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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
By reading this site, the reader acknowledges their personal respnsibility in choices for mental health for themselves and their children, and agrees that the AYCNP or anyone associated with this site, bears no responsibility for one's personal decisions in choices for mental health. Anyone coming off medication should do so gradually rather than abruptly, and under a doctor's supervision. Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide should seek support.
The following books provide insight into the causes and solutions of depression.
Listening to Depression: How Understanding Your Pain Can Heal Your Life by Lara Honos-Webb
What does it really mean to be depressed? You know depression as a collection of symptoms-fatigue, listlessness, feelings of worthlessness-and the source of more than a little pain. But depression is also a signal that something in your life is wrong and needs to be healed. Too often, though, we try to cut off or numb our feelings of depression instead of listening carefully to what they are telling us about our lives. This book offers insightful ways to reframe depression as a gift that can help you transform your life for the better.
Each chapter discusses a different aspect of depression as positive opportunity for growth or change. Depression can be the start of a reorientation in life, a step in the search for meaning, or a chance for letting go of hurtful aspects of the self. It can also be a chance to deal with grief and loss and learn to expand your potential. The book concludes with a section of advice about when it is important to defend against depression and how best to go about it when the need arises.
This is a great book on depression. How what we take in to our minds and bodies can cause depression, and what to do to naturally change the chemical balance of our mind. Yes, music can affect our mental health. Natural Prozac by clinical psychologist Joel Robertson. Excellent.
The Antidepressant Solution: How to safely come off antidepressants
Prozac Backlash: Why to come off antidepressants
By same author Joseph Glenmullen, psychiatrist, who had prescribed antidepressants for years, but could honestly see what it was doing to his patients, and changed his approach. Most doctors are not that honest, but tend to gloss over the facts when writing about depression.
Talking Back To Prozac: What Doctors Aren't Telling You About Today's Most Controversial Drug by psychiatrist Peter Breggin, M.D.
Breggin has been described as the Ralph Nader or "conscience" of American psychiatry. He details the FDA approval process, including who on the panel was paid by whom. The key players and the details will surprise you. He also helps shed light on clinical studies used to "prove" the safety of Prozac, revealing the flaws and lack of sound science behind such studies.
The Anti-Depressant Fact Book by Peter Breggin, M.D. - What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Luvox
Potatoes Not Prozac
Diet and sugar can contribute to and even be one of the causes of depression and other mental health disorders, including ADHD and bipolar disorder. Make sure that you, or your son and daughter, is getting proper nutrtion, and three good meals a day. Depression is connected, sometimes, with nutritional issues.
Blaming the Brain : The Truth About Drugs and Mental Health by Elliot Valenstein
The odds are high that someone close to you has been told he or she has a "chemical imbalance" in the brain, but the odds are slim that the doctor who said it could point to any convincing evidence that it was true. The increasing awareness that most biological theories underlying diagnoses of depression, schizophrenia, and other mental problems are based very loosely on accidental drug discoveries and promoted heavily by pharmaceutical companies is the basis for neuroscientist Elliot S. Valenstein's book Blaming the Brain. Compelling reading for the age of Prozac, Blaming the Brain looks at the history of medical treatments for psychiatric disorders, and particularly the modern era of drug therapies, with the intent of uncovering whether science or rhetoric determines courses of treatment.
Claiming that there are no widely accepted theories of mental illness and that therapies are guided more by marketing than lab work hasn't won Valenstein many friends in psychiatry, but his scientific credibility is impeccable, and, better for the reader, his explanations of his doubts are clear and sensible. Whether discussing the "good old days" of insulin coma and electroshock therapies (after which drugs seemed a humane godsend) or the modern prospects of scientific research and medical clinics owned and directed by pharmaceutical companies, he maintains a calm, measured style that seeks to clothe the emperor, not replace him. Blaming the Brain is a powerful, thoroughly enjoyable book that will provoke much-needed thought and discussion on all sides of this important topic. --Rob Lightner
Overcoming ADHD Without Medication: A Parent ane Educator's Guidebook
Depression, bipolar disorder and ADHD, what parents can do, naturally, to help children.
