It takes months or even years to cure or manage serious depression, a real mental illness. Millions of Americans across the United States are affected by depression each and every year. The situation becomes worse because only one third of those who suffer depression ever get treated. Many Americans don’t want to be considered crazy, so because depression is considered a mental affliction they avoid diagnosis. Instead of being considered mentally ill, people try to manage the problem themselves. Depression is more common- place than you might think and it will not go away on its own.
What are the causes for depression? There are many factors to consider, so the answer isn’t simple. There are so many things factored into the cause of this disease. Lets examine some of the most notorious. A chemical imbalance is widely considered to be the main cause for depression. Why does this chemical problem in the brain happen? Generally the causes are internal – biological issues, genetic disposition, mental problems – but there are external causes as well. In many cases the underlying cause is never identified. If diagnosis of another serious medical condition happens, sometimes people become depressed.
Another cause of depression can be the emotional pain felt after losing a loved one. In many cases the loss can be very traumatic. Depression often follows sexual or physical abuse, or emotional attacks. Substance abuse, either drug or alcohol, can also cause depression. The mental state of a human can be very fragile depending on their environment and the life events that they have been exposed too. In many cases depression is passed on genetically. Those afflicted have a family history of the disease . There are even some prescribed medications that can bring on depression. Studies and tests show a casual relation between many high blood pressure medications and depression.
Depression can result from stress. In our lives many events and elements can cause stress. It’s not well known, but it’s true, that stress can result from the pressures associated with positive events such as a new, high paying job. People tend to stress when they face the unknown, like a new job or new financial obligations. When friends or loved ones come into conflict with an individual – a co-worker or loved one – the result is stress. There are a great number of people who are stressed from simply trying to perform their jobs to satisfaction and trying to support their families from week to week. By determining the cause, medical professionals have a much better chance of administering a treatment. If you or someone you love suffers from depression-please seek medical assistance.
BY :Maleesha Kumari Natural Remedies , Natural Remedies for Anxiety , Aromatherapy Recipes
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When people discuss bi-polar disorder they refer to a condition known as manic depression. This is associated with unusual and quick switches from a good mood to a sour mood, when someone says “wow, they’re bi-polar”. Depression has many forms. This is one of them. Sadness over an event isn’t manic depression. Manic depression is a much more serious condition. Another stage of depression is the diagnosis for bi-polar disorder. Manic depression is diagnosed in millions of cases each year in America. Typically, some type of depression yearly affects around 17 million Americans.
Two thirds of those people will never seek medical attention or even a diagnosis. Nothing can be cured if the victim doesn’t go for help. Mental illness is a red stop sign for many Americans, they don’t want to deal with it. Being crazy isn’t something people want associated with themselves. It’s very complex when a disease impacts the brain. It is hard to shake the stigma that comes with the diagnosis. However, as with any form of depression, the affliction does not make you less a person. It doesn’t mean you’re insane. It means you have an illness like any other. Now that it’s found, the process of treatment can start.
The causes of all forms of depression are still being examined in the medical profession. Depression is caused by a wide range of issues. Doctors take into consideration many things such as biological factors, the environment, and DNA. A chemical imbalance in the brain helps cause it. Stress is another major factor in depression. Every day we confront events in life that cause us stress. Issues at school, with loved ones, or just the daily grind can cause it. Depression does not play favorites. Both the rich and the poor contract it. Race isn’t an issue. No color or nationality is free from this illness.
There are similar symptoms no matter the type of depression. These include mood swings from happy to sad and serious personality switches. The advent of sleeplessness is another sign of depression. The feeling of helplessness, hopelessness and Desperation. When everyday life becomes a chore, that’s depression. There is hope for depression sufferers. You can find help. There are medicines both prescribed and natural that can offer a cure. Doctors can also help with talk therapy. There are also many support groups that will help you deal with the disease. There can’t be a cure until help is sought.
BY :Maleesha Kumari Natural Depression Remedies , natural cures for anxiety , Aromatherapy Information
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this problem, a serious and real medical condition considered a mental illness. depression takes on many different forms. Without treatment depression progresses from mild depression to major depression. When an inflicted person reaches the point of major depression than the possibility of attempted suicide is seriously enhanced. The real problem is that most Americans do not want to confront their depression. Being criticized as crazy or insane becomes such a concern that they don’t look for treatment. The risk is, they think, a label of not normal.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Depression is considered a real mental illness. However, it is just a disease like any other. As bad as depression can be there is a cure. Those afflicted by this disease have treatment choices. If you don’t look for treatment, you can’t be cured. Once the symptoms are known, it’s time to solve the problem. It is not a passing illness that will simply go away. Care is required. Different causes contribute to depression. The depression problem is found in people who suffer from stress, have biological or genetic tendencies, or suffer from emotional issues.
