Spot The Signs Of Depression Before It's Too Late

Today I want to discuss how to pick up on signs of depression in yourself or your loved ones.

Let's face it: civilization didn't make the life easier for us. Yes, we have showers and central heating, antibiotics and meals on wheels, but we've never been unhappier.

Clinical depression is more and more common among us, and sometimes it takes just a little bit of extra care and attention to pull someone from the brink.

So what are the obvious symptoms of depression which you should spot easily?

First of all, the symptoms will repeat nearly every day for 2 of more weeks and will show different behaviour from what you're used to.

Secondly, the changes in behaviour most likely will include:

- Feeling exhausted as soon as you wake up and contemplating if there is any point in getting up;

- Loss of appetite and consequently weight loss (sometimes the opposite - constant comfort eating and weight gain);

- Loss of interest in your life, hobbies, friends, activities and withdrawal from socializing in general;

- Feeling of sadness, irritability, mood swings, tearfulness, thoughts of death, excessive guilt and feeling worthless;

- Not being able to sleep through the night or sleeping all the time;

- Going through the day with no energy and physically feeling slowed down;

- Not being able to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions;

These are some of the very typical signs of being depressed.

There are plenty of online depression tests. Most of them consist of 10 simple questions, and if you answer yes to five or more of them you better make sure and see your doctor who can examine you further and find out if you are clinically depressed and what kind of treatment you would need.

There is absolutely no shame in admitting that you are depressed. In fact I've read recently about a new view on depression. One take on it is that it's due to the chemical imbalance of the brain and genetic factors. There is not enough serotonin in your brain and it causes depression.

But the other side says that all this is just results not causes of depression. The fact is depression is caused by our body grieving about something. Grieving is a natural response, depression is just displacing this response in time.

So, ideally clinical depression is best treated by therapy for its causes and medications for the symptoms.

What do you think about this point of view?

Biology and Depression

When it comes to depression, the schism between psychology and psychiatry is basically this: therapists influenced by Freud's psychology see depression as a product of the mind and talk about it in terms of drives, defenses, regressions, and problems of identification and self-esteem. Those influenced by biological psychiatry see depression as a product of the brain, caused by shifts that take place among hormones and neurotransmitters. Shephard Kantor, a psychiatrist on the faculty of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, looks for ways of bringing the two approaches together. Kantor believes the mental "productions" of depressed patients--negative thoughts and, in the case of psychotics, hallucinations--come from chemical changes in the central nervous system and are not psychologically caused. He no longer believes that the crazy thinking that accompanies depression is triggered by external events or is the residue--for example--of childhood interactions with parents. He believes the crazy thinking that accompanies depression is caused by the chemical state itself.

But what is the effect of childhood trauma? we may ask. Surely it can't be totally unrelated to depression. Kantor suggests that the mental changes of depression may be due to certain sensations and memory traces that go back to "the calamities of childhood". Such calamities produce changes in neurotransmitter levels or receptor sites, he theorizes. And it isn't just childhood trauma that does this. Emotional wounds at any point along the way might produce similar chemical alterations in the brain.

Studies with primates show that circuitry linking structures in the central nervous system is responsible for perception, memory, and emotion. With this in mind, Kantor says, it isn't such a big jump to imagine how the tiniest of biochemical disturbances at any of these sites might evoke memories and moods whose origins lie in childhood.

Kantor has another idea. One of the breakthroughs of modern neurology was Wilder Penfield's discovery that stimulating certain areas of the brain with electrical impulses produces visual and auditory images and memories. Kantor asks this provocative question: Isn't it possible that the signals generated by neurotransmitters might function as "the internal equivalents" of Penfield's externally applied stimulating electrodes? If so, he says, it "would cause patients to report feelings, recollections and ideas generated not by conflict, fantasy, or drive derivatives, but by chemical stimuli."