Review: "As a physician, I see children and adults daily who have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. The first thing that often happens in this case is that they are put on medications without any regard for their lifestyle or nutritional habits. What I love about this book is that right from the beginning the author addresses that ADHD is a multi-factorial illness that has multi-factorial solutions. I especially like that he addresses how the over-exposure of a child to TV, movies, media, and video games affects the brain of a child in such a way that may contribute to the development of ADHD. It's an easy read, it's well laid out, and based on research. I would definitely recommend this to my patients and anyone else who has or knows someone with ADHD."
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs by Stephen S. Ilardi PhD
Review: “Practical, straightforward, grounded in persuasive research, this book is recommended for anyone seeking an alternative approach to treating depression.” -- Library Journal
Self Coaching by Joseph J. Luciani
"Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts and our interpretations of events greatly influence our moods. Therapists teach clients to listen to their negative internal dialogs and to use less depressive "self-talk." Clients may also be given "homework" in the form of relaxation exercises for anxiety or gradual acclimatization to frightening situations. The emphasis is on changing thoughts and actions, not on understanding their origins. Getting Your Life Back and Self-Coaching are both based on this approach.
The latter, by clinical psychologist Luciani, advises readers to identify themselves as specific personality types (e.g., "Worrywarts," "Hedgehogs," "Perfectionists") and then gives specific instructions on how to change these thought patterns. The title by Wright and Basco, a psychiatrist/educator and a clinical psychologist/researcher, respectively, examines various psychological areas (e.g., thinking, action, biology, relationships, and spirituality) and invites readers to work on these areas in any order with valuable, morale-boosting checklists and examples. Getting Your Life Back is the better of the two because it discusses antidepressants and because the authors' instructions and exercises are much more thorough." -- Library Journal -- Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Cognitive Therapy for Depressed Adolescents, by T.C.R. Wilkes MD, Gayle Belsher, A. John Rush M., Ellen Frank PhD
"This timely book fills a critical void in the treatment literature for depressed adolescents. It will be a welcome addition to the library and therapeutic approaches of clinicians and researchers alike. A great step forward." --Peter S. Jensen, M.D., NIMH
Remotely Controlled: How Television is Damaging Our Lives, by Aric Sigman
This book discusses how TV affects children and adults. It considers the strong link between watching television and depression, how excessive TV time can be one of the factors that causes depression, and provides practical solutions for cutting down TV time, with corresponding gains in mental health. Well-documented, information presented supported by clinical studies from respected psychiatric journals.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition by CNC, Phyllis A. Balch
Transforming Depression by David Rosen, M.D.
David H. Rosen, M.D., is a psychiatrist and Jungian analyst who holds the only American full professorship in Jungian psychology, at Texas A & M University, where he is also Professor of Humanities in Medicine. He lives in Texas.
David H. Rosen, M.D., offers depressed individuals, their families, and therapists a lifesaving course in healing the soul through creativity. This is a book about transforming depression and its powerful pull toward suicide into a meaningful alternative. In Transforming Depression, Dr. Rosen applies Carl Jung's method of active imagination to treating depressed and suicidal individuals. Having dealt with depression in his own life and the suicides of loved ones, Dr. Rosen shows that when people learn to confront the rich images and symbols that emerge from their struggles, they can turn their despair into a fountain of creative energy. He details the paths of four patients whose work in painting, pottery, and dance - in conjunction with psychotherapy - led them from depression to a more meaningful life. Their dramatic paintings illustrate the text. Part One presents an overview of the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual factors involved in the diagnosis of depression. Part Two provides a new therapeutic approach to treating depression, focusing on the symbolic death and rebirth of the ego (ego-cide) as an alternative to suicide. Part Three presents in-depth case studies from Dr. Rosen's practice. Part Four discusses how we can recognize crisis points and how creativity can transform depression. The author pays particular attention to the problem of teen suicide.
Women exercising - Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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What Causes Depression - Depression Help
-----Description, Facts, Symptoms and Solutions
Positive non-pharmaceutical self help and professional solutions
12% of women (nearly 12 million women) in the United States are diagnosed with depression compared to 7% of men (over 6 million men). Mild depression can be differentiated from clinical depression, which includes major depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder. (University Health Services Tang Center Berkley, CA). At any given time in the United States, 10% of the adult population is on antidepressants of one type or another.
Depression Statistics - U.S.
