MyDepressionTreatment.Org

Depression - Information and Support
THE starting place for exploring Depression. Support forums, links, articles and more. … I’ve seen a few news stories speculating that Britney Spears’ recent meltdown may be due to …

MedlinePlus: Depression
Depression … Latest News; Image Concerns Tied to Depression in Arthritis, Lupus Patients (02/28/2007, HealthDay …

Depression Treatment

Depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Depression may refer to: * Clinical depression, a medical condition identified by clusters of symptoms such as markedly-decreased mood, motivation, interest, energy levels, etc (also known as severe …

Clinical and Manic Depression Causes, Diagnosis, Symptoms, and …
Learn about depression symptoms, the types of depression, depressive disorder causes, and available … Depression. Medical Author: Peter J. Panzarino, Jr., MD, F.A.P.A. Medical Editor: Leslie J.

Herbal Therapy Against Depression

In the past few years, much interest has risen in the use of herbs in the treatment of both depression and anxiety. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herb used extensively in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in Europe, has recently aroused interest in the United States. St. John’s wort, an attractive bushy, low-growing plant covered with yellow flowers in summer, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. Today in Germany, Hypericum is used in the treatment of depression more than any other antidepressant. However, the scientific studies that have been conducted on its use have been short-term and have used several different doses.

Because of the widespread interest in St. John’s wort, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a 3-year study, sponsored by three NIH components the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Office of Dietary Supplements. The study was designed to include 336 patients with major depression of moderate severity, randomly assigned to an 8-week trial with one-third of patients receiving a uniform dose of St. John’s wort, another third sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for depression, and the final third a placebo (a pill that looks exactly like the SSRI and the St. John’s wort, but has no active ingredients). The study participants who responded positively were followed for an additional 18 weeks. At the end of the first phase of the study, participants were measured on two scales, one for depression and one for overall functioning. There was no significant difference in rate of response for depression, but the scale for overall functioning was better for the antidepressant than for either St. John’s wort or placebo. While this study did not support the use of St. John’s wort in the treatment of major depression, ongoing NIH-supported research is examining a possible role for St. John’s wort in the treatment of milder forms of depression.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory on February 10, 2000. It stated that St. John’s wort appears to affect an important metabolic pathway that is used by many drugs prescribed to treat conditions such as AIDS, heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and rejection of transplants. Therefore, health care providers should alert their patients about these potential drug interactions.

Some other herbal supplements frequently used that have not been evaluated in large-scale clinical trials are ephedra, gingko biloba, echinacea, and ginseng. Any herbal supplement should be taken only after consultation with the doctor or other health care provider.

WebMD Depression Health Center - Find depression information and …
An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression. Here you’ll find in-depth … Depression Overview. From symptoms to treatment options, find in-depth news and information to …

NIMH: Depression
Reducing the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior

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Depression Treatment

On how to beat it
Despair. I dont know what I feel anymore. I used to write in this blog, which all my friends read. I wasnt really expressing my true emotions…

Antidepressant Medications

There are several types of medications used to treat depression. These include newer antidepressant medicationschiefly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)and older ones, the tricyclics and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The SSRIs (and other newer medications that affect neurotransmitters such as dopamine or norepinephrine) generally have fewer side effects than tricyclics. Sometimes the doctor will try a variety of antidepressants before finding the most effective medication or combination of medications for the patient. Sometimes the dosage must be increased to be effective. Although some improvements may be seen in the first couple of weeks, antidepressant medications must be taken regularly for three to four weeks (in some cases, as many as eight weeks) before the full therapeutic effect occurs.

Patients often are tempted to stop medication too soon. They may feel better and think they no longer need the medication, or they may think it isnt helping at all. It is important to keep taking medication until it has a chance to work, though side effects (see section on Side Effects, pages 19 20) may appear before antidepressant activity does. Once the person is feeling better, it is important to continue the medication for at least four to nine months to prevent a relapse into depression. Some medications must be stopped gradually to give the body time to adjust, and many can produce withdrawal symptoms if discontinued abruptly. Therefore, you should never discontinue your medication without first talking to your doctor. For individuals with bipolar disorder and those with chronic or recurrent major depression, medication may have to be maintained indefinitely.

Recently, concerns have been raised that the use of antidepressant medications themselves may induce suicidal behavior in youths. In fact, following a thorough and comprehensive review of all the available published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants in children and adolescents, the FDA has adopted a black box label on SSRI medications to warn the public about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation) or behavior (suicidality) in children and adolescents treated with these medications. However, studies show that there are substantial benefits from medication treatment for adolescents with moderate and severe depression, including many with suicidal ideation. Parents and children should work with their health care provider to determine the best and most appropriate treatment.

