Adult Men and Women Who Suffer From Chronic Depression
June 12, 2008
Market surveys on women, men and depression suggest an estimated 4.4 million Americans are believed to suffer from chronic treatment-resistant depression. Depression is a chronic, disabling disorder and a major worldwide public health problem. Depressive episodes usually recur over time, with risk for further episodes proportional to the number of prior episodes. After three major depressive episodes, the probability of recurrence is 90%. In the U.S. alone, approximately 18 million people suffer from depression over six million of which are receiving some form of medical treatment.
Market studies on women, men and depression also estimate that over 100,000 Americans each year are treated with electro convulsive therapy (ECT) for their depression. Roughly 15% of all people with severe depression that require hospitalization commit suicide. Disorders related to men and depression are also very expensive. Depression is ranked as the second leading cause of disability worldwide in 1990. Depression costs in the U.S. alone are estimated to exceed $50 billion annually, including over $12 billion in direct treatment costs. The total market in the U.S. for anti-depressants is estimated to exceed $6 billion.
St Johns Wort and Depression
May 6, 2008
The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) with it’s ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun that forces away the darkness. This already points to the anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly respected, even in conventional medicine.
St. John’s Wort, a perennial plant, has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, unrest and anxiety disorders as well as nerve pain. For a long time, doctors and herbalists alike have known about its use as a sedative, but also as treatment for wounds, burns, insect bites, stomach ulcers and more. It is still used widely today and it’s effectiveness has been proven to a point where some insurance companies are now covering the treatment.
It is not a powerful drug — when used to treat depression — in the sense of bringing a quick recovery, but shows excellent long term results in many patients. The herb assists body and soul in the healing process and helps to build a solid foundation for a complete recovery.
Is it ADHD or is it Depression?
March 28, 2008
During the assessment process it is of great importance for the physician or clinician to consider other possible causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in your child, or teen, or yourself. In fact, this is probably the most important element of a good assessment. There are several possible causes of these behaviors, especially in children, and the clinician must have great certainty that these other possible causes have been ruled out before giving the label of “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” to your child.
In this issue we will discuss the possibility that your child has depression rather than an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, lymbic type.
When one is depressed several of the following symptoms will be noted. Someone with four or five of the following symptoms should probably see a physician or other professional to get a real assessment done.
The common symptoms of depression include: · Physical Hyperactivity, or Lack of Activity (Hypoactivity) · Change of Appetite, either Less or More · Change in Sleeping, either Less or More · Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities · Loss of energy, increased fatigue · Feelings of worthlessness, or inappropriate guilt · Difficulty concentrating · Thoughts of death or dying · In children and teens, depression is shows itself with increased aggression, irritability, or isolation from the family.
7 Things You Can Do Immediately To Ease Depression
February 18, 2008
1. Get out now and walk fifteen minutes. It will get your feet moving and help you feel you are at least able to do something.
2. Go immediately and be with someone who loves you. It will give you the feeling that you are wanted.
3. Religious? Say a prayer. Ask God to help you get through this.
4. Think of a situation, a place where you were very happy. Visualize yourself in that situation once more.
5. Power of suggestion can do wonders. Say to yourself, “I think I can get better. I have to take it step by step. I will work my way out of this.”
6. Go out and buy a plant, or some flowers. Having something living in your house makes you feel more alive.
7. If possible, get outside in the sunshine. If it’s not possible, turn on some bright lights. Sunshine and bright light are known to make people happier.
Copyright 2004 Sharon Schurman http://www.depression-help-guide.com
Sharon Schurman, http://www.depression-help-guide.com is a retired licensed clinical counselor. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling, and worked for a psychiatrist for many years. She is the author of “Personality Pitfalls of Depression” and “37 Phrases That Make People Like You.”
5 Tips to Reduce Depression
January 11, 2008
While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over the world, more and more people suffer with depression. The more we focus on news events and the business climate, the more we are depressed. Whatever the reason you feel is the cause of your depression, the following five simple tips guarantee you reduce it significantly.
