Depression (Clinical)

[McGyver]

Here's an alternative to the traditional methods of treating stress and depression, "drum circles." I have been in music much of my life. Some two years ago, I added a djembe drum to my musical performances. Little did I know how big audible rhythm, percussion, and drum circles would become.

In a little more than two years, I lowered my cholesterol to normal levels for the 1st time in 15 years, improved my IQ, confidence, and attentiveness, learned how to better manage stress. I have also undertaken research with audible rhythm, and found how it can help and neurological disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Here's a link I found to a story on drum circles and depression: http://www.healingmusic.org/Library/...rumYourWay.asp

You can read some of my findings on my web site at www.DolleCommunications.com. I am currently rewriting/expanding my drum circles paper.

Stephen

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by McGyver

Here's an alternative to the traditional methods of treating stress and depression, "drum circles." I have been in music much of my life. Some two years ago, I added a djembe drum to my musical performances. Little did I know how big audible rhythm, percussion, and drum circles would become.

In a little more than two years, I lowered my cholesterol to normal levels for the 1st time in 15 years, improved my IQ, confidence, and attentiveness, learned how to better manage stress. I have also undertaken research with audible rhythm, and found how it can help and neurological disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Interesting thanks
Leaning music seems to help kids I think someone did some reseach on attention defecit and listening to classical music like Mozart.

I know there are Music Therapists about but I don't know what they do or what types of disorders they focus on.

I have never heard of music being used to treat depression before but I can imagine drums getting the heart beating.


Some have asked about Bi-polar which is different to depression . This is a very good link
http://www.concernedcounseling.com/C...lar/causes.asp

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
HealthyPlace.com Radio
listen to HealthyPlace.com Radio Study Ties Brain Abnormality to Bipolar Disorder listen with windows media player

No single cause may ever be found for bipolar disorder. Instead, a combination of biologic, genetic, and environmental factors appears to trigger and perpetuate the chemical imbalances in the brain that shape this complex disorder
. . .
Certain Viruses May Cause Bipolar Disorder
HealthyPlace.com Video

watch to HealthyPlace.com video on bipolar disorder, manic depression Jane Pauley: a combination of antidepressants and steroids unmasked her bipolar.



The high rate of winter births in those who develop bipolar disorder (as well as schizophrenia) has encouraged researchers to look at infectious agents as a possible cause or trigger of these mental disorders.

Borna Virus. The Borna virus is among the infectious agents being intensively studied. This virus is known to cause serious central nervous system injuries in animals, but not in people. A few studies using sensitive blood testing, however, have detected strong evidence of the infection in psychiatric patients. Some researchers believe that the virus may cause subtle changes in human brain (in contrast to the more dramatic inflammation seen in animals) leading to a range of mental illnesses. It should be noted, however, that other research has not supported the association. S

[Valhalla]

I can say with certainty that I'm clinically depressed. I've been suffering with depression most of my life, accompanied by chronic anxiety. I don't get the highs as with bi-polar depression, so it's just mono-polar. I understand what has been written so far on this thread, and something about feeling too weak to move was particularly familiar to me. I feel depression is a physical illness as much as it is mental and it's important for those not suffering with depression to realise that people cannot just snap out of it. I feel confident that if I could transfer my feelings to such a person for even a short time, they would be climbing up the walls or crying under their bed. I get why people without depression cannot understand it, but they cannot really judge unless they are going through it.

This thread is so long and I wanted to respond to parts along the way but I'll just start here. If anyone has any questions for me then let me know, maybe I can add some insight to this discussion, maybe not. I'm currently taking an anti-depressant that seems to be helping a bit, although with side effects that are not too pleasant. I find that music helps and attempting to get out and expand. Pushing myself however unpleasant it may be means I can cope with more. If you start to stop doing things, I reckon it shrinks your world, and for depressed people it only makes things worse. Without drugs though, I'd have no choice, most days without the anti-depressant I barely feel like I can breathe, don't want to eat, and lie on my bed, my muscles aching, and am told exercise helps, yet it often is not possible. Mood can have a serious impact on someone's life, and for me it has gotten so bad that I lost weight (which now I have managed to put back on - through alot of effort.) I've been in hospital a few times, but frankly that kind of environment is not helpful in the least and it is better to make sure you never get to a point so low that hospitalisation is warranted or considered by those caring for you - you may come to find yourself having no choice in the matter.

