Depression and anxiety disorders are increasing among young people having high stress jobs according to a study conducted by researchers at the institute of psychiatry at King’s College London to find a link between stressful working conditions and the mental health of workers. Nearly 1,000 people in the early stages of their careers whose average age was 32 and those who had no previous history of disorders were assessed. It was found that forty five percent of the participants were going through major depression or anxiety disorders and attributed these symptoms to work related stress. Work stress appears to bring on diagnosable forms of depression and anxiety in previously healthy young workers; in fact the occurrence is two times higher than among workers whose jobs are less demanding says Dr Maria Melchior, lead author of the study. It is interesting to note here, that most of the high pressured jobs were not only high collared jobs, but included ordinary jobs like chefs, school teachers and construction workers. This is probably due to the inflexible deadlines and also the constant struggle to meet up to the public expectations. The rate of depression has nearly doubled in the last decade and the number of women going through depression due to work related stress has also increased. The least stressful jobs according to the study were librarians, speech therapists, hairdressers, postmen and those in administrative jobs. Find out what you can do to remain stress free at your work place here. Image Source
Hypertension – a silent killer
A pressing need to forward one’s career and earn a living, growing appetites for luxurious lifestyles, a high salt diet and factors like these have ensued in increasing health problems among the adult population in India. If doctors are to be believed, the country is on the verge of becoming the hypertension capital of the world with over 200 million suffering from high blood pressure. An estimate suggested that every fifth adult in India suffers from problems related to high blood pressure. These are alarming statistics that predict that the numbers could double by 2020. Doctors fear that the prediction could come true if preventive measures are not adopted. It has also been noted that half of the affected population is ignorant of the fact that they are hypertensive. A serious lack of awareness has been witnessed among them. A random survey showed that 9 out of 10 people do not get their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Most of them felt that there was no need for a check-up. Hypertension results in heart attacks, in most cases, angina and strokes. Doctors advise a change in lifestyle and diet and a regular visit to the doctor would reduce the risks to a great extent. Via:IBN
Chain smokers at a higher risk of depression
Chain smokers are at a higher risk of developing depression in comparison to those who never smoke, a Finnish study has suggested. The study conducted at the Department of Public Health of the University of Helsinki claims that those who quit smoking have an elevated risk of depressive symptoms but only in the short-term and this risk declines to the level of non-smokers in the longer-term. The research was conducted on about 4,000 male and 5,000 female twins, whose health and health behavior were followed-up through 15 years. As the study consisted of twins it was easier to test the relation between smoking and depression by using twin pairs where the twin without depression served as a harmonized control for his/her co-twin suffering from depression. Twins also enabled the researchers to examine the genetic influences between depression/smoking link. Dr Tellervo Korhonen from the University of Helsinki said, The mechanisms underlying the association between smoking and depression are very complicated. Although nicotine as such may have short term positive effects on concentration and possibly on mood, long term exposure to tobacco smoke may be one risk factor in development of depression. However, this mechanism is still relatively unknown. Thus, there is need for further research and evidence in order to make an unambiguous statement that ‘smoking cigarettes cause depression’. Examination of potential shared genetic vulnerability for both tobacco dependence and depression is among the further challenges. The study also revealed that persistent smoking remained significant amongst men folk, whereas women were more likely to give up smoking at a particular stage. Image Via:Inthenews
Chronic stress can worsen neuro-degenerative disorder
