Depression

what is depression

2008-07-31T21:04:00.001-07:00

Signs Of Depression—What It Is And How To Identify It

Depression is a commonly misinterpreted disorder. Everyone gets sad and feels pain every once and a while, but what happens when a sad mood persists for a long period of time? This is what is known as depression. Depression is marked by many signs and symptoms, but because there are so many different ones, it can be difficult to identify them. Being aware of what depression is and what its symptoms are could save someone’s life—whether it is yours or someone you love.

Describing The Disorder

Many people are unclear about what depression actually is. Depression is a disorder that can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime. It causes one to feel unrelentingly and overwhelmingly sad or lifeless for an extended period of time. Some people describe depression as a feeling of long-term doom, while others say it is an emptiness they feel inside.

The trouble with depression is that those who suffer with it often do not know that they suffer from it, or else they do not care enough to do anything about it. That is why it up to their friends and family members to know what depression is, and its symptoms.

Signs And Symptoms Send A Message

People who suffer from depression can exhibit a wide range of symptoms, all ranging in severity. Common symptoms include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, appetite or weight changes, sleep changes, psychomotor agitation or retardation, aches and pains, loss of energy, concentration problems, irritability, and self-loathing.

Identifying these symptoms can be difficult, because many of them can be experienced by people with other illnesses or with nothing wrong with them at all. Everyone feels irritable every once and a while, and it is not uncommon to experience aches and pains sometimes. However, if a combination of these symptoms persists, then it is time to voice your concerns.

Intervene, Or Else

Knowing the long term consequences of depression are part of knowing what it is. Depression that goes untreated can cause many problems for those who are affected, but the worst consequence of all is the potential of suicide. This consequence should be an incentive to get help as soon as you can.

Know The Facts

Knowing the facts depression, including what it is, what its symptoms are, and what the long term results of the disorder are, can help you to be more informed if you encounter it in your daily life. If you or someone who know has clinical depression, act now, because there is no time to waste.

understanding depression

2008-07-31T21:03:00.002-07:00

Understanding Depression In Childhood

A common myth says that it is only adults who suffer from depression, while a child or a teen does not. This is absolutely a false concept. Similar to an adult, a child may also experience many forms of depression. In fact, the problem of depression in childhood can be more prevalent compared to other ages of development. Childhood depression may not be adequately met in most of the cases as the symptoms are underestimated and considered unimportant as a normal course of development. So understanding childhood depression is very important and a challenge to all researchers and health practitioners.

Common Symptoms

A depressed child may have some specific symptoms, which although they have a resemblance to normal developmental emotional changes, the symptoms are subtly different. Childhood depression may cause irritability rather than sadness. Additionally it may also result in hopelessness and boredom. Commonly it is seen that a depressed child moves slowly and sometimes zombie like. One needs a thorough understanding of depression in childhood so that the symptoms may not be confused with a normal emotional tantrum.

Associated Risks

A careful understanding of childhood depression is important because if it is left untreated for any long period of time, it may lead to suicide or suicidal attempts. Children may also experience depression for parental conflict. Understanding depression is an important part of identifying the difference between normal moodiness and symptoms of depression. For the former the child does not have any probable risks, however for the later the child is highly vulnerable to different risks such as suicide or suicidal attempts, decrease in academic performance, withdrawal from activities, irritation, social isolation and many others.

Risk Factors

There are a couple of risk factors that can actually cause depression in a child. The most important risk factor is a depressed family member. Studies confirm that children having either one or both parents diagnosed with depression are three times more likely to experience depression themselves. Children suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes are at higher risk for developing depression. Sexual abuse and alcoholism or drug addiction in the family may also pose a serious threat.

Treatments

The treatment for depressed children is similar to the treatment of depressed adults. This treatments incorporates counseling, medication and psychotherapeutic interventions. However, practitioners need a thorough understanding of depression in childhood as children are at higher risk for being affected by potential side effects caused by prescribed medications. Common psychotherapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, problem-solving therapy, family therapy and play therapy. The medications used for treating depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antidepressant medications and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

types of depression

2008-07-31T21:03:00.001-07:00

Different Types Of Depression Mean Custom Classification

Depression affects many people, but no two people are affected in the same way. Depression can lead to different consequences, and it can stem from different root causes. One common misconception is that there is only one type of depression that affects all victims; however, this is not true at all. Now, experts know that there are several different types of depression (more specifically, four types), which is why the causes and effects are so diverse as well.

Major Depression

The first type of depression is major depression. Major depression is the most serious type of depression there is. People with major depression typically exhibit the most signs and symptoms than those with other types of depression; however, the signs and symptoms of major depression vary greatly. People with major depression are characterized by their inability to experience pleasure. A major depression episode left untreated lasts for about six months, and while it is usually a reoccurring disorder, some people only experience one episode in a lifetime.

Dysthymic Disorder

This type of depression is more moderate than major depression. It usually lasts for at least two years, if not longer. The symptoms of dysthymic disorder are not as severe as those of major depression, but they are more difficult to identify and treat. Frequently, people with dysthymic depression will develop a form of major depression at some point during the course of their disorder.

Feeling “SAD”

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is another type of depression. This category is used to describe people whose depressive episodes occur in a pattern that follows the seasons. This disorder affects people in the fall and winter, when there is a limited amount of sunlight. This type of depression is most common in northern areas, and in younger people. Seasonal Affective Disorder goes away during the spring and summer.

Postpartum Depression

Often referred to as the “baby blues,” this type of depression affects new mothers, usually within six months after delivery. This is a very serious form of depression, and it is thought to be caused by the natural hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy.

Help Is On The Way

Whatever type of depression you might have, it is important that you seek treatment right away from a professional. The method of treatment will vary depending on the specific form of depression you are affected with; however, it is sure to be successful at helping you to lead a normal life free from unhappiness.

treatments for depression

2008-07-31T21:02:00.004-07:00

An Overview of Treatments for Depression

Depression is an illness and many people around the world are victim of this disease. However, a major number of people simply do not understand the importance of the severity of depression, thereby simply are left untreated. Like all other illnesses, depression needs treatments and it is treatable if encountered on time. People suffering from depression may experience intense feeling of sadness, confusion, frustration, anxiety, hopelessness, pain, loss of energy and loss of appetite. Treatments for depression need the thorough understanding of the problem, its possible consequences and the associated risk factors.

