Category: United States

Recognizing the Subtle Signs of Depression in Men

What is Depression

Depression is a mental illness. It is outlined in the DSM with specific criteria that must be met in order to receive the diagnosis. Although depression is often used interchangeably with the word sadness, it is very different. Depression does not necessarily depend upon circumstances and is persistent, even when life is good. Depression can be tricky and can present a bit differently between men and women. This article will focus on general symptoms of depression. As well as those more common in men.

Depression Symptoms

When first recognized, clinical depression was seen as a women’s disease. The truth is that both sexes suffer from depression. The problem is that many men go untreated because of the feeling that depression tends to be a ‘female problem’.

The common symptoms of depression include weight loss or gain and changes in appetite when the person is not trying to diet. It’s also common experiencing Insomnia or hypersomnia, and fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day. Common symptoms also include psychomotor agitation or retardation, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and an impaired ability to think that occurs almost daily. Some may also have recurrent thoughts of death or suicide with or without a plan. These are the most common of symptoms and what physicians tend to look for when first diagnosing. It is fully possible that men and women alike can have these symptoms, but for men the list is a bit different.

What are Depression Symptoms in Men

Men experience emotional issues differently from women, this often includes depression symptoms. Men are more likely to feel very irritable or tired. They are also more likely to lose interest in things such as work, family, and hobbies. Some may also have difficulty sleeping, worrying about even minor issues. Men may also show extreme symptoms in other areas. You may notice excessively overeating or not eating at all, sleeping too much or not at all, and have difficulty concentrating. They may also complain of feeling very tired with feelings of irritability, hopelessness, and even anger being prominent. Men may also be more prone to suicidal thoughts, as well as somatic complaints like aches and pains, headaches, or even digestive issues.

Treatment

Though the symptomology may vary slightly between men and women, the treatment is more or less the same. Typical treatment involves medication and psychotherapy, but lifestyle changes can also help. For mild depression, daily exercise can help tremendously. This does not have to be extreme, but getting up and out and moving around can be helpful. Improved eating habits, meaning healthy choices, as well as a specific sleep routine with set bedtimes and awake times can also be beneficial. While these simple changes may not alleviate all symptoms of depression, they are a step in the right direction in the case of mild symptoms.

Beyond lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, behavioral or talk therapy, can also be helpful. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown effective for depression, as has problem solving therapy to deal with basic life stressors. Medication may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms, but should not be considered a cure all as daily changes and therapy are also often needed. Finally, in severe cases, especially those in which the person is suicidal, hospitalization may be necessary until the person has reached a better frame of mind.

Whether man or woman, depression is real and can wreak havoc in a person’s life and overall well-being. If you or a loved one is showing signs and symptoms, seek help. There is never shame in asking for help when it is needed and can change your life for the better.

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Sadness or Depression: What’s the Difference?

Sadness Defined

Everyone gets sad. This is a fact of life. Everyone will feel down at some point. Unfortunately, the terms depression and sadness are often used interchangeably these days. The fact remains, depression and sadness are not the same. There are distinct characteristics that make one an emotion and the other a mental health issue. The confusion between the two can mean that the serious condition of depression is ignored by many.

Sadness is, as mentioned, a normal human emotion. Sadness is often triggered by an event that is hurtful, difficult, disappointing, or even challenging. When sadness comes it is typically about something specific. Fortunately, this also means that when something changes in that situation. The emotion changes and sadness is alleviated.

Depression Defined

Depression is different from sadness as it is an abnormal emotional state. This is a mental illness that can affect emotions, perceptions, thinking, and even behaviors. Depression means feeling sad about everything, not a specific circumstance. A certain trigger, a loss or change, is not necessary to bring about depression. Even those with diagnosed depression will often tell you that their lives are fine, or even great, but the feeling of sadness persists.

Depression has the unfortunate ability to color all areas of life. This makes everything, even enjoyable activities, less interesting, worthwhile, and lovable. Depression can alter energy levels and motivation while impairing the ability to experience pleasure, satisfaction, and joy among others. It can also quickly lead to a lower threshold for other emotions. Meaning you get angry or frustrated quicker, leading to a breakdown that may take longer to recover from than someone without depression.

