Wow, this news is just in from: http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1568417/20070828/story.jhtml
Owen Wilson Suicide Attempt Confirmed
Actor remains in stable condition at Beverly Hills, California, hospital.
The incident on Sunday afternoon that landed actor Owen Wilson in the hospital was called in to police as a suicide attempt, according to Santa Monica Police Department phone logs.
According to the records, a call was received at 12:08 p.m. on Saturday for an incident listed as "attempt suicide." Wilson remains in stable condition at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, California, according to spokeswoman Cynthia Harding (see "Owen Wilson 'In Good Condition,' Hospital Says").
"Extra" reports that Wilson's brother Luke found him at his home on Sunday. Since being admitted to the hospital, Wilson reportedly has been visited by other family members, including his brother Andrew. Samuel L. Jackson was also seen at the hospital, though it has not been confirmed that he was visiting Wilson.
Wilson's publicist has offered no further comment since issuing the following statement on her client's behalf Monday: "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time."
Meanwhile, rumors continue to run wild over what provoked the incident. The New York Post cited a recent "vicious quarrel" with a close friend and his reported breakup with "You, Me and Dupree" co-star Kate Hudson as potential reasons — however, nothing has been substantiated.
The fate of two of Wilson's upcoming high-profile films remains to be seen. Slated for release next month is the Wes Anderson-directed "The Darjeeling Limited," in which Wilson co-stars with Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody. Wilson was scheduled to attend the film's debut at the Venice Film Festival next week; Fox Searchlight has not responded to inquiries about any change in plans for the launch of the film.
In addition, Wilson co-stars with friend Ben Stiller in next summer's "Tropic Thunder," a film that has recently been shooting in Hawaii. At press time it was unclear whether Wilson has already completed his scenes for that film.
Just last week, he signed on to star opposite Jennifer Aniston in the film version of the bestseller "Marley and Me."
Very sad indeed. I guess fame and fortune do not always buy happiness..
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Medical News Today
I discovered a web site that adds interesting news/articles everyday related to all sorts of medical problems, including depression.
Here is the site if you want to keep up with the latest depression-related news. Lots of very useful and helpful information there.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/depression/
Here is the site if you want to keep up with the latest depression-related news. Lots of very useful and helpful information there.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/depression/
Brain Tissue Loss Linked With Manic Depression
I found this interesting article on medicalnewstoday about brain tissue loss associated with manic depression. Kind of a scary concept but nonetheless interesting.
People with bipolar disorder -- or manic depression -- suffer from an accelerated shrinking of their brain, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found.
The study shows for the first time that bipolar disorder -- a condition characterised by periods of depression and periods of mania -- is associated with a reduction in brain tissue and proves that the changes get progressively worse with each relapse.
This discovery has implications not only for the way we research the disease, but may also impact the way this condition is treated.
The findings, published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry, show that the loss of grey matter tissue is concentrated in areas of the brain which control memory, face recognition and co-ordination -- namely the hippocampus, fusiform and cerebellum respectively.
Dr. Andrew McIntosh, senior lecturer in psychiatry and lead researcher, said: "For the first time, we have shown that as people with bipolar disorder get older, a small amount of tissue is lost in parts of the brain that are associated with memory and the coordination of thoughts and actions. The amount of brain tissue that's lost is greater in people with multiple episodes of illness and is associated with a decline in some areas of mental ability.
"Although we do no yet know the cause of this brain shrinkage, it may be that repeated episodes of illness harm the brain and lead to the decline. Another possibility is that the brain changes are caused by stress or genetic factors, which tend to lead both to more frequent illness episodes and to greater brain loss. Further research will be required."
Bipolar disorder, in its severe form, is a serious mental illness which affects around half a million people in the UK alone. When people have mania they are typically elated, overactive and need less sleep. They may also suffer from delusions or hallucinations, and are at significant risk of suicide. Once someone has an episode of bipolar disorder, the condition tends to be life long.
People with bipolar disorder -- or manic depression -- suffer from an accelerated shrinking of their brain, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found.
The study shows for the first time that bipolar disorder -- a condition characterised by periods of depression and periods of mania -- is associated with a reduction in brain tissue and proves that the changes get progressively worse with each relapse.
