Childhood Abuse and Clinical Depression in Adults

Overview

Childhood abuse and neglect is an insidious problem with far-reaching consequences. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, in 2007 close to 800,000 children were determined to be victims of neglect or abuse. These statistics likely underestimate the actual incidence of abuse because an unknown but significant amount of abuse is never reported or investigated. Abuse has devastating, enduring effects on children. Adults who were abused as children continue to suffer from their childhood trauma. One of the many effects of childhood abuse is treatment-resistant depression.

Types of Abuse

The forms of childhood abuse include neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. The lion's share of abuse and neglect takes place within the home. Younger children and infants are particularly vulnerable as they lack the physical, emotional, verbal and social resources to defend themselves or to obtain help. Emotional abuse and neglect are harder to substantiate legally but have insidious effects on individuals and on society. All forms of childhood abuse cause immediate harm and have lasting effects. In many cases, victims of childhood abuse become perpetrators of abuse, continuing the cycle of abuse and victimization of children.

Effects of Abuse

Children who are abused experience symptoms of trauma, including anxiety, depression, difficulties at school or work, anger, aggression, cognitive and learning deficits, medical illness, social withdrawal, impulsivity, sexual activity at an early age and difficulty maintaining close relationships. Victims of childhood abuse are at higher risk for substance abuse, arrest, incarceration and legal problems.

Physiological effects include impairment of regions of the brain that regulate emotions and memory and sensitization of physiological stress response mechanisms. For example, according to a report in the December 2002 "American Journal of Psychiatry," women with histories of chronic childhood abuse and trauma have a smaller left hippocampus volume--a region of the brain involved in spatial memory--than non-depressed and non-childhood traumatized women. Similarly, women with childhood histories of abuse excrete greater amounts of the stress hormone cortisol in response to stress than do women who do not have childhood trauma. These varied effects of abuse often persist into adulthood.

Researchers at McLean Hospital, the largest psychiatric affiliate of Harvard Medical School, have confirmed that child abuse and neglect can "rewire" the developing brain. When brain circuitry is altered during the formative years it may eventually cause such disorders as anxiety and depression to more readily surface in adulthood.



According to Martin Teicher, MD, PhD, director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, "science shows that childhood maltreatment may produce changes in both brain function and structure. These changes are permanent. This is not something people can just get over and get on with their lives."

During the course of their studies, the researchers found that four abnormalities are more likely to be present in victims of child abuse and neglect:



* Changes to the Limbic System, the area of the brain that, together with the hypothalamus, controls hunger, thirst, emotional reactions and biological rhythms. In addition, it coordinates complex activities requiring a sequence of performance steps. Changes to the limbic system can result in epileptic seizures and abnormal electroencephalograms (EEG), usually affecting the left hemisphere of the brain, which is associated with more self-destructive behavior and more aggression.

* Deficient Development of the Left Side of the Brain, which can contribute to depression and impaired memory.

* Impaired Corpus Callosum, the pathway integrating the two hemispheres of the brain, which can result in dramatic shifts in mood and personality.

* Increased Blood Flow in the Cerebellar Vermis, the part of the brain involved in emotion, attention, and regulation of the limbic system, which can disrupt emotional balance.

Sexual abuse is even more harmful than physical abuse.  Adolescents and young adults who were abused or neglected during childhood are more than three times as likely to become depressed or suicidal, according to a study in the Journal of Child Psychiatry (1999). This research study also found that children who are sexually abused are more likely to become depressed or suicidal. Victims of sexual abuse were about six times more likely to attempt suicide; additionally, the risk of repeated suicide attempts was eight times higher than in children who were not sexually abused.  Further, 36 percent of those subjected to sexual abuse were diagnosed with a depressive disorder, compared to a 25 percent rate in victims of all types of child abuse or neglect.

Sexual abuse carries the greatest risk of depression and suicide and this has always been noted in the research.  More than a third, 36 percent of sexually abused youths attempted suicide, compared to 16 percent of physically abused youths.   Six percent of children without a history of abuse reported attempting suicide.

Researchers from this study also found that the incidence of suicide attempts was higher during adolescence. ``Adolescence is the most vulnerable time for sexually abused youths, who are more prone to make repeated suicide attempts,'' the researchers said. Contextual factors such as family conflict, parental substance abuse and illegal activities should be addressed and dealt with in the treatment of depressed and suicidal adolescents who have been neglected in childhood.  Familial, parental and environmental factors are often possible contributors to depression. Familial factors include a poor marriage; parental factors include a low parental involvement; and environmental factors include welfare dependence and other socioeconomic issues.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/75492-childhood-abuse-treatmentresistant-depression/

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4046.asp

http://www.drlowenstein.com/_data/user_docs/child-abuse-and-adult-depression.pdf

http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/abuse-and-depression/child-abuse-adult-depression/menu-id-102/

http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/article/7023/490/Child+Abuse+Can+Cause+Permanent+Damage+to+the+Brain,+Body,+and+Emotional+Well-Being

Marital Problems and Depression

As the U.S. divorce rate of almost 50 percent attests, keeping a marriage together can be pretty tough even under normal circumstances. But depression can complicate ordinary marital problems and make marital success even more challenging, said University of Georgia psychology professor Steven Beach.

Depression affects more than 19 million Americans, said Beach, who is director of UGA’s Institute for Behavioral Research. “Although people tend to dismiss it because it’s such a commonly known and diagnosed problem, depression actually causes greater difficulties than many other disorders.” Causing patients to feel helpless, unable to perform some of the simplest everyday tasks and pessimistic about the future, depression can be debilitating for the individual and make it harder to deal with the ups and downs that occur in every marriage, Beach said.

Marriage is a natural arena in which to study the interpersonal aspects of depression because it is such a powerful interpersonal environment. Events that “pile up” on a person who becomes depressed often stem from interactions with family and close friends. Some of the most powerful interpersonal events are those that occur between a husband and a wife. Although troubles in close relationships may contribute to depression, improvement in marital relationships can also help with recovery. This may reflect the importance of marriage as a source of support and the fact that many traditional sources of support are less available than they used to be, Beach said.

