ECT dates back to 1938 and has been used as a part of psychiatric treatment for psychotic depression when all the other forms of treatment fail. In Canada this form of treatment seems to be going strong with the mental health physicians and since 2002 there is no decline in its usage.

According to CBC News, Dr. Nizar Ladha, a psychiatrist from St. John’s, who has been using ECT for the last thirty years, says that ECT is a life saving treatment and even though it causes seizures it is not painful. He says that there were many cases where ECT was successful in combating depression preventing suicide. The Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Medical Association differ in their opinions regarding the effects of ECT. The former say it is safe and effective while the latter say that it causes brain damage. Dr. Paul Breggin is one of those few psychiatrists who acknowledges the ill –effects of ECT and feels that it should be banned. Dr. David Goldbloom, a Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto) psychiatrist feels that this form of treatment has survived despite repeated pleas to ban it and it is going to become more popular in future.

It is seen that generally the psychiatrists seem to favor the ECT while the rest including the patients feels that it is a traumatic treatment with very serious side effects. This form of treatment has both pros and cons. The pros are that there have been evidences showing that in the most severe types of clinical depression and suicidal tendencies, the ECT seems to have worked as a life saving treatment. The cons are of course the numerous brain related impairments. Given that the treatment of any form of serious ailments has side effects that may be traumatic, for example, chemotherapy for treating cancer, it is upto the common man to weigh the pros and cons and decide upon the acceptability of the treatment. ECT under expert medical guidance may not be that harmful after all.

Image Source

via: CBC News,

Quitting smoking, losing weight, and renouncing alcohol and cocaine may lead you to the risk of depression and even the chances of suicide. Now, it’s so very evident that the pills like Chantix, Rimonobant, and Taranabant are not free of offshoots as they lump pleasure centers in the brain that offer the feel-good response from smoking or eating.

Chantix, a hyped quit-smoking pill from Pfizer Inc. has been allied to several reports of suicides or suicidal behaviors. In February, the FDA said a linkage between Chantix and psychiatric problems appear ‘gradually more liable.’ Though it is believed that risks about Chantix will prove manageable because they mark nicotine pleasure switches and the side effects vary from person to person. Nicotine extraction and even quitting smoking can cause temper swings and depression. The risk-benefit quotient is seriously supporting use of the medication as the alternative, smoking, is comparatively highly risky.

Rimonobant and Taranabant, the anti-obesity pills, are also related to depression and suicides. Doctors haven’t remained to be so very optimistic about these professed ‘’super pills'’. In a new research last month, 43 percent of people using Rimonabant developed psychiatric troubles against 28 percent of those on dummy pills. One suicide and one attempt were reported in the studies. Even if the patient goes forward with the lowest doses in the case of Taranabant, the side-effects can’t be annulled.

So, there are slim chances of any real benefits coming out of these above mentioned pills taking care of obesity and smoking. Well has Dr. James Stein, a University of Wisconsin-Madison cardiologist, put it,” The door is closing'’

Source: Kpic

The first study was carried out by the researchers from Erasmus Medical Center, Netherlands. The study published in the journal Neurology assessed 503 individuals between 60 and 90 years without any symptom of dementia in the beginning of the study. 134 participants had a history of depression. After a six-year follow-up 33 people developed dementia. The study showed that people who had suffered from depression before 60 had four times more the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than a person without a history of depression. In case of a person developing depression after 60, chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease increased by 2.5 times compared to a depression-free individual. The MIT scan of the hippocampus and the amygdala regions of the brain showed no change in size with the onset of depression or Alzheimer’s disease refuting the common belief that Alzheimer’s disease is linked to brain shrinkage.

In another study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, researchers of the Rush University Medical Center, Chicago found no evidence that depressive symptoms increased with advancement in Alzheimer’s disease. This rules-out the possibility of depression being a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.

These studies lead to the conclusion that while depression is not the obvious outcome of Alzheimer’s disease but depression at any age might lead to Alzheimer’s disease with advancement in age. Depression being a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease, this condition of mind should not be ignored and must be treated as early as possible.

Image

Source: Web MD

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

Hyperactivity among young girls when not controlled poses serious risks when they get older. As they reach adulthood, they tend to suffer from poor lifestyle by getting low profile jobs, being involved in violent relationships and early pregnancies.

Such observations were seen in a study involving 800 girls aged 21 who were identified to be hyperactive. This is quite strange since boys are usually branded as more ‘hyperactive’ than girls.

But this study by the Canadian and UK researchers and their findings reported to the Archives of General Psychiatry is a good eye opener. This will help to treat young girls who seem to behave like naughty boys.

The missing link for now is what’s causing such psychological disturbance in the behavior of these hyperactive girls. What kinds of therapies are necessary to help them behave like normal children?

Having no focus in studying as children are hyperactive, the pitfalls are usually getting easily distracted to moving things; they tend to procrastinate of what they need to do; they are inattentive to lessons in class and disorganized in their belongings.

