Depression Go Depression Treatment. Symptoms. Medication. Diagnosis. Causes. Risk Factors.

Scenario - Stuart is 20 years old and is on remand in relation to an alleged offence of burglary. He is of slight build and can be quick tempered. He has been in custody on several occasions and has a history of self-harm. He was taken into care when he was 14, but still had contact with some members of his family. Before his arrest Stuart was working on a building site. His girlfriend is pregnant and lives some distance away from the prison. Stuart has been lethargic over the last few days and rather uncommunicative. One of the prison officers has reported a rumour that Stuart is being picked on by other inmates in relation to debts and is concerned about his welfare.

Here are some facts -

1) Rates of suicide for young males have increased over the last few
years.
2) Rates of suicide in prisons in England and Wales have risen in recent years. (Between 1984-1994 there were 387 deaths in custody.)
3) Suicide rates in prison are about four times the rates in the community and the response of staff to inmate distress is crucial.
4) Research indicates that bullying in prison can contribute to distress and depression, as can things such as strip searches.
5) Risk factors in relation to suicide include membership of disrupted
families which may have a history of suicide, drug abuse, failure,
unemployment and depression.
6) Certain events can ‘trigger’ suicide attempts. e.g. ending of
relationships, anniversaries etc.

Write a conclusion based on what you have read on the likelihood of Stuart making a suicide attempt?

THANK YOU!

My hole family suffer from depression, quite bad depression, both sides aswell, my aunt and my other aunt have it, both nans have it, and one of my grandads, also my mum and dad have it and all are on medication for it, i have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, and i have a feeling and have been told my alot of people that i have been miss diagnosed,

I have all the symptons of bipolar, and im currently being tested for it, My dad who has always been up and down, is also being tested for it, even though he is alot older, and past the time where it usually develops, he was convinced i had it, so did alot of research on it, as he didnt know alot about it, he then spoke to some professionals and did lots of basic questionaires, his results came back shocking, he was at a very high risk of having the illness, as many people, dont realise they have it, until they get told, he is seeing docs to get himself sorted and changing in his medication,

im just wondering is this where i could of devloped it? And with having the hole family from both sides with depression, make this more of a chance of me devloping bipolar? Plus i have had 2 people from my family drasticlly passed away over the last 3 years, which whom i was very close too, this is where this all started, 3 years ago when i became ill, im just wondering if all these factors could be a set n kick off of this? only answers with advice please. x

Several years ago I was seriously addicted to The Sims 2.. I played it so much that I stopped taking steps to improve myself.. stopped reading, stopped writing, stopped eating well, stopped exercising. I also neglected pets and schoolwork, which I regret every day. I think my addiction may have been one factor in a particularly bad bout of of major depression.

I’m 24 now, and I’m in college and have since developed healthy habits. I dropped pc/video games almost 100%.. I’ve had the sims 2 installed on my computer all this time and I haven’t played it in over a year. I plan to only play a maximum of 2 hours of TS3 at a time, 3-4 times a week, after homework. I also plan to use it to reward myself after a job well done on exams, research papers, etc.

My husband isn’t sure if it’s a good idea, though he doesn’t see a problem with my gaming hobby in general.. To quote him, he just doesn’t want to "hear me whine" about how I’m wasting my life with video games. I do see his point.

I played World of Warcraft for a couple years but I stopped when it consumed too much of my time. However, I never actually became *addicted* to that game, I just played it a bunch because of guild obligations. I had no problems stopping.

I really want to try The Sims 3, but do you think I can handle it? Or do you think I’ll fall back into old habits?
Oh, they moved the release date to June. I thought it was supposed to be released last month.. ha! Looks like I have 3 more months of soul searching to go!

