'Facebook addiction causes anxiety, depression in youngsters'

Parth Shastri,TNN,Jan 24, 2011, 12.07am IST

AHMEDABAD: It is becoming more and more evident that social networking over the web is the new opium for today's youngsters. Apparently, social networking is everything for many of them as they spend a considerable time developing a favourable profile, complete with favourites and likes, updates and playing online games.
Meera Neelkanthan, a student of psychology from Coimbatore, presented a paper titled 'Relatedness Between Facebook Addiction and Self-Regulation' at the ongoing national meet of Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP). In her study, she observed that the greater time users spend on the site, the higher the chances that they will lose control over their urge to log in.

Practicing psychologists in the city say that studies have shown that teenagers, who are heavy users of social networking websites, are prone to depression, along with missed sleep, school and meals. Some psychologists, now ask about the online profile of the patients before a full assessment.

On why Facebook? Neelkanthan said, "Arguably, it is the most popular networking site today with the Indian youngsters, due to various applications, games and several features such as poke and like available here. Facebook syndrome can be defined with several parameters - as soon as you wake up you log in, even when offline, you think about the networking and even when you can talk face to face with the person you prefer to send across a message or comment on a post."

what happen recently??

Thursday February 10, 2011

Average of 60 suicides per month in the country

PETALING JAYA: Two people commit suicide daily in Malaysia and experts believe the figure could be higher with the many undetermined deaths. It is alarming that teenagers and young adults are taking their own lives in the face of mounting pressure in school, work, dealing with family issues and breakdown in relationships.
The National Suicide Registry Malaysia (NSRM) estimated that between January and August last year, a total of 425 people committed suicide, averaging 60 per month (including undetermined deaths.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Professor of Psychology Dr T. Maniam said the country’s suicide rate was estimated at 10 to 13 per 100,000 people which nearly equalled that of the United States.
The Health Ministry has identified those aged between 16 and 25 as being “high risk.”

source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/10/nation/8035599&sec=nation

what happen recently??

Saturday December 11, 2010

Youth leaves message on Facebook before death

THE 22-year-old youth who jumped from the 14th floor of an apartment block in Cheras at 3am on Thursday left a 45-minute countdown message on his Facebook page, Sin Chew Daily and China Press reported.

The daily also reported that Alviss Kong (pic), who died of serious injuries at about 9am the same day at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia also posted a note on his page saying a girl was cruel to him.
They reported that Kong was very sad after his girlfriend of four months broke up with him.
Sin Chew Daily reported that Cheras acting OCPD Supt Abdul Rahim Hamzah Othman as saying the case had been classified as sudden death.
> United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen has urged Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to take action against those who send teachers who do not understand Mandarin to teach Bahasa Malaysia.
Sin Chew Daily quoted him as saying that the ministry had in 2000 decided that only bilingual teachers be asked to teach the subject to Year One and Year Two pupils in Chinese primary schools.

source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=nation&file=/2010/12/11/nation/7600075

what happen recently??

Teen suicide puts hospital in spotlight

PHOEBE WEARNE, The West Australian 

February 24, 2011, 2:35 am

Police are investigating the case of a teenager who committed suicide after running away from one of the State's biggest regional hospitals, where he was being treated for depression.
The parents of Jesse Dellar, 17, are demanding a coronial inquest into the death of their son, who took his own life after leaving Albany Hospital on November 27.
Albany police have confirmed they are investigating the death for State Coroner Alastair Hope, who will decide whether to hold an inquest.
The WA Country Health Service said recommendations from an internal review into Jesse's death were still being finalised.
Albany Hospital has been at the centre of four coronial inquests in the past four years, including a 2009 inquest on Kieran Watmore, 17, who died at the hospital in 2008 after being admitted for tonsillitis.
Mr Hope found "systemic deficiencies" in the Health Department and a failure by nursing staff to properly monitor Kieran's condition were to blame for his death.
Health Minister Kim Hames later apologised to the Watmore family. In a letter dated February 3, Dr Hames told Kieran's father, Jim, the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office would conduct an independent investigation into the implementation of the Coroner's recommendations.
Jesse's mother, Shelley Nottle, said her son should have been admitted to Albany Hospital's G-ward, a secure facility where mental health patients are kept under a high level of observation.
Ms Nottle said the hospital's observation of her son had instead been scaled back and he had tried to commit suicide in his hospital room on the day he ran away.
She said she wanted to know how he had been able to escape hospital care when he was at risk of self-harm.
"I'm heartbroken because I'm never going to get my son back," Ms Nottle said. "He was a beautiful kid with all the friends in the world.
"People say to me it's going to get better, but it doesn't. You feel a loss every day. It's torn me apart."
Albany police will report to the Coroner next month.