While the increase in rates of depression over the past 100 years is not thoroughly understood, some cultural anthropologists believe it results from the lack of inter-personal networks in modern society. For example, people are more likely to move several times over their lives — repeatedly losing contact with potential support groups — at the same time that new forms of communication have tended to replace face-to-face interactions. In the midst of this change, “marriage remains a core interpersonal relationship in modern society,” Beach said. “That may be why marital quality so consistently correlates with depression.” The loss of other interpersonal networks and sources of support may also put marriage at risk in the context of depression.

When a marriage is not working it turns into a stressor, which often causes depression among females and leads males to alcohol abuse. Stressful marriage is the leading cause for depression among women. Women genetically predisposed to stress are three times more likely to develop depression than women not genetically predisposed. Even though this is not a social factor, it is important to point it out as a possible predisposition to depression based on social factors.

If one partner suffers from chronic depression, it is very likely that the other partner will develop depression as well. Even when the depressed partner overcomes this depression, it is common to relapse if he or she has an unsatisfying marriage. Marital distress can also occur if the distressed partner’s behavior triggers negative effects in the spouse. In the large proportion of couples experiencing marital distress, at least one partner is clinically depressed, adding even more stress to the other partner.

These inter-partner problems could even lead to physical abuse. Such abuse is generally perpetrated by the male but in some instances it comes from the female.

In short, the stress-generation model of depression can help to explain the two-way relation between marital discord and depression. Marital distress can lead to depression and depression can lead to marital distress.

The connection between depression and marital distress is influenced principally through the way individuals explain the negative behavior of their partner. Individual's personal explanations of negative martial events greatly impacts marital satisfaction and their emotional state. Trying to attribute blame to someone is pointless and results in unnecessary suffering for the depressed and the caretaker spouse. Searching for a source to blame wastes energy that would be better spent in learning more about the illness and possible treatments. Those who suffer from depression don't choose to and are not simply lacking willpower, "they cannot, through any exercise of will, get out of the predicament they are in".

By understanding that depression is not intentional caretaker spouses may be able to change they way they think of their spouses. For example caretaker spouses my see their spouses as a victim rather than a saboteur of the marriage. A better use of time and energy would be to search for understanding and increased capabilities for compassion and patience. Developing patience through increased understanding is one of the best tools a caretaker spouse can acquire. Patience will be especially beneficial when dealing with the continuous ups and downs of depression and even the constant care needed for patients who may be in danger of suicide.

Caretaker spouses can provide encouragement and realistically remind the depressed of God's love, and the love of family members. It will be important not to lose patience and to avoid saying things such as "just snap out of it" or "get a little backbone". The importance of avoiding such phrases is exemplified through this quote from Helping and Healing Our Families by Morrison: “Anyone who has ever witnessed the almost unbearable pain and uncontrollable weeping of a severe panic attack, or the indescribable sadness of severely depressed person who cries all day and retreats in hopeless apathy, would never think for a moment that mental illness is just a matter of willpower.”

Recognizing that depression and not the spouse is the villain is a huge step in the battle. However while patience, compassion, and love provide support and are crucial for learning to live with depression within a marriage they are not a cure for the illness therefore it is important to seek knowledge of the illness and of treatment options.

The hopelessness model is important as well. Hopelessness can be seen in people who believe that there is nothing they can do to either better themselves or change an outcome of an important event. People who believe that future control is possible experience anxiety in an effort to gain control. If one is convinced that one is helpless in controlling important events but is not sure if the bad outcome will actually occur, a mixed anxiety/depression syndrome will probably surface. In contrast, if one is convinced that bad outcomes will definitely occur regardless of what one does, then helplessness becomes hopelessness and depression sets in. It is normal to become depressed if one believes that there is nothing one can do to prevent a negative outcome.

Stressful life events are a big cause of depression. They include marital problems, divorce, job loss, and poverty. Life events can be seen as dependent or independent. Independent life events happen due to causes outside of one's control--for example, a hurricane taking one’s house or being laid off from work. Dependent life events are ones for which one holds a partial responsibility; generally these are more likely to cause depression than independent life events. One can easily overcome independent life events by blaming the negative outcome on outside factors, hence removing the responsibility from oneself, making it easy to deal with and not turn the negative outcome inward.

Generally if a man does not feel capable of providing for his family he might view himself as not worthwhile, and this can lead to depression. Depending on the culture, a man must be able to support his family. If he feels that he is incapable of doing so and believes he is a failure, it is inevitable for depression to set in. This is true in capitalistic and developed countries, having its origins in the prehistoric past.

Social factors and stressful life events not only cause people to become depressed but also in many cases predispose people to depression by becoming contributory stressors. Thus, in effect, they can become both diatheses and stressors.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/beattie.html

http://researchmagazine.uga.edu/fall2006/printdepressionand.htm

http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org/docs/depressionandmarriage.pdf

http://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=153

Post Partum Depression for New Moms and Dads

The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.

Many new moms experience the baby blues after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings and crying spells and fade quickly. But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme form of postpartum depression known as postpartum psychosis develops after childbirth.

Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes postpartum depression is simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms — and enjoy your baby.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of depression after childbirth vary depending on the type of depression.

Baby blues symptoms

Signs and symptoms of the baby blues — which last only a few days or weeks — may include:

• Mood swings


• Anxiety


• Sadness


• Irritability


• Crying


• Decreased concentration


• Trouble sleeping

Postpartum depression symptoms

Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite


• Insomnia


• Intense irritability and anger


• Overwhelming fatigue


• Loss of interest in sex


• Lack of joy in life


• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy


• Severe mood swing


• Difficulty bonding with the baby


• Withdrawal from family and friends


• Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for a year or more.

Postpartum psychosis

With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery — the signs and symptoms are even more severe. Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include:

• Confusion and disorientation


• Hallucinations and delusions


• Paranoia


• Attempts to harm yourself or the baby

When to see a doctor

If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But it's important to call your doctor if the signs and symptoms of depression:

• Don't fade after two weeks


• Are getting worse


• Make it hard for you to care for your baby


• Make it hard to complete everyday tasks


• Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Getting early treatment for postpartum depression can speed your recovery.

