Article by Robert Levine

“Based on combined data from previous studies, these assertive conclusions raise concerns about the efficacy of antidepressants if patients do not report a rapid improvement of depression symptoms,” shares lead study author Ralitza Geuorguieva from the Yale University School of Health.

“You know within the first couple weeks who’s the most likely to benefit because they’re already starting to show improvement. I think this finding holds true for the antidepressants that are most commonly used today,” commented Dr. Michael Thase, a psychiatrist from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, who has no involvement in the research study.

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Article by Jolie Summer

Some people are not aware that when you take fish oil depression symptoms are significantly reduced. Accordingly, people who consumed large amounts of fish at regular intervals have experienced lower rates of depression. Sometimes when taken in higher dosages, the supplement tends to eliminate the signs of depression totally. The ability to alleviate the depressive disorder is the main reason why this fish oil was sought by many consumers.

What is the proof of this claim? It was found out from the study conducted by some researchers that those that had depression have very low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their red blood cell membranes. If you can recall, the cell membranes are partly composed of omega-3 fatty acids. The very reason why the omega 3 depletes as we age is that our body is unable to reproduce these fatty acids. Thus, the diminishing of this specific acid may affect the membranes which now result to improper functioning.

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Article by Josephine Osborn

For most women, pregnancy is portrayed as a time of great joy and one of the happiest moments of their lives. But according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or ACOG, between 14-23% of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Depression during pregnancy or antepartum depression is a mood disorder that has similar symptoms and management as the clinical depression. Antepartum depression is managed with support groups, psychotherapy and antidepressants such as Paxil. However, there is a lot of debate over the safety and long-term effects of antidepressant medications taken during pregnancy. In the event that antidepressants like Paxil have serious side effects on the mother and the baby, lawsuits may be filed and the mother can do this without disclosing medical records.

Most women see the symptoms of antepartum depression as temporary moodiness that often accompanies pregnancy, leaving depression undiagnosed. For about 2 weeks or more, depressed woman feels sad or “blue”. Symptoms include weight changes not related to pregnancy, lack of interest, trouble sleeping, loss of energy, restlessness, and suicidal ideations.

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Article by Andrew Bicknell

Women are twice as likely to experience bouts of major depression and dysthymia (chronic depression) as men. There are no certain reasons for this difference in depression rates between men and women, but research does show that women have certain medical conditions that are specific to them that may contribute to their higher rate of depression.

A woman’s monthly reproductive cycle and its symptoms brought about by hormonal changes along with other disorders of the reproductive organs can lead to depression and its symptoms.

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Pregnancy is generally regarded as an thrilling and joyous occasion in a woman’s existence. The thrill triggered in the planning and anticipation of turning into the mom they always dreamed they could be can leave room for quite little negative ideas. But a few expectant mothers encounter problems as well as a fantastic offer of tension in the course of their pregnancy, top to various bouts of pregnancy depression.

The Indicators of Pregnancy Depression

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Though pregnancy usually evokes overwhelming joy, it is also a stressful occasion for most females. For individuals whose fetus is at high risk of developing malformations and various hereditary diseases, the stress is elevated. Throughout pregnancy, physiological and hormonal changes produce a completely unique and sometimes uncomfortable feeling to most mothers. Additional to that, when pregnancy is nearing term, stress may be appreciably increased as anxiety builds up about the result of the pregnancy, baby care, and lifestyle changes which come soon after delivery. Being pregnant is indeed a major stressor that can produce or even unmask depressive tendencies of some females.

* Depression is a psychological disorder wherein the individual presents with depressed mood, loss of curiosity to almost anything which includes pleasure, feelings of low self-worth, disturbed sleep, altered appetite, low energy and poor concentration.

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This is a question which does not have a black and white answer, and it is a question that is as much for the society in which we live as it is for healthcare practitioners, families ,friends and  mothers.  Why?  Because in societies where women have the most support, i.e. paid leave and automatic postnatal health and  household chore support, the incidence of PPD (postpartum depression) is significantly lower.

PPD and PPA (Postpartum Anxiety) are experienced by many women after child birth and yet it’s been little more than a decade that we have been talking about the problem.  We give a lot of credit to Marie   Osmond, who 12 years ago went on the Oprah show and talked about her experience with PPD and shed some light on the issue.  Up until that point, PPD and PPA did not have a face.  It was not something discussed in polite company.  The myth of “happy motherhood and perfect baby” was the picture most of us carried around.  And that picture made it even more difficult for mothers to come forward and get the help that they needed.

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Here is the reality regarding depressive disorders in females. In the U.S. approximately 15 million people encounter depressive disorders each year. Most of them tend to be ladies. Unfortunately, around 66% of those women do not get the help they require.

Depression symptoms in women is extremely typical. In fact, women tend to be twice as prone to create clinical depression as males. So that as many as 25% will probably experience a chapter of major depression at a point in their lifetimes.

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Postpartum depresson (PPD) is also called as postnatal depression. It is a form of clinical depression hitting women (and sometimes even men) after the birth of a child. Studies indicate as much as 5-25% of women suffer from postpartum depression symptoms.

Having a baby is one of the happiest moments in the life of a mother. It can be so thrilling and exciting to have a new baby enter your lives. But it can even be very challenging at times. A woman goes through a lot of changes at physical and emotional levels during pregnancy and child birth.

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Many of us often look at someone who is depressed as a person who is simply unhappy with their life. It’s important to realize that this is an official, medically documented mental disorder, that not only requires immediate treatment, but which is often out of the sufferer’s control. Being able to recognize depression symptoms and seeking out a cure is a very important start on the road to feeling better. Whether you think you have depression, or might know someone who does; look below for symptoms and warning signs of depression.

Symptoms to look for:

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