Post Partum Depression Treatment. Depression Article ?
Q: Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological
vulnerability can be inherited. This seems to be the case with bipolar
disorder. Studies of families in which members of each generation develop
bipolar disorder found that those with the illness have a somewhat different
genetic makeup than those who do not get ill.
A:In some families, major depression also seems to occur generation after
generation. However, it can also occur in people who have no family history
of depression. Whether inherited or not, major depressive disorder is often
associated with changes in brain structures or brain function.
People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the
world with pessimism or who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are prone to
depression. Whether this represents a psychological predisposition or an
early form of the illness is not clear.
Many women are also particularly vulnerable after the birth of a baby. The
hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new
life, can be factors that lead to postpartum depression in some women. While
transient "blues" are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive episode
is not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention. Treatment by a
sympathetic physician and the family's emotional support for the new mother
are prime considerations in aiding her to recover her physical and mental
well-being and her ability to care for and enjoy the infant.
Men's depression is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially
acceptable habit of working excessively long hours. Depression typically
shows up in men not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as being
irritable, angry, and discouraged; hence, depression may be difficult to
recognize as such in men. Even if a man realizes that he is depressed, he
may be less willing than a woman to seek help. Encouragement and support
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