Treatment!!

Okay. So I've talked about depression, symptoms, types, blah blah blah. But I havent said anything about getting over your depression. Does it just go away? No. So, how do you get better? Like any illness, there are several treatment options. Problem is, a lot of people don't get the proper treatment. They think they aren't depressed and actually suffering from a serious mental illness. Or, they ignore the problem, because they are too disabled to reach out for help or they think it will go away by itself. So. Saying you are reaching out for help, where do you go?

Options:
1) See a psychiatrist, psychologist or other specialist. For some cases, this is enough to treat the depression and recover from it. Sometimes, just letting everything out, thats been bottled up is enough. Talking it through and performing certain exercises and such helps. Also, the specialist can prescribe antidepressants or other treatment if they feel it is necessary.

2) Electro-shock Therapy (ETC) (also known as Electroconvulsice therapy). During this treatment, electrically induced seizures are created to cause theraputic effects in patients. First introduced in the 1930s, now almost 1 million people (worldwide) recieve ETC for major depression, biopolar disorder and more. There are several theories as to how this treatment helps. One is that this treatment may "change the way the brain receptors recieve important mood-related chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine and norepinephrine" (http://www.electroboy.com/electroshocktherapy.htm). Another is that it might cause "memory loss and disorientation that creates a temporary illusion that problems are gone" (http://www.electroboy.com/electroshocktherapy.htm). This is generally used as a second option, if other treatment has not worked.

3) Antidepressants. see next posting

By the way. There are probably way more treatments out there. But this I dont feel like looking them all up and since I already have the needed length in this posting for my class, I'm going to stop typing. :D

http://www.electroboy.com/electroshocktherapy.htm
www.wikipedia.org

Treatments- Antidepressants

Antidepressants. We've all heard of them. We've all seen or heard advertisements for them everywhere; on the TV, radio, Internet, billboards, magazines, etc. Zoloft. Prozac. Paxil. Celexa. Cymbalta. All antidepressants commonly advertised and commonly known. But do we all know what they are? What they do? The answer is no.

Antidepressants are a common treatment for depression
and is an effective one for most people. However "antidepressant drugs are not happy pills, and they are not a panacea. They are prescription-only drugs that come with risks as well as benefits, and should only ever be taken under a doctor’s supervision" (http://www.healthyplace.com/). Whether or not antidepressants is a good treatment choice is different for each person, depending on the patient's age, personal preferences and history of illness. Most combine therapy with medication and are usually taken for a period of 4 to 6 months.

So what do they do? Most are thought to work by slowing the removal of certain chemicals from the brain called neurotransmitters, like serotonin. The neurotransmitters are essential for normal brain function. They are involved in mood control and repsones & functions (sleeping, eating, pain, etc). The antidepressants make these chemicals more available, therefore relieving the depressin symptoms.


It is my opinion that antidepressants are overprescribed. I don't think many know much about antidepressants, or depression either, and think they're depressed when they are really not. They go to a family doctor, ask for a prescription for a readily available antidepressant (ex: Cymbalta) and get it. Some family doctors wouldn't know enough about depression to distinguish between real depression and just feeling blue. A lot of people taking antidepressants haven't even talked to a specialist, haven't even been diagnosed. With a little more well known information out there, maybe then only the people who truly need the antidepressants will be taking them for the right reasons. They don't call now the Age of Depression for nothing.


http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/treatment/antidepressants/index.asp

Common Symptoms

So how do you recognize someone is depressed so you can get them help? Depression comes with various, noticable symptoms and some symptoms that are harder to spot. A depressed person does not always show all or experience all symptoms or the same symptoms as another depressed person. Each case is unique. Different serverity, longevity and other factors all contribute to the symptoms shown by each victim.

Persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, and changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or too little) are all common symptoms of depression. Hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness and pessimism are feelings commonly assoicated with people suffering from depression. Also, loss of interest in all activities/hobbies, especially once favored activities/hobbies, changed eating habits (overeating, undereating) and decreased engery/fatigue could possibly point to depression. Constant headaches or other aches & pains could be yet another symptom of depression. If someone is having difficulty concentrating, making decisions or memory problems, it could be a sign of depression. A big warning sign of depression is talking about death (what its like, does it hurt, etc), talking about suicide or attempting suicide.

If someone brings up suicide or death often, do not take it lightly. It could be that depressed person is reaching out to you, for help by bringing these topics up. Also, if they are showing the signs of a depressed person, get help! Tell an adult or family member if you are unable to get them help directly.




http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml#pub3

Types of Depression: Part Dos

"I'm suffering from depression." Oh really? Well, what kind of depression are you suffering from? Wait, there are multiple kinds? Yup. Depression is broken up into different types, including: Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Psychotic depression, Manic depression and Atypical Depression.

Okay. So, this is a continuation from my previous post, Types of Depression: Part Uno. Anyway...

