Depression Advice Online

2009-10-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Depression in Senior Citizens

Depression in Senior Citizens
By David Crumrine

Depression is a medical condition that is characterized by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless; low self-esteem; and loss of interest in things one used to enjoy. Senior citizens are prone to life-altering changes that can lead one to feel depressed. Dealing with the trials life throws at us such as, loss, change, loneliness, or a chronic medical condition can be quite overwhelming. Still, depression is not a "normal" part of aging. Like heart disease or diabetes, depression is a medical condition and it can be treated with medication and therapy. Treatment is effective at alleviating symptoms within a few weeks in at least 80 percent of people.

It is important that senior citizens and those providing their elder care understand the symptoms of depression. If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from depression, identify your symptoms by using the checklist provided below. Then, if necessary, seek assistance. For senior citizens, the most frequently used resource is a family doctor. Bringing a trusted friend or relative may help ease any anxiety when going to an appointment. Understand that your doctor may suggest a checkup and begin treatment or refer you to a mental health specialist.

Before you say, "I'm okay"....

Do you feel:

Anxious or "empty"

Guilty or useless

Agitated or irritable

Less interested in things you used to enjoy

Like no one loves you

Life is not worth living

Or if you are:

A change in sleeping habits

A change in eating habits

Persistent headaches, stomach aches, or pain

Remember that these may be real symptoms of a real medical condition that can be effectively treated. Talk to your doctor today. Though many senior citizens suffer from depression, feeling depressed is not a normal part of aging.

Health and Wellness tips

There are many measures senior citizens can take to help relieve the symptoms of depression. Those involved in the elder care of senior citizens experiencing depression should encourage the senior to follow these tips and improve their wellbeing.

Check your medications. Senior citizens often take many medications. Some medications, including those for sleep, blood pressure, and nervousness, may affect mood. Talk with your doctor about each of the medications you are taking. Be sure to include all over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements to minimize the chances of having side effects.

Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol use can bring about depression. And, when alcohol and drugs are combined, interactions that lead to depression can occur.

Stay connected. Sometimes, senior citizens find it more difficult to get out and stay connected with others. Still, talking with friends and family members, getting a pet, or even finding a new interest or hobby can help one through this tough time. Get involved in activities you take pleasure in, such as reading a good book, going to a ballgame or a taking a class in a subject that interests to you.

Be active. Physical activity can improve physical and mental wellbeing. Though some senior citizens believe they cannot exercise, there are activities like walking, gardening, or working out (even if one is in a wheelchair) that can be helpful. Make a goal of 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week. If you have not taken part in physical activity in a while, be sure to check with your doctor and get his ok before you begin.

Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids. Choose healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, yogurt, or nuts to increase your nutrition and energy. Also, try to eat well-balanced meals. Some senior citizens suffer from loss of appetite and weight loss; if you have experienced either of these, consult your doctor.

The Caring Space

http://www.TheCaringSpace.com

David Crumrine at the Caring Space

We are an organization that connects caregivers and care seekers, providing an easy and affordable resource for families seeking care for friends/loved ones and caregivers seeking employment.

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2009-01-05T23:52:00.001-08:00

How Does Depression Affect Your Weight?
By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT

When people think of depression, they tend to focus more on how it affects a person mentally. It is true that depression is caused by either a chemical imbalance, a traumatic event or is a condition that is passed down through genetics; however, regardless of the reason why someone has developed depression, it can have an negative impact on a person's physical health. It could be that they have lost interest in caring for their appearance, or lost interest in an activity they would normally enjoy on a regular business. Depression can even affect a person's weight by either gaining or losing weight, depending on whether they have decided to try and self-medicate their depression with food or by ignoring food all together.

It is common for depression to affect a person's weight, more so than most realize. The change in weight has even been caused by some anti-depressants that some depressed people have been prescribed; however, the common result of serious depression appears to be the loss of weight. In this situation, the person has lost interest in food or they feel they don't deserve to eat it. It could be that they are unhappy with their appearance and they feel that they don't deserve to eat anymore because they are already too overweight. It could be that a person feels that they don't deserve the right to live, whether it is because they are being bullied unmercifully by others at school, or a past traumatic event has cost them a loved one who they feel should not have died. The list could go on for all the reasons why a person would lose their appetite. The point is that if this condition is allowed to go on without proper treatment, the individual can develop other conditions, such as anorexia or bulimia, where they will let themselves starve to death.

Weight loss, regardless of the reasons is a serious issue. A person who appears to be depressed, is losing weight and does not appear to have an interest in eating at all, especially as a result of guilt or just loss of interest, needs to consult a therapist or a counselor. An online therapist can help the individual figure out why they are depressed and they can also help the patient deal with their loss of appetite and weight. People who are this depressed often find it easier to get help from an online counselor, especially if they are a teenager who is worried about their personal image. Many people in the past have avoided getting the help they need because they were afraid that others would see them going in to see a therapist or counselor in person. Now, thanks to the internet, online therapy is available. People can contact an online therapist and get the help they need from the comfort of their home and their confidentiality is guaranteed. Online counseling is becoming more popular all the time as more people prefer to use it. Also, many people who have decided to go with online therapy have been successfully treated.

Jennifer Baxt is the owner of CompleteCounselingSolutions.com which offers a variety of online counseling services. If you would like to know more about Jennifer or any of our online therapists, visit our website.

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I'm sorry

2008-11-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hello readers,

I just wanted to apologize for not keeping this blog updated regularly. I've been goign to school and working on my degree so I can work with people with mental health disabilities such as depression, anxiety and so forth. I also put in a lot of hours as a volunteer at a center for mental health disabilities. I promise to try to keep it updated.

Thanks for coming back.

2008-08-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Respond to Depression
By Tian Yu

Throughout the course of our lives, we all experience episodes of unhappiness, sadness, or grief. Often, when a loved one dies or we suffer a personal tragedy or difficulty such as divorce or loss of a job, we may feel depressed. Depression can strike at any time, and properly responding to the depression is very important.

Some people don't really understand about depression. They may criticize a depressed person's low energy, yelling at the person for acting lazy or not trying harder. Some people mistakenly believe that depression is just an attitude or a mood that a person can shake off. It's not that easy. Sometimes even people who are depressed don't take their condition seriously enough. Some people feel that they are weak in some way because they are depressed. This is wrong and it can even be harmful if it causes people to hide their depression and avoid getting help.

Sometimes friends or family members recognize that someone is depressed. They may respond with love, kindness, or support, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. They may offer to listen if the person wants to talk. If the depressed feeling doesn't pass with a little time, friends or loved ones may encourage the person to get help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.

The depressed person will most times want to talk about their life problems. They may want you to confirm their negative view of life and at the same time can be very manipulative, needy, and demanding. There is much time and effort exerted trying to solve their problems and when they become exhausted and realize that there is no solution they become further depressed. It will be very easy for you to be sucked into this spiral of emotions to the benefit of neither you nor your depressed friend. Their problems might be horrendous and unsolvable at this time, but for now the most pressing problem in their life is the depression, this is especially true if they are having suicidal thoughts.

Keep in mind that you are not trying to provide solutions to their life problems and you are not trying cure their depression. What you are attempting to accomplish is to help them explore other opinions and options as to the cause and the cure of their depression.

Leading eBooks Company

Click to find more about Depression Relief

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2008-08-14T00:34:00.001-07:00

Depression - Is Society Taking the Wrong Approach?
By David Braybrooke

Is society taking the wrong approach with the treatment of depression? I would answer this as most certainly. The fact is that the pharmaceutical industry makes countless millions in revenue each and every year, profiting from the misery of the masses.

Drugs from Prozac to Zoloft and a plethora of others are fed to the wider populace at an alarming rate. From personal experience, I can clearly state that anti-depressant medication has a wide range of negative side-effects that directly affect the consumer.

At present I am taking a tablet called Effexor and am not experiencing too many troubling symptoms. However, if I decided to take myself off this medication then I can expect a whole range of worrying symptoms; anything from tremors to blurred vision and poor concentration and digestion.

On first examination the above conditions may not be of much concern to some but I have to admit being alarmed at how the human body can be so severely affected by these types of medications.

My theory on why depression is so widespread in society is that we are no longer as well-connected and networked as individuals. Many people confess that they don't even know their neighbors. The modern condition of disconnection from others is rife in modern society.

Slowing down the pace of life, remembering to count one's blessings and participating in personally fulfilling activities with other like-minded people is one avenue that depression can be combated. Instead, we're heading off to the Doctor's office in ever increasing numbers to be prescribed the latest wonder drug. Does anyone besides myself wonder about how many qualified Doctors have shares in drug companies?

New prescription medications are often unknown quantities when it comes to long termed effects in the human body. Remember what they discovered about thalidomide. Enough said!

Why do I think that medications are a poor choice in attacking the depression 'plague'? Because I've taken them myself, Zoloft, Sertraline and Effexor XR and I remained depressed and suicidal throughout the course of the medications. And I'm by no means the only one to have experienced this.

The right approach in tackling depression would be the encouragement of meaningful relating between people; really listening and being supportive of sufferers. For some, prescribed medications may offer relief in the short-term but the long-term answer is the questioning of one's personal beliefs and the examination of reasons why one is experiencing depression.

One things for certain, we weren't born depressed so it is likely that it is a learned psychological condition that can be reversed.

Keep busy, appreciate your own achievements, exercise on a daily basis and have a healthy diet. Have a positive attitude to life and get involved within your community. The way out of the darkness owes much to common sense living. And I can state this from my own experience.

David Braybrooke http://makebigmoney-fatherspirit.blogspot.com

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What is Depression?

2008-08-04T19:45:00.001-07:00

2008-01-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Healing After The Holidays - How To Keep Cheer In Your Spirits

Healing After The Holidays - How To Keep Cheer In Your Spirits
By Jason Witt

When you receive the Seal, you will feel like every day or at least many days are a holiday. But you may still need to "recover" from the Christmas holidays in 2007 anyway.

When you are sealed, every day can be a holiday. Instead of fewer holidays you have more. That is the kind of joy you will feel when you get closer to God. And when you get the victory over evil.

But you may still have stress during the conventional hoidays, starting with Thanksgiving and culminating with New Year's Day, and of course including Christmas between them.

A big holiday stressor is expectations. You may want this holiday to be "better" than it can possibly be, and you may want to share some of your joy with the other people. You are likely to be let down.

Then there is the financial stress of Christmas. You are probably spending more than you can afford, just trying to be giving. But it catches up with you, especially come January.

And there are also social stressors. You may have goodwill toward everyone but they may not be so goodhearted. When you have to gather with family during the holidays old differences can resurface even when you have not brought them up.

And finally, as you grow older, you will begin to suffer the loss of some of your loved ones. It may especially hurt when your parents die. You have celebrated the holidays with them since you were a child. And now they are gone.

There are some things you can do this season to "recover" from the holidays:

Lower your expectations. Enjoy your own holidays throughout the year. Let these conventional holidays be the lesser of the joys

Keep your drinking in check. Excessive drinking can cause you to feel remorse soon after. You do not need anything like that bringing you down

Watch your spending. Giving is a great spirit to have, but so is responsible management of money. And responsibility is better than recklessness

Continue getting enough exercise. Getting active can wash away depression after the holidays like a charm. Once you start exercising again you will soon forget most of your troubles. So do not let it lag, but keep it up!

Get some light therapy. Recent research has shown blue light is great for fighting depression. Natural outside light is bluer than most artificial light. And this is good. While you are outside you will be getting a little exercise.

Eat right. Go heavy on the protein in the morning. That is the most important time to get it. Lots of protein in the morning is recommended all year round.

Eat a balanced diet. Holiday meals are notoriously bad for you. And when you eat a few of them and have leftovers, you can easily slip away from your regular healthy eating.

Take some fish oil or flax oil, especially if you feel a little depressed. These oils have Omega 3 fatty acids which studies have shown fight depression. This natural solution can go a long way in keeping you "up."

When you are sealed you will celebrate much more often. You will have holidays on regular days when nobody else has any reason to celebrate. This is because you are close to God and He will share some of His Joy with you.

But you will have to celebrate the traditional holidays with everyone else. And those are the times you need to watch out. You might go into the holidays feeling great, but coming out of the holidays is not as nice.

When you are sealed God will write His Name upon you. Then you will belong to God and He will give you your joy as well as your health. But when the holidays let you down you can always celebrate with God when you receive the Seal.

And now Jason invites you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian?

And "Get God's Seal of Approval and Get the Victory Over Evil"
Jason Witt

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2007-07-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

Mental Self Help - 5 Ideas To Get You Back On Your Feet
By Kevin J. John

Have you had a major setback in your life? Maybe you've lost your job, you have a serious illness, you've lost a loved one. When this happens, you can feel trapped by circumstances, unable to rebuild your life, not knowing what to do where to go. Here are 5 ideas to help you start climbing out of the hole you're in and get back on your feet again.

You are NEVER alone

When you are struggling to recover from a major setback, it can seem like a very lonely place. You may think that you are alone, that this problem is completely yours, or at most shared with your life partner.

You must continually remind yourself that this is not true. There are always other people who have had and are having exactly the same experience as you, maybe they’ve got it even worse. And the vast majority of those people rebuild their lives and are now happy and successful again. How did they do it?

You can find out, actively look for stories of people who have overcome the challenges that you are facing and figure out how they did it. Make yourself receptive to new ideas – any ideas. Don’t dismiss them out of hand. The more ideas you collect, the more you are likely to find the solution you need.

