People who have a high family risk of developing depression had less brain matter on the right side of their brains on par with losses seen in Alzheimer’s disease, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Brain scans showed a 28-percent thinning in the right cortex — the outer layer of the brain — in people who had a family history of depression compared with people who did not.
“The difference was so great that at first we almost didn’t believe it. But we checked and re-checked all of our data, and we looked for all possible alternative explanations, and still the difference was there,” said Dr. Bradley Peterson of Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Initial questions:
Is it a thinning of the brain, as in continual, or is the condition simply an abnormality?
Is there a way to reverse the process?
What other conditions may this indicate?
What bothers me about this story is the very last line:
Peterson said the findings suggest medications used to treat attention problems such as stimulants might be useful in the treatment of depression in some patients.
Why is it always a turn to medication first? Anyway, interesting none the less.
Posted (Van Santos) in Depression on February-19-2009
At about 5:45 this morning I was in bed, kinda in a bit of a semi-sleepy daze, and I wasn’t feeling well. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or if I was truly feeling down. I was aware of my emotions enough to know that I should call into work but I ignored my feelings because I wanted to push through my.
I should have followed my instinct.
The second my eyes opened at 6:30 I was depressed. It’s not accurate to say “depressed”, I was extremely depressed. My emotions, my mode of thinking, and my physical manifestations all pointed to the deepest depression that I’ve experienced in a long time. None the less, I continued moving forward with my day.
The icy road and traffic caused some tension, nothing more than I could handle, and when I arrived at my office I was slightly better than when I had woken up until my first meeting of the day. It was that at that point my day completely changed.
Today I acted in a manner that was unfitting of a professional setting, a manner in which I was greatly unhappy with myself. I let the actions of another “set me off”. Essentially, I lost control of my emotions and I acted rudely with another individual. I was highly unprofessional, highly confrontational… just straight out rude. A manner in which I’ve never acted in a professional.
Yes, conflict is inevitable in the work setting, but there is conflict and then there is CONFLICT. I could have made my point by depending on other words, as well as being “less direct” with my criticism, but I was not. Facts surrounding the discussion aside I was in the wrong for acting in such a manner.
What bothers me the most about my behavior is this: I do not remember going off.
My mind was blank – it just happened.
It was truly a surreal moment because I found myself delivering a line of criticism in an elevated voice without any preconceived knowledge or forethought as I was speaking. My intent was not to act rudely to make my point, something just happened… the combative personality presented itself in the conversation.
What cannot figure out was the fact that I was dealing with extreme depression acted as the trigger for my reaction or and mindset, or if there was something else in play with the situation.
Afterwards, one of my coworker who overheard the situation said that I being to hard on myself. He was quite supportive of me and also pointed out that his actions would have been significantly harsher had he been in my situation. I understood where he was coming from but I still fault myself for my actions.
I have never acted in such an unprofessional manner… and that bothers me because I potentially see it as a sign/signal for other things in life. As much as I tried, that event basically set the tone for the rest of the day. And, yes, I am extremely hard on myself, this I know…
…I just have to remind myself to listen to my instinct.
Posted (Van Santos) in Just Stuff on February-14-2009
I’ve been in a bit of a funk the last two days… Well, Thursday and Friday… today not so much. I have no reason for it, and in no way can I explain why it has taken place, it just has. Each day it started roughly around 11:00 AM and simply continued on.
Being in a bit of a funk I’ve also noticed how much my creative edge seems to be off. Everything I do seems to take a painstakingly long time to accomplish… AND… I have little to no ability to do anything music related. Not saying I was ever any good, but I simply have no original ideas/thoughts. It kinda sucks.
Not that I’m trying to be a downer here, because I’m really not, just saying what’s going on. I hope that you are enjoying your day, and that you showed your loved ones some affection on this Valentine’s Day (even thought I do tend to find the holiday annoying – I mean, if you love someone, there is no reason to simply have a day for it… it should be every day)
With the government deadline of 02/17/09 quickly approaching, GM and Chrysler need to show just how they can be viable companies in order to obtain more funding. I’ve been wondering when this option was going to hit the media – GM to file Chapter 11, form new company?
