If a mother has depression and anxiety, then, their babies will have 25% chance of developing depression. When mother and father both have depressive disorders, then their is 50% chance of causing depression in their newborns.Depression is the most common mental disorder worldwide and is caused by variety of factors which are:Brain Changes: Structural changes in the brain areas like hippocampus, that is important for memory can cause imbalance in the chemicals like serotonin, dopamine that can lead to symptoms of depression.Genetics: Studies show that if a mother has depression and anxiety, their babies have a 25% chance of also having depression. If both parents have depression, the chance for their babies to have depression increases to 50%.Hormones: Depression is also caused by decrease in level of chemicals that are important for brain cells communications such as: serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, gamma –aminobutyric acid (GABA) and others.Stress: Depression is directly caused due to both types of stress that is negative stress, and positive stress. negative stress includes losing loved one, losing job and getting divorced, while positive stress includes preparing for a wedding, or moving to a new city.Childhood trauma: Children who face childhood difficulties such as mental and physical abuse, separation of parents, or death of parents, have higher chance of developing depression.Chemicals use: synthetic chemicals like food preservatives and additives, pesticides used and polluted air and water can disturb the balance of hormones that regulates brain and body functions are increasingly found to cause depression.Natural disasters: Disasters like earthquake, flood, fires, and bomb blasts can cause severe depression in individuals.Other factors like: noise pollution, peer pressure, education, religious beliefs, behavioral patterns can also lead to development of depression.Source:-Iyer, K., & Khan, Z. A. (2012). Depression: A review, Research Journal of Recent Sciences.Source2:-Bembnowska, M., & Jośko-Ochojska, J. (2015). What causes depression in adults?. Polish Journal of Public Health, 125(2), 116-120.Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment.Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h…https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in

Antidepressants cause various side effects like: dry mouth, headache, restlessness and sexual dysfunction. This happens because the brain and body measures the rising level of hormones, which happens when we take antidepressants, and body tries to adjust with the changes.Antidepressants works by changing the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain which is important for maintaining mood.When you start taking antidepressants they can Initially make you feel worse sometimes because they activate a part of your brain that increases a stress hormone, called corticotropin releasing factor.This factor can cause restlessness, which goes away in few days or weeks.Antidepressants can cause decreased sodium levels in blood which causes confusion, headache, and nausea.When serotonin interacts with other medicines, it can cause serotonin levels become too high in brain leading to a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome are: confusion, anxiety, stiff muscles and sweating.Antidepressants may also interfere with levels of chemicals like acetylcholine in the brain and other organs which can lead to blurred vision, confusion, constipation, burning urination, drowsiness, dry mouth, increased eye pressure and increased blood pressure.Source1:-Jiang, Y., Peng, T., Gaur, U., Silva, M., Little, P., Chen, Z., ... & Zheng, W. (2019). Role of corticotropin releasing factor in the neuroimmune mechanisms of depression: examination of current pharmaceutical and herbal therapies. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, 13, 290.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2019.00290/fullSource2:-Arborelius L, Owens MJ, Plotsky PM, Nemeroff CB. The role of corticotropin-releasing factor in depression and anxiety disorders. J Endocrinol. 1999 Jan;160(1):1-12. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1600001. PMID: 9854171.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9854171/

Are you prescribed with antidepressants? And you don't find any difference even after taking those medicines for more than a week, It's frustrating right? You might be thinking that the doctor has prescribed you with wrong medicine or the medicine doesn't work.But, that is not the case! Antidepressants work in totally different way than other pain or sleep medicines.Let's look for an example!Have you noticed when your water tanker runs out of water, you turn on the motor to fill it with water. As soon as you switch on the motor, you don't get water in the taps immediately. Why? Because it takes time for water to reach the level to supply it into taps.Similarly, when you take antidepressants, they need time to build up in your body before it can show it effect properly, which can take around 2-6 weeks for various antidepressants.There are few more reasons why these medicines take so much of time to work.Number 1.Antidepressants get build up in a specific part of the cell membrane, which helps, more signals to pass through the brain, when brain finds about serotonin entering in body, it stops making more serotonin that cause decrease in level of serotonin and when the serotonin reaches a steady level in the brain, gradually the level increases in the brain, which improves the symptoms of depression.Number 2:Antidepressants change the process of how the brain cells work, leading to increase in chemicals like serotonin in the brain.Number 3. :Antidepressants also help our brain in making new cell connections which takes weeks to show their effect.Source:-Samuel J. Erb, Jeffrey M. Schappi, Mark M. Rasenick.Antidepressants Accumulate in Lipid Rafts Independent of Monoamine Transporters to Modulate Redistribution of the G protein, Gαs.Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2016; jbc.M116.727263 DOI:10.1074/jbc.M116.727263Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment.Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h…https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in

