I'm Sorry

Hello Readers,
I just wanted to take a minute to apologize for not posting any articles to my blogs yesterday. I had a family emergency I was dealing with and didn't get to my computer. Please forgive me. Hopefully now things will get back to normal.

Happy Reading!!


Sincerely,
Anna

"I'm Sorry I Killed Myself" - By Linda Meckler

There is a new television program on this season called Ghost Whisperer. I happen to love ghost programs so I have watched it on occasion.

There was a program on recently about this troubled young man who was in love with a woman. The woman he was in love with was moving out of the state to start a wonderful new job and he was not part of her future.

While this troubled young man was happy for her positive career move he could not visualize his life without her.

That same evening this man decided to jump off a bridge and end his life. He came back to the Ghost Whisper two years later. He was a troubled young man alive but now he was even more troubled deceased.

The Ghost Whisperer is a wonderful young actress who sees and speaks to ghosts. She helps the ghosts settle there past problems with their families. The families and the ghost have closure. The ghost moves on and the family is happier that they had heard from their deceased family member. Both the ghost and family members are now at peace.

Not all the episodes are people becoming ghost from suicide. Some of stories are about disease and accidents.

In this episode the ghost wanted the Ghost Whisper to help him tie up the loose ends with his past love so he could move on to the next level.

But the most amazing part of this story is what this young ghost said next.

“I am sorry I jumped off the bridge and killed myself. I wish I could undo this and be alive again.”

Ladies and gentlemen what do you think about that statement coming directly from a ghost. I think it is a positive and powerful statement. It does not matter whether you believe in ghosts or not this is a powerful statement.

Today with teenage suicides on the rise maybe this statement "I am sorry I jumped off the bridge and killed myself. I wish I could undo this and be alive today," can stop the teenager in mid stride and think before they leap.

I hope you enjoyed my article. Please feel free to read my other articles. I would love to hear from you.

Copyright 2006 Linda Meckler

Linda is the author of the adventure, “Ghost Kids Trilogy.” This is three complete books in one book. Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Become involved with all the characters and all the adventure and mystery.

Then we have Uncle Charlie who is trapped in a magical blue vase.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure, you will think were you there right there with them. Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

If you are bed/wheelchair confined you must check out this fabulous product, Instant Bladder Relief Urinal. Check it out on my website http://www.lmeckler.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Meckler

Depression Natural Cures - Lift Your Mood Nauturally and Quickly ! - By Sacha Tarkovsky

Depression is an illness, and it has been shown to affect no less than 6% of any sample population (America for example) at any given period.

The percent may indeed be much higher at times of stress. Many sufferers need medical attention; as the depression does not just go away on its own, here we are going to show you some simple natural cures.

Depression has basically three levels of severity; mild, moderate, and acute (meaning severe).

Mild depression is described as the sufferer having difficulty in with their normal daily activities.

Moderate depression disables the sufferer to function properly at their work or in private life.

Acute depression can produce a condition that interferes with a person's ability to generally function normally. This in tern can also produce collateral symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations, and can eventually lead to suicide.

There are of course, many synthetic pharmaceutical remedies for depression.

Some are very well known and have been used by doctors for some time. They do, unfortunately have their own adverse side effects, such as dependency (thus withdrawal symptoms. An example is Paxil, were the US, FDA is now requiring the manufacturer to state the drug has severe withdrawal symptoms).

Happily, there are several natural ways to lift depression, and some aren’t even medicines at all. See below a list of what is being used (some very successfully against depression).

•Kriya Yoga. This is a form of Yoga that uses a type of rhythmic hyperventilation, and its daily practice has been shown in studies to alleviate several or all of depressive symptoms in whole ranges of depressive symptoms.

•Bright Light Therapy. Originally a test and treatment for depressed pregnant woman, the Bright Light Therapy has also been used to treat SAD (seasonal affective disorder), where the sufferer has a depression due to the season’s lack of sunlight.

•St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum). This is a long-studied, and well tolerated natural herbal cure for depression.

St John's Wort contains a variety of natural antidepressant substances including, hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin. These work at the root of mild depression, boosting neurotransmitter function and returning your mood to normal.

It may not work as fast as the pharmaceutical alternatives, but there are NO side-effects, and in time (perhaps 6 weeks) are just or more effective.

•EPA. This is one of the Omega-3 fatty acids, derived from fish oil. Recent studies show high does of this natural substance are curing acute depression, even suicidal tendencies.

•Saffron. New studies have indicated that saffron (long known for its anti-depressive qualities) is as effective as imipramine and Prozac.

•DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), is now considered by many doctors an effective antidepressant. This herbal remedy for depression works by raising phenylethylamine (PEA) levels in the brain increasing the production of Norepinephrine. This natural antidepressant also protects and increases the lifetime of Endorphins (chemicals involved in mood and pain regulation). DL-Phenylalanine converts to L-tyrosine in the body.

•L-Threonine is an essential amino acid. In several studies, L-Threonine supplementation gave people with acute depressive symptoms a greater control over their moods.

•5-HTP. This is an herbal remedy for depression that is also the immediate precursor to Melatonin and Serotonin. Serotonin gives a neurochemical balance during times of stress, and is essential to regulating mood and other important bodily functions.

* Skullcap (scutellaria laterifolia). ) Skullcap is rich in the minerals that are essential for the nervous system. This herbal remedy for depression is also used for agitation, neurasthenia, anxiety, fatigue, hysteria, and headaches, Skullcap as an herbal remedy for depression is useful to relieve withdrawal symptoms when going off of pharmaceutical antidepressants and tranquillizers.

As you can see, there are many alternatives to the synthetic, and possibly harmful drugs now given to relieve depression.

For more free info on health and natural ways to lift and combat depression please visit our website http://www.net-planet.org/health.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sacha_Tarkovsky

Solutions For Depression - By Steve Hill

This article is aimed at helping people who are often in a state of depression. I have had many of periods in my life where I have found it difficult to carry on and where in truth I have wished that my life would just end.

Depression affects people in many different ways. From a personal note it affects my sleep patterns and makes the smallest things irritate me. I have even been sick in the morning after spending the night worrying about my present situation.

Most of the time I am not so much depressed at what is happening now but am fearing what might happen in the future. This fear may be about financial matters, a social occasion, health or about my family.

I had basically had enough of constantly being depressed, about being in fear of the future and needed to learn about how to control my depression.

After seeking inspiration from a variety of sources, I had what I hoped was enough ammunition to keep my fears and phobias at bay. I will at times have an off day where I feel quite low and this is where I use my new found knowledge.

How to control your depression

I am a very quiet person and I like to keep myself to myself. Some would say that I border on being a loner, which I would quite agree with. Too many people have hurt me throughout my life and to tell you the truth I prefer being on my own. I am not a peoples person.

I also like to keep my problems to myself. This was my biggest failure, what I needed to do was to talk through my problems and fears with somebody else, a member of my family for example.

This was not easy for me to do and it took a great deal of courage to talk to anybody about the areas of my life which made me feel depressed. I did however go down this route and it did have a positive effect. To talk about my problems was like taking a weight off my shoulders.

The person I confided in was my father. He listened and then came back with some superb advice and a couple of suggestions of what I could do.

This is my second piece of advice. We need to spend less time worrying and more time seeking solutions to our problems. We need to ask ourselves why we are depressed and what can help us to remedy our issues.

My father also stated that I should only do things and go to places that I wanted to. I have always found it hard to turn down invitations to for example a party and have found myself often somewhere that I do not in reality want to be.

He also told me about one of his friends. His name was Mike and he had just been diagnosed with cancer. The doctors had told Mike that he only has a maximum of six months to live and he is only fifty-nine. He asked me to imagine how he must be feeling.

I went home and thought about Mike, I was sure that he would love to swap shoes with me. It is not just about Mike, he has a wife and three children, what must they be going through. I started to appreciate my own health and that of my family a bit more.

By opening up and talking about why I was depressed was the best thing I ever did and is something I will continue to do. My dad certainly helped me to think in a more positive way.
This advice I am sure will not help every person who is depressed as depression is an illness. It has however helped me and I am hoping it will be of benefit to others.

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:

teeth grinding bruxism
hgh advice
stuttering

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hill

Reduce Your Depression With These Free Tips - By Steve Hill

In this article, I am going to explain methods on how to reduce depression. There are ever increasing daily pressures facing people and it is very easy to become down and depressed. I am a person who was often feeling low, sorry for myself and basically was very unhappy, however I have now managed to pull my life around and am now able to cope and enjoy what life brings. I hope you enjoy reading the article and if you are one of the many people who suffer from depression, I hope the advice is beneficial.

My name is Stephen Hill and I am from England. Looking back on my life, as I often do, I now find it hard to believe the way in which I used to think and approach life. I was a very negative person, I would stress about seemingly everything and believed that I was so unfortunate compared to other people.

