Pamphlet Review: Depression

This is a pamphlet from the National Institute of Mental Health.  It is a pamphlet for lay people, how to determine if they have depression and whether to get help.  Signs of depression include feeling sad; feeling hopeless, anxious or guilt; loss of interest in favorite activities; feeling tired; not being able to concentrate; overeating or not wanting to eat; thoughts of suicide or attempts; aches, pains cramps, digestive issues.
Some of depression is genetically caused, but it also has an environmental component.  Sometimes genes play a role in resilience, and ability to recover from hardship.  Depression either causes, or is caused by subtle changes in the brain.
The first step for treatment of depression is to visit a doctor or mental health worker.  Depression can respond to medications, psychotherapy or both.
For those in Santa Clara County on MediCal, the number to call for assistance is 1-800-704-0900

Surviving Suicide

Surviving suicide when you are young is important, because there is still a whole life ahead of you.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Interesting how she felt suicide was the only option.

Living with Depression

This is a story of depression presented on the Mormon Channel.  Depression has two components, physical and emotional.  Often times, without first treated the physical causes of depression, it is very difficult for someone to make the needed changes to tackle the other issues.  However, talk therapy is known to help with depression.

**Like a Broken Vessel

This is a presentation based on the talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland a few years back dealing with hope and depression.  It presents about ten individuals telling their stories of depression.  However it is also a message of hope.  There is hope in jesus Christ for a better life, things will get better.  One warning, in watching the video several people present their stories.  The first part can be depressive.  Watch to the end where the message of hope dominates.

**A Review of Infertility: On line CEU

Training on Infertility through NetCE.

I did a recent online training on infertility.  Much of it was over my head, as they presented a lot of technical stuff.  Terms primary and secondary infertility, never pregnant versus pregnant before.  Infertility is unable to conceive after a year of unprotected sex.  80 percent of couple conceive within 6 monthly cycles, another ten percent (subfertile) within 12 cycles.  There are 10 percent who are identified as infertile.  Infertility can be woman cause, man caused or a combination of both.  Infertility has increased among women as the age of reproduction has increased.  Infertility is classified into three types, ovulatory (the woman is not producing eggs) tubal Occlusion, and sperm disorders.  There are risk factor for infertility including obesity, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol usage, tobacco and caffeine usage, other controlled substance usage (this includes marijuana) and environmental issues.  Treatments are many, starting with something as simple as a lifestyle change.  Reduction of stress, along with exercise and better physical condition can increase the chances of fertility.  Cessation of tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs can also make a difference.  There are some medications treatments, and then also physical procedures including surgery to improve blood flow to the male as well as tubal repair and other procedures for women.  Other courses of treatment include artificial insemination, as well as assistive reproductive procedures.  

One important factor about infertility is the training made the point that infertility is stressful, and can have negative emotional effects.  Up to 30 percent of women have bouts of some type of depression.  

Lastly, infertility can also cause marital discord.  Often the wife is more vested in becoming pregnant and couple  must be careful to not let infertility disrupt their relationship.  

**Documentary Review: More than Sad

More Than Sad, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2009.

This is a collection of two videos.  The first is a general awareness video More than Sad: (teen depression).  This presents four young people who have been going through depression and talks about their specific issues, and how they dealt with depression.  10 to 15 percent of youth will have depression during a school year.  However, most will not get treatment.  This video focuses on reducing stigma about treatment, giving examples of how treatment has helped others, and shows the results of the treatment.

The second video takes off where there first video left off: More than Sad: (Suicide Prevention).  It is more geared for teachers and how to recognize when someone needs help.  In addition to following the youth from the first video, this video also adds several testimonials from teachers who intervened with students who they recognized as needing help.  This video gives examples of when a teacher might intervene.  The teachers had positive results and some even later got thank-yous from the students.

**Pamphlet Summary: Older Adults and Depression

Older Adults and Depression is a pamphlet produced by the National Institute for Mental Health.

