Click here to contact Nicole and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile.

As a holistic psychotherapist, I think of depression as a natural part of life. While it isn’t fun, it is necessary for our deepest spiritual evolution. Dealing with depression enhances our resilience and self-confidence, both of which develop when we are challenged.

The more we accept our darker emotions, the less daunting their visits. When the Buddha was becoming enlightened under the Bodhi tree the demons came to frighten him. Finally, after days of wrestling with them to no avail he invited them to tea. They still tried to scare him, but he had changed his attitude, lessened his aversion, and reached enlightenment.

The Hassidic Jews have a practice of thanking god for everything, good or bad, because they believe everything is from god; and, therefore, good.

In 13th century Persia, Rumi wrote his poem The Guest House, in which he suggested opening oneself to everything.

THE GUEST HOUSE




This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
Who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture.
Still treat each guest honorably.
They may be clearing you out
For some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
Meet them at the door laughing,
And invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
For each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.


It is easy to think of depression and sadness as opposite ends of a continuum, but they are two separate lines. One goes from a little sad to very sad, while the other moves from a little depressed to extremely depressed. Why distinguish them this way? Because a ton of sadness never equals a scintilla of depression; and, a smidgeon of depression never equals a ton of sadness. They are very different emotions. Depression is a full body experience, while sadness is not. You can still function when sad, but it is very challenging to do even the simplest task when depressed.

A recent article in Newsweek, “The Depressing News About Antidepressants,” by their premier science writer Sharon Begley, is a comprehensive assessment of the efficacy of anti-depressants. Her major conclusion was that 82% of the positive response to antidepressants had also been achieved by a placebo. Frankly, I find this incredibly wonderful news as it shows the untapped power of the mind. Ms. Begley also reported, “Only in patients with very severe symptoms was there a statistically significant drug benefit. Such patients account for about 13% of people with depression.”

As a holistic psychotherapist who typically avoids the use of antidepressants, her article also reminded me of how other countries suggest herbs, psychotherapy, exercise, etc. as a first line of treatment, not pharmaceuticals.

There are many holistic techniques that can help someone overcome depression. Even the foods you eat and when you eat them can have a powerful effect on your state of mind. I have treated people who thought they were depressed but upon closer inspection realized their blood sugar was chronically low, producing symptoms and mood fluctuations that mimicked depression.

Herbs might include: St. John’s Wort (the first suggestion a typical doctor in Germany will make for mild to moderate depression), Kava (for anxiety that can accompany depression), Melissa (to help quiet repetitive thoughts).

Nutritional supplementation with 5HTP, fish oil capsules, and Vitamin D.

Homeopathic remedies, which should be chosen on the basis of your constitution by a trained homeopath.

Bach Flower Remedies, including Rescue Remedy, are the most gentle option; yet, they can be a powerful ally.

Aromatherapy with Lavender has been shown to decrease the physical aches and pains that often accompany depression and helps with insomnia. Peppermint, and other essential oils, are mood elevators.

Yogic breath work, preferably taught to you by a trained yogi, can be remarkably calming or energizing, depending on the practice.

Certain foods, like chocolate, have been known to improve mood. See my article, “Chocolate’s Healing Powers,” for more details.

Yoga, meditation, walking in nature, prayer, gratitude practices, positive psychology, music, poetry, journaling, and mantras can all help enormously to lift you out of despair.

Recent research has shown that simply doing one’s accounts improves mood.

Last but not least, is the positive effect of unburdening oneself to a trusted friend, relative, or therapist.

Depression may feel lousy, but one sure-fire way to make it worse is to tell yourself it’s horrible, awful, unbearable, and that being depressed makes you a bad person. It is hard enough to deal with depression without heaping on self-criticism. This is the time to be extraordinarily gentle, loving, and kind to yourself. Try Robyn Posin’s “Rememberings and Celebrations” cards to shift your perspective.

There are many wonderful books that can help you accept depression, and teach you how to re-frame the experience as a conduit to greater appreciation for life, in all its guises. The older I get the more I believe we are here, in these bodies, to experience the full range of life, not just the highs.

