Talk:Demystifying Depression/Introduction

In the section on the causes of depression have you considered mentioning that BCPs are increasingly causing depression.. ? http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/7/75.html Thanks.

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Methinks you knock the clinical psychologist too much. A good clinical psychologist can be better than a psychiatrist, and is certainly likely to be more competent to diagnose and treat it, follow up, or provide referrals than a GP. Remember clinical psychologists are dealing head-on with depressed patients every day, whereas the typical GP is rarely qualified to provide specialized care for mental disorders.

Finally, there is the issue of cost and all that entails. Many patients are lucky if they can see a (hopefully) licensed counsellor without any advanced degrees whatsoever. It is a rare patient who has the money or the insurance to cover extended sessions with a psychiatrist. This means that encounters with HMO psychiatrists may be limited to lots of form diagnostics, brief interviews, and dispensing of pills, whereas a wider range of treatment including talk therapy may be accessible from a psychologist. 149.68.74.166 21:21, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Role of Medical Insurance on over prescription of Pharmaceudical Treatments
How about a note on the role that Medical Insurance Companies play in the over-emphasis on Pharmaceudical treatments. Insurance companies place heavy pressure on proffesionals to seek the minimal cost method of treatment. Often they argue that Pharmaceudical Treatments are more cost effective, while clearly ignoring the ineffectiveness of these Pharmaceudical treatments in the long term and the dangerous repercussions that occur when these drugs do at last fail (often due to natural adaptation). Countless people suffering from depression have been left without appropriate knowledge of cognitive coping techniques that a qualified Clinical Psychologist can teach. In many cases, had more importance been placed on these cognative techniques lives could have been saved. Shouldn't insurance companies be obliged to seek the most effective method and not just the cheapest. The practice of saving a few dollars at the cost of human lives is extremely offensive to me. Throughout my educational career in Psychology I have repetatively heard this problem expressed by numerious Professors, isnt it time something was done about this obviously incorrect and ill-informed emphasis on the wrong treatment.--Scottmcmaster 06:39, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

My opinion
In my opinion introduction is sweet when it is short and which is direct to the point by using clear short words. I think, when long sentences with too many words are used it makes confusion and it can give worst effect to a person whose mental status is not very clear. As I understand, there are two separate headings with similar meanings, ie. "Introduction" and "what is depression".

Comment 01: Bio-medical terminologies in sentences are not suggesting any crystal clear "to the point" "instruction/suggestion/opinion". Suggestion:

Introduction According to World Health Organization (W.H.O): "Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration."

(D.S.M. related things are too complicated for non-related person so W.H.O will be sufficient. )

Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.

Facts
 * Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide.
 * Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide.
 * Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated in primary care.
 * Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.

(Source: WHO "www.who.int and word searched - depression")

'''Q. What is depression?   Q. What Can I Do When My Family Member Is Depressed? '''

Common Symptoms of Depression: 
 * 1) Feeling sad, blue, or down
 * 2) Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
 * 3) Change in appetite or weight
 * 4) Change in sleep patterns
 * 5) Feeling tired and slowed down OR feeling restless
 * 6) Feeling worthless or guilty
 * 7) Trouble concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
 * 8) Thoughts of death or suicide

Common Causes of Depression 
 * 1) Major life events (e.g., death of loved one, retirement)
 * 2) Genetic factors
 * 3) Imbalance in the level of chemicals in the brain.
 * 4) Medical illness
 * 5) Use of certain medications (some anti-convulsants or thyroid hormones)
 * 6) Excessive use of alcohol

Suicide Warning Signs: 

There are several red flags that you want to pay special attention to if a loved one is talking about suicide. One warning sign does NOT mean that the person is definitely going to harm him/herself; rather, these cues may prompt you to explore the issue further:


 * 1) Changes in the level of depression (more depressed or happier than usual), especially if he/she:
 * 2) *Has a specific plan for how they would kill themselves
 * 3) *Begins to get their affairs in order (e.g., writes a will, gives things away, systematically contacts old friends or relatives)
 * 4) *Feels worthless
 * 5) *Talks about having done an unforgivable behavior
 * 6) *Feels hopeless about the future
 * 7) *Hears voices telling them to harm themselves
 * 8) Talks about being indestructible or having supernatural powers during a manic or delusional state
 * 9) Talks about killing him/herself ("everyone would be better off without me")
 * 10) Makes suicidal gestures (takes too many pills, cuts wrists, etc.)
 * 11) Increases use of alcohol or other drugs.
 * 12) Has previously attempted suicide OR has a history of being impulsive