I would always be comparing my life with those of my friends and family. These people seemed to really enjoy life and did not seem to have a care in the world. I, on the other hand had many issues to deal, with which made life one big struggle. I was unable to talk fluently due to a stammering problem, this stammer caused me many traumas and made me into a very quiet and shy person. This issue alone made me very depressed and made socialising very difficult. I am sure you can imagine the effect it had on my self-confidence and self-esteem.

These were the other issues I had to contend with:

A constant battle with my weight, I was far to over-weight most of the time, this I believe was because I sought comfort in the way of food.

My height, I was the shortest male in my class in high school, this for whatever reason made me feel less of a man and less attractive to members of the opposite sex.

My bald patch, this seems so trivial now, however this area of my scalp where hair does not grow caused me many anxieties, especially when I was a teenager.

Enough is enough.

In my early twenties, I decided that I had had enough of being miserable and depressed. I wanted to be happy and content. I then made a decision to attempt to improve my life, I was going to hopefully achieve this by reading about successful people, and by learning more about depression, positive thinking and ways to improve self-confidence. I spent many months doing this and the results have changed my whole life.

What I needed to do, was not to compare my life to people just in my circle, but to compare it to everyone in the world. I started to read and find out about how people lived in different parts of the world. Watching the news each day would keep me abreast of current affairs. Some of the stories and the way in which people live came not so much as a shock, but as a wake up call to me. I would not want to swap my life with theirs, that is for sure.

The problems that I had or thought I had, were now so small compared to what other people have to cope with, and it actually made me feel quite grateful. I have a weight problem, this is something of my own doing and something which I can change, if I am determined enough. Even though I stammer, I can still converse, I may even be able to cure the stammer, which I now have. I was now suddenly feeling more positive and was now able to seek solutions to my issues.

I have now achieved fluency and am now at a weight that I am happy with, however I could not do anything about my lack of height or about the bald patch. This is not a worry to me, as I am now happy with my height and I show everybody who I meet my bald patch, like I am proud of it.

In conclusion, it is time to pull ourselves out of our depression by becoming stronger, by thinking in a more positive manner, by trying to find solutions to our problems and by realising that in fact we are one of the lucky ones.

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:

stop smoking cigarettes
anti aging tips
stuttering information

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hill

Loneliness n Depression - By Monalisa Hyden

“Everybody's going out and having fun I'm just a fool for staying home and having none I can't get over how she set set me free oh lonesome me A bad mistake I'm making by just hanging round I know that I should have some fun and paint the town A lovesick fool is blind and just can't see oh lonesome me.

Oh lonesome me oh lonesome me…”

The lines from the famous song by Don Gibson was engraved on my memory cells when Lucy, a girl from my college hostel would listen to it for long hours sitting alone in her corner of the room and kept on crying silently. She was someone who used to remain depressed and lonely when we, the girls, used to go out and enjoy, were busy acting our age. We tried to include her while we chatted and had fun together, she would remain with us, silently listen to us, keenly observe us but would not comment on anything, give brief answers to our questions, smile awkwardly while we would burst out in loud laughs and giggles on humorous event…and suddenly she would withdraw herself and go and sit alone in the window, or guard her privacy by hiding her face behind a book. We used to discuss among ourselves why was she like this? Why was she depressed and crying most of the time.

We knew she was lonely in her personal life, as we never saw her going home during the vacation, no one ever came to meet her, but her financial requirements were fulfilled from an unknown source and she received a big birthday cake on each birthday which she never shared with us and we never saw her eating a bite herself. She would be all the more depressed on her birth day and kept herself behind the closed door in spite of the different types of endeavors of cheering her up. We tried our best but could not help her much except seeing her smiling not more than four five times. After 5 years of leaving college, whenever I listen to this song, it would remind me of Lucy, the lonely melancholic beauty…was she a patient of severe depression, or loneliness was her sole problem?

We all are victimized by loneliness, realizing at certain point of life that “something” is missing, we wait for that “something” to come and fill up the emptiness in us. But some of us suffer loneliness all through their lives. Loneliness is very common factor that leads to depression but which is not given much importance by the psychological theories and studies. Loneliness can be exhausting, painful and degenerating to human emotions. When we are lonely we feel empty from within, and we distort the normal way of thinking, as a result we over-react to the events of life. When our intimacy requirements are not fulfilled, or there is someone in life, and even then, somehow the emotional needs remain unsatisfied, the outcome of such situation is an emotional void. If we can address the problem of loneliness we can increase the potential of better life ahead. But first of all we need to identify the loneliness within us, what exactly is the thing we want from life. We only bring destruction in the course of life by taking random decisions when we fail to determine the missing factor in life.

Depression is a facade taken by loneliness. Symptoms are same like withdrawal, anxiety, lack of motivation, feeling a vacuum in the heart etc. and people are treated for depression and the loneliness factor remains unattended and so the depression is never cured from its roots. The dissatisfaction and the emotional void kills us slowly and we lead an aimless life without any drive for achieving anything. When depression can be taken care of by certain antidepressants, and therapies, the hidden loneliness is overlooked and ignored most of the time. As a result the apparent depression-like symptoms continue. Unless the underneath reasons of loneliness are analyzed and treated, the depression-loneliness duo will keep on coming back and the problem will remain in “chicken n egg” situation.

The author, Monalisa Hyden addresses psychological and health related issues. If you wish to get more knowledge, please log on to http://www.buy-xanax-online-now.com.

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Depression – How It Affects Our Sleep - By Wendy Owen

Depression is a serious illness that can affect our work, family and social life. It can make us feel bad and even lead to suicide in some serious cases. To make matters worse, depression can negatively impact on our sleep. Being depressed can wake us up in the early hours of the morning when unpleasant thoughts and feelings tend to seem a lot worse than during the day.

It’s important not to ignore or try to hide depression. There is medical help available in the majority of cases. Depression is merely a clinical illness like a cold or flu, it is nothing to be ashamed of.

Each one of us had at some point a depressing sad moment. Depression is a normal human reaction associated to a loss, with the tumult of everyday life or with an agitated sentimental life. Sometimes the sadness sensation passes but sometimes it doesn’t, it becomes more persistent and it can lead to nervous breakdowns.

Diseases of the nervous system are very serious and that is why it is important not to pass them off without proper help when we realize we can’t handle them by ourselves. Getting help is not only normal, but vital.

What are the symptoms of depression and is it possible to prevent it? It is important to recognize the symptoms, so we can seek help immediately.

Here are some of the symptoms of depression:

- sadness
- loss of energy and enthusiasm
- a feeling of hopelessness
- finding no joy anymore the things you used to love
- having trouble concentrating
- uncontrolled crying
- headaches, other types of inexplicable aches and itches
- needing to sleep a lot or on the contrary not getting any sleep at all
- loss of appetite and consequent weight loss

These are just some of the symptoms of depression and if you’re experiencing some of them, don’t try to cope on your own. Talk to a close friend or a specialist without delay.

Don’t try and tackle the symptoms one by one. For instance you can’t sort out your insomnia while you’re still depressed. Alleviating the depression will probably result in your sleep patterns returning to normal.

What causes depression? There is no single cause. This is a complex disease that can appear as a result of multiple causes. Depression can also be transmitted among persons that are close to each other, by influence.

There is proof that persons suffering from depression exhibit changes in the brain’s chemistry. There is also proof that depression can be genetic or learned. Children affected by the depression of their parents or parents whose children suffer from chronic depression are more likely to be affected themselves by this illness.

To try and prevent depression we have to know ourselves very well. Although treatable, depression can be hard to prevent once we are already melancholic. The best method to avoid another crisis after a chronic depression is to keep an eye open to its symptoms and its causes. and also get professional help whenever we feel like we need it.

Copyright Wendy Owen 2006

Want to know how to cure insomnia and achieve healthy sleep? Visit http://www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for good sleep advice and articles. Sign on for our newsletter and receive 2 books absolutely free! Wendy Owen is a health researcher and author.

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Men, Women and Depression: Uniting Mind and Body in Our Healthcare Sytem - By Charles Donovan

Men and depression, women and depression, it doesn't matter. Depression crosses all genders, ethnic groups and economic classes. The Centers for Disease Control studied the importance of integrating the mind with the body in our healthcare system. It is a fabulous study. I want to share the key points as they affect every family, family member or loved one.

The separation of mental and physical health that exists in our health care and public health systems belies the fact that both exist within individuals in an exquisitely integrated fashion. This April issue of Preventing Chronic Disease explores that integration. Preventing Chronic Diseases is published by the government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

The definition of health provided by the constitution of World Health Organization is unambiguous in this regard: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (1). If we are to achieve this goal of complete well-being, we will have to bridge the chasms within our health care and public health systems.