Initial Treatment

At the initial stage of treatments for depression may include the administration of different medications such as antidepressants. Additionally, the depressed individual may be suggested to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy. In fact, the ideal treatments for depression may cover the combination of medication and therapeutic intervention. The treatments for depression are exclusively determined on the degree of depression and other significant environmental and health factors. For mild to moderate level of depression, people may seek professional counseling to get the solution. For severe problem, you may need advanced level of treatments.

Advanced Treatment

However, even if the early detection of depression may show the symptoms associated with severe level, the suffering individual may need both psychological counseling and medication. In some cases, although rare, hospitalization may be needed if the victim shows the symptoms of suicide or has already taken suicidal attempts. The advanced level of treatments for depression become necessary for those who have shown a clear symptom of psychosis (dissociation from reality), planning to perform self-injury or have already done, planning to harm others or have already done, abusing alcohol or drugs. The hospitalization may need a longer and complex pattern of treatments for depression.

Treatment Duration

Although the treatments of depression offer increasing success rate if it includes medication or psychotherapy or the combination of both. In most of the cases, it needs time as the appropriate treatment plan needs to be determined. In fact, it takes several attempts just to identify which medication works best with an individual. It is quite possible that while a particular medication is found beneficial for an individual, it may not offer expected results in others. An individual may come to a better shape within one to three weeks following the administration of antidepressant medications. However, more time is actually needed to see the overall improvements. After going through antidepressant medications, if someone does not experience a better condition, he must make it clear to the doctor, so that the doctor can offer the individual the possible alternative medications.

test for manic depression

2008-07-31T21:02:00.003-07:00

Psychometric Test for Manic Depression

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, occurs due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, which may result in severe mood swings from manic highs to distressing lows. The psychometric test is used for diagnosing manic depression. Although the diagnosis can make people confused and anxious, it is not something beyond treatment or management. Even though it is treatable and manageable, manic depression itself is a complex illness that may affect one’s life profoundly. Therefore, early diagnosis is important. This article sheds light on different available psychometric tests available for diagnosing manic depression in an individual.

Self Assessment Test

If you feel that you may be suffering from manic depression, a self-assessment test for manic depression may be of great help to you. In order to administer the test for diagnosing manic depression in yourself you do not need to go anywhere. Many medical research organizations and institutions offer a wide range of opportunities that you can easily avail via the Internet. Although many of them are not authentic and are not truly based on scientific measures, quite a few are well up to the mark. In a self-assessment test for manic depression, all you need to do is answer few questions that typically come in multiple choice format. There is no right or wrong answers. You have to answer according to your own mental status and with complete honesty.

Doctor Recommended Test

Instead of doing an online test for manic depression, many people actually prefer to visit a psychiatrist at this time because they feel they can not simply handle the situation by themselves any longer. More generally, doctors prefer to use Beck’s Depression Inventory or Glasgow Depression Scale in order to test for manic depression in the patient.

These types of scales have the required degree of reliability and validity. The results retrieved from these scales are more accurate and self-explanatory. Doctors only consider the standardized tests for measuring the depression level in an individual and only after identifying the degree of depression can they recommend prescription drugs or other treatments.

Beyond The Test

Before sending patients for testing for depression doctors try to diagnose from many overt symptoms such as sad mood, loss of interest, change in appetite, unusual weight gain or loss, loss of energy, difficulty in sleeping, recurrent thoughts of suicide and other negative behaviors.

However, sometimes symptoms of manic depression are overshadowed by the symptoms of other disorders. Doctors with knowledge and expertise in this field are able to make the distinction. In order to be certain about their diagnosis and to analyze the degree of depression, they usually recommend the patient to go for a test for manic depression.

teen depression

2008-07-31T21:02:00.001-07:00

Teen Depression – Beware Of The Tell-Tale Sings

There is too much pressure on children today. A few decades ago, childhood meant fun, innocent mischief, games, travel, parents’ love and peer friendships. Today, all this has changed; today childhood is characterized by competition, ambition, struggle for power at homes and outside, parents’ pressure to succeed at any cost, peer pressure to belong, and so on.

All this is very rough on teens who are already struggling to come to terms with the changes in their bodies and minds that occur at puberty and early adolescence. Both girls and boys suffer from different aspects – pimples, hair problems, deepening of the voice, breast size, periods, penis size, virginity vs sex and so on.

The Signs Of Teen Depression

With so much going on, it is not surprising that one in every five teens suffer from one or other forms of depression. Can you, as a parent or guardian, recognize the signs of teen depression early enough? What are the signs of teen depression that could help you identify this problem with your child?

It is often a little difficult to identify these symptoms or signs because the teens are characterized by weird behavior in general. However, with a little perseverance and careful observation you could be successful in identifying the signs of teen depression, if present.

The first thing that would strike you is that your son or daughter has all of a sudden turned into a slob. Wearing fashionably torn or frayed clothes with wild hairdos is one thing; wearing dirty clothes, not taking bath for days, not combing (or using make-up), not bothering about what they wear on their feet – would show that they do not care how they look. This is one very important sign of teen depression.

Coupled with the terrible appearances you would find that the teen has no interest in anything they previously liked – music, video games, TV shows, shopping, bullying their siblings, etc. Nothing is fun anymore, and they stop playing outdoors (if they were playing before), they stop any hobbies and prefer to either lock themselves in their room or sit in parks doing nothing.

The grades of these children also show a sudden plunge. This in one teen depression sign, that almost always is handled wrongly by the parents. This is because in their anxiety to put their children back on the track, they would use punishment instead of finding out the reasons behind it. In most cases parents jump to the conclusion that their children do not want to study any longer and the low grades reflects this lack of interest.

stress depression

2008-07-31T21:01:00.004-07:00

Adolescent Stress And Depression

Although the adolescence period is characterized as the happiest phase of life, stress and depression are common problems marked at this stage of life. Several scientific studies focus on determining the prevalence of adolescent stress and depression in cross-cultural backgrounds. These studies confirm that the risky behaviors of adolescents are universal and crucially governed by their experience to stress, depression and other societal factors. However, depression has a genetic root as well. The disease of depression may run through generations.

