Did you know that a woman is more likely to have depression than a man? Researchers are studying many different things that would tell them why a woman and depression symptoms are more common. Areas that are being studied are genetic and biological factors, abuse and oppression, reproductive and hormonal factors, psychological and personality characteristics of women, interpersonal factors and more. However, the reasons why a woman and depression symptoms are more common is still unclear. One area that is being thoroughly studied is postpartum depression. Postpartum depression only affects a woman and depression can be intense.
The biological factors which can trigger a woman and depression symptoms include puberty, premenstrual problems and pregnancy. Boys and girls have virtually the same rate of depression diagnosis before puberty. Girls will usually enter puberty sooner than boys and studies report that girls may develop depression earlier than boys. Girls are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression as boys. Studies tell us that the gap between depression diagnosis between women and men close back up after menopause, researchers are leaning to the hormonal factor being a cause of woman and depression.
Premenstrual problems may also be to blame for some depressions in women. Many women report mood swings during their premenstrual cycles. Women who have more than the short lived premenstrual symptoms are often diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and often placed on hormones and antidepressants. Many people believe that the hormonal changes that are going on inside a woman’s body during her cycle are disrupting the brain’s chemicals. However, since all women who are menstruating go through hormonal changes during their cycle, hormonal changes alone cannot be responsible for the depression.
Pregnancy is another life stage where depression can strike a woman. The body is undergoing dramatic changes in hormone production during pregnancy. In addition, women who are pregnant also have to face the emotional issues of becoming a parent. Both of these factors can cause trigger depression in women. In regards to hormonal changes, a woman’s body increases production of estrogen and progesterone significantly during pregnancy. After the baby is delivered, these hormones drop off rapidly. Many people believe that when this happens it can trigger postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to other forms of depression. In addition, the new mother may feel especially tired after delivery and never regain her strength and energy levels. The new mother may also become very overwhelmed with caring for her new baby. She may feel inadequate and doubt her mothering ability. New mothers may start to lose their own identity after the birth of a child. They may feel they have no control over their lives – from their sleep patterns, to their weight, when they have sex and more.
Postpartum depression can occur at anytime within a year of delivery. While many women will go through a period of having the “baby blues,” women who are suffering from postpartum depression do not snap out of it easily. The depression starts to affect their ability to function well. It is very important that a woman suffering from postpartum depression seeks out the help of a doctor who is familiar with postpartum depression. In addition, women who are dealing with postpartum depression can benefit from support groups, counseling and medication.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Are You Looking For Natural Cures For Depression?
Many people are looking for magical natural cures for depression. While this may sound like a pipe dream, there are natural cures for depression that have been shown to improve depression. Most of these natural cures for depression are right under people’s noses, yet they are often overlooked.
Exercise is one of the easiest natural cures for depression. There has been a large amount of research done on exercise and depression. Studies show that being physically active and depressed are two incompatible things. If someone can try to exercise 20 or 30 minutes a day three or four times a week they may see a remarked improvement in their depression. While aerobic activity of some sort is the best, even people who weight train or do yoga can have improvements in their depression.
Another one of the natural cures for depression that is often overlooked is diet. People who are depressed may be deficient in the nutrients that are necessary to have good mental health. Adding vitamins and nutrients to your diet can help depression. Individuals who are looking for natural cures for depression are encouraged to add a multivitamin and mineral supplement to their diets. Vitamins that can help with depression are B1, B6, B12, selenium and vitamin C. In regards to food, studies are showing that the same foods that help to prevent heart disease and cancer are also good for the brain. Particularly, people should work hard to avoid eating foods that are too high in saturated and hydrogenated fat.
