Medical News

Caring for someone close to you who is suffering from mental health issues can be one of the most difficult and emotional things you will ever do. Unfortunately the ending can sometimes be very cruel. It is not uncommon for the person who has suffered from depressive episodes to discover a different perspective on their life, once they have come through the experience. Where does that leave you?

When this is the case, they often find that the person with whom they have shared their life previously no longer fits the bill as the type of person they wish to spend the rest of their life with. They state their intention, and need, to move on with their life. This can be a devastating blow and can lead to an intense emotional roller coaster of a ride for the person who has been in the position of carer.

Depending on the circumstances, the thought of how life would improve when the mental health issues lessened their terrible grip may have been one of the main factors that kept you going through the many dark moments you have struggled with together in the past. To see the potential for that hope to be snatched away can leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Emotions and feelings will run riot.

You may well feel tremendous anger that something you are not responsible for has meant the end of a relationship you have put an awful lot of time and effort into. After all, you may reason, you could have walked away at any time. You may then feel guilty about thinking that way after all that you have shared together. It is possible that a part of you may actually feel relief that you may not need to visit those dark, dark places ever again. Yet more, you may feel a deep sense of frustration that after all of the hard work you put in you may not get to see any of the benefits.

All of these are perfectly normal responses in a situation like this, they are reasonable and valid thoughts to have but, it is how you deal with them that will determine how the rest of your life goes. If there is enough common ground, more likely in a long term relationship which was strong before the onset of the depressive episodes, there may be a path you can follow which is successful and allows you to remain together. If however, the reality is that a split is going to happen despite your wishes, carrying the burden of all these thoughts with you into the future will not help you to move on. A lot easier said than done I realise but sometimes you just have to accept the inevitable and move on.

There will be future relationships for you to enjoy, to ensure these are as successful as you would like them to be you will need to leave behind as much of the pain and hurt as possible. It can be done and there is no reason why you cannot do it too.

Let’s face it! If you’re suffering from depression you know how it interferes with your life. Trying to accomplish the simplest tasks has become monumentally difficult. Your once open, energetic, happy personality has been replaced by a sad, lethargic, withdrawn spirit who family, friends and co-workers no longer recognize.

The good (bad) news is you’re not alone. Statistics reveal that every year 15 million people are struggling with this debilitating condition. This number accounts for 8% of the American population over 18 years of age.

Even worse is the fact a whopping 80% of these people are not getting any help for depression. This isn’t surprising when many parts of our society continue to hold negative attitudes toward mental illness. If you’ve ever been told by someone to just, “buck up,” you know just how uninformed and unsympathetic many people can be toward someone dealing with the symptoms of depression.

Unfortunately, without treatment, this mental illness can spill over and become physical illness as well. Medical experts are warning that depression lowers your immunity, leaving you susceptible to more serious illness. In a recent article in USA Today, reporter Marilyn Elias wrote, “Depression may promote stiffening of the heart tissue, which worsens heart failure, a study reports.”

Rather than seek medical treatment, many people attempt to ease to ease symptoms by over-eating, drinking and smoking. Not only do these activities invite further physical harm, the temporary comfort is, oftentimes, replaced by guilt and self-loathing, leading to a downward spiral which can be difficult to pull out of. Some people spiral so far down they, mistakenly believe, suicide is the only way out.

Fortunately, you CAN get help with depression. There is information and resources you can use to relieve your suffering and re-claim your happy, productive life.

It may be helpful to, first, make sure you are dealing with clinical depression and just a short-term “slump” in your life. Medical experts have identified the following symptoms which usually persist beyond two weeks:

• you feeling sad, empty, or tearful most of the day
• you feel worthless and, inappropriately, guilty
• you can’t concentrate and have difficulty making decisions
• you have difficulty accomplishing tasks which were once easy
• you feel helpless and hopeless
• you lose interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• you can’t control negative thoughts, no matter how hard you try
• you have no appetite or you can’t stop eating
• you sleep too much or can’t sleep at all
• you feel tired and have no energy
• you are much more short-tempered and irritable than normal
• you have suicidal thoughts (Seek immediate help if this is the case)

As you can see, suffering from depression can easily make daily life uncomfortable, draining and a struggle. Seeking help is one of the healthiest and most productive things you can do to get your life back. You can start by simply picking up the phone and making an appointment with your doctor. You can also educate yourself about what you and millions of others are dealing with. Education has a way of focusing a light on a dark place, making it less threatening and easier to move through. The important thing to remember is you have many options for getting the help you deserve.