The entire idea of this plan would be split the “good” assets from the “undesirable” assets, which would allow the new GM to take the good and liquidate the bad. This is a slightly different approach from what one would normally expect from bankruptcy as the company is not trying to keep all lines of business running as they restructure debt.
No word as to what Chrysler plan on doing as the 2/17 date approaches, the real question should focus on their true impact on the marketplace. Their miserable sales over the last 3 months, even more miserable than other automakers, should make one wonder if there is even a demand for them to survive.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your day… I’m going to sign off.
Posted (Van Santos) in Depression on January-7-2009
“Mr. Watts Sr. frequently remained in the office until the very late hours, in general supervising the work and lending encouragement to the hardworking staff. One more than one occasion, Mr. Watts brought over sandwiches and hot coffee from the nearby Southern Hotel. The two senior partners were great stabilizing influences at this very trying time. Thus the organization, as well as the entire financial community and his wide circle of friends, was greatly shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Mr. Watts.”
These words have the potential to be haunting as they are from the past, the distant past – Mr. Watts Sr. killed himself Dec. 27, 1929, in what many believe was a direct response to the massive decline in his business due to the stock market crash of that year.
Look at the news today and you will see that the case of Sewell S Watts is not an isolated incident.
“The desperate situation of his companies caused by the financial crisis, the uncertainties of the last few weeks and his powerlessness to act, have broken the passionate family entrepreneur and he took his own life,” a family statement said.
His company lost almost 600M in a single Volkswagen investment.
“He had been searching day and night for a way to recover the funds of his investors. … He couldn’t bear the blame game that broke out among Europeans,” a person described as close to Villehuchet told La Tribune.
One might look at these cases and think a few different things – it’s only money… they, most likely, still have millions…. they can make it back…
What the outside world needs to remember, however, is these individuals were not thinking rationally (or what you would consider rational). IThey were so overwhelmed – so lost and vulnerable – they needed to find a way to end that pain and they did.
So, while I have never understood the need to take my life because money all you have to do is insert a different word (or words) and the situation can change…. Mr. X killed himself in what many believe was a direct response to disappointment… in response to embarrassment… in response to the emotional pain… in response to loneliness… in response to helplessness…
It’s sad whenever a person decides to take his or her life, but I find even more said how people focus on the loss on the wrong thing – they believe – triggers individuals to committing suicide. It’s not the emotional suffering the person is going through, but the loss of money.
Maybe that is a coping mechanism for others that allows them to label a seemingly pointless act, but this causes the true issue to be lost in the mix. I’d be willing to be that both individuals had considered the action at some other point in their lives.
Deep feelings of shame rather than material losses were probably behind the suicide of German billionaire Adolf Merckle and some other prominent casualties of the global financial crisis, according to mental health experts.
Posted (Van Santos) in Depression on January-6-2009
For the last week I had the strong desire to write (and write, and write) about depression and a number of things that I am going through. The posts range from introspection on who I am and where my life is going to the emotion and sensations I have been dealing with over the last few days. Each time I attempt to write, each time I sit down and put thought to paper (or Office) I simply cannot express myself properly.
The writing process starts relativity well. I begin to structure my post based on the main themes I want to touch on, I find the word that accurately describe the sensation I feel that then… it all falls apart. I cannot continue. I find my mind ends up being flooded by every single topic I want to express in regards to depression or anxiety. My structured post, the one I just established a solid framework for only moments earlier, quickly becomes an aimless mess of incomplete thoughts and disjointed views on my experience.
It almost looks like a really bad mental health MadLib.
What I find funny about my lack of ability to write about my current condition is that this is what I feel like in other aspects of my life. I feel as if I have little to no ability to focus… I feel that my thoughts simply overwhelm me… I feel lost, adrift.
I am not sure why this is taking place, and I have no clue as to how long it will last, but I am finding it very frustrating.