Know where you are going

Yes your life is a mess now, but like everything else in this world, that is only a temporary state. The only thing you can be certain about in this world is that tomorrow it will change. That change may be beneficial for you, it may not, but you can be sure that it will change.

You can maximise your chances of making beneficial changes by knowing where you are going. Spend some time developing a clear vision of where you want to go, who you want to be and what you want to be doing in 5 year’s time. Then work out the major steps you are going to have to take to get there.

Now, as you go through each day, you can ask yourself “am I moving towards or away from my goals?” Spend as much time as you can moving towards your goals and you’ll get there – maybe even faster than you expected!

Look back from the future

Imagine yourself in your future 5 years from now. You’ve succeeded in getting back on your feet, you’re living the life of your dreams.

When you look back, how will today look to you in 5 year’s time?

Think about other times when you’ve looked back on past problems. At the time they may have seemed terrible, overwhelming, insoluble. Yet when you look back on them, they seem much smaller, just minor disruptions in your life’s journey.

Get your current problems into perspective by looking at the larger picture of your life.

Have faith

Faith is sustaining a belief that something is possible when there is no tangible evidence that it is possible. You may have faith in your god, the universe, the spiritual world or in yourself. Whatever you have faith in, you must have faith that you will overcome the setback you are experiencing, with or without the help of an all powerful being.

Faith is fundamental to success in anything you are doing. You will always be in circumstances where you cannot see exactly how something is going to work out, yet to stand any chance of success you have got to believe that it will.

You must develop and strengthen your faith in the outcome you desire day by day.

Affirmations

The most powerful way to strengthen your faith, develop the mental strength that you need to overcome your challenges and stay focussed on your goals is through the use of affirmations. Affirmations have been used since time immemorial to achieve these results.

Your affirmations should be short positive, present tense statements of what you want to be, do and have. You should link them with positive feelings and use them regularly, at least once a day. If you persist for at least 30 days, you will start to notice changes in your life that bring you closer to your desired results.

Your may be experiencing a major setback in your life, but you can overcome it. You will emerge a stronger person with more resources at your disposal. You’ve read about 5 ideas that can help you to overcome the situation you are in. Reflect on them and choose at least one. Put it into practice today and stick with it!

Download my latest e-book here http://www.achieving-your-dreams.com/resources/ecourse/postsign.php Principles of Success. Visit my website for more resources, articles, and support materials about http://www.achieving-your-dreams.com success and personal growth

Kevin John has spent many years helping businesses owners, aspiring business owners, and private individuals to develop the understanding and skills needed to achieve the success that they want.

Find out more about http://www.achieving-your-dreams.com/articles/getart.php

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Suicidal Tendency - Christina Sponias

2007-04-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

A lot of our injuries happen when we are least expecting it. We might cut our finger while cutting the bread with a knife, or fall down the stairs because we get distracted by something, even almost lose our life because we cross the street without looking carefully before to see if there is a speeding car coming towards us. So, a series of disasters become part of a routine in our life.
Depending on the severity of the consequences of our inattention, we may even laugh at our stupidity. We simply don’t pay attention to all these accidents if they happen only once in a while, and we believe we are normal people; we may not realize how often they actually occur.
However, these accidents don’t happen by chance or only because we are distracted. Firstly, the fact that we are distracted when we should be very careful, indicates that we don’t have the proper attitude towards serious matters.

Accidents can become a nightmare - they can turn into serious disasters. We better discover their hidden meanings, before they kill us!
People that experience several accidents in their daily life shall not be considered “just a bit vague”. They suffer all the time with many accidents because they have a hidden suicidal tendency.

First of all, we have to consider the characteristics you have from the beginning of your life… Some people seem to adore life. No matter how much they suffer, they are always laughing and trying to be happy. They are often superficial, and usually belong to the extroverted psychological type whose judgment is based on sensations. Other people seem to hate life. They are always afraid and expecting the worst.

People have different psychological types, and each one of us has his own story, full of disappointments, wounds, bad memories, tragic facts and events, besides the joy of some moments and better periods of time. Each one of us has a world inside himself, and a defined psychological type, that induces us to behave in a certain way, based on the psychological function we develop in our psychical sphere.

So, depending on which psychological type a person belongs to, they have a completely different reaction to the same stimulus. This reaction depends also on the personal psychical traumas they have had.

Some people that belong to introverted psychological types for example, are more vulnerable to acquiring a suicidal tendency.

When we see a person that has such a hidden tendency, we have to try to understand why they don’t want to live. Usually they are accepting living under unbearable conditions, or accepting horrible situations, without understanding they have to change and abandon this way of life. They can not accept what doesn’t make them happy without caring about their happiness, and they can not continue to ignore reality forever… There are many problems they may have in their daily life, perhaps during many years repeatedly, that are killing them softly inside. So, their hidden desire is to die, even though they know they can’t actually commit suicide. They don’t accept the idea of a suicide, because that’s what they have been taught. However, deep inside them, they only want to die and abandon forever all the horrors they have to swallow every day… all the problems they know will never find a solution… everything!

This desire is condemned by their human conscience, that’s why is it hidden and appears in an obscured form: it seems to be only a tendency to be negligent.
In fact what happens is that their psyche wishes to die, and they start having strange thoughts, fantasising or dreaming about a sudden death, in which they wouldn’t be the ones that decided to abandon life, everyone and everything, in such a cowardly way.

They start accepting ideas like: “I could easily die if a very simple accident would happen now…”, and “it wouldn’t be my fault…” But these thoughts never create decisive action towards suicide, because their conscience is still alive and not allowing them to accept the act, while pretending they had only an accident.

We never know however who is going to win in the end. Is the human being going to overcome his depression and become healthy and balanced, after winning the battle against the strong tendency to commit suicide, or is this strong tendency going to push him to really kill himself in this hidden way?

My advice is to always consult a psychologist if we’ll observe that we suffer from several small accidents, or somebody else close to us does. The constant accidents are not the result of negligence. They reflect a suicidal tendency, without any doubt.

Perhaps the problem can be solved if we pay attention to what is happening generally in our lives and do something courageous to change the awful situations in which we live, or abandon them. Perhaps the signs of a hidden suicidal tendency will open our eyes to reality and demand from us a serious response.

In the meantime, people that have this problem have to be always very careful, never doing things on a hurry. Until they’ve overcome their problem, they should do things very slowly and always pay attention to what they are doing. It’s better to miss the bus, for example, than to miss a step and lose their lives. They have to allow more to go anywhere, because they can’t run. They are sick, and need to be very careful until they have overcome their depression - when this dangerous hidden suicidal tendency will disappear.

Christina Sponias Chatzidimou

During my studies, I came across Carl Jung’s method of deciphering dreams, which helped me and urged me to continue his research into the unknown regions of our psychical sphere. I set my poetry aside and began to compile my findings. I sought to prove that Jung had discovered the proper method of interpretation of dreams. This exercise actually taught me many things, and I continued to pursue Jung’s research into the analysis of dreams. Learn more at http://www.booksirecommend.com/

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St. John's Wort -An Herb For Depression And Insomnia - By Ian Finlayson

2007-03-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

St. John's wort has been traditionally used to treat mental disorders as well as nerve pain for centuries. It is also currently acknowledged by herbalists as a sedative and an effective treatment for malaria as well as a balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites.

St. John's wort is currently used to treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. It has been shown to be more effective than antidepressants generally prescribed for mild to moderate depression.

In some enlightened countries like Germany, the sale of St John's Wort has outstripped many of the major prescription anti-depressants

There have been several dozen studies looking at the effectiveness of St. John's Wort. The British Medical Journal recently conducted a study of 23 randomized trials involving over 1,700 patients. The patients had mild to moderate depression. St. John's wort was just as effective as standard antidepressants. However, none of the studies exceeded 12 weeks in duration making them less than ideal. Fifty percent of patients taking St. John's wort improved with respect to their depression as opposed to only 23 percent of patients that were taking placebo.

More recently, there have been a number of clinical studies that have demonstrated that standardized extracts of Hypericum are more effective than a placebo in the treatment of depression. Active ingredients include glycosides, flavonoids, volatile oils, tannins and resins. The active ingredients in Hypericum are thought to boost serotonin levels, which are usually lacking in depressed people. In several studies, St. John's wort was more effective than standard antidepressants for mild to moderate depression.

St. John's Wort has been known to interfere with certain medications. If you are taking any medications or under doctors care consult your physician before taking.

For example tricyclic antidepressants may interact with St. John's wort.

St. John's wort can also increase the effects of prescription drugs used to treat depression. It can also interfere with drugs used to treat HIV infection, to treat cancer, for birth control, or to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs.

Pregnant or nursing woman or children under 12 should not take supplements containing St John's Wort Also, persons taking medications such as cyclosporin which are usually prescribed in serious auto-immune problems, organ transplantation to stop rejection or cancer therapy should also avoid St. John's Wort.

Ian Finlayson is chief writer and Webmaster of The Herb Spiral a website dealing with medicinal and culinary herbs. His articles aim to provide a balanced insight into the known and traditional therapeutic properties of commonly used medicinal herbs.

The Herb Spiral also provides current news comment and a variety of articles on each herb discussed. More information on St John's Wort can be found here

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Finding the Balance and Hope - Antonella Novi

2007-03-02T00:14:00.000-08:00

I have been residing in Anacortes, Washington since April of 2001. I came back to town after completing three years at the Evergreen State College. The purpose for not completing my fourth year at the non traditional school is not easy to explain, but I am here to do just that.

The story goes way back… In California, at 13 years old I was indeed rebelling, though not outwardly towards my parents or at school by getting bad grades. I was inwardly very angry with myself. I had very low self esteem, and thus I punished myself on almost a daily basis with harsh words and even thoughts of death. At night I could not sleep, so I did really risky things, like dress in dark clothing and sneak out my window to walk through a dark park that was not safe. I thought I was worthless, but also wanted attention too, so I sought it out through boys at school- not caring if they had girlfriends. One time some girls got mad at me and beat me up.

In March of my eighth grade year two girls from the local high school came to talk to the health class about life; peer pressure, smoking, sex, drugs, etc. They asked the students to write down a question or comment for them, so they could further the dialogue. Something inside me wrote out: “I want to die.”

One of the girls saw this note and brought it to the attention of the school counselor. I told her it was true. Soon, I was riding in the back of an ambulance to a mental hospital. My mom met me there and the journey of getting help began.

I was inpatient at a teen treatment center for two weeks. This place kept me safe from myself, but still the counselors didn’t know why I was so sad, angry, and yet sometimes so full of intense energy. My parents decided it would be best if I went to a long term treatment facility to get professional help. So I went off to Salt Lake City, Utah for eight months. For the first six months I was not honest about my feelings and my actions were erratic. I played with the systems and my medications. I thoroughly enjoyed frustrating the doctors and health care personnel. It wasn’t until I got a real good therapist and my parents sent a prospective letter of possibly moving to a new state that I actually got serious. I did the best I could at being myself. My therapist diagnosed me as “manic depressive.” Within two months of being “stable” I was released. Two days after being at home in California, my family and I moved up to Anacortes, Washington.

I was elated to have left the state that I thought had almost killed me. Upon moving to Anacortes, I made the goal that I would become the girl I had always wanted to be. I had a list of things I want to do, and swore I would do all of them and more. One thing I didn’t promise was I would take my medication. That is a common element with people who are manic depressive/ bi-polar is the issue of compliancy. People who are manic depressive enjoy the manic “Highs” that they get that the meds keep under control.

Well, I decided to do eighth grade over again and I took my Zoloft as I should have that year in fear I would go back to Utah if I didn’t. But come high school, that’s when I really started to mess around with my meds. I realized if I didn’t take them I had the energy to get involved in lots more activities at once; Key Club, Teens Against Tobacco, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, write amazing articles for the Seahawk News and more . My energy would last for over a month, and then I would feel myself coming down like a falling paper air plane. I knew it was time to take my Zoloft to stable me out. I would take it for about three weeks. Then stop again and feel the rush to, “yes”, take on more stuff. “Bumbles Garden” an original musical, why not! Video editing, let’s go! Why not join the soccer team! All on a manic high. I did this scary game all through high school, and it seamed to work.

But, not in college! I decided to go cold turkey from all medication in my first year of college. And boy did I get a manic high! I went almost crazy, without boundaries or inhibitions. But this time I had money to spend and freedom to travel without telling anyone. By summer I was broke and tired.

During my second year in college I saw a doctor who put me on Depakote, a cousin to Lithium. This drug slowed me way down, and made me gain over 35 pounds. But I stayed on it through the school year and into summer. I was tired of the weight gain and of how slow I felt physically and mentally, so my doctor put me on a mood stabilizer called Topamax. I soon lost most of the weight, and felt like a normal able bodied human being again. I stayed compliant on my meds until the second quarter of my third year. Then… I had a research paper to write! “Oh,” I thought. “I know how I can get this done with little effort. Stop taking my meds and get manic again!” Uh oh! Not only was Topamax not Zoloft, but I was no longer a teenager, my body chemistry had changed. So instead of getting a manic high, I got my first manic depressive/bi-polar “depression.”

Oh it was terrible! I couldn’t string two thoughts together. All I felt like doing was lying in my bed in my dark room. Interacting with my peers felt like the hardest thing in the world, for them I had to put on a mask of cheer. I was still trying to write this research paper but I couldn’t find enough information for the topic, so I had piles and piles of unrelated books stacked on my floor. My hygiene was suffering terribly, for I stopped caring for myself.