There is research that shows eating the proper diet can help fight the symptoms of depression. These foods include vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fiber and low fat dairy products, which are also good for the body. When processed in the body these foods are able to help stabilize moods. These compared to foods filled with sugar or processed foods that are known to create highs and lows when eaten are much safer for the person suffering from depression. There are also some foods that contain chemicals that cause highs and lows in mood, which can mean the depression can deepen. These are foods that are high in fats and sugars that will affect the mood adversely and raise the level of depression symptoms.

Diet is one of the most important factors according to researchers in treating depression and one of the factors can also be deficiency in certain vitamins and when eating properly this can decrease the lacking vitamins. In effect this can help to fight the symptoms of depression as the missing vitamins are replaced, which help to stabilize the mood and reduce anxiety. This is a diet that will also help prevent other medical problems like heart disease and high blood pressure that can contribute to anxiety and depression. The studies that have been done using diet as a way to help control depression symptoms provided medical experts with several types of foods and vitamins that can help the person suffering from depression.

Research done on England has found a link between bad moods and diet, along with fried or fatty foods that deprive the brain of essential nutrients. Decreasing the amount of sugars and simple carbohydrates in the diet helps to stabilize the blood sugar, which directly affects mood swings and irritability. Scientific studies have shown that an increase in folate or vitamin B levels, high flavoniod and antioxidant levels help decrease the symptoms of depression.

These studies have shown a marked improvement in depression symptoms in people that follow good eating habits, compared to those that do not. This healthy way of eating also decreases other health conditions, like high blood pressure and anxiety that can complicate depression symptoms. It can also lower the amount of medications taken for these medical conditions that might be compounding the depression symptoms.

The interesting part of these studies is that patients following a strict diet of healthy foods have less depression symptoms and are able to take smaller dosages of antidepressants. Though they still take a daily dosage of a prescribed antidepressant the dosage amount is lower. In order for the healthy diet to work properly at decreasing depression symptoms it must be followed at every meal each day. In this diet it is also important to get the daily amount of vitamin D the body requires. Some medical experts and dieticians believe that low levels of vitamin D contribute to depression and its symptoms.

Scientists believe the best way to treat the brain and the body, while lowering the symptoms of depression is to have a diet that is high in whole grains, vegetables, nuts and vitamin D.

Depression is a serious illness that many times people overlook. They tend to tell someone who is suffering to snap out of it. However, unless you really understand the symptoms of depression and how hopeless the sufferer can feel you can’t help them. This is why it is important for everyone to understand and learn to recognize the symptoms so they can help a loved one who has this painful problem.

1. Lack of Energy – This is probably one of the most prominent symptoms of depression. Even when someone is mildly depressed they feel lethargic and don’t want to do anything. Sometimes simple chores seem to be too difficult to accomplish. Other times a simple act like making the bed seems like a triumph. The drained feeling that depressed people have is very real. They can’t just perk up and get something done. They truly are exhausted.
2. Sleep Disorders – Going along with the previous symptom, people who are depressed often have problems with their sleep patterns. They either sleep too much or can’t sleep at all. They will wake frequently during the night or have difficulty falling asleep. There is no set pattern for sleep issues in people with depression, but there are definite disruptions in sleep.
3. Loss of Interest – Many times, sufferers lose interest in the very things that have brought them joy. Hobbies and interests fall by the way side and don’t appeal to them anymore. Perhaps they just don’t have the energy to participate, or they don’t feel that they are capable. Loss of interest in hobbies can be a result of other symptoms of depression.
4. Overwhelming Hopelessness – While this isn’t always a symptom that others can see, we can sometimes detect it when the sufferer talks to us. It seems they have given up on life and themselves. They have feelings of worthlessness and have no hope for the future. When they talk, there is a strong negative current in their conversations as though everything is wrong with the world.
5. Eating Disorders – Like sleep, eating patterns can be disrupted by depression. The sufferer may binge eat or they may quit eating all together. They may start to crave salty or sweet foods since they are typically comfort foods. If you notice a sudden weight gain or loss, your loved one may be suffering from depression.

