Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17 report that obtaining marijuana is “easy or fairly easy?” Or that 25% of youths between 12 and 17 say the same of crack?

Drug use can lead to a host of significant health, social, learning and behavioral problems at a crucial time in a young person’s development - is this the time to question person’s development? Getting high also impairs judgment, leading to risky decision making on issues like sex, criminal activity or riding with someone who is driving high.

Because experts in substance abuse claim that parents are the principal influence on their teenager’s decision to use drugs, the message needs to start with you. Research tells us that kids who maintain an open and honest line of communication are far less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Many parents neglect to broach the subject primarily because they are unsure how to begin.

If you would like to start a dialogue with your teen, begin by educating yourself on the different types of drugs available and the risks and dangers of each. Use television programs, anti-drug commercials, or news about drugs to help you introduce the subject in a relaxed, natural way - sometimes television programs can help. Then: be absolutely clear with your kids that you don’t want them using drugs. Ever. Anywhere.

Don’t leave room for interpretation. Be a better listener. Ask questions and encourage them. Paraphrase what your child says to you. Ask for your children’s input about family decisions.

Give honest answers. Some parents who used drugs in the past choose to lie about it, but they risk losing their credibility if their children discover the truth.

This does not mean that you need to recount every moment of your experience - some details should remain private. Ask clarifying questions to make sure you understand exactly what your child is asking, and why, before answering questions about your past drug use, and limit your response to that information. Don’t react in a way that will cut off further discussion.

If your child makes statements that challenge or shock you, turn them into a calm discussion of why your child thinks people use drugs, or whether the effect is worth the risk.§Role-play with your child and practice ways to refuse drugs and alcohol in different situations. Acknowledge how tough these moments can be. Repeat the message.

To further help your child resist the traps of drug and alcohol addiction, experts suggest that you remain current on the drug market and street lingo, set effective guidelines and rules, strengthen your relationship with your child’s school, and be a good role model for your teen.

Your kids may suffer from depression, but this is not the best excuse to use drugs. Learn how to help someone with depression.

when you start talking about depression there are so many different words that are thrown around that its tough to understand and know what they all really mean.  They often assume that there is just one type of depression and don’t realize that not only are there different types of depression but it can affect people in different ways and various degrees.  One thing they are often confused about is manic depression, not realizing the many symptoms that are involved.  Depression is not simply an extreme form of depression the way one might think, but involves a wide variety of symptoms.

Many use the term bipolar disorder when speaking of manic depression and the two are the same condition.  As the word bipolar would suggest, there are two extremes in emotions and feelings when a person suffer from this condition.  Again, depression takes many forms and affects people differently.  With manic depression a sufferer experiences feelings of mania which is an energetic, almost euphoric state.  This isn’t just regular energy that one would get after a good night’s sleep or when you’re in a good mood but is unbalanced and at times almost dangerous.  A person experiencing a manic state might talk endlessly or do things that aren’t logical, such as paint their living room a bright bold color based on a sudden whim.  They may wake their children in the middle of the night to play or get a sudden urge to clean all their closets and cupboards.  While these things may not seem dangerous, extreme forms of manic depression may make the person feel invincible and cause them to do something dangerous, such as crawl on their roof or drive at high speeds.  The mania may also make them more angry than dangerous, and these bursts of anger can be taken out on their children or other family members.

The other side of Major Depression is the depressive state that affects a patient more than other depressive states.  Their depression is extreme and may cause them to stay in bed for days at a time, to neglect their own children and even their own hygiene and personal care.  Their depression may reach a state where they are even suicidal, wondering “what’s the point?” no matter what they’re doing or experiencing.From day to day or even hour by hour things can change for a person with manic depression which makes this type of depression very difficult to deal wtih.  They may assume they’ve just worn themselves out with the activities during the manic state.

Manic depression is not a disease to be ignored.  Anyone experiencing these wild mood swings would do well to pay attention to their own actions and if they are out of balance, they need to speak to a doctor immediately.  This disease can be treated with medication and sometimes even having an accurate diagnosis is a big help as well, but a person with manic depression should speak to a doctor rather than simply trying to treat or cope with it on their own.