If you suspect that you're developing postpartum psychosis, seek medical attention immediately. Don't wait and hope for improvement. Postpartum psychosis may lead to life-threatening thoughts or behaviors.

Causes

There's no single cause for postpartum depression. Physical, emotional and lifestyle factors may all play a role.

Physical changes

The postpartum period is a time of great changes in the body. These changes can affect a woman’s mood and behavior for days or weeks.

Levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease sharply in the hours after childbirth. This change may trigger depression in the same way that much smaller changes in hormone levels can trigger mood swings and tension before menstrual periods. Some women are more bothered by these changes than others. They may be more likely to have postpartum blues or depression.

Hormone levels produced by the thyroid gland also may decrease sharply after birth. If these levels are too low, the new mother may have depression-like symptoms, such as mood swings, nervousness, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and tension.

Many women feel very tired after giving birth. It can take weeks for a woman to regain her normal strength. Some women have their babies by cesarean birth. Because this is major surgery, it will take them longer to feel strong again.

Also, new mothers seldom get the rest they need. In the hospital, sleep is disturbed by visitors, hospital routine, and the baby’s feedings. At home, the baby’s feedings and care must be done around the clock, along with household tasks. Fatigue and lack of sleep can go on for months. They can be a major reason for depression.

Emotional factors

Many emotional factors can affect a woman’s self-esteem and the way she deals with stress. This can add to postpartum depression.

Feelings of doubt about the pregnancy are common. The pregnancy may not have been planned. Even when a pregnancy is planned, 40 weeks may not be enough time for a couple to adjust to the extra effort of caring for a baby.

The baby may be born early. This can cause changes in home and work routines that the parents did not expect. If the baby is born with a birth defect, it may be even harder for the parents to adjust.

Having a baby who must stay in the hospital after birth can cause sadness and guilt. A woman may feel guilty that she did something wrong during pregnancy. Sadness about coming home without the baby is very common.

Mixed feelings sometimes arise from a woman’s past. She may have lost her own mother early or had a poor relationship with her. This might cause her to be unsure about her feelings toward her new baby. She may fear that caring for the child will lead to pain, disappointment, or loss.

Feelings of loss are common after having a baby. This can add to depression. The loss can take many forms:

• Loss of freedom. This can include feelings of being trapped and tied down.


• Loss of an old identity. The mother may be used to someone else taking care of her or of being in control.


• Loss of prepregnancy shape and feelings of having sex appeal.

Lifestyle influences

A major factor in postpartum depression is lack of support from others. The steady support of a new mother’s partner, other family members, or friends is a comfort during pregnancy and after the birth. It helps when others can assume household chores and share in child care. If a woman lives alone or far away from her family, support may be lacking.

Breast-feeding problems can make a new mother feel depressed. New mothers need not feel guilty if they cannot breast-feed or if they decide to stop. The baby can be well nourished with formula. Your partner or other supportive person can help with some of the feedings, giving you more time for yourself or for rest.

The Role of Myths

Women who have an idea of the “perfect mother” are more likely to feel let down and depressed when faced with the needs of day–to–day mothering. Three myths about being a mother are common:

Myth No. 1: Motherhood Is Instinctive. First-time mothers often believe that they should just know how to care for a newborn. In fact, new mothers need to learn mothering skills just as they learn any other life skill. It takes time and patience. It takes reading child care books, watching skilled child caregivers, and talking with other mothers. As a mother’s skills grow, she will become more sure of herself.

Mothers also may believe that they must feel a certain way toward their newborns or they are not “maternal.” In fact, some women feel very little for their infants at first. Mother love, like mothering skills, does not just happen. Bonding often takes days or even weeks. When the special feelings of motherhood begin to emerge, they should be nurtured.

Myth No. 2: The Perfect Baby. Most women dream about what their newborns will look like. When the baby arrives, it may not match the baby of their dreams.

Also, babies have distinct personalities right from birth. Some infants are easier to care for. Others are fussy, have upset stomachs, and are not easy to comfort. A new mother may find it hard to adjust to the baby.

Myth No. 3: The Perfect Mother. For some women, being perfect is a never-ending goal. A mother may think she is not living up to the ideal. She may feel that she is a failure.

Of course, no mother is perfect. It is not true that every woman can “have it all.” Most women have trouble finding a balance between caring for a new baby and keeping up with household duties, other children, and a job. They often feel this way even with a lot of support.

Risk factors

Postpartum depression can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. The risk increases if:

• You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times


• You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy


• You've experienced stressful events during the past year, including illness, job loss or pregnancy complications


• You're having problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other


• You have a weak support system


• You have financial problems


• The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted

The risk of postpartum psychosis is higher for women who have bipolar disorder.

Complications

Left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with mother-child bonding and cause family problems. Children of mothers who have untreated postpartum depression are more likely to have behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties, temper tantrums and hyperactivity. Delays in language development are more common as well.

Untreated postpartum depression can last up to a year or longer. Sometimes untreated postpartum depression becomes a chronic depressive disorder. Even when treated, postpartum depression increases a woman's risk of future episodes of major depression.

Treatments and drugs

Treatment and recovery time vary, depending on the severity of your depression and your individual needs.

Baby blues

The baby blues usually fade on their own within a few days to weeks. In the meantime, get as much rest as you can. Accept help from family and friends. Connect with other new moms. Avoid alcohol, which can make mood swings worse. If you have an underactive thyroid, your doctor may prescribe thyroid medication.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is often treated with counseling and medication.

• Counseling. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. Through counseling, you can find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems and set realistic goals. Sometimes, family or relationship therapy also is helpful.


• Antidepressants. Antidepressants are a proven treatment for postpartum depression. If you're breast-feeding, it's important to know that any medication you take will enter your breast milk. However, some antidepressants can be used during breast-feeding with little risk of side effects for your baby. Work with your doctor to weigh the potential risks and benefits of specific antidepressants.


• Hormone therapy. Estrogen replacement may help counteract the rapid drop in estrogen that accompanies childbirth, which may ease the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression in some women. Research on the effectiveness of hormone therapy for postpartum depression is limited, however. As with antidepressants, weigh the potential risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor.