The Experience Of Stress And Depression Are Real

Many teenagers are seriously affected with the experience of stress and depression. Adolescents experiencing stress and depression may rely on their negative or positive behaviors while dealing with their problems. Stress features feeling of anxiety, frustration, worry and withdrawal and a typical session of stress may last for few hours to few days. On the other hand, depression is much more complex and elaborative process that features intense feeling of sadness, hopelessness, isolation, feeling of unworthiness and a complete withdrawal that may last for longer periods, say, for few days to an entire lifetime, for example.

Common Causes Of Stress And Depression During Adolescence

The most common cause is of course breakup with partners. Apart from that, continuous arguments with parents or parental figures may play a significant leading role in the development of stress, anxiety and depression. Sibling jealousy, conflicts between parents, change in financial status of parents, sudden death or serious or terminal illness of either or both parents are the other important causes that can be considered as important factors for causing stress and depression among adolescents.

Although it seems that the adolescents who show anti-social behavior are a problem for society, the fact is that they are also in trouble with their own lives. There are several factors that can make an adolescent vulnerable to depression and self-destructive behavior. These factors may include family history of depression, alcoholism or drug use by family members, sexual or physical abuse, prolonged history of illness in family, sudden death of parents, family conflict, feeling of rejection, criticizing parents, educational pressure and many others.

Depressed Adolescents React Differently

A huge number of adolescents find ways to cope with their depression and stress, others don’t. For the later group, the stressful events keep piling up, so do their problems in life. The higher the degree of depression and stress, the higher the rate of suicide or suicidal attempts among adolescents, as research confirms. In fact, depressed adolescents are at much higher risk for committing suicide than those who are not depressed. Depressed adolescents also reveal different types of anti-social activities and aggressive behavior.

signs of depression

2008-07-31T21:01:00.003-07:00

Can You Read The Signs Of Depression When You See Them?

Depression is one of the most ignored maladies today. How many people you know who would rush to the doctor when they feel sad or when they missed a few nights’ sleep? Very few would fall into that bracket. Why? Because normally, people take these signs of depression as the result of stress and tend to ignore them.

What Are The Signs That You Should Look Out For?

Depression would not be the problem it is today if it was easier to recognize at individual level. There are excellent treatments that can completely cure depression provided the person goes to the doctor and asks for help. When do you usually go to a doctor? When you think that you are not well; and the thought that you are unwell comes to your mind when you notice certain signs indicating that things are not as they should be in a healthy person, i.e. fever, pain, swellings, etc.

Depression is not referred to a doctor because people cannot recognize the signs of depression when they see them. The first thing that would point towards this disorder is a deep feeling of sadness. Do you feel sad often? Is there anyone in your home who is sad often?

You can recognize sadness when find that the person you are observing does not take much interest in any happy tidings around the house; smiles very little, does not talk much, sees only the downside of any situation, does not have any appetite or eats too much (which normally they do not) and so on. The facial expression of the person is downcast - like they have lost all interest in life.

These are the most visible of the symptoms – there are other signs of depression that would not be as easy to identify. This would come out only when you interact a little closer with the person, such as thoughts of suicide, self-hatred, low self-esteem (feeling that they are totally hopeless), panic attacks, sudden and unexplained mood swings, constant fear of something which they cannot actually name, and so on.

When you notice any of the signs of depression manifested in anybody you know, motivate them to take one of the depression tests. These tests would further help in diagnosing this problem. Since the signs of depression are not easily visible to a lay person unless he/ she is closely watching for them, it is very difficult to catch this affliction early. The more the treatment is delayed, the worse the condition would become, often ending in loss of life through suicide.

You need to learn to read the signs of depression fast – you might be able to save a life.

severe depression

2008-07-31T21:01:00.001-07:00

Factors that Can Cause Severe Depression

There is a great difference between the life that you are leading today and the life that your grandparents had led a few decades ago. Their life like your was centered on earning a livelihood for the family as well as achieving personal and professional success; however, it had sufficient avenues of relaxation and self-indulgence which short-circuited any possibility of depression. The present life very rarely leaves scope for recreation or things that give pleasure.

The result is that most people suffer from depression and stress related physical and mental ailments. You are constantly running after the impossible finding no time to unwind and relax body or mind. Severe depression is the cumulative result of many such factors and curing it very often depends on how successful you are removing or modifying these factors.

What Causes Severe Depression?

There is too much competitiveness in your life. Right from the childhood you are taught to strive to be better that the next – when you should have been taught to just do your best possible without any regard to what and how the others around you perform. This competitiveness becomes an inbuilt trait along the years and you end up continuing the rat race into your adulthood – always pushing yourself to achieve more so you could stay on top. Result – you get tired, you fail and you fall prey to severe depression.

Family turmoil is another very important factor that triggers severe depression. Unfortunately, most family lives today are dysfunctional – with parents focusing only on their career and financial security and children behaving rebellious because they want to draw their parents’ attention. The clashes however, are bitter and the disharmony affects the relationship among the spouses; this in turn bears a heavy toll on the mind in the long run causing severe depression.

Feeling ignored and neglected also can cause severe depression. This particular factor is most common with senior people who feel that they have been abandoned by their children in the evening of their life making their life feel unworthy of the struggles they faced. As people age, they need to know they are loved and valued. Their children are too busy chasing their dreams and looking after their own kids to pay sufficient attention to the emotional needs of the senior people. The result is severe depression.

Stereotyping of the husband and wife roles is another major factor that causes severe depression in both men and women. Very often the behavior of each spouse for one another fall short of their expectations due to the stereotyping of roles of man and woman in a marriage. This leads to ego clashes, problems in sexual behavior and mental unrest which once again leads to severe depression.

Seasonal depression

2008-07-31T21:00:00.002-07:00

Seasonal depression – Temporary Mood Changes With the Season

Seasonal depression is simply exactly as it sounds a depressive episode or state brought on by the changing of the season’s particular the cooler months of the year and primarily in areas where extreme temperature changes occur. This means that if you live in a far northern state or far southern state in the United states for example you may be more likely to end up with seasonal depression.

Seasonal depression is also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Depending on the person it can begin in the fall or winter and runs trough either spring or early summer. The reason for this is can be linked to similar states of cabin fever or winter blues unfortunately they aren’t as mild as these states and have significantly greater impact on the people who suffer from seasonal depression. These are not the only seasons there is a rarer form, which takes affect during the remaining part of the year and is known as Summer depression instead of the winter blues or Winter depression.

