Stress fuels depression by killing brain cells

Stress is harmful for mental and physical health most of us know this but a fact, hurled by a new study depicts it somewhat more horrifically. According to researchers, severe stress is enough to kill off new nerve cells in the brain, affecting an important part of the brain called, hippocampus, an area of the brain that processes learning, memory and emotion. Researchers believe that this very condition may increase a person’s vulnerability to depression, which is fast becoming a common problem these days. To monitor the affect of stress, researchers tracked some mice and found that in young rats, the stress of encountering aggressive, older rats didn’t stop the generation of new nerve cells in the hippocampus but it certainly prevented these new cells from surviving. This shows that how stress affects mental health negatively. However, the interesting thing of the study is that researchers are very enthusiastic about these findings, since they believe that this finding may help them digging out concrete solutions to fight mental disorders like depression, dementia, etc. Image credit Via: Earth Times

Omega-3 for depression?

Insufficient omega-3 may stir up depression and inflammation, a new U.S. study reveals. Before coming up with this finding researches at Ohio State University in Columbus focused on a group of 43 middle-aged to elderly men and women. Nearly half of these men and women were caregivers of spouses or people with dementia of Alzheimer’s disease. As per the findings of this study, participants with more omega-6 but with less omega-3 fatty acids were having more symptoms of depression and inflammation- a key factor for cardiovascular diseases. Mr. Martha Belury, who is an associate professor at the University, is right when he says that this study has shown even in people who did not take supplements, may be just a little bit more omega-3 could help reduce their markers for both stress and depression. It is worth mentioning that some previous studies have also touted omega-3 fatty acids good for fighting depression and inflammation. For instance: � Omega-3 Fatty Acid May Prevent Postpartum Depression � Omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in childhood depression However, this fact can also not be spurned away that some studies have come out strongly refuting such claims. Find out below: � Little Evidence Omega-3 Fights Depression: Study Considering these paradoxical studies, it is quite difficult to rely on a particular study but still we have a reason to vindicate omega-3 consumption, as there are many other benefits, which have strongly been linked to omega-3. So, one can, at least, hope to have those benefits from omega-3. Have a look at those benefits: � Omega-3 for Healthy Bones � Health Benefits of OMEGA 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids � Omega 3 Fatty Acid Benefits Via: Earth Times

Broken heart could be deadly: Study

Broken heart has always been one of the favorite subjects for poets. However, experts warn that broken heart may shatter one’s life terribly. Actually, a study conducted by British researchers has unveiled that stress caused by bereavement affects regions of the brain that control learning, memory and emotion in such a way that it may destabilize the cardiac muscle of someone. Unfortunately, patients with heart disease are more susceptible to such situation. Throwing more light on this concept, researchers said: When we are under stress, these “higher regions” of the brain take part in a vicious circle of activity, which can trigger harmful rhythms. Through this finding, one thing is clear that bereavement, by stirring up irregular cardiac rhythms, may play havoc with somebody’s life. This was already known that stress mars cardiovascular health. However, the new study brings out the exact way in which stress work against heart. Moreover, several studies conducted earlier have also shown that how badly stress affects our health. Have a look at such studies: • The Effects of Stress on Your Body • The Health Effects of Stress and Increased Cortisol • Stress: A Health and Relationship Killer • Stress and Your Health – How Stress Affects Your Health Image Via: SMH

Dealing with depression in a healthy way

Dealing With Depression – A General Understanding Dealing with depression starts by understanding its patterns and symptoms. Depression is described as an abnormal emotional state characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement. Symptoms of depression are- loss of interest, thoughts of suicide, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulties in concentrating. Depression is serious illness that requires sessions with a professional, along with medication and therapy. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions for dealing with depression: 1.Create a routine in life. Set small daily goals and stick to them. 2.Exercise to counteract the lethargy of depression. The activity will make you feel better. 3.Rest and relax. You’ll feel better as a result and may then have some energy to do stuff. 4.Allow yourself to experience your feelings. If you need to cry, do so. If you are angry, find a safe way to express that anger a little at a time. 5.Get busy on activities you enjoyed before. Do not cut yourself off from family and friends. Attend events with others even if you do not feel like talking or going out. 6.Get support from friends and family. Your friends and family care deeply about you, so they’ll be happy to help if you ask. 7.Don’t drink alcohol or take any unprescribed drugs. Eat balanced nutritious meals. Cut down on the junk foods. 8.Challenge any negative self talk or messages that you may be giving yourself. Stick with what you know is true, is real, and is observable, rather that jumping to conclusions or making assumptions. Do not focus on the negative. Remember that, “only you can prevent forest fires” and only you can get yourself out of depression. Not drugs, psychotherapy, or sessions with a professional. Via : Chinadaily.com

Depression: An indication of Parkinson’s disease?