A few of my favorite books that help you embrace all emotions are:

• Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of A Buddha by Tara Brach.
• Healing Through the Dark Emotions: The Wisdom of Fear, Grief, and Despair by Miriam Greenspan.
• When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron (a Buddhist nun) Her CDs are also excellent.
• How To Stubbornly Refuse To make Yourself Miserable About Anything, Yes, Anything! by Dr. Albert Ellis (Dr. Ellis was the founder of Cognitive Behavior Therapy which he called: Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy.)
• Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Gerry Hicks. A new age and highly positive version of cognitive behavioral therapy. (Their CDs are also excellent.)
• Sharon Begley has another interesting article on “The Upside of Feeling Down.”

If you think you might be depressed, you can take the Beck Depression Inventory, a very reliable assessment tool I have been using for 30 years. Here is a link to the test with scoring instructions.

If you get a high score you may want to consult with a counselor or therapist, but bear in mind your score changes from day to day.

**WARNING: If you are currently taking medication please make sure you contact your doctor before making any changes to your regimen. Abruptly decreasing your dose, or stopping medication, can result in unwanted side effects.**

©Copyright 2010 by Nicole S. Urdang, M.S., NCC, DHM. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Nicole and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Depression affects a significant number of senior citizens, and can become a debilitating problem as desire to socialize and spend time participating in favorite activities or obtain adequate exposure to sunlight may wane. Helping seniors take control of their symptoms through a number of treatments, especially psychotherapy, has been a major goal for health professionals in many fields for some time, and the suggestion that the elderly take advantage of the psychological benefits of exercise has become especially prominent. Yet summoning the motivation and energy to start and maintain a personal exercise program can be difficult –especially for people grappling with thoughts and feelings of depression. In light of this challenge, recent research performed at the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging at the San Diego campus of the University of California has uncovered a potential breakthrough for improving the psychological well-being of the elderly.

The study involved a small group of seniors, some of whom were indicated as having symptoms of Subsyndromal Depression, or SSD. The participants were introduced to so-called “exergames,” which involved playing exercise-oriented video games on a Nintendo Wii unit. Games included tennis, bowling, and other familiar activities, and engaged participants by requiring them to use a wireless remote to mimic the movements of the chosen activity. Many participants reported enjoying the games, and the affects on SSD symptoms were dramatic. Over a third of the seniors had at least a fifty percent reduction of their measured symptoms of depression after engaging in fairly short sessions three times per week.

The researchers note that a larger sample group size and the use of control groups should be incorporated into any subsequent studies on the benefits of these specific types of games, but welcome the work’s potential implications for improving the well-being of seniors who may otherwise be reluctant to participate in exercise-related treatments.

The modern prevalence of depression, which is quickly emerging as one of the world’s largest health problems, may leave some people wondering how and why the concern emerges. There are many theories focused on explaining the origins of depression, but recently, a study performed at Trinity College Dublin has found that particular experiences in childhood may indicate a significant risk of developing the issue later in life. The study’s team found that stress resulting from emotional neglect had an impact on the structure of the brain, as evidenced through MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, technology. The work helps strengthen the importance of early treatment of depression as well as the prevention of poor quality of life and abusive relationships in childhood.

In the Eastern European nation of Poland, as in most countries throughout the world, depression affects a significant number of citizens, and ranks high in the list of national health concerns. To help spread awareness about depression, the country has organized an annual day of teaching and idea exchange on the issue. This year, Poland will concentrate on the connection between depression and sleep concerns, particularly insomnia. Helping people recognize symptoms of depression and to understand how their sleep habits may influence daily mood is a high priority, reports from the country noted.

Click here to contact Jeffrey and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

Do you have difficulty getting out of bed? Have you lost your appetite or perhaps you’re eating more than usual? Have others noticed that you’re somehow different, somehow not as up or happy as you usually are? Have your coworkers or boss noticed that you have been missing more work lately or coming in late?

If this sounds familiar, you could be suffering from depression. Depression is a word that is often thrown around without much care being given to what it actually means. It seems that if you’re sad, then you’re depressed. The word depression is sometimes even substituted for sadness. And while sadness is part of depression, that’s only part of it.

Depression is a life changing, and at times, life threatening condition. According to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic Statistic Manual-the book therapists use for diagnosis) depression consists of having certain feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. They include, but are not limited to: a depressed mood; loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to like and enjoy; diminished interest in all or almost all activities; significant weight loss when not dieting or, conversely, significant increase in appetite; insomnia; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; loss of concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death. These things need to be present all day, everyday or nearly every day in order to be considered clinical depression.

The good news is that depression is treatable. It does not have to define you. Most people who suffer from depression are able to live the life they want by taking certain steps that have been proven to work. What I have found in providing therapy is that most people don’t take the steps that can help. But if you are willing to do the work you can start to feel better and start to enjoy life again.

