Adult Depression and Childhood Abuse

Over the years I've discovered that a significant proportion of adult clients who present with depression have a history of childhood abuse. The abuse may have been sexual, physical and/or emotional. At first I attributed this to the fact that I specialize in abuse and many clients who come to me saying they are depressed are using that as a presenting issue because they aren't ready to discuss the abuse. But what I now understand is that not only do most adult survivors of childhood abuse suffer from some form of clinical depression, but that most adults with prolonged depression have suffered some form of childhood abuse. An article in Psychology Today published in 2003 stated that, "In almost every case of significant adult depression, some form of abuse was experienced in childhood, either physical, sexual, emotional or, often, a combination."

Depression runs in families. So does abuse. "Studies show that one in four girls and one in eight boys are sexually abused before the age of 18, and one in twenty children are physically abused each year." But sexual and emotional abuse, in particular, is woefully under reported. Most abused children grow up in an atmosphere of denial - denial by the adults around them and, for the most part, denial within themselves as a means of survival. Ultimately it is the secrecy around the abuse that helps to foster the depression. Additionally, neurobiology has expanded our understanding of how emotions affect brain chemistry. Traumatic events - such as any form of childhood abuse (sexual, emotional, physical) or neglect, changes the chemistry of the brain. These events can reshape wiring patterns and reset responses to them so that even a small degree of stress can produce an overabundance of stress hormones that in turn create anxiety and depression.

Depression has been recognized as both a chemical imbalance in the brain and a turning of more aggressive feelings - i.e. anger - inward. Self-criticism is anger turned inwards. In a recent study by Florida State University researchers, people who were verbally abused as children grew up to be self-critical adults prone to depression. Verbal abuse includes insults, swearing, threats of physical abuse and spiteful comments or behavior. "Over time, children believe the negative things they hear, and they begin to use those negative statements as explanations for anything that goes wrong." And while neither sexual nor physical abuse necessarily supply the critical words, the non-verbal communication of these actions say that the child is worthless. In fact, the non- verbal communication of these acts is even more powerful than the spoken words, but that in no way diminishes the fact that verbal abuse creates lasting damage as well.

As clinicians, it is our job to help the depressed client recognize the abuse; recognize the effect it has had on them and help them find an avenue back to self-love through understanding.

Roni Weisberg-Ross L.M.F.T.
2009

Suicide Prevention and Treatment, Part II

Suicide continues to be on the rise. Statistics are published to help manage needs, however, the stats around this phenomenon are nothing short of shocking.

For example, nearly 30,000 Americans complete a suicide annually - a number that keeps increasing - especially in the youth; there are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS; between 1952 and 1995 suicide in young adults nearly tripled; over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm and over half of all suicides occur in adult men ages 25-65.

The highest suicide rates are among widowed males with medical issues, alcoholism, and 85 years old and beyond; it's the third leading cause of death for those 15-24 years old; the strongest risk factor for suicide is depression and this is compounded by substance abuse; according to the World Health Organization, by 2011, depression will be the number one disability in the world; an average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes.

There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt as contrasted by four male suicides for every female completed suicide; in 2004 there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the U.S. Suicide prevention is best achieved by education, awareness and treatment. The earlier warning signs of suicide are often discernable if you are attentive.

For example: ideation (thinking, wishing or talking about suicide); anger; substance abuse; feeling trapped with a need to "escape"; feeling hopeless or helpless or both; withdrawal from family, friends, usual activities; increasingly reckless behaviors; intensifying anxieties; lack of purpose; increasing physical issues- especially chronic pain; dramatic shifts in mood; inquisitive about methods to die; preoccupied with death; contacting people suddenly that one has had a relationship with; getting one's affairs in order; giving prized possessions away; overt loss of interest in usual topics, people, etc.; actively obtaining weapons or means and suddenly appearing calmer even happier than prior appearances.