Depression Diagnosed

Since sadness is normal, yet depression is a mental illness, there are criteria that must be met to receive the diagnosis of depression. There are several, but at least five must be met in order to consider depression over sadness. These include: a depressed or irritable mood most of the time; a loss or decrease of pleasure or interest in most activities; significant changes in appetite or weight; sleeping disturbances (more or less); feeling slowed down or restless most days; tired or having low energy most days; worthless or guilty most days; problems with focus, thinking, and concentration most days; and thoughts of dying or suicide. Not only should at least five of these be present, but the level to which they are felt must be ascertained. It can be scary to receive a diagnosis of depression, especially if it is severe, but help is available.

Getting Help

If you have received a diagnosis of depression or suspect you or a loved one may have depression then seek treatment. Without some form of treatment, depression can become worse and lead down a dangerous path. While not everyone with depression attempts suicide, it is a possibility if left untreated. A more likely possibility is that the depression will take over and life will not be lived, but simply survived. Medication and talk therapy can help. Seek help if you need it, DARA can help, just make the call.

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Oxycodone and Hydrocodone: What’s the Difference?

What is Oxycodone and Hydrocodone

Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are medications that are commonly discussed in the news. While they are often touted for their effectiveness on pain by doctors, they are often heard of due to their highly addictive properties. Unfortunately, both of these things are true. Those who suffer from chronic pain have a need of medications that can alleviate pain. However medications such as these are highly addictive and often misused. This is a well known problem, but no real solutions have yet to be found. While alternative medications do exist, they are often not as effective in pain management. Given that oxycodone and hydrocodone are common and serve the same purpose, what is the difference?

The Differences

Oxycodone abuse can be devastating to you and your family members. Oxycodone is commonly sold under the names OxyContin, Troxyca, or Percocet. These indicate the delivery method as controlled release or mixed with acetaminophen or naltrexone. The active ingredient originates with thebaine. Thebaine is synthesized from poppy plants. One side effect is a euphoric feeling, which can easily lead to abuse.

Hydrocodone comes from codeine. This is an opiate and is associated with the opium poppy. It is commonly prescribed as Vicodin or Damason-P which is mixed with acetaminophen or aspirin respectively. It is also possible to mix this with expectorants when it is given for persistent cough. Hydrocodone can also act on the brain’s pain receptors to basically rewrite the brain’s chemistry. This will lead to a euphoric feeling. Creating a higher likelihood of abuse.

Both drugs are considered at the heart of the opioid crisis. This is a problem, because although they are effective, the rate of abuse is extremely high. This happens because a tolerance is built up so quickly and more medication is required to achieve both the feeling and pain relief. As more is taken, the brain’s chemistry is further altered. Creating a vicious cycle in which the Dopamine release in the brain becomes dependent on the actual drug.

How to Stop

If you or a loved one has an addiction to pain killers, even if they were prescribed for pain, then help is available. The downfall to stopping is that you may initially feel very depressed. This may happen as the drug works its way out of your system. The brain must relearn to produce Dopamine on its own. This is why it is important to talk to a substance abuse counselor. A therapist who specializes in substance abuse can offer you different options. One option is detoxification, which may be intense for heavy users. Another option is a pain recovery program. There is also individual and group therapy, as well as holistic treatments are available too if you are interested.

There is no shame in seeking help for an addiction to either of these medications. Whether the medications were originally prescribed for chronic pain or you stumbled upon them while using other substances, help is readily available. DARA is one place that can offer such help, especially through the detoxification process. If you suspect you have a problem or know you do, make a call and get the help you deserve.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Benzodiazepines and Alcohol.

What are Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, once known as ‘Mother’s Little Helper’ are tranquilizers. Becoming common in the 1960s, these are a class of prescription medications. They are commonly referred to as Benzos. Benzos so common now that they are one of the most prescribed and abused forms of tranquilizers.

Benzos do serve a purpose. They are commonly prescribed for many conditions, but they can also be highly addictive. Treated conditions include anxiety, seizures, insomnia, and even muscle tension. Benzos are also used to relax someone prior to surgery or other medical procedures. They act on the central nervous system to reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and lead to sedation. Benzos come in both short and long acting forms. They fall under the common names of Versed, Halcion, Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and even Librium. They are abused for their sedating effect and often taken without a prescription. While Benzos alone do not typically lead to devastating consequences, when mixed with something such as alcohol the effects can be deadly.

