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DEPRESSION
The word depressed is a common everyday word. People might say "I'm depressed" when in fact they mean "I'm fed up because I've had a row, or failed an exam, or lost my job", etc. These ups and downs of life are common and normal. Most people recover quite quickly. With true depression, you have a low mood and other symptoms each day for at least two weeks. Symptoms can also become severe enough to interfere with normal day-to-day activities. About 2 in 3 adults have depression at some time in their life. Sometimes it is mild or lasts just a few weeks. However, an episode of depression serious enough to require treatment occurs in about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men at some point in their lives. Some people have two or more episodes of depression at various times in their life.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression Depression, quite contrary to sadness leaves a feeling of emptiness, inability to perform even normal activities, helplessness and a sense of general worthlessness. Depression is often associated with specific signs and symptoms and these largely include but are not restricted to. 1. Feeling of hopelessness: A depressed individual often is pushed to feel that life cannot get any better and that nothing can be done to make the situation good or better. 2. Erratic sleep pattern: Extreme sleep patterns such as insomnia or oversleeping, disturbed sleep or waking up at odd hours of the night are examples of erratic sleep patterns. 3. Loss of appetite: When an individual gains or loses over 5% of body weight in a month or lesser, it could be a symptom of depression.
4. Self loathing Anger Irritability Lack of energy Inability to focus Unexplained body aches General fatigue Recklessness Thoughts of suicide.. etc are often characteristic signs of depression.
Treatment for depression is important and immediate. Depression treatment centers have emerged not just because depression is a part of life or the occasional blues may leave us feeling upset. The centers and their intervention techniques have become significant because depression, anxiety and other by-products have begun to cause extensive damage to the human body and mind. When depression goes to an extent that it impedes your normal routine and prevents you from normal functioning, it needs intervention. There cannot be a standard methodology since the causes to depression are as unique as the personality of individuals.
Depression in Women The universal fact on which depression treatment centers handle depression in women is based on the premise that effects of depression on women cannot be compared to that on men. There are striking differences that are often dependent upon causes of depression in women and patterns of symptoms. The causes can be usually categorized under reproductive hormones, societal pressures and even a woman’s response stimuli to stress. Depression can have lasting debilitating impact on social life, relationships, career and also on yourself and hence treatments need to be immediate.
Differences in behavior and attitude of Women and Men
Proficient Anxiety and Depression treatment centers can demonstrate the striking differences in depression between Women and Men. When depressed, •
Men tend to blame others for their condition whereas Women associate their condition with themselves and feel guilty.
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Women feel sad and worthless as opposed to Men who feel angry and irritable due to a bruised ego.
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Women get scared easily but men are excessively guarded.
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Women try to stay away from conflicts as much as possible and Men are usually inclined to get into conflicts.
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Women tend to eat more, sleep more and also gain weight during depression. But the same cannot be said of Men since they tend to find solace in alcohol, sports and sex.
Causes of Depression in Women
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Depression treatment centers have classified causes of depression in women under the specific categories.
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Premenstrual problems in some women are mild but some others have extreme problems.
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Pregnancy and infertility have been identified as two of the most common reasons for depression in women. Both have their own associated reasons why they cause depression.
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Postpartum depression usually tends to subside in a few weeks after child birth but some women observe extreme reaction.
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Menopause is yet another common cause. Health problems are also potential causes of depression.
Besides the above most common problems, women undergo treatments for anxiety and depression due to •
Body image issues
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Marital discord
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Family responsibilities
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Discrimination issues
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Financial problems
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Death.. etc.
Understanding the reasons for depression helps to deliver the right treatment approach to ensure speedy recovery and long lasting results. Treatments must be offered in order to help them snap out of the problem quickly. Also, setting off relapse is an important need.
Types of Depression Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression should not be confused with 'baby blues' which a mother may feel for a very short period after giving birth. If a mother develops a major depressive episode within a few weeks of giving birth it is most likely she has developed postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can start any time within a year of giving birth. Experts believe that about 10% to 15% of all women experience this type of depression after giving birth. Sadly, many of them go undiagnosed and suffer for long periods without treatment and support.
Major depressive disorder The Major depressive disorder victims suffer from a combination of symptoms that undermine their ability to sleep, study, work, eat, and enjoy activities they used to find pleasurable. The Disorder can be very disabling, preventing people from functioning normally. Some experience only one episode, while others have recurrences. Dysthymic disorder Victims of Dysthymic disorder/Dysthymia will suffer symptoms for a long time, perhaps as long as a couple of years, and often longer. People affected with the Disorder may find it hard to function normally and feel well. A person with the Disorder might also experience Major depressive disorder, once, twice, or more often during their lifetime. Dysthymic disorder can sometimes come with other symptoms. For a person to be diagnosed with the disorder he or she must have experienced a combination of depressive symptoms for at least 2 years. Psychotic Depression When severe depressive illness includes hallucinations, delusions, and/or withdrawing from reality, the patient may be diagnosed with Psychotic depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is much more common the further from the equator you go, where the end of summer means the beginning of less sunlight and more dark hours. A person who develops a depressive illness during the winter months might have SAD. SAD symptoms go away during spring and/or summer.
