Your depression medication Information
Research into manic depression, more formally called bipolar disorder, has been hindered, according to many in the scientific community due to the lack of animal models upon which to base studies.
Until now that is. Scientists have been able to create a genetically engineered defect in a specific gene which may play a leading role in causing mood disorders, like manic depression. The gene is known as glutamate receptor 6 – referred to as GluR6 – and has long been associated with manic depression.
Scientists knew that the gene was related to manic depression but were unsure of the exact mechanism. Not only that, but the gene encoding for the GluR6 receptor has not only been linked to manic depression, but also to the tendency of some individuals to consider suicide while taking antidepressant drugs in a separate pharmacogenetic study.
Interestingly enough, individuals who suffer with manic depression are the most susceptible to antidepressant-induced states of restlessness.
In the new study, scientists utilized mice to further examine the issue. The scientists used mice with the GluR6 gene missing, comparing them to a control group of mice who had the gene.
Both groups of mice underwent a series of tests specifically created to imitate the symptoms of manic episode of manic depression. The researchers discovered that the mice with the Glu6R gene missing displayed many of the symptoms of mania.
Not only were these mice more active in several tests, they also displayed more anxiety and more behavior traits that could be classified as risk taking and less behavior traits that could be called despair-type behavior. These mice without the GluR6 also displayed more aggressive behavior, another character trait of a manic episode of manic depression.
The scientists also administered biochemical tests on these mice, the results of which suggested that the GluR6 gene may also play a unique role in actually regulating some of the symptoms of mania.
Now that researchers have genetically engineered this type of laboratory mouse, they’ll be better able to study manic depression. This study also opens the door for further studies that may very well lead to new treatments.
Manic depression is a mental health disorder characterized by erratic swings in mood. Individuals with this health issue, most recently renamed bipolar disorder, are subject not only to depression, but also episodes of mania. These manic episodes involve high energy expenditure, sleeplessness for several days sometimes, as well as rapid speech, racing thoughts and feelings of grandiosity. Those individuals experiencing a manic episode may also display psychotic behavior, such as hallucinations.
Several mood stabilizing drugs are currently available for the treatment of manic depression. Individuals with manic depression are also encouraged to take a series of behavioral therapy as well.
For more resources regarding
bipolar or even about
symptom of bipolar disorder and especially about
bipolar medication please review these pages.
Article author: Fabiola Groshan
Teen depression strikes one in five children. This is a very frightening number. Depression is anything but a good thing. It happens to anyone, in any lifestyle, in any income range. Most of the time, it will not be noticed until it becomes a large problem. This should be the most sobering of all news about this epidemic. Yet, one thing that is hopeful about teen depression is that more and more individuals are learning about it and in this area of health, knowledge is power.
Tips To Noticing Depression In Teens
Teens are typically quite unpredictable, but when it comes to their health parents as well as friends should keep an eye out for these things and other things that you will find at http://www.avoiddepression.com.
* Sudden changes in their mood, appetite or weight can be indications of depression. While these things can also be something that is attributed to just being an adolescent, when it is coupled with other conditions, it should be taken note of.
* A loss of interest in doing the things that they used to love to do can be depression. Now, this is not necessarily something from their childhood, but something within the past few months. Perhaps they enjoyed horseback riding and just stopped doing it within the last months.
* Traumatic situations can cause teen depression to come on fast. For example, divorce or separation of their parents, death, economic changes, or even just friendship and significant other changes. Often, teens blame themselves for these conditions.
* A lack of emotion is a sign that something is definitely wrong. If they do not seem happy any more, for any reason, there may or may not be something bothering them. Depression doesn’t have to be brought on by something, it can just be there.
* Pulling away from family, friends and from school is something many teens with depression find themselves doing. They just withdraw into their own world. This is not normal teen behavior but a serious condition.
One thing that must be said about teen depression is that this is a serious, life threatening condition and one in which help should be sought for as soon as possible. There are many tragic stories of young teens harming themselves because they are suffering from depression and no one took notice.
Finally, on the good note, those teens that do get treatment for the depression that they are experiencing can actually recover quickly and completely from it and get back into doing the things they love to do. Talk to your doctor if you feel that you have been in any of these conditions or you know someone that is. They can determine what is happening and get life back on track for you.