Again my thoughts were edging towards death. But I couldn’t even think of ending my life because my Grandfather had a glorious trip to China planned for us in the spring. As for school in the spring I planned on writing an independent contract. This is an assignment where student plans the curriculum and keeps in touch with a sponsored teacher throughout the quarter. Completing this task of thinking of what to do while in China was like pulling out my teeth, hair, and nails. I must have called my mom for ideas and support at lest 15 times a week. I dragged myself to the counseling center for assistance, and the woman in charge urged me to go to China just for fun not for credit. I already felt like a failure. Somehow I managed to squeeze out a contract good enough for the professor. In my heart I knew I would never complete the tasks I assigned for myself while on the trip. They looked so difficult, and I felt so weak.

When the trip to China finally arrived I was encased in my depression, but had a good enough mask on to fool the world. I had many fantasies of running away in the crowds, drinking bad water, eating raw meat, yes, death permeated my being. The trip was a blurr. We wet to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Hong Kong, in a matter of two weeks. Often my grandfather held my hand tightly as if in the large crowds he could read my thoughts of running away. In photos of the trip I am smiling, inside I was broken into fragile pieces. I tried to start taking my medicine again, but I took too many, or not enough. When I got home I cried for an hour. Not because I was relieved to be home, but because I had survived.

Three days later, on May 6, 2001 I tried to eat half the medicine cabinet. So close to Mother’s Day, my mom brought me to the emergency room at Skagit Hospital, and said, “Nice gift.” I stayed inpatient on the third floor there for nine days. It was not fun and games like when I was a young teen. In nine days I was ready to get out. I wanted to get better. I never wanted to be inpatient again! This vow meant I had to stay on my medication always and forever, and to take them correctly.

I am very lucky to see the psychiatrist I do. He tried me out on some very current medications. I decided to begin a journal the day I took these new meds to see if and how they affected my writing or train of thought. Journaling has helped with staying focused in the here and now, especially when I slip into thinking about the “woulda, coulda, shoulda’s” of the past. I use positive affirmations for myself consistently in my journal. And I am consistently patting myself on the back for taking my medication on a daily basis. Journaling and medication go hand in hand. (As of Feb.29, I am now into my 58th journal since June 14, 2001.) While getting stable, I am lucky to have support not only from family and friends, but from a local manic depressive/ bi-polar support group held the second Thursday of every month at the Skagit Valley Hospital

So, for now, I am a proud “stable” resident of Anacortes. I have been taking my medication consistently since June 14, 2001, and I feel great! I have made a vow to you and to myself to remain honest and compliant! So, what do I do now? I am involved in many activities, and my days are filled with many interesting adventures, though it is nice to say all are done with a clear and focused mind. I would like to keep in touch by writing articles about my everyday experiences within the community. I hope to show that even someone with a mood disorder, or what the psychiatric world has labeled a “chemical imbalance” and a life story of ups and downs, I can still live a happy and fulfilling life.

***
First I would like to say a personal thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. My interests vary from character sketches, slivers of insight into my life, stories about animals and nature, and more. If you have an interesting idea for a story, but can't seem to get your ideas to fit into form, please contact me and we can work on your story together. I love to brainstorm, and talk-story with people who also appreciate the craft of writing.

I am open to comments and feedback. I am here for you if you need to share your story.
flute_harmony@hotmail.com

Or you can get to know me a little better through my web-page: http://www.myspace.com/teefrog

Always*
Antonella

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Natural Cure For Depression--The Best Scientifically Proven At Home Depression Treatment - Andrea Waggener

2007-02-18T22:33:00.000-08:00

"Natural cure for depression" might sound like magic words to someone who is depressed. Can there be such a thing? A natural cure for depression that really works?

Most depression sufferers search far and wide for a natural cure for depression that helps. They try herbs and light therapy and essential oils and body work and all kinds of other alternative therapies. I know. As a bipolar sufferer who once hovered on the brink of suicide during a severe depression, I tried literally dozens of substances (all legal, mind you) and techniques to cure depression naturally.

Most of what I tried didn’t work. But one natural cure for depression did work. And now, scientific proof backs up the natural cure for depression that I used to help make depression a part of my past, not my present.

The Independent UK recently reported that Matthieu Ricard, a French monk who acts as an interpreter for the Dalai Lama, took part in a scientific study designed to see if meditation can affect levels of happiness. Ricard and other long-term meditators (all of whom had completed more than 10,000 hours each of meditation) were given MRI scans to see if meditation had any measurable effect on the brain.

The scans showed that meditation did indeed impact the brain in an observable way. Ricard’s and the other meditators’s scans revealed a high level of "positive emotions" in the left pre-frontal cortex of the brain. This is the area of the brain associated with happiness. The MRIs also showed that the right hand side of that area, which is associated with negative, or depressed, thoughts was suppressed.

Further studies demonstrated that even novice meditators who have done just a little meditation had increased levels of happiness. These studies prove that meditation is a powerful natural cure for depression.

Although it used to be that you had to spend hours and hours meditating to get mood-enhancing benefits from the practice, resent advances in brain entrainment CD technology makes achieving those benefits much quicker. Brain entrainment technology makes meditation a natural cure for depression that is accessible to anyone.

Interviewed after his participation in the study, Ricard told reporters, "Our life can be greatly transformed by even a minimal change in how we manage our thoughts and perceive and interpret the world. Happiness is a skill."

Meditation is a natural cure for depression that can help you effect a happiness-inducing change in the way you think and perceive the world. Using brain entrainment CDs to help you achieve high levels of meditation effectiveness, you can turn your negative depressed thoughts into happy thoughts without taking medication.

When you can retrain your brain to think and perceive in new, positive ways, you can removed depression from your life. Using meditation to change the way you think is the best, and now scientifically proven, natural cure for depression.

Find out how you can use brain entrainment and other techniques to turn your problems into power. Get a free report on how to create outstanding results in your life at http://www.miseryslayer.com Ande Waggener, J.D., is an author and a motivational speaker who shows people how to remove misery from their lives.

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Depression-Some Natural Cures From the Health Food Store - Royane Real

2007-02-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

Many people who suffer from depression prefer the idea of finding a natural treatment for their condition instead of taking prescription anti-depressants.

Is there anything you can get in a health food store that might help with depression? Yes, maybe, if your depression is in the mild to moderate range of severity. A more severe or long-term depression should be treated by a qualified professional.

If you are already taking prescription anti-depressants, do not also take any natural remedies at the same time without first consulting your doctor!

In some cases, there can be dangerous interactions. Just because something is natural does not mean it is always safe for everybody.

St. John’s Wort

One of the best known and most widely prescribed natural remedies for depression is St. John’s Wort. This herb has been used as a remedy for depression in Europe for decades. It is believed to now be the most commonly used anti-depressant in the world.

Many people who take St. John’s Wort say they prefer the gentle lift this herb provides compared to the side effects of prescription anti-depressants.

The exact method by which St. John’s Wort works is unknown. The main active ingredient is believed to be hypericin. Other factors in the plant may have an anti-depressant effect as well.

A typical recommended dose is 900 milligrams per day, divided. Look for a product that is standardized to contain .3 percent hypericin.

Some side effects with St. John’s Wort may be experienced. They include nausea and abdominal pain. Some people experience increased sensitivity to sunlight and there is some indication that taking it may lead to a higher incidence of cataracts.

Not all studies of St. John’s Wort have shown positive results. Many researchers in Europe say that St. John’s Wort is effective, but at least one large recent American study found it to be ineffective as a treatment for depression.

When buying St. John’s Wort, or any other herbal preparation, purchase only those brands that have a reputation for reliability. Some independent tests have confirmed that not all brands of St. John’s Wort offered for sale actually contain the ingredients being claimed on the package.

If you are already taking a prescription anti-depressant, do not start taking St. John’s Wort without consulting your doctor first. It may not be compatible with your other medications.

Don’t take St. John’s Wort if you have bipolar depression or if you are pregnant.

SAM-e

If you want to find something from the health food store to fight depression, you could ask for SAM-e, also known as s-adenosyl-methionine.

SAM-e is a substance which our body can make using the amino acid L-methionine, and various other nutrients. It is believed that SAM-e can boost the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which may be able to improve mood.

Research reports from Europe say SAM-e has the same rate of effectiveness as most prescription anti-depressants, about 70 percent, but that it works faster and has fewer side effects. Some studies have found positive improvements in depressed patients in as few as four days.

SAM-e is better absorbed if you take it on an empty stomach between meals. A suggested dose is 400 milligrams per day.

People who have bipolar depression should not take SAM-e. If you are already taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants, do not take SAM-e. SAM-e is not legally available in all countries.

Amino Acid Therapy for Depression

Not all psychiatrists prescribe pharmaceutical antidepressants. Some psychiatrists prefer to treat depression with natural supplements such as vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids.

The amino acids which have been found most effective in treating depression are L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine.

For many decades, the amino acid L-tryptophan was widely used to successfully treat depression. However, in 1989 a contaminated batch of this substance resulted in several deaths, so L-trypophan was removed from the market. Even though the manufacturing process for L-tryptophan has been changed to prevent this problem, the ban on the sale of L-tryptophan in many countries persists.

Today, a product related to L-Tryptophan, called 5-HTP is available in many health food stores. The 5-HTP is believed to have none of the problems that caused L-Tryptophan to be withdrawn from the shelves, and it appears to be effective in lifting depression.

If you decide to use 5-HTP for depression, discuss it with your doctor. People who are taking MAO inhibitor drugs for depression should not be taking amino acid supplements. Very young and very old people should avoid amino acid supplementation.

Other Natural Therapies to Consider

In those countries where the population eats a lot of ocean fish, the rate of depression appears to be low. North Americans don’t eat very much ocean fish, and the rate of depression in North America is quite high. Many nutritionally oriented therapists believe there is a connection.

Certain ocean fish such as tuna and salmon are very rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and other compounds that are beneficial to the heart and the brain. Eating more of these fish, or getting fish oil capsules from the health food store may be useful in treating some instances of depression.

However, there is a lot of controversy over whether these fish are safe to eat, since many large ocean fish are now contaminated with mercury poisoning.

Does the benefit of the fish oil outweigh the possible danger of the mercury?

Researchers don’t agree about this at this time. But you can try to include a lot more fish like salmon and tuna in your diet to see if it boosts your mood.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is one of the most important nutrients in the body, but sadly, a lack of folic acid is one of the most common deficiencies in the world.

Low levels of folic acid are associated with heart problems, memory problems, and depression.

If you suffer from depression, consider taking at least 400 mcg. per day in a supplement.

Final Thoughts

This has been a brief rundown of natural products you might find at the health food store that can help with depression.

But there are at least two more ideas I want to mention in closing that have been shown to be very beneficial to cases of depression.

Remember that before antidepressants were invented, people mostly relied on talk therapy to try get better. This can still work really well, if you have a good therapist, and if paying for therapy isn’t a problem for you.

Not all types of psychotherapy work for depression. Cognitive therapy teaches the patient new, more realistic ways of thinking. Cognitive therapy has a record of curing depression that appears to be just as the rate of cure of most antidepressants.

Also remember that before therapists were invented, people talked over their problems with trusted friends, family members and spiritual advisors. So, if good therapists aren’t easily available where you live, you can try look for other people to talk to that might help.

And now, one here is one final cure for some cases of depression that is easily available to most of us – exercise.

In some studies, regular physical exercise was shown to relieve depression just as effectively as medications!

So, consider incorporating some of these ideas into your life if you are feeling a bit depressed.

However, if your depression is serious, then professional treatment may become necessary.

Royane Real is a long time science educator and self help author. To learn more ways to improve the way your brain works by using nutrition, exercise, meditation, and other techniques, download her book How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative" today at http://www.royanereal.com

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The Wisdom Within Depression: A Spiritual View - Julie Redstone

2007-01-30T21:09:00.000-08:00

If it can be said that there is wisdom to be gained through hardship or suffering that we would not freely choose, then it can also be said that there is deep learning and truth to be gained through the experience of depression in all its many forms . As with all experiences that are painful and that create limitation, the deeper self or soul can bring out of this, something valuable for the heart and for the spirit. Though this may not immediately be apparent to the self in the midst of pain, grief, or sorrow, what has limitation on the one side, offers the possibility for learning and for greater life on the other.

This paradox is hard for the human self to grasp, because the human response to suffering is to want it to end, and the human heart cannot help but believe that what feels bad - what deprives it of joy, love, meaning, hope, and energy - cannot be the source of something good. However, the perceptions of the soul and the choices that the soul makes during a time of pain or limitation are invisible, and everything depends upon the choices that are made.

For example, it is possible, as a result of feeling disconnected from joy or meaning in life, to begin to seek that joy with a fuller heart, to value life more, to hope for the possibility of experiencing one clear and pure sunlit day without the cloud of sorrow on the mind or in the heart. It is possible in the presence of aloneness or isolation to feel the heart longing more for love and connection. And it is possible to feel, in the presence of the wish to die, an even greater wish to live. These are the choices of the soul. In fact, they are more ‘orientations’ than choices and they turn the inner self in the direction of pursuing the fulfillment that is needed and toward new possibilities for growth. In this sense, though depression may be a ‘dark night of the soul’ which we would not choose and in which it may appear that every light has gone out, the soul, within its own domain, continues to support the seeking of that light and continues to radiate light toward the self that suffers and struggles. For this reason, it would be well to look at all forms of depression as a spiritual crisis in its underpinnings, for although no positive movement may be visible on the mental or emotional levels, on the level of spirit and soul a question is being asked and a question is being answered all of the time, namely, ‘what is this life about, what is its value, and what am I doing in it’?