"The Carter Center has undertaken these same strategies to address barriers to care among people with mental illness, many of whom have a chronic mental illness. An article on The Carter Center Mental Health Program (8) describes an impressive set of activities focused on reducing stigma and achieving parity in insurance coverage for mental illness. We would do well to form close collaborations with partners like The Carter Center and to join forces in developing policies and communication strategies that benefit both the mental and physical health of populations. We can claim success when the mental and physical components of our health care and public health systems are as integrated as they are in the people we serve."

I concur 100% with this terrific article. After suffering from depression for 20 years and trying countless treatments, including ECT, it was vagus nerve stimulation that completely changed my life. Vagus nerve stimulation changed my life from one of utter despair to genuine happiness and joy. I am so grateful for this remarkable medical breakthrough. My body got better; lost 35 pounds, chronic pain diminished, cholesterol returned to normal and I have taken responsibility for my health-emotional and physical.

If you are suffering from chronic depression, you should discuss this new therapy with your doctor. Vagus nerve stimulation was just FDA approved, so the medical community is also learning about this treatment option.

Vagus nerve stimulation will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in late May. The book I wrote Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression will be exhibited at this meeting, which is the largest gathering of psychiatrists in the world.

If you want to learn more about vagus nerve stimulation for depression, I would encourage you to visit http://www.VagusNerveStimulation.com web site. It could change your life or the life of a loved one.

Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of 2001. He chronicles his journey from the grips of depression thanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his book:

Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

(A Picture of this book with a link to it is listed on the right)

His all inclusive book prepares depression sufferers to make an informed decision about this ninety-minute out-patient procedure. It is a "must read" before you discuss this treatment with your psychiatrist. A prescription for the procedure is required from an M.D. and it is covered by most insurance plans.

He is the founder of the http://www.VagusNerveStimulation.com Web Site and Bulletin.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Donovan

Using Aromatherapy to Support Symptoms of Depression - By Eric Cech

A fantastic and mysterious relationship is continuously unfolding between plants and their surroundings. These organic green machines are ceaselessly performing a glorious alchemy with water, soil, air and sunlight. The nearly infinite possible combinations of plant genetics and environmental conditions on the face of the earth have allowed for an almost immeasurable diversity of alchemal floral expression, resulting in a vast array of natural botanical materials. These range from simple staple foodstuffs to gourmet fruits and vegetables, from rich exotic spices to effective medicinal herbs, and from enchanting natural perfumes to complex therapeutic essential oils. Mankind is reaching ever further into the jungles and rainforests, knowing that nature is the true master of creation in these fields.

The line between food-plants and medicinal herbs is a fuzzy one. Science regularly reports newfound medicinal effects in plants once taken for granted; many fruits once thought quite plain contain some of the world's most potent anti-cancer agents. The same goes for teas - green tea is one of the most potent anti-oxidants known - and spices - cinnamon may prevent the onset of debilitating diabetes - and this list continues to grow. This same lack of distinction exists between natural fragrances and therapeutic essential oils. The oil of a rose, laden with Citronellol, does triple duty as a perfume, an effective agent against the herpes simplex virus, and an uplifting aromatic that can help one open emotionally after a traumatizing experience.

The use of so-called 'alternative' therapies is on the rise; more individuals are turning to the wisdom of nature for assistance for all types of ailments, both physical and psychological.

Interestingly, the source of most ills, from a naturopathic point of view, is being out-of-balance with nature. Eating unnatural things, following unnatural cycles,and living in unnatural environments. Lack of balance with the earth, from which we are made and upon which we live, leads to 'dis-ease' in our bodies and minds. As plants have created their wondrous botanical materials in a process guided by the rhythms of the heavens and earth, we may look to 'plant wisdom' to lead our way back into balance.

A depressed emotional state is a common reasons for using complementary and alternative therapies today. A wide range of psychological, physical, and energetic issues can lead to feelings of depression and a pervasive outlook of negativity. Moreover, once in a state of depression, patterns can arise that make relief all the more difficult to find. The use of essential oils for uplifting the psyche and spirit is becoming more widespread because of the oils' broad and dramatic effects. While the oils themselves may not directly affect the underlying cause of depression, they may help individuals break free from depressive cycles - they may provide the impetus to 'get off the couch', so to speak, and begin creating long lasting change. Many natural healers believe depression to be a result of, like many other ills, of being out of balance; being unable to 'synch up' with the natural state of harmony that permeates the universe. For relieving this is-harmony, aromatherapy can be a very powerful means to infuse one's body and mind with the most concentrated, sublime botanicals nature has to offer.

In humans, the olfactory (sense of smell) region is an area of about 2 and a half square centimeters, and is located in each of the two nasal cavities between and below the eyes. Containing approximately fifty million primary sensory receptor cells, this region is highly intricate, being 10,000 times more perceptive than the sense of taste. When compared to sight, we find that olfaction is more complex - it is able to distinguish a nearly infinite number of element compounds at very low concentrations. In order to perceive the visible spectrum, humans use only three types of photoreceptors; in contrast, the sense of smell relies on several hundred distinct classes of receptors.

Modern research has shown natural plant oils stimulate multiple regions in the brain, including those controlling endocrine, immune, and limbic (emotional center) functions. Essential oils have a direct and profound effect on the deepest levels of the body, emotions, and psyche. Through inhalation, essential oils have a strong and immediate influence. Passing through the capillary beds of the sinuses and activating the olfactory nerves, volatile plant oils enter the brain, producing direct and powerful systemic effects - the most immediate being on the emotions. Our emotions and our sense of smell have very strong ties - perhaps more than with any other of the other four senses.

In both Naturopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine (The Science of Life), essential oils are considered to enhance the flow of prana (essential life force), enhance and nourish ojas (sustaining energy and immunological essence), and brighten tejas (clarity and mental luminosity). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, essential oils in general are medicines for the Shen, the spiritual essence that resides in the heart and guides and governs consciousness. Used consciously, essential oils powerfully enhance positive mental and emotional states.

Further, the medicinal properties of essential oils, through their ability to support physiological healing, can also be of great benefit to the heart and mind. A Korean study on the effect of aromatherapy on pain in patients with arthritis found that receiving massage with lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint oils significantly decreased both the pain AND mental depression levels.

Following are some oils that have a reputation for up-lifting Shen, enhancing prana, nourishing ojas, and brightening tejas - combinations that may have marked effects on symptoms of depression. These oils can be used alone or in combination in a nebulizing diffuser (producing a fine mist of oils for inhalation), or in aromatherapy massage, thereby inhaled and absorbed through the skin concurrently.

Bergamot (pressed from the peels of bitter oranges) has a strong reputation for its ability to gently uplift. In terms of Chinese medicine, this is a direct result of its smoothing the flow of Liver-Qi ('Chi' or Life Force), the liver being thought of as the seat of the eternal soul. Bergamot combines the ability to both relax the nerves and refresh the Spirit; it is suitable for many types of depressive states.

Neroli (from the flower of bitter oranges), like Bergamot, regulates the Qi - and like Jasmine flower oil, comforts the mind and heart. Neroli is called for at a core level, for the type of depression that comes from nervous and emotional exhaustion. Neroli uplifts the mind and Spirit with its potential to nourish and unify. Neroli assists in retrieving and releasing repressed emotions, with potential to nourish and unify a fragmented psyche. Neroli is specifically indicated for individuals who, in order to escape from emotional pain and suffering, cut themselves off from their feelings and senses.

The Chamomiles (German and Roman) are wonderful oils to use when the depression manifests in a moody, irritable, dissatisfied outward expression associated with stagnant Liver-Qi. These flower oils are earthy, rich, and grounding with subtle uplifting qualities.

When depression is of a Fire (overly aggressive) nature, it often involves an imbalance of joy and love - the root emotions of the heart and mind. Joy is an extension of Shen's (spiritual essence's) innate sense of harmony and perfection, an experience of emotional and spiritual well-being. The depression that afflicts the heart and Shen involves a loss of one's natural sense of joy.

There is often an accompanied lack of enthusiasm and interest as well as an inability to become inspired. Rose otto - steam distilled rose essential oil - or Rose Absolute may have a profound effect on this state. Rose is thought the premier heart opening aromatic, bringing joy, uplifting and restoring balance.

What follows are a few recipes for uplifting and releasing depressed emotional states - use your intuition to find the right one. Often, the single essential oil or blend you find most attractive will be the one that serves you best. Experiment, explore, and have fun with these fantastic gifts of nature. These blends may be used in a diffuser or candle lamp, unless where a carrier oil is indicated - blends with carriers are intended specifically for aromatherapy massage (self-massage is very effective, as well as a simple massage from a friend or loved one).