12% women
7% men
10% adult population on antidepressants
There are many factors that can cause and contribute to what is referred to as unipolar depression, that is depression without any bipolar symptoms. A genetic predisposition can play a role. While there is often much discussion about "chemical imbalance" and its role in depression, really, this simple theory has not held up under closer scrutiny.
See this page for more information and graph.
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You can overcome depression.
Never give up!
Photo: Hendrike, 2004.
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Depression Self Help, Lifestyle Changes, Diet and Nutrition
While one might think of depression in terms of something akin to catching a cold, coming on for no apparent reason, there are, in reality, usually reasons why someone might become seriously depressed.
Lifestyle changes can make a big difference in terms of "curing" depression, for many persons. Much has been said and written about how maintaining a healthy diet and giving attention to nutrition, which can be positive steps towards relieving symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders. A diet low in refined carbohydrates, very low in sugars, low fat, no alcohol, preferably a vegetarian or mostly vegetarian diet, especially avoiding red meats, can be helpful in maintaining a balanced body and brain chemistry that is conducive to good mental health.
Eat a steady three meals a day. Some with depression may rarely have three nutritious meals. A regular, nutritious reakfast, daily is a must, even if you don't feel hungry. Your body may have become used to doing without breakfast, but if you do eat a good breakfast daily, your body will get used to it, and you will probably start feeling at least some hunger pangs when you get up in the morning. (Doing without breakfast does not help you to lose or maintain your weight. The body responds by slowing down the metabolism, and compensates for the skipped meal).
Children and teens might often skip breakfast, at times, breakfast in public schools (as has been true in Newark, NJ public schools), is no more than a pop tart and juice. Hardly adequate for a rapidly growing teen or child. Some children or teens might skip both breakfast and lunch, and at times, lunches at school are also seriously lacking in terms of nutrition.
For adults, changing habits in smoking and alcohol consumption can also result in positive affect. Persons who suffer from mental illness of any sort, or have a tendency towards any mental health difficulties, need to give serious thought to doing without alcohol, which is a depressant.
More Depression Self-Help Solutions
Green Therapy has proven to be more effective for some, than antidepressants, that is, getting out in the outdoors regularly, along with a little exercise.
Exercise: A natural remedy for depression.
Exercise is something that has found to help all forms of depression. One Duke University study indicated that, for mild and moderate depression, regular moderate exercise was more effective than medication both in terms of short term improvement and in long-term results, recurrence rate.
Another study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1999, divided 156 men and women with depression into three groups. One group took part in an aerobic exercise program, another took the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft), and a third did both. At the 16-week mark, depression had eased in all three groups. About 60%?70% of the people in all three groups could no longer be classed as having major depression. In fact, group scores on two rating scales of depression were essentially the same. This suggests that for those who need or wish to avoid drugs, exercise might be an acceptable substitute for antidepressants. Keep in mind, though, that the swiftest response occurred in the group taking antidepressants, and that it can be difficult to stay motivated to exercise when you are depressed.
A follow-up to that study found that exercise's effects lasted longer than those of antidepressants. Researchers checked in with 133 of the original patients six months after the first study ended. They found that the people who exercised regularly after completing the study, regardless of which treatment they were on originally, were less likely to relapse into depression.
A study published in 2005 found that walking fast for about 35 minutes a day five times a week or 60 minutes a day three times a week had a significant influence on mild to moderate depression symptoms. Walking fast for only 15 minutes a day five times a week or doing stretching exercises three times a week did not help as much.
(Harvard Mental Health Letter).
Causes of Depression - Depression and Television
Science Daily reports that there appears to be a link with much time watching television and depression for some people. Cutting back on, or doing with television, then, may be one positive step in overcoming depression. The authors of the study liken television to an opiate, which provides immediate pleasure at the expense of long term happiness and good mental health. Study: University of Maryland, (2008). Science Daily. Dr. Aric Sigman a American-British psychologist similar documents a link between television viewing and depression. He notes several reasons this is so, the depressing and often pessimistic nature of the television news, the over-stimulation of the brain from watching fast-paced television or violent content, also he notes, as have other authors, that the sedentary nature of watching television, especially as a lifestyle, contributes to depression, both directly and indirectly.
