Archive for January, 2010

Many people don’t think about the elderly but they can also suffer from depression. In fact, due to the changes that occur in their lives, they are at an increased risk. If you have an elderly parent or friend, learn to identify the risks of depression and then get help.

Age itself can be a factor in depression. The body slows down and also begins to have problems as you age. The older generation is more prone to illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia. In women, especially, bone loss can lead to debilitating breaks and fractures.

Many elderly people who suffer from depression have had major life changes to occur. They have lost loved ones or friends and the circle of social contacts get smaller each year of their life. Their children are grown and may not be around to spend time with them or take care of them.

The elderly are prone to taking a lot of medications for various conditions. Managing those medications and their side effects can lead to despair and hopelessness.

Other risk factors for the elderly include:

* Family history of depression and/or suicide
* Substance abuse
* Living in a nursing home
* Loss of independence
* Living alone
Elderly who live alone aren’t necessary alone. They may have a group of friends that they actively meet with. The persons to watch are those who are withdrawn from group activities and keep to themselves.

Those elderly persons who are at risk are also more likely to end their lives. Suicide may seem like an answer to their problems and a way for them to reunite with deceased spouses and friends. Suicide also becomes a choice when they are faced with terminal or debilitating illnesses that leave them almost totally dependent on others.

Don’t dismiss depression symptoms in the elderly as getting old. There could be a real problem beneath the surface and ignoring the signs can be fatal.

The discovery of genes has radically changed our view of how the human body – including the mind – functions, or in some cases, malfunctions. We also know that having a gene that scientists have linked to a particular a physical or mental condition isn’t the end of the world and genes don’t simply determine our lives and health.

Genes are like switches and they don’t switch themselves on and off. They need a trigger to activate them. Having a particular gene may predispose someone in a particular direction but often that is all it is. In relation to depression, though there may be genetic factors involved, to think of it as a genetic disease or disorder is premature, and in many cases, unhelpful, since it falsely implies that one’s fate is pre-ordained.

Genes and Depression

There is no such thing as a depression gene; many genetic conditions are the result of whole sets of genes, which are activated in certain environmental and life circumstances. However, there is something in the gene theory of depression. Studies of families, especially twins, suggest that depression may have some genetic roots, though which genes are involved remains unknown.

A candidate gene is one known to regulate serotonin, a chemical neurotransmitter involved in mood. People with it may be more susceptible to depression, but whether that will happen depends on a variety of interlocking factors.

Regardless of genetic makeup, anyone can become depressed if the circumstances are right (or rather, wrong). Sadness and despair can be normal reactions to hard times and the medical profession has been criticized for ‘medicalizing’ ordinary human unhappiness and prescribing unnecessary drugs. However, when depression is deep and enduring, sufferers can benefit from medical help.

If someone has a history of depression in their family that may usefully alert them to a possible genetic vulnerability. Swapping our supposed mental health genes is not currently an option, so sufferers concentrate on practical steps to management and recovery.

One of the ways to battle back from depression is to fight with food. What you eat can improve or tear down your body. It is crucial for a depressed person to use food in a positive way.

What is it about comfort foods? We eat them until we are stuffed to the gills. Why? One reason is that good food satisfies our bodies and our minds. We feel better about ourselves.

Certain nutrients have an effect on the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. In a depressed person, the levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin are lower than normal. This leads to the symptoms that have been attributed to depression.

To reverse that state, diet plays a major role. Here are a few dishes that are easy to prepare but offer a wealth of nutritional value to boost your brain power and reduce depressive symptoms.

1. Hummus – This is made from ground up chickpeas. You can add other foods like sun-dried tomatoes, peppers and garlic to flavor the snack or side dish. Chickpeas contain one of the B vitamins responsible for increasing serotonin levels.
2. Black bean dip – If you have some canned beans around, you can make this one in a jiffy. Mix black beans, salsa, cheese, a pinch of sugar and spices together in a bowl. The beans provide protein, folic acid, magnesium and essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks for the neurotransmitters that affect mood.
3. Smoothies – Smoothies are chock full of delicious fruits, yogurt and fruit juices. Mixing one up increases your intake of antioxidants which are instrumental in maintaining brain health.
4. Cheese omelet – Are you in a hurry for breakfast? It takes no time at all to scramble an egg to make an omelet and top it with cheese. The nutrients you are getting increase the level of the three neurotransmitters responsible for mood.

Want to get your diet to work for you? Make a few changes that include adding these few recipes to your food list.

There are several different personality issues which can either stem from depression disorder, or be the cause of them. Let’s take a look at borderline personality disorder for instance.

Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness causing very intense mood swings, impulsive behaviors, as well as severe problems with relationships and self-worth. People with this disorder may also suffer with issues concerning eating disorders, substance and depression.

Most of the time, signs of this disorder are noticed in childhood, even though many of the problems associated with it don’t manifest until early adulthood. Treatment can be very difficult, but fortunately most people get better over time with appropriate treatment and therapy.

Although everyone has issues with emotions or behaviors once in awhile, those with borderline personality disorder have problems the problems are severe, become repetitive over a period of time, and become disruptive to your life. Some common symptoms include:

* Intense emotions and mood swings.

* Impulsive behaviors that are self-damaging, such as substance abuse, binge eating and reckless driving.

* Relationship problems

* Low self-worth or self esteem

* A frantic fear of being left alone (abandoned)

* Aggressive behavior

* Feeling empty inside

* Problems with anger, such as violent temper tantrums

* Self-mutilation

* Suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts

* Feeling suspicious of others for no reason (feeling paranoid) or losing a sense of reality

It’s easy to confuse this disorder with other mental illnesses. If you suspect you or someone you know may have borderline personality disorder, consult a physician immediately.

About 2% of people have borderline personality disorder. A large number of these individuals are also being treated for depression. As the underlying cause is often childhood trauma such as abuse, neglect, or the death of a parent, it’s still unclear which of the two disorders happens first.

The symptoms of borderline personality disorder as well as depression can be treated. Long-term counseling is important, but this can be very challenging. There are also medicines that can help you cope depression or help control moods.

Are you suffering from depression? Right now you probably don’t know what to think. Nothing in your life is making sense. It hasn’t for a while but now that you know what it is, you feel lonelier than ever.

Depression is an illness like any other. It has causes, symptoms, risk factors and also treatment options. The best thing for you to do now is to become familiar with all of this information. There is power in knowledge.

While you are pursuing that goal, here are a few things that will enlighten you. Hopefully they will give you the strength that you need to fight back and win. Read each one carefully and let it sink in.

1. You did not cause your depression. Depression happens to people. There is not always a rhyme or reason to it. Even if a family member has been diagnosed, you are not to blame for that either. Also, just because you have been diagnosed, doesn’t mean that your children will be affected either.
2. Depression can be treated. One of the key things here will be your level of commitment and compliance. Sticking with a course of treatment is essential to diminish your symptoms.
3. Don’t let fear get you down. Fear doesn’t have to be your enemy. Use it to motivate you to stay in your support group, keep weekly appointments with a therapist and also take your antidepressants. Squash that fear of success before it can take root and ruin all of your hard work.
4. No one wants to see you fail. That is your depressed persona talking. Your family and friends want you to get better. They know that you will have bad days and don’t expect it to be easy but they are on your side.

You don’t have to live with depression symptoms any longer. Let the people you love help you to find the right treatment that will get you back to feeling good.