Therapist Unlimited Blog

A recent study has shown that a lack of sunlight is associated with reduced cognitive function among depressed people.
Shia Kent, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, led a team of US researchers who used cross-sectional data from 14,474 people in the NIH-NINDS-funded REGARDS study, a longitudinal study investigating stroke incidence and risk factors, to study associations between depression, cognitive function and sunlight.
To get the relevant information, the researchers used weather data from NASA satellites to measure sunlight exposure across the United States and linked this information to the prevalence of cognitive impairment in depressed people.
Kent revealed they found that among participants with depression, low exposure to sunlight was associated with a significantly higher predicted probability of cognitive impairment.
He said this relationship remained significant after adjustment for season.

Depressed people should avoid darkness since the scenario could affect their thinking skills.
 

He added this new finding that weather may not only affect mood, but also cognition, has significant implications for the treatment of depression, particularly seasonal affective disorder.
Kent and his colleagues speculate that the physiological mechanisms that give rise to seasonal depression may also be involved in sunlight’s effect on cognitive function in the context of depressive symptoms.
It is said that cognitive function was assessed by measurement of short-term recall and temporal orientation.
As well as regulating the hormones serotonin and melatonin, light has been shown to also affect brain blood flow, which has in turn been linked with cognitive functions.
Moreover,  the researchers said discovering the environment’s impact on cognitive functioning within the context of seasonal disorders may lead not only to better understanding of the disorders, but also to the development of targeted interventions to enhance everyday functioning and quality of life.

According to a recent study, those people who are depressed have higher tendencies of suffering from chronic pain.
Based on the study conducted by the Wayne State University they found out that the incidence of chronic pain, defined as pain persisting for six months, was 22 percent.
The researchers revealed approximately 35 percent of those with chronic pain had depression, but mood problems were not associated with a particular pain condition or pain site.
The researchers gathered their data on 1,100 Michican residents who volunteered to take part of the study.
The team studied several demographic factors and found that older age was generally related to chronic pain but with comorbid depression.
They noted that depression tends to decrease with age while pain tends to increase.
Evaluating the data they gathered, the researchers concluded that in middle-age women chronic pain might not be the cause of depression but pre-existing mood problems could be associated with development of chronic pain. They further concluded that depression could increase vulnerability to experiencing persistent pain.

People should avoid depression since such a condition could lead to chronic pain.

Moreover, the researchers believe the study also showed that African Americans were more likely to have chronic pain with depression than Caucasians.
The group revealed further analysis showed that racial differences were not attributable to possible socioeconomic factors but might be associated with differences in the use of pain coping strategies.
They believe though income was not a significant risk factor for the study, the authors indicated that occupational factors, such as physically demanding work and poor or no health insurance coverage, may account for the link between lower socioeconomic status and pain, and that financial strain and stress are closely linked with depression.
From the data they discovered, the authors recommend that clinicians screen pain patients for depression and pay close attention to middle-age women and African Americans for whom risk for comorbid depression is the highest.

What are synthetic opioids and how are they used?
Synthetic opioids are drugs that are manufactured for medical purposes. They include the drugs methadone and buprenorphine. Although they are manufactured for medical use, and it is possible to obtain the drugs methadone and buprenorphine legally on prescription from a medical practitioner, over the years these drugs have been open to abuse.

They are often used as substitutes for heroin as part of a drug rehabilitation program, and they usually come in liquid form that is taken orally. However they are also available in table form, and they can be injected. Buprenorphine, or Subutex is taken by dissolving it in the mouth.

What are the effects of the synthetic opioids methadone and buprenorphine?
The effects of the drugs methadone and buprenorphine can last for several hours. Synthetic opioids are sedatives that will depress the nervous system. The drugs will also reduce pain, of both physical and psychological nature. People using this drug will often have feelings of relaxed detachment and warmth.

A drug testing kit is available to use to test for synthetic opioids. It is wise to use a drug testing kit if you feel that someone is abusing this drug, as the effects of drug abuse can be harmful.

The harmful effects of abusing methadone and buprenorphine are that the user can soon become addicted to the substance. If it is being used as a substitute for heroin addiction under medical supervision then the person needs to be checked regularly.

These drugs can often induce vomiting, and it has been known for people to choke on their vomit. An overdose of these drugs can lead to a coma, or the person may stop breathing and die.

Urine drug testing kits are available to test for synthetic opioids drug abuse.

What is PCP and how is it used?

PCP is the abbreviation for the drug known as phencyclidine. Another more common street name for this drug is ‘angel dust.’ PCP was developed during the 1950’s as an anesthetic that could be used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain and also to treat aching limbs. Production of PCP stopped during the 1960’s when patients were beginning to show significant unwelcome side effects from taking the drug. PCP began hitting the streets as a drug that was open to abuse around 1967. It is usually taken by smoking it, often mixing it with herbs such as mint or parsley. It is also sometimes smoked by mixing it with tobacco and marijuana. The effects of the drug PCP. The drug PCP has been known to reduce the feeling of pain. It can also cause feelings of being ‘out of it’ and confusion. Drug testing for PCP is easy and reliable. Urine drug testing kits are available that are easy to use. Drug testing for PCP is important because of the side effects of this drug. These include the person abusing PCP becoming confused and agitated, and often depressed as the drug depresses their brain. PCP increases the abusers heart rate and raises blood pressure. Chronic abuse of the drug PC has led to kidney damage, muscle damage and even brain damage. Another harmful effect of the drug PCP is that the person will feel no or reduced pain. This can often lead to abusers seriously injuring themselves. Some drug abusers have been reported as becoming agitated and violent and getting into fights. Because they do not feel pain, they will fight for longer which may result in serious injuries for themselves and others. Drug testing kits for PCP and other drugs are easily available and give reliable results.

