Archive for June, 2008
Monday, June 30th, 2008
Are you irritable, isolated and withdrawn? Do you find yourself working all the time, drinking too much alcohol, using street drugs or seeking thrills from risky activities?
If so, perhaps you're being chased by what Winston Churchill called his "black dog" — male depression. Churchill attempted to ward off his black ...
Posted in Understanding Depression | No Comments »
Friday, June 27th, 2008
New research is challenging the assumption that the world's most common mental ailment is just a chemical imbalance in the brain.
"Death was now a daily presence, blowing over me in cold gusts. Mysteriously and in ways that are totally remote from normal experience, the gray drizzle of horror induced by ...
Posted in Understanding Depression | No Comments »
Monday, June 23rd, 2008
Treatment Overview
Initial treatment
Treatment of depression may include antidepressant medication, professional counseling such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two.
Professional counseling may be all that you ...
Posted in Understanding Depression | No Comments »
Friday, June 20th, 2008
What is depression in children and teens?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from a child’s life. It is normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. You can expect these feelings after the death of a pet or a move ...
Posted in Treating Depression | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision-making process or rely on your doctor's recommendation.
Key points in making your decision
You may be taking medicine for depression and are wondering if you should stop because you are pregnant or planning ...
Posted in Treating Depression | No Comments »
Sunday, June 15th, 2008
If you have the "baby blues" after childbirth, you're not alone—about half of women have a few days of mild depression after having a baby. However unsettling, a certain amount of insomnia, irritability, tears, overwhelmed feelings, and mood swings are normal. Baby blues usually peak around the fourth postpartum day ...
Posted in Treating Depression | 1 Comment »
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged ...
Posted in Bipolar Disorder | No Comments »
Monday, June 9th, 2008
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or know someone who is, tell someone who can help immediately.
Call your doctor.
Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline ...
Posted in Treating Depression | No Comments »
Sunday, June 8th, 2008
If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. Others who can help are listed below.
Mental Health Resources:
Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors
Health maintenance organizations
Community mental health centers
Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
Mental health programs at universities or medical ...
Posted in Treating Depression | No Comments »
Thursday, June 5th, 2008
If you have depression, you may feel exhausted, helpless and hopeless. It may be extremely difficult to take any action to help yourself. But it is important to realize that these feelings are part of the depression and do not accurately reflect actual circumstances. As you begin ...
Posted in Understanding Depression | No Comments »