*I took a psychological evaluation. The psychologist thinks I am bi-polar. He says I have "Hypomania". I don’t think it should be considered a mental illness to be tired when you haven’t been sleeping, or anxious because you’re going to be moving, or sad/stressed because someone you loved died. They are making it seem like emotions ARE illnesses.*

Triggers and risk factors for bipolar disorder:
Triggers can set off a bipolar disorder or prolong an existing mood episode. Many episode of mania or depression occur, however, without an obvious trigger.

Stress - Severe stress or emotional trauma can trigger either depression or mania in someone with a genetic vulnerability to bipolar disorder. Stress can also worsen a bipolar mood episode or extend its duration.

Major Life Event - Major life events both good and bad can trigger an episode of bipolar disorder. These events tend to involve drastic or sudden changes, such as getting married, going away to college, starting a new..
job, or retiring.
Substance Abuse - While substance abuse doesn’t cause bipolar disorder, it can bring on an episode and worsen the course of the disease. Drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines can trigger mania, while alcohol and tranquilizers can trigger depression.

Medication - Certain medications, most notably antidepressant drugs, can trigger mania. Other drugs that may induce mania include over-the-counter cold medicine, appetite suppressants, caffeine, corticosteroids, and thyroid medication.

Seasonal Changes - Episodes of mania and depression often follow a seasonal pattern. Manic episodes are more common during the summer, and depressive episodes more common during the fall, winter, and spring.
Sleep Deprivation – Loss of sleep—even as little as skipping a few hours of rest—can trigger an episode of mania.
* http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm ***I want to point out that I don’t use drugs. I have 4 kids and so OF COURSE I get tired. And I am never REALLY energetic for more than about 10 minutes and it’s usually only when I see a friend I haven’t seen in a while and I’m excited, but excited and "manic" are not the same! And yes, I like sex, but not promiscuous sex, I am married and faithful, what’s wrong with liking sex with your husband!? And yes, I was sad, I was very tired and not keeping up on housework and so my husband and I were arguing a lot, so the lack of sleep (due to caring for my baby) was the root of it all, the cause. Now that I get more sleep, I’m FINE! "Cyclomia" is diagnosed if you get sad at some point in 2 years…that is BS!!!!!
I want to add something else**** I use to believe I had depression. I was very sad for years, I had good reason to be, but doctors told me it wasn’t normal so I thought that there was something wrong with me. I used it as an excuse. I even considered getting SSI for it. BUt then I met my husband, who convinced me that I was just a normal person reacting to the life I had been living. Once I realized I didn’t have a problem, I was able to pay more attention to what I did so I could get out of the rut I had myself in. Part of the problem with the psychologist was that I told him about my past so he assumed things were the same. But they aren’t. Yes, I was sexually abused. Do I care..NO! Yes, I was neglected, I was miserable and lonely growing up…but am I miserable TODAY…NO. Psychologists let people believe they have a problem instead of letting them be themselves. The only time I could say a person was mentally ill is if they tried to kill people!

FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE

* Worldwide there are more deaths due to suicide than to accidents, homicides and war combined.

* About 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.

* Currently, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S.

* Every day, approximately 80 Americans takes their own life, and 1,500 more attempt to do so.

* A person dies by suicide about every 18 minutes in the U.S. An attempt is estimated to be made once every minute.

* In the U.S. in 2001, the suicide rate among women was 4.1 per 100,000, while for men it was 17.6 per 100,000.

* There are more than four male suicides for every female suicide, but twice as many females as males attempt suicide.

* Firearms are the most frequent method of suicide among adults in the United States.

* Over ninety percent of people who die by suicide had at least one psychiatric illness at the time of death. The most common diagnoses are depression and drug and/or alcohol abuse.

* Alcoholism is a factor in about 30 percent of all suicide deaths.

* Early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses appears to be the best way to prevent suicide.

* Certain personality disorders, such as borderline and antisocial personality disorders, appear to carry high risk for suicide. Impulsivity also appears to be a risk factor for suicide.

* Between 20 and 50 percent of people who kill themselves had previously attempted suicide. Although the majority of people who die by suicide have no made a previous attempt, a serious suicide attempt is a clear risk factor for suicide death.