One lifecoach noted that after one-half hour watching television, the brain begins to slow down into a passive mode, especially when considering the mindless nature of many TV programs. Even programs which are of substance such as a nature documentary or programming from Science Channel or Discovery Channel (Sigman notes Discovery Channel), can slow down the activity of the brain when such are viewed in terms of regular entertainment (as opposed to watching a specific program or video for a college course, or as a supplement to school work, as an example, where note-taking and deliberate processing of the information for assignments or testing might be required).
Television indirectly contributes to depression in that it displaces time that might otherwise be spent in activities which are more active, mentally challenging, strengthening or otherwise productive. It creates a type of learned-helplessness in one's thinking, a passivity which is fertile ground for depression to grow.
Cutting back or cutting out television, as a number of individuals with depression have done, is a positive step towards a more productive lifestyle and to overcoming depression. One middle-aged man who dealt depression found that his relief from most symptoms of depresssion was almost immediate. Within one week he no longer experienced depressed after deliberatly cutting out the television from his lifestyle. He recognized that television was a factor in his depressive symptoms, and made a positive lifestyle change which led to permanent relief of his symptoms.
Types of Depression
Dysthymia
Diagnosed when a person is depressed mood for most of the day, most days, and at least two other depressive symptoms, but not of sufficient persistence or severity to be considered major depression. No manic or hypomanic episodes.
Symptoms of Depression or Major Depression
One or more major depressive episodes in absence of any manic or hypomanic episodes. Symptoms consist of a prominent and persistent depressed mood or loss of pleasure for at least two weeks, accompanied by four or more symptoms such as poor appetite, insomnia, psychomotor retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, inability to concentrate, and thoughts of death or suicide.
If a person is depressed but experiences less than four of these symptoms, is not having feelings of suicide or of hurting oneself, then the depression would not be considered major depression but mild to moderate depression.
Untreated Depression
At the same time, it is also acknowledged that depression that goes untreated can carry a risk factor. Depression, especially when it is deep or long-term, does need attention. What many don't realize, though, is that there are options in treatment. The greatest need in treating depression or in finding help for depression is getting support. This can come in many forms, but some do need professional support. Those who isolate themselves or don't seek any type of support, can put themselves at risk. So, it is important to talk to qualified persons for support when one is in depression. This alone can be of value, and it can be a protection, in the case of those who might be suicidal. On the other hand, it is possible for many to find professional support which does not necessarily need to be in the form of pharmaceutical treatment. A non-pharmaceutical approach can be effective for many.
Most persons feel sad at times, but in major depression, it is intense and of long duration, causing difficulties in functioning day to day.
What Causes Depression - Multi-Faceted Factors
The University of Arkansas Medical Department states, as for most mental disorders, that research indicates there is no single cause of depression, but that it results from
complex interactions among multiple factors. Biological, genetic, neurophysiological, hormonal are some physical factors that can be involved with depression.
Cognitive distortions, poor coping skills, problematic interpersonal relationships, poor social support, and stressful life experiences are some psychological factors that can contribute to depression.
A history of abuse can also result in depression as well.
Summary of some of the factors that can contribute to depression:
- Stressful life events
- The loss such as the death of a loved one.
- Romantic losses
- A promiscuous lifestyle for some can contribute to depression.
- Current or former substance abuse.
- Some studies suggest that "chronic strains," ongoing relatively low-key stressful situations may lead to depression in some
- Several stressful situations coming in a series can also lead to depression such as a romantic relationship, doing poorly on a test, losing one's job, a major family crisis, etc.
- The thwarting of a major goal can contribute to depression for some.
- Early parental loss can contribute to a predisposition towards depression in some.
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Child abuse can contribute to a predisposition towards depression for some.
- Some physical conditions can lead to depression.
- Having an abortion can result in depression for many women, and surprisingly for men as well. See Psychology Today, May/June 2004. Sometimes that grief that comes as a result of abortion can be long-term.
- Situations that lower self-esteem be a contributing factor
- The need for a more healthy diet and exercise.
- A genetic predisposition can also predispose certain persons towards depression, in conjunction with any of the above or other stressors.
Childhood Depression
"A warm caring relationship with a parent or caring adult acts as a protective factor against depression. Young adults who have lost a parent before the age of 16 experience more depression and suicide attempts than those adults who came from intact families. Consistent nurturing from another adult, however, can lessen these negative reactions." Lillian M. Range, PhD. Children's Health.