Here are five tools that have been proven to work for those who suffer from depression. I have seen them work for the people with whom I work and they can work for you.

1) Think Good Thoughts

This is perhaps the hardest of all the steps you can take. Arguably the worst part of depression is not the sadness, but the negative self-talk and thoughts that you have due to the depression.

The most basic way to manage these thoughts is to confront the negative thoughts and replace them with good thoughts. However, this doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s not. This is the idea behind one of the most successful forms of therapy for depression – cognitive-behavioral therapy. The idea here is that our thoughts control our emotions and behaviors and if we change our thoughts, we change our feelings and actions, i.e. what we feel, say, and do.

When I work with those who suffer from severe depression changing their thoughts is the hardest thing for them to do. One way I have found that works for people is to acknowledge all the thoughts they have and dismiss the negative ones. The idea is to say to yourself that you are having negative thoughts and then to let them go. It’s natural to have negative thoughts when you’re feeling depressed. The key is to remember that they are just thoughts and not you. You are separate from your thoughts. You can change the way you think.

2) Exercise

Research has shown that daily activity helps us to feel better about not only ourselves, but also those around us. The exercise you choose to do doesn’t need to be vigorous or long, just something that gets you moving. However, when you’re depressed you may find it difficult to motivate yourself to exercise. This is common.

So what should you do? Get up. Go for a walk. Do yoga. Go swimming. Walk up and down the stairs a few times. Do anything that gets you active and your body moving.

Exercise has been proven to create endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals that are released when we are active and they contribute to feeling better. The release of endorphins helps us to feel more relaxed, less depressed, and helps us to have a better outlook on life.

When I work with patients in the hospital I encourage them to pace the halls or ride the stationary bike. The movement and motion helps the body create endorphins and the mind to think about something else. It’s another way to help yourself to mental health.

3) Create a Happiness Journal

It’s common to loose track of those things about which you are happy. When I work with people who suffer from chronic depression, I ask when was the last time they were happy or enjoyed doing something. The answer nine times out of ten is that they can’t remember. Their brain has blocked the way to think good thoughts and is focusing only on the negative.

One way to combat this is to write down those times when you were happy, when you enjoyed doing something, or when you felt good about yourself. This is important as it will help remind you that there is hope; hope to feel like that again. It will also help remind you that there are events, people, and places you like; things you may have forgotten about.

4) Eat Well

When you are experiencing depression it’s common to either want to eat all day or not at all. And if you choose to eat, chances are that you will want to eat junk food. Why is this? Simply because of the sugar high you will get.

In a study out of Britain, researchers found that people eating whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, were 26% less likely to be depressed. Conversely, the same study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, found that people who eat processed foods, such as those with refined sugars or fast food, were 58% more likely to suffer from depression.

Wanting to eat foods high in sugar, or comfort foods, is normal if you are suffering from depression. But remember, while it’s normal, it’s not helpful. There are a number of reasons for this. The first is that sugar only gives us a short boost of energy. It is similar to any drug that lifts our energy and mood for a short time. However, our body will only feel good until it has processed the sugar and then the crash that will happen may even leave you feeling worse then before.

5) Therapy

And then there’s therapy. The simple act of talking about your issues, feelings, thoughts, and ideas can have amazing affects on both your mind and body. Research has shown that talk therapy is among the most important steps someone who is suffering from depression can take.

I have found working with those who suffer from depression that it is common to want to be left alone; to want to hide out in a safe place and just watch the world go by. The problem is that since you are also probably suffering from negative self-esteem, negative self-talk, and feelings of being alone and isolated, what will most likely happen is that you will not be able to make the changes necessary to start to feel better.

However, therapy can help provide a safe place to talk; a safe place to discuss your issues without fear of retaliation, ridicule, or judgment.

Conclusion:

There is no one answer on how to deal with depression. My experience in providing therapy has shown me that the act of doing something, anything, creates better results then doing nothing. If you want to start to live a life that has less pain and depression, then now is the time to act. The fact that you’re reading this means you have taken the first step in seeking help and that’s something you can feel good about.

