As of 2011, there is no exact cause known for depression. Treatments mainly involve the use of prescription drugs called antidepressants. But antidepressant medications have their own side effects. An alternative treatment for...
Research shows that exercise is a good treatment for your depression. While it will not take the place of psychotherapy and medication, it is a valuable additional treatment that is free, reduces your depression symptoms and im...
Depression is more than feeling "blue" for a day or two. Clinical depression is triggered by a variety of emotional triggers and can last many months, often years. According to PBS.org, major depression affects approximately 15...
Depression can manifest in different ways and can take a significant toll on your life. While diet and exercise can play a role in treating your symptoms of depression, they should not be used as your sole form of treatment unl...
It's normal to feel down and discouraged if you get bad news of some sort. Mild, moderate or major depression can result from something fairly minor, such as a bad job review or a bad grade, or from something major, such as a d...
Its production is affected by the availability of light. More melatonin is produced at night when it is dark and its production is reduced during the daylight hours. The use of melatonin for the treatment of depression has actu...
Scientists' understanding of depression and its causes has changed significantly over the past 20 years. Recent advances in drug therapy that address neurotransmitter deficiencies have improved the quality of life for innumerab...
St. John's Wort, also known as hypericum perforatum, is a popular herbal supplement that is often used as an alternative self-prescribed treatment for depression and anxiety. The mechanism of action of St. John's Wort is not we...
The agonists activate the receptor in the same way that dopamine does and have the same neurotransmitter effects as dopamine. Scientists have discovered that certain dopamine agonists can be of value in the treatment of depress...
For many, it is a fleeting experience that does not interfere with their lives. However, for some, depression is a severe condition that makes performing day-to-day activities next to impossible. Depression of this sort require...
Depression is a treatable disorder and recognizing the early signs in order to seek support is important for achieving a positive outcome for managing symptoms. The primary method of treatment is medication intervention and cou...
Depression that requires treatment is usually characterized by ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. If you experience depression, a doctor can refer you to a mental health counselor who can provide therapy and prescrib...
Major depression, considered the leading cause of disability throughout the world, according to lead author Anna-leila Williams of Yale University in an October 2005 article published in "Family Practice", is often associated w...
Depression is a complication of being obese. Overall, you may have low self-esteem because of your weight, and you may be dealing with other complications of being obese that can cause depression. Carbohydrates are consumed to ...
Symptoms include changes in mood and a variety of physical issues such as bloating, back pain, insomnia and headaches. Depression during PMS is also referred to as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, and usually only occu...
Treatment-resistant depression refers to depression symptoms persisting despite treatment. Emotional stress can contribute to treatment-resistant depression, according to MayoClinic.com. It may also be caused in part by not tak...
Clinical depression is a serious condition, and medication might be needed to get better, according to HelpGuide. It's important that you discuss options with your doctor regarding treatment, especially if you're having a hard ...
There are small steps you can take to lift your mood when you find yourself sinking into depression. According to Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of "The Happiness Project," taking an action is the key to feeling better. If ...
Many people who suffer from depression have found effective remedies. For some people, though, standard depression treatments alleviate few or none of their symptoms. In his 1998 article "Practical Management of Treatment-Resis...
Fortunately, depression can be successfully treated, and the National Institutes of Health note that early intervention may prevent future repeat episodes. While psychotherapy and medication are two well-known treatments for t...
Forms of depression that are resistant to treatment are not untreatable, just harder to treat and will take a variety of interventions before the correct one or combination is found. According to the National Alliance on Mental...
Depression can significantly alter the life of an individual, making it difficult for her to accomplish even simple, routine tasks without feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Appropriate and beneficial treatment will be based on ...
Some people who suffer from depression actively seek help. Some people are too depressed to do so. Others might be embarrassed and reluctant to seek help. Sometimes people don't recognize they are depressed. In all these cases,...
Depressive disorder, also called major depression, causes disabling symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to function normally. People with depressive disorder may have difficulty working, sleeping, eating or enjoying...
Depression is a serious mental illness that affects millions of Americans each year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, several types of depression exist; however, the most common are major depressive disorde...
These areas are activated by neurotransmitters, the brain's chemical messengers, which are disrupted in depression.
Treatment approaches for depression, based on this knowledge, should include medication, lifestyle changes a...
Major depressive disorder is twice as common in women as in men, particularly those within the 25- to 44-year-old age group, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
In order to effectively treat depression sympto...
