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Recognizing teen depression
It is common for adolescents to occasionally feel unhappy.
However, when the unhappiness lasts for more than two weeks, and the teen
experiences other symptoms typical of depression (see below), then he or she may
be suffe... |
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Common brand name: Xanax
Why is this drug prescribed?
Alprazolam is used to relieve anxiety disorders, or for the short-term
relief of anxiety symptoms or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms.
How and when should alprazolam be used?
Alprazolam ... |
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What is alternative therapy?
A health treatment that is not classified as standard western medical
practice is referred to as "alternative" or "complementary."
Alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines that includes
e... |
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What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder) is a mental illness
that causes people to have severe high and low moods. People with this illness
swing from feeling overly happy and joyful to feeling deeply sad. In be... |
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Common brand name: Wellbutrin, Zyban
Why is this drug prescribed
Bupropion is prescribed, along with counseling and support to achieve
complete smoking cessation. It can also be used to treat major depressive
disorders. Bupropion increases certain ... |
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Caring for someone you love can lead to a lot of extra stress in your life.
Although you have responsibilities to your loved one, it's especially important
for you to remember not to neglect yourself. If left unchecked, stress can lead
to or be a symp... |
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"Childhood and adolescent depression is a significant issue in this
country," says Cleveland Clinic pediatric psychologist Vanessa Jensen,
Psy.D. The problem can range from mild to severe, and at its worst, can increase
a teen’s risk of suic... |
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What is a chronic illness?
A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a very long time and usually
cannot be cured completely. However, chronic illnesses often can be controlled
through diet, exercise, and certain medicines. Examples of chronic illn... |
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What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a technique that uses the hypnotic state, which enables
changes in perception and memory, a major increase in response to suggestion,
and the potential for controlling many physiologic functions that are usually
... |
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The subject of mental illness makes some people uncomfortable.
People who don’t understand mental illnesses, such as depression, may mistakenly
think the person affected by mental illness is "crazy" or can simply
"snap out of it."
K... |
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What is deep brain stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an evolution of two surgical procedures that
have been shown to help control symptoms of certain disorders such as Parkinson’s
disease, essential tremor and multiple sclerosis. Those surger... |
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What is depression?
Nearly everyone has felt depressed, sad, or blue at one time or another. A
depressed mood is a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or injured
self-esteem. Sometimes, however, depression becomes intense, lasts for long
perio... |
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What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral
changes that occur after giving birth that are attributed to the chemical,
social, and psychological changes associated with having a baby.
... |
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Depression is one of the most common problems experienced by people with
chronic pain. If the depressive symptoms are related to pain or side effects of
medicine, doctors can make adjustments in medications to alleviate these
symptoms. If the depressi... |
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In some men, depression can accompany the condition of ED. It
is common for men with ED to feel angry, frustrated, sad, or unsure of
themselves. Men may feel less "manly" because of ED. Such feelings may
lead to a lack of self-esteem and eve... |
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Depression can be triggered by other mental illnesses, but it
also can lead to certain mental illnesses. These include anxiety disorders,
schizophrenia, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Together, these conditions
affect millions of Americans eac... |
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Depression and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents has been a
controversial topic for decades. In fact, the medical community did not recognize the disorder in youth until the 1970s. Recently, research and clinical writing have focused on
the ... |
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For centuries, writers have waxed poetic about the damage sadness and despair
can cause to the heart. Today, scientists have proven them correct in a way.
Studies performed over the past decade have shown a definite link between
depression and heart d... |
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The support and involvement of family and friends can be crucial in helping
someone who is depressed. It is especially helpful if family and friends
encourage the patient to stick with treatment and practice the coping techniques
and problem-solving ski... |
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Can children really suffer from depression?
Yes. Childhood depression is different from the normal "blues" and
everyday emotions that occur as a child develops. On the other hand, just because a child seems
depressed or sad doesn't necessa... |
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Is depression in men different than in women?
Every year, depression afflicts more that 11 million
Americans, but men account for only 1 in 10 diagnosed cases. Because of this,
depression was once considered a "woman’s disease," linked to
... |
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Pregnancy has long been viewed as a period of well being that protected
against psychiatric disorders. But depression occurs almost as commonly in
pregnant women as it does in non-pregnant women.
What factors increase my risk of being depressed during... |
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Depression is not a normal part of aging; but, unfortunately,
it is very common in the elderly. Late-life depression affects about 6 million
Americans age 65 and older, but only 10 percent receive treatment. This is likely
because the symptoms of depres... |
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Women are twice as likely to develop depression than men. In
fact, from 10 to 25 percent of women will experience an episode of major depression at
some time in their lives.
Why is depression more common in women?
Rates of depression are similar in g... |
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Examples of effective and safe medications commonly prescribed
for depression or depression-related problems are listed in the chart below.
Type of medication
Drug Name
Brand Name
... |
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General Depression, Mental Health Resources
American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-6000
www.psych.org
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5500
ww... |
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What causes depression?