More studies need to be conducted to identify solutions to hyperactive girls and for them not to have poor lifestyle when they mature.

Source: BBC Health

Just like nature and nurture shape up our physical and mental faculties, these two factors also seem to determine our response to stress. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD has been shown to have a genetic and environmental connection. A study conducted by Kerry Ressler, of Emory University in Atlanta, established that an individual may be at an increased risk for developing PTSD if he/she possesses a particular gene variant in combination with a past traumatic experience. The research team examined the effects of a gene called FKBP5 and concluded that the presence of this gene could mean a predisposition to PTSD. Every individual has a different mechanism to deal with stressful situations like violence, accidents, natural calamity and war. While some succeed in leaving behind bad memories and moving on with life, others remain haunted by them for a long time to the extent that it affects their mental health and social well-being. PTSD is characterized by frequent nightmares, anxiety attacks, phobic behavior, insomnia and traumatic flashbacks.

The genetic link is also supported by the research on identical twins which sates that an identical twin is more likely to suffer from PTSD if the other twin is already affected as compared to fraternal sets. In any case however, the presence of a traumatic or stressful experience is mandatory. Another suppoting study by Avshalom Caspi and Terrie Moffitt, of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, has traced a gene called MAOA which is said to predispose a subject to antisocial behaviour when accompanied by a history of abuse or trauma.

Though the research is still in a preliminary stage, scientists claim that it could lead to new discoveries and approaches in diagnosing and treating stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Source: Times Online
Image: Fearofflyingdoctor

With depression making rounds in the society in a grand manner, scientists may be on the verge of discovering a bio-chemical indicator for the assessment of depression. A condition which hitherto was diagnosed solely on the subjective opinion of a practitioner may now have a ‘lab test’ to determine the severity of the condition as well as the effect of different treatments and therapies on a particular patient.

Scientists at the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at the University of Illinois suggest that depression involves a bio-chemical process wherein the brain releases specific substances which can be detected by laboratory tests. The researchers conducted a post–mortem study of depressed people who committed suicide and compared their findings to that of normal people. They established that a certain protein called Gs alpha which relays information between the brain cells and the neuro-transmitters seemed to have been less effective in depressive people.

One of the main concerns faced by psychiatrists while treating a patient with anti-depressants is the unpredictability of the drug’s effect. Rasenick and his team are hopeful that this proposed technique would significantly step up the efficacy and quality of management of depressive disorders.

Source: Forbes
Image: Pinkfridge

Depression has its fallout on the physic of the depressed as signified in a series of researches. An Archive of Internal Medicine study found that women suffering from depression are more prone to bone loss from osteoporosis compared with women who are not clinically depressed.

It is known that women are more prone to both depression and osteoporosis than men, with half of all women compared with only one in five men suffering from bone loss after the age of 50. Blood and urine samples revealed that depressed women had overactive immune system that produces higher level of chemicals that promote inflammation. A protein called IL-6 is chiefly responsible for triggering bone loss.

The researchers found 17% had thinner bones in the femoral neck compared with only 2% of women who were not depressed. In the lumber spine area of the body, 20% of depressed women had low bone mass compared with only 9% of non-depressed women.

However, a question remains to be answered that whether the high rate of osteoporosis in depressed women can be attributed to their mental condition or it is the side effect of anti-depressant drugs taken by the women who participated in the study. The US study is silent on this issue.

Source:BBC
Image:lifespan

During the course of this study, around 177 consecutive adult primary-care patients were brought into the focus for around one year. Interestingly, all these patients were bearing headache, as the main illness. These participants completed a questionnaire, having questions like duration of headache, its severity, changes in headache severity, and other symptoms.

Finally, it was concluded that patients with headache, especially with severe headache, were more vulnerable to depression. This fact derives vindication from the fact according to which 25% of the patients with headache were found having major depressive episode.

So, what comes out of the study is enough to shovel out an issue of debate, as to how headache should be regarded - merely as a normal pain or something more.

Image

Source

What do you do when you see your child is feeling low frequently and is oblivious to the excitement around her? Do you brush it off and think it is normal for kids to have mood swings? It’s time you don’t ignore the child and check if any symptoms of depression.

If you thought depression hits only the adults, think again and childhood depression is as serious as adult depression. Statistics reveal shocking facts. One in thirty three children and one in eight teens suffer from blues. If unchecked this could pose to be a mammoth problem in the coming days.

What causes childhood depression?
Children are very sensitive and a significant change in their life could upset them. Divorce among parents, death of a loved one or their pets, change of residence to a new location, tantrums from peer group, inability to live up to the expectations of parents could be some of the reasons that drive kids into a feeling of guilt and hopelessness.

What can you do as a parent?