What Are The Symptoms Of Seasonal Depression

The symptoms of seasonal depression are similar to major depressive disorder. They are fatigue, increased sleep cycle, lower energy levels, weight gain and an increase in appetite along with the desire to be isolated, or anti social behavior and difficulty focusing and concentrating.

For seasonal depression during the Summer months, the symptoms include a decrease rather than increase in appetite, trouble sleeping rather than sleeping too much and weight loss. The remainders of the symptoms are the same as with the more common Winter depression.

There are also the regular symptoms that go along with depression such as irritability, anti social behavior, loss of interest in loved activities along with the gambit of negative feelings. However, in seasonal depression they lean more towards sadness and anxiety rather than feelings of worthlessness.

What To Do To Help

It is believed but has not been proved that SAD may be related to the biological clock and the decrease of available sunlight during the winter months. Gaining more exposure to sunlight may help to relieve symptoms. During the summer months, it is believed to be caused by too much light, which would contribute to the fact that it is less common.

If you or someone you love suffers from seasonal depression, talk to a medical professional about what you can do to help alleviate the symptoms and see if more sunlight in your life helps you.

psychotic depression

2008-07-31T21:00:00.001-07:00

The Severity of Psychotic Depression

Suffering from depression can be a very serious and contentious situation. The reason for this is that contrary to what many people commonly believe depression is not a singular condition that is the same from person to person. In other words, there are varying degrees of depression and for some individuals the level of depression they reach can be severe enough to be labeled psychotic depression.

That is to say, the depression they suffer can create an instability in their mental health that reaches a point where they are a danger to themselves and other. Needless to say, psychotic depression requires immediate help and that help will not come out of reading a pop psychology book

Public Attitudes towards Depression

If there ever was a thoroughly (for lack of a better word) annoying aspect to dealing with depression it would be the condescending attitude many people have towards those who are suffering or dealing with psychotic depression. Now, this does not mean that there are people who purposely look to condescend towards someone who have a legitimate and serious illness simply because they look down upon the person. Rather, they do this because they lack a clear and definitive understanding of depression that is based on a depth of knowledge. Instead, they make rash and nonsensical judgments on the person based on the most trite of unprofessional assessments.

Defining This Form of Depression

Psychotic depression often refers to a type of depression that involves hallucinations and delusions. Often times, there may be an irrational reaction to these episodes as this would be any type of psychosis. Needless to say, when a person suffers from such a condition it could lead to an incident that could be harmful to all those who suffer from it.

If there was any consolation in regards to the suffering of this condition it would be the fact that those who suffer from it realize that their delusions and hallucinations and possibly voices in their head are not real. (Conversely, someone who suffers from schizophrenia does not realize that their psychosis is not real) It must be noted that simply because a person suffering from psychotic depression realizes their delusions are not real does not mean they are immune from any harm the delusions may cause. As such, it becomes critical for these people to seek the help of a qualified professional who can diagnose and treat the condition so that no harm comes to the person.

post partum depression

2008-07-31T20:59:00.002-07:00

Facts to Know about Post Partum Depression

Post partum depression commonly occurs in women following a child birth. The common symptoms associated with post partum depression include recurrent sadness, loss of energy, sleeping disturbances, hopelessness, frustration, exhaustion, feeling lack of affection for the new born baby, guilt, low self esteem, social withdrawal, loss of appetite, and many other negative experiences. This article sheds light on different facts that you must know about post partum depression.

Risk Factors

Although researchers have not come into a single conclusion for what causes post partum depression, they put their emphasis on couple of factors. These are prenatal depression, lack of self esteem, prenatal anxiety, and continuous conflict with partner, low perceived social support, and family history of depression, low socioeconomic status and unplanned pregnancy. All of these factors are strongly correlated with the development of post partum depression in a woman. Additionally, mother’s race, social class or sexual orientation may also play a leading role.

Evolutionary Hypothesis for Post Partum Depression

Evolutionary theorists suggest a potential cause for developing post partum depression in a living being. It explains that it is the natural tendency of the parents, either human or non-human, to invest in offspring only when the potential benefits outweigh the costs of taking care of the offspring. If the opposite condition occurs, the parental care will be simply reduced or eliminated. Lack of support from the father shifts the entire responsibility to the mother. In this situation, the mother have to pay the cost of raising the new infant either damaging or harming the existing children or damaging her own health.

In many cases, mothers experience lack of social support and may pass through different stressful events. This eventually causes the mother to shift their energy to meet the situational demands rather than investing it onto an unaffordable infant. The suffering mothers reveal higher degree of negative emotions and lesser degree of positive emotions headed for their children. Apparently their responses to child need are significantly inconsistent.

Prevention

If diagnosed at earlier stages and intervened accordingly, it may offer an effective outcome in most of the cases. Primarily, the prevention includes educating the women about the possible risk factors associated with post partum depression. There are various self-help groups that in combination with medical community may serve a beneficial support. The woman either pregnant or planning to become pregnant must be screened regularly by their health practitioners so that the early detection could be possible. In Canada, the screening test is conducted by professional public health nurses.

Treatment

Post partum depression is treatable. Medical evaluation is the primary step needs to be ruled out in order to diagnose the status of the problem in the concerned woman. After diagnosis, the suffering woman is suggested to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and nutrition. Most of the cases, the health practitioners with the cooperation of the mother set up treatment plan. Although the symptoms are quite similar among the sufferers, the treatment policy is highly individualized. If the woman does not like her treatment plan, she may seek for the second opinion.

overcoming depression

2008-07-31T20:59:00.001-07:00

The Realm of Overcoming Depression

When you wake up in the morning and it feels like there is a ten ton weight around your neck you are not exactly going to feel like being motivated much less happy. In fact, you may very well wake up everyday with a feeling of being miserable and this is clearly not an optimal state of mind. You realize that this is not what you want to deal with nor is it a frame of mind you enjoy.

You want it to change, but it feels incredibly difficult to make those necessary changes. This brings about the question: can you make those necessary changes that are required for overcoming depression? The answer is that of course it is possible to make those changes, but they can not be made haphazardly. That is to say, there needs to be a direct course of action taken so as to enhance one’s ability to overcome such a problem and often this can not be done alone.