Posted (Van Santos) in Introspection on December-31-2008
While I only started blogging once again in August, I’ve had a number of posts that I am very, very proud of. SixUntilMe did a year end round up and I thought, you know, that is a great idea.
Posted (Van Santos) in Depression on December-30-2008
Beyond Meds and invincible summers both had this video up yesterday, and it raises some very good questions in my mind.
This video is of Dr. Peter Breggin, an American psychiatrist and author, who argues that the side effects of psychiatric medications usually outweigh the potential benefit the medications can provide. Obviously, his views go against the mainstream and can be seen as controversial by some.
Take a look…
Right off the bat, here are the questions that come to mind…
How do doctors say a person has a “chemical imbalance” if there is no way to test/measure for it before taking a medication?
Animal testing shows that drugs can change the brain chemistry, who is to say that the new chemistry is “right”?
Is depression, or “feeling hopeless about life”, simply a psychological or spiritual issue?
Do people who come off of antidepressants feel bad because off the depression or because of withdrawal because of the medication?
Can depression simply be solved by “finding the courage” to live?
I believe that people need to do what is best for them, what works for them, if they are informed and they are not harming others in the process – in no way would I ever tell someone that their actions are wrong for their well being if I am not involved in some way – so I am not saying if one should or should not be on medication… I am, however, wondering if Dr. Peter Breggin is on to something.
Actually, Marian from Different Thoughts, left a great comment in another discussion about medications…
As I see it, “depression”, just like any other behavior, is primarily caused by thoughts, by a person’s mind(set), which in it’s turn again is the result of this person’s life experience and conditioning.
Now. the question is whether you are your thoughts, or your mind, i.e. whether you are what the world has made you be. Or whether the true you maybe is something completely different from and far beyond that.
More and more I am starting to believe this – I am starting to see this as a possibility.
What if the cause of severe depression (not all mental illnesses, mind you) is because a person is denying some aspect of who they are and what they want from life? What if the act of rebalanced or changing what isn’t working – along with therapy to understand what is and is not working – is the major solution to the problem?
The big problem I see with this solution is that it causes an individual to work. Not trying to be a smart ass, it’s a reality. It seems that many people would rather take a pill and hope the issue goes away instead of evaluating their life and facing their flaws.
Posted (Van Santos) in Business on December-30-2008
Jim Rogers is a hedge fund pioneer who retired at the age of 37, he is always a great interview and you need to take a listen to what he is talking about now.
If you don’t wish to view the video, here are the highlights:
Worst recession since WWII in the US
Could be as bad as the depression because politicians are making big mistakes
Worried because Mr. Obama wants to tax capital and move toward protectionism
China will be the great country of the 21st century, no way seen how American will be the great Country of the 21st centry
America is propping up everyone in sight, which will lead to run away inflation
American Government needs to let companies fail
Commodities are in short supply and will continue to over the next 10 years, we will have serious supply problems
Posted (Van Santos) in Depression on December-28-2008
As I sit here watching “No Country For Old Men” I started thinking about the happiest times in my life. The twisted nature of movie got me thinking about happiness for some reason. Actually, the reason I started thinking about happiness is due to Josh Brolin’s character. He is running from individuals who want to kill him because he has “their” money, and he thinks that once he finally can escape – once he can put it behind him – he and his wife can life the life they want.
What he doesn’t seem to understand is that he will always be running because of the money. He will always be looking over his shoulder because of his past actions, fearing that they will catch up with him at any moment.
When I had this realization, it got me thinking that the characters, while having a hard life, were unaware how happy they actually were before their life got “complicated”. Weird for me to make that connection – intent of the directors or otherwise? Yes, I would say so.
Anyway, this really started me down a path of introspection – when was I the happiest in my life?
I know this has the potential to be a rather existential question but, it is an honest one. When was I the happiest in life. All things being equal, I would have to say that it was 1996 to 2002. Was life easy during that time? No. I was in college and I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t have a lot of money or possessions, but I did have what I needed. This was in part because of my part-time job and because of my parents. Did I have depression? No. Was I doing what I wanted in life? No.