With appropriate treatment, postpartum depression usually goes away within a few months. In some cases, postpartum depression lasts up to a year. It's important to continue treatment after you begin to feel better, however. Stopping treatment too early may only lead to a relapse.

Postpartum psychosis

Postpartum psychosis requires immediate treatment, often in the hospital.

When your safety is assured, a combination of medications — such as antidepressants, antipsychotic medications and mood stabilizers — may be used to control your signs and symptoms. Sometimes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended as well. During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of depression, especially when other treatments have failed or when you need immediate results.

Treatment for postpartum psychosis can challenge a mother's ability to breast-feed. Separation from the baby makes breast-feeding difficult, and some medications used to treat postpartum psychosis aren't recommended for women who are breast-feeding. If you're experiencing postpartum psychosis, a team of health care providers will help you work through these challenges.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Postpartum depression isn't generally a condition that you can treat on your own — but you can do some things for yourself that build on your treatment plan. In fact, taking good care of yourself can help speed your recovery.

• Make healthy lifestyle choices. Include physical activity, such as a walk with your baby, in your daily routine. Eat healthy foods, and avoid alcohol.


• Focus on little things to look forward to during the day. This might be a hot shower, relaxing bath, walk around the block, or visit with a friend.


• Read something uplifting. Since depression may make it difficult to concentrate, choose something light and positive that can be read a bit at a time.


• Indulge in other simple pleasures. Page through a magazine, listen to music you enjoy, sip a cup of tea.


• Rest. Give your child a quiet place to sleep, and try to rest when the baby does.


• Set realistic expectations. Don't pressure yourself to do everything. Scale back your expectations for the perfect household. Do what you can and leave the rest. Ask for help when you need it.


• Make time for yourself. If you feel like the world is coming down around you, take some time for yourself. Get dressed, leave the house, and visit a friend or run an errand. Or schedule some time alone with your partner.


• Avoid isolation. Talk with your partner, family and friends about how you're feeling. Ask other mothers about their experiences. Ask your doctor about local support groups for new moms or women who have postpartum depression.


• Be patient. Know that it may take time to feel better and take one day at a time.


• Be optimistic. Try to think of small things you're grateful for.

Remember, the best way to take care of your baby is to take care of yourself.

Prevention

If you have a history of depression — especially postpartum depression — mention it to your doctor as soon as you find out you're pregnant. Your doctor will monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of depression. Sometimes mild depression can be managed with support groups, counseling or other therapies. In other cases, antidepressants are recommended — even during pregnancy.

After your baby is born, your doctor may recommend an early postpartum checkup to screen for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. The earlier postpartum depression is detected, the earlier treatment can begin. If you have a history of postpartum depression, your doctor may recommend antidepressant treatment immediately after delivery.

Post Partum Depression for Male

Although many people know that new moms are at increased risk of depression following the birth of a child, new research suggests that about 10 percent of new dads experience the "baby blues," too.

What's more, the researchers found that if the mother experiences postpartum depression, the father is more apt to be depressed also, which puts the baby at a significantly greater risk of developing emotional, behavioral and developmental problems later on, according to the study.

"Pre- and postnatal depression in men is real. The overall rate of depression in fathers was 10.4 percent in our analysis, about twice what we would expect in the general population of men," said the study's lead author, James Paulson, an associate professor and clinical psychologist at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_98910.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/ppd.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/postpartum_depression/article_em.htm

http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp091.cfm

Neuroreasons for Clinical Depression by Charles Nemeroff

Charles Nemeroff, a writer for Scientific America, states both decreased activity of a neurotransmitter, as well as overactivity of a hormonal system, can lead to severe depression and, concurrently, suicide. Neurotransmitters travel between neurons, or nerve cells, in order to perform functions vital to life. Nemeroff states norepinephrine and serotonin, both monoamine type neurotransmitters, are natural anti-depressants. In order to understand the way these monoamines affect human biological make-up, it is necessary to have a brief understanding of the way neurotransmitters work.

Between two neurons lies a small gap called the synapse. Neurotransmitters cross the synapse, being “fired” from one neuron and attaching to the next. Sometimes the receiving neuron will send out a message instructing the sending neuron to slow its rate of firing neurotransmitters. The sending neuron then has to pull the neurotransmitters back into itself, a process known as “reuptake”. Nemeroff points out that, due to overactive reuptake, reduced levels of norepinephrine have been noted in the brain of many depressed patients. Similarly, the study points out that in many patients who have committed suicide increased norepinephrine receptors were located in the brain’s cortex. Often receptors in the brain expand in number in order to compensate for low levels of transmitter molecules.

Due to these findings, reports Nemeroff, some drugs are now available that block norepinephrine reuptake and increase norepinephrine in the synapse, allowing it to act as an antidepressant. Serotonin is also a natural antidepressant and relates to drugs such as Prozac, which blocks serotonin reuptake. Nemeroff details how cells which produce serotonin often extend into many areas of the brain thought to contribute to depression, such as the hypothalamus. The drugs which prohibit serotonin reuptake are some of the most effective antidepressants ever made. Effexor is an especially effective drug because it blocks reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are not the only biological elements which contribute to depression. Much research has been done that seems to show correlation between hormones and depression.

The hypothalamus regulates the hormonal system in the human body. As Nemeroff observed, the system that manages the body’s stress response is often singled out for causing severe depression. When there exists a physical or psychological threat to the body, the HPA-axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) increases production of cortisol and, in effect, initiates the “fight or flight” function of the body. Nemeroff reports numerous studies show over-activation of the HPA-system may lead to depression. Because this system reacts to stress, however, it is unlikely that it will initiate itself without some type of anxiety-causing event. External sociological forces, coupled with increasingly negative psychological conflict, can cause the stress necessary to activate the HPA-system.

Biochemical functions, though extremely powerful and relevant to human behavior, rarely act alone. Simply because one may have a hyperactive HPA-axis or low levels of serotonin or norepinephrine monoamines, it is not definite a person will suffer from extreme depression or attempt suicide. Obviously emotions, though they may exist in chemical form, result from the ways people internalize and perceive external events as well as the ways in which people view themselves. The fact of the matter is people are strongly influenced by society, on conscious and subconscious levels. Society exists inside and outside of people, intermixing with the mind and with the psyche. The entire idea of consciousness is so complex and enigmatic, it is severely limiting to relate any aspect of it to only one particular school of science.

