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Re: treatment resistant depression » sweetmarie

Posted by sweetmarie on April 7, 2001, at 8:22:35

In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression » JahL, posted by sweetmarie on April 7, 2001, at 7:10:56

Re. Current Research

I belong to Depression Alliance, who publish a quarterly newsletter. The following article was printed in the most recent edition:

DNA code discovery to benefit depression treatments

"Ongoing work to unravel the genetic `book of life` - the DNA code contained in our cells which works as a recipe for every human - will lead to improved treatments for depression, scientists say. New gene-based medication for depression are already being developed using this new information. These developments will benefit the patient by tailoring the diagnosing, treatment and prevention of depression to his or her individual genetic make-up."

This is something that many of you will know about already; I just thought it was worth posting for those of us who haven`t heard about it.

What it doesn`t say is what stage this research is at, and how long it will be until it is at the stage where it can actually be tried out. In this country (UK), it is probably fair to say that it will probably take a long time. Although mental ill health is the second most prevalent illness in this country (I think I`m right in saying), it still ranks right at the bottom of the medical priority list (this is ridiculous, but try telling the government that). In the States, I believe that this is a whole different kettle of fish.

However, it certainly sounds hopeful, especially to those, like myself, whose depression is genetically linked. Lets hope it doesn`t take them too long.

Meanwhile, some UK statistics:

* 19 million prescriptions for anti-depressants were issued in Britain over the last year.

* About half a million people are undergoing psychological therapy at any one time.

* Depression is set to become the second biggest cause of death and disability worldwide after heart disease, according to the World Health Organisation.

* 19% of people working more than 48 hours a week experience symptoms of depression, a new survey suggests.

This is all very depressing I know, but kind of helpful too in a way (or at least I found it so). It means that we are certainly not alone in our struggle (19 million people can`t be wrong!), and also hopefully it will mean that it (depressive illness) will be taken far more seriously.

Anna.


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