-Psychotic Depression-
Individuals suffering from psychotic depression, well, they begin to see and hear things that arent there. Things that don't exist. They hear sounds, voices, see images and basically, hallucinate. These hallucinations aren't positive, unlike with manic depressive. The images are negative, frightening sounds and images. People also become delusional and have irrational fears or thoughts. Though, unlike schizophrenics, people suffering from atypical depression know these hallucinations and delusions aren't real. Often, they are embarrassed by the hallucinations and such, and as a result try to keep them a secret. This makes diagnosing hard.

-Atypical Depression-

Atypical Depression is the most common of depression victims, affecting 25 to 40 percent of depressed people. Slighty different from major depression, individuals suffering from atypical depression can sometimes feel happiness and elation. Those suffering from it believe that outside events control their mood. This can last for months or possibly forever. Symptoms include overeating, weight gain, fatigue, and oversleeping.

http://www.webmd.com/depression/mental-health-depression

http://depression.about.com/od/mooddisordertypes/p/depressiontypes.htm

Types of Depression: Part Uno

"I'm suffering from depression." Oh really? Well, what kind of depression are you suffering from? Wait, there are multiple kinds? Yup. Depression is broken up into different types, including: Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Psychotic depression, Manic depression and Atypical Depression.

-Major Depressive Disorder/Clinical Depression/Major Depression

One of the most common forms, the depressed person will seem disinterested in most activites, if not all activites. They feel a constant sense of hopelessness. Some symptoms include irriability, withdrawl from social gatherings/activities, and loss of concentration. The inability to wrok, sleep, eat, study or enjoy once favored activites are often signs of major depression. Major depression can occur once or several times in a person's lifetime. Individuals are agitated, loss or gain a lot of weight, have sleeping problems, are always tired, and think often about death or suicide. Sometimes they also start to talk about giving away prized possessions.

-Dysthymia-

Dysthymia involves chronic symptoms that keep individuals from functioning at their possible best, but does not disable them. It is one of the more severe types of depression. Most suffering from dysthymia have a combination of at least 2 of these symptoms: eating problems, sleeping problems, low self-esteem, feel hopelessness, tiredness and concentration problems. Dysthymics can also experience major depressive episodes. Dysthymics can be anyone, at any age.

-Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression-

Biopolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) involves scattered periods of depression and elation and mania. At times, the mood swings are the gradual (usually) and others its a rapid change. When feeling depressed, the symptoms of those of someone suffering from a depressive disorder. In the manic part of biopolar disorder, most tend to show inappropriate social behavior, elation and irritability. Other common signs are racing, unconnected thoughts, insomnia, chattering (talking) uncontrollably, and increased energy. Judgement, thinking, and social behavior are all affected.

Other types of depression continued in Part Dos.

http://depression.about.com/od/mooddisordertypes/p/depressiontypes.htm

http://www.webmd.com/depression/mental-health-depression

http://find.galegroup.com/ips/retrieve.do?contentSet=GSRC&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28ke%2CNone%2C19%29types+of+depression%24&sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&sort=Relevance&searchType=BasicSearchForm&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&searchId=R3&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=fairview&docId=EJ3013000011&docType=GSRC)

The Age of Depression.

Hello and welcome to the Age of Depression.

The Age of Depression? .....
Why?

Welll... You see, depression was once a condition associated with older women but is now common among all ages. Previously, the average age of a depressed person was 35 years old and now, well, its a lot lower at the age of 14. Also, the term "The Age of Depression" surfaced right about the time Prozac (a widely known antidepressant) was first mass produced.

So. Depression is sadness right? It depends. Are you talking about depression or Depression?

Depression and depression.

There's a difference. Same spelling, different meanings.

"To confuse the two, depression with Depression, is to compare a gentle spring rain to a vengeful typhoon." - Charles Barber, The Medicated Americans

So what's this big difference?

1) depression. It's a broad term thats misused by many. Depression (lowercase d) is used to describe moods or feelings and is widely accepted, especially in America. It indicates feeling sad, low, bummed, tired, etc. People use this term to describe books and movies and whatever.

2) Depression. Its also called clinical depression.This is a serious medical condition that needs treatment. NOW. People suffering clinical depression have an inability to feel any happiness, their sleeping patterns and weight change dramatically. They lose interest in absolutely everything, sometimes they won't even feed themselves. Self-hatred, seldom talking, never laughing or smiling and suicidal thoughts are all major signs of Depression. The emotional pain is sometimes worse than actual physical pain, says several people previously suffering from Depression. Others say that its harder not to commit suicide while they are getting help and their Depression is lessening. Why's that? At the darkest point of Depression, the person suffering will not feel the motive to do anything, even end their pain even though they've thought of suicide and want to kill themselves. They won't, or rather can't, kill themselves. But getting better means more motivation, more willing to get up and move. This is when suicide occurs. In the healing process.



Barber, Charles. "The Medicated Americans." Scientific American Mind 19.1 (2008): 44-51. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Fairview, PA. December 8, 2008.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=108&sid=064c251c-bb90-4e08-b981-f623bc64fb57%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=28780843