So now that you know the symptoms of depression how can you help? You need to help your loved one realize that they need to go to the doctor. Now this will not be easy because they usually cannot see the symptoms in themselves. In fact, many depressed people think everyone else has something wrong with them.

Show your friend love and understanding. Be there for them to talk to when they need it. Once you build a strong trust, you can encourage them to seek medical help. Sometimes just having a shoulder to cry on and someone you can rely on can help someone who has a mild case of depression. Just be there and be a friend. That is the most important thing you can do.

Depression can be considered as a mental disorder, which is characterized by a mood change, poor concentration, and loss of interest/pleasure, low energy, and feelings of guilt, low esteem or self worth, no appetite or irregular sleep. General result of this disease is that, one will usually fail to take care of even their daily needs. There are cases of depression that has led to severe physical damage and even death in few cases.

There are many myths about depression, which are prevailing over in the city and have to be busted. The prime one being, “you ignore it and it will move away” one should understand that, it will not magically disappear. Another myth making a round is people having or suffering from depression are just crazy. Well, it’s true that they can be crazy, but one must understand that it is nowhere related with their state of depression. If someone known to you is behaving odd, then do not ignore it; just try to talk to them and encourage them to ask for help. The best of all the myths is that depression is just a weakness than an illness. Depression is an illness that can be cured by proper treatment and medication, just that for some people it might take more time to get it under control or to a manageable point.

A survey states that, about 120 million people worldwide are getting affected by depression year after year. It has also been the leading cause of disability. It can be easily diagnosed and treated with primary care, without requiring actual hospitalization. It is true that, still there are a few places in the world which are not equipped for treating it, but they are very few in numbers.

Depression for sure, can also be treated with proper medication and various forms of therapy medication. It may be either of these or combination of the two. Sometimes, it requires trial and error method to get the best combination of medication combined with love and care from their friends, loved ones and everyone around them including the doctor.

One must understand that following the doctor’s direction is more important and they are the ones who know when the medication should be stopped. But we often see people who tend to stop the therapy/treatment on their own, thinking they got cured. It is very important to discuss with your doctor on stopping or altering medication and treatment. The best thing to do is to be a part of the process and let the doctor do his job as he knows what to do and when to do.

There are a certain type and severity of depression that may require medication for an extended period of time such as years instead of months. Antidepressants are not habit forming but one must make sure to check and evaluate the dosage on a regular basis just to be sure the patient is getting the correct dosage. Some treatments may require a time to time increase or decrease in dosage. For the medication to be effective for you, make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

Depression in men can be hard to diagnose and is often undetected both by themselves as well as their doctors. Part of the problem is the mindset of doctors, some of whom do not recognise or acknowledge, the hormonal changes occurring in men. These can begin as early as age 35, though the majority of men experience this in their 40′s and 50′s.

About 40% of middle aged men are depressed according to statistics. This can present serious problems if left untreated, particularly to men’s overall physical well-being, leading to possible high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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Mid-life depression in men has been proven to be the main cause of divorce and can also lead to suicide. The rate of men committing suicide in mid-life is three times the US national average.

From their 30′s, men begin to experience a reduction in testosterone and this is known as Testosterone Defficiency Syndrome. This may or may not cause any symptoms, but, being able to recognise the warning signs that all is not right, is the first step to healing.

Symptoms can include a lack of energy and vitality, loss of sexual desire or libido and mood swings.