Dealing with Depression

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to go about overcoming depression that can be provided to an individual in need of such information. That is to say, when it comes to overcoming depression no one needs to go about it on their own. There are a variety of traditional medical treatments such as outpatient medication therapy; there are psychological therapy treatments; and then there are even alternative treatments such as meditation all of which have proven to be successful in a number of patients.

As with anything, it is important to give enough time to any particular form of treatment enough time in order to be successful. As much as a person would desire it, there is no way regarding overcoming depression can occur overnight. While it would be a great thing that this could happen, the odds of it actually happening would be pretty much impossible. Again, the ability to defeat depression takes time and patience, but the end result will be an agreeable one.

In a sense, overcoming depression is a process and not a product. That is to say, it is something that can not be delivered as much as it is something that must be worked at in order to achieve success. So, if one opts to work at it overcoming depression then the end result may very well be possible. But, such a venture takes effort and that means the end result is only as achievable in terms of how hard someone works for it.

natural cure for depression

2008-07-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

Is There Any Natural Cure For Depression?

Depression is a very common problem today, though many still choose to ignore it rather than cure it. When it comes to cures, many people today are turning to Mother Nature for the healing of their physical and mental ailments. There is a popular belief among the masses that says natural cures have very few (if any) side effects and also it is easier on the systems of the body.

Yoga As A Natural Cure For Depression

Fortunately, there are many such natural cures that have proven highly beneficial against depression. Before you adopt any of these however, it is imperative that you meet a doctor and have the type of depression you are suffering from properly diagnosed. There are as many as six types of depression known to the modern science, and each one of them has their own particular characteristics.

Yoga is one great natural cure for depression. This is a very old (read ancient) Indian curative method, which consists of body-stretching exercises that are combined with specific breathing exercises. The yoga postures and breathing techniques massage the body organs internally promoting their optimal functioning. Done regularly, yoga has the power of not only reversing depression, but also signs of aging and physical weakness.

In order to ensure that yoga works as a natural cure for depression, you would need to follow the rules of this ancient wisdom – practice the exercises only at the crack of the dawn facing the rising sun – preferably in the open. Combine the physical exercises with meditation for best results.

Alternative Medicine And Practices Used As A Natural Cure For Depression

You must be aware that different fruits and vegetables contain different minerals, vitamins and other things that are needed by our bodies to grow from within. For example, green vegetables are said to be rich in iron and very good for hair and nails. Similarly, there are plenty of such natural agents which can fight depression.

When it comes to natural anti-depressants, there are plenty of herbs, fruits or vegetables available for you to choose from. The pomegranate, the chamomile and basil leaves among others, are counted among the herbs that literally chase away the blues.

A change in the way you eat and sleep can also play a great role in finding a natural cure for depression. For example, did you know that in order to get deep sleep at night, you would need to go to bed at least four hours after consuming your meal? Did you know that you need to sleep at least three to four hours before midnight if you want an astute mind and an energetic body?

There are many natural ways to cure depression – pick your choice.

mental depression

2008-07-31T20:57:00.000-07:00

Mental Depression Can Heavily Influence Behavior And Thoughts

When a person is affected by mental depression he/she tends to exhibit a certain pattern of behavioral changes. Initially, such changes in behavior might not be too obvious, but gradually these would result in a complete personality transformation. Unless the root cause of such changes is explained, this can result tremendous misunderstandings among family and friends; even complete breakdown of relationships.

The Behavioral Changes That Spell Mental Depression

Mental depression can happen to anyone. There are many, many factors that lead to depression and you need to know that it can occur at absolutely any age. Very young children can suffer from mental depression as can very senior people. This affliction does not differentiate between genders, not shows any preferences to the age of the person it attacks.

The person who slips into mental depression exhibits certain traits and behavioral changes that point to this problem. It is easy to recognize them once you know what to look for –

1. The person becomes a pessimist – this change in behavior would be more accentuated if the person previously would have been a die-hard optimist. Even otherwise, the transformation should be obvious to the people with whom he/she interacts closely.

2. The person stops talking – this is one of the most common traits of mental depression, i.e. silence. The person who is depressed prefers to think rather than talk, bottling his/ her feelings inside while thinking about the circumstances and feelings that he/she is experiencing. If you see that the person shuns talking over a long period of time – say a week or a month – consider this as an indicator the he/she is suffering from mental depression.

3. The person shuns company – the extrovert becomes an introvert. He/she avoids parties, picnics, shopping sprees, games, etc. In other words, they prefer their own company to that of others and are usually not easily convinced to do otherwise. The gradual love of seclusion and loneliness is another behavioral change that points to mental depression.

4. Talks about and is interested in afterlife and death – you will find that person is all of a sudden very interested in death and other equally morbid subjects. He/ she might express that life is a futile exercise where death and after life are better options. There would be a marked obsession on this topic and no amount of distractions would affect their hang-up on it.

5. Blames himself/ herself for everything – these people exhibit a very low self-esteem and tend to blame themselves for everything that goes wrong about them – logically or illogically. There is a sense of hopelessness around them and they feel totally useless and worthless to their family, friends and society at large.

medications for depression

2008-07-31T20:56:00.004-07:00

Medications For Depression Is Not The Only Way To Fight It Successfully

Are you feeling depressed? Is anyone in your home feeling depressed? Most people consult a doctor for medications for depression when they recognize the symptoms – and most of the time these medications are successful in treating the disorder. However, there is a lot more you can do to fight depression.

Prevent Depression from Catching Roots

Instead of running to the doctor for medications for depression, would it not be better to prevent it? In order to prevent it, you should be aware of what exactly causes and triggers it. Often, depression is the result of a lot pressure on the mind over a very long period of time.

When this happens, the slipping into depression is very gradual and the symptoms are initially too mild to notice. However, if you are watchful you will notice that there are changes in sleeping pattern, and style of eating; there is a gradual withdrawal from socializing; less time is allotted for hobbies and pleasures of life, etc.

This is the time when just talking and showing care can reverse the trend. Medications for depression would work here too, but these are not necessary. Very often depression can be averted when the affected person is encouraged to talk about what they feel; when they are exposed to love and care and when they are motivated to look at the brighter side of life.