This discovery has implications not only for the way we research the disease, but may also impact the way this condition is treated.
The findings, published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry, show that the loss of grey matter tissue is concentrated in areas of the brain which control memory, face recognition and co-ordination -- namely the hippocampus, fusiform and cerebellum respectively.
Dr. Andrew McIntosh, senior lecturer in psychiatry and lead researcher, said: "For the first time, we have shown that as people with bipolar disorder get older, a small amount of tissue is lost in parts of the brain that are associated with memory and the coordination of thoughts and actions. The amount of brain tissue that's lost is greater in people with multiple episodes of illness and is associated with a decline in some areas of mental ability.
"Although we do no yet know the cause of this brain shrinkage, it may be that repeated episodes of illness harm the brain and lead to the decline. Another possibility is that the brain changes are caused by stress or genetic factors, which tend to lead both to more frequent illness episodes and to greater brain loss. Further research will be required."
Bipolar disorder, in its severe form, is a serious mental illness which affects around half a million people in the UK alone. When people have mania they are typically elated, overactive and need less sleep. They may also suffer from delusions or hallucinations, and are at significant risk of suicide. Once someone has an episode of bipolar disorder, the condition tends to be life long.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Interesting E-books for depression
I have found a couple of very interesting e-books that discuss depression and ways to get relief.
This first e-book is actually written by a retired clinical counselor and discusses ways to deal with depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
This e-book discusses ways to get rid of anxiety, stress and depression via natural means. A lot of people are against using antidepressants or other medications for their disorders and would prefer to try natural methods to get relief.
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
This first e-book is actually written by a retired clinical counselor and discusses ways to deal with depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
This e-book discusses ways to get rid of anxiety, stress and depression via natural means. A lot of people are against using antidepressants or other medications for their disorders and would prefer to try natural methods to get relief.
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
New Squidoo Lens
I just created a new lens at Squidoo.com. For those of you who don't know what squidoo is:
Squidoo is the world's most popular site for people who want to build a page about their passions. Highlight books, blogs, vids, online shops, or just spread the word about stuff you love. Bonus: you raise money (for you or charity) at the same time! It's fast, free, and supereasy. (Pssst: it only takes 4.2 minutes to get started...)
Here is my lens on Depression:
http://www.squidoo.com/aboutdepression/
Squidoo is the world's most popular site for people who want to build a page about their passions. Highlight books, blogs, vids, online shops, or just spread the word about stuff you love. Bonus: you raise money (for you or charity) at the same time! It's fast, free, and supereasy. (Pssst: it only takes 4.2 minutes to get started...)
Here is my lens on Depression:
http://www.squidoo.com/aboutdepression/
Time And Season Change Can Trigger A Fall Into The 'Winter Blues' For Some
This is an interesting article I found from Medicalnewstoday.com:
Setting the clocks back for daylight savings time means an extra hour of sleep and shorter days for most people, but for the thousands who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the shorter days and absence of daylight can actually cause depression.
Also known as the "Winter Blues," SAD is primarily diagnosed in adults with roughly 60 to 90 percent of the diagnoses occurring in women. While the exact cause is unknown, people with a relative who suffers from the disorder are more likely to develop it themselves.
"A SAD diagnosis is usually based on whether the person has been depressed in the winter and recovered in the spring or summer for at least 2 years in a row," says Gary Malone, M.D., psychiatrist on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth. "These dramatic mood swings during season changes are what distinguish SAD from other forms of depression."
According to Dr. Malone, many of the symptoms of SAD mirror those of regular nonseasonal depression, but an increase in appetite marked by cravings for carbohydrates, weight gain and excessive sleeping are classic symptoms of SAD. Other symptoms include irritability, sadness, anxiety, decreased activity, drowsiness during the daytime, and problems with work and relationships.
"For people with SAD, these symptoms usually occur at the same time each year beginning in the fall and ending in the spring," adds Dr. Malone.
In addition to antidepressant medication and counseling, the standard treatment for SAD is light therapy which research has shown to be highly effective. It is believed that light therapy helps to reset a person's circadian rhythms, also known as the "biological clock." Patients are usually required to sit in front of a light box that produces artificial light for a designated amount of time in the morning. Another form of light therapy that is gaining popularity is called "dawn stimulation" which involves a low-intensity light timed to turn on at a certain time in the morning before the patient awakes and gradually gets brighter.
