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 Cadigan
http://www.peoplesayimcrazy.org/index.html

Same Genes Suspected in Both Depression and Bipolar Illness

Increased Risk May Stem From Variation in Gene On/Off Switch

 
January 28, 2010 -- Researchers, for the first time, have pinpointed a genetic hotspot that confers risk for both bipolar disorder and depression. People with either of these mood disorders were significantly more likely to have risk versions of genes at this site than healthy controls. One of the genes, which codes for part of a cell's machinery that tells genes when to turn on and off, was also found to be over-expressed in the executive hub of bipolar patients' brains, making it a prime suspect. The results add to mounting evidence that major mental disorders overlap at the molecular level.

"People who carry the risk versions may differ in some dimension of brain development that may increase risk for mood disorders later in life," explained Francis McMahon, M.D., of the NIMH Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, who led the study.

McMahon and an international team of investigators, supported, in part by NIMH, report on the findings of their genome-wide meta-analysis online January 17, 2010 in the journal Nature Genetics.

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.

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.


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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.