Depression

Causes Of Depression

2009-04-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Causes Of Depression - Post-partum Depression

Having a baby is the most thrilling, wonderful, emotionally fulfilling experiences in life, right? Right? I said RIGHT? You mean you’re not feeling that warm fuzzy feeling that everyone talks about?

You could be experiencing a touch of the baby blues and you’re not alone. Research shows us that about 80% of women who’ve recently given birth experience feelings of sadness, they feel upset and alone and those feelings of love they thought they’d have for their new little bundle of joy? Nope. Nothing. This of course induces emotions of guilt for not feeling the love she’s been told she’d feel towards her little one.

After a woman gives birth she might feel what has been labeled the baby blues. This is a transitory emotional condition that happens to about half of women who have babies. It can peak around 3-5 days after birth and can last from a few days up to 2 weeks. The new mom might cry easily, have difficulty sleeping, be sad, on edge and feel quite irritable. Baby blues are very common and aren’t considered to be an illness because they don’t stop a woman for caring for her infant. Baby blues isn’t brought on by stress but if the woman has a history of depression her baby blues may go on to a full blown depression.

A true postpartum depression occurs soon after birth and affects about 10-20% of women within the first few months after delivery. If you’ve suffered from major depression before giving birth you’re more at risk for developing this disorder. You may feel down, tearful, have difficulty sleeping or eating, thoughts of suicide, fatigue, the inability to focus or concentrate and an overall feeling of being inadequate as a mother.

Mother’s who have had postpartum depression say that they worry about the health of their child, while at the same time struggle with the fear that they might hurt their baby, although few women who have these feelings actually go on to hurt their babies.

Postpartum depression differs from simple baby blues in that it interferes with a mother’s ability to care for her infant. If a woman suffering from postpartum depression turns suicidal she might think of killing her child or other young children in a twisted attempt to not abandon them. This is then a psychosis and immediate treatment should be sought for the mother. Although rare, it does occur.

Postpartum psychosis can cause a woman to experience hallucinations, delusions or both. A woman who is experiencing this rare illness is more likely to act on her thoughts of harming her child. If not treated, it can return after the birth of more children.
Postpartum depression is a significant mental health issue for new mothers, but it is treatable.

What is Depression

2009-02-27T02:32:00.000-08:00

What is Depression - Depression in the Elderly

Depression has often said to be a natural part of the aging process—but that’s not true. There’s nothing normal about depression, though according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) roughly 35 million Americans over the age of 65 are suffering from depression, 2 million are experiencing major depression.

The elderly have unique circumstances that can contribute to having bouts of depression. The loss of a loved one is devastating at any age but when a person loses their companion of decades the loss can be debilitating and bring on serious depression in the one left behind.

Seniors often suffer from health issues that may include chronic pain and loss of independence. Often the elderly are isolated and their distress and depression may not be recognized. Physicians who treat geriatric patients often overlook signs of depression and concentrate on physical ailments instead. Seniors are less likely to talk about their feelings of hopelessness or loneliness, preferring to keep their personal issues to themselves. Their generation was not encouraged to talk about their feelings and most feel uncomfortable doing so.

Most assume that it’s a natural process of aging that causes a person to slow down and lose interest in activities that once gave them joy, but that’s not true. Episodes of depression can be triggered by anxiety about declining financial situations, prescription medications that trigger depression, self-image issues brought on by surgery or disease. Feelings that they have lost their purpose in life because their children are grown, they no longer hold down a job and feel that they have nothing left to contribute can increase the risk of depression in seniors.

Untreated depression in the elderly can lead to a host of serious problems, including health issues, prescription drug abuse, increased risk of alcoholism, a higher mortality rate and the increased risk of suicide.

While it’s true that to some extent a person may slow down as they age, the majority of seniors are enjoying their lives and are staying active into their seventy and eighties. Depression is not a natural progression of aging and If you are a caregiver or simply have an elderly neighbor, be alert for the warning signs of depression.

You can help a lonely senior feel needed in your neighborhood by visiting, by including them in activities and by keeping an eye on their needs. Depression in seniors is a treatable illness and you can help by being aware of the symptoms and seeking help for seniors in your life who may be having difficulties. Whether you’re 18 or you’re 80, no one has to live with depression in their life.

