Depression (Clinical)

[Pyrotex]

Here in America, we also have:

 

"Born-Again Virus Linked to Mental Illness."

 

Sorry. Off-topic. No excuse. Just thought a little levity was in order.

[Michaelangelica]

Here in America, we also have:

 

"Born-Again Virus Linked to Mental Illness."

 

Sorry. Off-topic. No excuse. Just thought a little levity was in order.

 

levity is always in order on a depression thread. watching funny movies is one "cure"

does waht you say link up with this?

* Angry God, angry people:

Scriptures portraying a vengeful Lord may encourage

their readers to behave in kind, a study reports.

Angry God, angry people

 

 

 

I just listened to this on ABC radio very scary.

Zyprexa is used for depression in Australia.

Eli Lilly have paid out over 1B$, in the US, in compensation claims. the weight gain is very significant

Listen to it if you can there are two people talking one with schizophrenia and the other with depression. One sounds like he has a very interesting blog site on depression drugs. I will post it here when ALL IN THE MIND does a transcript usually 3-4 days hence.

ALL IN THE MIND: The Zyprexa story

Saturday 3rd March 1.05 pm, Radio National

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly (makers of Prozac) has agreed to pay

upwards of 1.2 billion US dollars to nearly 30,000 patients who claim

their bestseller antipsychotic medication, Zyprexa (Olanzapine), has

caused diabetes, weight gain and other complications; and these risks

were downplayed.

Secret documents are leaked, the newspaper headlines

start screaming, and citizen journalists spread the word - but where is

the real advocacy for better drugs with fewer side effects?

All In The Mind

[Michaelangelica]

From Nancy Schimelpfening,

Your Guide to Depression.

FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

A Vaccination for Depression?

Could a vaccination prevent depression? Chris Lowry and colleagues at Bristol University in Bristol, England hope so.

 

Dr. Lowry based his hypothesis upon what a colleague, Dr. Mary O'Brien, an oncologist at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, had observed while using an inoculation of Mycobacterium vaccae as an experimental treatment for lung cancer. The patients who received the shot had an unexpected improvement in their emotional health and general cognitive function.

 

Dr. Lowry felt that the immune response to the vaccination might be causing an increase in serotonin production, low levels of which are associated with depression

A Vaccination for Depression?

[Chacmool]

Interesting link - thanks Michaelangelica! It is particularly interesting to note that our modern hygiene regimen might be depriving us of the necessary exposure to build natural resistance against nasty bugs. Hopefully this vaccine holds some promise for the battle against depression.

[J. Hartwell]

That is a very interesting article reference. Thanks.

[Pyrotex]

I got to thinking this week. Dangerous, yes, but I'm a born risk-taker. :naughty:

 

I have fallen prey to depression off and on, throughout my life. Recently, I found myself feeling VERY GOOD. NORMAL!!! Wonderful. And once again, I was reminded that (for me) the best cure for depression is to accomplish something significant.

[Michaelangelica]

Scientists are to investigate a hallucinogenic chemical in “magic mushrooms” as a possible new treatment for depression, anxiety and drug dependence.

 

The move follows an unusual study which showed that the compound, psilocybin, can prompt long lasting positive changes in mood and behaviour.

 

Researchers also found that people who took the chemical experienced genuine mystical experiences, as defined by psychologists.

. . .

Under the Drugs Act 2005 they are now classified as a Class A drug, like heroin or cocaine. Possession may be punishable by several years in jail, while supplying the mushrooms could result in a life sentence.

. . . .

Most said their mood, attitudes and behaviour had changed for the better. This was confirmed by interviews with family members, friends and work colleagues.

 

The findings were published today in the journal Psychopharmacology.

 

Prof Griffiths said: “Under very defined conditions, with careful preparation, you can safely and fairly reliably occasion what’s called a primary mystical experience that may lead to positive changes in a person. It’s an early step in what we hope will be a large body of scientific work that will ultimately help people.”

 

'Magic Mushrooms' Could Treat Depression - New Research Shows « Sanity For Sale

 

PS

Psoriasis, associated with depression, obesity and

alcoholism, often results in social isolation and economic

hardship(1)(2).

CNW Group

[Queso]

I can verify that statement.

Although I would NOT reccomend giving everyone who thinks they are depressed psilocybin.

