Coffee Lowers Risk of Depression While Diet Drinks Increase Risk

Research suggests that drinking coffee can lower the risk of depression by 10% while sweetened drinks specially diet sodas can increase it.

Depression is the overall feeling of sadness, unhappiness, or just being miserable. Aside from the emotional change, depression also causes people to lose interest in their favorite activities, change their eating behavior (either loss of appetite or overeating), and have trouble concentrating. In some cases, the person can be harmful to himself or herself and may need counselling.

Most people feel this way at one time or another for short periods, especially during stressful or emotional events. This type of depression is not classified as a psychiatric disorder but more of a normal reaction to a life changing event. It can also be a symptom of a medical condition or a side effect from taking certain medications.

Clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is different as it is classified as a mood disorder. The person also experiences the same symptoms of normal depression but lasts longer than a few days and interferes with the daily life of the person. Clinical depression requires a minimum of two weeks in this state for diagnosis but it may last for weeks and even months.

Aside from the feeling of sadness, this type of depression may bring out suicidal tendencies, anger, mood swings, and irrational behavior.

The exact cause of clinical depression is unknown but doctors believe it is linked to chemical changes in the brain triggered by stress, medication, or both. There are cases that doctors believed to be hereditary in nature.

Treatments for clinical depression range from medication (antidepressants), psychotherapy and even Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Omega-3 In Fish Could Reduce Risk of Postpartum Depression

Studies suggest that low levels of Omega-3 may be the cause for postpartum depression. Eating fish rich in omega-3 may reduce risk of acquiring this disorder.

Postpartum depression is a type of clinical depression affecting women who have just given birth. It is a mood disorder in which the mother experiences feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration usually directed at her newly born baby.

Postpartum depression usually occurs within the first four weeks of delivery or even up to one year later.

This behavior may affect how the mother cares for her child. Those with postpartum depression have a difficulty in coping and interacting with the child. Care is inconsistent and may post a health risk to the baby. The potential long-term complications are the same as in major depression. Untreated, postpartum depression may put the patient at risk of harming herself or the baby.