Signs of Depression

2009-01-07T02:26:00.000-08:00

Signs of Depression - Depression in Teens

The teenage years are emotional mine fields. Sometimes you may feel that your teenager is always depressed because that seems to be the mood they project a great deal of the time.

They don’t want to be with the family, prefer to be closed up in their rooms, perhaps listening to dark music and preferring to wear clothes as dark as their mood. An adolescent suffering from depression can be hostile to you, exceedingly grumpy or easily lose their temper at the drop of a hat.

You may be wondering what the difference is between this behavior, which seems like their normal attitude lately, and a full blown depression. The truth of the matter is that it’s sometimes difficult to tell just where their teenage angst ends and depression begins.

A teenager suffering from depression may show signs of hopelessness, cry often, be tearful, or may begin to write dark poetry and become interested in dark themed music and movies. They may begin to feel that life is not worth living, to the point that they neglect their personal hygiene because it’s simply not worth their effort. A depressed adolescent can feel as though this dark cloud over them will never leave and therefore their future is bleak. Boredom and the loss of any enjoyment from previously engaging activities is another sign of depression

Low self-esteem is common in a teen suffering from depression. Their sense of self-worth, which is always difficult to maintain during the teenage years anyway, takes a huge hit when depression creeps into the life of a teenager. They feel worthless and that they’re simply not good enough. Feelings of guilt can overwhelm them when things go wrong, as though every bad thing that happens is their fault.

Teenagers are already susceptible to feelings of inadequacies but when a perceived rejection occurs to a depressed teen whose sensitivities are already heightened, it can result in a devastating emotional meltdown and downward spiral.

Bouts of irritability, lashing out at those around them and isolating themselves from friends or family can also be signs of depression. Sometimes a depressed teenager will ‘reject’ his or her family because they feel they need to reject their family members before their family rejects them.

If your teenager was doing well in school and is now missing school more often than not, grades are slipping and he or she becomes hostile when approached about the situation, it could also be a sign of depression. There are so many traits in depression that can mimic normal teenage phases that it can be difficult for parents and leaders to ascertain with any degree of certainty whether or not a teenager is suffering from a major depressive episode.

Because depression can run in families, a teenager who is suffering from depression probably has one or two parents at home who are also struggling with this mental health issue. If you feel your teenager, or a teenager you care about, is in danger, please contact their parents, their school counselor or religious leader so that they can receive the help they need.

New Depression

2008-11-30T02:09:00.000-08:00

New Depression - This the Season to be Unhappy

Welcome to the holidays, a sure-fire recipe for angst, familial discord and credit card debt. Add those ingredients together, fold in days of dark skies with no hope of sunlight, sprinkle with a smattering of work stress, simmer until ready to boil and you have a tried and true recipe for depression.

Depression runs rampant during this time of year and the reasons, though different for each person, bring a person to the same dark and lonely place. A person suffering from depression say it’s like they’re in a deep and dark pit with no hope and their despair is complete.

Symptoms of depression include:

Feeling tired or listless
Sleeping too much or too little
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling hopeless
Irritability
Self-hatred
Physical aches and pain
Weight loss or weight gain
Loss of interest in daily activities

Clinical depression is a condition that lasts longer than two weeks and can be treated.

Situational Depression is different from Clinical Depression, in that its duration is short lived. We all have things that bring us down and cause us to feel bad about things. Whether it’s because we’re having trouble at work or dealing with interpersonal issues with our significant others—these ‘down’ times come and then they gradually improve. We can’t all be happy all of the time and it’s in our nature to have ups and downs. These low moods generally improve with time as we learn from our experiences and move on. Much like the holidays come and go.

Clinical depression does not come and go. It comes and it stays. Loss of appetite, lethargy, irritability and hopelessness and even thoughts of suicide in the more severe episodes are cause for serious alarm.

However, suicide rates are generally down during the holidays for several reasons: there is a safety net of extended family and friends around, there is more support, and Christmas celebrations bring positive memories to the surface for most people and are cause for celebration.

