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| *Women health>>>Depression |
Does depression make you feel less hungry? |
Or feeling sad or down It can. Depression has many symptoms, and not always the same for everyone. Try cutting out processed foods from your diet, and get some exercise. If you don't start to feel better, talk to a doctor. Severe depression does. yes, some of the hormones that are unbalanced in cases of depression cause less hunger. This is actually often one of the first signs of depression paired with sadness and depressive moods. Yes. Loss of appetite is one of the symptoms of depression. you can either lose your appetite or eat more to comfort yourself, can go either way This is a very good blog, a beginner鈥檚 guide to abnormal psychology. Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.co... I lost almost 40 pounds in four months..here is a little more about the affects of depression and what you can do about it.. Depression is a common condition, 15% of the population will suffer from clinical depression at some point in their lives. Everybody has periods where they feel low, or down. These are normal emotions, and appropriate after bad news, bereavement and so forth. However, depression 鈥?the illness, is persistent, and help is required to recover. The difference with depression is when the unhappiness is without cause, or lasts much longer and is out of proportion to circumstances, or seems beyond the sufferers personal control to manage. Depression affects people differently. Some are mildly affected 鈥?often known as dysthymia, and manage to function despite their condition. Others may be severely depressed and find it very difficult to carry out even the most basic tasks., such as washing and dressing. There are also different types of depression, such as the episodes of depression, followed by elation in manic depression (bipolar affective disorder, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and PND (post natal depression). Spike Milligan and Winston Churchill were two famous manic depressives. Depression is not selective of class, status or upbringing. SYMPTOMS Symptoms are many, varied and not all sufferers will exhibit the same problems. They may include: Continual low mood Feeling of inadequacy Feeling 鈥渢earful鈥?and 鈥渆motional鈥?br /> Irritability Anger / aggression Anxiety Lack of motivation Lack of social interest Poor personal care Irrational / guilty thoughts Feeling of hopelessness Suicidal thoughts Tired all the time Loss of appetite / weight Comfort eating Inability to sleep Disturbed sleep Loss of concentration Sleeping too much / not waking refreshed Loss of libido Avoiding people / social situations Lack of energy Feeling physically ill Extreme lethargy Bleak and pessimistic view of the future N.B. Anxiety and depression are closely linked. Anxiety can cause depression, and depression can cause anxiety. SO WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS? Depression is a complex illness, and can occur for several reasons. In a person suffering from depression, levels of neuro-transmitters are lowered. One of these is serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT). It can be triggered as a result of a number of causes: Social Circumstances Unemployment, divorce or break down of relationship, bereavement, redundancy, sudden/dramatic change to personal circumstances Physical Conditions Glandular fever, influenza, anaemia, diseases such as multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis, and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy Hormonal Changes Pregnancy, resulting in PND 鈥?about 10% of all women experience significant PND. Depression presents more commonly in women (this may also be because men are more reluctant to visit their doctor) Psychological Conditions Sufferers of anxiety may also find they develop depression. Unresolved psychological issues also contribute. About 60% of people suffering chronically with anxiety and panic will also develop associated depression. Drug and Alcohol Abuse WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE? Each sufferer is an individual, and treatments vary. Many people combine treatments for optimum effect, i.e. medication and counselling. The preferred choice at present is SSRI鈥檚 along with CBT. The medication is to lift the mood enough to be able to take on board and learn skills needed to overcome the condition long term. The first step is to visit your GP. They can confirm your diagnosis and ensure your depression does not have a physical cause. You must be prepared to be honest with yourself and your GP. If you have some unresolved issues, medication alone will not provide a cure, and your GP can recommend you for some form of therapy. Therapy This may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or counselling. All health authorities have a Community Mental Health Team, who will be able to select and provide appropriate treatment upon your referral by your GP. If you really feel you need it, do not be afraid to request a referral. Medication There are several different types of anti-depressants. You are likely to be offered one of the following types: SSRI 鈥?(selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), the most known household brand name being Prozac (fluoxetine) but now include a whole stable of closely related medicines Tricyclic antidepressants MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) Moclobemide Different people respond better to different drugs, and different categories of depression respond better to different drugs to, so there may be a degree of trial and error before you find the right one for you. There is no universal wonder drug, and what worked for your friend may not be beneficial to you. Before you go to your GP, you may like to make a list of lifestyle considerations to discuss the most suitable medication. For example, if you lead a busy life, or drive for a living, a drug which makes you drowsy may not suit, where if you have problems sleeping at night it may be beneficial. There are several sites on the internet which explain in detail each type of medication, and their possible side effects. Anti-depressants are not addictive. However, you may suffer withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly. Any withdrawal should be gradual and under medical supervision. Alternative Medicine St Johns Wort is a herbal remedy, which has a similar effect to SSRI鈥檚 and is commonly used in the treatment of depression. Do research this carefully before starting yourself on this. It can be very effective but can also have some severe interactions with medication you may be taking for other medical conditions so if you are on any other prescribed medication at all please do not take this without taking specialist advice. SIDE EFFECTS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS ALL medicines have the potential to cause side effects, some of which may be unpleasant. Most side effects only occur during the first few weeks of starting to take the medication, and then disappear. If you are taking the medication and have panic or anxiety 鈥?it is not uncommon for this to get worse for a few weeks before the benefit is felt. It can be helpful in these circumstances to drop your dose and gradually increase it. However, many people take these medicines without experiencing any side-effects. You should also ensure you tell your doctor about any medicines you use regularly. Some medications can react with each other, for example, St Johns Wort can effect the efficiency of the contraceptive pill, and decongestants shouldn鈥檛 be used with MAOI and tricyclic anti-depressants. With the MAOI family, there are also some important food restrictions too. Your GP may need to review they way you self medicate certain conditions. SELF HELP Sufferers can also do a lot to help themselves, by taking positive action to help improve their lives. Diet Ensure you eat a healthy nutritionally balanced diet, including plenty of water, fresh fruit and vegetables, and wholegrains and pulses. Exercise Exercise as regularly as possible, be it a brisk walk to the shops or round the park, a swim or joining the gym. Reduce / Cut Down on Stimulants Review alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and any 鈥渞ecreational鈥?drugs taken. Stop or limit your intake. Swap tea / coffee for water, green, black or herbal teas. Set yourself limits and stick to them. You may choose to allow yourself two glasses of wine at a family celebration. Stick to your limit, and consider swapping wine for wine spritzer to make your drinks last longer Relax Sign up for yoga, Tai鈥檆hi or pilates. Buy a relaxation CD. Go for a massage. Indulge in a bubble bath. Change the Pace Do you need to do everything you do in your life? Do you need to do it when you do it? If not, slow the pace of your life down a little. Consider taking a short holiday. Remove Stressors Whilst it is never a good idea to make major lifestyle changes whilst suffering from depression, review your life with a view to reducing stress. If you have relationship problems, discuss them with your partner, visit Relate. If you have problems at work, discuss them with human resources or your manager. Some stressors can be minor, but putting them off can cause unnecessary aggravation. These may be little things, like a car interior that needs cleaning, or a wardrobe that needs tidying. Find the time to deal with any issues that 鈥渂ug鈥?you, however small. Keep Your Mind Occupied Read a book, watch a film, phone a friend. Try not to simply 鈥渟it and dwell鈥? Take up a new hobby. Keep a Mood Diary Note how you feel each day, what stressors are present, what activities you鈥檝e done, what you鈥檝e eaten and drunk. Monitor for any patterns Don鈥檛 Bottle It Up Don鈥檛 keep your feelings to yourself. Explain to your close family and friends what you are experiencing. If necessary, educate them about your illness and treatment. Avoid people who tell you to pull yourself together, or to just get on with it! You have an illness, and cannot help the way you feel. Rediscovery Write down all the things that usually give you pleasure. These can be hobbies or experiences 鈥?reading, embroidery, playing squash, ice skating, trying out new recipes. Make time to read a book, sew a sampler, book a squash court Create a Self Help Folder Keep any information you find useful filed together, and use it for reference. This can include articles, journals, magazine cuttings, or even quotes or pictures that make you smile. AND ABOVE ALL 鈥?STAY POSITIVE Remember that depression is a treatable illness from which sufferers make a full recovery. Do not set any false time scales for recovery. Everybody is different. SSRIs can take 2 鈥?3 weeks before any benefit is felt. Medication may need to be continued from 6 months up to 2 years. Do not expect an immediate recovery once you have started treatment. Some sufferers find that they may experience another period of depression at some point in their lives. This is quite common, and should not cause concern. It is very likely that you will notice the signs much sooner should it occur again, and can take appropriate action. FURTHER INFORMATION For more detailed information about depression, it鈥檚 causes and treatment, contact: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk www.rcpsych.ac.uk www.medinfo.co.uk www.sane.org.uk www.depressionalliance.org www.samaritans.org.uk www.mind.org.uk |
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