There is not just one cause of depression. It is a complex disease that can
occur as a result of a multitude of factors. For some, depression occurs due to
a loss of a loved one, a change in one's life or after being diagnosed ... |
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Print out these questions and answers to discuss with your
health care provider.
1. Is depression a mental illness?
Yes, depression is a serious, but treatable, mental problem.
It is a medical problem, not a personal weakness. It also is very co... |
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The biggest hurdle to diagnosing and treating depression is
recognizing that someone is suffering from it. Unfortunately, approximately half
of the people who experience depression never get diagnosed or treated for their
illness. And not getting trea... |
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1. Have you been in a depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day for at
least two weeks? Yes – No
2. Have you lost interest or pleasure in most of the activities during the
day, nearly every day for at least two weeks? Yes – No
3. Have you ex... |
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Depression and your health
There is mounting evidence that depression takes a serious toll on physical
health. The most recent studies exploring health and depression have looked at
patients with stroke or coronary artery disease. Results have shown t... |
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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure in which a
brief application of electric current to the brain, through the scalp, induces a
seizure. It is typically used to treat a patient who is suffering from severe
depression.
Why is ECT used?
E... |
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Agoraphobia: Irrational fear of
being in a situation where escape is difficult or impossible.
Acupuncture: An ancient Chinese
method of healing. It aims to prevent and cure specific diseases and conditions
by sticking very fine, solid needles int... |
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What are the benefits of exercise?
Regular exercise has been proven to:
Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
Boost self-esteem
Improve sleep
Exercise also has these health benefits:
Strengthens the heart
Makes the body better abl... |
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An individual with this type of depression feels a profound
and constant sense of hopelessness and despair.
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms
that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once
pleasur... |
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The term "mood disorders" refers to a group of illnesses that cause
persistent changes in mood and behavior serious enough to impair functioning.
Common mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder (manic-depressive
disorder).
D... |
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Depression is a complex disorder with many forms. Some people have a clearly sad,
depressed mood; others become irritable and short-tempered. One common factor is that
everything in life seems uninteresting, like looking at life through a dark filter. So... |
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New research is bolstering the case for prescribing antidepressants to people
with chronic pain to help them better deal with their discomfort. It’s also
shedding new light on the relationship between pain and depression.
Indeed, what medicine is incr... |
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What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the stage of a woman’s reproductive life that begins 8 to
10 years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less
estrogen. Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries
... |
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Psychotherapy is often the first form of treatment recommended
for depression. Called "therapy" for short, the word psychotherapy
actually involves a variety of treatment techniques. During psychotherapy, a
person with depression talks to a ... |
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What are the symptoms of depression?
Everyone at one time or another has felt depressed, sad, or
blue. Being depressed is a normal reaction to loss, life’s struggles, or an
injured self-esteem. But sometimes the feeling of sadness becomes intense,
la... |
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What is Reiki?
Reiki is growing in popularity. In this practice, the therapist places his or
her hands in a series of very light touches at various positions on the client's
body. Reiki is not a massage, but a channeling of life force energy to the
rec... |
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How does depression affect sexuality?
The brain is the body’s most sensitive "sex organ."
Sexual desire starts in the brain and works its way down. Chemicals in the brain
called neurotransmitters help brain cells communicate with each othe... |
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Depression is a mood disorder that is characterized by sadness, or
"having the blues." Nearly everyone feels sad or down from time to
time. Sometimes, however, the sad feelings become intense, last for long
periods, and keep a person from fu... |
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If you surf the web or read your local newspaper, you’ve
probably seen something about herbal supplements and their role in treating
depression. Although dozens of people swear by it, St. John's Wort is still
considered to be an alternative therapy by m... |
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The first step in treating depression is recognizing that you are depressed.
The second step is seeking help. These two steps may in fact be the hardest part
of the entire treatment process. Once you seek help from a qualified health care
provider, you ... |
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What are the types of treatment for depression?
A physician can treat depression by prescribing any number of lifestyle
changes and medical therapies, including:
Lifestyle changes
Stopping the intake of alcohol and/or sedatives
Exercising regu... |
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With appropriate assessment and treatment, children and
adolescents with depression can get significant relief from their symptoms.
It is common for children and adolescents to feel "down,"
discouraged, sad, or angry from time to time. Thes... |
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What are the different types of treatment?
The most common treatment for depression includes the
combination of antidepressant medicine and psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is sometimes called
"talking therapy." It is used to tre... |
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Dysthymia, sometimes referred to as chronic depression, is a
less severe form of depression but the depression symptoms linger for a long
period of time, perhaps years. Those who suffer from dysthymia are usually able
to function adequately, but seem ... |
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Roughly 25 percent of people who are admitted to the hospital for
depression suffer from what's called psychotic depression. In addition to the
symptoms of depression, psychotic depression includes some features of psychosis
-- like hallucinations (se... |
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Seasonal depression, often called seasonal affective disorder
(SAD), is a depression that occurs each year at the same time, usually starting
in fall or winter and ending in spring or early summer. It is more than just
"the winter blues" or &q... |
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