Kantor's ideas have not yet been substantiated by research but his thinking is far from wild, for much that has already been learned points in the same direction. In the meantime, Kantor stands firm in his conviction that psychiatrists should learn to understand--and accept--the chemical nature of mood disorders.

Clearly, childhood events produce inner experience--feelings and attitudes that stay with us, affecting our lives immensely. The question psychiatry wrestles with is how these powerfully resonant events interact with neurotransmitter deficits to produce shifts in mood state that are sometimes volatile, sometimes subtle. There are differences, after all, among all of us--differences in the amount of trauma or stress we experience and in the degree of chemical vulnerability we inherit. No one exists in a perfect state of chemical balance. Where, then, should the line be drawn with respect to neurotransmitter deficits? Do they exist in all who become mood disordered or only in those suffering from severe forms of these illnesses?

These are some of the important questions being addressed, currently, in the fields of psychaitry and psychology.

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This article is excerpted from Colette Dowling's book, You Mean I Don't Have to Feel this Way?: New Help for Depression, Anxiety and Addiction.

Quotes:

"Beautifully documented... Dowling backs up her theories with facts."

Working Woman

"This really excellent book deals sensitively and directly with culturally imbued fears of biological therapies for emotional disorders."

Donald F. Klein, Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

"A down-to-eaerth, hopeful, useful--and,from the point of view of this "recovered" depressive--accurate account of how to treat depression.

Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes

Knitting Therapy - Think You're TOO Beat Down, Depressed, Broke, Sick?

What do knitters have going for them besides their endless creative productivity? Why do they seem like happy, generous souls engaged in life? Is knitting therapy for real? Oh yes. Old-time vets who knitted knew it. Perhaps it's the magical power of yarn. When you hand a knitter some yarn and knitting needles, you'll see a smile. When you get back a hat, gloves, socks or whatever, that smile will be bigger. What do they know that you don't know?

It might not be what they know, but what they do.
They have a way to center themselves, get calm and relax from life's stresses and strains.

What does a knitter do when a spouse goes off to war?
Knit. It engages your mind on a creative project, gives hands satisfying rhythmic motion, soothes a sore heart and creates a useful, beautiful item with love in every stitch.

What if a significant other wants out of your relationship? Knit through your grief, anger, and fear. Recovery may come more quickly. The knitter can wrap up in a warm hug of a sweater or blanket for some self-care on those extra long days or nights alone.

Don't like what your doctor just told you?
Knit. Did you know worry and anxiety are just "practicing failure in advance"? Seth Godin, author of 12 bestsellers, said that. I wonder if he knits? Probably too busy writing.

If you're busy worrying, knit. It refocuses your mind on productive work and lets your little gray cells stop panicking so you can find peace. With peace, you remember most doctors suffer from severe pessimism, or how a second opinion could save your life. Seek a support system, arm yourself with information and find your best way to heal--all the while knitting.

Too broke for yarn?
Tear apart an old sweater from a thrift store or your closet, then knit it into a new form. You'll keep on budget as you occupy yourself with your frugal creativity instead of wasting money you don't have on fast food, a night out or whatever else might appeal in a weak moment.

Feeling depressed?
For clinical depression, get the help you need from professionals, then knit as you recover. Creating a mound of baby hats for preemies, socks for soldiers, chemo caps, bears for orphans and other such gifts raises your spirits, reminds you of your worth and makes our world a better place.

Can you tell I want more knitters?
I do. You know why? Most of them are wonderful souls, generous spirits, sensible, calm, sturdy, reliable, able to create something out of nothing in a pinch. Imagine a world full of such creatures. I call it knitting therapy for the planet.

St. John's Wort, Depression, and Hot Flashes

Many people, both men and women, take the herbal treatment St. John's Wort for mild-to-moderate depression. In the case of menopausal women, it is a safe, more natural alternative compared to hormone replacement therapy when depression is one of their symptoms. Like some of the other alternative medicines being used to relieve menopausal symptoms today, St. John's Wort comes from a flower and is considered very safe to use.