What to do if your family member is suicidal 
 * 1) TALK ABOUT IT! Asking about suicide will NOT put ideas in their head and will not make the situation worse. Ask - then listen. You may want to discuss coping strategies at a time when your loved one is not actively suicidal.
 * 2) Offer emotional support by expressing your concern, care, and willingness to help.
 * 3) Ask if they have a plan about how they are thinking about killing themselves. If so, then:
 * 4) *Seek professional help immediately
 * 5) *Try to get the person to make an agreement with you that they will not act on these plans without first talking to you, a hotline, or mental health professional
 * 6) *Put away any objects that they may use to harm themselves (guns, knives, pills, razors, etc)
 * 7) If the person is delusional, seek professional help.
 * 8) If you don't know what to do, call a professional (e.g., suicide hotline, mental health professional, police)

For an example: oNational SUICIDE Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE oSuicide hotline in Oklahoma City: (405) 848-CARE

Local Treatment Options for Veterans Struggling with Depression 
 * 1) Individual / Group Psychotherapy
 * 2) Psychoeducational Classes
 * 3) Day Treatment Center
 * 4) Anti-depressant Medications
 * 5) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

DO's  Acknowledge that depression is a legitimate illness - which is different from just having a "down" day. Learn about the illness of depression:

Some Good Books on Depression: What to do when someone you love is depressed. (1996). M. & S. Golant. Overcoming depression. (1987). D. & J. Papolos. When someone you love is depressed. (1996). L. Rosen & X. Amador. Sherman, M.D., & Sherman, D.M. (2006). I’m not alone: A teen’s guide to living with a parent who has a mental illness. Edina, MN: Beaver’s Pond Press. Available at http://www.seedsofhopebooks.com/

Interesting Movies on Depression: Ordinary People Patch Adams

Relevant Web Sites: www.depression.com [comprehensive resources about depression] www.ndmda.org [National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Web site] www.mentalhealth.com [World Wide Web mental health page] www.moodswing.org [for manic depression] www.depressionfallout.com/resource.html [for caregivers]

Have realistic expectations…but maintain hope! Be an active team member in the care of your loved one. Ask questions of doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other health care providers. Offer emotional support, patience, and compassion. Encourage your loved one to exercise and do activities that he/she used to enjoy. Stay in contact with your social support network. Obtain professional help for yourself when needed. Maintain good sleep habits, both for you and your loved one. Maintain a healthy diet; engage in regular exercise; avoid use of alcohol.

 DON'Ts  Try not to take the depression personally - it's not your fault! You cannot cure depression with love any more than you can cure cancer with love. Don't exclude the depressed person from family discussions or decisions. Don't try to do everything for the depressed person. Don't criticize the person for their depressed behavior. Don't feel that you need to apologize for your loved one.

'Parts adapted from When someone you love has a mental illness by R. Woolis (1992). '

(Source: I forgot from which site I downloaded this "handouts".)

Comment 02:  Normal Neuron Communication: The Role of Serotonin 

As you wrote as your introduction "This article is not written by a doctor. The recommendations are not referenced to actual research except in a bibliography. This document should in no way serve as a substitute for medical advice. Doctors and experts are welcome to add their comments at ..."

Why serotonin should be mentoined in this topic at this time? And what effect is expected by introducing a "serotonin" to a depressed brain? Practically not a very brilliant idea. (In my experience - Depressed brain seldom asks about interpretation of SEROTONIN. It is not a very polite idea to give them big theories while they are suffering)

Comment 03: " By writing this document we hope to provide you with the knowledge everyone should have about their mental well-being. Depression is not an unavoidable fate. It is physical. "

You wrote "you" ... Who is your address? "It is physical" Physical?

(I stoped reading further, Sorry, no more comments)

Opinion: Not recommended as a "patient educational material".

Feedback and completion: Cortisol - damage neurones - impact on metabolism of the brain - result - symptoms called depression
I am working at the subject "depression" and in this content I found this article. It´s great, especially if I compare the content with all the books and articles I ever have read about this topic. What I miss is a more accurate description about what produces stress by people or the other way round, what makes it, that some people are less vulnerable to stress. And further there are some things, which a helpful in dealing with stress. (Nourishment, sport, love of oneself, etc.)

I by myself have experienced a severe clinical depression as result of "doing to much" and as you wrote, one of the most interesting things for one who has gone through this horrible experience is the question: What has it caused?

For me I miss in your thinking almost only the question: "What happens to the brain and body, when there is a high level of cortisol in our blood?". Cortisol has an negative impact on our cells respectively our neurons. Study´s show, that persons after a very stressful or traumatic event have almost no activity in their brain. This studies also show, that it took months till the activity of their brain becomes gradually normal. In my point of view cortisol (produced by stress) damages the neurones of our brain, what causes the situation that the metabolism in the brain can´t work any longer correct, what results in a lack of energy and the symptoms of this are called "Depression".