I read something about depression being related to anger not expressed, and maybe this is true. I think boredom makes depression worse as well, and keeping busy is a good idea - if you feel you are able to do anything that is. Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy is also something that I find is a common symptom, hopelessness, and thinking that there is nothing to get better for.

For me, there isn't a choice, I have to try, the only other way out is a grim prospect. I'd be happy to discuss strategies and treatments for recovery with anyone else suffering, but you have to want to help yourself if you are to have any chance of improving, even a little. I haven't been able to recover though, and I'm not sure if it is possible for me to do so, but I'm told that belief is common in depressed people as well.

-Val-

[InfiniteNow]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n2053537.shtml

Studying the brain scans of severely-depressed patients, Dr. Helen Mayberg, the study’s lead neurologist, kept seeing that a small almond-shaped node was in over-drive.

"The area of the brain that was the most active was Area 25," Dr. Mayberg explains.

Area 25 – deep in the very center of our brains – is connected to other areas that control sleep, appetite and drive, all the things that go haywire when someone’s depressed. Mayberg’s theory is if you cool off area 25, you treat the disease.

This was a rather interesting story...

[Valhalla]

"I was distinctly hit with being overwhelmed with color in the operating room," Deanna recalls. Before, she says she had been seeing everything in black and white and gray.

That seems familiar. When I've tried new drugs sometimes I've noticed changes in how I percieve colour - although it is subtle. Usually things seem duller to me but a few times when I've tried a new medication that has changed. I wonder what that has to do with mood though, exactly. Does low mood cause you to literally 'see' the world different? I know some people in Winter feel worse than in the Summer months, worse on cloudy days than sunny days, so maybe light level and colour have an effect on mood?

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Valhalla

I know some people in Winter feel worse than in the Summer months, worse on cloudy days than sunny days, so maybe light level and colour have an effect on mood?

It does, and has been studied in context of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).


Also, mood has an effect on perception of color. In good mood means colors are brighter and more vibrant. In poor mood, it's all gray...

[Chacmool]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

Also, mood has an effect on perception of color. In good mood means colors are brighter and more vibrant. In poor mood, it's all gray...

I can attest to that. When the fourth type of pill got added to my arsenal for bipolar disorder earlier this year, I could literally see the difference. It was as if objects appeared brighter and with sharper outlines - like sunshine after a rainstorm.

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by Chacmool

I can attest to that. When the fourth type of pill got added to my arsenal for bipolar disorder earlier this year, I could literally see the difference. It was as if objects appeared brighter and with sharper outlines - like sunshine after a rainstorm.

it is interesting how many psychiatrists are using multiple anti-depressants.
It is a bit contentious.

Do you snore?
Do you stop breathing when you snore?
Does your partner have poor sleep when you sleep with him/her?
Sleep apnoea may be the culprit!

The repeated arousals in sleep apnoea disrupt the quality of sleep and thus deprive one of good quality sleep and the associated oxygen deprivation can result in slow mental functioning, poor memory, [B]depression [/B]and loss of libido, as well as daytime sleepiness.

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/medicin...ob-apnoea.html

[Michaelangelica]

Heavy but interesting
http://www.the-scientist.com/article/home/24909/

[Michaelangelica]

Still more If you can't follow the links let me know M»

Psychiatrist.com
<psychcom@psychiatrist.com> to me
More options 05:58 (15 hours ago)

10.04.06 From the desk of Sebastian . . .

Use of Treatment Algorithms for Depression Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD (Chair)

Depression continues to be challenging to manage, and treatment algorithms can help you decide which treatment strategies are appropriate for your patients. Read this commentary by our expert faculty and learn about the effectiveness of treatment algorithms as well as clinical recommendations for implementing them. This CME activity is free.

Commentaries offer expert discussions on hot topics of interest in your clinical practice.

Other free CME activities on depression are available, including the following:

General Medical Comorbidities and Pain in Depression Wayne J. Katon, MD and Ella Daly, MRCPsych

Psychopharmacology in Primary Care: Basic Principles Roger G. Kathol, MD

The State of Knowledge of Chronic Depression Alan J. Gelenberg, MD, et al.

Review of the Pharmacologic Management of Depression Michael E. Thase, MD (Chair)

For more free CME activities, visit the CME Homepage.

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