The difference between mild-to-moderate depression and more serious depression is the number of symptoms a person experiences and for how long. See the resource listed below for more information on the signs of depression.

What Do the Clinical Trials Tell Us?

There have been several clinical trials suggesting that St. John's Wort is effective in relieving mild-to-moderate depression, yet, according to a report published in the Journal of American Medical Association, it was no more effective than the use of a placebo in these cases. The report blamed the results on the poor design of those studies.

There have been a few trials of combination therapy using St. John's Wort and black cohosh. When women were randomized to either treatment or placebo, results showed significant improvement of menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes, for women in the treatment group compared with the placebo group.

In addition to treating mild to moderate depression, a new study conducted at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran suggests that St. John's Wort can help relieve hot flashes. The study consisted of 100 women approximately 50 years old who had been experiencing at least one hot flash every day. The study revealed that in a group of randomly assigned women, those taking St. John's Wort experienced significantly fewer hot flashes than the women who took a placebo. Not only did it help reduce frequency of hot flashes, but also reduced their intensity.

Typically, trials use 300 mg of St. John's Wort given three times a day, which is the dose that offers a therapeutic effect. It's important to remember that this herb is not effective for more serious depression, which should be treated by your healthcare provider.

St. John's Wort is readily available over the counter in most pharmacies, supermarkets, and natural food stores. It can be taken in two separate forms: liquid or pills, and comes in tablets, capsules, tinctures, and even tea bags.

Side Effects and Concerns

By itself, St. John's Wort is not considered especially dangerous. The most serious side effects typically consist of dizziness, gas pains, and fatigue. However, the most trouble is associated with its ability to negate the effectiveness of other drugs. For example, it often has a negative interaction with antidepressants. It has even been reported to interfere with birth control pills and some heart disease medications, reducing their effectiveness.

For this reason, it is important that you discuss St. John's Wort with your doctor before taking it. If you experience any allergic reactions, increased blood pressure, or upset stomach while taking it, contact your doctor immediately.

Everyone's situation and body is different. Only your healthcare provider can evaluate your specific situation and prescribe an appropriate plan for dealing with your specific needs.

Symptoms and Causes of Depression

Depression, in terms of psychiatry, can be referred as state of low mood in which one can develop feeling of intense dislike to any activity. It brings problem not only for an individual who is affected but also for his family. A depressed person usually likes to spend most of his time behind the doors all alone, avoids meeting with his family members and friends, and thinks about the event that might be the major factor for the current lapses of the depression. Although it can strike up at any stage of the life but the studies suggest that the chances of developing depression are much higher at the younger age as compared to old age. It can be a simple episode in which they are upset because of a break up. Or, it can come in a constant, heavy depression that can and does destroy lives.

The symptoms for the depression might include the lack of concentration, feeling of being worthless, thinking most of the time about death, change in dietary habits as well as trouble sleeping. These symptoms can appear in a multitude of combinations, but the key is that they will show up and last for more than two weeks at a time. In chronic depression cases that last for months, some changes in the physical attributes have also been observed like acne development, loss of weight, darkening of skin due to melinocytes activation, weakness, loss of sexual feelings, pain in the muscles, hands trembling and in some cases the phenomena of polypepsia and polyuria have also been observed.

There are three major factors that might contribute to the development of the depression namely environmental, genetical and biological. A combination of these three factors can result in clinical depression, a severe depression disorder that can completely ruin a person's life. The environmental factor mainly includes the failure in love, business failure, death of any loved one, divorce, poverty, homelessness, joblessness etc. The people that are suffering from depression due to environmental factors may exhibit depression for a determined time. A change in the brain chemistry i.e. changes in important hormones are thought to be the biological factor that causes depression. Genetic factor constitutes the family history of depression. If any one of the parents has a depression history, chances are there that the child will also suffer from depression at some time in his life. The other factors that might contribute towards developing the depression might include the lack of sleep, an unhealthy diet, use of alcohol and heroin, side effects of certain medicine, any injury or due to a long term disease.

