"http://www.geocities.com/janet313/wordspie/199707/027874.html"

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     Post: 027874
     Date: 1997/07/18
     Subj: clinical depression [cd] defined
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     dear syber-siblings

     i've had a lot of positive feedback on my 'perceptions' posts
     about clinical depression [cd - as i like to call it]

     as i understand it
     clinical depression is not simply feelings of sadness

     it is chemical imbalance
     which can be triggered by stress
     and
     which can affect one's thought processes and emotions
     in the same way that
     the chemical imbalance of pd
     can affect one's mobility

     this is the clearest detailed description i've found on the web
     [from the university of british columbia, eh?]

          --------------------------------------------------------
          What is a Clinical Depression?
          --------------------------------------------------------

          Clinical depression is sometimes referred to as a major
          depressive episode. Episodes are usually a result of
          Major Depressive Disorder, but they can also be
          associated with other disorders. It appears that
          clinical depressions can be caused in a number of ways.

          Clinical depression is not just feeling unhappy. A
          clinical depression can include a low mood, hopeless
          feelings, and loss of interest or pleasure in almost all
          usual activities and pastimes.

          Some of the common symptoms are:

             * Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
             * Not caring anymore about work, hobbies, friends or
               sexual activity
             * Self-recrimination for things in the past or
               present
             * Feeling tired all the time or finding everything an
               effort
             * Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
             * Loss of appetite or loss of weight
             * Eating more than usual and gaining weight
             * Thoughts of suicide
             * Considering a way of dying

          Other problems people experience during a clinical
          depression include:

             * Frequently feeling on the verge of tears or weepy
             * Waking up early in the morning, with difficulty
               returning to sleep
             * Feeling worse in the morning
             * Feeling anxious or irritable
             * A gloomy view of the future
             * Physical pain or headaches
             * Cravings for certain foods

          Most people experience these symptoms for months before
          seeking treatment. Being depressed is painful and it may
          feel like it will never end. Without treatment symptoms
          can last for months, sometimes years. Appropriate
          treatment can help over 80% of those who suffer from
          depression.

          --------------------------------------------------------
          What Causes a Clinical Depression?
          --------------------------------------------------------

          There is evidence that a combination of factors produces
          a depression. These include physical problems,
          environmental stress, and psychological factors.

          Factors that can contribute to the cause of depression
          include:

             * Certain medical diseases, for example, Parkinson's
               Disease, thyroid diseases, anemia.
             * Some medical drugs, for example, antihypertensive
               drugs.
             * Drugs of abuse, for example, alcohol or cocaine.
             * There is evidence for a genetic predisposition to
               having a depression. Often, someone with depression
               will have family members who also suffer depressive
               episodes.
             * Other psychiatric conditions, such as panic
               disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
             * Prolonged and severe stress in your environment
               such as relationship problems, unemployment,
               financial difficulty.**
             * Any situation in which one feels helpless.**

          --------------------------------------------------------
          What Treatment is Available for Clinical Depression?
          --------------------------------------------------------

          Some depression will disappear eventually without any
          treatment, though this can take many months or sometimes
          years. Currently there is no sure way of predicting when
          an episode of depression will end. Treatment may be
          recommended, rather than simply waiting.

          Since depression may be caused by a combination of
          factors, a combination of treatments may be necessary.
          Some of these are psychotherapy, behaviour therapy, and
          medication. An individual treatment plan is organized
          between patient and doctor.

          Psychotherapy is a method of talking about your concerns
          with your therapist to identify problems and seek
          solutions. Cognitive-behavioural therapy focuses on the
          negative beliefs and behaviours commonly seen in
          depression. Antidepressant medication is prescribed to
          get the mind and body working in a reasonable way again,
          allowing you to think clearly about problems in your
          life that may be contributing to the depression. Some
          patients with severe depression do well with
          electroconvulsive therapy. Winter depression (seasonal
          affective disorder -SAD) and manic depression (bipolar
          disorder) have specific treatments. Light therapy is
          often employed in SAD. Mood stabilizing medications or
          antimanic agents are used for bipolar disorder.

          There are things that depressed individuals can do help
          themselves, including reading more about depression.

          --------------------------------------------------------
          What About Psychotherapy for Depression?
          --------------------------------------------------------

          The "talking therapies" assist individuals to discuss
          and resolve problems through emotional support, insights
          and understanding gained through the verbal "give and
          take". These psychotherapies can be individual-,
          family-, marital-, or group-oriented.