* Suicidal individuals often talk about suicide directly or indirectly using statements like, "My family would be better off with out me." Sometimes they talk as if they are saying goodbye or going away, and may arrange to put their affairs in order. Other signs of contemplating suicide include giving away articles they value, paying off debts or changing a will.
FACTS ABOUT YOUTH SUICIDE

* Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students and the third leading cause of death among all youth 15 - 24 years old. In the U.S., only accidents and homicides claim more young lives.

* Nearly 4,000 people aged 15 - 24 die by suicide each year in the United States.

* Between the mid-1950s and the late 1970s, the suicide rate among U.S. males aged 15 - 24 more than tripled (from 6.3 per 100,000 in 1955 to 21.3 in 1977). Among females aged 15 - 24, the rate more than doubled during this period (from 2.0 to 5.2). The youth suicide rate generally leveled off during the 1980s and early 1990s and since the mid-1990s, it has been steadily decreasing.

* Among young people aged 15 - 24, males die by suicide almost six times more frequently than females. In 2001 (the latest year for which national rates are available) the suicide rate among young men was 16.5 per 100,000 and the rate among young women was 2.9.
* Youth suicide rates vary widely among different racial and ethnic groups. In 2001, white youth had a suicide rate of 11.5 per 100,000, compared to rates of 7.3 for African Americans, 6.1 for Hispanics, 6.4 for Asian Americans and 18.8 for American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

* Twenty percent of American high school students report having seriously considered suicide during the previous 12 months. Eight percent of high school students make a suicide attempt.

* Seventy percent of youth who make a suicide attempt are frequent users of alcohol and/or other drugs. In states where the minimum drinking age was raised from 18 to 21, the suicide rate for 18 to 20 year olds decreased.
* Over 90 percent of youth who die by suicide had at least one psychiatric illness at the time of death; in about half such cases, the psychiatric illness was present, although often unrecognized, for two years or more. The most common diagnoses among youth are depression, substance abuse and conduct disorders.

FACTS ABOUT DEPRESSION

* Depression affects more than 19 million American adults aged 18 and over each year, representing nearly 10 percent of American adults.

* More American adults suffer from depression than coronary heart disease (7 million), cancer (6 million) and AIDS (200,000) combined.

* About 15 percent of the population develops clinical depression at some time in their life. Depression will affect one in 10 men and one in four women.
* Symptoms of depression include:

* sadness or "down" mood
* loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
* poor appetite or overeating
* trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much
* feeling tired or having little energy
* feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or guilt
* trouble concentrating
* moving or speaking very slowly, or the opposite, being fidgety or restless
* thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting oneself in some way

* Depression is among the most treatable of psychiatric illnesses. Current treatment includes medication, psychotherapy or some combination of the two.

* Fewer than half of all Americans consider depression to be a health problem and more than 2 in 5 believe it is a sign of personal weakness.
* Over 60 percent of people who die by suicide are estimated to suffer from major depression, with no other psychiatric or physical illness. Thirty percent have alcoholism, and half of those with alcoholism have depression as well.

* Certain intense emotional or affective states may suggest a suicide crisis in individuals who suffer from depression. These include intense desperation, hopelessness, rage, abandonment, self-hatred or anxiety.

* Almost two million Americans currently suffer from bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness), in which episodes of depression alternate or co-exist with periods of mania. This mood disorder carries a high risk of suicide.

* Approximately 20 percent of all patients with bipolar disorder have their first episode during adolescence.
I know this is a lot, but I think it’s an extremely important topic and maybe in learning/understanding some of this it is quite possible you might be able to help save the life of your friend or a family member.