For releasing and opening the heart: 1 part Rose 3 parts Sandalwood 1 part Sweet Orange or Bergamot 3 parts Jasmine 1 part Ylang Ylang 1 part Sandalwood

Brightening, refreshing and uplifting: 3 parts Bergamot 1 part Ylang Ylang 1 part Grapefruit 2 parts Bergamot 2 parts Clary Sage 1 part Frankincense 3 parts Bergamot or Sweet Orange 2 parts Clary Sage 2 parts Frankincense 1 part Lemon 1 part either Jasmine or Neroli

Nourishing: 1 part (Roman) Chamomile 1 part Vanilla 10 parts Carrier oil of choice

Floral and earthy (uplifting and softening to Spirit): 1 part Neroli 1 part Vanilla 1 part Orange 1 part Sandalwood 1 part Chamomile 1 part Bergamot 1 part Helichrysum

Single oils can also be used, and should be investigated so one can learn the different energies of each plant. For depression associated with negativity: Bergamot, Chamomile, Helichrysum, Neroli, or Sweet Orange. For a profound lack of joy, try Rose, Jasmine, Patchouli, or Ylang Ylang. For overthinking and worry, try Frankincense, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh or Vetiver. For pessimism, regret and remorse, try Clary Sage, Cypress, Hyssop, or Pine needle. For doubt of one's capacity to cope with overwhelming situations, try Juniper Berry.

For cases of moderate to severe depression, professional help should always be sought. It is important to consider if you one requires professional help if the depression is overwhelming - while aromatherapy can provide support in a significant number of situations, it may not be for everyone. Essential oils can safely be used in conjunction with other treatments - consult your care giver to ensure there are no conflicts if medications have been prescribed.

Misty is a degreed naturopath, iridologist and herbologist practicing in Boulder, Colorado. She uses pure essential oils and essential oil blends with her clients and friends for their uplifting qualities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Cech

Dragging Myself Out Of Depression - By David Gomm

I have been cursed with depression most of my adult life. I especially remember that my bouts of depression would center around the delivery cycle of The Mother Earth News magazine. It came every two months and I would read it from cover to cover and then, usually fall into a blue period which would sometimes turn into depression. I figured that it was because the magazine caused me to dream of freedom and a different lifestyle which was very different from the one I was living. I didn’t feel there was a way to live the life I longed for, that I was stuck, so I became depressed.

As time went on, I noticed that when I was under a lot of stress, my depression cycle deepened. When I sold books door to door, the job was very stressful and I would be able to work at selling for two weeks and then each third week, I would be unable to face the world and stayed in bed for a week. Then I would feel ready to face things again, sell for another two weeks and retreat to sleep for another week. This was not a healthy cycle, it really put a strain on relationships with others. I was lucky that Jeanne was able to cope with my ups and downs.

When I faced a crisis of sorts about the age of 28 and irrationally moved to Missouri without any job or prospects (following the Mother Earth News lifestyle) I found that depression left me for a long period of time. My stress levels were lower, and I was living a life that was closer to the one I desired. My cycle was still there, I still had a tendency to get a little down, but it was dip in my mood, rather than a full depression. So I had a few pretty good years. I started a stained glass business and rented videos from the three stores I started, things were pretty good.

Then I made some “responsible” choices, going to college and joining the regular workforce and slowly my depression cycle returned. I think the cycle is a naturally occurring ebb and flow that we all have and that the deep depression was my subconscious minds’ way of trying to deal with life choices it didn’t agree with. As I struggled with employment issues and dealing with teenaged children my depression really became a monster that sometimes completely stopped me in my tracks. I would find myself unable to do the simplest tasks. I began visiting a depression treatment center, encouraged by a councilor to figure out what was wrong so that I could be over this once and for all. That was one of the worst times of my life, because I had no way to get out of the cycle of depression. I wasn’t working, so didn’t get that positive lift to my ego. The medications seemed to do little to help. And the kids weren’t making life any easier.

Eventually, I just went back to work and forgot all the depression center nonsense and my mood immediately rose. They say men derive self esteem from work and women derive self esteem from their relationships. That may be true because I certainly began to feel better being back at work. Still the cycle continued, at least I found that anytime I got a cold, I stayed sick longer than normal. A cold that would cause a normal person to miss a day of work would knock me out for a week. This effects your reputation at work and has a negative impact on your career. I began to suspect that I might have allergies that were causing me to be physically overwhelmed and thereby affecting my mental state.

Good theory, but when I finally learned that I had type 2 diabetes (in 2003) I finally understood why I had these lingering illnesses. Diabetics typically have symptoms three times longer than others. Their systems abilities to fight off colds and flu are less, so they need to be careful to avoid sickness. And being sick opens the door to depression, mental states are lower and your ability to cope goes down when you feel helpless.

My depression cycle still continued, but since I knew why I was unable to give good consistent work to an employer, I determined to go back to stained glass full time. It had been part time from the day I sold my business back in 1984, now it’s full time again. One of the benefits of being self employed is that if I’m having a bad day, I can go to work later. I can adjust my work hours to go along with how I’m feeling. Some days I’m only up to 3 or 4 hours of work and some days I’m up to putting in 10 or 12 hours of work. Depression is not as much of an issue any longer because I’m doing what I love and so my stress levels are at a level I can handle.

But occasionally, the monster of the “artistic temperament” raises its’ head and I have to deal with it. I have found a few ways of coping with depression over the years.

First, when you find yourself getting down, try to look inside and see what is causing the additional stress. Getting down is normal, it’s when you start to not be able to deal with it that you have a problem, so look inside and see what’s going on. Are you facing moral issues that weigh heavily on you? Is your life not tracking where you want it to? What is it that seems to be trapping you? Once you find your answers, you can begin to dream of ways to bring your life back into control, which will lessen your feelings of helplessness. It may be something as simple as starting a savings account for a vacation that you want to take, or starting a plan to get out of debt. Your problems won’t disappear, but your attitude towards them will make them feel less threatening.

Second, make sure that the little voice in your head is positive and not negative. Write yourself a little commercial that you read to yourself everyday and throughout the day. It should be positive and state what a winner you are and how successful you are, it should reflect your dreams and state them as if they are already a reality. This little recitation to yourself will turn away the negative that can grind you down and allow you to get to a place where you can handle things again. When I can’t work up the energy to even read my affirmation, I sing a little song which I made up (patterned on one they taught when I was selling):

It’s a great day to be a glass man, Best Thing I know,I t’s a great day to be a glass man, Everywhere I go, go, go, go Cut my own pieces, Put them back together, It’s a great, great day to be a glass man, No matter what the weather.

It’s a very dopey song, but I find that no matter how down I am, I can mumble this and it raises my attitude enough to croak it and then to sing it and then to believe it. And if I believe I’m happy, then I am.

Third, and most important, I have to let God into my life. When I’m down, I don’t believe in anything, not God and not Jeanne and not my own abilities. But if I can open up just a little and talk to God and ask for help, he always helps in some way. He didn’t give us life so we can suffer, we’re here to have joy and get out of ourselves and look around us and see the good in life and enjoy it and see the suffering around us and reach out to help relieve that suffering that others are experiencing.

Depression is a natural event, in my life anyway. So I figure it must be a natural event in your life as well. It’s neither good or bad, it just is. How we deal with it, that’s what determines the difference between those whose lives work and those whose lives don’t work.

David Gomm started building stained glass windows professionally back in 1983 and has become an expert at many aspects of stained glass building, design and repair. He writes a monthly newsletter at his better stained glass website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Gomm

From depression to freedom - By Paul Douglas

Mild depression can lead to brooding on negative aspects of self or others, feeling aggrieved, irritable or upset much of the time, feeling sorry for oneself, and requiring constant reassurance from someone. It can also lead to various physical problems that are not caused by any physical disease.

As depression intensifies, feelings of extreme sorrow and hopelessness blend with low self-esteem, guilt, memory loss, and concentration problems to bring about a critically painful state of mind. To make things worse, there may appear a change in body functioning. The usual daily rhythms seem to go wrong: you have sleepless nights, or sleep too much, you can’t eat, or eat too much. You lose enthusiasm for activities you used to enjoy. Sometimes, you even have a feeling that life is not worth living and suicidal thoughts occur.

Antidepressants are the most commonly used treatments for clinical depression. It is quite cheap, and it is easy for family GPs to prescribe. And this is they who treat the majority of people with depression. But when the episode has passed, and medication ceases, depression usually returns, and minimum 50% of people who experienced an initial episode of depression find that depression is back, despite appearing to have made a full recovery.

After a second or third episode, the risk of recurrence increases to 80-90%. Early onset depression (before 20 years of age) is particularly related to a considerably greater risk of relapse and recurrence. For people having been suicidal in the past, any depressed can lead to a return of suicidal thinking.