Depression often results from an imbalance in brain chemicals like serotonin (the "feel good" hormone), norepinephrine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and others. While there are alternative treatments besides medication, using medicine can facilitate quicker recovery.Here are some commonly used medications for treating depression:-Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):They function by boosting serotonin levels in the brain, thereby enhancing mood.Common brand names: Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, ProzacSide-effects: Dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, restlessness, erectile dysfunction.Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):These medications elevate both serotonin and norepinephrine levels, helping to balance brain chemicals and improve mood.Common brand names: Pristiq, Fetzima, EffexorSide-effects: Increased sweating, increased blood pressure, dry mouth, decreased libido, insomnia.Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs):Among the oldest antidepressants, developed in the 1950s, TCAs function by increasing noradrenaline and serotonin levels in the brain, thereby improving mood.Common brand names: Norpramin, Tofranil, TriptyderSide-effects: Weight gain, dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, irregular heartbeat.Bupropion:It is the only FDA-approved NDRI (Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor).Common brand names: BupronSide-effects: Seizures, anxiety, irritability, shaky hands, restlessness.Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):These medications prevent the breakdown of brain chemicals, thereby increasing their levels and improving mood. They are prescribed when other antidepressants have failed.Common brand names: Nardil, Parnate, SelginSide-effects: Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing), dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia.Source 1:-Karrouri, R., Hammani, Z., Benjelloun, R., & Otheman, Y. (2021). Major depressive disorder: Validated treatments and future challenges. World journal of clinical cases, 9(31), 9350–9367. https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v9.i31.9350Source 2 :-Chand SP, Marwaha R. Anxiety. [Updated 2023 Apr 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470361/Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h...https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/

Some simple ways to help you feel better:-1.Exercise: Doing activities like walking, biking, dancing, or swimming for at least 30 minutes can release natural chemicals in your brain called endorphins. These can lift your mood and reduce stress.2.Meditation: Spending just 10-15 minutes a day meditating can make you feel more open and accepting. This can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of depression.3.Relaxation Techniques: Doing yoga for 30 minutes each day, enjoying beautiful scenery, or taking a warm bath can all help reduce feelings of depression.4.Music Therapy: Listening to music while you shower, garden, or cook can lift your spirits and help you relax. This can lower stress levels and reduce depression.5.Herbal Remedies: Some herbs and supplements, like St. John's wort, ginseng, and 5-HTP, may have properties that help reduce depression symptoms.6.Healthy Lifestyle: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and avoiding alcohol and drugs can all help reduce the symptoms of depression.Source 1:-Natural Relief for Depression. (2024, April 19). Natural Relief for Depression. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/natural-relief-for-depressionSource 2 :-Li, M., Wang, L., Jiang, M., Wu, D., Tian, T., & Huang, W. (2020). Relaxation techniques for depressive disorders in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice,24(3), 219-226.Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h...https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/