Some people would cry and crawl inside their little heads and wait for the storm to pass.

I can tell who would react well to it, and who would freak out.

It's easy to tell who's strong and who's weak, in their many subjective manners.

 

I would be a great psychedelic therapist. It's too bad this method of healing is shunned in my homeland. I would have made a great Puruvian.

 

Teeheehee

 

Also, I like that there is more psychedelic research going on. This is good. The people need to know the truth.

And if they're too afraid to eat an illegal mushroom, let the scientists run their tests and publish their papers. This is a new beginning.

[Queso]

I got to thinking this week. Dangerous, yes, but I'm a born risk-taker. :beer:

 

I have fallen prey to depression off and on, throughout my life. Recently, I found myself feeling VERY GOOD. NORMAL!!! Wonderful. And once again, I was reminded that (for me) the best cure for depression is to accomplish something significant.

 

Amen, brother.

[Michaelangelica]

Supplements that aid in a chemical process known as "methylation" help coping: folic acid, trimethylglycine and methylsulfonyl methane are among them. These vital substances can be obtained naturally from whey isolate protein, spinach, sunflower seeds, shellfish, and beets. For severe depression, the essential amino acid and natural serotonin booster L-tryptophan (not 5-HTP) is a much safer alternative than SSRI's.

Shane Ellison -- Antidepressants Slice and Dice Brain

[Michaelangelica]

DEPRESSION AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA

 

 

Depression can be a result of a hormonal change, or chemical imbalance, or can be situational—such as loss of spouse, job, pet, or physical/mental function. Because of the hormonal connection, depression is twice as likely to affect women then men. 18 million Americans are affected. It can range from mild to severe, temporary to chronic. It is the leading cause of disability in America costing just under 50 Billion dollars annually in health care and lost job productivity.

Symptoms of depression include:

· Prolonged sadness. Bouts of crying

· Sleeplessness or excessive sleeping

· Loss of appetite or excessive overeating

· Sexual dysfunction

· The loss of pleasure in everyday activities

· Feelings of hopelessness

· Feelings of low self esteem, or self loathing

· Thoughts of suicide

· Lack of energy unrelated to any physical illness

· Chronic pain that doesn’t improve with treatment

· Excessive Anxiety and irritability

· An inability to concentrate

 

Typically prescription drugs are used when a depression lasts longer than several weeks. The most common drugs used are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors—known more commonly as SSRI’s—are the treatment of choice. Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are the most common SSRI’s. One of the drawbacks is that these medications usually take up to four weeks and can have many side effects. These complications can include anxiety, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disorders. Older drugs, such as Elavil, are also still used although the severity of side effects is much higher than the SSRI’s. A new group of drugs have recently been introduced, such as, Serzone, that act on both the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Symptoms from these drugs may include nausea, dry mouth and constipation.

 

Those patients who have used marijuana have seen a significant mood improvement without the side effects from the regularly prescribed drugs. Even those suffering with bi-polar disease were able to claim improvement when they combined the use of marijuana with therapy sessions. They found that they had fewer episodes of repeating the ‘cycle’ of manic and depression.

Many patients with anxiety disorder who use marijuana to relax, also reap benefits. It aids in insomnia which is one of the biggest complaints of those with depression and increases appetite for those who have lost their interest in food.

Studies have shown an approved level of functionality in patients who have added the use of medical marijuana to their treatment program. Their work attendance has improved, they show an interest in life, start caring for themselves, cognitive skills return along with an ability to concentrate, social interactions resume, and normal sleeping patterns replace sleepless nights.

Patients appreciate the fact that if they are not also on any of the other medications for Depression, that they have virtually no side effects. They can take a few puffs of marijuana before going to bed, have a restful nights sleep and wake up refreshed and not groggy. Other sleep medication leaves people in a ‘morning fog’ that could be dangerous to them. But probably the biggest benefit is that it works within a few minutes, rather than the conventional drugs which take up to 4 weeks. This is significant for someone who is suicidal or non-responsive.

 

BCSeeds.com - Medical Marijuana, benefits people with chronic pain

There are problems with prescription anti-depressants and medical marijuana with adolescents.

There seems to be growing evidence that the growing developing adolescent brain can be adversely affected by these drugs.