These signs and symptoms are among many others. Without exception, an actively suicidal person urgently needs to see a physician or mental health professional. If you are the first to see the warning signs of suicide start with asking questions. Questions need to be non-judgmental and non-confrontational to be helpful.

An example of some questions that are direct and reasonable are: do you have a plan how specific; do you have a serious intent; do you want to die, commit suicide? If so, when, today, tomorrow, do you know? Do you feel so badly that suicide is a serious option? These questions are examples of assessing risk in a supportive but direct way.

Do not ask vague questions as if talking openly about suicide will cause it. Calling 911 or escorting someone to the nearest emergency room is also quite appropriate when suicidal ideation is strong or when actual suicidal behaviors are occurring.

It's important to take signs, symptoms or plans for suicide seriously. Each reoccurring episode should be evaluated in the context of prior ideations, attempts and as a serious state of mind in the here and now.

If the person with suicidal thoughts or behaviors is a friend or family member, do not fear them being upset with you if you bring up the topic or call 911. If they get angry and decide to end your relationship, it's less tragic than them ending their life.

A person in psychic pain sufficient to utilize suicide as a viable option should not have their feelings dismissed or ridiculed. Attaching guilt or shame to their current state is counterproductive and dangerous.

A better approach is to listen intently, reassure them that professional help helps and is readily available and that their feelings are well understood and treatable. That includes for them.

Follow through with your attention and early interventions be that calling 911 or a mental health professional with or for the suicidal person or even accompanying them to their first professional contact - be it at the local ER or to a psychiatric facility or office.

Don't procrastinate, second guess or feel you're being intrusive. Safety first - all else is negotiable later. If you are the person with active suicidal thoughts go to the nearest ER or call 911 if you're already in active treatment. If you call or go to see your mental health professional be clear and forthcoming about your feelings or impulses.

Ask someone to assist you in doing all the above, eliminate weapons, means or any specifically harmful objects/opportunities, delay the impulses to self destruct and die using contingency plans that are preplanned and well established, and don't be silent as you may be just that for a very long time.

Treatment with a combination of appropriate and efficacious medications and a variety of talk therapies are well established and reliable methods to help ameliorate and alleviate many sources for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

It's never a "one size fits all" approach to these life threatening states. A skilled, experienced mental health professional is the best source to assess risk and provide appropriate levels of care for these intense needs.

There is no shame or stigmata necessary to attach to these powerful times and feelings. Help exists, is effective, well tolerated, all with due respect and it allows life to be lived - not merely endured or forfeited. Please don't stay in the shadows, suffer in silent isolation and die. Emphatically - be counted and participate for another deserved tomorrow.

An Overview Of Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features

Basically, psychosis is a loss of contact with reality. It may take many different forms, or a number of these forms coming together. A patient may see something taking place, but instead of recognizing it for what it is, they see it as something quite different.

For instance, they may see a man walking across the grass in front of their window. Everyone else sees this, but they see the person with wings, flying across a meadow.

I knew of one man who had this fixation on snakes. He was extremely gentle, but every morning he used to go out on his snake hunt. Then he'd come running in to me, (why me, I don't know!), and 'show' me his snake. He'd point out the markings in great detail and then rush off to put it back in its hole in the ground.

The symptoms of the condition are as follows:

* Abnormal displays of emotion.

* Confusion.

* Depressive and suicidal thoughts.

* Disorganized thoughts and speech.

* Mania, (extreme excitement).

* False beliefs, (delusions).

* Loss of touch with reality.

* Mistaken perceptions.

* Seeing, hearing feeling or perceiving things that aren't there, (hallucinations).

* Unfounded fear and/or suspicion.

Now, on top of all this, some poor people have major depressive disorder with psychotic features thrown at them. This, together with psychosis, is a singularly nasty condition in which not only do they have reduced contact with reality, they also have to suffer major, or clinical, depression. Things may run riot in such a state, because they can suffer all forms of false beliefs, (delusions), or seeing and hearing things that aren't really there, (hallucinations).