Benzodiazepines and Alcohol

Alcohol is also a commonly abused drug. It generally provides a depressant to the central nervous system when used in large quantities. The problem is that amount may vary from person to person. When alcohol is consumed with other drugs or medication, the combination of the two can be deadly. This is true of a common combination, Benzodiazepines and alcohol. Combining the two often intensifies the effects of at least one of the drugs. Many who use both feel that mixing prescription drugs with a legal substance such as alcohol is safer. Additionally, those with prescriptions to Benzodiazepines may find it much easier to obtain alcohol. This can happen during parties, or simply buying it as an appropriately aged adult. Some studies also show that those with alcohol abuse problems experience enhanced effects from Benzodiazepines. Even more so than those that occasionally drink with the medications.

Risks

The risks of pairing these two are varied, but each is dangerous. In fact, there is a warning on all benzos not to combine them with alcohol. Abusing the two substances together is much more problematic than having an addiction to either one singularly, though any addiction is a problem. One major concern is overdose. When someone mixes two central nervous system depressants, there is a risk of overdose on both. This happens due to the system being overly depressed. If overdose occurs there can be major organ failure, breathing suppression, and death. This can occur with a minimal amounts of alcohol when paired with Benzos.

Additionally, reductions in both cognition and physical reactions have been noted. This is dangerous as the person may be unable to think or respond clearly or effectively. Imagine trying to drive when on both substances. Stop lights are easily ignored, and even no reactions to unexpected objects on the road. Your overall ability is impaired. Continued use of the pairings can also cause an increase in mental health disorders. There is also a risk for long term physical conditions that include heart attack, stroke, seizures, and even suicidal tendencies. Most of all, mixing any forms of medication, especially alcohol and Benzos can produce unpredictable effects. There is no way to know what the first or next combination can do to the body. It is better to be safe and use Benzos responsibly.

Treatment

If you have been mixing Benzos and alcohol, or have an addiction to any substance, then seek help right away. DARA offers numerous centers around the world that are just a call away. Your life is worth saving and your condition worth treating. So pick up the phone and change the world for you or your loved one.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Oxycodone vs. Hydrocodone.

Narcotic painkillers are often in the news these days. While some feel doctors over-prescribe, some people need such strong medications to deal with chronic intense pain. It seems there should be a happy medium, but one has not yet been found. Two medications that are both commonly prescribed and recognizable by name are oxycodone and hydrocodone. Both narcotics are prescribed for chronic pain management. What is the difference in these two drugs and is one superior to the other? Read on to learn more.

Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a prescription medication that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. This medication comes in extended release tablets and capsules. Treats those who need pain medication around the clock and cannot be served by other pain medication types. Oxycodone is often available with a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen for added effectiveness.

Though there are reasons to use oxycodone, there are also side effects. Common side effects include dry mouth, stomach pain, drowsiness, headache, mood changes, and flushing of the skin. Worse side effects and those that can be seen with abuse or overdose. You can expect changes in heartbeat, agitation, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, sexual disfunction, rash, itching, and swelling of the face or extremities. Overdose symptoms may also include slowed breathing, weak muscles, and loss of consciousness. The medication Naloxone can stop the effects of Oxycodone by blocking the medication. However, if Naloxone is used, 911 was be called immediately.

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is also a narcotic used to relieve severe pain. It is used in much the same way as Oxycodone for those who need around the clock pain relief and cannot use other medications. Hydrocodone, much like Oxycodone comes in tablet or capsule form. It can be combined with other medications such as acetaminophen. Also like Oxycodone, this medication has a host of side effects. Side effects include stomach pain, tiredness headaches, ringing in the ears, muscle tightening, and foot, ankle, or leg swelling. More serious side effects include chest pain, hallucinations, nausea, loss of appetite, and weakness, as well as difficulty swallowing or breathing. Naloxone can also be used to treat an overdose of Hydrocodone.

Which is Best

There are a lot of similarities between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. With so many similarities being good and bad. However, which is the best when treating pain?

If your dealing with chronic pain, anything that offers relief would be considered effective. However, some studies show that Oxycodone is about 1.5 times stronger than Hydrocodone when used in combination with acetaminophen. Unfortunately, the stronger effectiveness makes it more likely to cause addiction. While both described drugs are highly addictive, anything with extra strength makes the probability of addiction even stronger. So the honest answer is that neither of these medications are extremely safe. While their use may be prescribed and in some cases necessary, they can be dangerous to the user.

Seeking Help

If you take and have become addicted to your prescription of Oxycodone or Hydrocodone, seek help. These are not medications that can be stopped cold turkey, nor should they be continued not monitored. Help can be found at centers such as DARA for any addiction. Whether to a prescription medication or otherwise. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if needed, you are worth the effort.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.