The very serious problem with viewing antidepressants as the main method for preventing recurrence of depression is that most patients are not willing to stay on drugs for long-lasting periods, and when the medication stops, the risk of becoming depressed again comes back. Finding new ways of helping people stay well after depression requires an understanding of why depression keeps returning.

During crisis in which a person becomes depressed and suicidal, an association is learned between the various symptoms (low mood, physical pain, suicidal tendencies, and so on). This means that when the negative mood returns, for any reason, it will tend to trigger all the other symptoms - a process called "cognitive reactivity").

It is a very relevant discovery that the connection between negative moods and thoughts remains ready to be reactivated even when patients begin to feel better: this means that preventing prospective crises depends on the ability to control mild upsets from turning into serious conditions. The study has revealed that combining the ancient practice of meditation with modern psychotherapies can help people achieve this.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy blends contemporary cognitive behavioral therapy with meditation practices in order to help patients become more aware of the present moment, including communicating with moment-to-moment changes in the mind and body (see www.mbct.co.uk). This therapy is based on Jon Kabat Zinn’s Stress Reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Participants of the therapy learn the practice of mindfulness meditation in weekly classes and by listening to CD’s or tapes at home during the weekdays. Participants are also educated about our moods, and they are shown the connections between thinking and feeling. They are taught how they can best take care of themselves when a crisis threatens them.

The MBCT approach helps participants in the classes to recognize when their mood is starting to sink. It helps break the normal connection between negative mood and negative thinking. They develop the ability to allow distressing moods, thoughts, and sensations to come and go, without having to struggle with them.

Participants discover that they can stay in touch with the present moment without the need of ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Consequently, they see more clearly how to approach moment-by-moment experience skillfully, taking more pleasure in the good things that often pass unnoticed or underestimated while handling more efficiently with the problems that they encounter.

Two controlled clinical studies have shown that MBCT can decrease the probability of deterioration by about 40-50% in people who have suffered 3 or more previous episodes of depression. Due to such findings, MBCT has recently been included in the British government’s national guidelines for treating recurrent major depression.

But this suggests a redefinition of treatment itself. As our understanding of depression increases and we see that it is a repetivtive problem, the emphasis is shifting from cure to prevention. Mindfulness-based approaches have already proven that they will play an incredibly relevant role in this.

Online Pharmacy - PharmacyCenter.org is the online drugstore for FDA approved prescription medications by means of FREE online Internet consultation. Our offer includes most popular medicines available through online ordering.

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Paul Douglas This article was reprinted from PharmacyCenter.org health blog.

I Love Myself and I am Loved - By Yana Mikheeva

"I’m 20. I have got a loved and loving husband. Problem that always follows me – is my overweight. My height is 170 cm, weight – 69 kg – this is not a critical situation, but I try to keep to a diet, go in for sport. My husband loves me very much, tries to do everything for me, and tries to support me during my depressions as for imperfect figure. He gives me no reason to jealous.

But if I see he looked on some interesting girl, I’m upset and quarrel with him. It seems to me that I’m the ugliest one in this world. I create conflict situations unconsciously. I don’t know what to do. I cannot live in constant depression because of my figure, and I feel sorry for my husband – I understand that I can lose him due to my shouting and critics. Please, advice me what to do."

"It occurred to me that I have never really loved anybody (men), and I thought: I may miss this feeling at all. I have got a boyfriend, we have been together for 2 years, I broke with him 3 times for this period, tried to be with other man, then came back. Now we’re together, I say him I love him, but I know it’s not truth. I started thinking: may be I cannot love at all? Probably, no, as love begins from ourselves, and I don’t love myself, my body.

I’m always angry with myself, if I want something very much, I try to hide this feeling deep inside, as I think I will not get it. I attended ball dances for a while, went to classes gladly, adored my partner, but quit dancing. I’m living with a feeling of despair, feel I’m not necessary for anybody, know that dances will be only my dream, I gained weight (64 kg while 174 cm). I don’t want anything and even living…"

Everyone has an image or portrait of himself in his mind unconsciously. An idea of himself as of a personality. And in most cases this opinion is formed unconsciously, basing on past experience, attitude of other people to us.

We will always act like that personality, which we identify us with. A man, who thinks he is a loser, will always find a way and reason to ruin business, despite of will power efforts. Image of our Ego changes to better or worse in the process of accumulation of practical experience. But our self-esteem does not depend on things that took place in this experience; it depends on our own estimation of events, which occur to us. Inferiority complex appears more often from our conclusions, than of facts and events. For example, I sing badly. This is fact, but it does not mean I’m an inferior person in general. A person with broken acceptation of reality may make absolutely another conclusion: “I sing badly, I do everything wrong, I cannot do anything, I’m a loser.”

Everything depends on norms we measure ourselves with. Feeling of inferiority appears, when we estimate ourselves using "maximum" standards of other people. When we act this way, we are on the second place surely. And as we suppose we should correspond to standards, we begin feeling we’re people of second sort. This wrong idea sounds like this: "I should be like someone else" or “I should be like everybody". That’s why we are trying to look like top-models from magazines’ covers, invent standards, which we have to correspond to. But in fact: does this common standard exist? No. Beauty standards change often, like fashion trends.

Convictions form our behavior and emotions. And we value these or those events basing on our convictions. People with low self-esteem have wrong opinion of other people’s opinion of them. They concentrate on negative aspects, ignoring good qualities. Wrong self-esteem leads to a feeling of inconsistency or incompetence. Low self-esteem, and further, depression, are results of constant break of estimation of events.

Here are main types of psychological mistakes, which appear, when a person has low self-esteem:

Maximization One sees everything in black or white colors. A person, thinking in categories "everything or nothing", sees himself as a loser while slightest discrepancy of things to his criteria. This way is destructive, as only 2 variants of estimation can be seldom met. Nobody can be either absolutely unique or complete fool, either attractive, or ugly. There’s nothing that corresponds to extreme concepts.

If you try to live according to absolute categories, lots of reasons for resentment with yourself will appear. Majority of psychological disorders together with low self-esteem are caused by maximization. If a person estimates his life from a position "everything or nothing", then he’s assured that his actions can be either great or worthless. Straight results of such world view – are laziness and passivity.

General conclusion based on single facts The only negative event is accepted like an endless "black period". For example, a pupil with excellent marks failed to pass exam to enter the University. Further he builds his reflections this way: "I failed to enter now, I will not enter ever, and I’m a loser".

Psychological filtering of events A person chooses only negative details of situation. For example, while passing exam you make one mistake. You are thinking of it all the time and make a conclusion you will receive bad mark. In fact, this is the only mistake, which is absolutely unnoticeable on the background of a wonderful answer.

Disqualification of positive

A person does not accept positive facts, insisting on their impossibility, keeps negative impressions, in spite of their discrepancy to real events. For example, you may accept compliments as mockery. I.e. you may always find something that allows you affirming that you’re worse than others. You choose only negative details of any event. So you always confirm negative impression of you:

"Your dress is beautiful"

"I guessed it is provoking".

Negative interpretation of reality

It happens because of ignorance of real state of events or belief that bad presentiments always come true.

A man decides that someone thinks bad of him and does not strive to understand real situation. Feeling that people look down on you prevents you from normal communication. For example, a girl decides that on a party everybody is thinking of her overweight and unattractive appearance and avoids meeting everybody. An interlocutor, facing such cold attitude, thinks that he’s not interesting for her and is in a hurry to make off. Or: a man feels that something bad will happen and is assured that this will surely happen. I.e. he concentrates on negative result. For example, somebody forgot to tell your boyfriend about your call. You decide he does not want to talk to you and does not even guess that somebody just forgot to tell him about your call. You make a conclusion that he will consider you annoying, if you call him again.

Overestimate and understatement

Overestimate of meaning of good events and understatement of bad ones. Effect of a "spyglass". Usually overestimate concerns your own mistakes. You always decide: "my reputation is broken". And when you think of your successes, you look at them from another side: "nothing special". Both understatement of achievements and overestimate of failures guarantee bad state of health. Especially, if you compare yourself with others. "These top-models from magazines are so slender, and I…", "Marsha is really successful, and I can do only small things".

Conclusions based on emotions

Belief that negative emotions reflect real situation: "I feel this, so it is real". In fact, feelings reflect thoughts, if latest are broken, then emotional reaction does not correspond facts. For example: I feel guilty, this means I did something wrong. One of results of such reaction – is delay.

For example, you feel fear in front of communication, and always excuse your not wishing to go on contact – a person is inappropriate, situation is wrong etc. When communication takes place, it turns out, that nothing awful has happened. Negative feelings were an obstacle.

