Depression (Clinical)

[Michaelangelica]

Holidays help boost happiness

Tuesday, 20 July 2010

Victoria University

According to researchers, the

experience of travel for pleasure provides

many opportunities for expanding positive

emotions, with benefits lasting even after the

holiday is over.

 

 

With the cold weather biting across the country, flights to sunnier climes are heavily booked, but research shows travel could also have benefits for the clinically depressed as well as those seeking a winter break.

Holidays help boost happiness (Science Alert)

[Michaelangelica]

]omega-3 fatty acids[/b]

Additionally, evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help to prevent and ameliorate mood disorders, particularly depressive disorders. For example, cross-national analyses have suggested that higher per capita fish and seafood consumption is associated with lower prevalence rates of MDD,6–8 postpartum depression,9 and bipolar disorder.10 Further, trials11–13 of antidepressants plus adjunctive therapy with omega-3s versus placebo have shown significant improvements on depression rating scale scores with active treatment (AV 1).

 

Overall, the data support using omega-3 fatty acids as adjunctive treatment for MDD,

Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc. - Login

Folate

 

Folate is a naturally occurring B vitamin found in leafy vegetables, legumes, and fruits; synthetic folate is found in breads and cereals. Folate is necessary for the brain to synthesize the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, all of which are involved in depression. A deficiency in folate has been associated with the presence of depression14 and with poor cognitive function15 (which is common in patients with MDD) and may hinder patients’ response to antidepressants14 and contribute to depressive relapse.16 Therefore, folate supplementation may help to reduce initial and residual depressive symptoms.

 

SAM-e

 

SAM-e is a naturally occurring molecule present in all living human cells that is synthesized as part of a multistep pathway (the one-carbon cycle) involving folic acid and vitamin B12. As with folate, SAM-e plays a key role in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Low serum and CSF SAM-e levels have been reported in patients with MDD.27,28 Although SAM-e has been prescribed in Europe as an antidepressant since the late 1970s, it became available in the US about a decade ago as a dietary supplement with suggested, but not established, treatment applications for MDD, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and liver disease.

 

AV 3. Change in HDRS Scores With Placebo or Intramuscular SAM-e Augmentation of Imipramine in Patients With Depression (00:22)

 

Several studies of intravenous and intramuscular monotherapy for depression have shown SAM-e to be either superior29 or comparable30–32 to TCAs and more effective than placebo.30,32

[Michaelangelica]

Depression and Inflammation: Part 1

 

July 22, 2010

 

Question:

"Is major depression an inflammatory disease?"

 

Vladimir Maletic, MD:

V. Maletic photoI believe that we have strong evidence that inflammation is a relevant pathophysiological mechanism contributing to the development, severity, and persistence of major depression (MDD).1,2,3 Is it not the same as saying that MDD is an inflammatory disease? Not, exactly. Rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis would be good examples of inflammatory disorders. Inflammation is the fundamental mechanism of etiopathogenesis in these conditions and the primary target of successful treatments. By comparison, inflammation has a significant role in etiology and propagation of malignant disorders. Yet cancers are not commonly considered as a primarily inflammatory condition, nor are the anti-inflammatory agents the mainstay of treatment.

 

Let us now examine the evidence linking depression and inflammation. Stress and medical illness are the principal precipitants of depression, both are associated with immune activation and elevated inflammation.1,3 Compromised cortico-limbic regulation of mood and stress response appears to be the central feature of a depressive episode, most likely giving rise to neuropsychiatric symptoms of depression.1,3 The brain responds to a depressed state in a manner that is very similar to a moderate “fight or flight” response: inadequate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal regulation, sympathetic activation combined with diminished parasympathetic tone, and, lastly, inflammation!1,3

Treating the Whole Patient

[Vox]

Yet another thread inspired by the Sociopathy Thread

 

Walking is one of the best things depressed people can do.

 

You can't tell a "Clinically Depressed" person to think positively.

They can't think. Their mind just goes around and around in obsessive-compulsive circles.

 

We need to ask why walking helps?

 

is it because simple repetition of mechanical task relieve´s thinking mind and compulsive thinking pattern stops for a moment. My view concerning intial problem is that person have been "taken over" by thinking mind, person can not stop thinking and thinking is compulsory.. You can also try how hard is to not to think anything.. our lives are full of different thoughts and we take granted that we are thinking all the time.. but that should not be the case..mind as tool has beome in many cases compulsive master of us..