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Depression after heart attack
There are several factors can lead to depression after heart attack. The stress of being in the hospital, the fear of another heart attack, time away from work can all contribute to feeling depressed, helpless, down and despondent.
Do many...
Depression: Can Dolphins Relieve Depression Symptoms?
There are various treatments for depression but this one can be
not only original, but also effective. Swimming with dolphins
can be an effective therapy for depression according to a
research carried out in Honduras. It was known that...
Depression Series (Part 3): What to Do with Those Antidepressant Side Effects?
Maria’s depression was difficult to treat. As you can recall, various medications had been tried to no avail. But after several months of treatment, Maria has eventually become stable on a combination of two antidepressants. She’s now able to do...
Manic – bipolar depression facts and reality
Copyright 2005 David McEvoy Manic depression - Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Some mornings can start with overriding...
Tips to Control Depression
Bouts of depression is a common phenomenon. Even very happy persons and great saints have to pass through the tides of depression. Static state of anything thing or emotion can be very boring in life. If there is no night how can you enjoy the...
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Depression: Don't Let the "Blues" Get You Down.
In any given 1-year period, approximately 10% of the U.S. adult population, or about 20 million American adults, suffer from some form of depressive illness. Studies also show that 10 to 15 percent of all children and adolescents have some symptoms of depression. While the economic cost of this disorder is high, the cost in human suffering can not be measured.
Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering, not only to those who have the disorder, but to those who care about them. Serious, untreated depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person.
Sure, everyone gets sad or a little blue now and then. But if you rarely feel joy, happiness, or excitement you may have a more serious problem. Doctors call this prolonged sadness "clinical depression." A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It may affect the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about others. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished or willed away. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even an entire lifetime. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
Depressive disorders come in many different forms, just as the case with other illnesses such as cancer. The three most common types are Major Depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder. Major Depression is marked by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy activities which were once pleasurable. A disabling episode of depression of this type may occur only once in a lifetime, but more commonly returns several times.
Dysthymia, a less severe type of depression, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable the sufferer, but keep one from functioning properly and feeling good.
Another type of depression, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive illness), is not nearly as common as the other forms of depression. It is characterized by severe cycling mood swings: severe highs (mania) and depth-plunging lows (depression).
When you're manic: you feel high as a kite...you're on top of the world; thoughts go racing through your head; you're a non-stop party; you do wild and risky things (with driving, money, sex, drugs, etc); you are so up you don't even need sleep. However, this mania, left untreated,
may worsen to a psychotic state and could become a life-threatening illness.
When you're depressed: you cry a lot and it doesn't go away; you feel guilty for no reason; life seems meaningless and empty; it's hard to make up your mind; you feel worthless; you forget lots of things and it's hard to concentrate; you feel restless and tired most of the time; you think about death or feel like you're dying.
Not everyone who is depressed experiences every one of these symptoms. And the severity of the symptoms can vary with the individual and over a period of time. Some of the more common symptoms include: an "empty" feeling (ongoing sadness), lack of energy, pessimism, difficulty in concentration and decision making, insomnia, appetite loss or overeating, being irritable, crying too often or too much, feeling worthless or hopeless, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Having these feelings doesn't mean that a person is a failure...it means they are ill and in need of treatment. There are a number of medical treatments now available and they do work--usually within a matter of weeks. There is no single cause of depression, but remember, it is a real medical illness and it IS treatable.
Most people with depression can be helped with psychotherapy, medicine or a combination of the two. Psychotherapy means talking about your feelings with a trained professional who can help you change the relationships, thoughts, or behaviors that contribute to depression.
Medication has recently been developed that effectively treats severe and disabling depression. Anti-depressant medications are not "uppers" and are not addictive. Sometimes, however, several types may have to be tried before you and your doctor find the one that works best. As with most medical problems, there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution for depression.
The most important thing to remember--you are not alone! When problems seem too big and you're feeling low for too long, you CAN find help, it is affordable, and you CAN get better.
About the Author
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc. an Internet business providing valuable information and resources on a number of timely topics. For additional information, suggestions and valuable resources for dealing with depression, visit http://www.DepressionDesk.com
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Welcome to Depression.com |
Facts about depression, including how to manage it and how to live with this medical condition. |
www.depression.com |
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NIMH: Depression |
Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more ... Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women. ... |
www.nimh.nih.gov |
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NIMH: Depression |
National Institute of Mental Health presents a comprehensive series of articles on symptoms and management. Includes booklets of personal accounts and ... |
www.nimh.nih.gov |
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Clinical depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder) is a state of intense ... By definition the symptoms are not as severe as with Major Depression, ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Great Depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
The Great Depression was an economic downturn which started in 1929 (although its ... The Great Depression ended at different times in different countries; ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Dr. Ivan's Depression Central |
This site is Internet's central clearinghouse for information on all types of depressive disorders and on the most effective treatments for individuals ... |
www.psycom.net |
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Depression Screening Test |
Answer a few simple questions to determine if you are experiencing depressive symptoms. Provides a referral list and information on depression. |
www.med.nyu.edu |
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MedlinePlus: Depression |
From the National Institutes of Health; Depression (National Institute of Mental Health) ... Select services and providers for Depression in your area. ... |
www.nlm.nih.gov |
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Welcome to depression-screening.org |
Most people with depression, however, do not seek the professional help they ... The depression-screening.org web site is sponsored by the National Mental ... |
www.depression-screening.org |
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iFred - International Foundation for Research and Education on ... |
"This book can help those directly and indirectly touched by depression. ... iFred Brings New Hope to Depression with Thousands of Sunflowers ... |
www.ifred.org |
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Depression information and treatment |
Information about depression, depression treatment, and facts about depression. |
www.psychologyinfo.com |
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Depression |
Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. |
www.kidshealth.org |
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Depression Alliance web site with information about depression ... |
Information about the symptoms and treatment of depression from Depression Alliance, a UK charity for people with clinical depression and anxiety. |
www.depressionalliance.org |
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WebMD Depression Health Center - Learn the symptoms of depression ... |
Articles, links, and resources for sufferers of depression. |
www.webmd.com |
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Depression - Information and Support |
THE starting place for exploring Depression. Support forums, links, articles and more. |
depression.about.com |
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beyondblue: the national depression initiative |
Australian organisation provides information about depression to consumers, carers and health professionals. |
www.beyondblue.org.au |
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Using EFT for Depression, Teen Depression & Clinical Depression |
EFT's results for all forms of depression are often astonishing. In most cases the depressed feelings vanish or are materially reduced within a few minutes ... |
www.emofree.com |
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Depression |
The website for Depression. ... Please note that Depression is comprised of backfile volumes. Volume 4, Issue 2 (1996). Articles in this Issue: ... |
www3.interscience.wiley.com |
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Depression - MayoClinic.com |
Depression is more than just a bout of the blues. Fortunately, treatments are available. |
www.mayoclinic.com |
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Mental Help Net - Depression (Unipolar) |
Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health ... Fortunately, there are many highly effective treatments for depression today that ... |
mentalhelp.net |
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