Stress is a fact of life, and perhaps more so during the holiday season. But despite the holiday’s reputation for being a depressive’s worst nightmare, it also has the potential to bring you out your depression.

Causes Depression

2008-10-25T02:20:00.000-07:00

Causes Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

Mary lives in Seattle, where the fall and winters are not known for being full of sunshine and blue skies—rather they are dark, overcast and quite dreary. Mary dreaded the advent fall; even the changing colors on the trees did little to lighten her mood. As fall would move into winter her mood would darken along with the skies. She hated how she felt but never fully understood just why she became so depressed every fall and winter.

Mary went to her doctor and told him about her symptoms. Mary discovered she was suffering from SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a kind of depression, with symptoms beginning as the days become shorter and darker and worsen as time goes on. Symptoms include :

Depression
Anxiety
Hopelessness
Weight gain
Craving carbohydrates
Difficulty concentrating
Sleeping too much
Not wanting to go out or engage in any activities

If these symptoms are cyclic in nature and begin in the fall and worsen as winter approaches, you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

The exact cause of SAD is not known, but it is assumed that as with most mental health disorders, that genetics, age and your own physical makeup may all play a part in this disorder.

Some research seems to show that a lack of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that affects mood, might play a role. When sunlight is reduced it causes a drop in serotonin levels which might cause depression.

Another theory is that your circadian rhythms are disrupted during the fall and winter for some people. Your circadian rhythm is like your internal clock, regulating when you sleep and when you wake up. If your natural clock is disrupted it can lead to depression.

Melatonin is a sleep-related hormone and during long winter nights its production is increased. Melatonin has been linked to depression and is therefore considered to be a culprit in those who develop Seasonal Affective Disorder.

You’re more likely to develop SAD if you live in the northern regions where sunlight is at a premium during winter months. You’re unlikely to have SAD below the age of 20 and you’re more at risk for it if you’re a woman rather than a man. While a genetic factor has not been found, you’re also more likely to suffer from it if you have a family member who also has it.

Treatments for SAD include light therapy, anti-depressants and psychotherapy. Only your doctor can determine if you’re suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Just like its close cousin depression, symptoms of SAD can be pronounced and severe. If left untreated it can interfere with everyday activities and in some drastic cases lead to thoughts of suicide. See help if you believe you’re suffering from SAD.

Depression Help

2008-09-27T02:15:00.000-07:00

Depression Help - Chemical Depression

You’re feeling kind of down. You’re not exactly certain why you don’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning and after all, that’s a fairly common feeling isn’t it? The desire to ignore the alarm clock when it goes off and pull the covers over your head and sleep the day away is something everyone experiences at some point in their life. It doesn’t mean you’re depressed or that there’s something wrong in your head, does it?

If the feeling of sadness, inability to engage in your usual activities, desire to sleep more than usual or not sleep at all, loss of appetite or increased desire to eat and these symptoms last more than two weeks, then yes—you may be suffering a major depressive episode.

Depression can be triggered by many things; by situations, by hormonal imbalances and yes depression can also be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The exact chemical imbalances and their relationship to depression are not fully understood, but great strides have been made in the past few years.

People who are suffering from anxiety and depression all seem to have the same chemical imbalances in common. These include the following :

Low levels of some neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, norepineprhine, GABA and acetylcholine.
An increase of toxic neurochemicals like homosysteine.
Low levels of serum magnesium, zinc or potassium.
Some have extremely low levels of essential vitamins like B6, B9, B12 and vitamin C.
Deficiency of some key cofactors such as amino acids that aid in transporting neurotransmitter precursors into the blood-brain barrier.
Stress hormone levels (cortisol) are off the charts.

Despite extensive clinical research, little is known of the relationship between chemical imbalances in the brain and major depressive episodes. We simply do not know why or how it occurs. Most medical professionals will tell you that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain but they cannot give you a definitive explanation beyond that simple fact. Most doctors prescribe SSRI’s of MAOI’s which are similar in that they are chemical balancers that treat the chemical imbalance in the brain.