Nemeroff, 59, a psychiatrist at Emory University, is an internationally recognized expert on depression whose résumé spans 215 pages.

He has treated some of Atlanta’s top business leaders, including Ted Turner, retired CNN head Tom Johnson and the late J.B. Fuqua, whose family has given $10 million to Emory to study and treat depression. Under Nemeroff’s leadership, Emory’s psychiatry department pulled in more than $22 million in National Institutes of Health grants just

last year.



From 2000 through 2006, Nemeroff received just over $960,000 from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), but only disclosed no more than $35,000 to Emory. Between 2000 and 2007, he earned more than $2.8 million from various drug makers but failed to report at least $1.2 million. He signed a letter in 2004 promising Emory administrators that he would earn less than $10,000 a year from GSK but on the same day he was at a hotel earning $3,000 of what would become $170,000 in income from the company—17 times greater than the figure he agreed upon. He was the principal investigator for a five-year $3.9 billion grant financed by the NIMH for which GSK provided the drugs, during which he received more than the annual $10,000 threshold allowed from the company. In 2006, he stepped down as editor of Neuropsychopharmacology after publishing a favorable review of the vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device, manufactured by Cyberonics, for which he was a paid consultant.  In 2003, he coauthored a favorable review of three therapies in Nature Neuroscience failing to mention his significant financial interests in these, including owning the patent for one of the treatments—a lithium patch.  Nemeroff has consulted for 21 drug and device companies simultaneously.  In 1991 Nemeroff testified before the FDA on behalf of Eli Lilly in hearings into Prozac, saying that the drug did not cause suicidal acts of ideation—yet 13 years later, the FDA concluded the opposite and issued a black box warning about suicide risks. Nemeroff resigned his position at Emory in 2008.



Now he’s a primary target of a U.S. Senate Finance Committee investigation into whether pharmaceutical money compromises the integrity of medical research and scholarship, an ethics controversy that has set the international world of academic medicine abuzz. Studies, speeches and articles can influence which drugs are prescribed for patients (2008).

Sources and Additional Information:

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Sci/sci.med.psychobiology/2008-10/msg00131.html

http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/capsules/pdf_articles/neurobiology_depression02.pdf

http://www.cchrint.org/cchr-issues/the-corrupt-alliance-of-the-psychiatric-pharmaceutical-industry/

Is there a Link Between Adkins Diet and Clinical Depression?

Twice when I have done Atkins I see a huge change in my mental being. I get depressed. This usually starts around a month of doing Akins and basically lasted until I quit.

I talked to someone at The Akins Center and it was suggested I take vitamins especially B complex. I took the advice but saw no improvement. When I tried Atkins the 2nd time and added exercise to my plan the results were still the same, depression hit me like a ton on bricks. I do not take an antidepressant and will not take one. (which Dr. Atkins didn't like either).

P.S. I do want to mention I do not suffer from depression on a regular basis, it is when I low-carb that I get this way.

Post on LowCarbFriends Message Board

In one of our previous publications we provided an insight on the direct link between nutrition and depression. Here we will review the possible connection between Atkins Diet and Depression.

What is Atkins Diet?

Atkins style lower carbohydrate diet is one of the very popular diets that have helped people to lose weight. The most appealing aspect of the Atkins style lower carbohydrate diet, among other similar low carb diets, is that the foods you can eat are essentially the opposite of most other diets. With low carb diets, you eat a lot of protein and fats and very restricted carbohydrates.

The Atkins diet is a high protein and fat and very low-carbohydrate routine. It put emphasis on meat, cheese, and eggs, while recommending reduction in consumption of foods such as bread, pasta, fruit, and sugar. The key advantage of the diet is rapid and substantial weight loss.

By limiting carbohydrate intake, the body will burn more fat, stored in the body. Because there are no restrictions on the amount of calories or quantities of foods allowed on the diet, there is little hunger between meals. Uncontrollable hunger and food craving is the main cause of many dieting failures. It is in fact noted those who follow the Atkins style lower carbohydrate plan eventually find their effective individual range of carbohydrate intake, which is then considered as the tool that helps the dieters to maintain a healthy weight for the rest of their lives.

The primary reason that both men and women follow the Atkins style lower carbohydrate plan is to lose weight. With this principle, it is noted that many people who have followed the Atkins style lower carbohydrate procedure to weight loss readily take off inches and pounds.

The Atkins style lower carbohydrate plan has also worked for those people with strong metabolic resistance to weight loss. This diet provides many ways to surpass the barriers that obstruct a successful diet result. Those who have failed to lose weight with other diets, successfully do so with Atkins.

The Atkins style lower carbohydrate plan helps people to not only lose the weight, but to also keep it off. This fact makes the Atkins style lower carbohydrate nutritional approach more superior than other weight control programs.

Does Atkins cause depression?

In spite of the certain effectiveness in losing weight, the low-carb Atkins diet has prompted criticism from many doctors who fear it could increase the risk of long-term health problems such as kidney damage, high cholesterol and diabetes. For example, the group of prominent nutritionists, supported by The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, has urged the hospitals to ban the Atkins diet completely. 



Latest researches have now suggested Atkins Diet could also affect mental health, leaving dieters feeling grumpy, tired, irritable, apathetic and restless.

A study of 100 men and women found that dieters on a protein-rich regime are far more prone to mood swings and depression than those on high- carbohydrate, low-protein diets.

The reason? Carbohydrates produce higher levels of serotonin, the body's "happy hormone" which is released by the brain to stabilize mood swings. Carbohydrates raise serotonin levels naturally, acting as a natural tranquillizer and antidepressant.

The team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S. found that eating sweet and starchy carbohydrates, such as potatoes, pasta and bread, increases the brain's production of serotonin when eaten with very small amounts of protein.

Serotonin is also the chemical which makes us feel full after eating.

'Emotional zombies'

Dr Judith Wurtmen, who led the study, concludes that dieters, who eat a lot of protein and fat, as recommended on the Atkins diet, are therefore in danger of becoming "emotional zombies".

