Posts tagged with ‘depression’
Depression is a clinical illness characterized by prolonged feelings of grave sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression occurs when those feelings of sadness do not lessen overtime, and eventually prohibit the individual from functioning and participating in regular activities. The person’s depression becomes an interference—a mental obstacle that the individual is unable to overcome, causing him or her to lose interest in parts of their lives that were once important or enjoyable, such as relationships, hobbies, work, and social interactions.
Excessive Drinking Harms Function of Serotonin in the Brain
A recent Swedish study shows that serotonin, a vital brain neurotransmitter, has a role in developing and curing depression and chronic anxiety. While the neurotransmitter is empowered to regulate impulses and human abilities to sleep or to stay awake, it has been found that excessive drinking harms the function of serotonin in the brain in a short amount of time. Full Story
Correlation Between Foreclosures and Poor Mental Health
Economists expect the number of foreclosures to rise by the end of 2011. Already over 2.3 million have fallen into foreclosure since late 2007 when the recession began. According to a recent post on the website Third Age, people who are experiencing foreclosures or have already lost homes have worse mental health than those with fewer mortgage issues, say researchers. Full Story
Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse
Bipolar disorder is a mental health illness that causes a patient to cycle between periods of joyfulness (mania) and sadness (depression). How often, and how severely, a patient will cycle between the emotions varies from patient to patient. In some cases of bipolar disorder the symptoms will be so severe as to cause the patient to be unable to function in day-to-day life. It is one of the most debilitating mental health illnesses and has no known cure. Although medications can ease symptoms and reduce the severity of mood swings, bipolar patients are always at risk of relapse.
Unfortunately, bipolar disorder can manifest in conjunction with another mental disorder, such as substance abuse. In fact, of all psychiatric disorders, substance abuse is the condition most likely to co-occur with bipolar disorder. Because either one of these illnesses, by itself, can wreak havoc in a patient’s life, the combination of substance abuse and bipolar disorder is a dire situation indeed. Research has shown that over 60 percent of bipolar patients are also alcoholics. As such, medical practitioners who care for substance abusers must first rule out other types of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, in order to effectively treat the patient.
Researchers have been unable to determine why bipolar disorder and substance abuse occur together, but suspect that bipolar disorder leads to substance abuse rather than the other way around. One theory behind the co-occurrence is that patients may be attempting to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs in order alleviate some of the more severe bipolar symptoms. Alcohol, opiates, and pot have been shown to temporarily lessen the severity of mood swings and bipolar patients have been shown to be very sensitive to the effects alcohol or drugs. Of all bipolar patients, those who also abuse substances have been shown to be the least likely to cooperate with treatment plans and take their medications as prescribed.
When a manic-depressive uses methamphetamine (meth) or cocaine, however, he or she could actually trigger a manic episode followed by a deep depression. Further, the excessiveness associated with mania can make a patient drink too much.
Bipolar patients who suffer from "mixed" states (symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time) or rapid cycling between mania and depression are in the most danger of abusing drugs and alcohol as some patients will try almost anything to find relief.
Sadly, substance abuse is extremely common among manic-depressives, especially young people. In one study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, scientists found that patients with bipolar disorder were at vastly greater risk of developing substance abuse than teens with conduct disorders. The risk was so great that the researchers recommend that all teens who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder should undergo intensive counseling regarding the dangers inherent in using drugs and alcohol. Conversely, all those who are being for substance abuse should be screened for bipolar disorder. On a positive note, Lithium (the most common mood stabilizing medication) has been shown to be effective at reducing or eliminating substance abuse in 75 percent of bipolar teens that are abusing drugs or alcohol.
Original Antidepressants Suggest More Effective Treatment
Antidepressants can be a lifesaver for those who are struggling with depression. The problem is an individual generally needs to be on the medication for three to four weeks before it becomes effective. Now, a Science Daily release reports that aside from ketamine, another medication has been identified as a rapid producer of an improvement in mood: scopolamine.
Depression Not Good for Your Health
The habit of smoking is often defined as the most preventable cause of death. Now, new research suggests that depression puts an individual at risk of death as much as smoking – which could open up a whole new set of problems for those who suffer from the condition.
The Link Between Addiction and Suicide
Each year, more people die from suicide than by any other form of violence, including war, terrorist activities, and homicides, an official from the World Health Organization (WHO) said recently, in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day. Nearly 1 million people committing suicide annually, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide.
Of those who attempt suicide, about half use alcohol or illegal drugs to do so. Of those who successfully take their own lives, 25 percent were abusing drugs and/or alcohol at the time of their death. For those who suffer from addiction, it’s important to understand that suicide rates increase among those who abuse alcohol and/or drugs, putting users at a greater risk of death. ] Studies show that 50 percent of teens that commit suicide have a history of alcohol and drug use.
Fortunately, suicide is preventable, according to Brian Mishara, president of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). In areas that are targeted with prevention campaigns, suicide rates do decline.
Suicide can also be triggered by depression, which often co-occurs with substance abuse disorders. This is why it’s so important to treat any co-occurring disorders that may arise among those suffering from substance abuse disorders. If you or someone you know is abusing alcohol or drugs and is having suicidal thoughts, it is imperative to seek help immediately.
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The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