Many kinds of depression treatments exist. Anti-depressants are often prescribed to treat it. Natural substances such as herbs also help control depression. Medical professionals can also treat the illness with talk therapy. One of the more popular treatments is the participation in a depression support group. Sufferers get the opportunity to work out their problems in these depression support groups. They get to associate and learn from those who suffer from the same illness.
More and more people are participating in depression support groups. Some people are less forthcoming about their problem. Even though everyone has the same problem, this type of person can’t face others. For many though, the opportunity to join a depression support group allows them to share their feelings and frees a lot of their locked up emotionsThe opportunity, however, for a lot of people is a great chance to release hidden away emotions by talking about them in a group setting. The more others share, the more you tend to share. You begin to realize that you are not alone in the world. If you or someone you love is suffering from depression please consider a depression support group as a method of assisting you with your illness.
BY :Maleesha Kumari Natural Depression Cures , Natural Anxiety Remedies , Aromatherapy Guide
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Statistics on teenagers suffering from depression and other mental ailments are alarming. Various studies suggest that 1 in 4 teens suffer from some sort of mental illness. Teenage mental illness, to include depression, can have dire consequences. Teenage suicide is on the rise. It is the third leading cause of death in the age bracket of 15 to 24 years. Dealing with depression in teens is an important step in reducing these numbers in our society.
Many things can lead to depression. A teenager is just learning how to handle the pressures and emotions of an adult. Only 30% of teens suffering seek help. The others just suffer through and do their best to get through. Adults have difficulty dealing with many things, asking a teenager to deal with it on their own, is not be the best option.
Learning the signs of depression for our youth can be difficult. Depressed teenagers are often just seen as being a teen. Signs of irritability, fatigue, withdrawal and changes of eating and sleeping habits, are seen as normal signs of growing up and hormone surges. They are also signs of depression. Learning the difference in your teen’s behavior may be key in getting them the help that they need.
Learning to talk to your teen may be your best investment in their mental health. Parents and adults in a teen’s life struggle with this aspect. They often want to see the teen as still a child where the teen wants to be seen as an adult. Learning to bridge this gap and communicate efficiently may be a daunting task, but can be managed.
An adult should learn to offer support when conversing with a teenager. Let them know you are there for them. Ensure them that you are available to them at any time. Show them that you can listen without being judgmental. Don’t try to talk them out of the way that they feel. Show them that you can understand and give them the help that they need to deal with how they are feeling.
Trust your own instincts. If you have a teenager that is showing signs of depression get them help. Trusting your own feelings and emotions may be what sets the teen on the road to better mental health. They may resist getting help at first. Be firm. Let them know you are there for them and willing to work with them, but insist that they find someone they can work with to help them through this difficult time in their life.
Often a teen will find it easier to speak with someone other than a parent. Consider a peer mentor for your teen. These are teens that are trained to work with others. They become a positive influence. Teen mentors can become a confidant and will be there for the teen that may be in trouble otherwise.
Teenage depression is a serious problem, but can be treated. Learn to recognize the symptoms and get help as soon as possible. Turn the teen in your life into a success story instead of a statistic.
Aurelia
http://www.articlesbase.com/teenagers-articles/helping-your-teen-overcome-depression-750059.html
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Three women discuss their experience with family members who’ve struggled with depression
Duration : 0:2:31
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Stanford Professor Robert Sapolsky, posits that depression is the most damaging disease that you can experience. Right now it is the number four cause of disability in the US and it is becoming more common. Sapolsky states that depression is as real of a biological disease as is diabetes.
Stanford University:
http://www.stanford.edu/
Stanford University Channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/stanford
Duration : 0:52:29
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HealthDay – THURSDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) — Unemployed Americans are
four times more likely than those with jobs to report symptoms of severe
mental illness, such as major depression, according to a new national
survey that reveals the mental health toll of the recession.
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Weâve all heard the saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is especially true with teen suicide. Once a teen is suicidal the problem is too far in its development. There is a better way to identify and prevent teen suicide. The key here is early diagnosis, before the problem is life threatening.
Screening for depression and other mental illnessesâ There are a number of pre-emptive screens available to identify depression in teens. In a recent case study 90 percent of suicidal teens showed characteristics of depression many years before becoming suicidal. Seeking treatment for depression is much easier today as it was in the past. It is also gaining acceptance as a serious mental illness. In addition to depression there are other mental illnesses that have a higher likelyhood of suicide. Work with a qualified therapist or counselor to discuss your childâs risk and mental illness.