Depression is a disorder that affects both the mind and the body. It not only can affect self-image and cause feelings of sadness and isolation; it also can disrupt sleep patterns, eating habits and energy levels, according to ...
According to HelpGuide.org, it can be hard for some people to admit they have depression; many times even if they accept that depression is to blame for the way they feel they believe that there is no one who can help them. Tre...
Depression is a serious mental health issue that requires a treatment plan. If you’re suffering from depression, you might be experiencing issues at work and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. You probably have...
When you're depressed, some recommendations or treatments might seem overwhelming. Certain foods might facilitate your recovery, explains Northwestern Health Sciences University; some foods might lift your mood and a few may in...
Many factors contribute to depression, including genetics, changes in your brain chemistry, stress, emotional shock and your personality type. If you think you are suffering from depression, seek the advice of your physician or...
Many people seek medical care and are prescribed medication for depression, however, between 10 and 30 percent of patients continue to have symptoms of depression while taking medication, which is a condition known as treatment...
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) states that people who have depression lose their energy and the drive to maintain and take pleasure in their lives. They also find it difficult to care for themselves and th...
While there are a number of treatments for major depressive disorder, or MDD, these often need weeks to take effect and for some people with "treatment resistant depression," or TRD, they may not work at all. This has led to ef...
Signs and symptoms related to cancer distress can include sadness, emptiness, weight loss/gain, tiredness/fatigue, memory problems, fatigue, suicidal ideation and feelings of worthlessness. Depression can indeed be part of the ...
It affects about 20 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Symptoms can range from sadness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, sleep disturbances, detachment from friends and family, w...
Depression affects millions of people and is a debilitating psychological disorder characterized by feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Depression affects how you think, feel and behave, and at its worst can cause thoughts of...
According to MayoClinic.com, depression appears to be as common in children as adults. How a depressed child experiences the disorder often differs from adults. These considerations need to be taken into account when deciding u...
Some people who are depressed have thoughts of suicide. The National Institute of Mental Health recommends visiting a doctor if you think you are suffering from depression, and there are steps you can take at home in addition t...
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that approximately 6.7 percent of the U.S. population is depressed in any given year. While symptoms of depression, by definition, persist over a period of weeks or more, many of ...
It is traditionally treated with antidepressants and therapy. While not widely studied, there are some home treatments available, including herbal and natural remedies, which may help relieve symptoms as well.
Naturopathic med...
More than 15 million people in the United States suffer from depression. It is an illness that leaves most feeling isolated and alone, as they are unable to realize it is not due to personal weakness or fault. While medications...
Not only is depression difficult for the person going through it, but it also may take a toll on their loved ones as well. The sooner a person seeks treatment for his depression, the faster he may be able to feel better.
In November of 2002, the FDA approved the use of Abilify as adjunct therapy to antidepressants in individuals with depression who have not found relief with antidepressants alone. The safety and efficacy of Abilify for depressi...
Depression, as common as it may be, is not a one-size-fits-all illness. It takes on a variety of forms and its symptoms vary per person. For this reason, every person's plan of treatment will vary as well. The National Institut...
Treatment plans are used in psychotherapy to help individuals succeed in sessions. They are typically made up of long-term goals, short-term goals and action steps. Treatment plans are made in conjunction with the patient and s...
A 2008 statistical report by the National Institute of Mental Health says depression affects 15 million American adults each year and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44. Effective treatments that r...
Shock treatment, now known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is used for severe depression in cases when other treatment has failed. The patient is chronically suicidal, psychotic, cannot eat or function in daily self-care. ...
The dual diagnosis of depression and alcoholism might greatly impair functioning and damage relationships. With the proper treatment and support, alcoholism and depression can be overcome so that the tasks of daily life can be ...
Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, issues eating and sleeping, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide, and fatigue. Therapists help their clients cope with depression by teaching them relax...
Depression is a serious problem that can be difficult to understand. According to the Help Guide Organization, there are a number of symptoms that can indicate the presence of depression, including constant fatigue, mood swings...
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes depression as a common but serious disorder that affects the sufferer and the people around him. It is believed to be caused by a combination of physical, genetic, enviro...
All teens struggle with feelings of sadness, mood swings and stress. Some learn how to cope with those issues in healthy ways, but some teens develop depression, which is characterized by sadness, irritability, thoughts of suic...