©Copyright 2010 by Jeffrey Raich, LICSW, MSW. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Jeffrey and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

The effects of depression on women during pregnancy, as well as potential issues linked to developing children, have been creating a recent need for innovation in terms of treatment, and a study just completed at Stanford University has shed some light on a potential option. Acupuncture, a staple of traditional Chinese medicine, can be specifically geared towards depression, and was administered to pregnant women with associated symptoms, while a control group received non-specific acupuncture or massage therapy. Results were promising if lacking definitive proof of efficacy, suggesting that adding acupuncture to psychotherapy treatment may have a positive impact.

The benefits of sunlight and enjoying the outdoors have been documented in many contexts, and those who suffer from symptoms of depression and other similar concerns may be especially able to notice effects with a simple stroll outdoors. Expanding these opportunities for mental wellness, ecotherapy has been expanding as a field for many years, and more clients are beginning to take notice –and to create a higher demand for this specialization. Through examining how people interact with nature and exploring lifestyles to ascertain whether clients are engaging in the natural world around them, ecotherapists present what is, to many, a refreshing way to consider a personal journey towards recovery.

In today’s culture of convenience, it’s not surprising, perhaps, that many people who find themselves facing psychological concerns opt for whatever treatment type is seen as fastest. In many cases, people experiencing symptoms of depression may seek anti-depressants or a quick course of therapy while turning down longer schedules of therapeutic care. But clients are becoming better-educated about the potential benefits of long-term therapy and counseling, and as concerns continue over the prevalence of depression and other related issues, focusing on meaningful and lasting healing may become more of a priority than simply medicating the concern or attempting to shed it as quickly as possible.

Psychological issues that encourage people to seek professional help can affect clients of any age and situation, but women who have recently given birth are often indicated as being at a somewhat high risk of developing post-partum depression. This concern has been shown to have considerable potential effects on children, and has been the subject of numerous studies in recent decades. Yet antenatal depression, which is experienced during pregnancy or within the preceding nine months, is realizing greater attention within the professional and academic communities. Studies conducted on antenatal depression have suggested that women who experience symptoms including hopelessness, profound sadness, a lack of motivation, and other issues before or during pregnancy may be at a much higher risk of being affected by postpartum depression.

Also troubling, recent research connects antenatal depression with increased rates of violent behavior in teens whose mothers were afflicted with the issue. The children of mothers who experienced depression during pregnancy were also more likely to experience developmental difficulties, and some researchers have suggested that hormonal imbalances in the womb caused by substance abuse and other potentially dangerous behaviors may also result from the condition of being depressed.

Some psychiatric drugs indicated for those with symptoms of depression may be undesirable for expectant mothers, and obstetricians often advise against their use during pregnancy. The role of psychotherapy and other treatments may therefore become even more crucial for pregnant mothers as the prevalence and severity of antenatal depression becomes clearer. Through expanding therapy services to mothers-to-be while continuing research into the potential impacts of depression on the well-being of both mother and baby, today’s professionals may help ensure that tomorrow’s children receive a mentally healthier start.

“Feeling blue” is often associated with the experience of depression, but a recent study from collaborating health professionals in Manchester in the UK has found that the description may be inaccurate. After developing a color wheel, the research team asked both depressed and non-depressed participants to choose colors that represented how they felt, in addition to other questions about emotions linked to color. Those who were indicated for depression tended to choose gray when representing their emotional state, leading some to wonder whether colors may help break down barriers in language and communication within the therapy field.

The internet has risen from a rudimentary and sometimes-useful tool to a significant staple of modern life, business, and entertainment. Scores of people of all ages incorporate internet use into their daily lives in many ways. Some people, however, may find it difficult to extricate themselves from the internet, spending the majority of their time online and neglecting other important parts of life in favor of staying inside with the computer. In such instances, thoughts and feelings of depression may become especially prominent, and a study just published by a team at Leeds University in the UK has shown that internet addiction carries with it a high risk of developing the mental health concern.

The study took place on the internet itself, gathering participants from around the web and directing them to a self-reporting survey. The survey asked respondents about the time they spent on the internet, what sorts of sites they tended to frequent, and how they felt emotionally. Participants spanned a wide age range from sixteen to fifty one, and a small number reported levels of use and behaviors that corresponded with internet addiction; slightly over one percent of participants exhibited this trait. Those who did, however, were indicated for depression at a rate five times higher than other respondents.

Stopping short of suggesting that internet use in general leads to mental health issues, the researchers noted that the replacement of face to face relationships, sexual encounters, and other experiences with online interaction may be responsible for promoting depression in many clients. The team also noted that the origin of the issue is unclear –that is, whether depressed people were drawn to excessive internet use, or whether generally happy people who used the internet at worrisome rates developed the issue. Further research into this increasingly important are is bound to yield meaningful answers for today’s workers and web surfers.