1. Do not read newspapers.
Newspapers publish negative stories most of the time. Even in peaceful periods, newspapers will find the worst in humanity and place negative stories on display in order to promote sales and subscribers. Stories focused on War, rebellion, death, destruction, doom and despair abound in the newspapers.
You will not miss any news. Friends, family, and your local air raid siren will keep you informed if your attention is needed. Only pay attention to the things you can control in your life.
Stop reading the newspaper and reduce the negative input to your brain.
2. Turn off your television.
ADHD and Depression — More Common Than Thought
December 4, 2007
“Thanks for Noticin’ Me” says Eeyore. He walks slowly. He looks sad. He doesn’t accomplish much. He’s just glad to be noticed. This is Eeyore, the stuffed donkey who is so often in need of his tail being pinned back on.
Eeyore is a good picture of life is like for those who are impacted by the type of ADHD that includes sadness, or depression. It is estimated that as many as 25% of all those with ADHD have to battle depression as well. This type of ADHD is called “Limbic System ADHD” by Daniel Amen, and for good reason. SPECT scans show that when the brain is at rest, there is increased activity deep in the limbic system, in parts of the brain called the thalamus and hypothalamus. There is also a decreased level of activity in the underside of the pre-frontal cortex.
When the brain is placed under a work load, as during a homework assignment, we would expect the under-active pre-frontal cortex to increase activity and get to work. But instead, nothing changes. The over-active limbic system remains over-active, and the under-active pre-frontal cortex remains under-active.
New Treatment for Chronic Depression
October 27, 2007
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Treatment-Resistant Depression
About Vagus Nerve Stimulation
VNS is not brain surgery, although it is a treatment that affects the function of the brain. Vagus Nerve Stimulation uses specific stimulation of the vagus nerve to send stimulation to specific parts of the brain that are involved in mood. It is not like Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), a treatment that involves stimulation of the entire brain and induces convulsions in patients. In fact, patients may not even feel the stimulation from VNS since the vagus nerve does not have the type of nerves that carry pain signals. Nor does VNS interfere with drugs, and patients having Vagus Nerve Stimulation can continue taking their other drugs without worrying about side effects or interactions between drugs.
On June 15th, the FDA’s Neurological Advisory Panel recommended APPROVAL of the vagus nerve stimulator as a treatment for chronic depression.
What is the Vagus Nerve ?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing!
September 18, 2007
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental condition, and another name for depression.
But these two conditions are very different!
And when you label a condition incorrectly it can cause no end of problems when trying to diagnose and treat it. So it’s extremely important to make the distinction between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression - because they are completely different illnesses.
For one, depression can be a symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but there are many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers out there who do not suffer from depression at all.
Second, research has shown that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers have an abnormality in their ‘deep sleep’ brainwave patterns. In contrast, depression sufferers do not have this abnormality.
In addition, depression sufferers tend to feel tired all the time, whereas Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers’ exhaustion increases notably after mental or physical exertion.
Depression in Teenagers: Now What Can We Do?
August 8, 2007
No doubt you have seen the recent news headlines about a federal panel that recommended to the FDA that anti-depressant medications carry the strongest possible warning label for use in children and teenagers. This recommendation to the FDA shook the medical community, especially those who work with depressed young people. The biggest problem from the treatment community’s point of view was not the recommendation for the warning label, but the way that the media protrayed the panel’s recommendation.
The panel reported that 2% to 4% of children and teens who were given anti-depressants for the treatment of depression became suicidal, that is they had suicidal thoughts, or made suicidal attempts of one kind or another. None of the 4,000 children and teens studied committed suicide.
What the media did not report well is the fact that 15% of children and teens with depression who receive no treatment will commit suicide. These 15% will not just think about it, but will actually kill themselves.
So what are we to do? If the media had their way it seems that no teens with depression would receive anti-depressants. As a result the suicide rate for those who could be using the medication would rise from nearly zero percent to about fifteen percent. But at least we wouldn’t have to be concerned about evil medications.
The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
July 4, 2007
INTRODUCTION
