Depression: The Brain Out of Balance By: Nina Olshan

Your brain looks like this. Let's go farther inside to see what's going on during depression....

Your brain is made up of specialized cells. These cells are called neurons. Neurons link together to form pathways. The electrical impulses that travel down these pathways are what power your body. The miniscule gaps between these cells is where all the action happens. Let's go in for a closer look....

This is a synapse. The tiny gap between two neurons that controls everything. To find out how synapses work, I'll show you a drawing that illustrates how neurotransmitters travel.

Option One MAOs

Option Two Reabsorption What do medicines do?

The brain in balance...

When things in this process go wrong, drastic changes can happen...

When there are neurotransmitters in a synapse, electrical energy can flow through, and the message continues. When the serotonin is reabsorbed too quickly or gobbled too fast, the signal becomes weak, or it can't go through at all. Because serotonin is a contentment neurotransmitter, when the signal can't get through, due to low levels or fast reabsorption, you can feel down in the dumps, get the blues, feel a lack of willpower, or feel alone. These are all signs and feelings of depression...

These are some signs of depression- from helpguide.org helpguide.org Sadness or hopelessness Irritability, anger, or hostility Tearfulness or frequent crying Withdrawal from friends and family Loss of interest in activities Changes in eating and sleeping habits Restlessness and agitation Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Lack of enthusiasm and motivation Fatigue or lack of energy Difficulty concentrating Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression isn't universal, there are many different types. These are the ones that doctors use to diagnose patients. Credit to Teens Health, Kidshealth.org Types of Depression For some people, depression can be intense and occur in bouts that last for weeks at a time. For others, depression can be less severe but can linger at a low level for years. Doctors who treat depression distinguish between these two types of depression. They call the more severe, short-lasting type major depression, and the longer-lasting but less severe form dysthymia (pronounced: diss-thy-me-uh). A third form of depression that doctors may diagnose is called adjustment disorder with depressed mood. This diagnosis refers to a depressive reaction to a specific life event (such as a death, divorce, or other loss), when adjusting to the loss takes longer than the normally expected time-frame or is more severe than expected and interferes with the person's daily activities. Bipolar disorder (also sometimes called manic depressive illness) is another depressive condition that involves periods of major depression mixed with periods of mania. Mania is the term for abnormally high mood and extreme bursts of unusual activity or energy.

Try to make new friends. Healthy relationships with peers are central to teens’ self-esteem and provide an important social outlet. Participate in sports, job, school activities or hobbies. Staying busy helps teens focus on positive activities rather than negative feelings or behaviors. Join organizations that offer programs for young people. Special programs geared to the needs of adolescents help develop additional interests. Ask a trusted adult for help. When problems are too much to handle alone, teens should not be afraid to ask for help.

What do you feel in depression? Depression? Depression. Depression! Depression, Depression. Depression... Depression: Depression! Alone Sad Bubbles

Fin. New Beginnings...