Depression, whether caused by situations in life or by a chemical imbalance in the brain, are deeply disturbing episodes that can have a debilitating effect on a person. Always seek the help of a professional if you feel down and the feeling persist for longer than two weeks.

Risk Factors for Depression

2008-08-31T10:23:00.001-07:00

A risk factor is something that makes the probability of something happening more likely. It doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen—simply that it could. The more risk factors you have, the increased risk you run of developing a condition or disease.
Depression can be triggered by various means, physical, psychological or environmental and every person is different.

If depression or mental illness runs in your family, then you may be predisposed to developing depression yourself. A child with parents who suffer from depression is more likely to develop depression, especially as a teenager when triggers for depression are more common.
People who suffer from chronic pain or debilitating physical conditions are at a higher risk for developing depression than those in good health. Constant unrelenting pain and the prescription drugs that are used to treat these conditions can trigger major depressive episodes.
Physical changes in your body can also result in change in mental health. Patients who have suffered stroke, HIV/AIDS, heart attacks, cancer, Parkinson’s disease or other major physical changes are at risk for developing depression.

Another contributing factor for depression is experiencing a major life change. Moving, selling or buying a house, job loss or gain, divorce or new marriage. Stressful situations at work, the loss of a spouse, loved one or beloved pet are all difficult situations.

If you’ve already had a major bout of depression then your risk of a reoccurrence is greatly increased.
People who have little or no social contact or support often become depressed. Young mothers at home with small children sometimes feel isolated and say that they feel down. Getting together with other mothers for play groups can relieve their feelings of aloneness and help with their depression. Certain psychological factors, like low self-esteem and a pessimistic view of the world can make a person more prone towards developing depression than those with high self-esteem and an optimistic view of things.

Low socio-economic status can also put you at a higher risk for developing depression, but the reasons vary. Whether it’s due to financial stress, perceived lower social status, cultural issues or simply every day stress, depression is more common in this group.

Women are more likely to suffer from depression than their male counterparts—however whether that’s due to the fact that most men do not seek help or even admit that they are having problems or because women experience depression more than men—is not entirely clear.

Being over the age of 65 increases your chances of depression, due to failing health, feelings of isolation, loss of mobility, chronic pain or bereavement and the elderly are less likely to admit to needing help for this issue.

If you’re having problems sleeping and your insomnia becomes chronic you are at a very high risk for developing major depression. Restful sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health and if you’re not able to sleep you should seek help so the problem does not worsen.
There are many risk factors for depression, but thankfully this mental health issue is treatable and your doctor can help you decide if medication or counseling is in your best interests.

Depression in Women

2008-07-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

Your sex is a factor in determining whether or not you’re more at risk of developing depression.
Women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to suffer from this form of mental illness, whether it’s because they actually do or because men feel uncomfortable asking for help and saying they feel vulnerable is something that the medical profession is still attempting to determine.

The reason that women’s rate of depression may be twice as high as men’s is due in part to hormonal issues. Women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to varying degrees and those who suffer severe mood swings, painful ovulation, bloating, water weight gain, and agonizing menses are at a higher risk of becoming depressed than women who do not have PMS. Men, of course, do not suffer from these issues.

After a woman gives birth, her hormones are all out of whack. It’s common for some women to experience baby blues after becoming a new mother, but some women fall into a deep and increasingly dark mood from which they cannot escape. This is called post-partum depression and can occur anytime from immediately after giving birth to six months into motherhood. A woman experiencing post-partum depression may not want to hold her child or feel as though she has bonded with her infant in any way. She feels guilty about this lack of emotion on her part, which only leads her further down into despair. A woman who is having these feelings should seek immediate medical help.

Another risk factor for women is miscarriage. Although irrational, a woman may feel to blame somehow for the loss of her baby and thus her risk for emotional disorders is greatly increased. Young mothers who stay at home with small children often claim they feel isolated and alone. This loss of a social network or perceived social status can also contribute to depressive episodes.

Depression in Men

2008-06-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Men are not like women. Yes, I know that this is stunning news. Alert the media! It’s true though; men are different from women in more ways than one would normally think. Due to their differences they are more vulnerable to some serious side effects of depression.