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There has been much debate over the subject of Postpartum Depression these days, no small part of which are comments made by some that not only can this condition be treated by “vitamins and exercise” but by the fact that some even debate whether the condition actually exists in the first place.  If you’re a new mom and think that you are experiencing postpartum depression but are afraid of talking to anyone because of what they might say, please keep reading.

The first thing to remember about any case of depression is that there are new facts being learned about it every single day.  The more scientists are able to understand about how the body and the brain work together, the more accurate they are in medical diagnoses.  Many doctors agree that postpartum depression does exist and is the result of a wide combination of factors.  A new mother is facing a surge of female hormones that often trigger emotional episodes, including depression.  Many of her body’s systems are also maladjusted, and this includes some of the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood.  On top of all of these things, postpartum depression may also be caused or aggravated by her lack of sleep from having to get up and take care of the baby several times during the night.Really if you combine all of these things you can see how this can really have an effect on a new mom’s health and emotions!

It’s thought that some cases of Postpartum Depression are more likely to strike women who are already prone to depression or who have had this condition even before becoming pregnant.  This seems like a logical conclusion; if a woman has a tendency to be overweight before becoming pregnant it’s likely that she will have a more difficult time taking off the weight after pregnancy.Postpartum works similar to this in that if you have the condition before you are pregnant you have a higher chance of struggling with it after pregnancy.

Sometimes you will find advocates that postpartum depression is not only brought on by physical factors but also many emotional factors as well.Motherhood is shown to women as a constant state of happiness full of laughter and a love but then reality can hit a young mom with a crying baby at 2 in the morning.  This disappointment can reach the point of depression.  Or some who experience postpartum depression have expected the child to solve problems in their life, such as bringing them closer to their spouse, or making up for a lack of self-esteem, and so on.  When these things don’t happen just automatically with the arrival of the baby, the mother feels angry, guilty, let down, and so on.  This too can progress to the point of postpartum depression. 

Doctors today are becoming more responsive to the condition and are more aware and alert to what it means and what may legitimately cause it.  There are medications available to get a woman through as well as support groups for those with postpartum depression that may help, so talk to your doctor about your condition today.

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Everyone gets depressed from time to time.  And considering the very frightening times we’re living in, it’s no wonder that more and more people are feeling increased anxiety and what can be called depression.  Of course losing your job and facing home foreclosure or just wondering if it’s going to happen to you next can make anyone depressed!  But these things cannot accurately be called major depression; there’s more to the condition than just feeling anxious and afraid.

Depression is a condition caused when the brain does not properly regulate the production of certain chemicals that are necessary for a good or healthy mood.  Outside factors can influence how the brain releases and regulates these chemicals, but in major depression these chemicals are very rarely released and are not released in adequate amounts.

Symptoms of Major Depression

There are many different types of depression, from postpartum depression which of course occurs after a woman has had a baby, as well as bipolar disorder which is marked by wild mood swings of euphoria to near suicidal thoughts, and many other types in between.This type of depression known as Major Depression is usually shown with extremly low moods and and is a severe form of depression.  A person with this condition may not necessarily be suicidal but struggles every day just with getting out of bed, and not just on the worst of Mondays but also when they even have something fun and enjoyable planned.  Patients with major depression often see no point to any activity, even hobbies they once enjoyed.A lot of times people just disengage with their lives and tend to have no feelings and almost walk around as a zombie.  Very often things they would have once taken care of now are ignored, and this might include their own personal care and hygiene.

Coping With Clinical Depression

It can be very difficult to deal with depression in any form, and the condition often brings with it other emotional distresses such as guilt, panic and anxiety.  Others in the family may also be less than supportive, thinking that the patient should just snap out of it and pull themselves together.  These things don’t make coping with major depression any easier.  It’s important to recognize the condition as a disease and not something the patient has chosen or enjoys.  On the other hands, it’s important for the patient to remember that he or she shouldn’t hide behind the disease and still needs to take care of responsibilities around the house and in the office whether or not he or she “feels like it.” 

