Category Archives: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

16 May

A Time-Tested Organic Medicine for Stress, Anxiety and Depression

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Everyone has tough days and for some the days seem to be a never ending string of murkiness. All of our mental afflictions, stress, anxiety, depression, addictive urges and trauma responses are experienced as contractions in the body. An antidote to this would naturally be opening the body up and that is one among many reasons why yoga can be helpful. But to take it one step further, laughter opens our bodies up, vibrates core areas where the stuck energy resides while simultaneously igniting resiliency centers of the brain.

Do yourself a favor, simply watch this 3-minute video and see what you notice:

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/mindfulness/2013/05/a-time-tested-organic-medicine-for-stress-anxiety-and-depression/

16 May

What Depression Is & What It Is Not

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Depression is quite complicated. It entails a host of symptoms that perplex even the savviest therapist. Depression is even more complicated in children and men because the expression of symptoms is not as clear-cut for them as it is for others. Nonetheless, depression is one of those “diseases” that requires a compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, and understanding individual to identify it. Families, caregivers, and friends who suspect a loved one experiencing depression ought to know that depression can entail lots of symptoms. Sadly, many people believe depression is a sad mood, bad mood, or negative thinking that can be overcome through will power. This is not always the case. Depression often requires treatment.

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/caregivers/2013/05/understanding-what-depression-is-and-what-it-is-not/

06 May

8 Ways to Heal Trauma and Depression

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Trauma therapy includes confronting fears and going back to the source of your pain. Here are several strategies to help people who have been through traumatic experiences and painful losses.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/eight-ways-to-heal-trauma-and-depression.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithDepression_20130506

 

30 Apr

Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior May be Uniquely Linked to Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

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A study of 122 adults in Ireland showed that those with MDD and high suicidal ideation had significantly higher levels of inflammation (as shown through blood draws) than both those with MDD and low suicidal ideation and healthy peers without MDD.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/803176

 

26 Apr

8 Depression Myths Debunked

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Popular myths about depression often keep people from getting the treatment they need. We’ve sorted out the facts from the fiction for eight common misconceptions.

Here’s a fact you might not know:Depression is the leading cause of medical disability in the United States. And here’s another: Depression affects roughly 5 to 8 percent of American adults every year. Despite its prevalence, however, many depression myths remain. One reason for the persistence of these myths is that there’s a lot of stigmaaround depression and mental illness. Too often, people who have depression are ashamed to admit it, and those who have never experienced it may think being depressed is a sign of weakness. It’s time to tackle some of the most virulent depression myths.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/depression-myths-debunked.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithDepression_20130425#/slide-1

 

 

 

17 Apr

Breakthrough Study Shows Benefits Of Adjunctive L-Methylfolate In The Treatment Of SSRI-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder

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New research shows that patients with SSRI-resistant depression can benefit from augmentation therapy with the medical food L-methylfolate. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, demonstrates the safety superior response and tolerability of L-methylfolate, (available by prescription in the U.S. under the brand name Deplin®) in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Approximately two thirds of people living with depression will be unsuccessful with their first round of antidepressant monotherapy. Yet, many are unaware that certain metabolic imbalances inhibit adequate response to treatment with traditional serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) alone.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259117.php

 

16 Jan

What It’s Like Inside a Depressed Person’s Head

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One of the more frequently read posts on the Family Mental Health blog is PMDD Hard to Endure Harder to Explain. I know many of you who have experienced any form of depression can find it difficult to describe what it’s like inside your mind. Your fears about people believing you can be overwhelming. Plus, you may not feel like words come easily to you.

http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/inside-head-depressed-person-0110134

 

16 Jan

Public Stigma Regarding Depression is Diminishing

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Most Americans know what depression is and believe there is no shame in seeking treatment for the mental health condition, a new survey shows. The public opinion poll of 1,021 adults, released to coincide with National Depression Screening Day in October, found that 53%of Americans know someone who has been treated for depression and 72% said they would also seek treatment if they experienced symptoms of depression.

Of those who knew someone personally who was affected by depression, 76% said they would seek help if they too developed symptoms of the condition. In contrast, only 66% of those who didn’t know anyone who was depressed would do the same. The researchers also found that 67% of Americans believe depression is usually treatable.

“These findings tell us that our efforts to reduce stigma and increase the public’s knowledge of depression through events like National Depression Screening Day are having an effect,” Douglas Jacobs, founder of the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health Inc., which conducted the poll, said in an organization news release. “The goal of the program is to educate people on the symptoms of depression, assess their risk for mood and anxiety disorders and connect those in need with local treatment services.”

Screening for Mental Health Inc. Website…