What is benzo addiction and how is the drug taken?

Benzo is the commonly known abbreviation for the drug group known as benzodiazepines. These groups of drugs are tranquilizers, and the most commonly known ones of these are Valium and Xanex. They are legally available on prescription from medical practitioners, and they are commonly used to treat anxiety in patients. Benzo’s usually come in table form and are taken orally. When Benzo’s are being abused by drug abusers, they are typically used as a means of coming down from a high caused by another drug such as ecstasy, and therefore they are often seen as a social drug, forming part of a clubbing scene in some area. The effects of benzo’s (valium and xanex). The effects of benzo drugs will be the same as those of a sedative. Benzo drugs depress the nervous system and slow the body down. They also relieve any feelings of anxiety and tension in the person, and may promote a feeling of relaxation and general well being. Testing for Valium and xanex abuse is easy and reliable using a drug testing kit. The harmful effects of benzo drug abuse are that these drugs can be highly addictive. This is because of the nature of the effects. The abuser will feel pleasant and detached from their daily life and problems when they are taking it. Taking benzo drugs with alcohol is highly dangerous and may lead to an overdose. There are also unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when a person suddenly stops taking Valium or xanex. Another harmful effect of people abusing benzo drugs is that they or others can come to harm when taking them. Benzo drugs can cause confusion and acts as a sedative. This means that a person taking them does not always know what is going on around them. They could be robbed or attacked and not be able to defend themselves. There is also concern about benzo drugs being used in sex crimes, where a person will spike another’s drink with the drug. Testing for benzo drugs is possible using a drug testing kit which can be purchased easily, quickly and discreetly over the Internet.

Battling College Depression by Jacob Malewitz 

College students are apt to depression, because they a great deal of pressures. They are still growing up. They see the world and want to take it. They experience failure. They fall to drugs, receive poor grades, try to work a job and a full class load, and often forget why they are doing it. So, in order to battle depression as a college student, you must be mindful of how tough it is. Then you need to see if you really have depression. First, you need to be honest about your depression. Often during depression you become an introvert: staying alone, reading, staying up late nights, not seeing anyone for days. If any of this sounds familiar, you are close to a depression side. Drug use is obvious, but doing things like becoming anti-social are less so. There is a fine line for you between enjoying yourself and losing yourself. To battle this you must try at least once a week to do something you normally wouldnít do. This could be a coffee at a nice spot downtown, a football party, or going out to see a movie with someone. To avoid isolation, which leads to depression in many, you must develop inner points of recognition. When you want to isolate, and are close to doing it, you need to seek help from someone, anyone who will listen. Professional help is almost always the best method. This makes being alone sound bad. Sometimes you have to fight through a depression by yourself. A college student can do much by themselves, some things more positive than others. If you love reading, a good book could cheer you up. If you like going for walks or jogging, it could have major effects on the lingering depression-decreasing it in many ways. The other side of this is to not fill yourself with alcohol. Just like marijuana and cocaine, there is a comedown off anything intoxicating you put in your body. Too much coffee will make you edgy; too much alcohol can kill you. It can also be a way of self-medicating. Alcohol in moderation is fine, but can be a dangerous alternative during a college studentís depression. Battling depression in college is not about the quick-fix. You must be mindful of who you truly are, what you really like doing, and how to make choices. Depression will still come. How you deal with it when it does come can make the difference between a degree and a therapistís bill. In the end, professional help is the best means for defeating college depression before it leads into some worse, like schizophrenia or drug addiction.

There are a lot of reasons why people engage in psychotherapy. The most common reason for this is extreme depression. While it is true that every person encounters different problems of their own, there are people who are having difficulties handling the problems that hound them. This just means that from time to time, there are people who would be needing professional help to get them back on the right track.

There are a couple of formats that psychotherapists follow and a patient has the right to choose which one may possibly be the best choice.

Individual Therapy is a type of therapy wherein there is a one-on-one conversation between the patient and the therapist. This allows the patient to have the full attention of the therapist but it does not allow the therapist to assess the patient based on his social or family relationships.

Family therapy is a type of therapy that involves the family as a group.

Group therapy involves around 3- 15 patients. It gives the patients the opportunity to receive support from people with particular issues. The good thing about this type of therapy is that it may be less expensive and it gives the patients the feeling of belongingness.

Couple’s Therapy is geared towards the betterment of married couples or those who are in a significant other type of relationship who wants to improve their relationship and functioning as a couple.

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.

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.