Defining stress has never been an easy task for scientists. It is simply because; the ‘subjective sensation’ is linked with varied symptoms differing from each other. While for someone or sometimes stress is helpful by encouraging one to meet a deadline or get things done, it may not be the same for others. Whatever it may be , long-term stress is really bad for anyone!It can eventually increase the risk of diseases like depression, heart disease and a variety of other problems. And, if a social stress is chronic, it could worsen ‘neuro-degenerative disorder!’ In such a case, brain cells and spinal cord — composed of neurons — are gradually destroyed. Thus, it affects different functions of the body like controlling movements, processing sensory information, and even making decisions. Stress may also elevate levels of ‘protein cytokine’ — interleukin-6 (IL-6). This can eventually increases severity of illnesses like multiple sclerosis – the serious, incurable neurological disease that can cause blindness as well as paralysis. The lead researcher of the study, Mary Meagher said, People exposed to chronic social conflict experience high levels of stress and consequent dysregulation of the immune system, thereby increasing vulnerability to infectious and autoimmune diseases. So, if you are suffering form chronic social stress, deal with it immediately ether yourself, or by taking the help of counseling that may help you relax and calm down in the first place. If, required follow it by medicines – whatever work on it before it’s too late! Image
Yoga may be an answer to depression and anxiety
If you are a yoga-freak or practice it regularly, then you can keep away depression and anxiety easily, which makes up to fifteen percent of disease in the world. Or, taking it the other round, yoga can be a good and effective remedy for ones suffering from depression and anxiety. So, before starting a stressful day, give yourself a dose of yoga and get set to work, to see its effects. It is because; practicing yoga may elevate the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter – the brain gamma-aminobutyric levels. Thanks to the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and McLean Hospital researchers for cracking this secret answer to depression and anxiety Depression and anxiety disorders, associated with low brain gamma-aminobutyric levels have successfully been treated with pharmaceutical agents designed to increase the levels. Lead author Chris Streeter, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at BUSM and a research associate at McLean Hospital, said Our findings clearly demonstrate that in experienced yoga practitioners, brain GABA levels increase after a session of yoga. So, cuing with the finding, take up yoga to help work on your symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and epilepsy. Image
Smoking ignites depression!
People with persistent smoking habit are at an increased risk of depression than those who never smoked. This fact sprang out from a study conducted by Finish researchers, in which they analyzed a database of 4000 males and 5,000 female twins whose health and health behavior were tracked for almost 15 years. Conclusion, which loomed out of this study, unveils that persistent chronic cigarette smoking predicts depressive symptoms, however, link between smoking and depression was found more significant among males than females. However, what turns smoking effect more significant for males than females is not very clear to the researchers, as they are also finding it a tough question to answer. Perhaps this is the reason why Dr. Tellervo Korhonen of the University of Helsinki remarks about this finding: The mechanisms underlying the association between smoking and depression are very complicated. On the basis of these findings, one thing could certainly be said that smoking habit stirs up depression because some studies conducted earlier have also linked smoking to depression. In addition, this fact can also not be spurned away that smoking has been linked to various other health complications too, therefore, the more we stay away from smoking the better it would be. Image credit: Mental Help Via: UPI
SAD,sadness,depression,light therapy,Seasonal affective,Health & Fitness
Are you one of those people who are sad because it’s fall and about to be winter? Then, you are probably down with SAD or Seasonal affective disorder. With the eerie silence of snow falls, comes a season of depression. Christmas isn’t always fun for everyone. The American Academy of Family Physicians reported that about half-million people in the U.S. experience this disorder. This is a very winter specific disorder, which has it’s own symptoms. Loss of energy, appetite, and changes in mood affects the person involved. The ‘Sad’ patients tend to sleep more and eat more junk food mostly sugary grub. The best thing is the condition cures itself with the change of season. I think with the onset of summer months, things get better. It is the difference in the amount of sunlight, that basically is the major cause of SADness. I guess light is energy and when there’s no light, there’s no energy. This is the best way I could explain SAD to myself. Less sunlight combined with the body’s Circadian rhythm. A possible cure for this disorder is the light therapy. Light therapy, ionized-air reception, psychotherapy are just some of the treatments for SAD. Just because SAD is season, please don’t underestimate the disorder. It can be life threatening! Most of these treatments use about 30-60 minutes of your time. If you think you have SAD, don’t wait till the middle of winter. Get help now! Image Credit: Wikipedia
‘The Secret’ reveals the way to come out of depression