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder used to be known as Manic Depression. It is not a common as others. A patient with bipolar disorder experiences moments of extreme highs and extreme lows. These extremes are known as Manias.
Worst Face of Depression
Human emotions have become more powerful, wild and worse. Gone are the days of people suffering from depression and other sorts of stress disorders committing suicide. Blind shootouts at public particularly at school students are increasing. Competitive world have erased human patience and emotions have started to explode. Kindly visit the nearby depression treatment centers for your as well as others safety. You would lost your mind when depression deteriorates and wouldn’t be in a situation to analyze and realize what is happening with you, around you and because of you. Do check with depression treatment centers once there is a hint of mental stress.
Treatment for Depression
Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is based on the idea that certain ways of thinking can trigger, or fuel, certain mental health problems such as depression. A cognitive behavioral therapy center helps you to understand your thought patterns. In particular, to identify any harmful or unhelpful ideas or thoughts which you have that can make you depressed. The aim is then to change your ways of thinking to avoid these ideas. Also, to help your thought patterns to be more realistic and helpful. Cognitive behavior therapy centers aim to change any behavior which is harmful or not helpful. CBT is a combination of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. In short, CBT helps people to achieve changes in the way that they think, feel and behave. Read more...
Why Cognitive Behavior Therapy? Cognitive behavioral therapy has been identified as one of the most effective forms of therapy in depression treatment and several depression treatment centers in the world adopt Cognitive therapy for obvious reasons. 1. Treating mild to moderate depression Cognitive therapy works as quickly and effectively as anti-depressant medicines to treat mild to moderate depressive conditions. And in the long run, studies have shown that cognitive therapy works better than anti-depressant medications to even handle severe forms of depression.
2. Preventing relapses Cognitive therapy is not a temporary approach that helps a person rid off his depressive thoughts. When practiced regularly, the skills learnt help to prevent relapses. A relapse is very common and characteristic of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown to replace medications to prevent relapses.
3. Minimizes lingering symptoms of depression Even after successful treatment, individuals may experience some symptoms of the condition like sleeplessness, nervousness and less debilitating signs. However, these can create trouble in the long run. But an effective center for cognitive therapy has the ability to cut down such residual symptoms however mild they can be. Owing to its high rate of success and speed in treating the condition, Cognitive therapy has been identified as one of the most cost-effective forms of therapy. Depression treatment centers deliver and observe positive results in weeks rather than months or years unlike other therapy approaches. Cognitive therapy can work in isolation for some people, but in some others, a combination of anti-depressant medications with therapy has been identified to demonstrate success. Even the physical symptoms of depression have been shown to improve with Cognitive behavior therapy effectively.
CBT based “Attacking Anxiety and Depression” program There are several thousands of depression treatment centers in the country. But determining the right kind of treatment can make a lot of difference. The Midwest Center for Anxiety and Depression has spent substantial time in obtaining data from myriad mediums and has designed a tangible, credible and powerful program “Attacking Anxiety and Depression” that promises to reclaim lives. The program is built on the proven and successful principle of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This principle has been identified world over as a significant and effective mechanism to deal with the troubles of stress and anxiety. This therapeutic approach is based on the premise that human feelings are controlled by thoughts, beliefs and internal conversations. And behaviors are a direct outcome of these thoughts and beliefs. Determining these existing thought patterns and replacing the negative thoughts with pragmatic and positive ones serve as long term solutions to solving stress related troubles.
Treatments for anxiety and depression are long term and it is for this reason the relief program is friendly that people can incorporate themselves in their lives. Mediums such as audio lessons, guidebooks, personal coaching sessions and carry along cards emphasize the efficacy of the program. More importantly, the anxiety and depression treatment center for cognitive behavioral therapy offers a 14 day free trial period during which an individual can make use of the program to determine positive changes.
The anxiety and depression treatment center for cognitive behavioral therapy has over the last three decades helped millions of people handle stress. The program is a therapeutic approach to wellness for relieving negative emotions, thoughts and behaviors. The quantum of research and efforts that have contributed to the conception of the program has been colossal. Hence, there is no wonder that the program has managed to help reclaim lives of over a million people. Initially conceived in 1983, the program has undergone subtle but effective nuances in making it full-proof. The program has been conceptualized to offer long term and permanent results and thereby equipping individuals to handle themselves better during situations that are potential depression and anxiety causing agents.
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