Have a look at your nutrition – depression can often be triggered by malfunctioning adrenal glands and erratically released hormones in the blood. Ensure that you include into your diet sufficient green vegetables and fruits. Reduce as much as possible red meat and fried foods. Obesity is also linked with depression – ensure that your weight stays within the prescribed parameters.

Menopause and surgery can also contribute to depression. Menopause is not only a phenomenon experienced by women; men experience it too. It is called andropause and the symptoms are very similar to what women experience during menopause. Fortunately, most of the symptoms can be averted with the help of HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Medications for depression also help, but it is best to use them only if the HRT fails.

Sudden shocks in life can cause severe depression – such as the death of a child, spouse or parent. Prevention here would involve the capacity to allow the body and mind to grieve. Help groups and church organizations can be very good for this purpose. Medications for depression could be used to prevent it from escalating into more severe forms.

major depression disorder

2008-07-31T20:56:00.003-07:00

What Is Major Depressive Disorder?

Depression is one of the fastest growing mental illnesses in the United States. The causes can range from situational to chemical. However, you may not have heard of major depressive disorder, or at least not heard about it under this name. Major depressive disorder is also known by the following names: major depression, unipolar depression and clinical depression. These names may be more familiar to the majority of people because they have all received significant media attention. Major depressive disorder is known as unipolar because it does not shift between depressive and manic but merely remains on the one side of the extreme.

Effects And Standard Symptoms

Major depressive disorder affects each person a little differently though there are sets of standardized symptoms that can be used to tell when someone is suffering from a major depressive disorder. These symptoms include increased sleeping, increased eating, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and constant fatigue, lack of concentration, headaches, general body pain, and thoughts of suicide in extreme cases and generalized feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Not all of the symptoms will show up with every person. While the majority of people experience these symptoms and effects that does not at all mean they are the only symptoms. Some people may experience a decrease in the amount they eat or will become hungry less often. Even if you are not suffering from severe symptoms, it is a good idea to speak with a qualified medical professional in order to receive treatment if necessary.

The symptoms of major depressive disorder do not only affect the person suffering from them but also those around them. It also has a profound impact on performance at work as well as social situations, which contributes to the continuation of the cycle leading to more severe episodes of depression.

Depression can hit anyone at any time in any age group and lifestyle. Women are more likely to experience episodes of depression than men. The largest age group that seems to be affected is adults between the ages of 25 and 44. Signs of depression are found equally among children and are less likely for individuals over the age of 65.

Depressive episodes run in cycles. A cycle can run a few days, a few weeks, or even longer. The time between cycles can be similar, a few days, a few weeks or even years. Depression whether it is situational, brought on by a particular set of events, or chemical is not something to take lightly. If you notice the symptoms of depression in yourself or someone you love seek medical advice on the best way to treat it.

major depression

2008-07-31T20:56:00.001-07:00

Major Depression Disorder

Major depression disorder, also known as clinical depression or unipolar depression, is significantly affecting the world population. The prevalence is so critical that 15 million American adults are getting affected in each year. Major depression can persistently impede the normal thoughts, behaviors, mood as well as physical health.

Common Symptoms

Major depression changes a fully functional individual quite significantly. The common symptoms of major depression are persistent feeling of sadness, irritation, lack of sleep, low appetite, loss of energy, slow movement, agitation, withdrawal, guilt feelings, feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness and emptiness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, persistent physical complications without any possible physical root.

Causes

Major depression is a complex form of depression which may occur due to psychological, biological and social factors. Chemical imbalance in the brain plays the leading role in the formation of major depression in an individual. Three neurotransmitters – norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are crucially involved in the process. Other cause may involve genetic predisposition. In fact, many studies confirm that an individual is at higher risk for developing major depression if he or she is having a family history for the same.

Treatment

Although major depression can even toll a life, it is certainly treatable. A majority of the population suffering from major depression can be effectively treated and can be successfully returned back to normal lives following a treatment. The treatment plan exclusively depends on the severity of the problem and individual preference. Medications, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy are the three primary types of treatments typically used for treating major depression.

Typically four groups of antidepressants are administered for treating major depression. They are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), bupropin (wellbutrin), mirtazapine (remeron), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and non-antidepressant adjunctive agents.

Psychotherapy, especially in combination with medication, is found to be effective in treating major depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy can be used to treat mild to moderate form of major depression. By using cognitive behavioral therapy, the practitioners can be able to modify the negative thinking patterns and dissatisfying behavior in an individual. On the other hand, interpersonal therapy aids in understanding personal relationship and helps in forming a new insight for playing new life roles.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is particularly used for treating the severe form of the disorder. It is specifically considered in such circumstances where medications or psychotherapy could not be able to show any effective results or offer very slow improvement than actually expected. ECT is beneficial for people who are suffering from psychosis or have attempted suicide several times.

herbal remedies for depression

2008-07-31T20:55:00.002-07:00

Not All Herbal Remedies For Depression Have Been Clinically Proven

Depression can really get you down and today there is a growing need to find a natural means to treat this condition and that is why it will pay you to consider herbal remedies for depression that are easily available to everyone who have access to the Internet. However, not all the different herbal remedies for depression available on the market today have been proven to be effective and many of these solutions are in fact, in the main untested.

Beware Of Tall Claims

It is also necessary to take the tall claims of many sellers who claim that their herbal remedies for depression are scientifically proven because these claims are only supported by a few studies that in them are not even adequately designed. Still, there are many herbs that have been clinically proven and thus you will need to research the different herbal remedies for depression and opt for those which contain proven herbs in the correct dosage and also in first-rate forms.

You would do well to consider St. John’s Wort which is also known as Hypericum Perforatum extract and which is among the best herbal remedies for depression and this has been confirmed when one considers that it has gone through as many as twenty clinical trials all of which confirm its effectiveness in dealing with depression. In fact, St. John’s Wort is also compared to anti-depressant medications such as Zoloft, Prozac and even Paxil and found to work as well if not better than these drugs and to also benefit users by not causing any major side effects either.

If you find any herbal remedies for depression that contain pharmaceutical grade St. John’s Wort extract, you can be sure that you have the proper answer to treating your depression condition. Still, there are certain differences even when herbal remedies for depression contain St. John’s Wort extract because some products may only contain low-quality form of this herb, or may even not have the herb at all in the proper dosage.