"These therapies have been shown to be very effective, but it should be noted that abruptly stopping light therapy can cause a relapse into depression so it is important to follow through with the treatment in its entirety," explains Dr. Malone.
For more information about Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
Setting the clocks back for daylight savings time means an extra hour of sleep and shorter days for most people, but for the thousands who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the shorter days and absence of daylight can actually cause depression.
Also known as the "Winter Blues," SAD is primarily diagnosed in adults with roughly 60 to 90 percent of the diagnoses occurring in women. While the exact cause is unknown, people with a relative who suffers from the disorder are more likely to develop it themselves.
"A SAD diagnosis is usually based on whether the person has been depressed in the winter and recovered in the spring or summer for at least 2 years in a row," says Gary Malone, M.D., psychiatrist on the medical staff at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth. "These dramatic mood swings during season changes are what distinguish SAD from other forms of depression."
According to Dr. Malone, many of the symptoms of SAD mirror those of regular nonseasonal depression, but an increase in appetite marked by cravings for carbohydrates, weight gain and excessive sleeping are classic symptoms of SAD. Other symptoms include irritability, sadness, anxiety, decreased activity, drowsiness during the daytime, and problems with work and relationships.
"For people with SAD, these symptoms usually occur at the same time each year beginning in the fall and ending in the spring," adds Dr. Malone.
In addition to antidepressant medication and counseling, the standard treatment for SAD is light therapy which research has shown to be highly effective. It is believed that light therapy helps to reset a person's circadian rhythms, also known as the "biological clock." Patients are usually required to sit in front of a light box that produces artificial light for a designated amount of time in the morning. Another form of light therapy that is gaining popularity is called "dawn stimulation" which involves a low-intensity light timed to turn on at a certain time in the morning before the patient awakes and gradually gets brighter.
"These therapies have been shown to be very effective, but it should be noted that abruptly stopping light therapy can cause a relapse into depression so it is important to follow through with the treatment in its entirety," explains Dr. Malone.
For more information about Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Extra Medication Helps Elderly Overcome Depression
According to Mentalhelp.net:
Elderly patients with depression who do not respond to first-course drug therapy or who relapse from treatment may respond to additional medication, according to the results of a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Mary Amanda Dew, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and colleagues assessed the treatment of depression with paroxetine and interpersonal psychotherapy in 195 patients aged 70 and older.
Of these patients, 105 (53.8 percent) required augmentation with bupropion, nortriptyline or lithium, 77 of whom because they did not respond to treatment and 28 because they experienced a relapse. Sixty-nine patients received augmentation while the remainder did not due to comorbid conditions or withdrawal of consent.
Patients who responded well to first-round treatment had the best overall recovery rate (86.7 percent), while the rate for those who received augmentation due to lack of response and due to relapse was 50 percent and 66.7 percent, respectively.
"Despite a lower likelihood of recovery in elderly people receiving augmentation, the recovery by over one-half of such patients suggests the value of augmentation for those able to tolerate it," the authors conclude. "Need for augmentation presages slower recovery in patients showing initial inadequate response; those requiring it after early relapse recovered more quickly."
Elderly patients with depression who do not respond to first-course drug therapy or who relapse from treatment may respond to additional medication, according to the results of a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Mary Amanda Dew, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and colleagues assessed the treatment of depression with paroxetine and interpersonal psychotherapy in 195 patients aged 70 and older.
Of these patients, 105 (53.8 percent) required augmentation with bupropion, nortriptyline or lithium, 77 of whom because they did not respond to treatment and 28 because they experienced a relapse. Sixty-nine patients received augmentation while the remainder did not due to comorbid conditions or withdrawal of consent.
Patients who responded well to first-round treatment had the best overall recovery rate (86.7 percent), while the rate for those who received augmentation due to lack of response and due to relapse was 50 percent and 66.7 percent, respectively.
"Despite a lower likelihood of recovery in elderly people receiving augmentation, the recovery by over one-half of such patients suggests the value of augmentation for those able to tolerate it," the authors conclude. "Need for augmentation presages slower recovery in patients showing initial inadequate response; those requiring it after early relapse recovered more quickly."