Major Depression in a child: The symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, (MDD), or major depression, a child or teen must have experienced one or more major depressive episodes. This might be from 2 weeks to 1 year in duration and can be characterized by extreme sadness or hopelessness, thoughts about death or dying, loss of energy, inability to sleep, or concentrate. The same is true with adults as well.
Experience of childhood depression symptoms: Roberto is 8 years old, he has lost interest in playing with his friends, he only sleeps after school. It is difficult to get him to eat a complete meal. His grades have slipped, his teachers say he doesn't talk or play with the other children and often looks sad. He has trouble sleeping at night and this has been a pattern for several months.
Many of these self help skills can have a positive effect for both adults, teens and children.
Child Abuse and Depression
One of the causal factors for depression can be child abuse which can take on many forms, both verbal, and physical as well as sexual. These are a possibility in both childhood and adult depression. Adults need to talk about these things with a sympathetic and non-judgemental listener, if these events have taken place in the past, and children do as well. Healing and comfort is needed for emotional wounds of child abuse, more than anything else.
Anxiety and depression are much more common with those who have been abused as children. Some teen depression can be attributed to abuse or neglect. Some who have been abused as children have experienced relief from depression after being able to talk to sympathetic listeners about their experiences over an extended period of time. There needs to be healing from abuse, and this is true of adults or teens who may be abused by spouses or others.
Depression Solutions - Depression and Diet for Children and Teens
Diet plays a role in depression. A healthy, nutritious diet, low in sugar in low in refined carbohydrates is needed for children and adults. Children need breakfast. Breakfast in school is often high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. Children need a healthy breakfast at home, before going to school. Some children are more sensitive, and this is true of adults as well. Some adults suffering with depression might eat only one meal a day, not necessarily nutritious.
Other Depression Causes - Media Violence
American culture is high on both media time and media violence. Violence is evident in most movies that we have grown accustomed to, from Rambo and Jaws, Star Wars to Chucky. Television cartoons for children, and much in the TV sporting world, focus on violence and action violence, which can produce a high and low effect in mood. That is, when watching such programming, the mind is stimulated, afterwards, it suffers from a corresponding low.
Excessive television and movies, and video games can be a factor for some children, and adults, in both depression, ADHD, and other mental health disorders. For some experiencing mental health problems, it might be better to do without TV and movies completely. It is a measure that can be implemented for six months, to see if it does not contribute to better mental health in children or adults.
The stimulation with many action movies and the fast pace of
television commercials, can correspond with a plummet in levels of key neurotransmitters, resulting in depression or even contributing to bipolar disorder. For children, cartoons and children's movies, Disney, etc, can be contributing to depression, for some children, and it might be an area that a parent can give attention to.
There is much violence on Television for children and young people today. Even Disney channel has some rather intensely violent (non-cartoon) programming for children and young teens.
The average child will:
- Watch 4,000 hours of TV before they enter kindergarten.
- Are exposed to 20 to 25 acts of violence per hour on Saturday morning TV programs intended for children.
See Adults and Children Act Against Violence website for more information. - off-site link
This can be true of music as well. For some, a steady auditory diet of radio rock and roll is too much for their minds. Dr. Joel Robertson’s advances the idea that music effects brain chemistry, and so the type and intensity of the music one listens to can lead to depression and other disorders in some persons, and some children.
Why Television Can Contribute to Depression in Teens
and probably adults as well.
An active mind is a good preventive measure for both depression and dementia, and engaging in mentally-challenging activities can be a part of therapy for depression. Studies have shown that time spent with television can be correlational to symptoms of ADHD, and can have a direct correlation with depression in teens, especially males. Just 2.3 hours of TV per day resulted in a significantly greater rate of depression. For every hour of TV watched by a teen, there was a correspondingly greater risk of depression.
The television often-times, puts one's mind in a passive mode, it is fast-paced and creates an artificial, but temporary stimulation. When that stimulation is later absent, it can result in a corresponding low in one's mood, which is thought to be a reflection of brain chemistry, making it difficult to overcome feelings of depression. In that respect, TV can become something like a drug.
