DEPRESSION
Depression Symptoms & Treatment Depression
Never Already Depression...

Hi Friends,

For Both Women And Men, Rates Of Major Depression Are Highest Among The Separated And Divorced

   The quality of a marriage, however, may contribute significantly to depression. In fact, rates of depression were shown to be highest among unhappily married women.
These events bring fluctuations in mood that for some women include depression.

Many women experience certain behavioral and physical changes associated with phases of their menstrual cycles.
Called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the changes typically begin after ovulation and become gradually worse until menstruation starts.

Postpartum mood changes can range from transient "blues" immediately following childbirth to an episode of major depression to severe, incapacitating, psychotic depression.

Pregnancy (if it is desired) seldom contributes to depression, and having an abortion does not appear to lead to a higher incidence of depression.
In addition, motherhood may be a time of heightened risk for depression because of the stress and demands it imposes.
In fact, while once considered a unique disorder, research has shown that depressive illness at menopause is no different than at other ages.

Specific Cultural Considerations.

As for depression in general, the prevalence rate of depression in African American and Hispanic women remains about twice that of men.
Prevalence information for other racial and ethnic groups is not definitive.
For example, African Americans are more likely to report somatic symptoms, such as appetite change and body aches and pains.
Such factors should be considered when working with women from special populations.
In addition, several studies show a higher incidence of depression among women who have been raped as adolescents or adults.
Women who experience other commonly occurring forms of abuse, such as physical abuse and sexual harassment on the job, also may experience higher rates of depression.
There may be biological and environmental risk factors for depression resulting from growing up in a dysfunctional family.

Poverty

Women and children represent seventy-five percent of the U.
population considered poor.
Sadness and low morale are more common among persons with low incomes and those lacking social supports.

Depression in Later Adulthood

At one time, it was commonly thought that women were particularly vulnerable to depression when their children left home and they were confronted with "empty nest syndrome" and experienced a profound loss of purpose and identity.

As with younger age groups, more elderly women than men suffer from depressive illness.
Most important, depression should not be dismissed as a normal consequence of the physical, social, and economic problems of later life.

About 800,000 persons are widowed each year.
Most do not need formal treatment, but those who are moderately or severely sad appear to benefit from self-help groups or various psychosocial treatments.
These depressions respond to standard antidepressant treatments, although research on when to start treatment or how medications should be combined with psychosocial treatments is still in its early stages.
Indeed, believing one's condition is "incurable" is often part of the hopelessness that accompanies serious depression.
As with many illnesses, the earlier treatment begins, the more effective and the greater the likelihood of preventing serious recurrences.
But it can greatly enhance the ability to manage such challenges and lead to greater enjoyment of life.
Since certain medications can cause the same symptoms as depression, the examining physician should be made aware of any medications being used.

Types of Treatment for Depression

The most commonly used treatments for depression are antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
In mild or moderate depression, one or both of these treatments may be useful, while in severe or incapacitating depression, medication is generally recommended as a first step in the treatment.
 

Medications

There are several types of antidepressant medications used to treat depressive disorders.
The SSRIs--and other newer medications that affect neurotransmitters such as dopamine or norepinephrine--generally have fewer side effects than tricyclics.

Antidepressant medications are not habit-forming.
To be effective and to prevent a relapse of the depression, medications must be taken for about 6 to 12 months, carefully following the doctor's instructions.
For those who have had several bouts of depression, long-term treatment with medication is the most effective means of preventing recurring episodes.
In addition, other prescribed and over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements being used should be reviewed because some can interact negatively with antidepressant medication.

For bipolar disorder, the treatment of choice for many years has been lithium, as it can be effective in smoothing out the mood swings common to this disorder.
However, lithium may not be recommended if a person has pre-existing thyroid, kidney, or heart disorders or epilepsy.
Among these are two mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants, carbamazepine (Tegretol^®) and valproate (Depakote^®).
Studies conducted in Finland in patients with epilepsy indicate that valproate may increase testosterone levels in teenage girls and produce polycystic ovary syndrome in women who began taking the medication before age 20.
Other anticonvulsants that are being used now include lamotrigine (Lamictal^®) and gabapentin (Neurontin^®); their role in the treatment hierarchy of bipolar disorder remains under study.
Along with lithium and/or an anticonvulsant, they often take a medication for accompanying agitation, anxiety, insomnia, or depression.
Finding the best possible combination of these medications is of utmost importance to the patient and requires close monitoring by the physician.

Today in Germany, Hypericum is used in the treatment of depression more than any other antidepressant.

   The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory on February 10, 2000.

John's wort appears to affect an important metabolic pathway that is used by many drugs prescribed to treat conditions such as heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and rejection of transplants.
Any herbal supplement should be taken only after consultation with the doctor or other health care provider.
Some short-term (10 to 20 week) therapies have been very effective in several types of depression.
"Behavioral" therapies help patients learn new behaviors that lead to more satisfaction in life and "unlearn" counter-productive behaviors.
Interpersonal therapy works to change interpersonal relationships that cause or exacerbate depression.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

For individuals whose depression is severe or life threatening or for those who cannot take antidepressant medication, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is useful.
Over the years, ECT has been much improved.
Electrodes are placed at precise locations on the head to deliver electrical impulses.
The person receiving ECT does not consciously experience the electrical stimulus.

Treating Recurrent Depression

Even when treatment is successful, depression may recur.
Continuation of antidepressant medication at the same dose that successfully treated the acute episode can often prevent recurrence.

THE PATH TO HEALING

Reaping the benefits of treatment begins by recognizing the signs of depression.
Although depression can be diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians, often the physician will refer the patient to a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, or other mental health professional.
An informed consumer knows her treatment options and discusses concerns with her provider as they arise.
Getting a second opinion from another health or mental health professional may also be in order .

     * Talk to a health or mental health professional.
     * Consider yourself a partner in treatment and be an informed consumer.
Different or additional treatment may be recommended.
In fact, the sooner a recurrence is treated, the shorter its duration will be.
Such feelings make some people want to give up.

Along with professional treatment, there are other things you can do to help yourself get better.
It may also help to spend some time with other people and to participate in activities that make you feel better, such as mild exercise or yoga.
Feeling better takes time.
You can also check the Yellow Pages under "mental health," "health," "social services," "suicide prevention," "crisis intervention services," "hotlines," "hospitals," or "physicians" for phone numbers and addresses.

Listed below are the types of people and places that will make a referral to, or provide, diagnostic and treatment services.

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Writer of Inspirational and Informative Ebooks

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention  (CDC)

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