          Interpersonal and cognitive-behavioural therapies have
          been the most scientifically evaluated psychotherapeutic
          treatments for depression. Interpersonal therapy is
          based on a concept that depressive symptoms occur in the
          context of disturbed personal and social relationships.
          Therapists help patients understand their illness, their
          feelings, and how interpersonal problems and conflicts
          relate to their depression. Patients are encouraged to
          identify and better understand such problems and to
          develop more adaptive ways of relating to others.

          Cognitive/behavioral therapy is based on the premise
          that peoples' emotions and behaviours are determined by
          how they view the world and interpret their experiences.
          The therapist helps patients correct maladaptive beliefs
          and negative thought patterns.

          The most widely used forms of psychosocial therapy are
          those referred to as psychodynamic. They are based on
          the assumption that internal conflicts are at the heart
          of the patient's disorder. Treatment brings the conflict
          into the therapeutic situation where it can be dealt
          with and resolved.

          For some patients, the most effective treatment is a
          combination of medications to control symptoms and
          restore functioning, plus psychotherapy to address
          social and behavioral problems.

          --------------------------------------------------------
          How Can I Help Myself with Clinical Depression?
          --------------------------------------------------------

          You can help yourself get better. Here's some advice:

             * Take your medication as prescribed. Report any
               problems with side effects to your doctor.
             * Avoid alcohol and other mood-altering
               non-prescription drugs.
             * Keep a regular schedule of sleeping and waking.
             * Exercise regularly, for example, taking a daily
               half-hour walk.
             * Avoid making any important decisions until you feel
               better.
             * Don't expect too much of yourself at work or at
               home. As you will be feeling better within weeks,
               try to delay any major responsibilities or get help
               from others. If your depression is severe, you may
               be unable to do much else for yourself until you
               begin to feel better. Start with small tasks, then
               build up to bigger tasks.
             * Self-help groups can also be very helpful for
               depressed people and their families.
             * Self-help on the internet is also available by
               e-mail, including alt.support.depression
             * Read about depression. We have a short list of good
               books about depression.

          --------------------------------------------------------
          Books About Depression
          --------------------------------------------------------

          Overcoming Depression
          by Dr. D.F. Papolos and Janice Papolos
          Excellent, practical overview of the symptoms and cause
          of depressive disorders with much useful advice for the
          patients and families. Highly recommended.

          Depression and its Treatment
          by Dr. John H. Greist and Dr. James W. Jefferson
          A brief but excellent review of the current status of
          the biological treatment of depression.

          The Feeling Good Handbook
          by Dr. David Burns
          A persuasive self-help guide for treating depression by
          a cognitive therapist. Includes charts, homework
          assignments to offer mechanisms for coping with problems
          such as procrastination, loneliness and negative
          thinking. Highly recommended.

          The Depression Workbook:
          A Guide for Living with Depression and Manic Depression
          by Mary Ellen Copeland
          Another workbook that many people with depression will
          find useful.

          Depression:
          What Families Should Know
          by Elaine Shimberg
          A very readable guide for families struggling to help
          their loved ones.

          On the Edge of Darkness
          by Kathy Cronkite
          An inspirational book by a journalist recovered from
          depression, filled with personal observations about
          depression from well-known patients (Joan Rivers, Mike
          Wallace, Rod Steiger, etc), clinicians, and researchers.

          --------------------------------------------------------
          Raymond W. Lam , MD, FRCP(C), 1996
          http://www.psychiatry.ubc.ca/
          --------------------------------------------------------

     the two items which i marked ** under 'Causes'
     are the key ones for me:

     three years of financial/business/shareholder troubles
     where i have finally had to allow the company
     i started six years ago to die a quiet death;
     hence, i may now be technically unemployed
     but i sure am happy about it!

     all my feelings of anger and frustration and helplessness
     were stuffed down inside
     where they fermented nicely
     and bubbled up predictably and inevitably in a fog
     of london/jack/the/ripper proportions
     and a downward spiral of non-functioning/hermitting
     aided and abetted
     by what i refer to as
     those yadda yadda monkeys yammering at me in the background
     with a running negative commentary on everything

     [dr. david burns refers to these 'monkeys'
     with a somewhat more professional term: 'automatic thoughts']

     when i put that business stress together with
     a probable genetic tendency towards cd in my family
     and the apparent bio-chemical relationship between cd and pd

     blammo
     i was hit with a triple whammy [dr. whammi, d.s.o.]

     and now i can't tell you how wonderful it is
     for me to be able to say 'was'

     janet

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janet paterson
53 now / 44 dx cd / 43 onset cd / 41 dx pd / 37 onset pd
tel: 613 256 8340 url: "http://www.geocities.com/janet313/"
email: "[log in to unmask]" smail: PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0
Canada