Are there benefits in being depressed?

Evolutionary Theory, which indicates that as we evolve we hold onto traits that benefit us, would see depression as a necessary protective mechanism. The ultimate reward of recognising depression is that the depression acts as a trigger for change.

for more on this story, click the link
http://www.camh.net/Publications/Cross_Currents/Spring_2005/lastword_crcuspring05.html

Link between anxiety and depression and being fat

Common mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, may increase a person's risk of obesity, and people with repeated episodes of these disorders are particularly at risk, British researchers say.
In the study, published in the Oct. 7 online edition of the BMJ, researchers analyzed data from four medical screenings of 4,363 British civil servants aged 35 to 55 conducted over 19 years (1985 to 2004). Each screening included assessment of mental health and measurement of height and weight.
Read more .... http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=631691

The old "I thought I could beat this"

This is story from Monday 21 September 2009. It features a prominent Australian politician. Read his ordeal.

Depression took Robb 'to hell and back'

Senior Coalition MP Andrew Robb says he has been humbled by the support he has received from both sides of politics since revealing that he suffers from a depressive illness.

The man once touted as a possible Liberal leadership contender is relinquishing his frontbench duties for three months while he gets treatment for his condition, known as diurnal variation.

The Member for Goldstein has lived with the illness - which makes him depressed and negative in the hours after he wakes up - for all of his life, but was forced to seek treatment after it became worse in recent times.

"It's a long-standing family joke that my wife would not discuss the state of our marriage before 8:30am and the kids wouldn't ask for money," he told Fairfax Radio.

Mr Robb said he was hoping to continue to keep his condition a secret while he was receiving treatment, and only told his three adult children about it last Friday.

He was forced to go public because it was a struggle to cope with adjusting to medication and in the last six weeks he had "been to hell and back".

"You don't turn around 50 years of body chemistry in three weeks," he said.

"No-one knew much except my wife and my personal assistant and a couple of other colleagues, not even my kids.

"I thought I can beat this and come good, but after a while I thought, 'This is madness."

Mr Robb says he feels "in a lot better frame of mind" since he went public and says colleagues on both sides of politics have been fantastic.

He has received phone calls from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his political adversary Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, as well as messages of support from those in his own party.

"It's been a humbling experience really," he said.

He has no plans at this stage to give up politics and expects to return to full duties once he recovers.

"I really want to get back in the front line firing so I'm going to use the next three months to try and do that," he said.

Are you Depressed?

Worried your blue mood might be turning black? Answer our simple questionnaire compiled by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to find out if you are likely to be suffering from depression

Most of us feel sad or miserable at times, but when these feelings are more severe than usual, go on for too long or interfere with everyday life, it often indicates that depression has become an illness.

This simple set of ten questions will assess your mood. If you answer yes to a few or more of the questions and have felt that way for a substantial period of time it may be an indicator of depression. If you agree with number 10, we would suggest you contact your GP immediately.

1. Do you feel unhappy most of the time?

2. Are you finding it hard to cope with things that used to be manageable?

3. Have you lost interest and enjoyment in activities that you used to enjoy?

4. Are you finding it harder to make decisions?

5. Are you having trouble sleeping?

6. Have you experienced a loss of appetite or have you lost weight?

7. Are you feeling worn out and tired?

8. Do you lack self-confidence in areas that you used to feel competent in?

9. Have you been avoiding other people or friends?

10. Do you ever contemplate suicide as a way out of your problems?

If you're worried you may be suffering from depression visit your GP and for help.