It’s hard for parents to see normally cheerful children withdraw into a cocoon all of a sudden. It’s important for parents to recognize the symptoms of depression and spend time with the child and find out the reasons. Reassure the kid that she is not responsible of things that are not in her control and you are by her side to help her get out of the blues. In case the symptoms are worse, it’s better to consult a professional before things go out of hand.

Kids spread so much cheer around and it’s sad to see more children going blue these days. Identifying the root cause and dealing it with love could surely help children see the world in psychedelic colors again.

Image

Source

According to the study conducted by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, about 42% of the Guard and reserves compared to 20% of active-duty soldiers needed mental health treatment in two screenings. The first testing was immediately after return from Iraq and the second after six months. Problems became more severe in the second screening with rise in interpersonal problems and difficulty in adjusting in home.

The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that over 88,000 returning soldiers showed signs of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, conflicts in relationship and other problems after six months.

To cope with the problem the US army has created a training program called Battlemind that helps soldiers and their families to prepare for the stress of war and what signs of war to watch for.

Source:yahoo news
Image:ruvr

None of us can deny the fact that sex plays a significant role in cementing a marital relation. However, sad it’s to know that due to stress the passion that is requisite to keep the love flame kindled seems to be dying a slow death with up to 15 million Britons directly facing its negative effects into their bedrooms. In other words, subsequent lack of desire in bedroom is slowly but steady digging a gulf among couples, which could pump up the already rising graph of divorce rate among Britons further.

Analysis of the given situation in a wider perspective would show that not only Britons but also the people in other countries are facing similar situation, which points to quite a serious situation not only from health point of view but from psychological and social point of view as well. Therefore, it is very important to understand the gravity of the problem and work in the direction of solving it.

Following words of Mark Schoen, Ph.D., director of sex education for the Sinclair Intimacy Institute, well express the importance of sex in a marital relation:

A good sex life is an important part of an individual’s overall health. People who have a good sex life feel better [mentally and physically]

Image

Source

A latest study reveals that consumption of cannabis in small amount can be useful sometimes and it helps in reducing depression, but its high doses can prove to be very harmful and it can lead to the polar opposite effect.

The study is handled together by McGill University & a research organization allied with the Universite de Montreal points out that cannabis in small quantities mounts the serotonin levels in the brains of lab mice.

The reduction of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that regulates the mental states of a person, results in causing depression. Anti-depression medicines do their job by raising the level of serotonin in the brain.

When the amounts of cannabis were raised in the rats, the effect was explained as totally wrong way up, even upsetting. The levels of Serotonin lowered considerably.

Francis Bambico, who is the author of the study, mentioned in prepared statement that –

We know from anecdotal evidence that (human) smokers of marijuana experience good effects ... but they also experience unwanted effects.

A number of smokers feel nervousness & they also appears to be quite distressed. But its excessive amount in some conditions can result into depression raising effects, mainly if anyone of you consumes cannabis in large amounts. Depressant

People utilizing cannabis as an anti-depressant is quite difficult because it is very hard to manage the quantity when they smoke it as cannabis joints.

The research explains that too much consumption of cannabis by the people who have the problem of depression, have greater possibility of having psychosis.

Gobbi, who is a psychiatrist by profession, mentioned that she was encouraged to carry out this study after observing a number of her patients who have the problem of depression & they used to do cannabis smoking.

But its excessive consumption showed the reverse effects that completely work against the anti-depression effects.

Francis Bambico mentioned that - scientists are concentrating their exploration on a new category of medicines that could raise the effects of the endo-cannabinoids – which is a natural material present in the brain and it comes out during extreme pressure or pain, devoid of the anti-depressive side effects.

Cannabis shows chemical resemblance with the — endo-cannabinoids.

It is quite possible to make medicines that improve endo-cannabinoids for the treatment of pain, nervousness & sadness.

The study will appear on 24 Oct 2007 in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Image credit

Source

Chocolate has been thought to interact with a number of the neurotransmitter systems that affect mood. In particular, it is popularly believed that chocolate or carbohydrate cravings correct a deficiency in the neurotransmitter ’serotonin’, which is in short supply in people who are depressed.

Researchers believe it is the endorphins and opoids in chocolate which make people feel more relaxed. Due to the pleasure it offers, chocolate stimulates endorphin secretion thus procuring naturally the same effects as opium.

Chocolates release endorphins in the brain that acts as a pain reliever. It will boost your appetite without causing weight gain. It reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. It will make you live longer.

Besides sugar in chocolate reduces stress and enables you to have calm and pain relieving effect. On the downside, it is laden with fat and sugar, so of course excess of it is bad.

Always choose the chocolates that are from reputed brands. Cheap chocolates are usually low in chocolate solids and high in sugar content and saturated fats. These chocolates can be harmful to your health.

While it is too early for doctors to start prescribing chocolate for depression, this study does prove that it has tangible benefits in fighting mood disorders.

Via

Image1

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