If you are some one who associates himself with depression and stress, this story is a must for you. Scientists have found that people who are easily stressed out or depressed are more prone to memory problems than those with sunnier temperament. Those getting easily anxious or depressed are 40 times more likely to develop mild memory loss that is in-between between normal aging and dementia. Not only such people lose cognition, but also show signs related to development of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists warn that chronic distress is related to the first clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease. And those with mild cognitive impairment have some trouble detecting things, but they do not have considerable disability. 1,256 people totally free of mental problems volunteered for the study that spanned 12 years. After the stipulated time period, it was found that 482 of them developed mild cognitive impairment. The study revealed that chronic stress might damage parts of the brain responsible for responding to stress. It could open up new ways to approach the strategy to delay the symptoms of this malady. It is better to keep your stress and tensions at bay, else that day isn’t far when your brain would give in to one of the worst brain diseases, Alzheimer’s. One can always overcome stress by exposing the body to physical exercises and meditation. Earlier studies have found that mediation promotes brain memory. Image Via: MSN
Jan, 2012
ArchivesMale depression linked to poor sibling relation during childhood
Relationship with your siblings as a child determines your vulnerability to depression. A recent study puts such men at risk of developing depression who had poor relationships with siblings during childhood, than those who got along better. The study, Childhood Sibling Relationships as a Predictor of Major Depression in Adulthood, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, emphasizes that it doesn’t mean that a poor childhood relationship with a brother or sister causes depression, but the two are strongly associated. The study spans over 30 years and assessed 229 men who were being followed since they were 18 or 19 in 1939-42. The men were interviewed along with their parents and re interviewed when they were 25, 30 and 50, and the questionnaires have continued to interview to the present. Researchers lay the credit of their study to prospective design and long follow-up. After gathering information from these questionnaires, experts came to know about the type of relation the men shared with their siblings as kids and adults. It was also taken into account whether any of the men had a family history of depression. The study spotted 15% of the men, who had poor relationship with their mothers and the 16 % having a family history of depression suffered from the same later in life. But 26% were those who had poor or vicious relation with siblings, had episodes of major depression as adults. The study cautions that all those prone to depression for poor relation with siblings were men, highlighting that the trouble fits if the person is a male. But, this is not to out rightly reject females from the study. It might be the case that males are more vulnerable to developing stress and depression for their relation to siblings than females. However, the study is mum on whether depression causes harsh interactions among siblings, or whether vicious relationships are an early indication of depression, and also whether the two factors relate to each other to enhance the risk. So, what are you waiting for? Develop a close, warm relationship with your siblings if want to evade trouble later on. Image Via: Nytimes.com
Suicides among young Americans see an exponential rise, says report
In a sharp contrast to the suicide rates among U.S. teens during 1990-2003, where they fell by 28% have risen by 76% from 2003 to 2004. As per a report, this has been the biggest jump in suicides in the last fifteen years. Today, most of the suicides are done by hanging and guns are used exceptionally. The age group of 10-14 has witnessed the maximum number of suicides. It is important to mention here that suicide ranks as the eleventh major cause of deaths in U.S. It has risen to the third position for deaths among young Americans. The study also pointed towards trend reversal in methods of suicide. Hanging and suffocation has replaced guns as a method. Dr. Ileana Arias, director of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control said, In surveillance speak, this is a dramatic and huge increase. It is possible that hanging and suffocation is more easily available than other methods, especially for these other groups. Suicide is a multidimensional and complex problem. As much as we’d like to attribute suicide to a single source so we can fix it, unfortunately we can’t do that. Dr. Keri Lubell, a CDC behavioral scientist who was a part of the study pointed, ‘While we can’t say (hanging) is a trend yet, we are confident that’s an unusually high number in 2004.’ The study doesn’t explain the reason why hanging has become the most popular method but it notes that it is the most accessible method indeed. The report advises counselors, suicide prevention programs to focus on girls between 10 to 19 and boys of age between 15-19 years of age. Also, the programs should focus on all the methods of suicide. It may be accredited to the decline in use of anti depressants after they were speculated to increase suicidal behavior after a certain stage. However, it is important to note that the underlying factors for suicide and such behavior should be treated first, only then the death rates will see a decline. Source: CBS13 Image credit: Depressionblog
Political turmoil and violence causing depression among Palestinians
