Are You at Risk for Depression?

[x]   Tags: depression risk, teen depression, adolescent depression, childhood depression, depression in men, depression men, depression in women, depression women:depression facts, mental, mental health, mental illness, mental condition, depression, depressed, depression disorder, sad, hopeless, biological depression: Health, Health Videos, Medical Videos, Medical, Video

[x]   Transcript: A number of factors can increase the risk for depression, a serious mental illness that can affect anyone, at any time of life. Risks include gender, a person's ability to cope with stress, the presence of certain medical conditions or loss of a loved one. Evidence suggests that genetics play a role in depression. While there is not a specific gene that causes depression, a family history of depression suggests that other family members may be at risk for experiencing depression during their lifetime. Gender is a risk factor as well. Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression than men, which many experts attribute - in part - to hormonal influences on the brain chemistry that regulates mood and emotions, as well as balancing work and family responsibilities. Depression is not uncommon in men, especially in a culture where male self-worth is often dependent upon physical prowess and career achievements. However, men tend to be less comfortable talking about their feelings or seeking help than women, suggesting that male depression may be underreported. Adolescents are also at risk for depression, particularly those who lack self-confidence, tend to be overly critical of themselves, or those who are unable to cope well with stress in everyday life. While risk factors may increase the probability of depression, there's no certainty that depression will occur. That's because depression risks are also closely associated with individual personalities, temperament and styles of coping, along with how each person construes and reacts to past and current life experiences. For example, a family history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse puts a person at risk for depression later in life. Depression risks may also occur in the context of relationships, as with the loss of a family member, infidelity, divorce, or betrayal by a friend or coworker. Serious illness, especially chronic conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, pose a risk for depression as well. In addition, depression among caregivers of family members with these chronic conditions is approximately 10 times more frequent than in the general population. Not everyone with risk factors becomes depressed. And many risk factors can be managed with the help of a mental health professional. If you - or someone you know - is at risk for depression, please consult a mental health professional.

[x]   Bio:

Dr. John Clive Spiegel, a neurologist and psychiatrist in private practice in Manhasset, NY (Long Island) and in New York City, is a clinical assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a clinical instructor at NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Spiegel specializes in adolescent and adult psychopharmacology, general psychotherapy and headache management. He is certified to prescribe and provide Suboxone (Buprenorphine) to patients for in-office treatment of opiate addiction, and he is an injector for Vivitrol, the new monthly injection for alcohol abuse prevention.As an expert in neuropsychopharmacology, Dr. Spiegel is particularly focused on areas of overlap between neurology and psychiatry: headache, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, and restless legs syndrome. He also treats depression, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders and ADHD.