posted November 30, 2010 02:20 AM            

Are you depressed?

If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering from clinical depression.

*you can’t sleep or you sleep too much
*you can’t concentrate or find that *previously easy tasks are now difficult
*you feel hopeless and helpless
*you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
*you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
*you are much more irritable and short-tempered than usual
*you have thoughts that life is not worth living (Seek help immediately if this is the case)

Types of Depression

Depression Types
All depression types are not the same. Learn about the different types of depression, the signs and symptoms, and talk to your doctor about treatment.

Major Depression
Read about the causes and symptoms of major depression and the available treatments. Talk openly with your doctor if you have these major depression symptoms because help is available.

Chronic Depression (Dysthymia)
Chronic depression or dysthymia is a milder form of depression that affects millions. Find out if you or a loved one has chronic depression.

Atypical Depression
Many people with depression don't have the typical symptoms. Learn about the causes and treatment of atypical depression, with symptoms that include weight gain, sleeping too much, and feeling anxious.

Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is increasingly common. Discover the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and seek early medical treatment to keep it from affecting your life.

Bipolar Depression (Manic Depression)
Learn all about the mood swings of bipolar depression (manic depression) from the elated highs of mania to the major depression lows.

Seasonal Depression (SAD)
Do you get depressed during certain times of the year? Learn when seasonal affective disorder is most likely to affect people and what your doctor can do to help you manage the symptoms.

Psychotic Depression
Learn all about psychotic depression -- psychosis, hallucinations, and other signs -- and know when to call the doctor for a medical evaluation.

What Is Serotonin Syndrome?
Get information about serotonin syndrome including causes, symptoms, and treatments.

DSM IV Criteria for Major Depression (Clinical Depression)

Major Depressive Episode

A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Note: Do note include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.

(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

(4) insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.

Major Depressive Disorder

Single Episode

A. Presence of a single Major Depressive Episode

B. The Major Depressive Episode is not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and is not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

C. There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a Hypomanic Episode. Note: This exclusion does not apply if all the manic-like, mixed-like, or hypomanic-like episodes are substance or treatment induced or are due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.

Recurrent

A. Presence of two or more Major Depressive Episodes.

Note: To be considered separate episodes, there must be an interval of at least 2 consecutive months in which criteria are not met for a Major Depressive Episode.

B. The Major Depressive Episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

C. There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a Hypomanic Episode. Note: This exclusion does not apply if all the manic-like, mixed-like, or hypomanic-like episodes are substance or treatment induced or are due to the direct physiological effects or a general medical condition.

Source: http://www.mental-health-today.com/dep/dsm.htm

If you recognize yourself in any of this, please don't feel alone. Seek assistance immediately. Counseling, holistic healing, or in some cases drug therapy can help. The worst thing you can do is continue to suffer with your symptoms.

posted December 01, 2010 04:01 PM            

Just reposting what StarofVenusGirl did, because it is SO TRUE. Don't suffer with Depression, hoping that it will go away on its own. Not only is it dangerous, but often times, does NOT go away without some kind of treatment.

With successful Chemical treatment, I was able to get a handle on my depression. And, now I have the comfort of knowing how to handle it again, if it ever occurs.

------------------
The good is the beautiful.

posted December 03, 2010 02:28 PM            

wrong forum for this, i know... just thought it was serendipitous

posted December 09, 2010 01:57 PM            

OVERVIEW OF DEPRESSION

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression can be thought of as a morbid sadness. Depression is characterized by dejection, lack of hope, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, and diminished ability to think or concentrate. When severely depressed, individuals may also have recurrent thoughts of death (especially suicide).

Depression is very common. In fact, it has been referred to as the "common cold of mental illness." Yet, depression is not a new illness. It has long been recognized as a common emotional disorder.

For many centuries depression was referred to as "melancholia." The term melancholia is derived from the Greeks who believed that depression resulted from an imbalance in the body's chemistry. Melancholia was thought to be caused by an excess of black bile. Bile is a chemical secreted by the liver and gall duct.