Violence and political turmoil are taking a toll on the Palestinians. A survey conducted by a West Bank consulting group found that 92 % of the Palestinians participants are under depression. The underlying cause is the region’s ongoing violence. A report released by The Washington Times quoting the Near East Consulting poll revealed that there is a huge increase in people suffering from anxiety in Palestine. The latest study has found that there is a jump of more than 100 percent since November 2005 in the number of those suffering from depression linked to political turmoil. Scholars like Jamil Rabah accuse the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Fatah to outwit each other in the power game and frequent military interference by the successive Israeli Governments as the main reason for creating mental torture for the citizens of the region. Violence and political uncertainty have torn off the social fabric and the consequence is fragmentation of the society. It is affecting people of every generation in Palestine. The poll conducted by the Near East Consulting was based on the World Health Organization depression index and it took into consideration all the relevant criteria in political, social and economic field, covering around 801 Palestinian citizens. Such a depression and psychological fear is adding more to the existing unrest in Palestine. The analysts have often found that such hopelessness as prevalent in the people in Palestine could only lead to more civil unrest and political violence. Even people are very much prone to falling into traps of terrorist networks. Analyst Ibrahim Habib, said, There is a high level of frustration. It is getting dangerous. There is not any value to life. A lot of People feel the [Palestinian] Authority is irrelevant. Is it a failure of political system in Palestine or militantisation of politics there? Whatever be the reason the people of West Bank and Gaza are under severe psychological insecurity caused by continuous violence and acts of terrorism in the sacred land. The peace is a distant dream and the Holy Land is turning into the most disturbed region of the world. Image Via: Middleeasttimes
Depressed? Cod liver oil could help you beat the blues!
According to NMH, in any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 20.9 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person. New research suggests the cod liver oil can put off depression. A study was conducted over twenty two thousand people to examine the effects of cod liver oil in their diet. It was found that people who took a spoonful of cod liver oil everyday were less depressed when compared to others who did not include cod-liver oil in their diet. It was also found that people experienced a decrease in the symptoms such as anxiety and sadness when they took cod liver oil for about 12 weeks. The reason, scientists say that the content of omega-3 fatty acids in the brains could be skewed in people suffering from depression and giving them these supplements could help restore the imbalance. Cod liver oil also helps pregnant woman avoid premature births and low birth weight, increases energy level and also helps fight heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. If you are not comfortable taking cod-liver oil, then you have other options to consider that are rich in omega-3. Walnuts, flax seeds, tofu, cauliflower, cabbage and canola oil are a few of them. Experts recommend that people consume 0.5g of omega-3 a day for optimum health – the equivalent of four meals a week of oily fish. So, beat the blues by taking a tablespoon of cod liver oil every day and get on with life! Image Source
Help yourself to move out of mild depression
Mild depression means that there are signs of depression but the individual is still able to cope with normal life to some extend. Mild form of depression may not need treatment and can be successfully addressed if identified in the early stages. Many simple solutions can prevent the situation from getting out of hand. It is very important to vent out the pent up feelings. Talking to close family and friends helps and help can even be sought from a professional counselor. Communication is one of the keys to early diagnosis and treatment. The patients should identify and focus on activities that make them feel better and keep them occupied. Music and meditation help to a large extend.If the mind is left unoccupied then seeds of irrational fear take root. Regular exercise and proper diet should be maintained. Exercise has been found to increase the levels of the body’s own natural antidepressants called endorphins. The causes of depression are complex. Genetic, biological, and environmental factors can contribute to its development. In some people, depression can be traced to a single cause, while in others; a number of causes are at play. For many, the causes are never known. Whatever the cause be, the will to break the cycle of depression has to come from within. Via:Naturalholistic Image1
Regular physical exercise helps in tackling depression
