Vitality

DEPRESSION

Clinical depression is a serious condition that negatively affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. In contrast to normal sadness, clinical depression is persistent, often interferes with a person’s ability to experience or anticipate pleasure, and significantly interferes with functioning in daily life. Untreated, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years; and if inadequately treated, depression can lead to significant impairment, other health-related issues, and in rare cases, suicide.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)

Women are particularly vulnerable to depression after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Many new mothers experience a brief episode of mild mood changes known as the “baby blues.” These symptoms usually dissipate by the 10th day. PPD lasts much longer than 10 days, and can go on for months following child birth. Acute PPD is a much more serious condition that requires active treatment and emotional support for the new mother. Some studies suggest that women who experience PPD often have had prior depressive episodes.

                                                                     ISSUES ADDRESSED

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`ANGER MANAGEMENT                      *DEPRESSION                            *SPIRITUALITY  

*ANXIETY                                              *EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE    *VEGAN conflicts   

*BEHAVIORAL ISSUES                        *FAMILY CONFLICT                      

*BODY IMAGE                                      *GRIEF                                       

*CODEPENDENCY                              *PARENTING                

*COPING SKILLS                                 *RELATIONSHIP ISSUES   
*LIFE TRANSITIONS                            *SELF ESTEEM                                                                           

ADJUSTMENT DISORDER (Stress Response Syndrome)

Adjustment disorder (stress response syndrome) is a short-term condition that happens when you have great difficulty managing with, or adjusting to, a particular source of stress, such as a major life change, loss, or event. In 2013, the mental health diagnostic system technically changed the name of "adjustment disorder" to "stress response syndrome."

Because people with stress response syndrome often have some of the symptoms of clinical depression, such as tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness, and loss of interest in work or activities, adjustment disorder is sometimes informally called "situational depression."

Adjustment Disorder vs. Major Depression

Adjustment syndrome/stress response syndrome has some symptoms that overlap with those of major depression. Unlike major depression, an adjustment disorder doesn't involve as many of the physical and emotional symptoms of clinical depression (such as changes in sleep, appetite, and energy) or high levels of severity (such as suicidal thinking or behavior).

Adjustment Disorder vs. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

An adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome is not the same as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a reaction to a life-threatening event that happens at least 1 month after the event, and its symptoms tend to last longer than in adjustment disorders/stress response syndromes. By comparison, adjustment disorders/stress response syndromes rarely last longer than 6 months.

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder/Stress Response Syndrome (AD/SRS)

Adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome changes the way you feel and think about the world and your place in it. A person with AD/SRS has emotional and/or behavioral symptoms as a reaction to a stressful event. These symptoms generally begin within 3 months of the event and rarely last for longer than 6 months after the event or situation has ended.

In adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome, the reaction to the stressor is greater than what is typical or expected for the situation or event. The symptoms may cause problems with a person's ability to function; for example, the person may have trouble with sleep, work, or studying. It can have a wide variety of symptoms that are changes from someone's usual self, which may include:

Feeling of hopelessness
Sadness
Frequent crying
Anxiety (nervousness)
Worry
Headaches or stomachaches
Palpitations (an unpleasant sensation of irregular or forceful beating of the heart)
Withdrawal or isolation from people and social activities
A new pattern of absence from work or school
New and out-of-the-ordinary dangerous or destructive behavior, such as fighting, reckless driving, and vandalism
Changes in appetite; either loss of appetite or overeating
Problems sleeping
Feeling tired or without energy
Using alcohol or other drugs more

Symptoms in children and teens tend to be more behavioral in nature, such as skipping school, fighting, or acting out. Adults, on the other hand, tend to have more emotional symptoms, such as sadness and anxiety.

AD/SRS Causes and Risk Factors

AD/SRS is very common and can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, or lifestyle. Although an adjustment disorder can occur at any age, it is more common at times of major transitions, such as adolescence, midlife, and late life.

The type of stress that can trigger an adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome varies depending on the person, but can include:

Ending of a relationship or marriage
Losing or changing a job
Death of a loved one
A serious illness (yourself or a loved one)
Being a victim of a crime
Having an accident
Having a major life change (such as getting married, having a baby, or retiring from a job)
Living through a disaster, such as a fire, flood, or hurricane

AD/SRS Treatment and Home Care

If you have symptoms of AD/SRS, it is important that you seek medical care. Adjustment disorder can sometimes turn into major depressive episodes in people who are at risk for getting mood disorders. If you turn to alcohol or drugs to manage your stress and anxiety, you may develop a substance abuse problem.

Treatment for AD/SRS may include:
Psychotherapy or talk therapy
Support groups

You can also take steps to build your resilience and feel better. Try these tips:

Connect with friends and family.
Find activities that give you purpose.
Eat right and exercise.
Sleep well.
Work on your coping skills.
Have a positive attitude.
Recognize and build your strengths.
Face your fears.
Work to problem-solve.

Most people with adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome recover completely. In fact, a person who is treated for adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome may learn new skills that actually allow them to function better than before the symptoms began.

-webMD

  ANXIETY

Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You might feel anxious when faced with  a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision. But    anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an  anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The   feelings can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships. There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Examples include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS AND HOW THEY DIFFER

There are several eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, and other unspecified eating disorders, such as purging disorder. They differ based on the types of problems with eating and the factors thought to motivate those behaviors. Eating too little is often present in all of these illnesses but dominates anorexia nervosa and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder; in binge-eating disorder and bulimia, there may be problems with eating too much and too quickly but then too little most of the time. Problems with eating uncontrollably and compulsively called a binge, are a part of both bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Problems with purging behaviors, such as vomiting or laxatives, can be part of all of the illnesses but is required for bulimia nervosa and purging disorder. Motivations surrounding the initiation of eating disorder behaviors vary a lot and may even change in the course of the disorders. For example, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa tend to have a stronger relationship between one’s own physical appearance and self-worth but fear of eating may motivate food restriction in avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder.

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