What may often happen is that they start to hear voices that criticize them, telling them that they aren't good enough, that they really ought to kill themselves. A quick look at the possible causes of psychosis are;

* Alcohol and certain drugs.

* Brain tumors.

* Dementia.

* Epilepsy.

* Bipolar disorder.

* Psychotic depression.

* Schizophrenia.

* Stroke.

Interestingly enough, though, there are people who don't fit the clinical definition of psychosis, but who seem to experience different realities. People in the general population have had religious experiences and of course we've all heard about the ones who insist they've been taken up to a space ship and either had experiments carried out on them, or have been impregnated by aliens and given birth to alien babies.

Because of all these experiences, it's been posited that psychosis is simply an extreme state of consciousness that falls outside what most of us would understand as normal

Natural Depression Cures Are the Best Treatment For Depression

If you or someone you love suffers from any form of depression, then you already know how much misery and unhappiness any type of depressive condition can cause. Because every type of depression has the ability to remove each and every positive from everyday life, depression is literally a condition from which there is no real escape.

When people first suspect that they have depression, it is natural and right that they should get their condition medically and psychologically diagnosed because without really knowing what is wrong with you, it is impossible to know how to treat any condition that you have.

However, after you have been issued with a professional diagnosis of clinical depression of one type or another, then you have a decision to make.

The first option and the one that is likely to be proposed by your medical attendant or psychologist is that they treat you using popular pharmaceutical antidepressant drugs like Prozac.

But, whilst drugs like Prozac are very commonly prescribed as an effective depression remedy, it is also a fact that many chemical-based pharmaceuticals can sometimes trigger adverse side-effects, and antidepressant tablets are no exception to this rule.

Of course, there may be situations where the depression being suffered by an individual is so strong or extreme that there is no choice other than to accept chemical antidepressants, but in truth, the number of people who fall into this category is going to be very much of a minority.

The fact of the matter is, most people who suffer depression do not really need to take chemical-based antidepressants. Unfortunately however, because many of these people are going to be unaware that there are perfectly viable and highly effective natural alternatives to antidepressants available, they are quite likely to simply go along with the professional advice that they start taking antidepressants.

The truth is, there are some extremely powerful but entirely natural substances that you can take which are highly effective in dealing with many different types of depression. For example, there is one particular natural substance which is believed to be every bit as effective as Prozac, but without the risk of unpleasant or even dangerous side-effects.

On top of this, there are plenty of other natural depression cures as well as strategies and lifestyle changes that you can adopt which can help to minimize the worst effects of depression.

In conclusion, exploring natural cures for depression should always be your preferred option of choice before you turn to chemical-based antidepressants. Given that there are such a wide range of natural depression cures available, it is highly likely that the majority of people who suffer from depression can bring their condition under control completely naturally.

How To Prevent Depression When It Strongly Runs In The Family

Genetics remains a big factor in the development of depression. This is why clients who seek medical attention for depression are usually asked if they have any one in their family diagnosed and treated for depression or any mood disorder, for that matter. If the clients, to the best of their knowledge, reply in the affirmative, the doctor next tries to determine the treatments given and which worked best for them. The information can prove to be very useful to find the right treatment program for the depressed individuals.

Needless to say, even if depression strongly runs in the family, it doesn't mean that you will simply resign to your fate. Chances of depression developing are high, yes, but depression is not necessarily imminent for such individuals. Moreover, genetic predisposition to depression may also serve as a warning to take the necessary precautions.

How To Prevent Depression:

For people with a family history of depression, there is hope. Preventing the disorder is possible by:

• Taking essential vitamins, especially those of the B family.
  
  • Vitamin B1 or Thiamine improves memory and helps in controlling anxiety and depression. Depressed individuals suffering from fatigue, loss of appetite, and insomnia, may find an improvement in these symptoms by taking Vitamin B1.
  
  
  • Vitamin B3 or Niacin also works as an antidepressant. It's been used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Aside from boosting body metabolism, Vitamin B3 also reduces symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and memory loss.
  
