Health - Mental Health

Type of Depression : Stress and Anxiety Management UF

August 21, 2019 by Mustafa Rangoonwala Leave a Comment

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Type of Depression: Stress and Anxiety Management UF

Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety do not necessarily mean the same thing. Stress can be associated with a feeling of frustration, anger, and anxiety; it could be the stress of having a heavy workload, or the need to meet a deadline and more. What is stressful for one person may not have to be stressful for another; although there are certain stressful life situations that generally pose stress for everyone such situations as a house fire or home invasion, for example, other situations are more specific to the individual and his or her level of tolerance.

On the other hand, anxiety is often associated with apprehension and fear. Some times the individual is aware of the cause for anxiety and sometimes it is a generalized feeling and does not seem to be triggered by any single event. Again like, stress anxiety can be triggered by different stimuli. Some individuals may have a predisposition to be more anxious than the average person. Both stress and anxiety can be depressions symptoms.

Stress and Anxiety Management UF

Stress in and of itself is a healthy response and can be a great motivator for humans to get done the things that need to be done in life. It is only when stress levels climb to the point that the person becomes ill in some way that it is no longer healthy. Stress can cause infections, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart trouble as well as a depressive disorder. Stress can also cause unwanted behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse or overeating.

Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety symptoms will include physical symptoms as shaking or twitching, headaches and muscle tension, sweating, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, and pain in the abdominal area (especially prevalent among children). There are a host of other symptoms as well such as dizziness, fatigue, frequent urination and diarrhoea, rapid breathing, trouble sleeping, poor concentration and sexual problems. Stress and anxiety often accompany each other. There is a group of anxiety disorders which are results of uncontrolled stress and anxiety, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social and specific phobias. Stress and anxiety can also lead a person to depression when that person is forever worrying about how bad life can be.

The causes for stress and anxiety can be chemically induced, both recreational and prescribed medication can contribute. These drugs are ADHD medications, alcohol, amphetamines, asthma medication, cold remedies, decongestants, thyroid medication, caffeine, nicotine, diet pills and cocaine. Depression drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants may also cause anxiety l.

Other factors such as a poor diet or low levels of vitamin b12 can be a cause for stress and anxiety . Or, certain specific events, such as taking a test (test anxiety), having sexual relationships, or doing a presentation can lead to performance anxiety. A very severe type of anxiety disorder is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This type of anxiety develops because of the stress of war, rape, or something extremely traumatic. Panic disorder is another anxiety disorder which is often the cause of this disorder is undetermined, other times sufferers do know the triggers for their panic attacks. In rare situations, a tumour on the adrenal gland which is responsible for our fight or flight response can be the underlying cause.

Getting to the bottom of the anxiety in order to cure it, is the best approach. Try to figure out what could be causing your stress and anxiety, what is worrying you, what is troubling your mind, what are you depressed about? Keeping a diary is helpful especially when you share these thoughts with a health care professional. You can even start by talking to family and friends, or your local minister, sometimes that is enough, if not then a visit to therapist or physician is the next step to take to help you cope with your life situation and relieve your stress and anxiety.

Types of Depression Sexual Problems

August 21, 2019 by Mustafa Rangoonwala 1 Comment

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Types of Depression Sexual Problems

Sexual Problems

Sexual problems can occur in people who are already diagnosed with depression thus adding to the already depressed state of the individual. In men the Sexual depression symptoms can take the form of erectile dysfunction, while in a woman it can be the inability to have an orgasm or sexual desire, and for both sexes. It can take the form of an inability to initiate or enjoy sex.

The brain is the major sexual erogenous zone. When the neurotransmitters responsible for mood are not balanced that causes depression, and when the brain is in the state of depression, sexual depression will occur because of the suppression of blood to the sexual organs when neurotransmitters required to regulate mood (sexual desire) are not functioning the way they should be. If the signals for desire are turned off or slowed down, sexual dysfunction will occur. Sexual depression is associated with the general depression causes of chemical imbalances in the brain and these imbalances can really disrupt a sexual relations and disrupt the normal sexual activity of a marriage.