Certain people, she says, are actually "carbohydrate cravers". They rely on carbohydrates to keep their moods steady, so cutting out this food group altogether is "like taking water away from someone hiking in the desert".

Dr Stuart Trager, chairman of The Atkins Physician Council, naturally disputes the claim that a low-carbohydrate diet can cause depression.

He says: "Mood and energy levels are related to many factors. Additionally, it is important to remember that serotonin is made within the body from ingested protein, rather than carbohydrates. Controlling carbohydrates helps people manage their weight, improve body image, and stabilizes blood sugar."

Protein lowers serotonin

But nutritionist Fiona Hunter says: "Although serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan which is found in protein-rich foods such as meat and cheese, eating a protein-rich meal actually lowers serotonin in the brain.

"This is because when you eat a protein-rich meal you flood the blood with other competing amino acids, as well as tryptophan, which all fight for entry into the brain. Only a small amount of tryptophan is able to get through, so serotonin levels do not rise greatly.

"In contrast, a carbohydrate-rich meal triggers the release of the hormone insulin which causes all amino acids, except tryptophan, to be absorbed into the cells. With the competition removed, tryptophan can freely enter the brain, causing serotonin levels to rise."

Dr Cecilia Tregear, who specializes in the effects that diet has on hormone levels, agrees: "In my experience people on the Atkins diet are prone to mood swings, anxiety and erratic behavior. Sugar is the main food for the brain and without it, the brain struggles.

"The thyroid gland needs to be activated by carbohydrates and without them it slows down, and a slow thyroid has been linked to depression.

"Overall, the Atkins diet is not a balanced diet, which will result in unbalanced hormones and therefore unbalanced moods."

Four years ago I went on the Atkins diet. It worked great; I lost over 60 pounds in about four months. I felt great and was on my way to being the best shape of my life.

However, as mentioned in the possible diet dangers it can affect the brain activity relying on carbohydrates, serotonin. In my case, I had a history of depression and with the Atkins diet after a couple months of the weight loss I went back into depression. So as mentioned be careful when thinking of going on this diet.

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Summary

Based on the multiple sources, I have reviewed, there is hard to say, if the negative impact of Adkins Diet overweighs its positive results for the body weight loss.

However, the research materials and users feedback is sufficient to be extremely careful with using this diet in your nutrition program. The Atkins diet isn't for everyone. Some people need more carbohydrates than others. And many people don't need to go to the extreme of eating nothing but protein in order to lose weight.

If you notice any signs of depression, while on Atkins Diet, consult with your physician and therapist.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-299649/Does-Atkins-cause-depression.html

http://www.fitnesstipsforlife.com/facts-about-atkins.html

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-78815247.html

http://www.realpolice.net/forums/general-topics-ii-70/10370-atkins-diet-causes-mood-swings-depression.html

http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/weight-loss/atkins-diet-affect-mood-00993.html

http://www.network-admin.net/?p=359

Major depression with psychotic features

Psychotic major depression (PMD) is a type of depression that can include symptoms and treatments that are different from those of non-psychotic major depressive disorder (NPMD). PMD is estimated to affect about 0.4% of the population (or one in every 250 people). Note that roughly 25 percent of people who are admitted to the hospital for depression suffer from what's called psychotic depression.

Psychotic depression is characterized by not only depressive symptoms, but also by hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) or delusions (irrational thoughts and fears). Often psychotically depressed people become paranoid or come to believe that their thoughts are not their own (thought insertion) or that others can ‘hear’ their thoughts (thought broadcasting).

Symptoms

Currently, PMD is considered a severe form of major depression, but patients with mild or moderate depression may still have psychotic features. Many people with PMD experience delusions, which are beliefs or feelings that are untrue or unsupported.

Paranoid delusions or delusions of guilt may be the most common psychotic symptoms in PMD. Patients with PMD often have concerns that people are paying special attention to them or are trying to persecute them. Patients who experience delusional guilt may believe that they are being punished for past misdeeds or are responsible for problems they couldn’t possibly be responsible for.

Other common delusions include those in which people are concerned that something is terribly wrong with their bodies and physical health, when actually there isn’t anything wrong. Unlike other psychotic disorders, the delusions in PMD may not be very obvious. Delusions appear to be more common than hallucinations in PMD, but some people with PMD do hallucinate, or see or hear things that others do not. Auditory hallucinations (sounds) are perhaps the most common hallucinations seen in PMD. While other patients may report seeing, touching or smelling things that are not there, it is less common.

Other symptoms that are common in PMD are agitation, difficulty falling asleep, and frequent waking during the night. In addition, patients with PMD may have a greater suicide risk than patients with NPMD. Finally, those with PMD may have greater cognitive deficits (e.g., memory problems) than those with NPMD.

Diagnostic criteria

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, patients who show at least six of the following symptoms in a period of two weeks may be diagnosed with PMD. In order to qualify for a PMD diagnosis, patients need to report either (1) or (2), and (10), along with three or four other symptoms (for a total of six). These symptoms also must be different from how patients felt or behaved at a previous time.

1. Depressed mood most of the day nearly every day.


2. Loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day nearly every day.


3. Significant weight loss or weight gain, OR decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.


4. Insomnia OR hypersomnia (sleeping excessively) nearly everyday.


5. Psychomotor agitation (moving more quickly) OR retardation(moving more slowly) nearly every day, so much that other people notice.


6. Fatigue OR loss of energy nearly every day.


7. Feelings of worthlessness OR excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).


8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, OR indecisiveness, nearly every day.


9. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent ideas about suicide without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing. suicide


10. Presence of psychosis (hallucinations/delusions).

Causes of Psychotic Depression

As is the case with other forms of depression, the exact causes of psychotic depression are not known. Research does however suggest that hereditary factors and a history of other depressive conditions such as bipolar disorder often play a role in susceptibility. In addition, abnormal levels of hormones in the bloodstream may also aggravate the onset of psychotic depression.

Psychotic depression is frequently associated with high levels of a hormone called 'cortisol' in the blood. (Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. High levels of cortisol have been associated with stress.)