This pamphlet discusses depression and older adults.  It says depression is not a normal part of again.  Symptoms which may indicate one is depressed include: feeling sad or empty; feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious or guilty; loss of interest in favorite activities; feeling very tired; not being able to concentrate or remember details; not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much, aches or pains, headaches, cramps, digestive problems, overeating or not wanting to eat. 
Depression can be caused by several factors including genes, brain chemistry and stress. 
In terms of treatment for depression, the first step is to talk to your doctor.  it is important to remember you can just “snap out of it.”  Treatment choices include medications or psychotherapy.  One should remember medications can take some time to work, and they may also have side effects which should be discussed with your doctor.  ECT is sometimes used for severe depression which is difficult to treat with conventional methods. 
If you have a loved one who is experiencing depression offer support and understanding, talk the the person, DO not ignore talk of suicide.  You can invite the person for a walk or other activity.  Assure them that with time, treat can help to lift depression. 
If you are depressed, some things to remember include: break up large tasks into smaller; spend time with people, friends and loved ones; stick to your treatment plan; do not make important life choices until you feel better.
National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255.  Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis line is 1-855-278-4204.

The National hotline is now 988 for suicide prevention.  This supercedes any local number.

Depression and High School Students

NIMH Pamphlet Depression and High School Students

Depression can occur during adolescence, a time of personal change.  Depression is a common mental illness typically marked by sad or anxious feelings.  It is common to feel sad sometimes for a day or two, but this usually passes quickly.  Depression lasts for a long time, and interferes with day-to-day activities.

Depression symptoms include feeling: Sad, Anxious, Empty, Hopeless, Guilty, Worthless, Helpless, Irritable or Restless.  In addition there may be these symptoms: Loss of interest in activities you enjoy, Lack of energy, Problems concentrating or remembering things, Problems falling asleep or staying asleep or sleeping too much, Loss of appetite or eating too much, Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts and Aches, pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not go away.  One thing to note about adolescent depression (not mentioned in the flier) is that irritability is more common in teens than adults.  Adults more likely have depressed mood. 

If you suspect you might have depression it would be good to talk to your doctor or your parent could talk to a mental health professional.  Depression can respond to medications, psychotherapy or both.  Things you can do on your own to fight depression are: Give treatment a fair chance, attend appointments and give medications time to help, Engage in mild exercise, Participate in activities you enjoy, Break up large projects into smaller tasks, Spend time with friends and family, Expect your mood to improve gradually, Positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as depression improves.

If there is a crisis (you are are thinking or suicide, or someone you know is talking of suicide) you may call 911 for help or go to the nearest emergency room, or talk advantage of 24-hour crisis hot lines: 988 is the number nationwide.

**Five New Ways to Fight Depression from Everyday Health

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/major-depression-resource-center/surprising-ways-fight-depression-pictures.aspx?xid=salesnl_8132_20140602#/slide-1

Some of this ideas are totally new to me; and some are not.  Five nontraditional ways to fight depression which are best used with traditional treatments of medications and counseling.
1. Try Meditation:  A good way to do this is focus on breathing, through your nose is preferred.
2. Practice Reiki:  Never heard of this before.  It is a Japanese method of applying pressure.  It would involve going to someone, like going for a massage.  "One hour of Reiki is equivalent to hundreds of hours of meditation."
3.  Constructive Wallowing.  Instead of avoiding negative thoughts and feelings, giving your self a chance to experience the negative in a constructive way, so you can move on.
4.  Put Your Emotions on Paper.  Journalling can be very constructive and helpful.  It gives you a chance at looking at negative self talk which may be sabotaging your improvement.
5.  Try Sound Therapy.  This is more than listening to ocean or fire tapes at night; although those things can be very soothing.  There are certain sounds and tones that can stimulate the vagus nerve which can be very beneficial.  (I had never heard of that, but that is what the article says.  Also suggests learning from an expert.)

**Can Lifestyle Change Reverse Heart Disease

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/dr-dean-ornish-turn-back-clock-heart-disease/?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20140506
This is a very good article from Everyday Health which presents the work and theories of Dr Dean Ornish on reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes.  He does say his program is not a cure, but it can reverse the normal progression of heart disease getting worse and worse and make it so things actually get better.  These changes include "supervised exercise, stress management through yoga and meditation, emotional support, and nutrition counseling."  He contends to say the "it is all in our genes" is not accurate, because genes give us predispositions only, not a death sentence.  Within that realm of genes, there is much that the individual can do with life choices.  He also talks about the roles of depression and loneliness in health.  His model has a large community oriented component.  He has also written books on these topics, such as "Dr. Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease", "Weigh Less" and "Heart and Survival."
These concepts I find very interesting, and am always interested in how to be healthier.