Monday, August 20, 2007
Prognosis for Depression
Prognosis is good. Recent progress in the development of new medicines that act directly on specific parts of the brain make the treatment of depression even more positive. SAD responds well to light therapy.
In some instances, one course of treatment is sufficient to manage or remedy major depressive illness. However, for many others, depression is a chronic lifelong condition that requires continued or episodic intervention. Ever after a successful round of treatment, it is important that you remain sensitive to stresses that are likely to trigger a depression. If you are able to recognize early signs, you will be able to contact your physician or clinician before you find yourself deep into another depressive episode. Learning to manage depression through therapy, medications and lifestyle will lessen the likelihood that it will take over your life.
In some instances, one course of treatment is sufficient to manage or remedy major depressive illness. However, for many others, depression is a chronic lifelong condition that requires continued or episodic intervention. Ever after a successful round of treatment, it is important that you remain sensitive to stresses that are likely to trigger a depression. If you are able to recognize early signs, you will be able to contact your physician or clinician before you find yourself deep into another depressive episode. Learning to manage depression through therapy, medications and lifestyle will lessen the likelihood that it will take over your life.
Treatment of Depression
Mild depression can be treated effective through psychotherapy. Even short-term therapy can help you understand your natural inclination towards more negative and low moods. Also, you can learn to cope better with life's disappointments and triumphs. When depression is triggered by a seasonal change, light therapy, which extends exposure to bright light for measurable periods of time, may work to relieve symptoms.
In cases of more severe depression, medication will provide the main avenue for treatment. At the same time, psychotherapy is usually an important complement to medication. By restoring chemical balances within the brain, psychotropic medications will help lift the "veil of sorrow." The most commonly used anti-depressant medications are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which include fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and fluvoxamine, and TCAs (tricyclic anti-depressants), which include imipramine, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and desipramine. Although general practitioners can usually prescribe these types of medications, it is usually best to consult with a psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist, who is specially trained to evaluate and monitor the need for and use of anti-depressant medicines.
For lots of different reasons, treatment with anti-depressants takes time to work. Because every person and his depression differ, finding the most effective medication is often a process of trial and error. While the process may be frustrating, you and your doctor will eventually find the right treatment.
During a severe episode of depression, there may be severe paranoid persecutory delusions or even hallucinations. There may even be suicidal behavior. When these occur, hospitalization, antipsychotic medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be necessary. After the acute phase has subsided, psychopharmacologic treatment should be continued to decrease the likelihood of relapse or future recurrence.
Unlike medications for physical illness, psychotropic medicines do not work to cure the depressive illness; rather, they work to relieve acute episodes and prevent recurrences. For many people, medications work most effective in conjunction with psychotherapy. Insight-oriented therapy can allow you to consider how such contributing factors as early experiences of loss and cumulative negative life circumstances and disappointments have colored your disposition. Cognitive techniques can also provide significant relief insofar as they address the negative and distorted thinking that typically characterizes depression.
In cases of more severe depression, medication will provide the main avenue for treatment. At the same time, psychotherapy is usually an important complement to medication. By restoring chemical balances within the brain, psychotropic medications will help lift the "veil of sorrow." The most commonly used anti-depressant medications are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which include fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and fluvoxamine, and TCAs (tricyclic anti-depressants), which include imipramine, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and desipramine. Although general practitioners can usually prescribe these types of medications, it is usually best to consult with a psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist, who is specially trained to evaluate and monitor the need for and use of anti-depressant medicines.
For lots of different reasons, treatment with anti-depressants takes time to work. Because every person and his depression differ, finding the most effective medication is often a process of trial and error. While the process may be frustrating, you and your doctor will eventually find the right treatment.
During a severe episode of depression, there may be severe paranoid persecutory delusions or even hallucinations. There may even be suicidal behavior. When these occur, hospitalization, antipsychotic medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be necessary. After the acute phase has subsided, psychopharmacologic treatment should be continued to decrease the likelihood of relapse or future recurrence.