Regular physical exercise can be an effective alternative for medicines if you are suffering from depression. Spend a few minutes everyday in physical exercises and meditation. You won’t need to follow the medicated procedures. Physical activity of the body adjusts brain chemistry leading to feelings of well being. Exercise also helps in tackling anxiety. Depression is a chemical disorder, which alters the function of normal brain behavior. A depressed person sees no positive in anything. He lives a frustrated life. In extreme cases, depression might result in other diseases like Alzheimer’s or force the patient to suicide. But, physical exercise refreshes thoughts, mental set-up of the brain changes. Positive thoughts substitute the negative ones, leading to positive self-concept, more self-esteem and more positive moods. Studies indicate that regular exercise may be as effective as other treatments like medication and counseling to relieve mental health problems such as depression. It is found that people who indulge themselves in some kind of physical exercise daily tend to have significantly less depression. Exercise regulates the mental metabolism and helps in developing positive thought, which are totally opposite to depression. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Public Health, physical exercise must form a regular feature of a person’s routine. The MHDDAD or Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, treats its over 2,00,000 patients per year with a treatment plan that carries a plethora of physical exercises spanning from walking, jogging to gardening. Physical exercise can significantly improve well being of the person. It can help provide a distraction from worries, tensions, stress and anxiety. Exercise enables to keep the body fit, helping in sound sleep, which is a must for a person afflicted with depression. On the whole, it can change the entire perspective of life for a person. However, before endeavoring a serious exercise program, people with clinical depression should discuss it with their doctor. Image Via: The Weekly
Depression may prevent achieving desired results after obesity surgery
Obese people who are suffering from depression or anxiety preferably shed less weight after obesity surgery when compared to mentally healthy people. This federally-funded medical study was presented at a meeting of bariatric surgeons on Thursday in San Diego. Scientists discovered that, after 6 months of the gastric bypass surgery, the patients who have a history of depression or anxiety had shed an average 81 pounds. And Patients with no history of depression or anxiety was successful in shedding an average 86 pounds. Doctors say that history of mental illness would not prevent patients, from undergoing the process. A number of hospitals and insurers do screening of patients who want to undergo the surgery to confirm that if they are mentally fit for the operation and they can do changes in their lifestyle after that. Gastric bypass is an operative process used to treat obesity, a condition which arises due to severe accumulation of excess weight in form of fatty tissue. The surgery is the surgical treatment of obesity, and it includes the gastric bypass procedures as one of several classes of operations. Gastric bypass surgery is usually for those people who are unable to attain a healthy weight through diets and exercise, they are severely overweight. Image credit Source
Insomnia is a symptom that protracts depression in elderly
Insomnia is a chronic sleeplessness, a sleeping disorder. Insomniacs are those who are unable to close their eyes or rest their mind for more than a few minutes at a time. Insomnia is a disease which is more common in the elder masses of our society. There are few cases of insomnia which separately defines how long each kind of insomnia stays. First is ‘transient insomnia’ which last for few days or weeks by some changes in the routine, another one is ‘acute insomnia’ which yearns for a period of between three weeks to six months, ‘chronic insomnia’ hankers from months to years. The study of geriatrics and the statistics prepared by them depicts that insomnia prolongs to depression in the elderly. The statistics from the Project IMPACT, that is a study conducted at 18 primary care clinics where they compared the expert care with the usual care and 1,801 patients participated in it, who were 60 or older in age. Proper care was taken as compared to the earlier care that had been provided to patients, by letting them do what they want to, and listening them and carrying everything in a way they desire to. Special care was taken to keep them happy and relaxed and the results showed that 293 people did not have insomnia, while 207 had persistent and 1,301 had intermediate insomnia. Insomnia can be cured if proper medication is provided to them; and mostly person rely on sleeping pills, but is that is the only way? No, using natural herbs is a more protective way; recent research says cognitive behavior therapy can be more effective, traditional ways, like drinking milk before sleep and taking a warm bath, exercising regularly helps to recover soon and saves you from depression as well, by cutting its roots called ‘insomnia’. Source: Reuters Image
Not only adults; children too face depression
When we see young children and adolescents, we often forget our worries for sometime. When we grow up, we always want to go back in time and live our life as kids because we never faced problems or tensions as kids. But the situations have changed. Surveys reveal that depression is now much seen in young children and adolescents as compared to grown ups. However, the reasons are not clear as yet. Depression in young people has the same symptoms as in adults. But young children often lack the understanding of the disease they face; they usually try to look for other means to shove out their discomfort. If you have a young child at home, who appears sad, but is unable to express it in words, you must go for a doctor. The usual symptoms which indicate depression are lacking motivation and enthusiasm, fatigue, indecisiveness, no social interactions, irregular weight loss and gain, deterioration in performance, anger, sudden change in behavior patterns and mood swings. If you do suspect depression in someone around you, all you have to do is to get him or her, counseled properly. Once the reasons for depression are found, an effective treatment can be started. Parents and teachers do hold a responsibility to notice such cases and get involved for the child’s betterment. Depression is nothing but a state of mind; however, if left uncured, it can turn into a serious illness. Source: Buzzle