Other warning signs that signal depression in men include the following:

1. becoming controlling

2. blaming others

3. being critical

4. creating conflict

5. being suspicious or secretive

6. becoming compulsive

7. feeling restless and unable to relax

8. getting angry

The above list of symptoms may be hard to swallow and actually believe. We are all quick to deny any “seeming” negative behaviour we do not wish to see in ourselves.

Treatment of male depression presents a challenge in that it is still only partially being accepted by doctors and men themselves. Because depression over the years has been viewed as more of a female issue, men may have difficulty accepting that they could be going through the same thing.

Often resistant to getting help, men will deny that there is anything wrong with them. Also, sexual dysfunction may be an embarrassing subject for them so they may put off discussing it, hoping things will change on their own. Denial can lead to a loss of self esteem and unexpressed grief,that can have far-reaching consequences in family life.

Depression in men, is not something to be ashamed of, but just another facet of life to journey through and it does not have to last forever. By not seeking answers, men are placing their health, that of their family and their lives in jeopardy. Is denial worth the cost?

Depression is an illness that affects many people and should to be acknowledged as such. It is no reason to be ashamed. Sometimes the reason people fail to seek help for their depression is that they feel ashamed. This is actually one of the feelings which is associated with depression anyway and so it makes the illness difficult to acknowledge.

If you have a constant feeling of being particularly low, some well-meaning friends might tell you that you should “snap out of it” or even start to get irritated by your mood.

However your feelings of depression may feed off all this negativity and you may start to wonder why you just can’t “snap out of it” as you have been told to do.

You then may start to feel that there is probably something wrong with you because it really should be so easy and it’s definitely “not right” that you feel so terribly bad all of the time.

Well, you are quite correct… it is not right, and there is something wrong with you. You have what is known as a medical condition and you deserve the same treatment in the same way as any other patient does.

Try seeing it this way… If you had a head cold for six months or more would you ignore it and hope it would go away? No, of course not, you would dose yourself up with appropriate treatments and you would go see a doctor to find out if there is an underlying reason for it lasting such a longtime.

Depression can be described as sadness that lasts for too long. It is true that everyone gets sad at some point but depression is much more than that. It is a feeling that you are weighed down and can’t bring yourself up from the depths of despair, and perhaps inn the end you may even consider that it’s time to give up trying.

You might notice that people start to avoid you after awhile. Then you might start feeling worse. You must try to find external help to treat the problem in the same way as you would if your head cold was to last 6mths or more. You might like to try herbal remedies – you may find some in your pharmacy or health care store – or you could see your doctor. Don’t for get there may even be an underlying physical cause for your depression.

If your doctor is not able to help you, they may refer you to a specialist or for counselling. Don’t give up on counselling because you don’t feel comfortable with your first choice of practitioner. In everyday life you will normally find that you get on with some people and clash with others, so it is good advice to seek another counselor if you don’t get along with the first. Be sure that it is a personality clash and not just that you don’t agree with what they are saying. It’s a good idea to go with your instincts, so that if you like the person and seemed to get on well with them in the first couple of sessions then stay with it because they might just have touched on the root cause of your problem and be able to help you more than realise at the time.

It is possible that in some cases, acknowledging your depression may be difficult because you have lived with it so long that you don’t know whether it is depression or not.

If you have perhaps grown up with depression, sometimes it is possible not to realise that you are actually depressed because you have no real experience or concept of how normal people should feel. You may be feeling angry all the time, or you may feel like going to the middle of an empty field and screaming at the top of your voice. Or you may even feel somewhat anxious, or have trouble sleeping or even find that you sleep too much.

If you are feeling any or all of the above then you really should consider talking to someone about your depression, even if it is a good friend or a family member to start with, they may be able to advise you where to get help and encourage you to seek professional assistance.

Once you have acknowledged the possibility that you have depression please remember that it is a medical condition and can be cured. You don’t have to feel this way for the rest of your life. Nobody really actually thinks of you the way you think they do, so try not to worry about that. Talk to someone about your feelings, it may be hard at first, but it will certainly be worthwhile. Seek and accept help from people you trust, and you will find that there is a different way of seeing life, a much happier and fulfilling way.