Believe it or not, if you are having symptoms of depression then it could be an indication of health-wreakening disease Parkinson’s in your life. A new study, conducted by a team of researchers, including Miguel Hernan at the American Academy of Neurology, came out unveiling this stark fact after they examined a database of over three million people in the United Kingdom. During the course of study, researchers identified about 1,052 people with Parkinson’s disease and matched them with 6,634 people without the disease. In addition, researchers also tried to find out whether people, taking antidepressants medications are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people who are not taking the medications. Finally, they concluded that people, taking antidepressants were having two times chances of developing Parkinson’s disease than those who were without antidepressants. However, they made it clear that it didn’t mean that antidepressants cause Parkinson’s disease. In the words of Hernan: This should not be interpreted as evidence that antidepressants cause Parkinson’s disease. This finding is quite informative, as it has tried to bring out the link between depression and Parkinson’s disease quite differently. Still, it is worth mentioning this is not for the first time when any study has come out associating depression with Parkinson’s disease because studies conducted earlier have also done the same. Here are some of those studies: • Depression May Be Early Sign of Parkinson’s Disease • Pessimism and Anxiety Linked to Parkinson’s Image Via: Sawf

Antidepressants gaining popularity, at the cost of health

Use of antidepressants is fast becoming a common thing, especially for the Australians with more and more people turning prone to mental health problems. A report from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) come out exposing this darker facet the Australians’ health. According to this report: • The number of antidepressants prescriptions increased 2.2 per cent per year between 2000-01 and 2005-06. • The use of antipsychotics increased just in a year about 6.8 per cent while this increase was 4.6 per cent for antidepressants. • Where in 2000-01 doctors prescribed about 9.8 million antidepressants while this figure reached 12.3 million in 2005-06. • Just in a single year use of antipsychotic increased from 1.3 million scripts to 1.8 million. • More people in Tasmania and South Australia were seeking for mental health medication while the use of mental health medication was comparatively lower in the Northern Territory and the Australia Capital Territory. • One in two Australians seeking help each year. • About 190,000 people were treated in a hospital emergency department for a mental illness during 2004-05. Facts, looming out of this report paint quite a gloomy picture of Australians’ mental health. However, it is worth mentioning that this is not for the first time when upsetting picture of Australians’ mental health has come to the fore, because earlier too experts have pointed that Australia’s mental health system is in distress. And if we look at this problem in wider term then we can say that the issue of worsening mental health is worrying not only the Australians but the entire globe. Following points bring out this picture very clearly: • The mental health of New Zealanders is getting worse • Mental health fears in China • Mental health care system in New Orleans is growing worse These facts indirectly show that people’s dependence on antidepressants is skyrocketing not only in Australia but also around the world. This is a harsh reality that hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by mental, behavioral, neurological and substance use disorders. Proving this stark fact further an estimate in 2002 by the World Health Organization shows that 154 million people globally suffer from depression and 25 million people from schizophrenia; 91 million people are affected by alcohol use disorders and 15 million by drug use disorders. And due to this very reason a majority of such people stoop for using these antidepressants, which is quite a bad thing because there are many side effects that antidepressants have been linked to. Following is the list of those side effects: • Dry mouth • Urinary retention • Blurred vision • Constipation • Sedation (can interfere with driving or operating machinery) • Sleep disruption • Weight gain • Headache • Nausea • Gastrointestinal disturbance/diarrhea • Abdominal pain • Inability to achieve an erection • Inability to achieve an orgasm (men and women) • Loss of libido • Agitation • Anxiety This shows that too much dependence on antidepressants may no doubt, help curing bad mental health but several side effects as mentioned above may also flock with it. Image Via: News

Depression: Depressing the world economy

Cutthroat competition, rise and fall in the business sphere are not the only threats that the world-economy is constantly grappling with but depression is also foraying into its foundation. Proving this fact further, a new study unveils that depression costs $10b a year. This conclusion is based on the facts that came out during an analysis of about 90,000 workers at 60 of the nation’s biggest firms. Study’s fact: At a glance: • One in 20 employees was at very high risk of a mental health disorder. • Women were comparatively more vulnerable to mental health disorders than men. • An unwell man costs an average of about $8500 a year. • While unwell woman costs about $2300 in a year. • Mental health disorder results in $9.6 million productivity loss, nationwide. • Only 20 per cent of the employees with mental health disorders were receiving treatment. • 5.6 per cent of men and 6 per cent of women were at very high risk of having a mental health disorder. • People required to work more than 60 hours a week were at greatest risk. • Those who were suffering mental illness cost their company more, about $25,000 a year. These figures bring to light quite a gloomy picture of the mental health situation, prevailing in Australia. In addition, they also confirm the fact that Australian economy is severely being targeted by the phobia called, depression. However, it is worth mentioning that Australia is not the only country where working class is grappling with depression or other mental disorders, but there are many other countries, where depression rate, especially among the working class is fast burgeoning. And the direct implication of this depression in workplace is befalling on the productivity of the employees. According to an estimate, there are about 400 million people with disabling neuro-psychiatric condition, among which depression alone is expected to become the second highest cause of death worldwide after coronary artery disease. Looking at the present scenario it could be asserted that countries like America, UK, Australia, and China are comparatively more vulnerable to depression, which indirectly shows that threat to the economies of these countries is comparatively greater. It is quite unfortunate that a major chunk of people, suffering from depression do not having access to drugs and treatments that are essential to restore mental health, as states a report by WHO. According to this report, only about 18% of patients with mental health disorders get correct and specific treatment. Putting more light on the worldwide situation of depression the same report estimates that annually, about 33.4 million people suffer from severe depression, which is quite a serious issue. Looking at the rising tide of depression cases and its impact on the world economy, it could be asserted that taking hard measures to check this rise in depression is must as it will not only help ensuring our victory on the health front but on economic front too by checking the decline in the productivity of the workforce, which is being imperiled by the phobia called, depression. Via: Border Mail

Work related stress causing depression among young workers: Study

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

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

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