Adolescents with depression need to be supervised closely by parents and medical specialists. Finding the right drug therapy can be difficult and dangerous. Counseling (With trained psychologists) and other therapies might be a good first port of call before resorting to drugs. However depression in adolescents must be treated seriously

Many depressed adolescents put on a show of feeling OK when they are hurting inside. Hormonal changes at this time can be very disruptive (see post on testosterone and depression)

[Queso]

I guess all I can say to that is...

 

 

it's true.

[Michaelangelica]

I am sure we can all convince ourselves that we have this.

it is often associated with depression

 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

 

Most people experience anxiety at some point in their lives and some nervousness in anticipation of a real situation. However if a person cannot shake unwarranted worries, or if the feelings are jarring to the point of avoiding everyday activities, he or she most likely has an anxiety disorder.

 

Symptoms: Chronic, exaggerated worry, tension, and irritability that appear to have no cause or are more intense than the situation warrants. Physical signs, such as restlessness, trouble falling or staying asleep, headaches, trembling, twitching, muscle tension, or sweating, often accompany these psychological symptoms.

 

Formal diagnosis: When someone spends at least six months worried excessively about everyday problems. However, incapacitating or troublesome symptoms warranting treatment may exist for shorter periods of time.

Mooshee - Anxiety Disorders: Types Of Anxiety Disorders - Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

[Michaelangelica]

A video on depression

Separating Depression From Being Blue

 

Men and Depression:doh:

Paul's inability to recognize his depression is not uncommon. Depression, so often seen as a woman's disease, shows up differently in men than it does women. Whereas women, for example, may be able to express their hurt, men more often lash out, appearing more angry than they do sad.

But the numbers tell quite another story. Although 80 percent of Americans diagnosed as depressed are women, fully 80 percent of those who commit suicide are men. And as men grow older and are impacted by the variables of aging -- from experiencing hormonal changes (and the flagging libido that often results) to being pushed out of a job that often defined who they were in the world -- their risk for depression that leads to suicide skyrockets.

By mid-life, male suicide rate are three times higher than with younger guys.

By the time a man reaches 65, that rate increases seven-fold.

 

This week is National Men's Health Week. And while we hear a lot these days about men and their

AlterNet: Health & Wellness: It's More Than the Blues: Why Men Finally Have to Face Their Depression

[Pyrotex]

I guess all I can say to that is...

it's true.

Though my experiences in this matter are more than three decades old...

I concur.

 

I also agree.

 

And on top of that, I additionally think that you are right.

[Michaelangelica]

Interesting few comments on depression and its different expression

Only short, (7 mins) worth a listen

Science Show

Saturday 14 July 2007

 

Listen Now - 14072007 |

 

* 00:00: Sun not responsible for recent warming

* 09:30: Study of climate sceptics

* 23:02: Treating depression

* 30:50: Starlings

* 5: Paul Nurse

[Michaelangelica]

August 7, 2007

Brain Blood Flow Gives Clues to Treating Depression

 

Usefulness of Established Molecular Imaging/Nuclear Medicine Approaches Examine Brain Dysfunction, Provide Information on Treatment Possibilities, Say Authors in August Journal of Nuclear Medicine

 

RESTON, Va.—The usefulness of established molecular imaging/nuclear medicine approaches in identifying the “hows” and “whys” of brain dysfunction and its potential in providing immediately useful information in treating depression are emphasized in a study in the August Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

 

“Individuals in a depressed emotional state have impaired cerebral (brain) blood flow,” explained Omer Bonne, head of inpatient psychiatry and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel.

“Clinical improvement in depression is accompanied by diverse changes in cerebral blood flow, according to whether patients are treated with medication or electroconvulsive treatment,” he noted.

“We found that antidepressant medicines normalized decreased brain blood flow usually seen in patients with depression, while electroconvulsive treatment was associated with additional decreases in blood flow,” he reported.

“Currently, clinical psychiatry is based almost solely on subjective observer-based judgment. Our findings suggest that objective imaging evaluations could support subjective clinical decisions,” he said.

 

Using SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography)—a molecular imaging/nuclear medicine procedure in which injected radiotracers are utilized to produce three-d

Brain Blood Flow Gives Clues to Treating Depression

 

Ginseng (most types) helps blood flow.

small doses need to be taken if you have high BP (250-500mg day?)

Otherwise eat what you can afford.