There are at least 200,000 drug users residing in Africa….. and for all we know, they can just be children….

Just like in other nations, Africa faces drub problems as one of its major issues. And now that drug trafficking are done in schools, it is more likely that children are exposed to such substance. When this happens, accidents, violence, youth depression, and suicide might take place, affecting and even ruining their future.

Deputy Minister of Social Development Dr. Jean Swanson-Jacobs proposed a medium that can capture the attention of the youth and effectively convince them the dangers of drugs. Using hip hop music as a tool for the campaign of the department named, “Ke Moja, No Thanks, I’m Fine without Drugs.”

To read the entire story, check:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200710220588.html

“Packers and swallowers” have been keeping every law enforcements busy with their new strategy in keeping their illegal drugs free from legal inspection. New tactic? They “Pack” their drugs and “swallow” them inside their body for “safe keeping.” Those who got arrested by the police undergo X-rays to check the location of their drugs. And when it is discovered that they were inside the stomach the suspect will be kept in the hospital for days.

This new strategy has proven fruitless for the Wales policemen as they have captured eight “packers and swallowers” of different ages. A woman of 21 years of age was seized for possession of amphetamine and cannabis resin and a 57-year old grandfather was captured for having heroin with a street value of 240 pounds are some of the individuals who were arrested.

“We carry out these operations to make a difference, and I hope that the community will see that as a result of their courage to put forward information, they can see the results and feel reassured,” Supt. Tim Jones stated.

To read the enitre story, check:http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2007/10/22/there-s-no-hiding-place-for-drugs-swallowers-91466-19989438/

Police from Houston Texas has been alarmed by the increasing rate of drug abuse in their state. The usage of Lorcet had a dramatical increase of at least 49,500 grams within a year. Same thing happens with the usage of Xanax, that has a rise of at least 7600 grams in a year. While the police hopes for the betterment of the regulation on their state on this area, many drug-abusers find haven in their place as the home for its production.

Houston drug users, and even those who live farther, have found a relief of pain through Lorcet, a pain killer that can make you physically and mentally dependent on it. Continuous usage of it requires more and more dosage, making its users drowsier and less capable of doing things.

Xanax, on the other hand, is an anti-anxiety drug that lessens the user’s worries. It also brings temporary relief and drowsiness. Most of its users have anxiety disorders while some just use it because of addiction.

More details in:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5233578.html

After writing my blog about further cultivation of my knowledge that surrounds depression, it occurs to me that clinical depression and the one I previously wrote about, Depressive Personality Disorder, has some similarities. In fact, they share similarities so big that it’s difficult to separate them.

As this question tickles my curiosity more, I get more extensive to satisfy my curiosity and interest. And getting deeper, there are some differences that should be cleared, before anyone gets confused as to how they can be distinguished.

1. Depression has a wider scope of psychological effects. Depression gives the patient strong negativity in all aspects of his life – physical, social, mental, spiritual, and moral. He/She has a derogatory feeling over everything about his/her life.

2. Depressive Personality Disorder doesn’t have cause of negative feeling. Unlike depression that has causes like low amount of serotonin in the body or unsolved issues in life, Depressive Personality Disorder doesn’t have its known cause, but rather, it comes from one’s self without any solid explanations. It is only an individual’s normal reaction and common way of coping with things that make him/her qualified with such disorder.

Important matters as these should be taken into consideration to fully understand their nature. While Depression has a larger influence on one’s well-being, Depressive Personality Disorder shouldn’t be taken for granted, for it can sacrifice one’s happiness when this is not changed.

As the concept of depression becomes the object of my interest, I get further with other ideas revolving around this psychological matter with more researches and questions. And one of those things that trigger my attention is this personality disorder related with clinical depression…..

Depressive Personality Disorder, just what its name implies, is a disorder that suggests certain characteristics to be depressive or that it implies a personality with a strong negative sense of self. In order to understand what it’s about, here are some things that you should know about this matter:

1. Cheerlessness and unhappiness. Mood is being affected by this disorder. The sense of negativity is reflected from the inside, showing manifestations like an expression of sadness in the face and vacant expressions.

2. Aloofness. A person with this disorder has a low self-esteem. Because of this, it stops him/her from socializing with people with the fear of rejection or wrong judgments.

3. Paranoia. Ironically, a patient is very quick in making judgment or having suspicions with people around him. He/She becomes defensive and sometimes too argumentative even to small things.

There are more things to discover about depressive personality disorder. On the other hand, the things mentioned above are some of the most important, showing its manifestations that you might have.

Okay. You are depressed. You are willing to take prozac if your doctor prescribes it and you determined to undergo a psychotherapy for the betterment of your well-being. You have your wallet ready for spending some bucks and arrange your schedule for your sessions. But wait, those are not the kind of preparations that you should really do…. because there are more important things that you should prepare….

1. Opening yourself up. Once you decide that you will undergo such therapy, you should consider that you are going to open up to someone you don’t know. Your shrink, despite his/her profession, is still a stranger, and if you have “trust issues,” you better let go of them, for it will be pointless if you are not letting out all of your burden.