The good news, according to Kids Health, is that 80 percent of those who suffer from depression can be successfully treated. It's important to take these symptoms seriously, because untreated depression can result in suicide. T...
Depression is a debilitating, often misunderstood condition. Fortunately there are effective treatments available and, as more is understood about the condition, a cure may be forthcoming. Check with your health care provider b...
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects a person's ability to concentrate, be successful at work, make and maintain healthy relationships, and feel happy. People who struggle with depression should get help from a l...
People who struggle with depression have feelings of sadness, worthlessness and hopelessness, have difficulty concentrating, experience psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches and feel fatigued. These symptoms...
Medication and therapy are the main treatments for teenage depression, though social support is essential for the patient's healing process.
Depression is a serious mood disorder that often requires medical treatment to reduce symptoms. Each treatment targets different aspects of the disorder. For example, psychotherapy focuses on the cause of the depression, while ...
Adults can fight depression by utilizing different types of treatment and learning how to reduce the negative symptoms.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, in 2007 close to 800,000 children were determined to be victims of neglect or abuse. These statistics likely underestimate...
Aaron Beck (the father of cognitive therapy) provides us with a detailed description of how to fight symptoms of depression. Today, cognitive therapy is considered to be one of the most effective methods of challeng
Light therapy is often used for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), in which people fall into depression during certain times of the year, usually in fall and winter. The depressive disorders may stem from time changes and adjus...
Its effects can be devastating, leading to disability, chronic illness and even suicide. Depression is, however, highly treatable, with 80 to 90 percent of those treated for depression showing improvement in symptoms. Medicatio...
Tryptophan, also known as L-tryptophan, is an essential amino acid; the body cannot produce tryptophan, so it must be consumed through food or supplements. Tryptophan is a possible depression treatment because tryptophan affect...
According to the non-profit group Depression Support, statistics show that by the year 2020, depression may rise to be the second highest health issue in the world. Also, over half of people view depression as a weakness or fee...
The American Psychiatric Association states that depression affects approximately 18.8 million people in the United States. Depression can include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, changes in eating and sleeping habits...
Dr. Timothy McCall, writing an article for "Yoga Journal," states that yoga is a viable and effective treatment that helps reduce agitation, restlessness and states of clinical depression without resorting to drugs and medicati...
Chronic pain and depression can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Chronic pain can often cause depression, as constant pain can lead to emotional instability, sadness and anxiety. Depression tends to have physical s...
Homeopathy is one of many holistic or alternative medicines to re-emerge over the past several decades. Developed over 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahnemann and practiced in the United States since the early 19th c...
Many people look for alternative treatments for depression because of the side effects of prescription medications. Other people may want a complementary remedy to take in addition to other treatments. Clinical research into th...
While many depression patients use medication to deal with the symptoms, there are non-prescription treatments that are effective in managing symptoms. Patients can control their symptoms through psychotherapy, electroconvulsiv...
It can be caused from personal problems, financial issues, a loss of a loved one or from dealing with an illness. Conventional drugs might be effective at treating depression, but they can come with unwanted side effects. Lifes...
Long-term depression generally refers to a condition called dysthymia. The chief hallmark of dysthymia is the duration of depressive symptoms. Adults are considered to have long-term depression if symptoms last for two or more ...
Depression affects more than 20 percent of the American populace, and medications to treat this disorder are often over prescribed or misprescribed. Holistic remedies offer a safe alternative to prescription drugs, which can be...
Depression does not describe a single disorder calling for a straightforward course of treatment. Often misused as an umbrella term, depression actually includes several different disorders and may be a symptom of a different d...
Medication isn't always necessary to treat depression, but it plays a vital role if biochemical factors are involved. It can also help provide stability for other treatments to work more efficiently. Doctors usually prescribe ...
To treat depression many people feel comfortable talking to their family physician. There are many medications on the market today that will treat depression by altering brain chemistry and lift the mood of a depressed person....
Recent research, though, has shown chemical imbalances in the brain to be an important and controlling part of the disease. Because of this, most treatment seeks to treat the biological as well as the mental bases of depression.
However, if those feelings linger and affect your everyday life then you may need to seek help. Family mental health history, pregnancy and breast feeding and overall physical health are other factors that can help determine th...
The first step in seeking treatment for depression is to see a mental health professional who can accurately diagnose the problem and outline a treatment plan. Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists are well trained in psych...