  
  • Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid lowers stress levels and helps relieve fatigue and depression.
  
  
  • Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is known for its role in the regulation of enzymes, but aside from that this B-vitamin is also found to improve mood and decrease anxiety and nervousness.
  
  
  • Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid is also an antidepressant.
  
  
  • Vitamin C stabilizes mood and reduces anxiety.
  
  
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential fatty acids that are critical in brain development and brain health. Regular intake of Omega 3 Fatty Acids can prevent depression.
  
  
  • Iron is another element that needs to be in sufficient amounts to prevent depression.
  
  
  • Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc also help control some symptoms


• Employ stress management techniques. As stress can trigger depression, employing stress management techniques is going to be beneficial especially to people who have a familial history of depression. Among these techniques one has to learn are:
  
  
  • Proper management of time, money, and resources. A cluttered lifestyle adds to stress which triggers anxiety and depression. Fix your things, sort your wardrobe, get rid of stuff you no longer need. Even if multi-tasking these days is a must, you need to learn how to manage your time so that you will be able to do more things in less time without stressing yourself out. If money is the cause of your depression, learn to budget your money. You may need to make a few sacrifices which eventually will make you realize the value of money as well as the value of having peace of mind.
  
  
  • Exercise. Exercise comes with many benefits. Not only does it help one achieve physical well being but it also promotes a healthy mind. Exercising is one of the best ways to cope with stress. Try leisure walks after a hard day's work at the office to experience what I mean.
  
  
  • Meditation/Yoga. Yoga relaxes the mind and helps one deal with stress better. Yoga trains the mind such that one eventually works towards a healthier lifestyle which can prevent depression.

As you can see, you don't have to resign to the fact that depression runs in your family. If you take action now, you can keep depression from crippling you for the rest of your life.

Anonymous Depression Tests Online Can Help You Determine How Serious Your Depression Really Is

If you think you are suffering from depression, there are several depression tests online that will help you identify the symptoms and determine the level or seriousness of your condition. Millions of people suffer from some form of depression; yet statistics reveal that approximately 70% will not receive the needed treatment. Many people do not seek help because they are embarrassed to talk about their feelings or are unaware of the signs associated with this illness. Unfortunately, symptoms rarely disappear on their own, and proper diagnosis and treatment is necessary for recovery.

Online depression tests provide a simple, quick, and private way to receive anonymous feedback about the feelings and symptoms you are experiencing. Typically, these quizzes are short and will give you immediate scores so you can determine what kind of help you need and decide on the best course of action for your situation.

There are several types of online tests available, ranging from quick quizzes to more in-depth questionnaires; however, it is important that you choose one that will give you accurate results. Check out the credentials and reputation of the organization to ensure that it is a reliable source. To guarantee valid results, all tests must meet "Standards for Education and Psychological Testing".

Depression self-tests include such quizzes as the Zung Depression Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Geriatric Depression Scale. These tests can be accessed easily on line. Simply print a copy, answer the questions honestly, then follow the scoring instructions.

Free depression tests online, such as the Anxiety and Depression Screening Test, the Goldberg Depression Scale, and the Wakefield Depression Questionnaire, allow you to fill in the questionnaire on your computer. Your answers are scored immediately so you will know your results right away.

The purpose of online depression tests is to educate you about depression, provide you with a screening guideline, and help you assess the level of severity so you can decide if you need to seek further evaluation. None of these tests are intended to replace professional and qualified help, but are designed as a tool to help you identify your symptoms and choose an appropriate form of treatment.

Knowledge is power, and the more aware you are of the warning signs, the better equipped you will be to begin overcoming your depression.

How to Overcome Depression and Start Living the Life You Want to Live Now

For four decades I rolled around threw pity parties one after another and just lived in a low level depression - Through choices made life just became worse as time marched on and when thinking this has got to be the lowest level of life - it just became deeper and thoughts of suicide crept in and overtook my mind, body and soul. I didn't even know that you could live a life cloaked in absolute depression and that's what it was complete and utter clinical depression.