Drinking while down.  Alcohol is a depressant. It reduces oxygen to the brain and brings the whole body into a relaxed intoxicated state. As a drug alcohols function is to be a downer. When coupled with depression the results can be devastating. depression and drinking feed off one another and the problems gets worse and worse. Talking openly with your teen about issues and behaviors can give you the information you need to seek help. If you have a suspicion that your teen is drinking while down (depressed) seek help immediately. Youth that participate in this behavior are in a extremely high risk group.
Social Withdrawl. If your teen starts to spend more time alone as opposed to social activities with long time friends it may be a warning sign. Many teens that attempt suicide try to isolate themselves before making that attempt. If your teen starts to break ties and longtime friendships without seeking new ones try talking with them about what is going on in their life.  Sometimes there are good reasons for the change and other times there are not.  As a parent you can make the call on whether the change is reasonable or not.
Suffering with a major loss. A happy teen can quickly change when catastrophe strikes. Everyone reacts to adversity differently. The death of a loved one who is close to your child, a divorce, and being rejected can all trigger suicide in some people.  Talking about suicide and the feelings of everyone involved can provide valuable information to you as a parent. When you talk with your teen try to be reassuring that they can trust you. If they express dark or disturbing thought let them know that you appreciate them sharing these things with you. Grief counseling might be a good idea early on if you know your teen struggles with depression or has exhibited any other warning signs in the past.
Sudden change in behavior. Watch for signs of dramatic change in your child. While this might be a warning sign of imminent suicide it might present itself early enough to provide great help to parents. If your teen is usually a good student and suddenly stops caring about grades this might be a sign. Other warning signs might include a teen changing from being careful to being reckless.  Car accidents with kids with perfect driving records and other events might provide clues into their intentions.
If you suspect suicide talk about it. If your teen is not suicidal they will not become suicidal. There is virtually no risk in bringing up the subject if done carefully and with respect.
Jacob Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/teenagers-articles/early-warning-signs-of-teen-suicide-921728.html
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Manic depression or as it is also known Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that causes the sufferer to have rapid shifts in mood of such a magnitude to affect an individuals normal functioning.
The symptoms of manic depression are quite wide ranging. They normally include large mood swings, ranging from an extreme high, occasionally with irritability, to an extremely low and hopeless mood and back again. In between these two poles of mood are periods of normal mood. As a ratio, the low and depressive mood is most common at a ratio of 3 to 1 manic, or high, mood.
Manic Depression Symptoms – Manic Episode
When a person has symptoms of manic depression and they experience “mania” it is known as a manic episode.
A manic episode is usually characterized by these manic depression symptoms:
* An extreme increase of energy, increased participation in physical and mental activities or restlessness
* An extreme high or euphoria and an overly good mood.
* Heightened irritability
* Fast talking and occasionally jumping from on topic to the next as a result of ideas and thoughts racing through the individuals mind
* A reduction in concentration levels and being distracted very easily
* Not needing a lot of sleep
* Egomania and a belief in one’s abilities and powers regardless of how unrealistic they may be.
* A lack of good judgment
* Spending money regardless of whether it is available to spend or not
* The abnormal behavior lasts for a long period of time
* An increase in sexual drive
* Abusing drugs, in particular alcohol, cocaine and medications to aid sleep
* Aggressive, invasive or confrontational behavior
* Denying that there is something wrong
The diagnosis of a manic episode mostly occurs in an individual when there are three or more manic depression symptoms and they are accompanied by an elevated mood. Then again, if the mood is primarily characterized by high irritability then it must be accompanied by another four symptoms. In either case, the manic depression symptoms must be noticeable for most of the day, nearly every day for at least a week.
Manic Depression Symptoms – Depressive Episode
During a depressive episode, the manic depression symptoms may include:
* Relentlessly feeling sad or empty
* High levels of anxiety
* Feeling hopeless/pessimistic, Dwelling on negative thoughts
* Feeling guilty/worthless
* A lack of motivation and/or energy and feeling like there is nothing worth making an effort for
* No interest in activities usually found pleasurable
* Low or no energy
* Feeling like you are being slowed down or fatigued
* A loss of memory and trouble concentrating on one thing at a time
* Can’t make decisions
Annoyance, rage or petulance
* Having not enough or too much sleep
* Appetite change and/or weight loss/gain without any explanation
* Physical symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury, such as aches and pains
* Suicidal or death related thoughts, possible suicide attempts
A person in a depressive episode who is suffering with manic depression symptoms needs all the help they can get. Throughout the depressive episode, there is a greater possibility of suicide and it is strongly advised that professional help is found as soon as a person starts talking about suicide.
Henry Anderson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/manic-depression-symptoms-131309.html
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