Treatment of Psychotic Depression

Treatment for psychotic depression requires a longer hospital stay and close follow-up by a mental health professional. Combinations of tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotic medications have been most effective in easing symptoms. The addition of lithium to this combination can be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy is very effective for this condition, but it is generally a second line treatment.

Researchers are also studying the effectiveness of RU-486 (the “abortion pill” and “emergency contraceptive”), which is said to dramatically relieve psychotic depression.

Prognosis of Psychotic Depression

Treatment is very effective for psychotic depression and people are able to recover, usually within a year, but continual medical follow-up may be necessary. Generally, the depressive symptoms have a much higher rate of recurrence than the psychotic symptoms. It is important, however, that a person experiencing these symptoms be properly diagnosed because treatment is different than for other major depressive illnesses and risk of suicide is greater.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotic_depression

http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/psychotic-depression/

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/psychotic-depression

http://www.depression-doctor.com/psychotic-depression.htm

Beware: Cholesterol Drugs Might Cause Depression

Multiple reports suggest strong association between cholesterol lowering statin drug use and affective disorders of all kinds, including depression and its most extreme form, suicide, and other affective manifestations include hostility, aggressiveness, rage, combativeness, accident proneness and special proneness for use of addictive substances.

"He or she is not the person I married," is a frequently recurring statement from spouses of statin users. And more ominously is the statement from surviving wives, "there was nothing wrong before his statin. "

The mechanism of action in explaining the association of these reactions to statins appears to be interference with the biochemistry of dolichols, one of the vital metabolic pathways collaterally affected by the use of statin drugs.

Dolichols are absolutely necessary for the formation of neuropeptides, known also as messenger molecules. These chains of peptides not only are the basis of every thought, emotion and sensation we have ever experienced; they are our every thought, emotion or sensation in a process we are only just beginning to understand.

In the tiny microtubular factories within each of our cells peptide segments are stacked one by one into the desired chain and passed on to the Golgi apparatus for packaging and delivery to other cells via the axons of nerves. This entire complex of activity is orchestrated by our dolichols and inevitably compromised by Statins. Need it be stated, the effects on human emotionality can be extremely varied.

Another reason for the potential danger of the excessive lowering the cholesterol levels might be related to drop it to the unacceptable low levels in the human body. Some doctors today are convinced that the lower one's cholesterol, the better. If your cholesterol is too low you have an increased risk of mood disorders, depression, stroke and violence. Artificially lowering cholesterol is dangerous because we need cholesterol to manufacture sex hormones, vitamin D, DHEA and cell membranes. Lowering cholesterol artificially affects mental acuity and severely disables the ability to cope with physical and mental stress.

Studies have shown a three to 13-fold rise in violent deaths among people taking cholesterol lowering drugs. This is not surprising when you realize that cholesterol is vital to the nervous system and too-low cholesterol triggers brain chemistry changes. Cholesterol levels directly affect the activity of serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter implicated in the control of violent behaviors. Indications are that lowered cholesterol levels lead to lowered brain serotonin activity and this can lead to increased violence.

While arranging the aggressive fight with cholesterol, remember that far from being a health destroyer, cholesterol is absolutely essential for life. According to PROTEIN POWER, by Michael and Mary Dan Eades:

"Although most people think of it as being "fat in the blood," only 7 percent of the body's cholesterol is found there. In fact, cholesterol is not really fat at all; it's a pearly-colored, waxy, solid alcohol that is soapy to the touch. The bulk of the cholesterol in your body, the other 93 percent, is located in every cell of the body, where its unique waxy, soapy consistency provides the cell membranes with their structural integrity and regulates the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of the cells.

"In addition, among its other diverse and essential functions are these: Cholesterol is the building block from which you body makes several important hormones: the adrenal hormones (aldosterone, which helps regulate blood pressure, and hydrocortisone, the body's natural steriod) and the sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone). If you don't have enough cholesterol, you won't make enough sex hormones.

• "Cholesterol is the main component of bile acids, which aid in the digestion of foods, particularly fatty foods. Without cholesterol we could not absorb the essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K from the food we eat.


• Cholesterol is necessary for normal growth and development of the brain and nervous system. Cholesterol coats the nerves and makes the transmission of nerve impulses possible.


• Cholesterol gives skin its ability to shed water.


• Cholesterol is a precursor of vitamin D in the skin. When exposed to sunlight, this precursor molecule is converted to is active form for use in the body.


• Cholesterol is important for normal growth and repair of tissues since every cell membrane and the organelles (the tiny structures inside the cells that carry out specific fundtions) within the cells are rich in cholesterol. For this reason newborn animals feed on milk or other cholesterol-rich foods, such as the yolks of eggs, which are there to provide food for the developing bird or chick embryos.


• Cholesterol plays a major role in the transportation of triglycerides -- blood fats -- through the circulatory system.

Official recommendations for several drugs already include disclaimer related to the possible depression related side effects. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a product label change for the cholesterol-lowering drugs Zetia (ezetimibe) and Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin), adding depression as a possible side-effect.

Letters to the drugs' co-marketers, Schering-Plough Corp. and Merck & Co., the FDA said depression will be added to the section of the drugs' package insert concerning adverse reactions in post-marketing experience. The new language also will be included in a section of the patient package inserts listing possible side effects of the drugs.

Vytorin is a combination of Zetia and simvastatin. Simvastatin is marketed by Merck under the brand Zocor.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://depression.about.com/b/2008/02/19/cholesterol-drug-may-cause-depression.htm

http://www.spacedoc.net/depression_statins.htm

http://www.thenhf.com/articles_08.htm

http://www.internetwks.com/owen/fear.htm

Link Acne Drug with Depression: True, False, Possible…

One of the most wide-known cases, when the medications was directly linked to the potential development of the depressive disorder is Accutane, drug used in treating severe forms of acne, in case other drugs have not been able to treat the condition. It is very effective as an acne-cure. However, the regular use of this drug has been associated with depression amongst the users. A number of suicide cases have been linked to the use of this drug.





