Wednesday, August 26, 2015

認識抑鬱症 Depression

抑鬱症患者常感到迷失、 憤怒、 悲傷、 或沮喪,對日常生活一些喜歡做的事情都失去興趣。雖然每個人都有時會感到悲傷,抑鬱症的持續時間會更長,嚴重干擾你的日常生活。

抑鬱症的主要類型包括:

重度抑鬱症 Major depression:患病期至少2周,有些患者病情長達20個星期。

輕度憂鬱症 Dysthymia: 一種長期但比較輕微的抑鬱症。症狀類似重度抑鬱但比較輕微。輕度抑鬱症患者轉化為重度抑鬱的風險較大。

非典型抑鬱症。不同于那些重度抑鬱症患者,患有非典型抑鬱症的人當遇到一些開心的事情心情會有所改善,但這僅僅能維持一段時間。此外,非典型抑鬱症患者的症狀與重度抑鬱症也有所不同。儘管稱呼為非典型,這種反而是抑鬱症中的最常見的類型。

適應障礙:當某人的生活發生重大悲劇事件,例如痛失愛人,所導致的抑鬱症狀。

其他常見的抑鬱症包括: 產後抑鬱症、 經前緊張症 (PDD)、 季節性情感障礙 (SAD) 和雙相情感障礙。

抑鬱症成因

沒有人知道到底是什麼導致抑鬱症。目前我們知道抑鬱症患者的大腦化學物質(稱為神經遞質)的水平與常人有異,包括 5-羥色胺(血清素)、 多巴胺和去甲腎上腺素的水平異常。

運動與抑鬱症

研究表明,經常運動,無論帶氧運動、高強度運動或柔韌性訓練,都有助輕度到中度抑鬱患者舒緩症狀。

藥物治療

抗抑鬱藥能有效治療抑鬱症,不過你可能要嘗試幾個不同的藥物後才會找到最適合的那種。一般情況下,抗抑鬱藥需連續服用至少4到6個月。大多數藥物需要連續服用2-4星期後才開始見效,並可能需要長達12周的治療期這些藥物才能充分發揮它們的功效。

服用補充劑有助於減輕抑鬱症狀:

SAMe(s-腺苷-L-蛋氨酸) 是身體產生的一種物質,能有助提高腦部多巴胺水平。一些研究表明SAMe可以緩解輕度到中度抑鬱,其效果能媲美某些處方抗抑鬱藥。

5-HTP (5-色氨酸、5-羥基色氨酸) 可能有助於提高大腦中的血清素水平。5-色氨酸是血清素的前體,意味著你的身體將輕鬆地將它轉化為血清素。

魚油或磷蝦油蘊含奧米加-3非飽和脂肪酸,可能有助於緩解抑鬱症的症狀。

維他命B6有助婦女紓解經前緊張症。

研究表明,患有嚴重抑鬱症者血液中鎂的濃度比較低。補充礦物質鎂或有助緩解抑鬱症狀。

其他一些研究發現有抑鬱症患者可能血液中葉酸、 維他命 B12 或維他命 D的濃度偏低。

草本補充劑

草藥可以強化和調理體質。

聖約翰草 (貫葉連翹) 標準化提取物,能為輕度到中度抑鬱患者改善症狀。聖約翰草用於治療抑鬱得到廣泛研究。大多數研究表明對於輕度至中度抑鬱聖約翰草與抗抑鬱藥治療效果相若。但需留意,患者或需連續服用4-6周才會感受到明顯改善。

藏紅花 (番紅花 ) 標準化提取物或有助於緩解抑鬱症。

近期研究發現薑黃素的抗抑鬱功效與西藥氟西汀 (百憂解)一樣有效,重度抑鬱症患者提別適合服用薑黃素。建議每日服用 1,000毫克薑黃素。

銀杏葉標準化提取物,每日三次,每次40至80毫克,有助長者有效對抗抑鬱。研究人員認為,銀杏或有助腦部更好地應對血清素的作用,緩解老年抑鬱症。

香氛療法,或使用精油按摩療法也可能有助於治療抑鬱症。香氛療法的主要作用是令人放鬆。用於抑鬱症的精油包括:薰衣草、羅勒、橙、檀香、檸檬、茉莉花、鼠尾草、洋甘菊、薄荷與及迷迭香。


Depression is when feelings of loss, anger, sadness, or frustration make it hard for you to do the things you enjoy in everyday life. Although everyone feels sad sometimes, depression lasts longer and interferes with your daily life.

The primary types of depression include:

    Major depression. A person must be depressed for at least 2 weeks, but often for as long as 20 weeks.
    Dysthymia. A long-lasting, less severe form of depression. Symptoms are like those of major depression but more mild. People with dysthymia have an greater risk of major depression.
    Atypical depression. Unlike those with major depression, people with atypical depression can feel better for a period of time when something good happens. In addition, people with atypical depression have different symptoms than those with major depression. Despite its name, atypical depression may be the most common type of depression.
    Adjustment disorder. Happens when someone's response to a major life event, such as the death of a loved one, causes symptoms of depression.

Other common forms of depression include: Postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and bipolar disorder.

Causes

No one knows exactly what causes depression. People with depression may have abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Exercise

Studies show that regular exercise, either aerobic or strength and flexibility training, can reduce depression in people with mild-to-moderate depression.

Medications

Antidepressant medications can work well in treating depression, although you may have to try a few different medications to find the one that works best for you. In general, antidepressants are taken for at least 4 to 6 months. Most medications take 2 to 4 weeks to start working, and may take up to 12 weeks for their full effects to kick in.

The following supplements may help reduce symptoms:

    SAMe (s-adenosyl-L-methionine) is a substance your body makes that may raise levels of the brain chemical dopamine. Some of the studies suggest SAMe can help relieve mild-to-moderate depression and may work faster than prescription antidepressants.

    5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) may help raise serotonin levels in the brain. 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, meaning your body changes it to serotonin.

    Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, may help relieve symptoms of depression.

    Vitamin B6, for women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
 
    Research shows that people with major depression have less magnesium in their bloodstream than those who aren’t depressed. People may experience relief from depressive symptoms by simply taking magnesium.

    Other studies have found that some people with depression may have low levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, or vitamin D.

Herbs

Herbs may strengthen and tone the body's systems.

    St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) standardized extract, for mild-to-moderate depression. St. John's wort has been studied extensively for depression. Most studies show it works as well as antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression.  It may take 4 to 6 weeks before you see any improvement.

    Saffron (Crocus satvius) standardized extract, may help relieve depression.
 
    Curcumin was shown in a recent study to be as effective as the antidepressant medication fluoxetine (Prozac) in patients with major depressive disorder. Patients who took 1,000 millgrams (mg) of curcumin per day fared as well as those who took 20 mg of fluoxetine.

    Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) standardized extract, 40 to 80 mg, 3 times daily, for depression. Researchers thought that it might relieve depression in older adults by helping their brains respond better to serotonin.

Aromatherapy, or using essential oils in massage therapy, may also help treat depression. Aromatherapy seems to work because it helps people relax. Essential oils used for depression include:

    Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
    Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
    Orange (Citrus aurantium)
    Sandalwood (Santalum album)
    Lemon (Citrus limonis)
    Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
    Sage (Salvia officinalis)
    Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
    Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
    Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

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