Behavioral And Emotional Health

The precise cause of depression is not known, but evidence points to several factors, including: Heredity Biochemical makeup Psychological makeup Stressful life events Fluctuating hormone levels Other factors such as general medical conditions and certain medications Heredity Depression does “run in families. ” People with a close relative who has had major depression or bipolar disorder are twice

Depression afflicts approximately 19 million Americans, from children to the elderly, in all walks of life. It reportedly afflicts twice as many women as men (although some observers speculate that this could be because fewer men admit they need treatment). Among those prone to depression are people: With close relatives who have had depression, especially

We all feel blue sometimes, and it is normal to be sad in reaction to an event that is unhappy, stressful, or traumatic. Grief will follow the illness or death of a loved one, the loss of a close relationship, or termination from a job. Financial or legal problems can cause anxiety and depressed mood.

Since many general medical illnesses can cause the same symptoms, a thorough medical evaluation is essential, especially if the first depression occurs after the age of 40. The first step is to seek treatment from a qualified professional whom you trust. You may choose to consult: Your family physician or internist A psychiatrist, a medical doctor

Depending on the type and severity of depression, treatment may involve: Psychotherapy (counseling), which is the treatment of mental and emotional disorders by psychologic techniques and counseling Antidepressant medications which can restore proper chemical balance in the brain Other treatments such as light therapy and electroconvulsive therapy Treatment is successful in 80% to 90% of

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on anxiety, fears, and phobias. American Psychological Association http://helping.apa.org Freedom From Fear http://www.freedomfromfear.org/ Anxiety In Children Available at KidsHealth.org http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/anxiety.html

Worrying is a lasting preoccupation with past or future bad events. It is a type of thinking that makes you feel as if you were reliving a past event or living out a future one, and you cannot stop those thoughts from occurring. Such thoughts are often characterized by the phrases “If only…” and “What

Most people will worry if an unpleasant event has just happened and it involved something or someone very important to them. Suddenly losing your money, having a hurtful argument with someone close to you, having an automobile accident, or making a mistake, will naturally result in your mind trying to cope with the feelings that

Fortunately, there are strategies that you can learn and practice that can be useful for reducing worry. But because worrying is a habit that has been well practiced, you should realize that it will take frequent practice of other courses of action, ones that are incompatible with worry, to reduce the habit of worrying. The

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the person has a distorted body image and an intense fear of being fat, diets excessively, and experiences extreme weight loss. About 90% to 95% of people with anorexia nervosa are females between the

Here are some frequently asked questions related to anxiety and worry. Q: How can I tell if I’m worrying too much? A: Everyone worries periodically, but if you’re constantly worrying about something that happened in the past or something that is unlikely to happen in the future, you’re probably worrying too much. Q: At what point