All that aside, that is when I was truly happy. That is when I was “me” at the core and I had no questions, no hesitation, about who I am and what I wanted from life.
From 2002 to 2005 life was “just there”, and in many regards I was numb. It is almost as if I woke up one day and I was 27 years old, unsure of where my life had gone.
In 2005, roughly October of that year, life started slowly going down hill for me. Looking back at it now, I realize the trigger – not the cause – was due to the situation I was in at work. Overall, it was very unhealthy for me and for the team I was on. All of us were under an extreme amount of stress due to conditions and situations beyond our control, and sure, we could have decided to change our situation but we were all typical “Type A”, take the world by the balls, but we hung in there because that is what you do – you do not admit defeat and you push through until something better comes along.
Something changed in me during this time, I was unaware of it until I started look at how my life has been playing out since then.
The beginning of 2008 started off magically (Jan to May) – I was happy, I had all that I could ask for in a relationship and in a job but I wasn’t truly happy with how I was. Then the depression kicked. My emotions amplified under the pressure and the next thing I know I feel as if life is completely out of my control. Work was falling apart on many levels (I wasn’t performing they way I wanted to), my relationship was suffering under the undue stress from my condition, my family was put at a distance because I didn’t want to interact with them…
Even thought the world can easily look at my situation (the job, the family, the relationship, the condo) and say I am living the dream, I have everything going for me, they are not living in my situation. I am. Do I think that it is possible for me to find the inner happiness I once had? Yes. Do I think it will be easy? No. The only thing that I am sure of is that major changes to my life will need to take place in order to make it happen.
Back in 2005, when I was in a rough situation at work, I was wrong. Even though I survived the situation, I was defeated…. I just didn’t know it at the time. While I have not truly experience inner happiness in years, I am finally understanding why – I continue to live life operating as if I am the “old” me.
Posted (Van Santos) in Depression on December-27-2008
Yesterday invincible summers had a post that was discussing Seroquel – specifically that the FDA is requesting more information from AstraZeneca, the producer of the drug, before official approval is given to use the drug in the treatment of depression (it is currently used for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia).
Here is the thing – doctors have been prescribing the drug for depression for years even though the side effects can be very extreme. Constant feelings of being “drugged”, extreme sleepiness, weight gain, and hand tremors have been reported an a number of people who have taken the drug.
It would make one wonder if the depression would be better than the side effects, doesn’t it?
AstraZeneca responded June 26 with an analysis that showed 2.4 percent of people who began treatment with normal levels of sugar in the blood became technically diabetic after 52 weeks. Normal levels are less than 100 milligrams per 10 deciliters. Someone is labeled diabetic with a reading of 126 milligrams, said Laura Massey Plunkett, a human risk assessment specialist, who read in court from the company report.
That result, compared to 1.4 percent of patients given a placebo who showed the same increase in blood-sugar levels, Plunkett testified, makes it almost 70 percent more likely that people taking Seroquel would develop diabetes than people who weren’t taking the drug.
“It’s clear this compound Seroquel can cause diabetes,” she said. “I don’t think there is any real controversy about that.”
Why is AstraZeneca pushing for Seroquel as a depression treatment with this knowledge out there, maybe it has something to do with the $4 Billion in revenue the drug had last year…
All this got me thinking about the drug industry – how many other drugs are on the market that have other unrealized/undocumented side effects? Better yet, how many other companies MAY have potentially dangerous drugs on the market and are withholding information simply because they are focused on their bottom line?
The automakers did data in the past, Tobacco makers constantly claimed their products were healthy, so why would Big Pharma be any different?
For the record – I had one doctor that tried to push me onto this years ago, but I did a bit of research and would not do so. The side effects listed just did not seem to be something I wanted to deal with… I am very thankful I didn’t have that in my body with that new information out there. I wish anyone who is on it/who has take it the best.