source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/8895578/teen-suicide-puts-hospital-in-spotlight/

Discover How Your Consciousness Affects Your Health, Your Environment and Mother Earth

---WATER SECRETS REVEALED--

http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_emoto.htm

THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS

Have a look on this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZYwRgh-qJU


It's just SOOOOOO AMAZING!
From now on everybody should start practising POSITIVE LIFE STYLE. And of course, having POSITIVE THINKING!
Only then we can get ourselves far far away from depression and lead a wonderful and joyful life. =D

HI, WE'RE FROM EVEREADY!
AZRAI AHMAD ZAMRI
MOHD IZZAT HAMZAH
DORIS ANAK DAGANG
& LOW SUE HAN!!!
NICE TO MEET YOU!

Where can you seek for help when you're depressed?

Depression’s an illness and it’s an illness that often won’t get better by itself. It’s the same with anxiety. They’re illnesses that may make you feel overwhelmed, upset, angry, scared, unmotivated - the effects are different for different people. You might feel as if things will never improve, that there’s no way of getting through it.

The good news is that the help you need is out there. There are lots of services in the community that can give advice and suggest treatment options for mental health problems.

Places to get help

• Phone help lines and websites
  
• Don’t hesitate to get help for yourself (or someone you know) for depression. Below are some numbers you can call for assistance.
  
  
  The Befrienders Kuala Lumpur
  
  
  Tel: 03-7956 8144/8145 (24 hours)
  
  
  Website: www.befrienders.org.my 
  
  
  The Befrienders Penang
  
  
  Tel: 04-281 1108 (3pm-midnight)
  
  
  Website: www.befrienders.org.my 
  
  
  Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia
  
  
  Tel: 03-7785 5955
  
  
  E-mail: Agape1@po.jaring.my
  
  
  Lifeline Association of Malaysia
  
  
  71-2nd Floor, Jin Jejaka 2, 55100 Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur
  
  
  Tel: 03-9282 1995 (Monday to Friday, 7pm-10pm)
  
  
  Dropzone (Open to those between 13 and 20 years of age)
  
  
  No. 92A, First Floor, Jalan Othman 1/14, 46000 Petaling Jaya.
  
  
  Tel: 03-7782 7448 (Monday to Friday, 11am-6pm. Closed on weekends)
• Your local doctor (GP)
  A General Practitioner (GP) is a doctor you can make an appointment to see if you’ve got a health problem.
• Counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists
  

  What is a counsellor?

  A counsellor is a person who has been professionally trained to talk you through a variety of problems. Issues you might discuss with a counsellor include:
  • building up your confidence
  • bullying
  • family and relationship issues
  • school/work problems
  • troubles with alcohol or drugs.
  If necessary, a counsellor might refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who can help you with your specific problems.

  What is a psychologist?

  Psychologists are health professionals who provide ‘talking therapies’ (psychotherapy) to treat mental health problems. The therapy they use may include changing some of the things you do, or the negative ways you think, so that you can feel better.  Therapy may also improve your communication skills and how you get on with people.
  Some examples of why you might see a psychologist include:
  • eating disorders
  • family and relationship problems
  • upsetting events
  • extreme fears
  • anxiety
  • panic attacks
  • depression
  • sleep difficulties
  • stress.

  What is a psychiatrist?

  Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health problems. They are able to treat illnesses such as depression, severe anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with both talking therapies and medication, if necessary.
• Youth community services
  Learn about the range of community-based services available.There is a range of community-based services available including:
  • community health centres
  • psychologists
  • psychiatrists
  • youth health services
  • accommodation support services
  • youth development officers and many more.
  You may like to contact your local council for a list of help services available to young people in your area.
  Some of the services available may include:
• Education support services
  Schools, universities, and alternative education centres often have their own help services such as counsellors, chaplains and nurses.
• Your local hospital or health centre nearest to you.

