Sunday, April 12, 2009

Double jeopardy

I have at times talked about a disease that haunted me for over thirty or more years of my life. Having to live behind a mask that your family and friends knew not of, to find out you were not only hurting them but hurting yourself more than anything. Living in denial is not a healthy thing, especially to yourself. But not only yourself are you hurting, you are hurting all those around you who truly do love you. Drinking can not cure it, illegal drugs wont help it, one must get the help from a health care professional. It can be a silent killer. And the diseases are hereditary, it is called depression and bi-polar. It's called Double jeopardy

Is there a double jeopardy effect in our family history? [ Yes] and it is manic depression and being bi-polar also, and these can not be fixed automatically. These two diseases together are horrible. The bad thing about it is you may be up one day and the next down, its like a roller coaster ride and it can be devastating to you and those around you. I know I live it everyday. You will find that those who do not understand these diseases could care less how you feel. A lot of people thinks it's beyond them to have something wrong with them. I felt that way for years until it hit me like a freight train would hit a parked car on railroad tracks.

There are a lot of macho men and women out there who find it shameful to find out they have something wrong with them. Depression and being Bi-polar is nothing to be ashamed of, it is hereditary the same way as going bald is. It is as serious as having a heart attack, a stroke, or cancer. It will hit you even when nothing triggers it, it makes you do thing to friends and family that you don't even know why. There is one in my family I wish would go get help now, but I don't see it happening until something drastic happens. Double jeopardy.

What causes depression?

Although no single cause of depression has been identified, it appears that interaction among genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychosocial factors may play a role. The fact is, depression is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away, but it may be successfully treated.

Who gets depression?

An estimated 33 to 35 million U.S. adults and young adults are likely to experience depression at some point during their lifetime. The disease affects men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels. However, women are at a significantly greater risk than men to develop major depression. Studies show that episodes of depression occur twice as frequently in women as in men.

Although anyone can develop depression, some types of depression, including major depression, seem to run in families. Whether or not depression is genetic, the disorder is believed to be associated with changes to levels of chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and/or epinephrine.

According to the DSM-IV, major depressive disorder (or "depression") is diagnosed when five or more of the following symptoms of depression are present for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. At least one of the symptoms must be either persistent sad or "empty" feelings or loss of interest in activities.

  • Constant sadness
  • Irritability
  • Hopelessness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
  • Significant weight change
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities
Be sure to tell your health care professional if you're experiencing any of these symptoms as described by the DSM-IV. Also, tell your health care professional if your symptoms are affecting your ability to function at home, at work, or with family, friends, or colleagues.

Call a health care professional right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • Thoughts about suicide or dying
  • Attempts to commit suicide
  • New or worse depression
  • New or worse anxiety
  • Feeling very agitated or restless
  • Panic attacks
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • New or worse irritability
  • Acting aggressive, being angry or violent
  • Acting on dangerous impulses
  • An extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
  • Other unusual changes in behavior or mood
PEOPLE AND FRIENDS, I would hope that if any of you or anyone you know has these, in some way you can get them to seek Professional help. We have tried to show you, who, what,and how to get help for these diseases. Help is only one phone call or office visit away, so if you are having any of these systems, seek medical attention right away. And if you know someone with this don't be ashamed to talk to them about it. It may help them in the long run. I wished I would have known that it was depression and being bi-polar. So friends, lend a helping hand to those who are hurting for it's not a laughing matter. Double jeopardy.

I can not mention the name of those who needs to seek help from these diseases but I would hope they read this and it clicks that they need help right away. There are a lot of young adults
in the world that are not aware and neither are the parents aware of these two diseases. The BI-POLAR, part can cause a lot of grief, it can cause you to fly off the handle for no reason at all, violent episodes can come from this, and again beer can't cure it and illegal drugs won't fix it, get help. Even your family doctor can recognize and diagnose depression and bi-polar disorder and help you.

In addition to the symptoms of depression, bi-polar also causes extreme high and lows. You may have increased energy, not sleeping for very long periods, working at an extremely fast pace, trying to do all the work yourself and then just as suddenly as the feeling started you are plunged the other direction. You get depressed, don't want to do anything. It truly is a roller coaster ride. It's not necessary to suffer and make your loved ones suffer through this when something can be done. These diseases are very real. Medication does NOT alter your thinking, it does NOT alter you, it only balances out those chemicals in your brain that can't balance on their own.

One thing you can do to help yourself is pay attention to when these feelings hit you (triggers). Is there a time of year that you seem worse than others? Is there a word or something you see that makes the symptoms worse? You play a part in helping heal yourself, pay attention to what sends you spiraling up or down, try to prepare yourself for those times. Talk to your doctor, they are there to help you, they treat all kinds of diseases and don't be fooled, these are just as serious as the medical problems mentioned above. Double jeopardy? Yes.

thanks again jesseb's


Shalom and Peace to Israel

No comments:

Post a Comment