Whether flooded with feelings, or numb and experiencing merely a sense of deadness, on the level of the soul a groping movement is taking place during this dark and painful night - a search for a way toward the light that is, for the moment, invisible. In the blackness, there is a sharpening of vision as one seeks the promise of the light, and pursues the elusive hope of an end to darkness. Even on the conscious level, where everything may feel quite bleak, there is often a reaching out toward that which may have seemed impossibly far away before, namely, to the awareness, however tentative, of our Divine and holy self, the center of our spiritual being.

For those for whom the higher self or soul remains a hypothesis rather than a reality, this type of understanding may seem invented. However, this, too, is a choice that the inner self must make – whether to adhere to a perspective which emphasizes indifference, loss, randomness, deprivation, and lack in life, or to believe that at all times there is a purpose behind the manifestation of what life brings to us, and that this purpose, when found, can become the springboard to a new and more vital sense of ourselves and of life.

For a list of writings by Julie Redstone, see Pathways of Light, a part of http://lightomega.org For a deeper understanding of the perspective of the soul, see the Purification section of the Light Omega website and also the e-mailed Calendar of Healing.

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Overcoming Depression

2007-01-19T01:14:00.000-08:00

Identifying Depression

Depression, like most mental illness runs the continuum of severity. It can be mild or major. It can last from weeks to months. It can involve anxiety symptoms as well. Depression is primarily characterized by sadness and/or loss of pleasure in nearly all activities. Additionally, there may be symptoms such as changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and psychomotor activity (changes in both mental and physical responsiveness and/or activity).

A depressed person may struggle with feelings of low self worth, recurrent thoughts of dying, as well as difficulty concentrating or making decisions. In children and adolescents the mood is often manifested as irritability rather than sadness. Some people may deny having feelings of sadness; instead they may report feeling numb or having no feelings at all.

Taking Action

First, it is important to look at how severely one’s functioning may be impaired. If the person’s level of functioning has been significantly impaired, i.e. they are having difficulty performing their daily routine, seek professional help immediately. A trip to the family doctor to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing the mood disorder is a good place to start.

Second, assess whether there have been any significant changes in circumstances, relationships etc. that may be contributing to the depression.

Third, if your loved one indicates they have a plan or intentions to harm themselves, take action immediately to get help. Call a mental health professional that you have been referred to by a reliable source or check your phone book for community mental health services. You can also call 1-800-784-2433 a suicide prevention hotline. If the threat is imminent, call 911.

Don’t Wait – Get Help

One of the biggest reasons people do not seek help is the shame they feel about having a mental illness. The reality is that our minds are vulnerable to illness just like our bodies. There is no shame in developing the flu or some other medical condition, so why is there with the mind? Those who avoid seeking help because of the shame they feel only languish longer than necessary.

How Counseling Can Help

A counselor can help a person gain perspective about their illness; resolve problems that may be contributing to the depression and assist the person in developing coping skills.

However, in addition to counseling, depending on the severity of the depression, medication may also be a treatment option. You can discuss this with your counselor, who could then refer you to a psychiatrist to prescribe and manage the necessary medication.

Relief is available for difficulties that plague our minds. It is truly the wise that seek out the help, wisdom and counsel of those whom God has equipped to facilitate the healing of the mind.

About the Author:

Jean LeStourgeon, MA, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice in Palm Bay, Florida. She also operates the website Christian Counseling Online where you can find lots more information and tools on topics like Depression Help and Signs of Depression , all from a Biblical perspective.

Feel Depressed-Try Exercising - Corinne Prainito

2007-01-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

Many studies show that long-term exercise helps relieve symptoms of depression. Even if you’re not depressed, most people — who periodically feel grumpy, irritable, stressed, or sad — report feeling better after working out.

A new study, conducted by Dr John B. Bartholomew and colleagues (2005), tells us that just one 30-minute bout of moderate intensity exercise is enough to improve the mood of patients with major depressive disorder, a serious clinical condition. The study’s authors believe that this single-session mood lift also applies to those of us who just feel down.

The study compared 30 minutes of quiet rest and 30 minutes of walking on a treadmill at 60-70% of each patient’s age-predicted heart rate maximum. While both activities were found to reduce feelings of confusion, tension, anger, distress and fatigue, only exercise was found to significantly improve the patients’ vigor and sense of wellbeing. These beneficial changes tapered off by 60 minutes after the completion of their assigned tasks.

The researchers suggest that these results may be due to biochemical changes that occur during exercise or may be related to a sense of achievement that comes with the successful completion of an activity, or both.

The results of this study do not prove that a single walk or bout of exercise will provide lasting clinical effects against depression, but they do suggest that a brief walk might be a cheap and easy way to get a much-needed emotional lift. This lift could prove invaluable to people who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of antidepressants or to those who have just commenced pharmacologic treatment. In this case, symptomatic relief can take anywhere from two to eight weeks to be achieved.

The investigators conclude that the findings are promising enough to warrant further study "to determine the limits of acute exercise to provide this short-term benefit."

Main Reference:
Bartholomew, J. B., Morrison, D., & Ciccolo, J. T. (2005, December). Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood and Well-Being in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37(12): 2032-2037.

Corinne Prainito, BSc (ExHealthSc), Adv Dip Nat

BeBeautifulFatLoss.com

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How To Overcome Depression - Ryan D.

2007-01-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

How to overcome depression, it's not a nice subject to be honest, I mean, if you wish to know about this then you would probably be feeling pretty bad and actually be depresses, well, there are ways you can lift yourself back up and get going again and feeling good.

In this article I am going to give you some tips on how to overcoem depression, however, if you feel very, very bad then I reccommend you seek professional advice and assistance, if you think you are in an extremely bad state then go see your doctor.

Here are the tips:

*Think about what you are grateful for - This is a powerful method for realising just how much fortune you have in life, don't think that you have to think of massive things that are highly significant, just think about the things that you are truly glad you have in life, things such as the ability to read this article, the ability to change your feelings and get stuck into life again, these are things that most people take for granted but they are great and you really should understand that there is so much that you can be grateful for.

*Think about what you would like to do with your life - Now, I'm not neccessarily talking about doing things like curing world hunger or creating world peace, those are amazing things to hope for but I am talking about things that you can see being very possible and within your reach, maybe you would like to get a great job, move into a nice home, find some new friends, all these are things that you can look forward to and you will get when you feel better and get going again.

*Stay active - This is extremely simple yet very effective, all you need to do is stay active throughout your day, keep busy doing whatever it is you either need to do or want to do, just keep an active life and you should both take your mind off your depression for a while and also can get you into situations that make you feel great and can help you over depression quicker than if you are just sitting at home all day on your own, get active and do what you want to do.

These are just a few tips on how to overcome depression but as I already mentioned, if you feel very bad then I reccommend you seek advice from a medical professional.

Remember, there have been many, many people in your position who felt just like you do and they are now doing great, so will you soon.

Discover How To Overcome Depression In No Time:

==> http://the-internet-marketer.com/OvercomeDepression

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Okay, We Really Need to Analyze Postpartum Depression - Foras Aje

2007-01-07T21:50:00.000-08:00

Clinicians and researchers use the term “postpartum depression,” or “PPD,” to refer to non-psychotic depression that occurs shortly after childbirth.

Apart from the fact that it happens soon after childbirth, Postpartum Depression is clinically no different from a depressive episode that occurs at any other time in a woman’s life.

Its symptoms are the same as in general depression, and must meet the same criteria for diagnosis. However, not surprisingly, the content of the symptoms of Postpartum Depression often focuses on motherhood or infant care topics.

The most common elements associated with a postpartum depression symptom include

* restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying

* an inability to sleep or extreme exhaustion or both

* loss of appetite and weight loss, or, conversely, overeating and weight gain

* difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

* an excessive amount of concern or disinterest in the baby

* a fear of harming the baby or one's self

* a loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex

Although health professionals do not know what causes depression (and therefore PPD), they accept that there is no single cause. Physical, hormonal, social, psychological and emotional factors may all play a part in triggering the illness.

That considered, it is safe to say there may be a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. However in regards to PPD-

During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman’s chance of depression:

* History of depression or substance abuse

* Little support from family and friends

* Anxiety about the fetus

* Problems with previous pregnancy or birth

* Marital or financial problems

* Young age (of mother)

On the other hand, after pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression.

Other factors that may lead to a cause of postpartum depression include:

* Feeling tired after delivery, broken sleep patterns, and not enough rest often keeps a new mother from regaining her full strength for week.

* Feeling overwhelmed with a new, or another, baby to take care of and doubting your ability to be a good mother.

* Having feelings of a loss of identity of who you are, or were, before having the baby.

* Having less free time and less control over time.

Suffice it to say that when one reviews PPD and what it entails, this disorder, in no way, shape or form should be addressed lightly. Thankfully, there are tons of wealth on information in regards to conquering postpartum depression and keeping it under control.

To this effect some authors have culled up helpful books with tips on 'conquering postpartum depression' and you can choose to look into any of the following books:

-Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression
By Marie Osmond

-Depression After Childbirth: How to Recognize, Treat, and Prevent Postnatal Depression
By Katharina Dalton and Wendy M. Holton

-Mothering and the New Mother: Women's Feelings and Needs After Childbirth -- a Support and Resource Guide

By Sally Placksin

In conclusion, considering that it (PPD) doesn't drastically differ from the other forms of depression, with the tips outlined elsewhere in its applicable section of this site and otherwise, it is this author’s sincere hope that some assistance could be derived from the information provided herewith.

Here's to happiness.

Aje

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Treatment for Depression Blog today for more information on postpartum depression research

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Depression During Menopause - By Andrew Bicknell

2007-01-04T23:32:00.000-08:00

As women approach midlife and menopause one of the things to be on the lookout for is depression. While menopause is not thought to be a cause of depression the two can occur at the same time. What is believed to be a cause of depression is changes in estrogen levels which occur during menopause. It is known that women are affected by depression over twice as much as men and that a family history of depression can factor into this as well.

The symptoms of depression and menopause are very similar and include sleep disorders, hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, and irritability. Many women associate these symptoms with the changes that menopause brings, but they may be a sign of depression that needs to be understood and dealt with. There is no reason women need to suffer from depression during menopause. It is important that they accept the physical changes happening to their bodies during this time and work with their doctor to mitigate the symptoms of menopause, but it is also important that they realize that depression and menopause can be mutually exclusive and both can be dealt with.

As women approach menopause their menstrual cycles begin to change and start to become unpredictable. This unpredictability of their monthly cycle is a sign of erratic ovulation. Erratic ovulation causes unpredictable releases of the hormones estrogen and progesterone leading to mood swings, forgetfulness, hot flashes and all the other symptoms associated with menopause.

Most women going through menopause feel that they are loosing control of their bodies when in fact it is just their natural reaction to the aging process. This feeling of loss of control can lead to symptoms of depression. As the symptoms of both menopause and depression worsen they start to feel that there is nothing they can do and a feeling of hopelessness falls over them. This feeling of hopelessness is a major part of depression and left untreated can lead to severe depression.

Untreated depression is a major health risk. Researchers have found that depression is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and in some cases it can lead to bone deterioration increasing the likely hood of osteoporosis and broken bones.

The treatment for depression and menopause can follow a two pronged approach. It is important to treat not only the depression with antidepressant medications and counseling but also to treat the symptoms of menopause as well. Menopause can be treated with hormone replacement therapy where synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone are used to even out the woman's hormone levels.

If you are a woman approaching midlife and menopause be aware that depression can be a very real side affect of the changes that will happen to you. If start to see the symptoms of depression it is best to talk to your doctor about what treatment options may work best for you.

About the Author: Andrew Bicknell is a writer and owner of http://depression.worfdog.com. Visit his website for more information about depression during menopause and depression itself.

Source: www.isnare.com

Depression... Effecting 20 Million Women And Counting - Ryan Puusaari

2007-01-02T23:32:00.000-08:00

Depression is very common, particularly in women. In fact, about 15% of women will take antidepressants at some point in their lifetimes, with an unknown number of women who never seek help for their depression. Some women simply feel that they can handle it on their own, without the help of a counselor or medication- and others may not realize that the symptoms they are experiencing are depression.

Many people wrongly believe that depression is just the feeling of sadness, or crying all the time. Other symptoms of depression in women include losing interest in the activities that you used to enjoy, difficulty sleeping, weight loss or weight gain, difficulty concentrating and/or sleeping, and social isolation as well as having a lack of energy. Any of these symptoms, either experienced alone or in combination with more than one of the symptoms, can indicate depression.

When a woman begins to experience depression symptoms, they are faced with many complications. Women who are the primary childcare providers of their children will have special challenges related to depression and childcare. What happens to the children when the mom is experiencing periods of crying, or out of control mood swings for example? It adds additional stress to the women, which can contribute to the depression symptoms.

The good news is that most depression is easily treated with a combination of medical treatment and psychotherapy treatment. While there are some minor side effects with most antidepressant medication, most are easier to deal with than the depression symptoms. The most difficult challenge for most women who begin taking antidepressants is that it takes a good month before the medication is effective- but during that time you may experience the side effects. So a woman may feel like the medication isn’t helping, and only adding new problems and concerns. Giving medication a chance to work is a must in order to help overcome feelings of depression.