Here come the solutions: HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION

What Can You Do?

• Seek help. There are many people who care about you and want to help.
• Trained professional therapists can offer very effective help. They will listen to you and offer advice about how to overcome your depression.
• The book Feeling Good by David Burns is a useful guide in changing the way you think about yourself and the world.
• Medication is also an option. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of using anti-depressants.

Depression: Coping Naturally

–by Dr. Richard "Medicine Bear" Cantrell

"...My advice to anyone who is chronically depressed (i.e., unable to function due to depression) is to seek competent professional help immediately. I also offer, however, some basic information about combating your depression.

Begin your healing with the spiritual. All healing must take place at that level first. If you are not a spiritual person, take the time to learn about spiritual things or religion. You are missing a wonderful gift, for unless there is a marriage of the spiritual self and the physical self, life will remain unfulfilling. Prayer is always the best medicine.

Focus on the positive things in your life. I will admit that this is easier said than done, especially if you have never been taught how to focus on the positive. When you first wake up in the morning, thank the Creator that you are still here and breathing. That is the first of many positive things that happen each day. I once knew a man who could not see how well his son mowed the grass because of one piece of grass that was missed -- he focused on that one blade of grass still standing.

Self-criticism and the criticism of others should always be positive in nature. Congratulate yourself and others for the good things first. Then address what needs to be worked on in a positive way. Keeping a journal listing only the good things that happen each day -- even if it is only one good thing -- will also help. At the end of the day reflect on the good things that happened and thank the Creator for them. Everything happens for a reason. When bad things happen, try to find the hidden reason behind them. Then try to see the good that can come out of a bad thing.

We recently had a death in our family. A very bad thing. For years, parts of our family had not communicated with each other. There had been divorces, and quarrels that had led to ill feelings. The death in our family pulled everyone back together and now the past has been forgotten. Our family members are friends again. Life is an education. We can learn from the bad things that happen to us and apply them in a positive way, but to do this, you must learn to focus on the positive aspects of everything.

Don't allow your home to have a dark and gloomy atmosphere. Open the curtains in the daytime and let the light in. Remember -- light is positive and dark is negative. A dark environment will feed your depression and allow it to consume you with despair. Turn off the television and get outdoors. Enjoy nature and its many gifts. Studies have shown that those who spend more time outdoors than indoors suffer from depression less frequently. If it is a rainy day, its a good time for cleaning, or exercising indoors. Inactivity feeds depression. Force yourself to do something.

If you enjoy books on horror, violence, or negative things, try something different. Reading is a great way to combat depression but try to interest yourself in reading uplifting material that has a spiritual lesson to it and a positive outcome.

Force yourself to exercise daily. Exercise balances the release of neurotransmitters to the brain, stimulates the cardiovascular system, reduces stress and increases overall health and vitality. Just the fact that you accomplish sticking to an exercise program will lift your self-esteem and be a vital step in overcoming your depression.

Change your diet. Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, fried foods, fatty foods, sugar, white bread, white flour and other yeast feeding items from your diet. Eliminate junk food and foods high in saturated fats. Make sure you get sufficient protein and complex carbohydrates. Poor diet interferes with the correct balance of neurotransmitters. Avoid red meat and pork. Chicken, turkey and fish are fine as long as they are lean and not fried.

People who are depressed often have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Ensure that you take a good B-complex vitamin -- with B3, B6 and B12 -- each day. High doses of buffered vitamin C (3500mg a day and up) also seems to help, as does choline, inositol, lecithin, Gerovital H3, L tyrosine, aslavitol, megavital, calcium, magnesium, and chromium has also helped my patients.

Other supplements and herbs known for helping with depression are evening primrose oil, black currant oil, bee pollen, kava kava, St. John's Wort, passionflower, ginseng, ginko biloba and gotu kola. We treat all of our patients with a homeopathic constitutional remedy, which always helps. If you are placed on a constitutional homeopathic remedy, make sure you check with your homeopathic physician to see if any of these herbs will decrease the effectiveness of the remedy. Generally, anything with camphor, caffeine, nicotine and mint will adversely affect a homeopathic remedy.