The powerful drug manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals was first approved in the year 1982 as a medication to treat persistent acne problems, targeting the severe conditions associated with forward in the treatment of acne vulgaris, the most egregious and resistant form of the disease. But Accutane has been linked to serious health risks, including: strokes, suicide, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, Pancreatitis, and Crohn’s disease.

It is very potent and can cause severely birth defects if taken by women who are pregnant or of childbearing potential. Women using this drug must sign consent forms and promise to use at least two contraceptive procedures to prevent pregnancy during the course of using this drug. Accutane’s most common side effects are gastrointestinal. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the gastrointestinal adverse reactions include: "…inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, Pancreatitis, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, colitis, ileitis, nausea, other nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms."

The long list of the possible side effects is provided at http://accutanesideeffects.net/.

People from different social strata have been long up in arms against the free availability of this particular drug. They are convinced that it creates suicidal tendencies among teenagers many of whom go to the extent of actually becoming suicidal.

In February of 1998 the manufacturer of Accutane, Roche Laboratories, issued a letter to physicians in which they added the following to the WARNINGS section of Prescribing Information for Accutane: Psychiatric disorders: Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. Discontinuation of Accutane therapy may be insufficient; further evaluation may be necessary.

A study published in Experimental Biology and Medicine offers a possible explanation for how the acne drug Accutane (isotretinoin) may cause depression. The authors speculate that it decreases the availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which is believed to be involved in the regulation of mood.

Using cell cultures, scientists from the University of Bath (UK) and University of Texas at Austin (USA) were able to observe the effect of the drug on serotonin-producing cells. They found that the cells significantly increased production of proteins and cell metabolites that are known to reduce the availability of serotonin. A reduction in serotonin, say the scientists, could be a cause of depression in patients using the drug.

However, there is not enough evidence to prove that Accutane is the reason behind such occurrences. Recently, a study was conducted to establish a link between the drug and teenage suicides. The study confirmed to an extent that there was nothing like accutane depression. The teenagers on the drug did not show any significant mood swing compared to others treated with different drugs.





These findings were far from conclusive. According to a scientist, the sample group was rather small. The sample group should not have been less than 1000 if a relation were to be established comprehensively. A more recent research found that Accutane induces some changes in the frontal lobe region of the brain, which is identified as the centre of our emotions. Therefore, there is the possibility of a causative link between Accutane use and depression.

A different Canadian study has also found no association between the acne medication isotretinoin, which is sold in the U.S. under the brand name Accutane, and depression.

This study, which was conducted in a community dermatology clinic, looked at acne patients who were beginning treatment with isotretinoin. The control group were treated with either oral antibiotics or medication applied to the skin. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and the Zung Depression Status Inventory were used to assess depression both at the beginning of treatment and at the end of two months.

At the end of the two month period, the researchers found that neither depression assessment indicated any association between treatment with isotretinoin and depression.

The authors conclude that denying patients with significant acne treatment with isotretinoin, which is a very effective treatment, may not be warranted at this time as it does not appear to be associated with depression.

Why the Controversy?

While countless case reports suggest a relationship between Accutane use and depression, proving this connection has been difficult. Some studies suggest acne itself is more likely to cause depression in sufferers than Accutane use. Others have found no definitive link between Accutane use and an increased risk of depression.

Many acne sufferers find they are depressed because of their acne, and isotretinoin helps to clear their skin, making them feel less depressed and more confident.

Accutane is a miracle cure for acne treatment, a claim that most users will uphold. However, it is advisable to use the drug with caution, at least until the drug is proven innocuous beyond reasonable doubt.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.aboutstressmanagement.com/stressrelief/stress-management/causes-of-stress/does-accutane-cause-depression-and-suicide.htm

http://depression.about.com/od/secondary/f/accutane.htm

http://depression.about.com/b/2007/11/20/possible-mechanism-found-for-depression-accutane-link.htm

http://depression.about.com/b/2007/06/25/study-finds-no-link-between-acne-drug-and-depression.htm

http://acne.about.com/od/acnetreatments/a/sideeffectsaccu.htm

Can your Medicines Cause Depression?

There are multiple scientific studies, more or less substantial, providing data that certain medicine might trigger or influence in certain way the depression.

Some medications prescribed for various medical conditions do cause such feelings as sadness, despair, and discouragement. And those are feelings that are often associated with depression. Other medicines prescribed for medical problems can trigger mania (excessive elation and joy). That's usually associated with bipolar disorder. There are also many psychiatric medications which paradoxically might actually make depression, patient suffers from, worse. These include highly sedating medications such as antianxiety medications or antipsychotic medications and certain mood stabilizers, which not only are sedating, but can slow down thinking processes and lead people to feel more withdrawn and less motivated to go about their daily activities.

Medications that cause mania or depression appear to alter brain chemicals in some way. And even though the medications may be necessary to treat the condition, the side effect appearance might be unacceptable for the patents.

There are just examples of certain medications that can cause symptoms of depression Note that for some medications the various researches might present different, sometimes completely opposite results, but nevertheless you should be aware on the potential negative effects to be sensitive to your mental condition changes, while you take them. You should understand that every individual reaction might be completely different on the taken drugs, and in some cases not an individual medication make the difference, but combination of various prescribed medications causing the cumulative effect on your well-being.

So, be aware on the following drugs to be considered as might be causing the depression in adults:

• Accutane, which is prescribed for the treatment of acne, has been suspected to cause depression.


• Antihypertensives, such as clonidine (Catapres).

• Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal).


• Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), or lorazepam (Ativan).


• Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil (Calan).


• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.


• Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and hormone therapy used to treat the symptoms of menopause.


• Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease or other neurological disorders, such as restless legs syndrome.


• Medications used to treat seizures, such as phenytoin (Dilantin).


• Pain medications, such as meperidine (Demerol) or codeine.

Symptoms of depression can also be caused by the use of or withdrawal from alcohol and illegal drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines (methamphetamines, crystal meth, or crack), heroin, and cannabis (marijuana).

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/medicines-cause-depression

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/d/depression/medic.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55169

http://vitaminlady.com/articles/depresmeds.asp

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/drugdepression.htm

http://www.emedexpert.com/side-effects/depression.shtml

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100057030

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/DepressionScreening/story?id=4355948