I would… An attempt to motivate situation from a position "it could happen" and "it could not happen" causes complex of guilt and is a reason of exasperation. One feels offence, he feels depressed because the things he did not done. He falls into depression because of impossibility to change something. When behavior falls down below his standards, then possible and impossible cause feelings of disgust for himself, shame and complex of guilt. You may avoid it, if you adjust your requirements to reality and not try to measure your actions by those norms, which other people seem to use.

Labels

Labels are self-image and opinion about other people, based completely on negative facts. This is an extreme form of general conclusion of some separate facts, labels are stuck instead of description of one’s own or other people’s mistakes. "I’m an idiot", "He’s bad" – labels can be based on unfounded, even single cases – these are results of emotional splashes. Instead of thinking: "I made a mistake", one thinks: "I’m a loser". A woman ate ice-cream and is angry: "I’m a pig, I’m fat". We cannot characterize our "ego" by one thought. Life is complicated, everything flows and changes. A person is not like a monument. So any label is false and pared-down.

Taking responsibility for events that do not depend on you This means seeing a reason caused negative events, in you, regardless of the fact that there was no possibility to affect them. One thinks that that those were his mistakes and failures that affected negative situation. Taking responsibility for events that do not depend on him creates feeling of guilt, suffering from his own helplessness.

For example, a lecturer notices that somebody is sleeping on a lesson. He thinks at once: "I’m a bad lecturer". But in fact, this person had no sleep during 3 days and just "switched off".
Lecturer is not guilty, but he took responsibility for this on himself.

How to improve your self-esteem

Understanding of the fact that our actions, feelings and behavior are just a result of our ideas and beliefs, gives powerful starting-lever of change of personality.

Create a realistic image of your Ego

The first step to satisfaction with life and yourself consists in creating of a realistic and adequate idea of yourself. As we live in a real world, an image of our Ego should reflect this reality. If your idea of yourself is complete and stable, then you will feel calm and comfortable, otherwise you will feel anxiety and worrying.

Make a list of your pluses and minuses. Write down pluses in one graph, minuses – in other. Remember situations, which confirmed these characteristics. Pay a special attention to minuses – examine each one separately, asking questions: is it true or not (who said it, or why did you decide that you have this minus)? Which facts confirm it? In which situations it is showed? Does this worry you in life? Do other people have this quality? Does it worry them?

Try to balance graph with minuses with characteristics from graph with pluses. For example:
I’m plump, but kind and witty. Or: there’re lots of plump women, but successful and popular. Bring your minuses to positive side. As a result you will receive your portrait, including strong and weak sides, where weak ones are compensated by strong. This will be real estimation of your personality.

Another step – is composing an image of a person, whom you would like to become. For this you need to draw a person, whom you would like to become, in your thoughts. This should not be an invented unreal image of you, as such ideas do not correspond to reality. Think about the way you can change present situation. Probably, you need to go in for sport, receive additional education, communicate more etc.

Your task is to find your real Ego and bring your images of yourself to complete correspondence with an object they reflect. It is very important that pictures would be as much brighter, correspond closer to real experience. You need to pay attention to small details: sounds, color, separate objects. You should imagine yourself in real time. This exercise forms new information in a memory of your nervous system, helps to create a new image of your Ego. After training you will discover with surprise that you are already not trying, but acting in other manner.

Stop measuring your abilities with other people’s standards. You are not the worst, not the best, you are unique. Now you have an image of your Ego, and you live in correspondence with it. So the only criterion of estimation of events – are inner standards.

Work out habit to happiness

Happiness – is a mood, while which we have pleasant thoughts. Ancient Roman philosopher Epictetus said: "People are worried not by events themselves, but by their opinion about these events". According to other famous philosopher and poet Emerson R. words, a measure of psychic health is a habit to search positive sides in everything. If you prefer light thoughts on purpose, this does not mean you live wearing rose-colored glasses. These thoughts form positive image of your Ego. They create positive experience, basing on which you confirm your opinion of yourself like of a successful person, and, thus, act like a successful person.

Habits – are just methods of reaction, which we learned to do automatically. Not less than 95% of things that we call peculiarities of behavior, emotions, reactions, are a result of formed habits. We can change them. For this you need to practice new methods of reaction to events. In other words, replace a habit of constant criticizing yourself and searching minuses by a habit of finding positive sides in any event.

Put only positive goals in front of you If we always come back to past mistakes and failures in our mind, they turn into a goal, which is kept in imagination and memory. At the moment when we change direction of our thoughts, stop intensifying past negative stereotypes, past with its mistakes and failures loses its power over us. Negative purpose is replaced by positive.

Using effort to stay away from undesirable manner of behavior, you really only make it stronger. For example, you want to grow thin and make you eat less by unbelievable efforts of will power. But very soon you slip out and everything repeats. The best way to overcome any habit – is to form a clear image of a wished result in your mind and exercise in gaining your goal effortless.

Yana Mikheeva is the creator of All about women site, it is an on-line resource for women and about women. Here you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others. She also has Blog for women

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Teen-age Suicide: ATrue Story - By Helene Rothschild

Are you a teen-ager contemplating suicide or the parent of one? The following case study may help you solve your problem.

When I met Jill, she was sixteen years old and in counseling for four years. When she was twelve years old when she tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of pills. The teen-ager was taking medication for depression and mood swings, and attending a small private school to help her cope more easily with life. Besides all these helpful measures, Jill was still getting upset easily and over-reacting to situations. She was also often missing school for psychosomatic illnesses (caused by emotions).

Jill was living with her mother, step-father and step brother. She had an older sister and brother who lived outside of the home. Her mother, Kate, a forty-four year old woman, was unhappy in her second marriage. When she called me for counseling, she was very concerned about her daughter because she was talking about suicide again.

During our first session, I asked Jill to complete the sentence, “I want to commit suicide because...” Jill responded, “I want to commit suicide because I feel trapped. I can’t be myself. I have to take care of my mother.” Then I continued, “Jill if you could be free to live your own life, would you want to live? “Yes,” she replied.

In the course of counseling numerous teen-agers, I had noticed this as a common feeling for the last child in the house with parents who are in pain. It is interesting that no one tells the child directly to rescue their parent but they unconsciously feel obligated. I have also found that the mother gives unconscious messages to the child not to grow up because then she will have to face her personal unhappiness and marital relationship, and let go of her role of “Mother” which has been her identity for most of her adult life.

To assist Jill, I helped her visualize and cut the obsolete “umbilical cords” that were unconsciously connecting her to her mother. I also used some therapeutic processes to help her raise her self-esteem. At the end of the session, I asked Kate to come back into the office and encouraged Jill to share her new awareness with her mother.

In other sessions, I worked with Kate alone to help her cut the “umbilical cords” that she had unconsciously connected to her youngest daughter, face her unhappy relationship and build her own self-esteem. *

Getting to the core of the problem quickly resulted in immediate changes. With higher self-esteem, both Jill and Kate started to dress nicer and looked more attractive and happier. They also encouraged each other to be separate, independent people, and responsible for their own lives.

Jill soon had less psychosomatic illnesses and upsets and was able to quickly calm down if she did overact. She was no longer talking about suicide and proudly told me, “I don’t need my medication anymore.” Two factors that helped Jill improve so quickly were that Kate was attending a church that taught positive thinking and she was willing to work on her own growth.

If you are the teen-ager contemplating suicide, you can show this article to your parents and ask them to help you to solve the problems. Or if you are the parent of a child thinking about suicide, it could be very helpful to explore the above issues and resolve them with a professional counselor.

Helene Rothschild, MS, MA, MFT, is a Marriage, Family Therapist, intuitive counselor, author, speaker, teacher and workshop facilitator. To empower people, she developed a unique process, HART: Holistic And Rapid Transformation. She offers phone sessions, teleclasses, a self-help on-line program, inspirational books, e-books, tapes, cards, posters and independent studies. http://www.helenerothschild.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helene_Rothschild

You Are Not A Victim; You Are Not Alone - By: Colette Kelso

If you don’t feel good about yourself, you have to fix it. There’s no other way around it. You can’t raise confident kids, have a healthy relationship, or get satisfaction from your job if you don’t. This comes from someone who didn’t, for most of her life, feel worthwhile. Many books come from the perspective of an expert, someone who already has a healthy sense of self-worth, which I believe immediately sets up an alienating perspective between them and us, those who “know” and the rest of us who struggle with this issue. They assume they know better. They may think they know better, and have a worthwhile plan, but we know what it is really like, we have experienced and not just judged our self-defeating behavior.

We all have varying degrees of self-doubt. A person can be wildly successful in their life, and still have deep-seated feelings of worthlessness. There is a fear of discovery that others will come to see what’s behind the curtain in Oz. So we strive to accomplish more and more, climb to greater heights, yet it’s never enough. You may try to hide it, this low sense of self-worth, but like the alcoholic who wants to keep his drinking a secret, but staggers nonetheless, it is a visible illness. To continue the analogy, I want to be sober. In this case sobriety equals integrity and confidence.

