Research Pays Dividends in Learning More About Depression

There is no hiding the fact that many Americans suffer from depression. When combined with other diseases, that number greatly increases. Depression affects us all, from young children to aging adults, and everyone in between. It is a diagnosable disease and yet can be treated.
According to a study, (published in mental health magazine) "half of all people with advanced or terminal cancer suffer from depression, anxiety or adjustment disorders and could use their oncologist`s help getting treatment."

Depression affects many women, especially those nearing the end of the biological cycle. A recent article in Mental Health magazine they reported on the relationship between the biological clock and mental health to patients. In the U.S. Researchers, as cited, "have identified winter depression as a psychiatric illness and name it as seasonal affective disorder (SAD)." The American Psychiatric Association (APA) in Arlington, Virginia strongly suggests "light therapy as a treatment, while psychiatrists noted that correcting abnormal circadian rhythms through exposure to light can help treat such disorders."

Depression also affects the youth in our society. To gain a better understanding of just how our youth suffer from depression researchers conducted "a longitudinal population-based study among 842 adolescents aged 11-16 at the baseline assessment, and aged 15-20 at follow-up." Accordint to the study, "the results of the study reveal that both mother-and adolescent-rated depressive symptoms predict future depression, antisocial behavior, impairment and regular tobacco use in the adolescent." Thus, the study concludes that "it is possible to obtain clinically useful information on adolescent depression from the child`s mother."

Researchers report "that the behavioral practices of pediatricians are affected by system-level changes." The results of the research were "based on an interview with 42 community pediatricians." It was reported that , "pediatricians` mean confidence levels in diagnosing depression, anxiety and oppositional defiant disorder were lessened after the intervention."

In a recent article in Mental Health magainze a report suggests that "the Veterans Administration (VA) still faces scrutiny from groups that are doubtful about the potential of its effort in the U.S." The report then goes on to say, "inorder to support the quality and scope of its mental health program, the VA has appointed 3,000 mental health professionals in 2005 and aims to add 1,000 more staff in 2007 inorder to meet the needs of returning veterans who suffer from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), brain injuries, and depression."

Of course it is not as simple as just depression as there are various levels of depression. According Thomas Joiner, a professor of pyschology for the National Institue of Mental Health, there is what is called double depression. Double depression is a mood disorder that is difficult to distinguish from dysthymia or major depression alone.

If you know of someone who suffers from depression or a professional that treats the disease, here are events you should mark down and get more information on. The conference of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, The first conference of the National Association of Peer Specialists and The 115th annual conference of the American Psychological Association. You will want to google each conference name and get dates, times and locations.

Depression is a disease, and according to doctors and researchers it is treatable.

By: Michael C. Podlesny

About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the Managing Director of Indocquent.com. Indocquent.com is an online resource that allow doctors and researchers to list their practice information and services in 20,000 cities in over 200 countries around the world free of charge.