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Posts created by Luciana - Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

Mood disorders

Members,

Many people experience periods of depression in their lifespan, some can be brief encounters and others can be long and accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of appetite and negative self concept. This prolonged state is referred to as a mood disorder. Over the course of the next few weeks will be discussing various mood disorders of both depressive nature and bipolar nature. As usual, we encourage you to ask questions, share your experiences and comments with us.

Mood disorders fall into three general categories:

-Depressive - the individual experiences mostly depression
-Bipolar - characterized by mood swings, extreme highs (manic states) and extreme lows     (depressive states)
-Dysthymia - a more moderate form of depression.

Depressive states are characterized by a minimum of five of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood for most of the day
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- A significant change in weight (either a loss or a gain)
- Difficulty sleeping or a desire to sleep all the time
- A change in activity level (either extreme restlessness or lethargy)
- Daily fatigue or loss of energy
- A negative self-concept, including feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Trouble concentrating or in making decisions
- Suicidal thoughts

Bipolar states are characterized by:
- Bouts of depression as described above
- Bouts of manic characterized as:
-    Abnormal or excessive elation
-    Markedly increased energy
-    Markedly decreased need for sleep
-    Unusual or excessive irritability
-    Markedly racing thoughts
-    Markedly increased talking
-    Grandiose ideas and schemes
-    Markedly increased sexual desire
-    Poor judgment
-    Excessive and/or inappropriate behavior

Dysthymia is characterized by similar symptoms of depression but the symptoms are less server and they experience them more often.

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

And the goal of the week goes to...

This week's goal of the week goes to Jess. Their goals are to:

1. Go to the rest of my classes this semester- not skip any.
2. Pull my grades up from C's to B's before classes are complete.
3. Get a job in a pharmacy

Members have you been setting goals for yourselves?

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

I told my mom / sis

Way to go Kittykat!

That probably took a lot of courage but you did it. How does it make you feel to know that your mom and sister know about your depression? What advice would you give to others who are thinking about sharing their situation with their family?

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

a different way to view the same problem

Hi Goofy, glad to hear that working no the house and coming to the depression center has been working for you. It's great to see how far your house has come! And also that your friend has shown you that there are different ways to look at situations.

Members, I encourage you to try and find the positive side of things!

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

New member

Hello Songwriter Chic,

Glad to see that you are still striving forward (brushing your teeth and looking for work). If you think filing for disability under the heading of mental illness in your situation is something that could be helpful, I think you should do it. Take advantage of all the resources available to you!

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

More about Bipolar Disorder

Members,

Bipolar Disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. Bipolar disorder is much less common than major depression but it's important to understand what it is and what makes it different from major depression. One symptom of bipolar disorder includes cycling mood changes that include extreme highs (mania), extreme lows (depression), and periods of normal functioning (wellness). Sometimes the mood changes in bipolar disorder are fast, dramatic and obvious, like there is a "mood switch" that is being turned on and off. Usually, though, the mood changes in bipolar disorder are much more gradual and less obvious.

In a depressed phase, people with bipolar disorder may have some or most of the symptoms of major depression. When in a manic phase, people with bipolar disorder can be extremely energetic, active, talkative, and irritable. The symptoms of mania include problems with thinking, judgment, and social behavior that can cause serious problems and embarrassment for people with bipolar disorder and the people close to them. People in a manic phase often feel so energized and alert that they feel like they have "special" powers or have been "chosen" for a "special mission." People in a manic phase are often talking all the time about big plans for fame or success, but their plans often only get them into trouble. It is also fairly common for people to get into trouble because of their increased interest in sex and sexual activity, and increased spending habits that can lead to financial problems.

Untreated mania can sometimes worsen to a psychotic state that requires hospitalization. Less severe episodes of mania are described as hypomania. Hypomania is also a serious disorder, but it often goes unrecognized because the symptoms are less debilitating and severe than mania. Someone who is in a hypomanic state may have more energy, need less sleep, and be more talkative compared to usual; others may believe that they're just in a "really good mood" or are "hyperactive."
Bipolar disorder is a chronic disorder. After an initial episode, people with bipolar disorder usually experience alternating periods of mania, depression and wellness for the rest of their lives. There is currently no cure for bipolar disorder. However, it is important to understand that recognizing bipolar disorder and sticking with treatment, even during wellness, can help keep the condition under control and reduce the chance that the episodes will worsen over time.
Please share your experiences, questions or comments with us.

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

Feeling stressed? Have a laugh!

Members,

Laughter can be just what the doctor ordered. Did you know that laughter has both short term and long term positive health effects? In the short term laughter can stimulate your organs, activate and relieve the stress response, soothe tension and stomachaches and in the long term it can improve your immune system, relieve pain and also increase personal satisfaction.

Find out more by reading the article below:

Mayo Clinic. Stress relief from laughter? Yes, no joke. Available online <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relief/SR00034> February 9, 2010

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

Hello Everyone. New to form and program...

Hello MelKuff,

Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself. It's always nice to get to know the new members! I encourage you to continue making use of this site and all the tools available to you. Work through the program, and feel free to join in on our group discovery session. Read through the posts to find more information, and post whenever you feel like it! There is always someone on here willing to lend a listening ear.

You mentioned that you are on the path to self discovery and that you find yourself thinking in ways which are distorted. I encourage you to challenge these thoughts, and although it can be tricky, try to actively change the way you think.

Come back often, and let us know how you are doing.

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

And the motivational video of the week goes to...

Members, I have been browsing through some of your profiles and noticed that some of you have some fantastic motivational videos, and so I have decided to start a motivational video of the week award. It's been a tough choice but this week's motivational goes to Goofy!

Her video features a great song about what Courage really is. Loved music combined with the poetic definition. Take a look, it can inspire you to have the courage and try to strive to be the best you can be.

Also, feel free to upload your own motivational video to your profile. It's a great way to share some motivation with the rest of us.

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 224

And the goal award goes to...

This time’s goal ‘award’ goes to Goofy, whose goals are to:

   1. Work on self-worth and feeling anger, acknowledging it and process it (anger)
   2. Journalling and Defining Happy Place
   3. Work on Session 9 homework.

Members, have you been setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time based) goals for yourselves?

Luciana, Bilingual Health Educator

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