Bursting into tears one moment, laughing feverishly the next, weakness, fatigue, lack of energy, and a lack of longing to enjoy activities one used to enjoy, points the finger to depression. Depression is a state of mind when life seems rustic; without anything to make one feel happy. No medicine seems to be working in one’s favor. And if it works, living life medicated is not an optimum existence. Medicines are no less dangerous with all the side effects following such as insomnia, weight gain and weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, tension headaches and, of course, sexual side effects. Such medicated responses make one to question is the treatment worse than the disease? Yet, despite this, if one comes to know about a secret, which could very much change, the life of a depressed person, it is worth revealing and not concealing. So how do you cure depression using ‘The Secret’? The first step to perfect health is positive thinking. According Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, health is thinking thoughts of precision and perfection because disease cannot exist in a perfect environment. Disease and illness are the consequence of negative thoughts. Banish the negative thoughts and you eject the disease. When patients think and truly believe the tablet is a cure, they will receive and what they believe, and they will be cured, suggests Bryne. The more one believes he is going to benefit from a treatment, the more likely it is that he will experience a benefit. Further, one must avoid talking about the disease constantly because it actually attracts more of the disease. Let it happen, let one live his life as he wants to. Think yourself to be the best, fabulous! Think that one is the creator of his own destiny. One can make life anything he wants it to be. Then one will notice the improvement in quality of life one hundred-fold. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, The Secret can make all the difference. Image Via:Dentalplans
Students find it hard to cope with exam result stress
The biggest fear of students basically very good and average ones is the exam result. For some, expectations are high, while for others fear of failure rules the roost even before the results come out, the stress shows on the faces of such students. But once, the result is declared, it can be quite a tough time for some. Every year the announcement of CBSE results brings with it distressing stories of students ending up their own lives. Seventeen-year-old Kanpur student Pawan Verma shot himself with his father’s revolver. Because being a fairly good student, he couldn’t deal with the disappointment of failing his class XII CBSE exams. Punia, a class 12th student, says, These score mean a lot to me and my career depends on this. Parents and society pressurises, marks is all we care for, says another student Mehek. Experts say some amount of nervousness is normal in every exam. But when it comes to board exams stress levels shoot up and which might lead to depression. Child Psychiatrist Dr Amit Sen says, There is a trend where kids come and if not handled well can lead to serious consequence. India has one of the highest rates of teenager suicides, stress being the main culprit. But, one must not lose heart and be under stress because that would further complicate matters. Parents must discuss with their children, the highs and lows of examination. And must never underestimate their kids. A sense of motivation is required on the part of the parents so that no child loses his life for stress of not doing up to the mark in exams. One must relax, be optimistic and keep the faith in oneself. Because nothing can beat a self-confident person. Image Via:Ibnlive
Britons spend 5 years of life worrying: Survey
According to a recent survey, Britons spend more than five years of their total life worrying. This means for 27 days a year, Britons find themselves amidst worries. The survey conducted on 2000 Britons, by advice web site ReallyWorried.com, stressed that the major causes for anxiety for Britons was personal health, followed by financial issues and increasing crime. Certain other reasons include Cost of living, Terrorism, children’s future, National Health Service, Gun knife culture, Global warming and Pensions. The survey revealed that it is the young people in their late teens who find themselves worried the most. Astonishingly, 10 per cent of the youth of Britain spend 12 hours a day stressing, and the cause of anxiety being getting on the property ladder rather than sexual, educational or environmental fears. The fairer sex worries more over the fear of their partners having affairs. On the contrary, men are more preoccupied with anxiety relating to sex, either a lack of it or their performance. The research shows that most people in Britain are really worried — whether it’s about something monumental like their partner is cheating on them or something relatively simple to sort out such as getting to grips with technology, said Richard Rubin, founder of ReallyWorried.com. Worry is a harbinger for depression and that is why maximum cases related to depression are reported from the European countries. Image Via:DnaIndia