Medications for depressive disorders are not habit forming. Nevertheless, as is the case with any type of medication prescribed for more than a few days, doctors must carefully monitor these treatments to determine if the patient is getting the most effective dosage. The doctor should check regularly the dosage of each medicine and its effectiveness.

For the small number of people for whom MAO inhibitors are the best treatment, it is necessary to avoid certain foods that contain high levels of tyramine, including many cheeses, wines, and pickles, as well as medications such as decongestants. The interaction of tyramine with MAOIs can bring on a hypertensive crisis (a sharp increase in blood pressure) that can lead to a stroke. The doctor should furnish a complete list of prohibited foods, and the patient should carry it at all times. Other forms of antidepressants require no food restrictions. Efforts are underway to develop a skin patch system for one of the newer MAOIs, selegiline. If successful, this may be a more convenient and safer medication option than the older MAOI tablets.

Medications of any kind prescribed, over the counter, or borrowed should never be mixed without consulting a doctor. Health professionals who may prescribe a medication, such as a dentist or other medical specialist, should be told of all the medications the patient is taking. Some medications, although safe when taken alone, can cause severe and dangerous side effects if taken in combination with others.

Alcoholincluding wine, beer, and hard liquoror street drugs may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and should be avoided. However, doctors may permit people who have not had a problem with alcohol abuse or dependence to use a modest amount of alcohol while taking one of the newer antidepressants.

Antianxiety drugs or sedatives are not antidepressants. They are sometimes prescribed along with antidepressants, but they are not effective when taken alone for a depressive disorder. Stimulants, such as amphetamines, are also not effective antidepressants, but they are used occasionally, under close supervision, in medically ill depressed patients.

Lithium has for many years been the treatment of choice for bipolar disorder, as it can be effective in smoothing out the mood swings common to this illness. Doctors must carefully monitor its use as the range between an effective dose and a toxic one is small. If a person has preexisting thyroid, kidney, or heart disorders or epilepsy, lithium may not be recommended. Fortunately, other medications have been found to be of benefit in controlling mood swings. Among these are two mood stabilizing anticonvulsants, valproate (Depakote) and carbamazepine (Tegretol). Both of these medications have gained wide acceptance in clinical practice, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved valproate for first line treatment of acute mania. Other anticonvulsants that are being used now include lamotrigine (Lamictal), and topiramate (Topamax); however, their role in the treatment of bipolar disorder is not yet proven and remains under study.

Most people who have bipolar disorder take more than one medication. In addition to lithium and/or an anticonvulsant, doctors often prescribe a medication for accompanying agitation, anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Finding the best possible combination of these medications is of utmost importance to the patient and requires close monitoring by the physician.

Questions about any medication prescribed, or problems that may be related to it, should be discussed with your doctor.

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The wind blows outside, and when I say blows I mean gusts, the strong winds that make the house make…

Depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Depression may refer to: * Clinical depression, a medical condition identified by clusters of symptoms such as markedly-decreased mood, motivation, interest, energy levels, etc (also known as severe …

Clinical and Manic Depression Causes, Diagnosis, Symptoms, and …
Learn about depression symptoms, the types of depression, depressive disorder causes, and available … Depression. Medical Author: Peter J. Panzarino, Jr., MD, F.A.P.A. Medical Editor: Leslie J.

Depression - MSN Health & Fitness
Find information, tips and news about depression, anxiety, stress, symptoms, tests, risk factors … Zoloft vs. Generic Sertraline. Now that the popular SSRI antidepressant Zoloft is available in …

Depression - Information and Support
THE starting place for exploring Depression. Support forums, links, articles and more. … I’ve seen a few news stories speculating that Britney Spears’ recent meltdown may be due to …

Depression
Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. This article discusses how to get help for depression.

Antidepressant Medication Side Effects

Antidepressants may cause mild and, usually, temporary side effects (sometimes referred to as adverse effects) in some people. Typically these are annoying, but not serious. However, any unusual reactions or side effects or those that interfere with functioning should be reported to the doctor immediately. The most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants, and ways to deal with them, are:

* Dry mouthit is helpful to drink sips of water; chew sugarless gum; clean teeth daily.
* Constipation bran cereals, prunes, fruit, and vegetables should be in the diet.
* Bladder problems emptying the bladder may be troublesome, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual; the doctor should be notified if there is marked difficulty or pain.
* Sexual problems sexual functioning may change; if worrisome, it should be discussed with the doctor.
* Blurred vision this will pass soon and will not usually necessitate new glasses.
* Dizziness rising from the bed or chair slowly is helpful.
* Drowsiness as a daytime problem this usually passes soon. A person feeling drowsy or sedated should not drive or operate heavy equipment. The more sedating antidepressants are generally taken at bedtime to help sleep and minimize daytime drowsiness.

