St Johns Wort – Hypericum Perforatum (Hypericin). St John’s wort is a plant species going by the botanical name Hypericum perforatum. It is also called by other names such as Tipton’s weed, Chase-devil and Klamath weed. In some places, the hypericum species as a whole is commonly referred to as St John’s wort and hypericum [...]
Treatment of Depression in Women. Treating depression in women follows the same path of treatment for depression in general. Causes of depression, in general also apply but as mentioned in depression in women, hormonal imbalances during the various stages of a woman’s life do carry risk of depression in the woman, and therefore special treatment considerations [...]
Symptoms of Depression in Women. Symptoms and signs of depression in women are the about the same as those explained in symptoms of depression with a few differences. Symptoms of depression in women last longer than in men and risks of recurrence are also higher. A prominent sign of female depression is a negative attitude [...]
Statistics of Depression in Women. The following statistics for depression in women have been taken from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). As explained in depression in women, prevalence of depression in women is higher than in men due to hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, family, work and society pressures and the [...]
Depression and Women. Having discussed depression in general, there is a need to discuss depression in women or female depression separately because it differs in the sense that women are more prone than men to depression, the causes of depression in women are different and the symptoms too differ. This is due to the responsibilities and stress [...]
MAOIs – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors. MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors are among the earliest treatments used for depression. They rolled out of the laboratory soon after the tricylic antidepressants. The MAO inhibitors are quite effective but their use is reserved because of their potential side effects.
SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is the depression medication that most doctors use to start antidepressive therapy. SSRIs are effective, safer to use and side effects are few as compared to other types of antidepressants. Previously we discussed treatments of depression and antidepressants and here we discuss SSRI [...]
Antidepressants and Weight Gain|Antidepressants and Weight Loss. Antidepressants and weight changes are seen together. Quite often people who take antidepressants for their depression experience weight problems. Most gain weight while some lose weight. Up to 25% of the people who take antidepressants including the most commonly used SSRIs, gain up to 10 pounds or more. [...]
Depression and Weight. Depression and weight changes often coexist. Most often mental disorders like depression and anxiety result in weight gain (obesity) while some people with depression suffer an unhealthy weight loss. Both these conditions can have serious health complications when coexisting with depression. But it is for the treating doctor to decide how and [...]
What is ECT or Electroconvulsive Therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, involves passing of a low dose electric current through the brain to produce a therapeutic effect in certain mental disorders such as depression. With these low dose electric currents, generalized and controlled seizures are induced in the anaesthetized patient to produce the therapeutic effect. Here [...]