Other recommendations are to eat fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, as well as soybeans and their byproducts. Diets too low in complex carbohydrates cause a deficiency in serotonin levels, increasing the risk of depression. Avoid Tyrosine and dairy products if you are taking an MAO inhibitor. They may cause high blood pressure. Have your blood sugar checked. Hypoglycemia has been linked with depression and many other psychological problems. Avoid oral contraceptives and steroids if you suffer from depression. Studies have shown that they may decrease serotonin levels in the brain. Above all, keep your mind and body active and get plenty of rest. Avoid stress as much as possible. Find an outlet for the stress that you do encounter."

The Difference Between Normal Stress And Depression

Article by Sandi Busch in eHow online magazine

      Stress is the tension that results from our daily interaction with the world. Our bodies are equipped with a natural physiological mechanism called the "Fight or Flight" response. Its purpose is to give the body the energy it needs to face the stressful situation. To do this the body automatically increases the heart rate along with the blood supply to the heart and brain, makes more glucose available for quick energy, and breathing becomes more rapid. All of these responses are caused by hormones that return to normal levels once the stress goes away. If stress remains high, the hormone levels stay up and the physiological responses continue to the point where they begin to cause physical damage.

    The stress response is a physical reaction that impacts your entire body. Symptoms can be physical, emotional, and behavioral. You may experience headaches, an upset stomach, chest pain, high blood pressure, problems sleeping, and heart palpitations. The range of emotional responses includes worry, anxiety, sadness, anger, forgetfulness, and loss of concentration. Common behavioral symptoms are eating too much or too little, crying, social isolation, angry meltdowns, and abuse of drugs or alcohol.

     Depression is a biochemical imbalance that causes a significant change in mood. The nerve cells in the brain communicate with one another by using chemicals called neurotransmitters. Some of these chemicals play a major role in maintaining moods, so if they are not available in adequate amounts, the result is depression.

      The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states that the symptoms of depression must be present nearly every day for two weeks and they must be severe enough to impact your ability to function. The key symptoms are low energy and a loss of interest in your normal activities. Your appetite may change, you may gain or lose weight, and sleep may become either excessive or impossible. Depression can cause agitation, affect your ability to concentrate, and result in thoughts of death or suicide.

       Stress and depression share some of the same symptoms. Both are also rooted in biochemical responses, but they operate using different chemical pathways. Stress serves a legitimate purpose; depression doesn't. Mild to moderate stress can be managed with purposeful relaxation and lifestyle changes. Depression can be helped with cognitive therapy, but it frequently needs medication to restore chemical balance. Prolonged stress can ultimately result in very serious physical illnesses including a weakened immune system and heart disease. Eating too much or too little during depression or stress will also cause health issues. Depression also has severe consequences as it interrupts personal relationships, interferes with job performance, and causes physical deterioration through lack of care. The differences end when prolonged stress causes depression.

What is our conclusion about depression?can it be cure?

So,depression is something that very serious.It can happen to anyone,maybe you or me.Depression cannot be cure but maybe it can be avoid.For the children, a sure shot way to prevent depression amongst children is to make the parents aware. If the parents are understanding and open with their children, there is no way that children can fall into the trap of depression. That said children too need to understand and move according to the situation at home. For the adult they need someone that can be trust and to be story of any problem. That is one of the way to avoid depression.

There is no medication for depression.They cannot be cure by eat pills or take them to hospital. Talk therapy is a method which helps the patient to open up. The only cure for depression is to have a person in your life with whom you can share each and everything, down to the last detail. But till the youth really understands their duty and responsibility in society, maybe they will continue to suffer from depression.So,we must help them who in depression, don't make them more stress because it may effect them and they will act out of their mind.(~_~)

How do people who have depression look like?

If a person having several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just won’t go away, they may be suffering from clinical depression.

•  can’t sleep or  sleep too much
•  can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
•  feel hopeless and helpless
•  can’t control their negative thoughts, no matter how much they try
•  have lost their appetite or they can’t stop eating
•  are much more irritable and short-tempered than usual have thoughts that life is not worth living (Seek help immediately if in this case)

Common signs and symptoms of depression

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• Loss of interest in daily activities.  No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Irritability or restlessness. Feeling agitated, restless, or on edge. Your tolerance level is low; everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

What Is Depression?