Some form of medication is also recommended when it comes to major depression.  While many shy away from taking medication, remember that it’s important to treat this condition as the disease it is.  There are also many new options on the market today that are less harsh than choices in the past and that have far fewer side effects than before.

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Do you suffer from mood swings and crying bouts? Do you want to sleep all day and not leave the house? Have you ever found yourself asking he question, “am I suffering from depression?” If you have reached this point, then you are well on your way to conquering this common mental illness. Depression has different causes and contributing factors; some people may be more susceptible to it due to a family history or due to significant life events. There is no cure for depression, but there are many reliable treatments available that have proven to be successful in keeping symptoms at bay. There are also several self-help resources available on the internet that discuss various causes, the most common symptoms, diagnosis criteria, and various treatment options for different types of depression.

“Am I suffering from depression?” The most common signs of depression are not enjoying favorite hobbies or activities anymore, viewing the future as hopeless, feeling helpless, having difficulty concentrating or reading, feeling agitated, restless, sad or unhappy, having difficulty making decisions, feeling guilty, expending great effort to do simple things, feeling fatigued, unable to eat or overeating, lost or gained weight, not sleeping enough or too much, having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, and losing interest in what used to be important. All of these are significant signs and symptoms of depression, and they appear in varying degrees. Depression is a chronic illness that will never completely go away, but with an optimistic approach and comprehensive treatment, the symptoms can be decreased significantly if not permanently erased.

Learning how to deal with depression and change life’s outlook often involves more than a simple diagnosis and medication. There are all natural products that have been shown to be effective in cases of mild depression, like St. John’s wart, but in cases of more severe symptoms, a complete evaluation by a psychiatrist and/or psychotherapist is recommended. If you have asked yourself even once, “am I suffering from depression?” then you should seek professional advice. There are quite a few sites online that are great sources for free screening tests that evaluate your symptoms and what they could indicate, but this doesn’t replace a professional evaluation. You may not have depression at all, or you could have a combination disorder like depression and anxiety or bipolar disorder. A qualified experienced mental health professional is the best source for proper diagnosis and treatment, and remember that not all treatments work the same for everyone. We are all unique individuals after all, and depression creates a different challenge for every person it afflicts. And it’s not a death sentence either; it’s just a temporary roadblock.  

“Do you have SAD?” No, that’s not a grammatical error that is supposed to be “Are you sad?” It is SAD, as in Seasonal Affective Disorder, or popularly known as seasonal depression.

It’s the season to be jolly, and now it’s the season to be depressed. That is how people with seasonal affective disorder live their lives. As the cycle of the year goes round like a wheel, so does their mood. So what is it really about seasonal depression and why is it so popular among people?

Highs and the Lows of Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression is depression that occurs each year at a certain season or period of time. The thing is that it occurs at the same season each year. As soon as that time of the year comes, you get that ‘I hate my life today’ kind of feeling.

Some people usually start having seasonal depression at the start of fall or winter that ends during spring or summer. While there is also a rare kind of seasonal depression that starts during late periods of spring or early parts of summer then ends when fall comes around.

Exclusive Symptoms of Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression, like the general kind of depression has the same symptoms of having extreme sadness, irritability, and too much anxiousness, loss of interest in daily activities, sudden unsociability, and concentration problems. However, there are other symptoms that are exclusive to a certain season only.

Seasonal Depression
For example, during winter depression, the added symptoms are fatigue; sleep cravings, low energy levels, weight gain, food cravings, and desire for solitary confinement. People who have summer seasonal depression usually experience weight loss, decreased appetite and sleeping problems.

What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?

There is no known exact cause of seasonal affective disorder. However, studies show that latitude has high influence on the condition, due to sunlight changes. It is proposed that when you are not exposed to sunlight that much, your body’s biological clock slows down your sleep, mood, and hormones. However, with light exposure your biological clock can reset and go back to its normal pace.

Another proposed cause of seasonal affective disorder is that people who have this condition have altered neurotransmitters, responsible for the chemical imbalances in their brains. It is also believed that subsequent light exposure can correct these chemical imbalances. More on Depression Facts.

