11. Women are more likely to inherit depression

By Tom O'Connell

Women have a far greater tendency than men to suffer from depression, according to The Journal of Addiction and Mental Health (JAMH), published by Toronto's  Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Here are some thought-provoking highlights from this excellent publication:

* WOMEN MORE LIKELY TO INHERIT DEPRESSION--"Not only are women almost twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, women may also be at greater risk of inheriting the disease...researchers examined risk factors of major depressive disorder in 2,662 pairs of Australian twins. While environmental factors were found to play a large role in the development of depression in both sexes, women are more likely to inherit depression, and to have more depression in their families."--Archives of General Psychiatry

* DEPRESSION AND EXERCISE--"A 1990 analysis of more than 80 U.S. studies found that regular exercise was as effective as psychotherapy in treating depression. Dr. Hanifa Menen, a Toronto naturopathic doctor, explains that endurance exercise, such as walking or cycling, encourages the release of endorphins, the body's natural antidepressants. Doing anaerobic exercise, such as weightlifting or stretching, can help people to relax and gain a sense of control. These exercises center people and make them responsible for their own health. Part of the ideology is that people who feel out of control suffer partly from a feeling of helplessness. This may be relieved if they can regain control by exercise."

--Cindy McGlynn, JAMH

* MARITAL BLISS AND MARITAL MISS--"In the first 10 years of marriage, couples can expect two sets of decline in marital quality, one in the early years of marriage, and one at about the eighth year, according to psychologist Lawrence A. Kurdek. In a study spanning 10 years--originally 522 couples, and by the end 93 couples, filled out identical surveys each year, demonstrating a decline after the initial honeymoon period, and a second decline around the 'seven-year itch.'"--Developmental Psychology

* PERSONALITY AND GAMBLING--"A moderate amount of alcohol does not influence risky gambling choices, although certain personality traits do...High sensation seekers seem to take greater risks in trying to avoid losses at the hope of larger gains, but expose themselves to the prospect of a larger loss."--Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

* SMOKERS AND DRINKERS SHARE GENETIC VULNERABILITY--"Results from a study of 3,356 male twins indicate that people inherit at least some of their tendency to become addicted to both alcohol and nicotine. This inherited tendency may explain why drinking and smoking so often occur together."--Archives of General Psychiatry  

* EXORCISM THERAPY--"The British government plans to recognize exorcism of evil spirits as a legitimate intervention in the treatment of mental illness....The report encourages doctors to respect the religious beliefs of their clients and to not summarily dismiss such accounts as seeing visions or speaking in tongues as signs of mental illness."

--Health Education Authority  

* BODY-MIND CONNECTION--"The principle that the mind and body are inextricably linked is intrinsic to alternative approaches to rehabilitation. For example, to implement the 'one day at a time' philosophy of 12-step programs, stress therapists teach specific, simple and immediately effective 'attentional control' techniques for stilling the mind and stopping habitual thought patterns so that staying in the present is possible... Biofeedback is an immediate way for people to learn about the mind-body link.... Nutritional therapy is another area that must be tailored to the individual. Addicts are commonly malnourished and suffer suppressed immune systems, increasing the possibility of chronic diseases later in life....Alternative therapies are expensive....some treatment centres are actually reverting to the 12-step model, relying on such programs as Alcoholics and Cocaine Anonymous to provide free after-care for clients."--Celene Adams, JAMH  

* COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES--"Complementary therapies are used by 20 to 30 percent of North Americans. Each year, North Americans spend more than $11 billion for herbal, naturopathic and chiropractic therapies not covered by health insurance ...the complementary medicine industry is estimated to be growing at a rate of 20 percent annually....For addictions, alternatives such as acupuncture and biofeedback have been found to be particularly helpful....Other techniques, such as yoga and meditation, help to calm the body and relax the mind, replicating effects people have sought through drugs or alcohol, without the negative effects of ingesting chemicals." --Diana Ballon, JAMH

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