Here is where to begin. It’s the Victim Thing. The most tragic or toxic aspect of victim hood is that victims don’t know they are playing the part of the victim. They see all around them evidence of betrayal, duplicity, and injustice so their victim status is validated and for the most part goes unquestioned. This is why I say, be careful, or the discovery that you have been wronged may be the last discovery you make. We all have injustice and dysfunction in our lives. We have to come to understand that these are just events that come and go. Again, It’s not the circumstances that define us; it’s how we react to them.

Some of us could and do spend many hours, years, in therapy or in our rooms trying to figure out how we got to be this way, but—this is essential—none of it matters. It truly doesn’t matter how we got to be damaged goods, or rather, it may matter to you, but it is not the solution; it is simply part of a very long and complicated story. You may very well know how and when you got to this point, but leave the blame for now and ask instead what comes nex?

Life is about choices. I can feel trapped in my life, but I can choose to begin writing this. I can choose to eat a healthy meal. I can choose to go for a walk. I can choose how to respond to my significant other. Every conscious choice I make brings me that much closer to the integrity I seek, or makes it less likely. The consequence of choosing is to remove myself from the victim role. Victims don’t create their lives; they react to them.

Acceptance is central to the process of coming out from under our victimhood. I would say that it is one of the basic tenets of all spiritual traditions, one that we can use in our everyday life, in the mundane and tragic circumstances within which we find ourselves. Like making conscious choices instead of reacting, it takes practice. I am stuck in traffic. I have lost my job. I am sick. One alternative is protest, anger, and bitterness. A person with low self-worth takes these things personally. A person with integrity and confidence accepts and adapts.

The key question in any adverse circumstance is, “What do I do now and next?” Sometimes all you can do is breathe deeply. Other times you can take definitive action, but again, you are making conscious choices instead of reacting, you are accepting your circumstances. Everything changes. This applies to the good situations as well as to the negative. That is why the phrase, “This too shall pass,” is so powerful. Peace of mind comes from accepting yourself, your life, wherever you happen to be at any given time.

Acceptance is the bottom line. Good choices grow from acceptance. There will always be someone better or worse off than we are. Good and bad things happen to us and to others and can happen at any time. Our life may have been difficult or a breeze. Who’s to say? You are. I am. To say that something is unfair is to return to the victim mode. Don’t live a life of protest. You’ll miss so much of what is given. Think of the world and it’s mysterious ways as an impersonal agency, so there is nothing served by anger and resistance. We only succeed in restricting ourselves further. We are worthwhile in our own shoes, where we stand. Practicing and believing this is so brings the part of ourselves that we love to the surface, and then the way gets easier and clearer.

About the Author:

This is a condensed excerpt from Colette Kelso's book, Who's a Loser? Read the book to find a way out of a difficult situation. If you're in the job market, visit I need a job. You need a job?

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First Thing You Should Do to Get Out of Depression - By Willie Krut

Depression, in psychiatry, is a symptom of mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of loss, sadness, hopelessness, failure, and rejection. The two major types of mood disorder are unipolar disorder, also called major depression, and bipolar disorder, whose sufferers are termed manic-depressive.

Here are few suggestions to get the better of the depressed mood and get the most happiness out of your daily activities.

Take a Break.

I mean it.

Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage you. Take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around. In other words, have fun.

Eat Right and Stay Fit.

Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a brief moment of energy; but they would later bring about anxiety, tension, and internal problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to "forget their problems." They're just aggravating their conditions in the process.

Exercising regularly is a vital depression buster because it allows your body to produce more endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes called "the happy chemicals" because of their stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.

Get Enough Light and Sunshine.

Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.

Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.

This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.

If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.

Get Busy. Get Inspired.

You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live a life full of inspired activities.

Do the things you love. If you're a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuffs like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.

Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you are capable of doing anything you desire. With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.

Get a Social Life.

No man is an island. Your circle of friends are there to give you moral support. Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them could give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing feels better than having group support.

Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn't it feel so good when someone pats you on the back and gives you words of encouragement during your most challenging times? Hug or embrace someone today. You'll never know when you have saved another life.

Get intimate. Establish close ties with your family and friends. The love and care expressed by others could tremendously boost your immune system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you'll live a more secured and happy life.

Learn more how to manage and conquer your depression, please visit the http://www.welcome-to-self-improvement.com site.

Willie Krut is the core provider of a selection of self help products that truly help people to improve their life, health and career. Subscribe to the free Willie's Newsletter, visit the http://www.welcome-to-self-improvement.com site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Willie_Krut

Stress and Depression - What Causes Depression and How is It Affected by Increased Stress Levels? - By Christina Vickery

Depression and its effect on our stress levels can have a huge impact on our lives.

When I think back over the times of extreme stress and anxiety over the last few years, I find I never really would have classed myself as depressed. However, at times, the thought of just not being part of this life became quite attractive. I often wanted to just peacefully slip away. I'm sure that this was a symptom, within myself of a mild form of depression.

As life sorted itself out, slowly those times of thinking like that started to diminish. It is only when I look back at how I felt that I realise how thinking like this was part of my life then.

What is depression?

Depression, like stress and anxieties, results from living our lives in a way in which we are not designed to live. We function best when we can slowly evolve and thrive in our environment.

The last 100 years has meant we have been thrust headfirst into a chaotic and very fast lifestyle. We haven't been given the luxury of adapting into our lifestyles slowly and calmly - going at our own pace. It is estimated that worldwide over 300 million people may be suffering from depression. That means an awful lot of unhappy people, on an awful lot of medication, costing a huge amount of money and resources.

How can we get help? - we need to learn more about the causes, symptoms and prevention and cure of depression.

Here are some signs you may recognise: Do you?

• Wake up feeling exhausted?
• Feel miserable most of the time?
• Constantly worry - about anything and everything
• Lack motivation - even of things you used to love doing?

What is your lifestyle like?

• Do you work long hours?
• Have you got large debts?
• Do you abuse your body with drugs? nicotine? alcohol?caffeine?
• Are you a couch potato?
• Do you ever really relax and have a time of peace in your life?
• Are you going through a divorce or messy relationship breakdown?
• Do you feel part of a community - do you know/get on well with your neighbours?
• Do you eat a mainly processed food diet?
• Are you physically suffering from any of these problems?
• Lack of sleep?
• Food intolerances?
• Too many toxins in your body? (through an unhealthy diet)
• Too much sugar?
• An imbalance or lack of vitamins, minerals, fatty acid levels from your diet?
• Lack of exercise?
• Lack of sunshine and adequate outdoor light exposure?
• Co-existing illnesses - or perhaps you deal with one condition and immediately another sets in?

How do you feel emotionally? Do you feel?

• Do you feel appreciated?
• Are you in charge of your life?
• Safe and secure?
• Loved and connected to your partner?
• Respected?
• Do you feel you belong - either in your relationship, at work or with friends, or in your community?
• Are you stimulated and challenged in your life?
• Does your life have purpose?

IT IS VITAL TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO GET A PROPER ASSESSMENT.

Here are some options available to you to help you and I have put some in the form of FAQ's.

Will I be put on antidepressants? The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ( the organisation which recommends prescribing guidelines to doctors) has recently said that the risks of taking anti depressents for someone with mild depression outweigh the advantages. You may not therefore be prescribed them.

If you want to know some of the risks of these medications they are:

• Nausea
• Lack of libido
• Anxiety
• Abdominal pain
• They sometimes don't work in approx 30-50% of patients

There is a holistic approach which can be divided into Physical and Emotional/Lifestyle changes.

Here are some guidelines

PHYSICAL

• De toxify
• Change to a healthy, mood enhancing diet
• Eat 3 meals a day plus 2 snacks
• Eat a protein source with every meal: eggs, nuts, seeds, fish, lentils, beans.
• Eat 4 portions of leafy green vegetables every day
• Take a multivitamin-mineral supplement
• Raise neurotransmitter chemical levels - ie. serotonin, the happy chemical and dopamin the motivation chemical. Take these as supplements as 5-HTP (50mg to 100mg twice daily) and l-tyrosine 500mg three times daily. Also include Omega-3 essential fatty acids into your diet in the form of mackerel, salmon, sardines and herrings or take in supplement form
• Exercise! get 30 minutes of exercise 3 - 5 times per week. Make sure you enjoy it, and when you're doing it make sure your mind is on your exercise and not your problems. By concentrating "externally" you are lessening the impact of your internal gremlins - but only whilst you are doing the exercise!

EMOTIONAL/LIFESTYLE

The key to success over depression is to ensure that the life you lead nourishes a balanced and healthy way of life for you. One in which you can grow emotionally and psychologically and one in which you use your abilities to gain fulfillment and improved mental health.