The routine depression drugs such as, the serotonin reuptake inhibitors help regular general depression, however, they cause imbalances in the sexual response and tends to inhibit sexual desire. These depression mediation side effects, will become pronounced as the medication increases to the point that some depression sufferers no longer have any sexual desire at all. It is unfortunate that a depression medication that helps in one area, can hinder in another

How Can We Manage Depression Sexual Problems Side Affects

There are various depression medications on the market today and so your doctor would keep trying different ones to find the right antidepressant and the right dosages of medication for you. Some of the later generation depression drugs on the market do not affect sexual desire as much as the earlier generations. However, an alternate approach would be to prescribe depression medication to specifically fight depression yet does not affect sexual desire, in fact they should improve sexual desire.

Human beings are sexual creatures and sex is a normal part of life. Sexually intimacy is important on social, emotional, and physical levels. Intimate contact is important and needed. If you are married and cannot enjoy sex anymore because of depression medications, don’t let that affect your marriage, even if you do not have any desire anymore, you must consider the needs of your partner as well. A good marriage is very important for a depressed individual. A spouse may begin to feel unloved or unwanted, they may not understand that this lack of sexual interest is due in part to depression medication. When all it takes is an adjustment in your medications to get back to feeling the way you once felt, you owe it to yourself and to your partner.

Fortunately, not every depressed person lacks any sexual desire and can still have a great sex life. Sex therapy can be exactly what a depressed person needs to feel loved and sexually desirable to his or her partner. Having a good sex life can help a couple get through the trying times of dealing with depression.

Types of Depression : Depression Disorder

August 21, 2019 by Mustafa Rangoonwala Leave a Comment

Types of Depression: Depression Disorder

Depression Disorder is often interchanged with Depressive Disorder and Major Depression. Depression Disorder is a mood disorder. Individuals affected by Major Depression Disorder must have uninterrupted symptoms for a period of at least two weeks. Basically, these individuals are depressed, they do not see any joy or excitement in life. They lack interest or take any pleasure in their daily activities. They don’t plan and anticipate good events to happen for them. The world is an uninviting place and they have no hope or lust for life.

With major depression, many of the patients lack interest in the most basic daily activities such as housework and hygiene. Some individuals withdraw from life and social activities. It goes without saying that if a person has withdrawn from people and social activity they will not be in the mood to have sexual relations with a partner. They may become recluses in their own home and some do not even feel the need to get out of bed. People with Depressive Disorder may sleep all the time or have trouble sleeping and waking up often. They may stay awake all night worrying about their problems. They can be very irritable and anxious. They may even lose their appetite or their desire to eat and thus lose weight or they can overeat and gain weight. Food can become a solace to a very severely depressed individual, or they lose weight because they have no desire to eat.

Other depression symptoms exhibited by a person who suffers from Depression Disorder of this type include; flat affect, what that means is that the person exhibiting this symptom does not show any emotions. They feel empty. They don’t feel sad or glad. For example, if something good were to do happen such as a birth of a child or a friend or family member celebrating an award or job promotion, they would show little or no joy or enthusiasm. Basically, life has no more meaning. Individuals suffering from Depression Disorder may have trouble concentrating or remembering things, and they may have difficulty making decisions especially since their mood is negatively clouding their judgment.

Depression Disorder is not only limited to mental depression, but there are also physical problems as well. People with this depression are sluggish, listless, have very little energy. These individuals may have frequent headaches, constant chronic pain, digestive disorders and may also have attempted suicide or have thoughts about it. Some individuals will turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. No one individual will have all the symptoms, at least three of them are necessary to get the diagnosis.

Depression Disorder can affect anyone. There is a chemical component where the chemicals in the brain are not releasing enough serotonin and this affects moods, and there is also the environmental aspect where a life crisis can bring on a major depression episode. Some individuals will have only one episode in their lifetime, and some will have several episodes over a lifetime. Each mental depression will differ in terms of symptoms and causes. If you feel you are suffering from this debilitating illness, please find the energy to seek medical attention. There is help out there in the form of antidepressants and counselling.

Types of Depression : Postpartum Depression Screening

August 21, 2019 by Mustafa Rangoonwala Leave a Comment

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Postpartum Depression Screening:

Postpartum depression (PPD) what also known as postnatal depression and to mothers sometimes as the “baby blues” is considered by the medical profession as a form of clinical depression following childbirth. This form of depression is fairly common with 5 to 9 per cent of woman who gives birth are affected by it. It is also possible for men to have postpartum depression although this is fairly rare. Even though PPD is fairly common or perhaps because of that few women seek medical treatment or help from other sources for it. Postpartum depression is serious though and should never be ignored or taken lightly.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Many possible causes for postpartum depression have been studied but the two most prevalent are vitamin deficiency and hormonal changes. The vitamin deficiency was once the most popular theory but studies now tend to lean towards the hormonal imbalances as changes in the body take place before, during and after delivery. That being said it must also be noted that when women suffering from postpartum depression screening were given hormonal treatments they had little if any positive effects or improvements. In some cases though, therapy and counselling did seem to be somewhat beneficial.