The newer antidepressants have different types of side effects:

* Headache this will usually go away.
* Nausea this is also temporary, but even when it occurs, it is transient after each dose.
* Nervousness and insomnia (trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night) these may occur during the first few weeks; dosage reductions or time will usually resolve them.
* Agitation (feeling jittery) if this happens for the first time after the drug is taken and is more than transient, the doctor should be notified.
* Sexual problems the doctor should be consulted if the problem is persistent or worrisome.

Depression Treatment

NIMH: Depression
National Institute of Mental Health presents a comprehensive series of articles on symptoms and management. Includes booklets of personal accounts and descriptions of related disorders.

HATE ME

QueenBee77 posted a photo:

"HATE ME" - BLUE OCTOBER

I have to block out thoughts of you so I dont lose my head
They crawl in like a cockroach leaving babies in my bed
Dropping little reels of tape to remind me that Im alone
Playing movies in my head that make a porno feel like home
There’s a burning in my pride, a nervous bleeding in my brain
An ounce of peace is all I want for you. Will you never call again?
And will you never say that you love me just to put it in my face?
And will you never try to reach me?
It is I that wanted space

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you

Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see whats good for you

Im sober now for 3 whole months its one accomplishment that you helped me with
The one thing that always tore us apart is the one thing I wont touch again
In a sick way I want to thank you for holding my head up late at night
While I was busy waging wars on myself, you were trying to stop the fight
You never doubted my warped opinions on things like suicidal hate
You made me compliment myself when it was way too hard to take
So Ill drive so fucking far away that I never cross your mind
And do whatever it takes in your heart to leave me behind

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didnt do for you

Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see whats good for you

And with a sad heart I say bye to you and wave
Kicking shadows on the street for every mistake that I had made
And like a baby boy I never was a man
Until I saw your blue eyes cry and I held your face in my hand
And then I fell down yelling Make it go away!
Just make a smile come back and shine just like it used to be
And then she whispered How can you do this to me?

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didnt do for you

Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see whats good for you
For you
For you
For you

Isolation from the world
the bone-chilling silence that would scare most
but comfort me
i crave like an addict
I need this to survive
To be in the clouds
Among the stars and moon
To be the last one on the planet
To walk the earth alone
To feel the soil between my toes
A sound proof room in the middle of the desert
With nothing inside
To dive into the ocean and sink to the bottom
Sitting there waiting and watching

I dont belong here and never have
Always known I was different
Dont try to understand
You would waste your time
Just shake your head like all the rest
Then whisper when I turn my back
It doesnt bother me
I am not like others
I tried to tell you that long ago
But I can only shake my head now
When the confrontation comes
Why this? Why that? Why do you do this?
Isolate yourself….
I need it like you need water
I can’t function without it
I must push you away
I must push everyone away
No one will get close
I will not allow it
You will leave
Like all the rest
Out of hate
Or trying time and time again
It’s how it’s meant to be

Apologizing now….

Depression Treatment

Depression and Men

A man can experience depression in many different ways. He may be grumpy or irritable, or have lost his sense of humor. He might drink too much or abuse drugs. It may be that he physically or verbally abuses his wife and his kids. He might work all the time, or compulsively seek thrills in high risk behavior. Or, he may seem isolated, withdrawn, and no longer interested in the people or activities he used to enjoy.

Perhaps this man sounds like you. If so, it is important to understand that there is a brain disorder called depression that may be underlying these feelings and behaviors. Its real: scientists have developed sensitive imaging devices that enable us to see depression in the brain. And its treatable: more than 80 percent of those suffering from depression respond to existing treatments, and new ones are continually becoming available and helping more people. Talk to a healthcare provider about how you are feeling, and ask for help.

Or perhaps this man sound like someone you care about. Try to talk to him, or to someone who has a chance of getting through to him. Help him to understand that depression is a common illness among men and is nothing to be ashamed about. Encourage him to see a doctor and get an evaluation for depression.

For most men with depression, life doesnt have to be so dark and hopeless. Life is hard enough as it is; and treating depression can free up vital resources to cope with lifes challenges effectively. When a man is depressed, hes not the only one who suffers. His depression also darkens the lives of his family, his friends, virtually everyone close to him. Getting him into treatment can send ripples of healing and hope into all of those lives.

Depression is a real illness; it is treatable; and men can have it. It takes courage to ask for help, but help can make all the difference.