One youth with bipolar disorder reported that the only time he felt better with certain of his symptoms, was when he watched TV. So, the TV calmed him while he was watching it, but afterwards, his symptoms returned in earnest. Encouragement, then, for teens to greatly cut back on the time spent watching TV is of value. For some, this can mean doing without TV in the home, and certainly in the bedroom. Parents should not allow children or teens to have a TV, video games or access to the internet in the bedroom, it is often an open door for problems and issues which can contribute to anxiety, loss of sleep and which can ultimately contribute to depression or other mental health issues for children and teens.
Dr's Primack, Georgiopoulos, MD; Land, Ph.D., and others associated with the study conclusion is stated as, "Television exposure and total media exposure in adolescence are associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms in young adulthood, especially in young men."
See: Association Between Media Use in Adolescence and Depression in Young Adulthood A Longitudinal Study. Brian A. Primack, MD, et al.
Music and mental health
Music is a powerful influence for many youths. Some children and youth listen to music for hours every day, on the school bus, during breaks at school, at lunch or recess and at home. Some do their homework to music or music videos. For some teens who reach driving age, their first car is a night club on wheels, and the music is turned on from the moment they enter the car. A lot of the music today is "supercharged," it's not mellow or relaxing, but pumped up.
Too much of today's music can affect the mental health of a child or teen. It is one area where parents, educator's and professionals can give consideration in considering the emotional needs of children or teens with depression. Joel Robertson, Ph.D. of Saginaw, MI, in his book Natural Prozac, documents the affect that music can have on mood. Music that is intense, of any type, can have a similar roller-coaster affect on the mood of some persons.
Causes of Depression - Pornography and Depression
Pornography can cause some to suffer from depression as can isolation, too much time spent alone. We all need loving attachments, meaningful relationships with others, as well as a purpose in life and purposeful work. This contributes to good mental health and the absence of these can contribute to depression.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression Solutions
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be as effective as medication in terms of both short and long term results, as a whole. When combined with other lifestyle changes, it can prove to be all that is needed for the vast majority suffering with depression.
Psychology Today, July/Aug 2007
also recently wrote on the subject of depression and cognitive-behavioral therapy, summarizing a study on CBT and its positive effects on depression, demonstrating stating cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven to be more effective than antidepressants in both the short and long-term benefits.
The reason is cognitive behavioral therapy works from the "top down," that is, it is getting right down to changing one's thinking, whereas, medication is working from the bottom-up, that is it is addressing symptoms, medicating symptoms, rather than helping to address any serious issues that need to be addressed in order to recover. Medication for depression is like the proverbial Chinese "handing a man a fish." It feeds him for the day, but you haven't given him anything to be self-sufficient in the long-term.
An analysis of major studies on the effectiveness of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating depression revealed that, in the majority of cases, cognitive therapy was as effective as medication in the treatment of major depression, some studies showing a slight advantage to cognitive therapy over medication.
DeRubeis, R. (1997, May). A second group of researchers reached similar conclusions. (Cris-Cristoph, 1996).
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy emphasizes the effects of thoughts on behavior along with performance-oriented focus. Two main themes in cognitive-behavioral therapy are:
1. cognitive processes influence emotion, motivation, nd behavior; and
2. the use of cognitive and behavior-change technique in a pragmatic manner.
Therapy sessions are often accompanied by homework sessions and assignments. The therapist and the client work together to evaluate and adjust changes these have on thought patterns. Faulty reasoning on the part of the client is challenged in real-life experiments and the therapist guides the client to adjust his view of himself, as he realizes that his negative assumptions are faulty. One might sum it up as, a way-of-thinking readjustment.
The therapist helps to identify with them logical errors in their thinking, to challenge h validity of negative thinking. If a person feels they are totally worthless, the idea is to gain a balanced view of themselves, get away from the all-or-nothing thinking that can be crippling or which can lead to suicidal thoughts.
A therapist works with a client to develop real-life situations to help a client get over faulty thinking, in a step by step fashion. Also, a therapist might help a client schedule his day to day activities, which helps him or her to have a structural framework with less "down-time," which might lead to depression.
Three approaches to cognitive-behavioral therapy
Additionally, interpersonal therapy, which is less directed than cognitive-behavioral therapy, has been found to be effective, especially with teens, who often need just someone to talk things out with. Anyone going through depression can benefit from talking things out with a sympathetic listener, whether it be a friend, mate, minister, or professional. This can be and often is a necessary part of the healing process for child abuse or for other traumatic experiences in life.