Symptoms

The symptoms of postpartum depression may occur anytime during the first year after giving birth. The following symptoms are some of the more obvious:

unexplained senses of sadness, hopefulness, guilt or anger, Sleeping and eating disorders, Inability to be comforted, Exhaustion and fatigue, Feelings of inadequacy or emptiness, Anxiety and panic attacks, Low frustration levels, Antisocial behavior, Inability to feel pleasure (Anhedonia), Impaired speech and writing, Anxiety and panic attacks.

As with other depression disorders postpartum depression there are some predictors to indicate PFD such as: Past depression or family history of depression, lack of or low self-esteem, Childcare worries with infant or even siblings, Smoking, Prenatal depression and prenatal anxiety, Infant problems such as colic or teething, Unwanted or unplanned pregnancies or single parent

Lack of social or community support, and Socioeconomic Status.

It has been proven that the socioeconomic status of a parent directly affects the likelihood of PPD, the lower-income level of the mother the higher the risk of postpartum.

Postpartum Parent/Child Effects

Women with postpartum depression have a tendency to be incapable of supplying consistent childcare. They tend to focus more on the negative over the positive side of having a new baby in the home. The results of this is usually a lack of coping strategies and skills.

In postpartum, there are four main recognized coping strategies that include:

AVOIDANCE TRAGEDY- as it suggests this includes denial and behavioural disengagement from the child
PROBLEM FOCUSED STRATEGY-actively trying to cope with PPD by planning strategies to deal with problems and being positive
SUPPORT SEEKING STRATEGY- this involves the seeking out and becoming actively involved with both emotional and instrumental groups who form a supporting role for the mother
VENTING STRATEGY-self explanatory perhaps but in this form of strategy, the mother will vent out her depression on friends and family and may also take the form of self-blame for situations that she is not able to contend with.

Types of Depression : Major Depression

August 21, 2019 by Mustafa Rangoonwala Leave a Comment

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Types of Depression: Major Depression

Major Depression

The majority of the medical community agree that of the various forms of depressive disorders major depression should be classified as the most severe of them. The patients who are affected by major depression usually have more of the symptoms of depression and also more severe episodes of them. They are also more frequent to occur. In some cases of the disorder, it can be initially instigated by a traumatic life crisis or more often take years to develop as multiple life crises, disappointments and failures build up. In some cases, major depression develops in people who appear to have no major life crisis or setbacks that would explain what has precipitated it. There are also individuals who may have depression but with less severe symptoms but a sudden live crisis could trigger or elevate their depression into a major depression with the more severe symptoms and effects.

Single Episode Depression

A dramatic trauma in a person’s life such as, for example, the death of a spouse, parent or child can be the cause of an episode of depression. This depression though major once treated, may never reoccur and so is considered a “single episode depression”.

Recurrent Depression

If a depression episode reoccurs again a second, third or multiple times triggered by further life traumas with space of perhaps even years in between the term used to describe this is “recurrent depression”.

Endogenous Depression

The third form of major depression that appears to develop without any known psychological reason or life crisis is often referred to as “endogenous depression”. Theories about endogenous depression cause range from its cause being either biological, genetic or some type of chemical brain imbalance. It should be noted though that no evidence has yet to be found in the case of endogenous depression a chemistry imbalance is a cause. In fact, all forms of depression involve a certain amount of change in brain activity but the brain returns to normal once the depression is cured.

Endogenous depression is often diagnosed inaccurately when patients do not respond well to treatments. It is also often used as a rationale for prescribing medications alone as treatment.

Medications alone should never be used in the treatment of people who are major depressives. Instead, a course of treatment including psychological therapy possibly coordinated with proper medications such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers should be developed for each individual case. Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioural psychotherapy will help treat the psychological problems that induced depression. When used properly and only as advised the depression medications will treat the symptoms that present themselves with major depression.

Complications Associated With Major Depression

There is a 15 per cent completed suicide rate amongst people who have major depressive disorders. This figure increases dramatically with people who are over 55 years of age. Also to me noted is that more pain and sickness, as well as a decrease in physical activity, social activity and role functioning, is experienced by those with major depressive disorder.