What do you do to over come depression? You quickly and drastically change your life - You literally rip of that mental handicapped Band-Aid and change yourself immediately and with no looking back. First things first - start some daily activity the completely engulfs your mind and body. Something that will not give you time to think about anything else but what is in front of you at that moment.. Things like learning to ride a motocross bike, rock or mountain climbing, kick boxing, or karate. I chose motocross because it requires the most physical abilities that you can muster and you have to be laser focused at all times to stay up right cross the finish line. Not to mention the flat out thrill you get from making thirty to fifty foot jumps and catch some air to boot.

Change your eating habits to one that will fuel your new activities properly. Eating lots of carbs and sugars and caffeine will only keep you in a cycle of being a loser. Drink tons of water and take plenty of vitamin supplements. Eat more seafood, raw veggies like broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, onions, etc.

 Get out of yourself and help others - Join organizations like Habitat for Humanity, get involved with your neighborhood charities and church. Helping others helps you by seeing that you really do not have it that bad at all.

 To recap: Plenty of Activities, Healthy Diet, Help Others and you have to make these three things a habit - "Thirty days makes a Habit" they say. In the past we have made a habit of doing and thinking negative things and this had become our life - You can chose what your habits are in life. Getting rid of depression starts by ridding your lifestyle of unneeded mental and physical handicaps we have imposed on ourselves.

Another must do is get professional help - Shop around for a therapist - not all are a good match - and believe it or not some therapist live in depression and do not even know themselves. So find a positive up beat person that you can see weekly or even daily if need be at first. Get everything out on the table with them - no secrets - cleanse your mental inventory and let them help you rebuild and reclaim a good healthy happy life without depression.

The above sounds good and in a perfect world we could just do it and there would be no problems - but our body and mind reject change a lot of times and this is where the fight for a good life comes in and must be paid close attention to. When it's time to exercise, eat, work, or interact with family and we "don't feel like it" - that's the little guy or gal inside of you that holds you back and wants to keep you in your funk or depression. You literally have overcome all obstacles and get out of your comfort zone to accomplish this mental health miracle.

Changing your career may be a part of you healing yourself. For years I worked in a office and gained weight until I was almost 500 pounds of depressing blubber who only thought about the next break to get more food. Changing to a job that required lots of physical activity and being outside for eight to twelve hours a day was a huge key in getting rid of depression for myself. I slept better at night from being physically exhausted from a hard days work.

Sadly my spouse had to go as well - she was in the same boat I was in but did not want to overcome her depression. For several years I tried helping her to become a mentally healthy person - but her misery was her best friend and she did want to let go - Even though leading by example and showing her how my life had turned around, she only wanted the comfort of her helplessness and shroud of misery that was kept alive inside of her. Her eating habits also had her teetering at the four hundred pound mark and her heart problems and diabetes were caused by this unhealthy lifestyle.

Folks it not easy for everyone on this rock we live on - But it can be better by the simple choices we make. A woman that works for the same company as myself is one of the most positive and happy people that I have had the opportunity to meet in my life. Quite honestly we all thought she was on all kinds of medications to make herself this way. But getting to know her by talking on our lunch break, it turns out that she long ago decided to be happy no matter what life threw her way and it became a habit. Her mother suffered from severe depression and she decide that she was not going to live the life her mom had chosen.

Yes there are things that happened to us in childhood that deeply scar and crush our want to live or even survive. Some of us hang on these memories like a badge of honor as so to explain away why we are the way we are and live. "Stinking Thinking" is a habit of depression that helps us perpetuate the downward spiraling lifestyle.

Changing one's life is a fight or flee type of feeling you get - In the past I would flee when change came upon my doorstep. Now, it gets a mental black eye and is not allowed to loiter in my mind. Constant change for the better can be made a great habit in it's self to help you overcome depression and it will if you so chose to let that be your truth today.