air on PBS January 4-6, 2010 (at
9:00 PM) — trace our relationships and what science reveals about them beginning
with our very first one, the parent-child relationship, and how our connections
to others impact our happiness. Below are descriptions of This Emotional Life's
three episodes:
Executive Summary:A Report of the Surgeon General On Mental Health
Mental health—the
successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive
activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability
to adapt to change and to cope with adversity; from early childhood
until late life, mental health is the springboard of thinking and
communication skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and
self-esteem.
Mental illness—the
term that refers collectively to all mental disorders. Mental disorders
are health conditions that are characterized by alterations in
thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated
with distress and/or impaired functioning.
This is
the first Surgeon General’s report ever issued on the topic of mental
health and mental illness. The science-based report conveys several
messages. One is that mental health is fundamental to health.
The qualities of mental health are essential to leading a healthy life.
Americans assign high priority to preventing disease and promoting
personal well-being and public health; so too must we assign priority
to the task of promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders.
Nonetheless, mental disorders occur and, thus, treatment and mental
health services are critical to the Nation’s health. These emphases,
combined with research to increase the knowledge needed to treat and
prevent mental and behavioral disorders, constitute a broad public
health approach to an urgent health concern.
A second message of the report is that mental disorders are real health conditions
that have an immense impact on individuals and families throughout this
Nation and the world. Appreciation of the clinically and economically
devastating nature of mental disorders is part of a quiet scientific
revolution that not only has documented the extent of the problem, but
in recent years has generated many real solutions. The decision to
publish the report at this time was based, in part, on the tremendous
growth of the science base that is enriching our understanding of the
awe-inspiring complexity of the brain and behavior. This understanding
increasingly supports mental health practices.
Welcome 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 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.
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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
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Mental illness affects one in seventeen Americans.
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