Among other alternatives in herbal remedies for depression, you may also want to consider 5-HTP which is known to be very effective in treating depression and which is also natural amino acid extract that is obtained from Griffonia Simplicifolia plant.

The bottom line as far as herbal remedies for depression go is that the best such solutions will be those which contain ingredients that have proven them to be effective in dealing with depression and which are present in the proper dosage as well as strength, and before consuming any herbal remedies for depression, it is also necessary to take the advice of a doctor so that you get the right remedy and thus will cure your depression better.

fight depression

2008-07-31T20:55:00.001-07:00

Fight Depression: Don’t Hang About With Your Head Down, And Become Active Once More

When depression gets hold of you, every aspect of your being and life will be affected and it will cause disturbance in your eating as well as sleeping habits and of course, there are hardly any words to describe the low and negative feelings that you will be feeling about yourself. Depression means going through extremely hard times and even the minutest of things may seem way beyond your control, and you will also is no longer able to live your life normally any more.

Reestablish Normal Routine At The Earliest

As far as the best way to fight depression goes, you need to make a concerted effort in reestablishing your normal routine since the most devastating thing about being depressed is the feeling of having no control over your life. Things seem to happen irrationally and they seem to occur not from any choice that you make or which is of your own making. Thus, you need to pay attention to the old adage “no pain, no gain” and do all that you can to bring some semblance of control back into your life – if you want to fight depression and succeed at it.

You also need to realize that to fight depression is not going to be a cakewalk, though if you don’t try and get back on your feet, you will be doing a great disservice to yourself and things will only deteriorate further and go from bad to worse. You have to have the courage to make a move on your own and expecting others as well as a doctor to help you out will not do you any good, if you are not gutsy enough to take the first step on your own.

To fight depression and succeed in your endeavors, try and make a list of the things you do routinely on a daily basis, especially those activities that you have been avoiding or have given up on. Next, you need to maintain the correct hygiene and look well groomed so that you look presentable as well as pleasant to others, which will help you socialize with others and thus give a chance of regaining your lost confidence.

It also helps in your effort to fight depression that you go out as much as possible since that will give you an opportunity to readjust once more, and staying healthy is another step in the fight against depression, as too is staying in touch with your friends and family. You can also fight depression by engaging in household activities so that you live in more congenial settings and you also can improve the environment that you live in.

If you ensure that you don’t have to idle about and are engaged in some positive activity, you will find these tips to be very effective as you try and fight depression, since there is a lot more to life than having to hang around with your head hanging down in helplessness.

elder care locator

2008-07-31T20:54:00.004-07:00

Benefits of Using Elder Care Locator

For many individuals and families finding care for aging loved ones is a time-consuming task. Not only may it be hard to locate what services, organizations and facilities are available in your community, but it can be difficult comparing them and knowing which one is right for you and your loved one. However, the United States Administration on Aging has developed an elder care locator to provide you many benefits while helping you find exactly what you need.

Lists Different Services

One of the major benefits of using elder care locator is the fact that it lists different services, organizations and facilities that provide care and information for elderly individuals. You can quickly visit their website and perform a simple search to find the different services and care provided in your community. This can be a major benefit to individuals and families, especially those who have already decided where they are going to live. For example, individuals choosing to remain in their home should search for home healthcare services, while those moving to a nursing home for care can find all nursing care facilities in and around their community. Elder care locator helps them to find the service that is right for them.

Searches by Problem or Need

Another major benefit of using elder care locator is the fact that you can narrow down what you need by identifying the problem. For example, some individuals and families know they need long-term care, thus they can search for facilities that provide this.

Provides Additional Resources

Elder care locator is also beneficial to elderly individuals and their families as it provides additional resources. While most individuals and families are focused on finding the right services and care for themselves or their loved ones, elder care locator goes beyond this to provide additional resources elderly might need. This includes listing organizations, facilities and services for elderly in their own community that can help them with insurance needs, medicare coverage, prescription assistance, elder abuse and more. These resources can be especially beneficial for individuals and families who don’t understand how certain things work or need more information.

Choosing the right care for you or your loved ones can be a difficult task. The Administration on Aging is trying to making this process easier for individuals and families by providing them with elder care locator. By using this simple online search option, individuals and families can easily identify where they can find care and assistance to meet their needs.

drugs for depression

2008-07-31T20:54:00.003-07:00

Important Facts About Ultram – One Of The Most Popular Drugs For Depression

Depression is a mental disorder that affects people of all walks of life. Treated early, it is completely curable; however, if neglected it could develop into highly dangerous symptoms, including suicide. Fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware that depression is a disease which needs to be treated with medication and therapy like any other disease.

Why Ultram Is Counted Among The Most Popular Drugs For Depression

There are many drugs for depression, which are commonly known as anti-depressants or anti depression drugs. They are usually available only by prescription, mainly because they can have some very nasty side effects. One such drug is the Ultram or Tramadol, which is quite common among drugs for depression.

Since it has mono-aminergic properties this is particularly useful for chronic symptoms of this malady such as migraines, unresponsive body aches, restlessness and irritability, etc. It is also known to reverse blues and infuse high energy in the person who is taking it. So good is its ability to fight pain, that sometimes this drug is prescribed for people who are recovering from surgery or those who are fighting the last stages of cancer.

However, this is not why Ultram is considered one of the most popular drugs for depression; but because of its ability to reverse the symptoms of depression and bring in a feeling of well being and happiness. This change helps the patient heal faster because pessimism is substituted with optimism and healing works best when the patient has an optimistic setup of mind.

The Side Effects Of The Drugs For Depression

The anti-depression medication normally shoes a lot of side effects. Just so, the benefits of this drug are shadowed by a number of side effects that it causes. The worst side effect of this medication is that it is highly addictive unless taken under strict medical supervision. If taken carelessly, it could also result in high tolerance (asking for increased doses over a period of time) and end up with some horrible withdrawal symptoms on stopping it.

There are physical side effects caused by this drug as well – the person would experience drowsiness sometimes while other times it would completely knock the person out. Unless it is used exactly as prescribed, it can build tolerance fast and you would have to increase the doses continuously to get the same result.

