Psychiatrists Propose Revisions to Diagnosis Manual: Health experts are taking a fresh look at how some mental illnesses are diagnosed. Planned revisions to the field of psychiatry's primary manual would be the first in a decade.

Watch the video and read the transcript at Psychiatrists Propose Revisions to Diagnosis Manual | PBS NewsHour | Feb. 10, 2010 | PBS

Always feeling under the weather? Always not in the mood to be around others and have a good time? If you’re suffering from prolonged sadness for quite some time now, you should face these bouts of depression and get yourself diagnosed by a psychiatrist, they’re doctors who can actually help you out with your problem.

Depression or prolonged sadness is actually quite common in the United States, around 9.5 percent of the American population actually suffer from this illness, however, not all of them get to be treated, thus, depression and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to some individuals. This illness may seem quite simple to treat but in reality, it takes more than a little cheering up to actually cure depression.

Visits to a cognitive behavior therapist is a must as well as taking the prescribed medicines that the doctor will ask the patient to take – none of these exactly come cheap, but the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of depression is enough reason already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on.

Depression sometimes can easily get in the way of an individual’s daily activities and his or her’s normal functions, one’s zest for life can quickly and easily dissipate due to depression.

People who may be suffering from depression actually exhibit or show each and every kind of symptom of depression that doctors will tell you that depressed people have. Sometimes it’s actually quite easy to overlook such symptoms and not be able to help one’s self or others who are suffering from depression for that matter.

There are a lot of symptoms of depression that depressed people may actually posses but they don’t have to suffer from each and every one of them before you help them get diagnosed and be treated for this illness. Also, since symptoms of depression actually vary, the time of their "attacks" varies as well.

Here are some common examples of symptoms of depression:

Prolonged period of sadness or not feeling "up to it,"  people who are always feeling not in the mood, who’d rather mope around the house and feel sorry for one’s self is the best example for this symptom of depression.

Feels hopeless, perennial pessimist: speaking of feeling sorry for one’s self, another common symptom of depression is when a person actually feels like he/she has nothing to look forward to in his or her life. As for being the perennial pessimist, those who show this symptom of depression are usually very negative about things, again, the feeling of hopelessness comes in to mind.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Broadcast: 27/01/2010

Reporter: Bronwyn Herbert

Transcript

KERRY O'BRIEN, PRESENTER: The announcement of prominent mental health reformer Professor Patrick McGorry as Australian of the Year has brought fresh focus on the tough issue of mental health. His appointment brings hope to those pushing for an overhaul of the present mental health system, such as the family of Justin Berkhout, who was forced to wait more than 20 hours for treatment at a NSW regional hospital before he took his own life in 2007.

The state's deputy coroner has blamed a lack of beds for mental health patients as a factor in the young man's suicide.

While one in seven Australians suffer some form of mental health illness, experts say the revolving door of paints in and out of the hospital system highlights a chronic shortfall of community care. Bronwyn Herbert reports.

Go now to read the full transcipt and watch the segment: The 7.30 Report - ABC

David Crosbie, CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), told the

Speaking about how best under resourced services can prevent suicide, Mr Crosbie said emergency departments around the country are spilling over with patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses.

Mr Crosbie pointed to statistics showing that out of over 75,000 people who sought mental health treatment in NSW hospital emergency departments in 2006, only 22,000 were admitted.

The Mental Health Conference Funding Program is receiving applications for the latest funding round.
Limited financial assistance is available for organisation’s holding Conferences or Events with a strong mental health and/or suicide prevention focus. Funding is available for conferences being held between now and 28 February 2011.

Submitted applications will be accepted until 5.00pm on 12 March 2010

Go now to: Mental Health Council of Australia - MHCA

The Governor of New South Wales officially opened the $16 million Youth Mental Health building at the University's Brain & Mind Research Institute (BMRI).

The new facility, which has been funded by the NSW State Government and the University of Sydney, provides 15 clinical and research suites, group rooms and youth-appropriate facilities for those aged 12-25 years. This will support over 30 clinicians and allied research teams including GPs, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and vocational and education support workers.

Due to its inclusion within the Brain & Mind Research Institute, young people will benefit from access not only to high quality clinical services but also cutting edge brain imaging facilities, neuropsychological assessment, chronobiology and sleep assessment facilities.

Go now to: Brain and Mind Research Institute- The University of Sydney

Christmas holidays are usually thought of as the time of year to relax and forget about the pressures of the year.

For many, the festive season can also be a time of increased stress, overwhelming pressure, disappointment, or loneliness.

Clinical Adviser to beyondblue: the National Depression initiative, Associate Professor Michael Baigent, says some people may be particularly susceptible to triggers for depression and anxiety during the holiday period.
 
Dr Baigent says there are ways to recognise the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in yourself or someone else early.
 

An extract from an article on Mental Moments

I am a firm believer that the mental health of a person is just as important as their physical health. I guess I believe this so strongly because I have seen the affects of someone not caring about the state of their mental health. By mental health I am not referring to the serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or any of the other very serious issues people often face.

The new issue of the Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) is a special issue, focusing on 'emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents'.

Editorial: On therapist despair (Graham Martin, Editor in Chief).

Guest editorial: Keeping promotion and prevention on the agenda in mental health: Issues and challenges (Jennie Parham).

Guest editorial: Towards a comprehensive national early intervention program for children with mental health problems (Lyn Littlefield).

Early intervention for preschoolers with behaviour problems: Preliminary findings for the Exploring Together Preschool Program (Kate Reid, Lyn Littlefield and Sabine Hammond).

Evaluation of Parents and Adolescents Communicating Together (PACT): a conflict resolution program (Michelle Soltys and Lyn Littlefield).

A preliminary evaluation of the Confident Kids Program – a stand alone component of the Exploring Together Program (Margot Trinder, Michelle Soltys and Susie Burke).

A preliminary evaluation of the Together Parenting Program – a stand alone component of the Exploring Together Program (Susie Burke, Michelle Soltys and Margot Trinder).

Ngaripirliga’ajirri: The implementation of Exploring Together on the Tiwi Islands (Gary Robinson and William Tyler).

Source: Disability News - Infoxchange Australia

Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health