‘Vulnerable’ isn’t a word that’s often associated with males and that’s part of the problem. Men, as a rule, do not talk about their feelings. They don’t like to be thought of as vulnerable, weak, in need of help, or fragile. A man is much less likely to confide in a friend, a co-worker, spouse or medical professional that they are feeling depressed.

Depression affects men as well as women, yet the medical profession sees much fewer men than women because men do not seek help for this condition as much as their female counterparts do.
Men feel the need to be powerful, in control, competitive and often neglect their mental health in the process of being ‘manly’. Men have traditionally had the role of being tough and self-reliant, and sometimes the women in their lives hold that same view of the male role. A man wanting to talk about his feelings of vulnerability and fragility can be taken as a sign of weakness to some women and this can result in the loss of a relationship.

Because men are not inclined to believe they need help and think that it’s a sign of virility that they can handle whatever life throws their way—they are not often aware of the symptoms of depression. Instead of seeking help, men may try to compensate for their feelings of depression by increasing alcohol consumption or using drugs to mask their pain. This can result in risky behavior.

Some will spend more time at work and less time at home, leading to problems in relationships. If you’re suffering from depression you may be underperforming at work, feel less likely to talk than usual, you feel irritable, feel achy and you are worrying more and more about things in your life.

Physical problems, such as erectile dysfunction can result in depression in men. Occasionally depression can cause sexual problems, but the good news is that there are many treatments available to help with both.

Men should know that depression can affect them as well as women and need to know the signs:

Feelings of hopelessness
Loss of appetite
Anxiety
Loss of sex drive
Trouble concentrating
Loss of energy
No desire to maintain personal hygiene
Losing interest in people or activities

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms it’s ok to talk to your doctor. You’re not superman. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak.

Types of Depression

2008-05-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

You’re down and feeling blue. Someone ate all your chocolate ice cream or moved your cheese or something has simply made you feel bad. Perhaps things are not going well at work with your boss and you’re worried a pink slip is in your near future.

Are you depressed? Maybe. Is it serious? Probably not.
There are different types of depression, according to the AMA. Some can be quite serious and require medication, other’s are fleeting, lasting a few days to a week and are situational in origin.
Here are the some types of depressive disorders recognized by the AMA.

Major Depression.
This depression is recognized by a persistent sadness and some experience the inability to experience any pleasure in their lives. A Major Depression isn’t fleeting—it’s constant and interferes with a person’s life. They might miss work, family gatherings and if severe may not leave home at all. A depressive episode of this magnitude can be treated medically. If it’s not taken care of it may last up to six months or more. If they’re lucky a person could experience a severe depressive episode such as this once in their lifetime. Unfortunately it’s more common for major depression to be a reoccurring disorder.

Atypical Depression.
This is a fairly common subtype of Major Depression. Those who experience this form of depression can feel a short-lived elevation of their mood when confronted with positive things happening in their lives. The elevation in mood, whether it’s being out with friends or getting a piece of good news, is always fleeting. With Atypical Depression you can have weight gain, increase in appetite, and an increased desire to sleep, lethargy and hyper-sensitivity to any form of rejection.

Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a kind of low-grade depression that can last for two years. It’s not as debilitating as a Major Depression, but it can and does interfere with the daily life of those who suffer from it. Most days a person suffering from dysthymic disorder will feel anywhere from mildly to moderately depressed with short periods of feeling normal. Some with dysthmic depression also fall into Major Depressive Episodes and this is called double depression.

SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder
SAD is the name used to refer to a seasonal pattern of major depression that happen during the fall and winter months when sunlight is in short supply, especially in northern climates. The symptoms disappear once the sun reappears or the person suffering from SAD uses a special light.

Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression affects many women who have recently given birth and is considered to be brought on by the hormonal upheavals that new mother’s experience. It generally lasts longer and is more severe than a simple bout of the ‘baby blues’ and can occur right after birth or up to six months afterwards.

The good news is that depression is a treatable disease and seeing your doctor is your first step on the road to feeling like yourself again. If someone you know is suffering from some of these symptoms, talk to them about what you think might be going on. It might turn them around.