I have lost 2 family members (in the same family) in the last 8 years. My 17 yr old nephew just 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Wanted to post this in hopes that maybe something can be learned to possibly help others…..
ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is to try and educate people about the topic, to try and prevent further deaths.
Just wish the stigma of suicide could be lifted and maybe by further education it can be. Maybe if people took there heads out of the sand about this subject it might help those having these feelings feel more comfortable to come forth - instead of just to say an online chat room, but to actually friends, family, etc. that care about them!

a,b,c, or d answers
PLEASE HELP ME ON THIS QUIZ!
its for my health class!

1. Which of the following factors is most clearly associated with premature death caused by heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and diabetes mellitus?

sexually transmitted infections
polluted air
lack of immunizations for children
poor choice in fitness and nutrition

2. What is the most common mood disorder resulting in a constant state of sadness?

bipolar disorder
schizophrenia
depression
paranoia

3. What are signs and symptoms of the stress response?

increased heart rate, increased digestion, increased breathing, increased energy
decreased heart rate, increased digestion, decreased breathing, decreased energy
increased heart rate, decreased digestion, decreased breathing, increased energy
increased heart rate, decreased digestion, increased breathing, increased energy

4. Taking time to sleep eight hours a night, eat properly, wear a helmet, and exercise sixty minutes daily will best maintain which of the following?

physical health
social health
spiritual health
emotional health
mental health

5. Which of the following describes the best way to express anger?

Shake your fist and yell at someone who accidentally ran into you with their shopping cart.
Don’t talk to anyone at home for one week because you had your feelings hurt at a party.
When told you didn’t get the promotion at work, go out and garden or run.
Get mad because you failed your test, and eat everything you can possibly find.

6. What is any action or condition that may impair our health called?

a disability
physical health
a risk factor
an inherited trait

7. What are characteristics, or traits, acquired from our parents called?

environmental traits
genetic traits
cultural traits
spiritual traits

8. Which of the following is the best definition of quality of life?

freedom from illness and disease
nutritious food leading to a lot of energy
overall satisfaction that a person gets from life
one’s ability to pay his or her own bills

9. When making a decision, which of the following should a person not always consider?

how it reflects one’s own personal values
risks that may increase the possibility of injury
benefits of the choice
peers’ opinions

10. Of the following, which would be the LEAST reliable website for health information?

www.nih.gov
www.marchofdimes.org
www.jhu.edu
www.medicine.com

11. Which of the following identifies the well-being of your body, your mind, and your relationships with other people?

health
fitness
risk factor
heredity

12. Adam fails the test on the digestive system in class. He tells his teacher the reason he failed the test was that his mother had been too demanding that he do the household chores, so he had no time to study. What defense mechanism is he using?

projection
denial
reaction-formation
daydreaming

13. A person who has been fasting for twenty-four hours will most likely function on what level of needs?

safety
physical needs
social needs
self-esteem
self-actualization

14. In what phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome does the body try to detect a change and start the fight-or-flight response to cope with it??

alarm
resistance
exhaustion
eustress

15. Wayne has a good job but finds it difficult to get out of bed in the morning because he has no energy and has been feeling sad. In fact, he has called in sick ten days in one month. From which mood disorder may he be suffering?

anxiety
panic disorder
depression
obsessive-compulsive

16. How are genetic traits passed from one generation to the next?

ATP
DNA
RNA
STP

17. Anthony finds it difficult to work with Brittany because one week she is extremely happy and the next week she is very sad and withdrawn. From which mood disorder may Brittany be suffering?

obsessive-compulsive disorder
depression
phobia
bipolar disorder

18. The ability to work with others best describes which of the following?

physical health
social health
spiritual health
emotional health
mental health

19. The "fight-or-flight response" is also called the

stress response
relaxation response
sleep response
facilitated response

20. What is the ma

If you have "one" parent with schizophrenia. Just one parent, and schizophrenia "does not" run in the family. Only a single case of schizophrenia (that is, one of your parents). Your father / mother got schizophrenia due to environmental factors. It started with depression that gradually became severer and s/he didn’t receive the appropriate treatment, so s/he became schizophrenic. Now can anybody tell me, how can you, as his / her child have a higher risk factor of being schizophrenic? I mean, your father / mother didn’t have the "schizophrenia" gene in the first place, s/he got schizophrenia due to purely environmental problems / factors. You didn’t inherit the gene, so why do they say that a child with a schizophrenic parent is more likely to be schizophrenic? I can understand this in case schizophrenia actually runs through the family i. e. the gene runs through the family and a generation transmits it to the next. But if it’s just "one" parent that got the disease, how can there be a risk factor?