School Psychology
Sometimes, social workers in the public schools, are trained in cognitive or talk therapy, and, because clinical psychologists are not always available in the public school system, social workers sometimes take on a more serious role as therapists for children who need to talk things out.
Spiritual Needs
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Spiritual and emotional needs are important for good mental health and in overcoming depression.
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Spirituality and Psychology
Giving attention to our spiritual needs is also vital for our mental health. If we guard ourselves from things that can damage us emotionally or spiritually, then the mind can heal and function in a more healthful way. Attention to our spiritual needs can be an overlooked part of our mental health. This can true for adults, teens and children. Reading the Psalms is a stabilizing and comforting activity. The deep emotions of men who experienced inner turmoil, and their profound emotional expressions, often reflect our own inner sentiments, and there can be identity with these deep poetic and heartful expressions. It can be a gentle and soothing part of the healing process.
Antidepressants: Why medication is over-prescribed for depression
There is much that can be done to overcome depression before one needs to consider the idea of taking medication. Many thoughtful psychologists and even psychiatrists, have stated that they recommend medication only as a very last resort, rather than a first line treatment. And really, one needs to be a little naive to believe that the marketing and lobbying efforts of multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry has not influenced the current practice of using pharmaceuticals as the first-line treatment for millions who suffer from depression.
Drugs for depression address symptoms but do not address the "illness".
In considering the thought of the role of a "chemical imbalance" and depression, what is being measured is the chemical nature of the mind itself after the thoughts have been established. In other words, we are considering as much the effect as we are the cause.
It is generally agreed by serious psychiatrists and those in the mental health professions that medications are, in general, treating and addressing symptoms, but they are not in any way curing an "illness". This thought is well documented. Martin S. Willick, M.D., a practicing psychiatrist in New Jersey, USA, and a co-host of a recent (April 2009) meeting on mental health at Columbia University stated that we know that "medicine addresses the symptoms but does not treat the disease." This is a statement reflective of the current evidence on the limits of psychiatric medications.
Antidepressants help about 45% of those who take them, at least for the short term. There is also evidence that there is a strong placebo response, which some interpret as giving evidence that SSRI's are statistically comparable to placebos in their positive effects. In all likelihood, antidepressants do help some to make short term gains. However, over half who take antidepressants do not make significant gains from taking antidepressants alone.
New Link & Study: SSRI Antidepressants 'Clinically Insignificant' For Most People - Off-site link
Additionally, antidepressants increase the rate of suicidality two-fold, in groups from childhood until the age of 24, and in seniors. It does not seem to increase suicidality in those from the age of 25 to the mid-50s. The rate increase from 2% to 4% on antidepressants. For this reason, the FDA requires that antidepressants carry the strongest warning possible, other than removing the drug from the market, a
black box warning, so that those using antidepressants can be aware of this affect from antidepressants. (FDA off-site link)
More on the medical model and holistic models of psychology, moods and behavior.
Coming Off Antidepressants
Anyone who is attempting to come off antidepressants or other psychiatric medications should do so gradually rather than abruptly.
See Newsweek article How to Quit the Cure. Off-site link. Also read Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's book, The Antidepressant Solution
References for Causes, Help and Solutions for Depression page
1. Carson, R.C., Butcher, N. J., Mineka, S. (2000). Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life. 11th Edition. P. 662-668.
2. Cris-Christoph, P. & Connelly, M. B. (1996).
3. DeRubeis, R. (1997, May). Cognitive therapy IS as effective as medication for severe depression. A mega-analysis. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Society. Washington.
4. Exercise and Depression (Retrieved August 3, 2009). Harvard Mental Health Letter. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Exercise-and-Depression-report-excerpt.htm
5. Graves, G., (July 2011). The Surprising Silver Lining of Sadness. Prevention Magazine.
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7. Irving Kirsch11*, Brett J. Deacon2, Tania B. Huedo-Medina3, Alan Scoboria4, Thomas J. Moore5, Blair T. Johnson5
1 Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom, 2 University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America, 3 Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America, 4 Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, 5 Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, United States of America. (February 2008). PLoS Medicine, Public Library of Science.
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