Ryan Puusaari writes for the blog at http://www.ConquerDepression.net ...Stop by and read more of Ryan's Articles about Depression.

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Depression Symptoms Should be Taken Seriously - Hector Milla

2007-01-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

People go through life everyday, doing routine activities like cleaning the house, cooking, doing the laundry and a lot more. But there are times when problems are encountered unexpectedly, and certain drastic events that occur pose a danger to our emotional stability.

The danger of getting depression is possible, especially those who have recently experienced unexpected events or turns in their life.

Dealing with a disorder like depression is needed because it can create significant impacts in your life. What then is depression? Depression is a mood disorder which causes you to feel hopeless or sad over an extended period of time. Your life, work, health, and the people around you are affected by this mood disorder.

People are affected differently by depression. Others find it easy to deal with depression but there are also those that feel down for an indefinite period. Your daily activities will not be affected if you’re only suffering from mild depression but you should also get some sort of treatment to prevent it from getting worse.

Medical attention is needed by those persons suffering severe depression because they can become incapable of communicating or doing daily activities, and the worst case scenario is suicide.

A great number of people suffering from depression are hesitant to seek medical help for they think it’s a sign of character flaw or weakness, and some think they can resolve it on their own. But they are wrong; by confining it, the depression will only get worse. Facing the problem is the most effective way to address the problem with depression. And seeking medical help is not bad; it is even an advantage on your part.

Depression is triggered by stressful events, certain drugs, other illnesses, inherited traits, or medications. It is linked to having an imbalanced brain chemistry.

Depression has two significant symptoms: hopelessness or sadness and loss of interest/pleasure from daily activities. Other symptoms of depression include:

- due to change in appetite, the depressed person losses or gains weight

- sleeps too much or hardly sleeps

- can’t sit still or exhibits a feeling of restlessness

- feels tired most of the time

- guilty feeling or feeling unworthy

- problems with concentration, remembering, and making decisions

- thinks about death or suicide

You have a major depression if you’re experiencing at least five of the symptoms mentioned including loss of interest o sadness for 2 or more weeks. However, having only a few of the symptoms does not mean that you shouldn’t get assistance.

Aside from the symptoms previously mentioned, some people also experience the following:

- having headaches, body aches, pains

- digestive problems

- loses interest in sex

- feels worried or anxious without reason

- blaming self or others for the depression

- not talking or moving for several hours

- increased anger, tearfulness, tension, anxiety

- arms and legs suddenly feels heavy

- very sensitive to rejection

Indeed depression is a serious problem that should not be taken for granted regardless of age or gender. You must therefore be aware of the early warning signs of depression in order to seek assistance immediately.

At first, the symptoms of depression are subtle and hardly recognizable. Children and teens have different symptoms of depression and are quite difficult to diagnose compared to adults. So if you have children, you should pay more attention to them and watch for possible signs of depression.

Depression should not be taken likely. If you or any friend/family members have the symptoms, seek medical help as soon as possible.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of http://www.mydepressionsymptoms.com/, a website about Symptoms of Severe Depression, thanks for publish this article in your website or ezine keeping a live link.

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How Too Help Your Teen Overcome Depression - Mark Gardner

2006-12-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

Depression is not an illness that is the sole reserve of the mature adult. These days, there are many potential pressures on young teenagers as they strive to come to terms with life and peoples expectations. Many adolescents will struggle to cope with the various challenges life throws at them and will get depressed at times.

Perhaps you have first hand experience of this. Maybe you’re a parent of a young adolescent who is struggling with depression at this time. There can be many possible causes for this depression. The fact that they are growing up and battling raging hormones can be difficult enough for any adolescent and leave them feeling confused and facing possible mood swings.

Other possible causes for your teenager’s depression are bullying, poor school or college grades, being rejected by a girl or boy they like. This kind of depression is known as being situational. Whilst it is unpleasant and an unhappy time for your son or daughter, it will normally pass as soon as the unpleasant situation passes from their lives.

Of course, there can be more serious reasons for your teenager’s depression. It could be that your child as been experimenting with drugs or alcohol or perhaps even underage sex. Whatever the reason, it’s important that you find out exactly what the problem is.

If your teenager has been acting depressed and you’re concerned about them, then it’s time to take them aside and talk to them. It’s not always easy to get teenagers to open up, but you know your son and daughter better than anyone and it’s up to you to find a way to break the ice with them.

But talk with them and offer a friendly and understanding ear to them. If they have done something wrong, don’t get angry, it will only make things worse. But find out what is causing their depression and find out whether it is situational or a more serious problem. If your teenager won’t talk to you about their problems and their depression is getting worse, then it’s time to get some help without delay.

Mark Gardner is a popular webmaster and publisher of facingdepression.com To learn more about teenage depression check out his website today!

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Holiday Depression - Michele Graham

2006-12-26T22:26:00.000-08:00

During the holiday season, it seems that even with all of the lights and gifts and fanilies reuniting, depression rears it's ugly head at this time

Some people are depressed because they have less financial resources than others. Others are depressed because of relationships that have been distanced by misunderstandings. Lack of time to get all challenges faced in a timely manner is another cause of depression.

Clinical depression is a disease and can be treated with medications from your physicians. Holiday depression, on the other hand should be addressed in a different manner.

If you are depressed because you don't have money for gifts, be creative. You can make hand - written gift certificates for house cleaning, trips to the store, cooking a meal for a couple of months, or even baby sitting. These cost you no more than your time and will be appreciated as well.

If you bake, there is not anyone who would not love a confection from your kitchen.

If you are depressed because you are alone, or maybe your family is far away, then busy yourself helping others with volunteer work at the Salvation Army or another organization that is set up to help others. Or make yourself available to the children's ward at your local hospital to read to the children there. Or you could go to any of the nursinghomes in your area and just visit the one's who have no one to visit them.

Doing for others takes the focus of our own problems or issues away. Look around. Instead of allowing yourself to be depressed, think of what you can do to help another have a happy holiday. It is the best medicine ever!

Michele Graham-CEO and owner of Professional Healthcare Management has 41 years in the healthcare industry. She writes about business issues in all businesses and the healthcare field as well.

http://www.phmnetwork.com

http://www.healthcarenewsonline.com

http://phmnetwork.blogspot.com

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Depression - Simple Tips to Beat the Blues - Sacha Tarkovsky

2006-12-21T22:05:00.000-08:00

If you are suffering from depression, you are not alone.

Depression affects many people at some time in their life, with some of us going through periods of depression that can lift after a very short time, while for others, it can be ingoing for many years.

Whichever category you fall into, here are some simple tips to help you manage your depression.

Depression – What is it?

Depression is best identified as feeling in a low mood. It may not stop you leading a normal life, but things may seem less worthwhile.

Most of us will admit to feeling depressed from time to time and this is perfectly normal.

Depression becomes a problem when it interferes with your day to day activities.

What Causes Depression?

Depression may be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain or can be triggered by significant life events including:-

• Bereavement

• A traumatic experience, such as rape or physical attack

• Childhood events

• Illness

• Frequent use of recreational drugs

How Do I Know if I am Depressed?

Symptoms of depression may include:-

• Preoccupation with negative thoughts

• Difficulty in concentrating

• Feeling in a low mood most of the time

• Feelings of numbness, emptiness or despair

• Low self-esteem

• Lack of sex drive

• Lack of confidence

• Pessimistic view of the future

This is no a definitive list and you may experience all or some of these symptoms.

You may also notice changes in your sleeping pattern, your eating habits, or there may be a rise in your alcohol or tobacco consumption.

Depression – Helping Yourself

Knowledge is power. The more you learn about depression, the better equipped you will be to deal with it.

Go to the library, do some research on the internet or join a self-help group where you can gather information about depression and the treatments available.

Being aware of the choices available to you will help you to make an informed choice about treatment if you need to seek help from your healthcare provider.

Whereas many of us may experience bouts of mild depression or low mood, clinical depression is a serious medical condition and if you have been experiencing symptoms described above for some time you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Depression – Don’t Suffer in Silence

While clinical depression is a serious illness, it can be treated and you do not need to feel ashamed, embarrassed or suffer in silence.

Some people allow depression to go untreated for years but clinical depression will not disappear by itself.
Professional help may include a course of antidepressants together with some counseling.

Depression – Help Yourself

Helplessness is a feeling often experienced by people with depression.

Together with professional help try and help yourself.

• Stay focused – depression can feed on itself and you can find yourself trapped in a vicious circle of negative thoughts that it seems impossible to get out of. Focus on positive thought and the positive things in your life. If you can’t think of any, think of a positive goal you would like to achieve.

• Avoid your own company – depression feeds on loneliness. Try and break the hold that depression has on you. Join a club or self-help group where you can talk to people who have successfully overcome depression.

• Do something worthwhile. Keeping yourself busy will give you less time to dwell on pessimistic thoughts. Take up a hobby or why not join a gym. Regular exercise will have a mental and physical impact on your wellbeing.

• Let go of the past. Many of us make the mistake of hanging on to past hurts and this too can cause depression. If there are things in your life that have caused you upset, past grudges, guilt or anger, perhaps it is time to let go.

Depression is not an easy thing to overcome but it can be done, all you have to do is make he decision to make a change.

MORE FREE INFO

On all aspects of health and more on depression visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html

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Organize to Beat the Winter Blues - Andrew Leatherland

2006-12-17T22:55:00.000-08:00

If you’re a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) sufferer or you just feel down each winter it’s all too easy to think that nothing can be done about it. Even if you’re close to a sufferer you’re affected. You hope that by hunkering down for the winter you’ll ride it out because it’s an inevitable problem that you can’t avoid. It’s true to some extent that you can’t avoid it because you’re fighting your own biology to do so. However, the degree to which you suffer it is not inevitable. You can have your best winter yet.

The success guru Jack Canfield wrote “If you keep doing what you always did, you’ll get what you always got”. This rings true for SAD & Winter Blues sufferers. By doing what you always do in winter it’s highly likely you will experience the same rough ride that you have for previous winters. By changing your approach to winter, you and those around could be a lot brighter and a lot more energetic than previously.

The first thing you have to do is decide to change your approach. Like smoking, drinking or gambling breaking a cycle needs people to make a conscious decision to change. Where your mind goes the rest of you will follow.

The second thing you need to do is change your approach to everyday life. So much of what we do in life is habit. We tend to just do what we’ve always done. We drive the same way to work, eat the same food and so on. With this condition, not changing your habits to fight it will put you at its mercy. One simple exercise you can do to see the power habit has over your life is to sit down for twenty minutes with a piece of paper. Over the twenty minutes write down everything you do day by day. Look back and you’ll probably see patterns emerging – put children to be, eat dinner, sit down, watch TV etc. Now don’t throw this list away because you’re going to need it.

You don’t need wholesale change. Changing on a massive scale is difficult to achieve and is likely to result in failure. That’s like New Year Resolutions to lose weight through crash dieting, or deciding to get fit by running a marathon. They are such massive changes to the system that you cannot keep them up. What you need is to identify a series.

So how do you make that change? Well you plan and you organise. If done right your life won’t look radically different day to day. You can build some small but powerful changes into your everyday routine. But you must plan and you must follow through on the plan. Also improve your chances of success by working the plan into your everyday routine.

Plan where to put your light therapy and plan your medication in consultant with your Doctor if you’re a SAD sufferer. Plan to use your lunchtime at work to talk a short walk in the daylight. Plan your meals so they include nutrients that help maintain greater energy levels when you need it. Also plan your food so it includes the kind of ingredients that help lift your mood.

What should be important in the planning process is that there are a series of actions each day that are slightly different from normal but that have an emphasis on fighting the symptoms of these conditions. More importantly they should be things that you can slot into your everyday routine without upheaval to you or your family.

Plan to beat it and action that plan. You can be so much better for it. With the small steps highlighted here and by starting right now next March you should be able to look back and reflect on a much improved winter

Andrew Leatherland runs the resource website for SAD and Winter Blues sufferers and their families. http://www.freewebs.com/winterblues The site has just opened a forum where everyone can come to discuss the condition and their experiences as well as seek support.

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The FDA May Expand Warning Labels for Antidepressants - Charles Donovan

2006-12-15T20:14:00.000-08:00

The FDA may expand warning labels for antidepressants because of fear increases in suicidal thoughts. The proposed changes were made public yesterday( December 12th) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The changes would expand a warning now on the labels that applies only to children and adolescents treated with the drugs. The proposed changes would expand the labeling to include children, adolescents and adults 24 years and younger.

A special panel is meeting this week to consider these changes. The special panel would make a recommendation to the FDA and then the FDA would issue its final and binding decision early next year.
The panel consists of experts in psychiatry, pharmacology and neuropharmacology.

Also included in the FDA proposes changes is a recommendation that patients of all ages be carefully monitored, especially when beginning antidepressant treatment.

Patients who are depressed and are put on antidepressants should be monitored regardless of FDA recommendations. If you believe that a loved one is at risk of suicidal behavior or thoughts, that patient should be monitored 24 hours a day.

Mental health experts are worried that additional warnings about the risk of suicides linked to antidepressants could curtail their use and ultimately do more harm than good. The FDA may indeed be unnecessarily scaring patients with these warnings that are called "black-box" labels. Patients who are suffering from mental illness tend to be fragile and are sensitive to alarming warnings.

The American Psychiatric Association( APA) does not endorse this type of warning. The APA's concern is that by not simply promoting good standards of care and by putting on a black-box label, the FDA may unwittingly limit further access to care.