Unlike medications for physical illness, psychotropic medicines do not work to cure the depressive illness; rather, they work to relieve acute episodes and prevent recurrences. For many people, medications work most effective in conjunction with psychotherapy. Insight-oriented therapy can allow you to consider how such contributing factors as early experiences of loss and cumulative negative life circumstances and disappointments have colored your disposition. Cognitive techniques can also provide significant relief insofar as they address the negative and distorted thinking that typically characterizes depression.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
When to seek treatment for depression
If you are in a major bout of depression, you may feel like you are beyond help. However, depression CAN be treated and managed. If your state of gloom/sadness persists more than two weeks, you find that you cannot get out of bed, you are increasingly isolated from family and friends, and you have lost any sense of enjoyment or interest in your usual activities, call your doctor right away. Also, if you find yourself ruminating about death and the meaningless of life and you are considering suicide, SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The Stages of Depression
While the American Psychological Association doesn't define clear stages of depression, there does seem to be a pattern among the way that depression progresses among people. Here are the basic issues that may lead to depression in many people:
Feeling frustrated or overwhelmed – When life begins to become burdensome, you can begin to have troubles dealing with the emotions that come along with this anxiety
Sense of sadness at the way things are – Feeling like everything is out of control, you begin to feel sad and despondent.
Loss of interest in things you enjoy – You begin to isolate yourself from others and from the things you love to do.
Changes in eating and sleeping – You might begin to change the way you eat and the way you sleep as a way to cope with the burdens of your feelings.
Feelings of hopelessness – As you continue to feel bad, you might begin to see things as hopeless and beyond your control. You begin to not care about anything. You might stop bathing or handling even mundane tasks.
Feelings of death and suicide – Those who feel like they are completely alone and have no one to turn to will often begin to have thoughts of death and finally 'ending' it all.
Feeling frustrated or overwhelmed – When life begins to become burdensome, you can begin to have troubles dealing with the emotions that come along with this anxiety
Sense of sadness at the way things are – Feeling like everything is out of control, you begin to feel sad and despondent.
Loss of interest in things you enjoy – You begin to isolate yourself from others and from the things you love to do.
Changes in eating and sleeping – You might begin to change the way you eat and the way you sleep as a way to cope with the burdens of your feelings.
Feelings of hopelessness – As you continue to feel bad, you might begin to see things as hopeless and beyond your control. You begin to not care about anything. You might stop bathing or handling even mundane tasks.
Feelings of death and suicide – Those who feel like they are completely alone and have no one to turn to will often begin to have thoughts of death and finally 'ending' it all.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Defining Depression
The difficulty with many mental disorders, it's hard to tell when you need more than just a positive attitude to manage your feelings. Depression is a common problem that many people simply think they need to live with, something they need to 'tough out' in order to come out better for it. But this is not necessarily the best treatment plan for this mental illness. Here's what you should know.
What's difficult about dealing with depression is that it can manifest itself in a number of different ways. For some people, depression is merely a short bout of sadness that resolves on its own. But for others, it's a long running presence that makes them feel ineffective, as well as hopeless. Some of the more common symptoms of depression include:
Feeling sad
Feeling hopeless
Becoming irritated for no reason
Anger and frustration
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Change in eating habits
Change in sleeping habits
Thoughts about suicide
Diagnosing depression is tricky because it requires that you have these symptoms for extended periods of time – normally for at least two weeks continuously. And while some people can easily identify their down times, others might not recognize symptoms like anger as being consistent with depression.
What's difficult about dealing with depression is that it can manifest itself in a number of different ways. For some people, depression is merely a short bout of sadness that resolves on its own. But for others, it's a long running presence that makes them feel ineffective, as well as hopeless. Some of the more common symptoms of depression include:
Feeling sad
Feeling hopeless
Becoming irritated for no reason
Anger and frustration
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Change in eating habits
Change in sleeping habits
Thoughts about suicide
Diagnosing depression is tricky because it requires that you have these symptoms for extended periods of time – normally for at least two weeks continuously. And while some people can easily identify their down times, others might not recognize symptoms like anger as being consistent with depression.
When you have depression, what can you do?