Just as in Edgar Cayce's era, the term melancholia is still used to designate depression. Not surprisingly, many of Cayce's readings use the two terms interchangeably. As a medical term, melancholia is still used in modern psychiatric diagnosis. However, it now refers to a subtype of depression. In recognition of its Greek origins, melancholia now refers to depression with strong biological features, such as disturbed sleep and appetite, decreased interest or pleasure in all or almost all daily activities, and psychomotor disturbances (such as too much or too little bodily movement or activity). Melancholic depression is thought to respond better to biological treatments (such as drug therapy). Interestingly, Edgar Cayce spoke at length about the physical aspects of depression when he used the term melancholia.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

Research suggests that there are probably many causes of depression. However, in recent years, great emphasis has been placed on the biology of depression. Scientists have explored the relationship between faulty chemistry in the nervous system and depressive symptoms. Specifically, research has focused on the chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) which nerve cells use to communicate with each other.

If there is a problem with certain neurotransmitters in the brain, communication between nerve cells may be inhibited. When this chemical dysfunction occurs in the areas of the brain associated with emotion and cognition, depression may result. In simple terms, when nerve cell communication is inhibited, the nervous system itself may be said to be depressed in its activity. This inhibition my lead to a general depression of mind and body. Presumably, the antidepressant drugs prescribed by medical doctors can therapeutically alter the chemical messengers used by nerve cells, resulting in better communication within the brain. This biochemical explanation of the cause and treatment of depression is sometimes referred to as the "medical model of depression."

EDGAR CAYCE'S PERSPECTIVE ON DEPRESSION

Edgar Cayce was decades ahead of modern medical research when he gave graphic descriptions of nervous system pathology in cases of depression. When he spoke of such nervous system pathology in cases of depression, he would sometimes use the expression "lapse of nerve impulse" to portray the breakdown in nerve cell communication.

The readings give many reasons for this characteristic "lapse in nerve impulse." In numerous cases, glandular dysfunction was cited as the source of the problem. Edgar Cayce's explanation was that the nervous system is dependent upon the glands of the body to provide the chemicals essential for normal nerve cell functioning. When the glands fail to provide these essential chemicals, various physical, mental and emotional symptoms (including depression) can result. Endocrine gland pathology (most often the adrenal, thyroid and pineal glands) was noted in several cases of depression. Significantly, modern medical research has also acknowledged the involvement of these important endocrine glands in depression.

Toxicity is another common biological cause of depression cited by Edgar Cayce. In some readings, he spoke of a "deadening" effect to the nervous system produced by the absorption of toxins into the nerve fiber. Apparently, this deadening effect could have a depressive effect upon the nervous system leading to the characteristic "lapse in nerve impulse."

Naturally, treatment recommendations in such cases focused heavily on therapies intended to cleanse the body. Improved diet, with regular massage and hydrotherapy, were common prescriptions in such cases.

While Edgar Cayce's perspective has many similarities to the modern medical (biochemical) model of depression, there are important differences. Instead of relying heavily on medication to alter the chemical balance in the nervous system, he would usually recommend more natural methods. These "holistic" therapies would help the body to be its own "medicine chest" and thus bring its faulty biochemistry back into a healthy state. "Holistic" refers to Cayce's tendency to consider the whole person (body, mind and spirit) when diagnosing illness and making treatment recommendations. Hence, Edgar Cayce is widely regarded as the "father of modern holistic medicine."

Another difference between Cayce's perspective and the medical model is the role of mental and spiritual factors which may lead to depression of the nervous system. For example, he would often note psychospiritual causes, such as unhealthy attitudes, or a lack of spiritual direction in a person's life, as a precedent of nervous system pathology.

The readings contain many examples of mentally (i.e., psychosomatically) induced depression. "Mind is the builder" is a prominent theme in the readings and is based upon the inherent association of mental processes with the nervous system. Self-condemnation was a particularly destructive mental pattern frequently noted in cases of depression. Failure to live up to an ideal (or even have an ideal) was sometimes cited as a primary source of mental depression.

TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEPRESSION
Although Edgar Cayce's treatment recommendations varied from person to person based on the unique needs of each individual, the therapies which follow represent some of the common suggestions for treating and preventing depression.