Another one of the natural cures for depression is herbs. Of all the herbs, St. John’s Wort may be as effective as some anti depression medications – particularly tricyclic antidepressants, yet it has fewer side effects. Herbs for depression are not without their side effects, and St. John’s Wort is no exception. Some people report that they are sensitive to the sunlight and experience gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue when they have taken St. John’s Wort. Individuals who do opt to take St. John’s Wort herbs for depression should not take it if they are already on anti depressants. Combining the two can be very dangerous. It should be noted that herbs for depression should not be looked at as a cure all. It generally only works for individuals who are suffering from mild depression. People who are suffering from major depression may find little or no relief from St. John’s Wort. These individuals are encouraged to continue with their prescription medication. In addition, individuals should never discontinue any medication without consulting their doctor first. So, if you are thinking about switching from your anti depression medication to take herbs for depression, you should talk it over with your doctor first.
There are many natural cures for depression other than diet, exercise and herbs. The best advice that can be given is to research what they are and start with one or two. If you find that you are getting results with a natural cure, continue it. If a natural cure does not work for you, move on to another one. Only through trial and error will you find what your depression responds to.
Exercise is one of the easiest natural cures for depression. There has been a large amount of research done on exercise and depression. Studies show that being physically active and depressed are two incompatible things. If someone can try to exercise 20 or 30 minutes a day three or four times a week they may see a remarked improvement in their depression. While aerobic activity of some sort is the best, even people who weight train or do yoga can have improvements in their depression.
Another one of the natural cures for depression that is often overlooked is diet. People who are depressed may be deficient in the nutrients that are necessary to have good mental health. Adding vitamins and nutrients to your diet can help depression. Individuals who are looking for natural cures for depression are encouraged to add a multivitamin and mineral supplement to their diets. Vitamins that can help with depression are B1, B6, B12, selenium and vitamin C. In regards to food, studies are showing that the same foods that help to prevent heart disease and cancer are also good for the brain. Particularly, people should work hard to avoid eating foods that are too high in saturated and hydrogenated fat.
Another one of the natural cures for depression is herbs. Of all the herbs, St. John’s Wort may be as effective as some anti depression medications – particularly tricyclic antidepressants, yet it has fewer side effects. Herbs for depression are not without their side effects, and St. John’s Wort is no exception. Some people report that they are sensitive to the sunlight and experience gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue when they have taken St. John’s Wort. Individuals who do opt to take St. John’s Wort herbs for depression should not take it if they are already on anti depressants. Combining the two can be very dangerous. It should be noted that herbs for depression should not be looked at as a cure all. It generally only works for individuals who are suffering from mild depression. People who are suffering from major depression may find little or no relief from St. John’s Wort. These individuals are encouraged to continue with their prescription medication. In addition, individuals should never discontinue any medication without consulting their doctor first. So, if you are thinking about switching from your anti depression medication to take herbs for depression, you should talk it over with your doctor first.
There are many natural cures for depression other than diet, exercise and herbs. The best advice that can be given is to research what they are and start with one or two. If you find that you are getting results with a natural cure, continue it. If a natural cure does not work for you, move on to another one. Only through trial and error will you find what your depression responds to.
All About Manic Depression
Manic depression, also known as bioplar disorder, falls into the family of mental illness known as mood disorders. This means that it effects how a person feels, as opposed to such disorders as schizophrenia that make it difficult for a person to separate what is real from what isn’t.
Mental illnesses are disorders that effect how a person’s brain works. It is not the type of thing where a person asked for it or can overcome the symptoms by willpower. With proper treatment, people with mental illnesses, like manic depression, can get help to control their symptoms. They can have a good quality of life.
What is Manic Depression?
Manic depression affects a person’s moods, giving them periods of greatly elevated moods (“manic”) and low moods (“depression”). While it is perfectly normal for people to have both high and low moods, the person with manic depression experiences greatly exaggerated highs and lows. The episodes may come and go, but this is a chronic condition.
In the manic phase of the disorder, the person may have a decreased need for sleep, an increased energy level, or feelings of being “high”. He or she might come across as being angry or irritable. Some people in the manic phase take risks they would not normally take, such as reckless driving or abusing alcohol or drugs.
A very high self-esteem is part of the manic phase. The person might have a higher-than-usual sex drive as well. Some people people in this phase of the disorder might spend recklessly.