Focus is often given to the mental health needs of soldiers deployed in combat, but it may often be the case that entire families feel the effects of deployment in a similar way. Giving strength to this idea is an investigation of the impact of deployment on the wives of US soldiers published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that compared to those who did not go through deployment, wives with husbands deployed for up to eleven months were eighteen percent more likely to experience symptoms of depression, while those whose husbands were away for longer than eleven months were twenty four percent more likely to develop such symptoms. The study may signal military efforts to develop treatments that address entire families.

Those who work in a public service capacity, such as with a fire or police department, might be expected to experience levels of stress in the workplace that climb higher than those found in other fields, but it has come as a surprise to many in Canada to find that people in public service positions exhibit an especially high rate of depression. Professionals cite disorganization, a chaotic work environment, and rampant distractions as reasons for the prevalence of the mental health concern. Supplying greater access to quality therapy and other types of care may help the country significantly save on disability claims connected with the issue.

Concerns over the rate of prescriptions for anti-depressant medications in the United States have been steadily rising for some time, as critics suggest that the treatment option alone is sometimes unnecessary or inadequate, and may not provide long-term solutions. Recently, those in favor of promoting different treatment modalities such as psychotherapy and counseling have gained support from a study based at the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, which shows that while the drugs can be significantly effective for clients diagnosed with “severe” depression, those with mild to moderate symptoms are likely to receive a much greater benefit from other treatment options.

The study was based on the work of six previous studies on the efficacy of certain psychiatric drugs, and forms a more comprehensive view of the potential of such drugs to impact the lives of a wide range of clients. In many initial studies of antidepressants, notes the study, trials are arranged to ensure the greatest chance of winning approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and additional considerations may not be given the attention the deserve.

Psychotherapy and other types of mental health treatments may benefit greatly from the study, as more general practice physicians become aware of the potential for more meaningful care through such services, and avoid prescribing medications in inappropriate situations. The information should also be adequately distributed throughout the public consciousness, as clients have traditionally been exposed to considerable amounts of advertising from pharmaceutical companies positing their ability to help with mental health concerns. While many clients may still benefit from the use of such medications, the prevalence of therapy and counseling for moderate issues is bound to become greater as further academic work is produced.

Sleep has been identified as a major component of mental health many times, but some people neglect their basic needs for regular sleep nevertheless. One of the most at-risk groups for a harmful deficiency in sleep is adolescents, who are advised by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to receive at least nine hours of sleep each night. In a survey that formed the basis for evidence in a study carried out at Colombia University, adolescents reported getting just under eight hours each night, though some reported receiving less than five hours.

The study found that decreased rates of nightly sleep directly corresponded with increased rates-–nearly double those of respondents who received optimal sleeping times–of mental health difficulties such as depression, as well as thoughts about suicide. In particular, those who received extremely low rates of sleep were considerably more likely to experience suicidal episodes. Collecting data on parental-set bedtimes for adolescents in grades seven through twelve throughout the United States, the study showed that those who complied with bedtimes set at 10pm or earlier were far more likely to receive an adequate amount of sleep each night, and subsequently experience lower rates of depression and associated mental health concerns.

While therapy and other forms of treatment have been shown to be effective for working through such concerns, the study suggests that simply through encouraging adolescents-–whose bodies and minds are often subject to stressful schedules, uncomfortable social situations, and physically demanding routines–to get more sleep each night, many mental health tragedies may be averted. The study’s authors note that further research should be performed to address shortcomings in self-reported data among participants as well as a lack of data on school schedules.

Many people, even those who may not particularly enjoy their jobs, are nevertheless able to feel a sense of self-worth and meaning from the process of producing a good or service that is of use to other people. In fact, several studies have suggested that returning to work on a volunteer basis after retirement can have a significantly positive impact on mental health, as employees-–no matter their field–tend to feel more involved and valued by others when devoting their time to work. That’s why there is a growing concern among the nation’s therapists and other mental health professionals as rates of unemployment reach surprising heights. Though many people experiencing mental and emotional difficulties as a result of unemployment may seek the assistance of counseling or another type of treatment, others are making the choice to volunteer their time with employers who may not have the financial ability to meet their staffing needs, creating a potentially positive value for everyone involved.