Vagus nerve stimulation therapy, which is the only FDA approved long term treatment option for depression, is not associated with increases suicidality in patients who have had the treatment.

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

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.

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Depression And The Sensitive At Heart - By Friedrich Asen

2006-12-13T14:55:00.000-08:00

There are beautiful people out there, sensitive and tender at heart. One thing they often have in common: they suffer from low self esteem, depression and the like. Many times they work in the social field, but they may come from any occupation. Often they feel not to fit into society at all. Whatever they try, they cannot find a suiting place.

On the other hand, there are the powerful manipulators out there, often unscrupulous and insensitive. Exploiting mother earth and their fellow men, they blossom. They have found a way to fight depression. They act, control, manipulate and accumulate power. I am sure they are depressed too, but they have found a way to suppress it. A life of manipulation, based on power and might, lacks one of the most important ingredients of life, wich is love. Where love is lacking, there is senselessness. And where there is senselessness, there is depression.

There are people pointing out how wrong the Bible is today, because it proclaims 'the meek shall inherit the world'. "Can you think of a dumber line?", they ask. The only people inheriting the world are the super rich and the ones with big armies and nukes. Nothing meek about that. They say that it has always been the men with the iron fist who lead. From the beginning of time till the end. If your meek, you'll merely end up being the man behind the man.

I don't agree with this statement at all. It is based on a total misunderstanding of the word meek, as it was used by Jesus and so many other powerful personalities. It confuses meek with weak. That's a major blunder. This is not only the fallacy of the powerful (and the ones controlled by them), but of the sensitive and tender hearted as well, who desire a different world of love and respect. They feel threatened by the manipuators and exploiters. They fall into depression and anxiety. They often fall into the trap of becoming passive victims. "The world could be so beautiful", they sigh, "if there weren't this greedy bad people, who seem to never get enough."

I shall proclaim a different concept here: Meekness is absolute power. It is much more powerful than anything else.

Let's first deal with the wrong concept of meekness to weed it out. To be meek in the wrong sense will certainly lead to depression and frustration. It is accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of impotence and powerlessness. Meek persons of this kind always feel dependent on the whim and arbitrariness of the persons in charge.

The most sensitive and intelligent people fall into this trap. They feel that they could never become as cruel, unscrupulous and stone hearted as the oviously successful people. The Darwinian theory of evolution brainwashes you: "If you want to survive, you have to be the fittest. The rest is doomed to drown. Fittest means to be hard, harsh, cruel, calculating and strong."

I have been taught like this in my childhood. My conclusion was that I will probably never become powerful, as I could not even stand an ant to be killed. There is no fitter person, not only to survive, but to live, than the meek one. Indeed the meek shall inherit the world, but this sort of meekness is totally different. It will rid you of depression. It will provide a new outlook to your life. It will give you a sense of power and control. It will guarantee you total independence.

Actually misunderstood meekness and the display of superior manipulative power are of the same kind. They look different from the surface only. Both are a guaranteed source of depression and frustration. Both are based on a lack of internal independence and strength. While the strong guy is actively fighting for recognition and acceptance, mainly from himself, the week ones have abandoned their claim for respect.

But, their weekness is often much closer to real power than the external display of control of the seemingly powerful. The later are often totally weak inside, driven only by their greed for recognition, for which they are eager to transgress all laws of life. The soft and tender person naturally has a lot of respect for these unbreakable laws. When they are carefully guided to discover their inner invulnerability, they will immediately start to blossom. When they are taught to completely step out of the stupid game of artificial competition by accepting the real identity of eternal bliss and knowledge, they will in any way be superior to even the most powerful manipulators. Life itself will be at their disposal, offering them any kind of opulence, strength and independence. External strenght will be reduced to a mere shadow of the power of pure conscious essence.

Those powerful persons, whose power is built upon arrogance and manipulation, will find it almost impossible to abandon their pathological addiction to material superiority.

Therefore rejoice, you, who are sensitive and tender at heart. Come out from depression and anxiety. Reclaim your heritage of power. The only reason, why a false display of artificial power can keep the whole world mesmerized is that more kind and sensitive persons will have to come forward to display the irresistible power of love, kindness and concern for the needs of others. The famous British mathematician, philosopher and author Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) has said the following: "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." These doubts can be overcome with the right guidance and education. Reality never supports power based on arrogance, cynicism and and unscrupulousness. It may be tolerated for some time, but very soon it is the cause of it's own destruction.

On the other hand reality always supports love, freedom, sensivity, compassion, meekness and respect. These qualities are the characteristics of original life. If you cooperate with lifes inherent nature, who will blossom forever. Get out of the habit of complaining, wailing and accusing. Get out of frustration and anxiety. You may be much closer to your power than you think.

Copyright © 2006 by Friedrich Asen. All rights reserved.

About the Author: For more information on the different types and symptoms of depression and on depression treatment, including natural remedies and powerful alternative healing methods, go to http://www.overcome-depression-now.com/depression_articles.html

Source: www.isnare.com

How To Live Better With Manic Depression Using A Support System - Moses Wright

2006-12-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

Having diagnosed with bipolar disorder can be one of the most stressful and difficult experiences of a person's life. To learn to manage bipolar disorder better, whether yourself, with families or friends, it is important to build and maintain a strong support system.

A support system is a group of people who come together to offer unconditional emotional support to the person with bipolar disorder, these people must have the desire to understand the struggle and difficulties of living with bipolar disorder. They can consist of families, friends, support groups, therapists, mental health caseworkers, and even doctors.

Having family and closed friends who offer emotional support is an extremely valuable asset to those suffering from bipolar disorder. In times of crisis, when people affected by the disorder feel overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts or feel that their life is spiraling out of control, they need to know who they can rely on for help and comfort. This is where the support group is so important.

A manic depression support group is an excellent source of peer support. Support groups can help many people cope with the emotional aspects by providing a safe place to share experiences and learn from others who are facing similar situations. Within a support group for bipolar disorder, there are likely to be people who have experienced the ups and downs of bipolar disorder and who is the best person to share their experience but them.

A person with a manic depressive illness may feel isolated and secluded in the disorder. They may also feel alone in their struggle to manage the symptoms. Attending a support group can show the person that they are not alone in their journey to recovery from bipolar disorder.

Support groups for bipolar disorder are often not specifically for bipolar disorder, and usually designed for those who have any mood disorders, including bipolar disorder and clinical depression. If you need more information about such support group, your therapist or psychiatrist should be able to give some advice on some of the local support groups that are available.

When joining a support group, someone with bipolar disorder should try to attend whether they are in crisis or doing well. If someone new attends the group and only sees others who are in crisis, it may give the new person a sense of despair and hopelessness. The idea is to support each other through the journey of recovery. During a normal period between episodes, someone can be a light of hope to members who are having difficulty coping with the disorder.

In the current age of technology, one can find many Internet support groups and chat rooms designed as manic depression support groups. These can be a good resource for those who suffer from the disorder. Nevertheless, being active in Internet support groups is not enough and should not replace the attending of local support groups. This is because someone with bipolar disorder can have an inclination to isolate himself. Attending a local support group provides positive social interactions with people who understand the difficulty that the manic depressive person is facing and help prevent him from isolating from society.

Moses Wright is the webmaster of Manic-Depression.net. He provides more helpful information on Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder Treatment that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

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Major Depression-5 Alternative Treatments Proven Effective In Alleviating Symptoms Of Depression - Shirley Peel

2006-12-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

Major depression is a serious medical illness that affects approximately 21 million people in the world today. It is a medical disorder with a biological and chemical basis that impacts the body and mood as well as the mind. Depression can involve the person suffering from the disease as well as family, loved ones and even the community. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that they have a major depression or that it is a treatable. They just don't realize that happiness and joy can be everyday feelings.

Depression has been described as a dangerous and debilitating disease, which can cause considerable suffering and even tragic loss of lives if left untreated. It affects just about every thing in a person's life -- the way one eats, sleeps, thinks works, plays and reacts to life in general.

Antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy are the standard treatments for caring for moderate to severe depression. However, more and more people are seeking alternative treatment methods which are less harsh and have fewer side effects. FDA reports have warned for some time now that prescription drugs can cause severe side effects, be addictive, and may not be very effective in treating the problems associated with depression.

Alternative Treatments For Major Depression

1. Herbal Therapy - St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is the most popular herb used for depression. It is used much more extensively in Europe than it is in this country. St. John's Wort has been the subject of many clinical trials, and has proven to be very helpful to millions of people in treating mild to moderate cases of depression. The British Medical Journal published a review stating that St. John's Wort works as well as many prescription medications for anti-depressants, but does not have the side effects.

Other herbs that have undergone many clinical and case studies include Kava Kava, Valerian Root, 5-HTP and SAM-e. The research has shown these herbs have demonstrated significant anti-depressive results in patients taking one, or some of these ingredients for periods ranging from one to twelve weeks.

Other less known herbs for treating depression include ephedra, gingko biloba, echinacea, and ginseng.

2. Acupressure helps to relieve many symptoms related to mild depression. It is a technique which uses the hands to apply steady, firm pressure on specific points of the body. These spots correspond to and affect other parts of the body. According to Chinese medicine, using anti-depression acupressure points can help release energy that is blocked which contributes to depression. When these energies have been freed, they can be examined and understood.

3. Acupuncture balances the flow of chi and blood throughout a person's body which helps resolve the underlying energetic imbalance contributing to depression. Stimulating acupuncture points has been shown to release endorphins and enkephalins, thereby having a calming, mood-elevating effect. You should consult a professional acupuncturist for this treatment.

4. Cognitive Behavior Therapy are programs which identify automatic thoughts, determine roots of core beliefs, and utilize coping techniques which have been decided upon when anxiety and stress conditions occur in a person's daily life. This type of therapy has helped millions to find long lasting relief from various forms of depression. Cognitive Behavior Therapy has been around for quite a while and can be found in the forms of books, CD's and online help sites. CBT has been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for certain levels of depression and is often used by psychiatrists and psychologists.

5. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essences extracted from plants and when used in bathing or massaging can help in mild depression to improve a person's health and well-being. In more severe cases, it works as complementary therapy. Some essential oils used for depression include basil, bergamot, cedar wood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, rose, sandalwood, spruce, orange, and ylang ylang. Remember that essential oils are very potent and should be mixed with creams or oils, but not full strength directly on the skin. Even in the bath, start with only two or three drops.

Just recently, the University of Florida released a preliminary study which appeared in the July journal Biological Psychiatry, which suggests that magnetic stimulation may lead to safe, revolutionary treatment for patients with clinical depression who do not respond to standard medications. This could be a real important breakthrough for people who have major depression.

Shirley Peel is a successful webmaster and publisher of many articles about all aspects of depression and its treatment. Her years as a health care professional have increased her interest in the many facets of health care. She offers more information about depression care, symptoms and treatment at:
http://www.treatmentsfor.com/depression.html and
http://www.treatmentsfor.com/articles-depression.html Be sure to sign up for one of our free ecourses on health.

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Is Depression Real? - Paul Richards

2006-12-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

If you’re currently someone who is treating depression, you should be asking the question ‘is depression real or is it just a label?’ I often ask myself this question or at least I have in the past. After years of soul searching, going through stages of my life where I have delved into the darkest portions of my being through to running a million miles an hour from the sometimes painful truth, I’ve discovered that labeling myself as 'depressed' doesn't really help. In fact I've come to the conclusion that buying into the label of 'depression' often gives us an excuse to avoid looking at the truth, which is there within all of us.

So what is depression? Its different for everyone, but for me I could probably sum it up as a combination of loneliness, intense sadness, suppressed anger, self hatred, and a severe lack of acceptance for my self and the present situation. From what I have observed in myself and those close to me, it is a result of a deep seated desire to change who I am, and find a recipe for avoiding pain, forever. However, an important thing to realize when treating depression is that there is no recipe for happiness, there is no recipe to avoid pain.

The best avenue to treating depression is to accept ourselves as we are. How do we do this? That involves a fundamental shift in the way we think. Why not start by instead of seeking happiness (as a distraction from what is really going on) and avoiding pain, why not seek out our pain and give our happiness away (instead of suffocating it). Even better learn to just be with ‘ourselves’ no matter what the discomfort. If you are truly seeking a natural alternative to treating depression, meditation is essential.

The best way to overcome depression is not to try to overcome depression. If we use the usual mindset, ‘trying to change ourselves’ it means that we end up subconsciously reaffirming to ourselves that there is something wrong with us. In treating depression it is essential that we overcome this cycle, but it’s not easy. Meditation gives us the opportunity to do this, or at least practice this each day.

Meditation isn't about visualizing, it isn't about imagining a better life, and it’s not even about thinking positive thoughts. It’s about becoming present with your own version of reality. It’s about learning about who you are, and in the process, accept yourself. Basically meditation is a way of life, its something that affects us subtly and gradually over time. Meditation is a long-term solution to treating depression; therefore you may have to accept that it is not something that will magically change overnight.

I remember when I first began meditation as a form of treating depression. It was at a time when I was really struggling with depression and life. I had sought out just about every alternative to treating depression that I could think of, and I didn't want to go on medication. A lot of different things came up when I was trying to meditate. Things like, I thought I wasn't doing it good enough, there was something wrong with me, I’ll never get there, its a waste of time. To be honest it is pretty amazing that I stuck with it. All of these thoughts are natural. I remember having a good friend whom would remind me every time I would feel to just observe myself. That is the essence of meditation

For more information on treating depression and meditation techniques, click on the link to my website, The Depression Trap.