The depressive part of the illness is quite different from the manic phase. In the low part of the mood cycle, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or wanting to die are common. Changes in the person’s appetite, a decrease in energy, and increased ability to make decisions can happen. Experiencing stomach aches and headaches is not uncommon.
Manic Depression by the Numbers
In the United States, more than 15% of all illnesses are mental illnesses. (That is more than all forms of cancer and problems caused by addictions to drugs and alcohol.) If you know of someone who has been diagnosed with manic depression, he or she is in good company. It has been estimated that this disorder affects between two and four percent of the world’s population, some 222 million people.
Treatment Options for Manic Depression
There is no cure for manic depression but some of the symptoms can be controlled by the use of medication. Some medications are used to treat acute symptoms; that is, those caused by severe episodes of mania or depression. Other medications are used to prevent future episodes of these types and are referred to as “maintenance therapy”.
In addition to medications, people with bipolar disorder can benefit from psychotherapy as part of the treatment process. Therapy can help the person understand the disorder and come to terms with what the diagnosis means for them. Through the process of going to therapy, the client may get a better understanding of how the bipolar disorder affects their relationships with family and friends.
If the person is having a depressive episode, the therapy may help the person to adopt some thought processes that are positive instead of negative. He or she may be able to recognize a manic or depressive episode as it is starting, and get appropriate treatment quickly. Other family members will come to understand the disorder better by attending therapy sessions themselves.
Manic depression is a chronic but treatable mental illness. Getting proper treatment is key to having a good quality of life.
Mental illnesses are disorders that effect how a person’s brain works. It is not the type of thing where a person asked for it or can overcome the symptoms by willpower. With proper treatment, people with mental illnesses, like manic depression, can get help to control their symptoms. They can have a good quality of life.
What is Manic Depression?
Manic depression affects a person’s moods, giving them periods of greatly elevated moods (“manic”) and low moods (“depression”). While it is perfectly normal for people to have both high and low moods, the person with manic depression experiences greatly exaggerated highs and lows. The episodes may come and go, but this is a chronic condition.
In the manic phase of the disorder, the person may have a decreased need for sleep, an increased energy level, or feelings of being “high”. He or she might come across as being angry or irritable. Some people in the manic phase take risks they would not normally take, such as reckless driving or abusing alcohol or drugs.
A very high self-esteem is part of the manic phase. The person might have a higher-than-usual sex drive as well. Some people people in this phase of the disorder might spend recklessly.
The depressive part of the illness is quite different from the manic phase. In the low part of the mood cycle, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or wanting to die are common. Changes in the person’s appetite, a decrease in energy, and increased ability to make decisions can happen. Experiencing stomach aches and headaches is not uncommon.
Manic Depression by the Numbers
In the United States, more than 15% of all illnesses are mental illnesses. (That is more than all forms of cancer and problems caused by addictions to drugs and alcohol.) If you know of someone who has been diagnosed with manic depression, he or she is in good company. It has been estimated that this disorder affects between two and four percent of the world’s population, some 222 million people.
Treatment Options for Manic Depression
There is no cure for manic depression but some of the symptoms can be controlled by the use of medication. Some medications are used to treat acute symptoms; that is, those caused by severe episodes of mania or depression. Other medications are used to prevent future episodes of these types and are referred to as “maintenance therapy”.
In addition to medications, people with bipolar disorder can benefit from psychotherapy as part of the treatment process. Therapy can help the person understand the disorder and come to terms with what the diagnosis means for them. Through the process of going to therapy, the client may get a better understanding of how the bipolar disorder affects their relationships with family and friends.
If the person is having a depressive episode, the therapy may help the person to adopt some thought processes that are positive instead of negative. He or she may be able to recognize a manic or depressive episode as it is starting, and get appropriate treatment quickly. Other family members will come to understand the disorder better by attending therapy sessions themselves.
Manic depression is a chronic but treatable mental illness. Getting proper treatment is key to having a good quality of life.
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