Clinical depression is becoming more and more common these days.  Whether it’s because doctors are quicker to diagnosis the condition or are becoming more accurate in their diagnosis, or if there is some other reason for the rising numbers of this condition, some believe that up to one in four adults in the U.S. suffer from clinical depression.  It’s important to remember that there is a difference between other types of sadness such as grief over someone’s death or the loss of something else in your life and actual clinical depression, but if you have gotten a diagnosis from a health care professional how can you then deal with this condition?

For one thing it’s important to remember that you don’t want to give in to the disease no matter how tempting it may be.If someone you know spends all day in bed and has lost the sense of responsibility and caring for oneself and not caring about anything, its possible they may have clinical depression.  While these thoughts can be very overwhelming at times, it’s a mistake to give in to them.  Staying in bed or isolating oneself is only going to make the condition much worse and probably affect those around you.  Depression is much like other conditions or diseases wherein the patient needs to do all they can to work around it rather than give in to it.  A person with a broken leg may be tempted to just sit in a chair and never go out anymore, but this won’t help them heal and can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.  The same with your condition - staying in and isolating oneself only makes it worse.  It’s also noted that activities like regular exercise, volunteer work, and connecting with friends and family do not actually cure depression but they can help to make you feel better about yourself overall.  It’s very difficult to force yourself to go out and exercise when you feel as you just want to sleep, or to connect with your family when you feel awful about yourself, but sometimes the things we need to force ourselves to do are often the best things for us.

Another reason it’s important to face your Depression head-on is because this condition often affects friends, family, and your own career.  If you stay in bed all day how will this affect your children or your spouse?  If you allow yourself to get overwhelmed at work, how will this affect your job performance?  It’s been said that you don’t need to wait until you feel motivated to actually follow through with something, and of course clinical depression often takes away a patient’s motivation for anything.  But rather than waiting until you “feel like” going to work or you “want” to give your kids attention, it’s best to do those things anyway with or without motivation.

Carefully following your doctors instructions on how and when to take your medications is extremely important.Stopping your meds without the permission of your doctor is very serious and can prodcuc tragic results. 

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More and more cases of depression in teens are being reported today by doctors and scientists.  This may be because more teens are asking for help with their condition, because doctors are getting better at diagnosing the condition, or simply because there are more and more cases to be reported.  Or it may be a combination of these various factors, but whatever the reason, Depression is not something that should be ignored.  It’s unfortunate that some extreme cases have led to tragedy, so whether you’re a teen concerned with your condition or a parent, it’s important to sit up and take note, and then take action.

The many causes of depression in teens range from physical problems internally to external circumstances that cause them to learn depression.  Depression itself is caused by a chemical reaction in the brain, where it does not regulate and release a chemical necessary for a good mood.  When this chemical is not released properly, not only is there a lack of happiness but the overall mood is sadness.  Many cases of depression in teens are caused by this chemical imbalance.  Other physical causes include the fluctuation of hormones that are common during puberty; sometimes these fluctuations can be so severe that depression can set it.  Some of these physical causes of depression in teens can go away over time, as they get older and those hormones level off.  However it is dangerous to assume that this will happen and then ignore the symptoms and other causes of this condition.

It’s thought that problems such as bullying can cause Depression .  Keep in mind that often when a person feels trapped and helpless in their situation this can lead to depression, regardless of the situation they feel trapped in - a bad marriage, severe debt, a stressful job, and so on.  When it comes to bullying and depression in teens, kids often feel trapped and helpless because they can’t switch schools the way one can switch jobs or get a divorce, and they often feel as if they can’t talk to their parents or anyone else about the problem.  This helplessness and frustration with the problem, as well as the humiliation they may be suffering, can often cause depression in teens.In reality a lot of situations are similar to how a teen may feel when he or she is pressured to do something.  For instance if they live in an abusive home or even if one parent is negligent or abusive, if they are using any kind of drugs, if they have failing grades, or if they feel they are under tremendous amounts of pressure to perform academically or athletically, these factors too can cause depression in teens.