Schizophrenia is a serious mental problem that affects less than 1% of adults, in early 20s in males and during late 20s in females, globally.History of Schizophrenia:"Schizophrenia" was termed by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss doctor in 1908. Before that, people with schizophrenia were thought to be punished by gods or controlled by evil spirits.In the Middle Ages, people with schizophrenia were thought to be possessed by demons. People even did dangerous things like cutting holes in the skulls of schizophrenic patients to fix it.Understanding Schizophrenia:“Schizo” means “split” and “Phrenia” means “brain”, which means fragmented pattern of thinking. Schizophrenia and having split personality aren’t the same.Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by psychosis, where people can't differentiate between what's real and what's not, disturbed thinking, emotional responses, and social interactions.It can happen to anyone, and is caused by a mix of genetics, brain chemicals, and brain differences.Symptoms can be different for everyone and includes:Delusions: Which means having false beliefs that aren't true, like feeling someone is about to hurt you.Hallucinations: Which means hearing voices , seeing, or feeling things that aren't really there.Disorganized speech: Which means having difficulty putting thoughts into words that make sense.Abnormal behaviour: Which means acting odd, or being silly and getting very upset suddenly.Schizophrenia is diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and psychiatric evaluations to identify symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech, which is persistent for at least 6 months.Source:-1. Michael J Owen, Akira Sawa, Preben B Mortensen, Schizophrenia, The Lancet, Volume 388, Issue 10039, 2016, Pages 86-97, ISSN 0140-6736, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01121-6. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673615011216)2. Rahman, T., & Lauriello, J. (2016). Schizophrenia: An Overview. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 14(3), 300–307. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20160006Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment.Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h…https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in

A healthy brain and a sharp memory is always a necessity. Whether you are a kid, student, independent or growing old, your brain should always stay young to maintain focus, memory, learning and coordinate with other body parts.Here are 5 best foods that can boost your brain power and improve your memory:-1. Fatty fish: Fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are rich sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, a healthy type of fat that makes up about 50% of your brain nerves. Omega 3 fatty acids can lower the rate of Alzheimer's disease and memory decline because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.2. Berries: Accoryto a study conducted in Harvard’s Brigham, eating berries like strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are linked to delay the memory decline by 2 years in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers say that these berries contain flavonoids, a pigment found in plants which helps to boost memory.3. Caffeine: If you are a tea or coffee drinker, than you have can have an improved brain function. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, the people who consumed tea or coffee everyday, had a better brain function due to caffeine found in tea and coffee, which increases focus and memory.4. Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain lycopene which is a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound which is able to reach the brain with the blood and help to protect the brain and prevent memory loss.5. Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, magnesium and vitamin B which helps in memory boosting and reducing depression by producing more hormones like serotonin and dopamines.Source:-1. Foods linked to better brainpower. (n.d.). Foods linked to better brainpower. Retrieved June 14, 2024, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/foods-linked-to-better-brainpower2. Kennedy D. O. (2015). Review: power foods for the brain. Cerebrum : the Dana forum on brain science, 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26034529/3. Gómez-Pinilla F. (2008). Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature reviews. Neuroscience, 9(7), 568–578. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2421

Stress is very common in people of all age groups. It can be due to the workplace, some disease, or anything else. People suggest doing yoga, and exercise can reduce stress level. But, we will talk about a few foods that can be beneficial in reducing stress.Such as: 1. Foods rich in Vitamin B12: Foods such as meat, liver, cereals and eggs are rich sources of vitamin B12 as they reduce inflammation in the body, and decrease in cortisol levels and stress.2. Omega-3 fatty Acids: Fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel and eggs are rich sources of animal-based Omega- 3 fatty acids while avocado, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are plant-based Omega 3 fatty acids, can potentially reduce inflammation and stress in the body.3. Foods high in magnesium: Magnesium helps in reducing inflammation in the body, and metabolize cortisols. During stress, your body eliminates a lot of magnesium through urine, due to which the cortisol levels increase in your body. Foods such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, pistachios, broccoli, bananas, and avocado are high in magnesium.4. Foods rich in fibers and probiotics: Foods high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, whole grain oats, and legumes are high in fiber content and are also rich in prebiotics, which is good for your digestive health, which leads to more serotonin levels in the body and decreases stress. Source:-1. Naidoo U. (2020). Eat to Beat Stress. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 15(1), 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276209739362. Naidoo U. (2020). Eat to Beat Stress. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 15(1), 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827620973936