As well as being a student of life, I am also studying psychology. My passions are health, fitness and spiritual philosophy. I love playing my guitar and having a latte with friends. My philosophical views on life are parallel to many of those associated with Buddhism, however I consider myself a spiritual being rather than a religious one.

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Depression Support Groups - Getting Support And Healing From Depression And Anxiety. - Linda E. Joy

2006-12-04T21:59:00.000-08:00

How's life? This sounds like abstract question, but in some cases it should be asked. Believe it or not, many individuals struggle with everyday life. You might ask yourself why. Well, there are a number of possible reasons. Their pain could concern a death in the family, a difficult separation, or possibly even the stresses of daily life. in spite of the criminal, the difficulty should be treated as soon as possible. This is why depression support groups are so accessible these days. It's time to take life by the horns again, and get a grip on your somber emotions. Life is too short to be wasted being miserable.

Have you ever been to any depression support groups? These aren't anything to be ashamed of. As we can see with new generations, our children are facing more and more problems that may result in them being depressed or feeling alone. The key to banishing this problem is through depression support groups.With the power of discussion and understanding, depression can be dealt with. Back when I was in high school, one of my closest friends suffered from severe depression after her mother died. Who could blame the girl This kind of tragedy can certainly affect one's childhood. She began to sleep a lot, and refrained from going to school as much as possible. Later she got into drugs and drinking. Finally her parents checked into depression support groups and got her help. Over time she was able to cope with her tragedy and move on. While we clearly can't forget something so devastating, we can go on living a wonderful life. It's all about dealing with it properly.

You may want to look into depression support groups if someone you know is withdrawn from society and family. Some signs to watch for concern, sleeping all the time, not eating, not wanting to leave the house, and drinking or drug use. These are all common signs of depression. If you have a child that fits that description then it's time to consider depression support groups for help. Get online and find depression support groups in your immediate area. The key is getting help in a timely fashion. There is no time to waste. With the power of the World-Wide-Web at your very fingertips, you can get help for epression today, and get back the life you can't live without.

Linda E. Joy provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for home, family as well as related information.

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Easy Steps To Avoid Depression - By: Sintilia Miecevole

2006-12-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

There seem to be so many people who are depressed that we really should take a look at the causes of depression in the first place. The factors that contribute to depression are well-known, and well-researched, but what causes it is not quite understood. New studies have uncovered some of the factors that contribute to the probability of people developing depression.

Stress

Stress takes the first place prize. It’s true that any stressful environment or situation can lead to depression. It can be anything such as social stress, getting a job, relationship difficulties, worrying about money, staying up late, lifestyle out of control, pressures of school and getting good grades. Other events that could cause depression are: death, change of job, moving from one place to another; even the fear of the unknown can cause depression. The list is endless. While these events cannot be avoided, we must come up with an effective stress coping mechanism to be able to thrive even in stressful situations because they are never going to go away. Stressful situations just keep changing.

Drinking and Drugs

People who take drugs and alcohol are more prone to depression. When these substances are used at a young age, they can effect a a person’s brain in negative ways. These substances help make the person feel good temporarily, but in most cases, people become addicted.

Drugs release dopamine in the pleasure center of the brain. For example: delicious food boosts dopamine release by about 50 percent. Sex, on the other hand, doubles this number. However, drugs can increase dopamine release anywhere from four to ten times. This unnatural high almost certainly leads to depression after the high goes away. This substance is the surest way to fry brain circuitry.

Drugs make a person depressed more than it makes him happy. This effect will spiral downward until the person doing drugs will want more and more of the substance to break the cycle of depression that follows each high and so the addiction is born.

Not Enough sleep

Studies show that up to 40 percent of adults do not get the proper amount of sleep per day and among students, up to 71 percent complain of sleep disorders and lack of sleep.

Sleep is essential to a person’s health. During sleep, the body repairs itself and reorganizes thought. Lack of sleep contributes to a lack of coherence in brain waves. This scenario often leads to depression. Sleeping during the day and staying up late also interferes with the body’s natural rhythms. This can lead to a sense of depression.

Here are few ways on how to prevent depression.

Sleep is a vital part of preventing depression. Balance your life with enough rest and exercise everyday. Most people require seven to eight hours of sleep per day.

Keep some regularity in your life. Orgaize your activities so they can come at expected and regular times. If your weekly, daily or monthly routine is set then your body has time to get used to the activities. This will lead to a reduced chance for depression to set in.

Don’t push yourself beyond your limits. Keep stress in check and try to avoid stressors if you can. If this can’t be done, then try to deal with the stressors in a manner that minimizes the damage it causes.

Sunlight and exercise can help the brain to function a higher level. Make time to enjoy the sunlight and try to stay active in the daylight when possible.

Keep away from alcohol and drugs. They may seem attractive, but all they really do is cause havoc in a person’s life.

Make at least one warm meal daily a priority. Good eating habits and good health are important when keeping away from depression.

Have fun every day. Nothing takes the load off of depression like some good old fun time. Social activities such as chatting, joining a support group sports, and other hobbies can do wonders towards healing a stressed out and busy mind.

Depression can be avoided and treated and it can be fun doing so. Follow the above mentioned tips for a brighter and happier disposition each day. You will look and feel better for it!

Sintilia Miecevole, Administrator of www.depressiongla.com provides comprehensive information or resources from depression, cause of depression, help and information to treatment and more. Be sure to visit http://www.depressiongla.com/ for further information.

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How to Cope When Your Spouse is Depressed - Nancy Wasson

2006-12-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Living with a depressed spouse can be extremely stressful for the partner and other family members. Communication is impacted, the couple’s social life suffers, and feelings of satisfaction with the marriage decrease.

Here are fifteen ways to cope and keep your sanity and bearings when your spouse is depressed:

1. Know what you’re dealing with. Don’t just guess and speculate that your spouse may be depressed. Encourage him or her to have a comprehensive assessment to determine if depression is actually present, what the severity is, and the recommended treatment plan.

If medication is prescribed, know that your spouse will increase his (or her) chances for successful treatment if he also participates in weekly counseling sessions.

2. Educate yourself about depression. Schedule a time to meet with your spouse’s doctor or therapist to learn more about depression and how you can best be supportive of your mate. Read books, magazine articles, and information available on the Internet about depression.

3. Expand and strengthen your individual network of support from family and friends. You’re going to need on-going support and encouragement, so resist the urge to try to carry the burden of your mate’s depression silently on your shoulders by yourself.

Let your family and friends know how they can help you and let them know what challenges you are facing. The worst thing you can do is to isolate yourself from others.

4. Research support groups that are available in your community and on-line. Some communities will offer in-person support groups for depressed individuals as well as for their spouses and friends. If no such groups exist where you live, check out the on-line support groups that are available for you and your depressed partner.
One group, The Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance (DBSA), sponsors numerous in-person meetings and also provides an on-line support group for people with depression or bipolar disorder, as well as separate groups for friends and family members. You can check out their offerings at:

http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/OnlineSupport.html

You can also find information and resources at Emotions Anonymous:

http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

Your spouse can find on-line support through Depressed Anonymous:

http://www.depressedanon.com/

5. Educate your children about depression so that they can better understand your spouse’s behavior. Ask a librarian at your community library or your children’s school for help in selecting appropriate books on depression and chronic parent illness.

If you’re not sure what to tell them, consult with your children’s physician and enlist his or her help or arrange for your children to talk to a counselor who can help them process their feelings.

6. Take the team approach toward managing your mate’s depression and say, “We’re in this together—we’re a team!”

You want your spouse to feel the energy and power of team support. Think in terms of “We’ll figure out what to do” instead of “You need to figure out what to do.”

7. Learn to de-personalize your spouse’s behavior. Remind yourself that your mate is ill—and that’s different from being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn or deliberately trying to make your life difficult.

Try to remember that your mate’s perception, attitude, actions, patience, and stamina are being impacted in major ways by the depression. When people are depressed, they often blame everyone else for their problems and see only the negatives in daily life. This is about the depression—not about you.

8. Work on developing more patience. Depression is trying for everyone closely associated with the depressed individual and can cause even normally sedate partners to become frustrated, agitated, and angry.

It takes time for the treatment to be effective and for significant changes to be maintained. You can protest all you want, but you’ll just make yourself more miserable until you accept that Life is presenting you with an opportunity to develop patience. The sooner you master this lesson, the less you’ll suffer.

9. Encourage your spouse to get some exercise each day. You might take a walk together or go to the gym together. You could exercise to a video at home or put on some music and dance. Anything that gets your mate moving and encourages him (or her) to stay physically active will be helpful.

10. Don’t try to talk your spouse out of his (or her) feelings. Trying to argue with him or convince him that he’s wrong for feeling that way won’t work. You’ll just make him more resistant.

When people are depressed, they often say irrational things, such as “I can’t ever do anything right” or “No one cares about me.” Acknowledge your mate’s feelings and say something like, “I’m sorry you’re feeling so bad. What might we do to help you feel better right now?”

11. Take good care of yourself in every way—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. You can’t afford to lose yourself and become consumed by your mate’s depression.

It’s very challenging to be around negative, pessimistic, depressive energy without starting to feel the same way. The only antidote is to stay balanced and centered by practicing good self-care behavior and doing things to nurture yourself.

Eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, stay in close contact with your friends, participate in activities that bring you pleasure, and keep your spiritual connection strong. Take time for yourself so that you can read, listen to music, meditate, and pray.

12. Laugh every day. Watch funny movies, share funny jokes, and look for the humor in the various situations in your life. Laughter can help you to feel better and keep the negative effects of depression at bay.

Enlist the help of your friends to provide you with funny stories and jokes that come their way through email or office talk. Try to find things to share things about your day that will make your spouse laugh. But even if he (or she) doesn’t laugh, you’ll feel better!

13. Read inspirational books or listen to inspirational audios or music that energizes and inspires you. Surround yourself with resources—books, CD’s, pictures—that make you feel better and “feed yourself” with inspiration and positive thinking and positive feelings every day.

14. Resist the urge to try to “fix” your spouse’s depression. You’ll only frustrate yourself and your mate. There’s no one thing you can do to take the depression away by yourself and to make everything better.

The fact that your spouse is depressed doesn’t mean that you have failed in any way as a partner. You’re not responsible for the depression and you can’t fix it. You can, however, be supportive and encouraging and follow the recommendations your mate’s doctor and/or therapist may make.

15. Get professional help for yourself if your feelings become overwhelming. It’s normal to feel resentful and angry that your personal life and family life are being so radically impacted by your mate’s depression.

You may feel that the person you once knew is now gone and that you don’t know who this depressed person is anymore. You may feel discouraged and despondent if time goes by and things aren’t significantly better.

Caregiving and being the main one to keep everything going can be exhausting and overwhelming. Don’t wait until you feel that you can’t continue any longer. Make an appointment for individual counseling before you “hit the wall.”

In most cases, depression can be effectively treated—80% of depressed patients improve with treatment. But the process of recovery can be lengthy, so it’s important to take steps to ensure that you’ll stay emotionally healthy while your spouse is recovering.

Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-creator of Overcome Control Conflict with Your Spouse or Partner, available at http://www.ControllingSpouse.com She is also co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" which is available at http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com, as well as a free weekly Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine. Dr. Wasson offers telephone and email coaching to individuals and couples who want to overcome relationship problems and create a rewarding, loving partnership.

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Childhood depression: Learn how to help a depressed child.

2006-11-30T12:02:00.000-08:00

Childhood depression, not unlike adult depression, is a disorder that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let’s learn the causes and symptoms of depression in children and what you can do if your child suffers from depression.

Like adults, children can suffer from depression, in this case: childhood depression. It’s not uncommon and since children actually are the purest of humans, it might be safe to say if a child is depressed-and they actually tell you that-it’s a rather serious issue.

One of the most common misconceptions about childhood depression is:”what do children have to be depressed about?”. Perhaps this reveals a few misunderstandings about childhood depression and what it is. Childhood depression is more intrusive into the child’s very existence, may be long-lasting and if not attended to life threatening.

Perhaps another misconception may have to do with us thinking, being a child is a care-free, trouble free stage of human life. Not necessarily, with peer acceptance, school and family expectations, it is enough to make a kid worry and could be a huge factor to be considered in regards to dealing with a case of childhood depression.

Other Causes of Childhood Depression:

1. Family History of Mental illness or suicide.

2. Abuse (physical, emotional or sexual)

3. Chronic illnesses.

4. Loss of a parent at an early age to death, divorce or abandonment.

5. Improper diet and lack of sufficient exercise.

6. Excessive exposure to negative factors such as parents arguing, bad neighborhoods etc

7. Insufficient parental attention.

Though this is not a conclusive list of the causes of depression in children, perhaps these factors are the most common ones.

Symptoms of Childhood Depression:

1. Loss of interest in hobbies and activities

2. Abrupt change in Appetite

3. Change in sleep patterns (either increase or decrease).

4. Difficulty concentrating.

5. Making depreciating statements like “I’m not good enough, I’m stupid…”

6. Persistent Sadness.

7. Recurring thoughts of Suicide

8. Excessive clinging or withdrawal

If you notice any of these in your child’s behaviour it may be time to seek help. But, keep in mind, the first step may be a good heart to heart talk with your child.

Reconnect with them. Make plans for a getaway saying things like “How about you and I going to the movies, park etc…?”. Now seize this time to carefully see what could be the problem.