There are many ways to treat depression in teens and having a good support system is of utmost importance.  Teens should be able to approach their parents with any problem they have an know that they won’t be chastised or punished but rather will be helped and assisted, and depression should be no different.

For decades it was thought that women were the more emotional of the two genders and that depression was a woman’s disease.  Clinical Depression in Men is thought to be a sign of emotional weakness and “real men” aren’t allowed such a “weakness.”  In reality, there are more and more diagnoses of depression in men being reported today, and none of these cases have anything to do with weakness of any sort.

Doctors are now realizing that while depression is an emotion, clinical depression is caused by a physical condition and not an emotional state.  This explains why there are more cases of depression in men; if it’s a physical condition then of course men can have the physical problem that causes it just as much as women can.

It may also be true that many more cases of Depression are being diagnosed because more men are seeking treatment for the condition as opposed to ignoring it.  There is still a stigma by some against mental and emotional illnesses but that stigma is disappearing more and more as time goes by.  Also, doctors are finding they have more treatment options for depression in men, which may too encourage many to seek that treatment, realizing that help is available if they simply ask for it.

Its always good to remember that having clinical depression is not a weakness of any kind.  It caused by a problem in the brain so that it doesn’t produce and regulate certain chemicals the way it should.The brain has more to do with our emotions and feelings than we give it credit for.  Those outside influences simply trigger the chemical reaction that is out of whack when it comes to depression in men.Really we can’t control this to the point that you can wish it away or think its going to go away on its own.  Depression in men is caused by internal factors that need to be addressed and treated just as much as the emotional state that a patient will be in when they suffer from depression.

There will probably always be those who scoff at the idea of depression in men but these ones are doing a lot of damage to those who do have the condition.  Anyone that has clinical depression should seek medical attention and do all they can to treat and cope with the disease.  Cases of depression in men can be overwhelming so that one’s career can suffer, as can a spouse or partner, children, other family members, and even friends who miss the company of their old pal.  But rather than give in to the condition or think that it’s hopeless, it’s always advised that one see a doctor.  Depression in men can be effectively treated with medication, support groups, and other coping mechanisms that a doctor can prescribe.

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What Is Seasonal Depression?

There are many different types of depression out there. Some is chemical, and it seems to happen for no reason what so ever. Some of it is related to an event and someone finds they can not find their way back to what they consider to be normal. Some is also a mixture of the two, with a life event triggering what was waiting to happen anyway. There is another type this that is called seasonal depression. As you can imagine, the season in question is definitely not summer.

Everyone who lives in a part of the world where the seasons change dramatically each year have some form of seasonal depression. However, for many, this is not something that is problematic, and would almost be considered a normal reaction to the loss of summer and the beginning of cold, dingy weather. Some have this mild seasonal depression at the beginning of winter, but they adjust. Others get it as the winter wears on whereas they were fine at first. It all depends on the person.

Some, however, get seasonal depression that may be severe. They have a hard time dealing with the shorter days of winter. The cold, snow, and darkness get to them. They become depressed and they can not shake it off. This may be just the seasonal depression, or in some cases, can be an existing case of mild depression that gets deeper thanks to the gloomy scenery outside the windows. The lack of sunlight is a problem. One treatment for any type of depression is sunlight therapy, so that explains why that can hurt anyone who is prone to these problems.

For those that find seasonal depression will make existing depression worse, there are a few answers. They can use the light therapy to help them get the feel good vibes we get from bright light and sunlight. They can also see that their medications, if they are on any, are adjusted to change with the seasons. Anyone who is on medications for depression should see their doctors at least four times a month to discuss how they are feeling and if an adjustment is needed. Some can even self adjust with the permission of their doctors.

Those that only have seasonal depression can do a number of things. The best thing to do is to see a doctor if it is having an effect on the quality of life. Some can deal with it as they feel that it is going to be over when the winter wanes and warmer weather comes about. Those that know that a lack of sunlight and the shorter, darker days are the problem can make an effort to get more sunlight or use light therapy. Each person that is experiencing seasonal depression should decide what they should do, but there is no harm in talking with someone if it is getting out of control.

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