Saturday, February 24, 2007
Interesting ariticle in Newsweek about men and depression in the US
I just read an interesting article in Newsweek titled "Men & Depression: Facing Darkness." I was really surprised to learn about some of the new therapies the NIMH is developing to treat depression. The article explained that the focus for treating depression was shifting in their research from boosting neurotransmitters (which is what antidepressants such as the SSRI's like Zoloft and Prozac do) to focusing instead on the endocrine system. They believe that perhaps if they can block overproduction of stress chemicals they can reduce damage to healthy nerve cells. I think that this is really interesting, because for so long researchers have been focusing on the brain and its neurotransmitters, and now they seem to be looking at depression more holistically and realizing that hormones (particularly stress hormones) most likely play an important role in the development of this disorder. Furthermore, they are trying to find fast-acting antidepressants that would relieve depression symptoms in a matter of hours, instead of weeks like the older antidepressants. They have tested one of these drugs named ketamine, which is apparently an animal tranquilizer, and so far in tests it has been shown to have both short and long-term effectiveness. It will be interesting to see if they can actually develop these extremely fast acting antidepressants. I think that though psychopharmacology is an extremely important part of treatment for depression, it is important no to lose sight that cognitive therapy is just as important. The article made an important point when it pointed out that antidepressant treatment is still more of an art then a science, and people can't expect drugs to always work exactly how they want them too, which is why cognitive therapy is such an integral part in treating depression.
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3 comments:
Certainly an interesting article. It's rather important, because our society puts men on such a pedestal that the idea of depression is not associated with men. But the deal is that in as much as men cry, they also get depressed. I'd like to see where this new discovery goes.
I don't cry... what are you talking about Gracie?? but I agree with the whole holistic approach to mental health. It is an interesting trend that is not only happening in mental health but health in general. I personally think that looking at the macroenvironment is certainly as important if not more important than merely looking at the mocroenvironment that affects human health.
The issue of men and their stigma against mental health conditions is something that as a society we have created and continue to promote. We as parents and health educators need to share the prominence and normaly of the disease that way we can tackle it in a safe manner.
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