I’m asking this because I’m doing an online search on schizophrenia and its newly discovered gene. All the websites I check clearly state that there are both environmental and genetic causes of schizophrenia. Of course I know that schizophrenia is a polygenetic disease or (mostly non-genetic disease) meaning that it’s not strongly inherited in families and that environmental factors are much more important when it comes to developing schizophrenia. But I can’t help but ask: is it the same for someone who has just one schizophrenic parent and that parent him/herself didn’t have the schizophrenia gene in the first place, i. e. the parent was the exception, as I said before s/he got the disease due to environmental causes that made them severely depressed and without the appropriate care, they developed schizophrenia?

Please, this is so important to me. If you don’t know the answer, please refer me to someone who does, if you can. I’d be grateful!
Nicky, I understand you can’t catch it like a cold and that environment plays a MAJOR role, genetics is only secondary, but I wonder how I didn’t find that all-important distinction between:

1- someone who had 1 schizophrenic parent that developed schizophrenia due to the environment NOT genes.

2- a family where the schizophrenia gene "runs" through generations.

I think that if your father / mother didn’t have the gene, but had the disease, it’s impossible that you, as a child have a "higher" likelihood of developing schizophrenia. You just have the 1% likelihood everyone in the world has.

I need more answers still.
Rational Eyes - Thanks for the detailed answer.
Well, if there are some genes that you must have to develop schizophrenia, where do you get them from? I don’t claim I understand everything about genes, but you must inherit genes or else where do they come from?

Concerning your father, well maybe it didn’t have to do with genes as much as some characteristic traits in his personality that made him more susceptible to become schizophrenic such as being anti-social or had low self-esteem and many more. When such traits made an interaction with the environment this led him to gradually develop schizophrenia. But genes, I’m not sure.

There’s also another factor, probably it has to do with a child’s interaction with a mentally unwell parent. This can lead to having a higher risk of being developing the same mental illness the parent suffered from. But "genes"? I no know.

These are just assumptions by the way, but thanks Rational Eyes.

1) What is the nature of this lifestyle condition?
2) What are some risk factors associated with this condition?
3) What are some treatments for this condition?
4) Name some prevention stratigies?

I was diagnosed as clinically depressed 15 years ago after a very stressful period as an inner-city high school teacher and have since taken a mild daily dose of Prozac. I am 47 years old and a professor to disadvantaged Asian students. My maternal grandmother suffered from long bouts of depression as has my mother (albeit shorter). My wife, who is 29 years old and suffers from mild anxiety, is worried that either my illness or the medication (or both) will put our children at greater risk of inheriting it, or being born unhealthy. Is this a real cause for concern? Should we reconsider having children? (My wife does not want to adopt). Would appreciate responses from doctors, mental health care workers, or persons experiencing a similar dilemma. Thanks.

I have a history of severe depression and an anxiety disorder. I still struggle and am on anti-depressants. I’m only 21 so don’t want children yet. But I definatly do one day, in fact I can’t think of anything I want more. But I’m worried that if I ever did have a baby, I would be being selfish. The genetic factors in mental health, coupled with whether I’d have to stay on anti-depressants through pregnancy and the high risk of post partum depression. It all seems impossible right now and I’m devastated.

Anyone have any advice or opinions for me? Or anyone who suffers with depression and has had children, I’d love to hear your experiences. Thanks in advance