While some people affected by high unemployment levels may feel unable to afford volunteer work, others note that their fruitless attempts to find jobs have left them with ample periods of free, and potentially wasted, time. Using this time to volunteer, whether it’s helping stores through the holiday rush or working with local schoolchildren for after school programs or other venues, volunteers often report feeling uplifted by their involvement, even if it lacks an element they’ve been hoping to see again for months, if not years-–a steady paycheck.

With reports suggesting that unemployment is likely to remain a considerable issue even as the economy picks up, finding meaningful ways of fending off depression and other mental health concerns is likely to become an even more pressing issue among Americans. With volunteer work, those struggling with feelings of uselessness and isolation may find that helping out can be a wonderful bridge back to regular employment.

The elderly population represents one of the most at-risk age groups for depression, as the occurrence of medical health issues along with potential declines in socialization present ample opportunities for emotional and mental difficulties. Treating depression among the elderly is an important issue within the mental health fields, but prevention is often seen as a more effective and desirable route. Working precisely on the prevention of mental health concerns in elderly clients, a study based at the University of Rochester’s Medical Center has recently published data describing the most at-risk clients of those identified for elderly depression, creating valuable notes on the expected number needed to treat in order to provide meaningful prevention services.

Participants were gathered from a number of sources, and all were within an elderly demographic yet were not diagnosed with major depression. The researchers conducted annual in-person interviews over a period of one to four years for each participant, bolstering collected data with information from medical charts. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that around five percent of participants within an identifiable risk group developed depression and were given a diagnosis following the initial exam.

Based on this information, the study has suggested that the number needed to treat in order to establish positive prevention service is five. This number represents the treatment of five individuals exhibiting the identified at-risk symptoms in an effort to effectively prevent one case of major depression. The figure comprises a measure which may help both public and private institutions meet the needs of the elderly population before related mental health issues become debilitating. As the national population is set to see a significant rise in the proportion of elderly people in coming years, this greater attention to prevention efforts may provide a tangible increase in widespread well-being.

With rates of thoughts and feeling of depression high among the youthful population, many mental health industry experts and academicians are eager to produce an explanation. From parenting methods to diet choices and everything in between, a number of reasons have been offered for the growing instances of negative emotional experiences and apparent decreases in mental well being among adolescents. One of the most recent suggestions is the steady, concurrent rise in consumerism, as posited by a study recently carried out at San Diego State University. The study may not definitively prove that young people are more prone to depression or sadness as a direct link to modern materialism, but it offers a strong argument for a connection between the two sets of data.

This data was collected from numerous studies and reports on teenage mental health and personality traits dating back to the 1930’s. Examining the reports, the researchers found significant increases in mood-related mental health concerns among modern adolescents through the year 2007. Modern youths were also more likely to report feeling sad or worried and disappointed with life in general than their predecessors, and rates of sensing personal isolation, narcissism, and emotional instability were increased among the most recent reports.

Modern focus on products and shopping in contrast to a greater concentration on human relationships and families experienced in the early twentieth century may be damaging the mental health of modern youth, suggest the researchers. The study also proposes that placing a higher emphasis on things than on social connections and experiences may lead to notable declines in mood. If true, the conclusions may point to greater opportunities for group and family therapy, among other multi-client, collaborative therapies, to help raise the quality of life and mental well-being for people in the future.

The symptoms of depression can be especially difficult for those experiencing serious medical health issues in tandem with thoughts and feelings of sadness, apathy, or emotional fatigue. In women recovering from heart-related medical problems such as a heart attack or major surgery, depression is often developed, and may contribute to a reluctance to attend rehabilitation programs and adopt important lifestyle changes. The goal of a recently published study from the University of South Florida’s College of Nursing has been to merge cardiac rehabilitation programs with effective therapy measures, helping to address both issues in a single, supporting, gender-specific environment. The study has reported significant success over a five-year study period.

When depression is discussed among the public, lawmakers, and other social figures, it is often conceptualized as being a marginal issue. Yet in many parts of the world, depression is a significant factor in the lives of a large number of citizens, and a survey recently carried out in New Zealand has found that forty eight percent of citizens have either experienced depression first-hand or know someone who has. While the numbers may seem startling to those accustomed to thinking about depression in less widespread terms, the high percentage reflects growing global trends, involving rates that have caused the World Health Organization to predict that depression will constitute the second most prevalent health concern by 2020. The survey creates a call for public education and outreach not only in New Zealand, but around the world as well.