The healing effect of this medication is great; however, the side effects are very scary and dangerous. Never take this drug without a prescription and medical advice as in that case, it would harm you more than help.

depression tests

2008-07-31T20:54:00.001-07:00

Depression Tests Can Help Diagnose The Condition And Point To Appropriate Treatment Methods

There is quite a bit of confusion when it comes to defining the condition known as depression because the term itself gives rise to a lot of vagueness because often it is not that easy to pinpoint when a person is suffering from depression and when it is just a low period in your life. However, because there are certain depression tests that can be performed, it is now easier to diagnose the problem and also to find a suitable method of treating the condition.

Much To Learn

There is much to learn about the different depression tests that are given to patients and it is also unquestionably true that the earlier the problem is identified and diagnosed, the greater are the chances of recovery and you can also come out of your depressed state a lot quicker as a result of early diagnosis. Thus, you should be on the lookout for early signs of depression so that it can be identified in its early stages and thus prevents the chance of it fully setting in.

What it means is that undergoing depression tests is perhaps your safest bet in identifying the condition at an early stage and it also requires interacting closely with a medical health care professional. Under most circumstances, the relationship that develops between the patient of depression and the professional therapist is first and foremost geared towards diagnosing the problem.

Since depression is a generic term that encompasses a number of different disorders, the doctor must spend time assessing the condition and till such time as the problem has been identified and diagnosed, further relief and treatment for depression will prove to be bothersome. Doctors, on their part, use the depression tests in conjunction with the patient’s background and also with the symptoms that seemingly trigger the episodes of depression in the patient.

To get your depression tests to give best results, you must honestly answer questions because they will help in providing accurate results when you are tested for depression. In addition, it is also necessary for the doctor to take into account the various emotional as well as physical suffering experienced by the patient, and in addition, there are other depression tests that can be used in order to ascertain the patient’s mental state of mind and which may need to test for the reaction time in the patient, and uses word association exercises as well as examines the core beliefs of the patient, which could be healthy or otherwise.

To conclude, some depression tests are administered to get feedback and information about types of depression and also to suggest appropriate treatment for the condition based on the findings of the test.

depression test

2008-07-31T20:53:00.003-07:00

Find Out How The Depression Test Helps In The Diagnosis

Depression is today’s world is as common a word as stress. Everybody suffers from this disorder – children, young and old adults, men and women; everybody is affected by it in some measure or other. This could be mainly attributed to the fact that the 21st century life is very stressful and most people are not able to cope with its demands.

The Symptoms Of Depression

There are many types of depression and each one of these types is characterized by different symptoms. However, generally speaking a few indicators would be common to almost all the types. Most people suffering from this malady would feel at one time or other some level of hopelessness and self-hatred. They would also experience sleeping and eating disorders and they would be more likely to fall prey to substance abuse problems. Sadness and despondent behavior is another common symptom.

As you can see, these symptoms are very common. Everybody feels low, experiences sleepless nights or have attacks of unexplained hunger at some point in their lives. Does it mean that all suffer from depression? In order to find out whether you are indeed suffering from this malady or not you would need to take the depression test.

The Goldberg Depression Test

The Goldberg depression test has been designed by Dr Ivan Goldberg to measure the degrees of depression that a person might be suffering of. There are in total eighteen questions in this test and the person would need to answer them with a set of standard answers which have been assigned points on a 0-5 scale, i.e. 0 – not at all, 1 – a little, 2 – somewhat, 3 – moderately, 4 – quite a lot and lastly 5 – very much. In this manner, when you answer ‘not at all’ you score 0 points; when you answer ‘a little’ you score 1 point and so on.

This depression test is pretty accurate in measuring the level of depression the person is suffering from. The diagnosis depends upon the score achieved – 9 and below means there is no depression; a score of 10-17 indicates minor depression; 18-21 – crossing into depression; 22-35 – moderate depression; 36-53 – on the verge of severe depression and lastly above 54 – severe depression.

The Beck Depression Test

There is another popular depression test called the Beck depression inventory test which consists of 21 questions in similar lines as the Goldberg test. Here too the answers are marked on a scale of five fixed answers which have been allotted points ranging from zero to five. The total score would be an indication of how deep the depression has affected the person and thereby early diagnosis would be facilitated.

depression suicide

2008-07-31T20:53:00.001-07:00

Suicide Is Depression At Its Worst

Depression affects many adults, adolescents, and children around the world. While many receive help with their depression, other victims go untreated for most of or the entirety of their lives. Without treatment, depression can lead to many unfortunate consequences. One drastic consequence of depression is suicide—in fact, approximately 15% of those who suffer from clinical depression die by committing suicide. The prevention of suicide calls for the successful identification and treatment of depression.

Troubling Symptoms—Identified And Treated

One way to avoid depression leading to suicide is by identifying and treating the symptoms of depression early on. By doing so, you can ensure that the disorder does not progress to an untreatable state. If you think that you or a loved one is exhibiting symptoms of depression, you should seek help immediately. It may be necessary to perform an intervention and get support from other family members. Do whatever is necessary to get the help that is needed.

Once you suspect that you or someone you love is clinically depressed, it is necessary to have your suspicions confirmed by a doctor. A medical professional will be able to diagnose depression, and they may be able to help you to determine the root cause. Make sure to honestly answer all of their questions—they are only trying to help!

To prevent depression leading to suicide, it is important that depression is treated right away. After the diagnosis, your doctor will be able to help you to formulate a personalized treatment plan that will work best for you. Typically, a treatment plan for depression involves medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.

Don’t Give Up

For many clinically depressed patients, seeking treatment is the last step that enables them to gain control of their depression. However, many others struggle to find the right treatment for them. Some people never find the right treatment. That said, treating depression cannot always prevent suicide, because there are times when the treatment is not successful.

Suicide can be stopped if you simply pay attention to the warning signs. If you know someone who has previously attempted suicide, has recently experienced adverse events in their life, who suffers from a mental illness or who has a family history of mental illness, or who exhibits continual signs of depression regardless of treatment, then it is important to monitor their behavior closely. Your attention could make all the difference!

Saving The Day

Suicide is always devastating, but it feels even worse when you know that it could have been prevented. By helping someone to seek help, or by keeping an eye on their symptoms, you can save someone’s life.