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 The persons to watch are those who are withdrawn from group activities and keep to themselves.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some newly data collected in a recent study has reported 3% of people receiving treatment for depression on an outpatient basis will actually die from suicide. This doesn’t mean however that the suicidal thoughts aren’t still there. Any therapy which is aimed at helping a person’s depressive state can also help the patient regain enough feeling of self control to put the suicidal urges at bay.

Being depressed causes a person to narrow their personal view of the world around them. Everything in reality can end up seeming distorted. Any negative aspect in their lives becomes constantly reinforced, while the positive is either discounted or seemingly irrelevant.

This is where the suicidal thoughts normally come into play. With this unrelenting sadness causing pain to the depressed person, sometimes they feel the only way to escape it to get away from it permanently. The opinion that death is the only solution often enters the depressed person’s mind.

The most important step to take if you notice any suicidal tendencies surrounding those you care for is to make sure they seek medical help. If this person is already being treated for depression, they should consult with their physician or therapist as quickly as possible. The situation may be changed by an increased dose of their current antidepressant, or perhaps a change in prescriptions.

It has been well documented that some antidepressants will have adverse effects on some people. Any suicidal thoughts could mean the medication prescribed just simply isn’t having the desired effect. There are many more options out there, and your physician is well equipped to try something else.

If you are experiencing any type of suicidal thoughts yourself, please share how you feel with someone else. Suicide is not the answer to any problem, and discussing your feelings canhelp you find a better solution.

No matter which of the two scenarios you’re personally dealing with, the first step recommended is to speak to your physician about your depression as well as any weight issues.
Here are some ideas on how to best approach this situation.

* Get help for the depression. Putting priority on depression treatment will make dealing with weight issues more successful in the long-run.

* Set small goals. Any task is difficult when you suffer from depression. Adjust your goals by making them smaller and they will become more achievable.

* Increase your physical activity. Many people have a difficult time getting themselves to exercise. For the depressed person, the task can be monumental. However, exercise and general activity helps alleviate depression and minimizing weight gain. However, it’s better to take things slow and manageable rather than quitting too soon out of frustration.

* Eat nutritiously. Your body can be your friend during tough times if it’s treated right. Eating colorful, nutritious foods will give the body what it needs to help fight the depression and prevent improper eating habits.

* Work on your self-esteem. As a rule, people with depressive disorders have either feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem. By working on these issues, it becomes easier to handle the necessary tasks of proper nutrition and exercise required to avoid weight issues in the first place.

* Ask your physician if your medication could be the culprit in your weight issues. Some antidepressants are known for causing weight gain.

While there are still many unknown elements about the relationship of weight issues and mental health, it’s evident that any connection is an important public health issue.

Grieving is the outward expression of your loss. Your grief is likely to be expressed physically, emotionally, and psychologically. For instance, crying is a physical expression, while depression is a psychological expression.

Grief that is complicated by adjustment disorders (especially depressed and anxious mood or disturbed emotions and behavior), major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are all issues which can arise as a result of grief or loss. Complicated grief can be identified by the length of time of the symptoms, the manner they affect normal function, or by the intensity of the symptoms (for example, intense suicidal thoughts or acts).

Complicated grief may also appear as a complete absence of grief and mourning, or the inability to experience normal grief reactions, delayed grief, conflicted grief, or chronic grief. Factors contributing to the chances one may experience complicated grief include the suddenness of the death, the gender of the person in mourning, and the relationship to the deceased.

Grief reactions that turn into major depression should be treated with both drug and psychological therapy. One who avoids any reminders of the person who died, who constantly thinks or dreams about the person who died, and who gets scared and panics easily at any reminders of the person who died may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Depressive illness, not to be confused with situational depression caused by the loved one’s death, occurs in 17%-27% of survivors during the first year after a death. Symptoms of depression typically begin after one to two months of bereavement, last for several months after the loss, and are constant. The help of a mental-health professional is needed.

What is a support network? Support comes in many forms. The basic premise here is to offer something that you have to help someone else. A person suffering from depression can use a lot of support. Some suggestions include:

* Support groups
* Friends network
* Church membership
* Therapist
* Family

These are in no special order. Your first line of support will probably be your family. They are the ones who love you the best and will want to do whatever they can to help you recover. Talking to them about your feelings and also studying up on depression together strengthens your bond over this condition.
Your doctor may advice you to seek additional help by talking to someone like a therapist. A therapy professional in psychotherapy will tell you that part of your success hinges on the relationship that you forge with them. You both trust each other to tell the truth about depression in your sessions.

Local support groups are places where others like you can meet and discuss issues on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. Simply knowing that you are not alone is like a weight being lifted from your shoulders. You don’t have to deal with it alone. In support groups, you have an outlet with no repercussions.

Your local church can also be a strong support in your life. Your faith can help you to deal with a number of things. Besides, a church is a welcoming community that shares their lives through their faith.

Friends are often underestimated. When the chips are down, the good ones come through. Call on your friends for a chat, a cup of coffee, dinner or to see a movie. They can ask you to venture out but also be strong enough to ask them for help when you need it.

Support is often the difference between hopefulness and helplessness. Create a support structure that works for you.

Mind: Body Relationships and Chemical Imbalance

We are beginning to understand the ways in which the mind and body are interdependent. The consensus today is that stress and emotions can induce the biochemical changes that can be measured in depressive illness. More rarely it can work the other way round, with physical illness resulting in depressed mood.

Often it is hard to separate the two. Stress or poor diet causes us to become run down and renders us more vulnerable to physical illness. Physical illness is itself frequently a cause of stress, and so a feedback situation arises. Most experts agree that depressive illness is a two-way street.

Various diseases and conditions are thought to trigger depression in certain individuals. Depression is associated with various diseases of the nervous system and the endocrine system, for example. It can also be triggered by infections, such as glandular fever.

What Chemicals Are Implicated in Depressive Illness?

Whichever approach is adopted, there is no doubt that biochemistry is a very real factor in depressive illness and that drug treatments that alter body chemistry can be effective. Attention has focussed on hormones and neurotransmitters called monoamines.

The best-known neurotransmitter linked to depression is serotonin. Low serotonin levels are linked to depressed mood, poor appetite and sleep and other bodily functions. The stress hormone norepinephrine is another. Drugs that prevent re-uptake of these neurotransmitters increase their levels in the body and are fundamental to medical management of depression, usually together with psychological therapies.

An alteration in brain chemistry is involved in depression. Returning that imbalance to normal plays an important role in treatment.