CanDrugStore Health Blog

December 8, 2011

Postpartum Depression – A Gendered Condition No More

Filed under: Depression,pregnancy — Tags: Depression, post partum depression, postpartum depression, pregnancy — jmullen @ 8:38 pm

Depression shows no prejudice – it affects all social classes and races. Knowing this, it is surprising that the media and medical professionals stereotype this mental illness as a female. A recent study confirms that as many as one-in-ten new fathers demonstrate signs of postpartum depression. Originally doctors stipulated that the postpartum depression condition was linked to hormonal changes during pregnancy; however, this new study indicates that men also experience postpartum depression, likely linked to negative environment changes, such as lack of sleep, changes in personal routine, and subsequent relationship issues. The lead researcher of the study stresses the need to treat depressed parents as soon as possible. If depressed parents are left untreated, there is the long-term risk of behavioral and psychiatric problems in said child. The child’s issues can later become a societal problem, as they may “act” out in the future.
While new father depression is just as much an issue as new mother depression, many men are less willing to seek help. Postpartum depression has always been characterized as a female issue, so men are less willing to admit that they are experiencing issues. The stigma against male postpartum depression must be eliminated! For more information about male postpartum depression, visit the following website: www.postpartummen.com

With this new awareness about postpartum depression in men, below find this detailed list on postpartum depression symptoms and treatments.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms:

Males tend to become more aggressive; women tend to be sad
Lack of interest in your baby or negative feelings towards your baby
Worrying about hurting your baby
Lack of concern for yourself
Loss of pleasure
Lack of energy and motivation
Feeling of worthlessness and guilt
Changes in appetite or weight
Sleeping more or less than usual
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Postpartum Depression Treatment:

So you are experiencing postpartum depression – now what? Whether male or female, there are some universally accepted self-treatment and medical treatment for postpartum depression.

Self Treatment:

Make sleep a priority. While attaining eight hours of sleep may seem impossible, you need to make sleep a priority. Enlist the help of family members while you take a nap.
Make your relationships priorities. When depressed, it is of the utmost importance to stay connected with friends and family, and lean on them for supporting. This means forming a united front with your significant other.
Make meals a priority. When you are depressed, nutrition often falls to the wayside. Good nutrition means will ensure you have more energy and better concentration to deal with your baby.
Ease back into exercise . Studies have shown that exercise is just as effective as antidepressants for treating depression, so it is important to get back on an exercise plan ASAP.

Medical Treatment

If you have sunk into a deep depression, it is important to recognize this fact and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many counselors specialize in postpartum depression treatment. Counseling , and antidepressants if necessary, have been proven to provide effective results towards combating postpartum depression.

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June 22, 2011

The Link Between Seasonal Allergies and Depression

Filed under: allergies — Tags: allergies, allergy elimination, allergy pollen count, depressed, Depression, seasonal allergies — Kcondon @ 5:17 pm

Seasonal allergies are bad enough with their physical symptoms but it doesn’t stop there. Research shows that seasonal allergies and depression are linked. The link has been enforced with research done by many doctors and even by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. This explains why the suicide rate increases during the spring, and why so many of us become depressed during the allergy season.

What happens is our immune system is weakened by the allergies and our immune system has a link to our mental state of mind. When we have an weakened immune system so is our mental state of mind. Also women are more likely to become depressed due to their allergies and men are more likely to have anxiety-type disorders from their allergies.

Since the connection between the two is so strong the only way to ride oneself of depression is allergy elimination. Of course that is almost impossible the best that can be done is to reduce the amount of pollen one is exposed to and take the right medications to relive your symptoms that lead to depression. The best ways to reduce your exposure is to avoid going out during the time of day when you’re allergy pollen count is highest, clean your house and clothes and have a air filter at home. The best medications to relieve your symptoms are Claritin, Reactine and Allegra.

Remember there are different types of depressions and just because you have allergies doesn’t necessarily mean you’re depressed or the other way around. Depression is generally described as a powerful feeling of sadness and hopelessness. So before you go telling your doctor you are depressed, really consider if you’re just annoyed with the symptoms or truly depressed. If you are experiencing depression it is critical that you not only take the mention steps to reduce your exposure to allergies and take the right medication to suppress your symptoms, but also see a doctor about your depression.

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September 7, 2010

How to Help a Loved One Suffering From Depression

Filed under: Depression — Tags: Depression, depression symptoms — Candace @ 9:37 pm

When someone you love is suffering from depression in can affect you almost as much as it affects them. First you should understand depression. Those suffering depression may also have additional problems such as OCD, or ADD. Addictions are also often associated with depression. Alcohol, binge eating, drugs, and cutting are ways depressives take away their pain. If you know and care about someone who is suffering from depression here are a few things you can do to help them.

Learn about depression – Since you are already reading this, you are off to a good start. Research depression symptoms and treatment, and try to apply them to your loved one. Knowing is just the start.
Walk a mile in their shoes – Learn what depression really is and try to feel how they feel. Realize when they are grumps in the morning, that that is just a symptom of their condition. Try to understand the misconceptions about mental illnesses and see what they really have to deal with.
Keep an eye on yourself – Depressive symptoms are actually contagious, just like happiness. You will need to sometimes step away from the situation for a break just to keep your own mental health in check.
Join a support group – If you are stressing too much over this, and you are beginning to feel angry and frustrated you may find comfort in a support group. The best thing to do is talk about your frustrations rather than letting them build up inside you.
Be there for them – Lend a shoulder to cry on, and listen to them. Be patient with them and tell them that you care. Share what you have learned as you researched depression. Reassure them that none of this is their fault.
Don’t mix up the depression with the real person – When the depressed person becomes very angry it is not because they are angry with you. Rather they are angry with themselves and the way they feel. If your significant other doesn’t feel like having sex, do not take it personally. Having a decreased sex drive is a classic symptom of depression.
Laziness – Depressed people are not lazy, they are ill. Small activities such as house cleaning or cooking may be very difficult for them. Just like with the flu, sometimes people just don’t feel ‘up-to’ doing chores.
Medication and therapy – These are both critical in their recovery. Try to keep them on the right track.
Love them unconditionally and be sure they understand that you are not frustrated with them, you are only frustrated with their illness.

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