Learn more about teen depression and depression in general at http://www.avoiddepression.com Get help now or help a friend in need.
Sandy Baker is a well respected writer and recommends visiting a good teen depression site, to learn more about this, as this is a major issue affecting most teens.
Article Source:
ezinearticles.comDepression often appears in lupus patients. It may come because of the lupus, because of some medications that are used to treat lupus, and it is also possible that depression to appear due to other factors unrelated to lupus.It is known that everyone can experience a depression from time to time, due to the problems and difficulties that appear, but a clinical depressive illness is something more disabling, unpleasant and lasts for a long period.
A lot of physical and psychological symptoms can appear, due to the clinical depressive illness. We can mention spells of crying that appear often without provocation, sadness and gloom, irritability, feelings of guilt or remorse, inability to concentrate, diminished memory and recall, insomnia or sleeping too much, indecisiveness, fatigue, and there we can mention some physical symptoms too: palpitations, headache, indigestion, constipation, diminished sexual interest and/or performance and others.
If a person has one or two of the symptoms mentioned before, they last for weeks affecting the every-day life, and the person also has a depressed mood and disturbances in sleep and appetite, he (or she) can be considered to be clinically depressed.The depth and degree of depression can be indicated by seven symptoms. These are: sense of failure, loss of social interest, suicidal thoughts, dissatisfaction, sense of punishment, indecision and crying.It was seen that the most common psychological signs of clinical depression that appear are helplessness and hopelessness.
Studies revealed that clinical depression more often appears in people having a chronic medical illness than in general population. It is estimated that 15% (60% after other scientists) of the people with a chronic illness suffer from clinical depression. Depressive illness shows symptoms similar to other diseases, that is why, it often goes unrecognized if a person has other diseases too.It also happens that even if a person hasn't got chronic medical conditions, the depressive illness is recognized and treated only in later stages, when it becomes unbearable to the patient. It was found that many patients refuse to admit that they are in a depressive state, and they try to hide the fact that they feel unhappy or demoralized. If the physician knows the patient well, is familiar with the patient's lifestyle, mood and personality, he will recognize more easily the changes that are associated with depressive illness. Also, it is more likely that if the patient is familiar with the physician, he will discuss easily about what he experiences.
In what concerns lupus, factors that contribute to the apparition of depression are the stresses and strains, and also coping with the chronic illness and medical condition.It must be taken in consideration also the fact that a person having lupus or other chronic illness must do a lot of sacrifices and life adjustments.Also, depression may be induced by some medications used to treat lupus, such as steroids; lupus involvement of certain organs can lead to depression too.There can be some unknown or unrecognized factors that can induce depression as well.
An effective treatment means that the diagnosis is put in early stages and the therapy starts immediately after that. Usually, depressive illness in lupus patients doesn't last more than a few months, and it disappears on its own. It was seen that there are a lot of lupus patients that are able to tolerate without complain major symptoms of depressive illness.Anti-depressant medications are the drugs most used to treat depressive illness. This drugs can be classified in four categories: tricyclics, newer-generation non-tricyclic anti-depressants, MAO inhibitors and lithium. In combination with other medications, or by adding other medications, the effectiveness may be increased.The treatment of depressive illness consists in psychotropic medication, psychotherapy and, very often, in a combination of both.
For treating the depressive illness in an effective manner, it is needed the cooperation of the patient, and involvement and support of the family and close friends as well. Of course, it is required a good communication between the patient and the treatment team, and some blood tests may be needed in order to find out which are the appropriate doses of medication that should be given.It is good to know that anti-depressant medications may intensify various symptoms associated with lupus, and can have side effects.
Recovering from depression is a gradual process, some progresses can be seen after a few weeks. Even if the signs of depressions seem to disappear quickly, it is important to continue medication for six months or longer, to avoid a relapse of the depression.There can appear a general slowing and clouding of mental functions in patients with depressive illness, but that is improving as the depressive condition improves.Psychotherapy can also be very helpful in assisting people with clinical depression, and the patient receives best benefits when the primary care physician maintains a close relationship with the psychiatrist or psychologist.
For more resources about
systemic lupus please review this
http://www.lupus-guide.com/symptoms-of-lupus.htm or even
http://www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-treatment.htmArticle author: Sebastian Palmer
