The need for viable augmentation strategies to assist in the pharmacological management of treatment-resistant depression has become so dire that clinicians seem to perk up to any option nowadays – regardless of how fly-by-night, “here today gone tomorrow” it may be. This is happening, at least in part, due to the ever-growing problem of suboptimum response to traditional antidepressant therapies. […]
Many obese individuals participating in weight reduction programs which emphasize exercise and lifestyle modifications see an improvement in their depression, according to a new review published in February in the International Journal of Obesity. The weight loss programs varied, and included diet-only, exercise-only, and programs emphasizing counseling and behavioral change. Some participants also took medication to assist their weight loss, while others received no treatment. The studies included approximately 8000 folks. As a whole, those in almost every type of [...]
Approximately 50 percent of teens treated for depression will relapse within a five year period, according to a new study conducted by Duke University. A research team from Duke’s Department of Behavioral Sciences conducted a study of 86 boys and 110 girls with a mean age of 14 who had taken part in a previous trial which had been divided into four groups: Prozac (fluoxetine) alone, CBT alone, fluoxetine and therapy, or placebo. The researchers found that regardless of which [...]
Think of depression not as a diagnosis, but instead as a cluster of symptoms with many possible causes. Possible causes of clinical depression: Psychosocial stressors. Often referred to as reactive depression, individuals have difficulty adjusting to troublesome environmental stimuli such as a recent divorce, job loss or the death of a family member or close friend. Biological. These depressions typically emerge in the absence of precipitating psychosocial events. They are considered endogenous in nature and are associated with physiological changes [...]
Q. When diagnosing depression in a client, how concerned should I be about identifying specific depression subtypes? Do specific subtypes suggest different treatment modalities? A. For years now, clinicians have attempted to categorize depressions into "subtypes." A few examples are: typical vs. atypical, reactive vs. biological and psychotic vs. non-psychotic. There are as many as 12 subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder, according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV). The important question though is whether labeling a depression [...]
What are some of the biggest risk factors for developing depression? The three biggest risk factors for developing depression are: (1) Genetic predisposition. Many individuals that meet criteria for major depressive disorder have a significant family history for depression. Treating clinicians should always thoroughly examine the depressed client’s “family tree” for depression. (2) Environmental events. Individuals that have recently experienced situational factors such as the death of a loved one or close friend, a recent divorce or job loss are [...]
It is important that the non-depressed partner realize that depression can be selfish and manipulative. Depressed partners build a safety net around themselves. They will grant their non-depressed partner access to their cocoon-like existence when they're up to it, but will often inappropriately rebuff the partner at other times. The important issue here is for the non-depressed partner to choose to not take the inappropriate behavior personally. Inappropriateness comes with the territory in depression. The non-depressed partner should set clear [...]
- Bright light exposure represents a proven strategy for managing depression. Light receptors in the retina connect to circuits in the brain that regulate circadian rhythm. Sunlight is the prime stimulator of the eyes’ photoreceptors: it triggers a cascade of neurochemical reactions that aid in keeping the "body clock" in synch. Regular bright light exposure – either via sunlight or specially designed light boxes – can restore healthy circadian function to the brain and improve mood. - Bright light exposure [...]
- Six million men suffer from depression each year. Older men with depression tend to live in an "emotional vacuum" by socially isolating themselves and comforting their depression through the use of alcohol. Older men who have never married and men that have lost their spouses are most vulnerable. - Evidence indicates that testosterone may play a role in male depression, particularly in late-life – a condition referred to as "andropause." Men with the lowest levels of testosterone are [...]
1. One reason people give for not seeking treatment for depression is that this is the type of thing one just rides out. They believe they will just "snap out" of the depression or that they can "will" it away. They convince themselves that their depression will disappear if they read just one more self-help book on the subject. They read these books but don’t change a single thought or behavior. 2. Depressed people avoid treatment for fear of having [...]
