Depression

Dealing with the Depths of Depression
by Liora Nordenberg
It is common for people to speak of how "depressed" they are. However, the occasional sadness everyone feels due to life's disappointments is very different from the serious illness caused by a brain disorder. Depression profoundly impairs the ability to function in everyday situations by affecting moods, thoughts, behaviors, and physical well-being.

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Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment of Depression
article syndicated from NIMH
The first step to getting appropriate treatment for depression is a physical examination by a physician. Certain medications as well as some medical conditions such as a viral infection can cause the same symptoms as depression, and the physician should rule out these possibilities through examination, interview, and lab tests. If a physical cause for the depression is ruled out, a psychological evaluation should be done, by the physician or by referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist.

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What to do When a Friend is Depressed: Guide for Students
article syndicated from NIMH
You know that these school years can be complicated and demanding. Deep down, you are not quite sure of who you are, what you want to be, or whether the choices you make from day to day are the best decisions. Sometimes the many changes and pressures you are facing threaten to overwhelm you. So, it isn't surprising that from time to time you or one of your friends feels "down" or discouraged. But what about those times when a friend's activity and outlook on life stay "down" for weeks and begin to affect your relationship? If you know someone like this, your friend might be suffering from depression. As a friend, you can help.

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Depression and Diabetes
article syndicated from NIMH
Depression can strike anyone, but people with diabetes, a serious disorder that afflicts an estimated 16 million Americans, may be at greater risk. In addition, individuals with depression may be at greater risk for developing diabetes. Treatment for depression helps people manage symptoms of both diseases, thus improving the quality of their lives.

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The Lowdown on Depression
by Carol Lewis
An estimated 22 percent of Americans 18 and older--about 1 in 5 adults--have a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). To complicate matters, many people struggle with more than one mental disorder at a time. The pain and suffering that goes along with these illnesses is felt not only by those who have a disorder, but also by the people who care about them.

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Depression: What Every Woman Should Know
article syndicated from NIMH
Depression is a pervasive and impairing illness that affects both women and men, but women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men. Researchers continue to explore how special issues unique to women-biological, life cycle, and psycho-social-may be associated with women's higher rate of depression. No two people become depressed in exactly the same way. Many people have only some of the symptoms, varying in severity and duration. For some, symptoms occur in time-limited episodes; for others, symptoms can be present for long periods if no treatment is sought. Having some depressive symptoms does not mean a person is clinically depressed.

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Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts
article syndicated from NIMH
Depression, one of the most common conditions associated with suicide in older adults, is a widely underrecognized and undertreated medical illness. In fact, several studies have found that many older adults who die by suicide-up to 75 percent-have visited a primary care physician within a month of their suicide. These findings point to the urgency of improving detection and treatment of depression as a means of reducing suicide risk among ol

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College Student Depression
article syndicated from NIMH
College offers new experiences and challenges. This can be exciting-it can also be stressful and make you, or someone you know, feel sad. But when "the blues" last for weeks, or interfere with academic or social functioning, it may be clinical depression. Clinical depression is a common, frequently unrecognized illness that can be effectively treated.

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Depression
article syndicated from DBSA
Depression is a treatable illness involving an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. You can't make yourself well by trying to "snap out of it." Although it can run in families, you can't catch it from someone else. The direct causes of the illness are unclear, however it is known that body chemistry can bring on a depressive disorder, due to experiencing a traumatic event, hormonal changes, altered health habits, the presence of another illness or substance abuse.

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Suicide Prevention
article syndicated from DBSA
If you or someone you know suffers from depression or manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder), you understand all too well its symptoms may include feelings of sadness and hopelessness. These feelings can also include thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Whether we have suicidal thoughts ourselves or know a severely depressed person who does, there are ways that we can respond with strength and courage.

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What is Depression (and what is it not)?
article syndicated from Wing of Madness
Depression is an illness, in the same way that diabetes or heart disease are illnesses. Depression is an illness that affects the entire body, not just the mind. Depression is an illness that one in five people will suffer during their lifetime. Depression is the leading cause of alcoholism, drug abuse and other addictions. Depression is an illness that can be successfully treated in more than eighty percent of the people who have it.

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Self-Screening for Depression
article syndicated from Wing of Madness
If five or more of the symptoms of depression have been present in either you or someone you know for more than two weeks, please talk to your doctor about the possibility of depression being present. Keep in mind that these symptoms could indicate a medical condition other than depression.

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Treatment for Depression
article syndicated from Wing of Madness
Fewer than two-thirds of people with depression ever seek treatment. One reason is that many people still do not consider depression an illness that can or should be treated by a medical professional. However, more than 80% of people with depression can be successfully treated.

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A Review of Techniques in Managing Your Depression
by Stan Popovich
Some people have a difficult time in managing their depression. Sometimes, their depression and fears can get best of them. As a result, here is a short list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their depression.

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Symptoms of Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Depression affects your mind, your body, and can disrupt your daily activities.The following symptoms are the most common symptoms of depression. Your health care provider will look for these symptoms when trying to diagnose your condition. If you experience at least five of these major symptoms in the same two-week period, it’s likely that you’re suffering from a major depressive episode.

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Manic Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Manic depression affects nearly two million Americans. In many instances, the condition begins in childhood and worsens with age. Manic depression may have genetic roots, as it is known to run in families. Doctors have determined that a family history of the condition exists in about 60% of the cases of manic depression. Current research is focused on identifying genes that may increase the susceptibility to manic depression.

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Depression Test
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American adults each year. Depression has many causes and influences people in unique ways. We all have our good days when we feel on top of the world, and our bad days when we feel sad, exceptionally tired or are have trouble sleeping. Fortunately for most of us, our bad days don’t usually last long and we’re able to bounce back relatively quickly. But when symptoms like these last for two weeks or more, it may be a sign of clinical depression.

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Causes of Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
People who suffer from depression generally describe the condition as an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and sadness, as if a black curtain hanging over their lives. Some people can experience depression suddenly as the direct result of a specific event. While others become depressed slowly over time. There are several types of depression, such as clinical depression, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, and bipolar disorder. Each of these conditions may be linked to a unique cause or circumstance.

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Bipolar Disorder
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, is a type of depression that affects more than two million American adults. It is a brain disorder that causes major mood shifts resulting in dramatic ups and downs. It affects a persons mood, energy, and ability to function. This condition can damage relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But the good news is that bipolar disorder can be treated, allowing sufferers to lead full and productive lives. Bipolar disorder typically develops in the teen years or in early adulthood. However, some people see their first symptoms as children, while others do not develop symptoms until later in life. Many people suffer in silence with this condition, as they do not recognize their symptoms as part of an illness.

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Seasonal Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a unique kind of depression that occurs each year during the same season. Most often, it starts in the fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer. This disorder was first identified fifteen years ago by Norman Rosenthal, M.D. at the National Institute of Mental Health. Also known as the "the winter blues," or "cabin fever," seasonal depression is often disregarded as a figment of the imagination. However, it’s a very real and debilitating condition, but one that can be managed with appropriate treatment.

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Adolescent Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
The rates of depression worldwide have begun to reach epidemic numbers. Roughly eight million people in North America suffer from the condition, with major depression and bipolar disorder listed as the most frequent diagnoses. In most cases, these conditions first begin to develop or display their symptoms in the teenage years, and most mental health experts agree that early recognition of these conditions will have profound effects on later morbidity and mortality.

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