During the time that you feel despondent, seek the emotional support from family and friends. For milder episodes of depression of short duration, the support of loved ones may be able to help you work through it. But in most cases, you will not be able to fight depression on you own, and you should not try to. Like diabetes or asthma, depression is an illness and requires medical attention so it can be managed effectively and appropriately. If you are suffering from depression, it is imperative that you seek professional help.
If you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), you may very well respond to spending at least an hour a day outdoors, even during the wintertime. Increasing the amount of natural light in your house may also help. Some psychiatrists even recommend obtaining a special light to put in your room that kind of resembles sunlight. Whenever possible, take trips in winter to warmer and sunnier climates.
As a side note, my family and I always try to go down to Florida in December or January, and this has helped tremendously with my winter depressive episodes.
If you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), you may very well respond to spending at least an hour a day outdoors, even during the wintertime. Increasing the amount of natural light in your house may also help. Some psychiatrists even recommend obtaining a special light to put in your room that kind of resembles sunlight. Whenever possible, take trips in winter to warmer and sunnier climates.
As a side note, my family and I always try to go down to Florida in December or January, and this has helped tremendously with my winter depressive episodes.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
What is depression?
For years I have suffered from depression, at different levels, some of them being major episodes and some more on a dysthymic (low-grade chronic) level.
What is depression?
There is a tendency to use the word depression to describe periods or episodes of sadness that each of us experience from time to time. And for many of us, during these periods it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet, anyone who has ever experienced an episode of major depression knows - at least after the depression has lifted - that what they feel is more than just ongoing or persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are remarkably distinct from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biologic, psychological and social factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person extremely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him/her into total loss of hope.
During a major depression, someone can become surrounded by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness, and these feelings can distort every thought and experience, making life seem hopeless and unworthy. Feelings of being deeply and continually deprived, unworthy, insignificant, and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a person may feel chronically irritable, often exploding into anger and frustration.
While a major depression may be triggered by some life event or circumstance, a person's mood reaction may seem greatly exaggerated. However, depression has less to do with life's events than with an individual's existing vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, someone may experience a major depression as a single episode, but in most cases, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. A major depressive episode could possibly last up to 2 or more years.
When someone experiences milder depressive episodes, this is called dysthymia. For someone suffering from dysthymia, certain life circumstances, such as loss of a job, divorce, or relocating to a new environment, may provoke a much deeper depression.
For some individuals, there is a seasonal component to their depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a form of reactive depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where climatic extreme changes are greater. SAD usually affects people in the fall or winter and is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, overeating, lack of energy or motivation to do activities normally enjoyed, and oversleeping. While the exact etiology or cause of SAD is not certain, it is possible that it may be related to the way in which the light responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Check back for information on what to do if you have depression, when to seek treatment, types of treatment, and prognosis.
What is depression?
There is a tendency to use the word depression to describe periods or episodes of sadness that each of us experience from time to time. And for many of us, during these periods it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet, anyone who has ever experienced an episode of major depression knows - at least after the depression has lifted - that what they feel is more than just ongoing or persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are remarkably distinct from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biologic, psychological and social factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person extremely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him/her into total loss of hope.
During a major depression, someone can become surrounded by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness, and these feelings can distort every thought and experience, making life seem hopeless and unworthy. Feelings of being deeply and continually deprived, unworthy, insignificant, and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a person may feel chronically irritable, often exploding into anger and frustration.
While a major depression may be triggered by some life event or circumstance, a person's mood reaction may seem greatly exaggerated. However, depression has less to do with life's events than with an individual's existing vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, someone may experience a major depression as a single episode, but in most cases, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. A major depressive episode could possibly last up to 2 or more years.
When someone experiences milder depressive episodes, this is called dysthymia. For someone suffering from dysthymia, certain life circumstances, such as loss of a job, divorce, or relocating to a new environment, may provoke a much deeper depression.
For some individuals, there is a seasonal component to their depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a form of reactive depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where climatic extreme changes are greater. SAD usually affects people in the fall or winter and is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, overeating, lack of energy or motivation to do activities normally enjoyed, and oversleeping. While the exact etiology or cause of SAD is not certain, it is possible that it may be related to the way in which the light responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Check back for information on what to do if you have depression, when to seek treatment, types of treatment, and prognosis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)