Article by Nan Little in Insight Journal

Depression is a disorder that can seriously affect the body, mood, and thoughts of a person experiencing this sometimes debilitating disease. It can permeate every aspect of life, disturbing a person’s ability to eat, sleep, think, and function. Depression is not the same as being a little sad or blue over a specific event. The feelings associated with Depression are persistent and chronic, and the person suffering with Depression cannot simply pull themselves out of the way that they are feeling.

The symptoms associated with Depression include:

§    Persistent sad or “empty” mood.

§    A feeling of negativity, pessimism or hopelessness.

§    Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.

§    Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed.

§    Feelings of fatigue or being “slowed down.”

§    Trouble concentrating, staying focused or making decisions.

§    Feelings of restlessness or irritability.

§    Loss of appetite and weight or increased appetite and weight gain

§    Difficulty managing mood swings

§    Avoidance of family members and friends

§    Insomnia and/or oversleeping.

§    Thoughts of death or suicide.

There are different types of depression. Major (Clinical) Depression is characterized by a combination of the above symptoms that are severe enough to impair the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy life. Some people may experience an episode of Major Depression only once, but many experience several over the course of a lifetime.

Dysthymia is less severe than a Major Depressive episode. This form of Depression involves long-term, chronic manifestations of the above symptoms in way that does not completely disable the sufferer but still keeps them from functioning well or enjoying life.

Bipolar Disorder involves a cycle of mood changes from excessive highs to equally excessive lows. A person with Bipolar Disorder may experience a Manic phase during which they feel “on top of the world,” followed by a Major Depressive episode. Other common forms of depression include mood disorder, post-partum depression and cyclothemia.

Youngsters easily to get depression.Why?

According to my research,youngsters are very easily to get depression because of many factors such as studies,love,parents,family problem,freinds and many more. Youngsters include a children from 5 to 18 and teenagers from 18 to 25 years old. This show that depression can happen in any age. Depression actually come from the stress that people had. According to a research from Institute of Social Research at University of Michigan found that out of eight thousand high school students and people in early twenties, nearly two third felt stressed out at least once a week.Mostly because of their studies. Here are one of the case that i get from Health Hazard website.

"Shiv had become a loner. He performed well in school but couldn’t pass college. He couldn’t befriend his new classmates who were a year younger than him. He rarely talked to anyone and remained aloof at home. He tried slicing his wrist once. This sent alarming signals to his parents who took him to a specialist."

This show youngsters can have depression because of studies. Other than studies,main factor that make youngsters get depression is  relationships. Relationships can be any, family, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. It would be an understatement to say that all of these form a very important part of a young person’s life. And if any of these relationships are strained, it is a major blow for the person, and depression becomes inevitable. Marital disputes or divorce in parents results in major stress for children as well.

Other than this two factors,last factors that make youngsters depression is peer pressure. Financial problems at home can be another major issue for children to be stressed about. In today’s brand conscious world, it has become almost a necessity for teenagers to be covered in brands from head to toe. And surely this requires hard cash. If the financial situation of the parents doesn’t allow this, and if the peer group they associate with is all brand-obsessed, it could result in some serious depression for the child.All this information I get from Voice Of Youth of Health..(~_~)

What happen recently?

TUESDAY, Dec. 14 (HealthDay News) — Babies born to mothers who are depressed during pregnancy have higher levels of stress hormones, decreased muscle tone and other neurological and behavioral differences, a new study finds.
“The two possibilities are that [the infants] are either more sensitive to stress and respond more vigorously to it, or that they are less able to shut down their stress response,” lead investigator Dr. Delia M. Vazquez, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, said in a school news release.

The study included 154 pregnant women, over the age of 20, whose depressive symptoms were assessed at 28, 32 and 37 weeks of pregnancy and again when they gave birth. Umbilical cord blood samples were taken at birth to measure stress hormone levels. At two weeks, the infants underwent neurobehavioral tests to assess their motor skills and responses to stimuli and stress.

Up to one in five women experiences depression during pregnancy, and post-partum depression is also a common complication, according to the background material in the study. The researchers urged that pregnant women showing symptoms of depression contact a therapist.