If you are balanced and happy in your life then you have the tools to deal with stressful and anxious situations as they arise. The effect will not be long term because you have the resources to combat the depressing situation.

This is a very important time for you to deal with your emotional/lifestyle challenges and it is essential that you get yourself the most valuable help.

This is an extract from my website which covers many aspects of stress and how it affects our lives.

It is based on my own experiences, which I share with you. I would like the site to expand and include helpful experiences you may like to share with myself and others.

Please visit if you feel it may be of interest to you http://www.stress-anxieties-solutions.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christina_Vickery

Healing Depression with Laughter - By Monalisa Hyden

"What was significant about the laughter . . . was not just the fact that it provides internal exercise for a person . . .a form of jogging for the innards, but that it creates a mood in which the other positive emotions can be put to work, too." - Norman Cousins

A good laugh is a very effective treatment for depression which can ease up your facial muscles, reduces stress hormone, lowers blood pressure, increases muscle flexion, by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins which produce disease-destroying antibodies, also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Humour and laughter has beneficial effect on body, mind and spirit giving an overall effect of well being. When someone is depressed, humour and laughter boosts up his a positive and hopeful attitude. When we can laugh at any problem, we feel the power and superiority get the control over the situation.

Laughter releases those uncomfortable emotions, that are bottled up in our mind and creates biochemical changes that causes damage to our soul as well as body.

People with good sense of humour fall sick less often due to the fact laughter is an internal jogging for a man. There is a very important relationship within body and mind; emotions are registered in the body in the form of chemical messages, a complex molecule called neuropeptides, which are found throughout the body and brain, work as a means of communication.

Incorporating more laughter and humour in life ensures that these molecules carrying chemical messages work positively in the body.

How to start laughing when you know you are depressed?

We have plenty of opportunities in a day when we can laugh aloud, giggle or at least smirk.

Beaming all day will never cause you any harm rather uplift your spirit and you will be more welcomed by people who are around you. So notice the small incidents around you that can give you a laugh, grab those opportunities, they are too precious to let go. Every one of us has a friend or a family member who are known for their sense of humour, spend some time with him.

There are email newsletters providing “A Joke a Day”, subscribe to them, watch comedy TV shows, read comics and joke books. If you have kinds at home, get into tickling match with them, or you can do it with your spouse, and let them get you back with some tickle. There are thousands websites available on the internet providing you jokes for pure and loud laughs, read those jokes, share them with friends. There are funny talk shows running on T.V. and radio which can leave you rolling over your belly. Laughter is really contagious which will give you uproar to fill your soul with influx of joy. If there is something that you may not laugh at accompanied by others, like foreign language songs, public embarrassment of politicians, your obese boss trying to be smart, or a dumb colleague doing all stupid things, laugh whenever you are alone in your cabin or in the loo. This way you will not be offending anyone but do a lot of healthy exercise for your mind.

Life has different dimensions offering you spectrum of emotions , try to look at the things from different perspectives, you will see there are thousand instances of irony around you, look for events of irony in your memory warehouse, you will find plenty of them. Life is a fountainhead of fun, and depression is not enough to close that gush of joy to your life. You need to be connected to those mirthful rivers and let them flow within you.

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The author, Monalisa Hyden, addresses psychological issues. If you wish to help yourself and your loved ones to fight depression, you can log on to http://www.buy-xanax-online-now.com for more information and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monalisa_Hyden

Depression - Write Your Way Out - By Michael Russell

Most of us feel depressed, or "down" at some time in our lives but, fortunately, it's usually short lived. Some people, however, are unable to shake off their feelings of depression and are diagnosed as "Clinically Depressed".

Many types of drugs and pills are prescribed but they often lead to addiction in addition to depression, thus creating a never ending downward spiral. Thousands, and possibly millions, of patients are convinced they'll never recover which only adds to their sense of low-self esteem.

Today, people suffering from depression seek alternative remedies such as acupuncture and various therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most popular as it encourages people to view their problems from a different perspective. It is one of the most successful therapies but is not always easily available on a continuous basis which is essential if the patient is to benefit.

People who struggle financially can find this particular therapy difficult to obtain on an ongoing basis as their appointments may be weeks apart. Wealthier people, of course, don't encounter such problems as they have sufficient money for private treatment. Everybody would agree this is unjust but, regrettably, life is frequently unfair.

There are other methods of coping, such as self-help groups which some people find incredibly supportive. Friends and relatives can also provide a "shoulder to cry on" but very few are able to provide long term support because they are emotionally too close to the patient. The majority of friends and relatives find it hard to be objective, and some of them even go so far as to tell those suffering from depression "to snap out of it". This is fatal as this is exactly what they want to do but are unable to do so.

One of the best ways of coping with depression is to enrol on a Creative Writing Course. Not an obvious way of coping, it must be said, but one that can produce amazing results. People who enrol on these courses are not required to have any qualifications apart from, obviously, a desire to write. The reason these courses are so successful lies in the fact that people who attend them have to think about matters other than their problems for a couple of hours. This concentrates the mind wonderfully and allows people to perceive things in a different way which is reminiscent of the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy.

The courses cover story writing, poetry, stage, screen and radio plays plus the outlines of writing a novel. Topics include characterisation, plot, dialogue plus a host of other subjects. Each and every one can offer countless ways whereby people are able to release their innermost thoughts, desires and anxieties, so relieving considerable tension. Poetry offers one of the best methods of expressing emotion which in itself is extremely cathartic.

Listening to other people's views is also particularly therapeutic as, again, this distances people who are depressed from dwelling on their troubles, affording them a welcome respite. Creative Writing Courses really do expand the mind and leave it open to new experiences which are of tremendous benefit to any one suffering from low self-esteem. Writing, by it's very nature, depends on self expression which often helps people to understand their feelings which may have been repressed for years. This can result in a completely new outlook on life itself. It is simply a question of being receptive to new ideas but the rewards can be huge. In a nutshell, minds become focused on looking outwards, rather than inwards, when involved in the process of writing. In accomplishing such an achievement, creative writing must count as one of the best treatments in helping people to overcome depression. Enrol on that course today! You'll find it can change your life.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Depression

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

10 Common Symptoms Of Depression - By Paul W Wilson

Every year approximately 9.5 per cent of the American population suffers from depression. Depression is a grave illness that affects day to day life and destroys families. It is a disorder that controls the mind and its functions causing loss of appetite, sleeplessness, mood swings, and a deep sense of despair.

The symptoms of depression are varied and the severity changes with time. And, according to experts depression can be an inherited disorder, or caused by life threatening illnesses, or stress. Other causes are certain diseases, medicines, drugs, alcohol, or mental illnesses. Women are seen to experience depression more than men and this is attributed to hormonal swings, menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, pre-menopause, and post-menopause.

Common symptoms are:

1. An unshakeable sadness, anxiety, or emptiness.

2. Overwhelming hopelessness accompanied by pessimistic feelings.

3. Extreme guilt, feelings of helplessness, and no sense of self worth.

4. Loss of energy, a slowing down of metabolism, and activity levels. Being plagued by constant fatigue.

5. A sense of helplessness along with an increasing inability to focus and indecisiveness.

6. Loss of sound sleep and development of extreme insomnia.

7. Inexplicable weight loss or weight gain. Triggered by loss of appetite or eating binges.

8. Brooding and suicidal inclinations.

9. Irritability, short temper, as well as restlessness.

10. Physical afflictions like headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain for no particular reason.

If you experience any of the above along with a marked change in behavior do consult your doctor. He will give you a thorough examination to rule out physical causes for depression as well as any underlying medical problems. Then if required he will recommend that you consult a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Take matters in hand and try and erase negativity from your mind. Cut out from you life terms like exhaustion, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Change your life by setting yourself a few goals. Try and relax, meditate, and enjoy music. Start new activities that absorb your time as well as interests. Go out and meet people and participate in group activities. Avoid the company of negative people. Make up your mind to enjoy a movie, ballgame, family outing, picnic, or trek.

Be positive, self confident, and have faith in yourself. Faith is itself a great healer. Decide to change your world for the better. However do follow the doctor’s advice.

Treatment can include:

Anti-depressant medicines, psychotherapy, as well as lifestyle changes. In extreme cases electroconvulsive therapy or light therapy are prescribed.

If your depression escalates or you are suicidal seek help from your family physician or health care provider. Do call a local health department, a community mental health center, or hospital or clinic. Someone will extend a helping hand and talk you through the crisis.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888articles.com/depression-articles-88_8.html, the premier website to find help on Depression Articles including topics on meditation, obesity, beauty, diabetes, fitness equipment, exercise, yoga, weight loss, aerobics cardio and more. He also freelances for the premier Medical Press Release site http://www.1888PressRelease.com/medical-0-27.html

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