Medicines that are advised for depression are known as antidepressants. Almost all of them are prescription drugs. Norpinephrine and serotonin are the chemicals in the brain that get increased by the use of antidepressants. But it is important at the same time to consider that depression will be cured with the new attitude one will adopt in one's life henceforth, because your family needs you and because you need a meaningful purpose in your life.

Depression Treatment - The Benefits of Seeing a Counsellor

Depression is a widespread problem, affecting around 1 million adults and 100,000 young people in Australia. Left untreated, it can lead to self-harm, suicidal thoughts and devastating consequences for entire families. Even mild forms of depression have negative effects on an individual's personal relationships, self-esteem and ability to work effectively and advance in their career. This is where help must come in.

While there is greater public awareness of mental illness than ever before, there is still debate around what comprises effective depression treatment. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's), commonly referred to as anti-depressants, is extremely common, and necessary in many cases. The use of SSRI's to stabilize mood and to assist a person with severe or chronic forms of depression to live a normal life, is well understood.

However, for many people living with depression, medication should not be the sole depression treatment option. Seeing a counsellor on a regular basis will benefit greatly and can help lead an individual to full recovery, either used alone or in addition to medical treatment.

A qualified counsellor assists the person with depression to recognise the signs and symptoms they are living with, and to identify what worsens and alleviates them, and hopefully, to uncover the original cause of the condition to begin with. This is often not a pleasant or easy process, which is why a fully trained counsellor can gently lead a person experiencing a depressive episode towards a deeper understanding of the nature of their condition.

The counsellor will do this by listening, questioning, and mirroring back the concerns and feelings of their clients in an empathic way. It is not the role of the counsellor to tell the person what they should do or how they should feel, but merely to act as a sounding board within a supportive environment.

In the counselling environment, a person is allowed to open up fully if they wish to, releasing any emotion they might experience, or they can choose to withdraw completely if that is what feels best for them at the time. Many clients report feeling very safe in their sessions with a counsellor- it becomes a space where they do not have to pretend or put on a brave face to disguise their difficult emotions.

A counsellor aims to help empower their clients to handle the symptoms of their depression in a meaningful way, by identifying built up patterns of behaviour and implementing strategies for behavioural change. This does not mean there is no place for medication. In many situations anti-depressants may be necessary, but they should not be regarded as a quick fix to the problem of depression. Beneath the surface of life, a counsellor can help a person address their wellbeing at a fundamental level, working to ensure that the depression is managed deeply and effectively.

Depression - Common Causes of a Depressed State of Mind

Depression is related to changes in the state of mind. The physical changes in brain result in the alteration of chemical substances that carry signals to brain and nerves. Some of the common causes of a depressed state of mind are:

• Genes play a vital role and an important part of depresssion. If individuals have a family history for depression, they have higher probability to get the same. It can run in the genes for many generations to come.

• Stress is the number one factor which causes depression. The individuals might have varying problems such as financial pressure, break up of a relationship or the loss of loved ones and it can be anything. However, if there are any changes in such relationship, it definitely leads to a depressed state.

• Traumatic conditions and sudden accidents can also cause severe depression. The aftermatch of accidents can have such an impact on the individuals.

• People those who are low in confidence and have a pessimistic approach in life are vulnerable to depression. This state is actually caused by low level depression.

• Serious medical illness and the resulting financial pressure can also lead to depression. Added to the fuel, depression will make the medical conditions of the individuals to become worse. It will weaken the immune system of the body.

• Some individuals might have anxiety disorders which might trigger depression.

• Drug abuses also cause depression for some people. Those who are addicted to drugs cannot live without the substance. This will worsen the effects.

• Depression is likely to occur with certain medical conditions such as stroke, heart attack, cancer. This is considered to be clinical depression.

• Living alone and an isolated state from the society can also be one of the common causes of depression.