2. Getting back to those moments. Once you and your psychologist starts to talk about your life, you are going to look back some of the painful days that you once had – even the most devastating ones. There can be tears and anger, but you need to release it too by telling your shrink everything about it.

3. Cooperation. Your shrink might give you a series of tasks that you need to do. When this takes place, you have to follow his/her instructions and cooperate.

Once the essence of these things have sunk in, it means that you really are ready for psychotherapy. However, bear in mind that it may take time for recovery and healing process. And when this is all done, you’d be someone you never thought you’d be.

They gather for sex, drugs, and prostitution, all in the name of notorious companionship they call gang. The city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, has been flooded with 50 gangs composed of different members, some of which are all-girl gangs that like to have sex with many men and a group of infamous outcasts.

But these gangs are not just juvenile delinquents whose lives revolve around violence and drugs. A motherly-figure amongst them, Yai Aew has been the savior of these gangsters, who also have gained their trusts by launching programs good for their well-being, and of course, for them to help avoid drugs.

One of those that are helped by Yai Aew is the gang, Bin Laden, named after the known leader of terrorist group to imply their capacity to invoke grave danger. They started gaining their reputation when some of its members got involved in the murder of their enemies. Another notorious group known in the city is called the Samurais, who hold katanas while riding motorcycles.

With the help of Yai Aew through weekly counseling, sports fest, and leadership courses, these gangs are facing a new direction of their lives. Bin Laden is the top football team in a football tournament introduced by her and the Samurais has very minimal usage of drugs.

To read the complete story, go to:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/IJ23Ae02.html

Though people are quite conscious of their depressed condition, they tend to deprive themselves with therapy because of stereotypical matter. Those who ado not understand the real purpose of therapy think that those who undergo it are already schizophrenics. It’s a lame judgment, but surprisingly, it affects depressed individuals.

First off, it is never shameful to undergo a psychotherapy. Even though the mentally-individuals go through such therapy, it never means that you are one of them when you decide to see a professional. There are some psychological problems that need to be solved, and definitely, that is something normal.

On the other hand, if, in case, you are not convinced with simple yet straight statements, here are some things you ought to know when psychotherapy is being conducted…. just to let you know that it is something you shouldn’t be doubting….

1. A confidential talk between you and your psychologist. What you discuss inside the room is strictly between you and your shrink. It will never be revealed to anyone else – even to your most trusted loved-one – because it is against their code of ethics. Confidentiality is a major matter among the psychologists, vowing to keep everything between them and their patients.

2. An overview of your personal background. Once you start giving them your trust and begin your psychotherapy, your shrink will start to ask you series of questions, some things about you – certain points in your past like childhood and adolescence, major events in life, devastating arguments, accomplishments, and the like. When these are answered, you psychologist will deduce your condition and later, will focus on the things you should work on.

3. Continuous session. Just a day of talk between you and your doctor will definitely not finish your issues. It takes time in order to discuss your problems one by one and provide cures for them. Furthermore, you shrink needs to keep track on your current state – to see if improvements are already taking place.

Since Prozac has been a significant matter in depression, and since it has been mentioned in my previous write-up, I think this is the perfect time to discuss how these small capsules can affect one’s depressed condition big time.

Prozac (as what was mentioned on my previous blog) is a serotonin neurotransmitter under the drug group called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI. It is an anti-depressant used to complement psychotherapy of those who are detected to have clinical depression.

It has been introduced by Eli Lilly a global pharmaceutical company back in the 80’s. Since it reduces depressing factors in the body (like drugs that can affect one’s depressing mood), it produces serotonin to make someone feel better. For people who are already accustomed to this, their sleeping and eating patterns start to get regular. On the other hand, as effective as these drugs are, there are side effects that can be experienced through the period of medication. Headache, fever, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, seizures, and heartburn are some of its side effects.

On the other hand, prozac has strict rules. Just because it gives happy moods to the depressed patient doesn’t mean that you, a non-clinically depressed person, can use it. Prozac is forbidden to those who have liver disease, and of course, to those who are allergic to it. Pregnant women should also be careful of it because of the possibility that it may affect the child inside the womb.

An effective way to combat depression, especially among teenagers, is a combination of Prozac medication and psychotherapy. A study from The Duke University has supported this statement in their published issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

One out of eight teenagers is detected to have clinical depression due to hereditary factors (depression can also be passed through genes), peer pressure, loss, failure, etc. Some of them gets healed by undergoing to cognitive therapies and taking anti-depressants, while the others, who are misinformed or clueless about their psychological situation sinks in pain, or worse, commits suicide.

Prozac, for those of you who have less knowledge on this matter is a drug called fluoxetine hydrochloride that works as an anti-depressant. It is a type of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that increases serotonin in the body, improving the psychological health of the patient. It has been prescribed since 1986 for depressed patients. Because of its effectiveness, it’s been stated that psychotherapy would not be that helpful if prozac isn’t prescribed.

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, works as a psychological support for the depressed patient. A professional or a psychiatrist conducts series of sessions to discuss about one’s personal situation and treats its “depressing cases.”