Also, borrowing from Yoga principles , now will be a good time to assess your entire family’s diet. Diet plays, perhaps the most important role in one’s health, especially children in their growing stages so all efforts should be made to ‘pleasantly’ enforce a proper diet.

You may not have to work too hard, most kids LOVE bananas and other sweet fruits and fresh juices. Vegetables…maybe not so much, but you get my gist. Try to replace processed foods with healthier ones.

Remember children are wonderful imitators, so if you yourself happen to be depressed, I recommend drug-free alternatives such as Yoga, and the previously mentioned proper eating. Make efforts yourself to be cheerful as much as possible as kids do mimic what their parents constantly do.

Devote thirty minutes or more a day for open air recreation for yourself and your family. Visits to the zoo, active play, and swimming tend to relieve tension created in the home, school, and work and this may go a long way in assisting in curing childhood depression in the family.

Finally, if you are of a spiritual inclination, try prayer power and introduce your child to it.

Remember this quote “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” I believe a child connected to God is one sure way of preventing childhood depression. (Of course with the factors previously mentioned.)

Parenting or being a role model to a child is a duty that may be tasking at times, even more say when dealing with a depressed child. However with the suggestions given, if tackled properly, childhood depression need not be a thing your kid has to go through.

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and author of Fitness: Inside and out, a book on improving physical and mental health naturally. For additional information on depression treatment visit http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com/depression.htm

Depression – A Natural Cure That Is Proven To Work - Sacha Tarkovsky

2006-11-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

Depression is a condition that makes life a misery for millions and many look for natural cures and here we are going to look at one that has medical substantiation that it works.

Even better it’s cheap and is actually part of the natural food chain and the compound we are referring to may well surprise you it is:

Nicotine – and you don’t have to smoke to get it. Smoking is bad for you but you can get nicotine without cigarettes and that’s what this article is all about.

Nicotine is healthy in organic form

Nicotine is safe in organic form and part of the food chain. For example, trace elements are contained in many everyday foods such as:

Potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, eggplant, chili peppers, and some teas.

Available products

A larger dose is needed and many drug companies are looking to produce a pure nicotine drug to help depression and the first one is already on the market.

More of these later, for now let’s look at why nicotine relieves depression.

Why Does Nicotine Help With Depression?

Nicotine is known to switch on receptors on the surface of cells in certain parts of the brain, causing the neurons here to release the Neuro-transmitter dopamine.

This chemical that is associated with feelings of pleasure and well being.

Nicotine is known to help improve mood, concentration and memory.

Getting nicotine without smoke

Drug companies are spending huge sums to get drugs on the market and the first has already appeared a nicotine drink – Containing nicotine in water.

Water is a safe delivery method and the water contains organic nicotine and fresh water with no added chemicals.

We all need water so taking nicotine in this form means the users get hydrated at the same time.

Nicotine’s image improves

More products will follow as the health benefits of nicotine gain public acceptance.

Nicotine has suffered an image problem because it is in cigarettes. Nicotine does not cause disease or death though that is some of the other 4,000 chemicals consumed.

Saying nicotine is bad is like saying you should not eat grapes as people die of alcoholism when drinking wine!

Nicotine is safe and non toxic in organic form and offers suffers of depression, relief from this life ruining disease and represents a natural cure that is medically proven to help.

NEW ORGANIC NICOTINE DRINK

A new organic drink containg just nicotine and fresh water is available now. Visit our website and try it at a special limited offer price. Go to: http://www.smokefreechoice.com

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Suicide Rates Have Declined The Past Ten Years Thanks to New Depression Treatments - Charles Donovan

2006-11-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Suicide, which is the eleventh leading cause of death, is a very serious subject. . Suicide rates have declined over the past ten years thanks to new depression treatments.

Suicide was among the 10 leading causes of death until 1998, when it was number 8 overall. Since that time, it has been surpassed by deaths due to Alzheimer disease and septicemia( blood poisoning). Preliminary data for 2003 placed suicide at number 11 overall, with a provisional age-adjusted rate of 10.5 per 100000, a 3.7% decline from the 2002 age-adjusted rate. However, it remains one of the 10 leading causes of death among individuals aged 10 to 64 years, and it ranks between second and fourth among those aged 10 to 45 years.

Every completed suicide is a successful attempt. There are 500,000 failed suicide attempts each year serious enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. Researchers say that suicide is depression left untreated.

There are many cross currents is analyzing trends in suicide rates. There are indications that the trends are not uniform across age, gender, race/ethnicity, or rural/urban settings. For example, most of the increase in suicide rates among adolescents occurred between 1950 and 1980. Little of that increase is attributable to changing suicide rates among females, which have been more stable.[ Researchers found that the increase in adolescent male suicide completion during this period coincided with a significant increase in alcohol use.

The highest rates of suicide in the United States occur among older white men. Rates among White females and Black males and females peak during midlife. The US population has an increasing proportion of persons aged 85 years and older. If their rates were lower, that could account for declining rates among the 65-year-and-older age group, but the data for those aged 85 years and older show that their rates are higher compared with the 65-year-and-older age group as a whole. However, the decline in rates among the 85-year-and-older age group could be driving the decline in rates among the 65-year-and-older age group.

The implications of decreasing rather than increasing suicide rates are significant. If the conventional wisdom that suicide rates are increasing held, attention should be redirected from current strategies that are considered to be failing.

A broader discussion about trends in suicide rates and to encourage a more extensive investigation of the larger social, contextual, policy, and treatment trends that may be contributing to the decline in one of the major causes of preventable death. If scientists can understand what has contributed to the recent declines, they will be better able to develop and disseminate effective interventions for preventing suicide.

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

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

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Depression Suicide: What to do to avoid the fatality - Foras Aje

2006-11-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

Depression Suicide is a very serious issue that may best be prevented in the earlier stages of depression. Here are tips on how to see if your loved is suicidal and what you can do to prevent it and steer the afflicted back to a positive outlook on life.

Depression, characterized by erratic mood swings, loss of interest in hobbies and activities is a very serious emotional disorder affecting about 9.5 per cent of the nation.Needless to say, it is could be a lot more fatal if a depressed person is heading towards suicide.

That considered here are some indications to watch out for to know if your loved one is considering suicide as a result of depression.

Depression Suicide: Warning Signs to be Aware of

1. Mentions of Suicide or Death

2. Wanting to tie up loose ends or give away personal belongings

3. Engaging in reckless behavior such as heavy alcohol and drug use

4. Withdrawing from family and friends

5. Erratic mood swings

6. Inappropriately saying goodbye.

7. Verbal behavior that is ambiguous or indirect: (for example: “I want to go to sleep and never wake up.”, “I’m so depressed, I just can’t go on.”, “Does God punish suicides?”

Now the signs may vary according to the patient, however it should not be too difficult to recognize such warnings and take the following steps to help a loved one.

Depression Suicide: Helping a Loved one who is suicidal

If you believe someone is contemplating suicide do seek help immediately, to this effect there are a several suicide prevention web sites and hotlines available to help those in need, but in case these are not within your reach, you can try the following:

1. Cultivate Physical Closeness: Simple hugs, kisses on the cheeks, loving pats and compliments go a long way in healing a broken heart or depressed mind. Remember, sometimes the little things DO count.

2. If the person is acutely suicidal, do not leave him or her alone.

3. Remember: suicidal behavior is a cry for help. Thus if someone contemplating suicide turns to you, it is likely that he believes that you are more caring and more informed about coping with depression, and more willing to help.

Other steps to take include reassuring them that help is available and that with appropriate depression treatment they can feel better.Try to search the house for dangerous items such as guns and knives that could be potentially harmful.

In addition to the factors above, if you are of a spiritual inclination, this will be a good time to pray according to the framework of your faith because prayer when used effectively, can work wonders to aid in curtailing depression suicide.

Moreover, in the hopes that your loved one begins to show signs of improvement from the warnings indicating depression suicide, it will be great to start to include such drug-free approaches for depression treatment such as exercise: namely Yoga, a proper diet for physical health which in turn heals the mind and positive thinking and affirmations.

Naturally we all would get concerned or frightened if a loved one seems on the brink of suicide resulting from depression, however as with all life’s problems, if we can catch it early and nip it in the bud, depression suicide can be prevented. If things may have gotten more advanced, then it may be time to seek professional help or as an alternative double up on our efforts to steer the loved one back to a positive outlook on life.

In conclusion keep in mind that you and the loved one do possess the mental capability to overcome your problems. Inasmuch as you may need assistance to curtail depression suicide either professionally or otherwise, with the tips above, suicide resulting from depression may be altogether halted or at least slowed down drastically enough to gear the loved one back to a positive outlook on life.

In Friendship,
Foras Aje

Endogenous Depression - Michael Russell

2006-11-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

There are two broad ways in which the patient may present, depending on the relative influence of psychomotor retardation and agitation. When retardation is extreme the patient is in a stupor, mute and in need of constant nursing care; when less severe the patient performs slowly and the increased sense of effort is obvious. The agitated patient is restless, unable to sit or settle and indulges in continuous purposeless activity. The retarded patient speaks slowly with obvious effort and has difficulty in self-expression; the agitated patient, on the other hand, may be voluble perhaps to the point on incoherence.

The content of the patient's conversation displays his restriction of interests and his preoccupation with his illness. Depressive ideas of guilt, self-reproach and unworthiness are common and over-concern with personal idiosyncrasies, spiritual matters, or with physical or psychological problems may form the basis of delusionary beliefs. These sometimes take on a markedly paranoid colouring. Sleep is almost always disturbed, the patient typically waking early; initial insomnia and broken sleep are also common. An occasional patient will experience hyper-somnia.

Even though the word depression may not be used by the patient and he may complain of apathy and loss of feeling, observation alone in these severe cases confirms his despondency, sadness or despair. In many patients, the depression shows a clear daily variation, being at its worst in the morning and improving later in the day, so that the evenings may be more or less tolerable. The depression may show some reaction to the surroundings, but commonly it is relatively unaffected by environmental events. In the agitated patient, anxiety symptoms may dominate the clinical picture; unremitting feelings of tension with their usual physical concomitants such as palpitations, headaches and loss of appetite are common, but the anxiety may be expressed in episodic form, including panic attacks and phobias. Weariness and fatigue are almost invariable. Amenorrhoea is frequent and sexual desire is commonly diminished. Fears of disease are common, particularly when somatic anxiety manifestations are prominent and hypchondriacal preoccupations with aches and pains and bowel or menstrual function may lead to the conviction on the part of the patient that he or she is suffering from cancer, heart disease, or hypertension. Other patients express fears of insanity or intellectual deterioration. Secondly, hysterical features may occur in association with hypochondriasis, leading to an invalid reaction.

In depressive illness there are, of course, no cognitive or intellectual changes, though these may be suspected because a patient emphasizes difficulty in concentration and consequent failure of recent memory. In many of these patients there will be a history of similar or previous episodes coming on without reason and terminating either spontaneously or in response to anti-depressant treatment. In perhaps 5 percent, there will be a history of depression or one or more attacks of mania.

Many mild cases of endogenous depression never seek medical help - many indeed never appreciate that they are ill. For the period of the illness, the sufferer continues to go about his daily existence, with a decreased sense of enjoyment, an increased sense of effort and perhaps some reduction in efficiency.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Depression

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

Sorry Readers.

2006-11-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys but I was away for the holidays and was no where near a computer. I will be posting more articles for you soon. Thanks for your patience. Have a good one.

Anna A.

Seasonal Affective Disorder: One Easy, Cheap, Natural Way to Manage It - Denice Moffat

2006-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 20 U.S. Marines suggests that tyrosine can improve mental alertness during periods of sleep deprivation. In this study, the participants were deprived of sleep for a night and then tested frequently for their alertness throughout the day as they worked. Compared to placebo, 10 to 15 grams of tyrosine given twice daily seemed to provide a "pick-up" for about two hours.*

L-tyrosine deficiencies affect memory, ability to handle stress, can cause depression and Seasonal Affective Disorders (SAD) by disrupting the serotonin-dopamine neurotransmitters of the brain.

It always amazes me when we see a shift in nutrition on a continental scale. What causes this? Why is there such a deficiency? Is it a new additive binding up the amino acid? Or is some type of effective advertising causing a decrease in the consumptions of particular foods that are rich in these nutrients?

Each practitioner picks these things up in different ways, but we do pick it up. Even though we may come to different conclusions, society gets alerted to the deficiency and finds ways to correct it. I’ve noticed this L-tyrosine deficiency in my own practice for several years. It manifests as depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder and there is an easy, cheap, natural and effective way to manage these challenges. It doesn’t work for everyone—only most people. And it does a great job of doing it.

The food which acts most effective to replace tyrosine deficiencies is sesame seeds (except for Blood Type B people who should not eat sesame products according to www.dadamo.com ) Sesame seeds can be taken in the form of raw seeds and tahini, or as halvah. The normal dose is about 2 tablespoons of the raw sesame seeds, or one tablespoon of tahini or halvah. It does have to be taken every day to be affective and it takes a couple of weeks to repair the tyrosine deficiency in your body.

The other thing you can do to help depression and SAD is to increase the amounts of raw fruits and vegetables in your diet. The usual dose is between 1 ½ cups to 2 cups EACH of raw fruits, raw vegetables and cooked vegetables every day. The addition of these foods makes everything you are taking (supplements, vitamins and even “real drugs”) work better.

People ask my why they can’t just take the pill form called L-Tyrosine, but it seems like this form is just too strong and is less effective in repairing the deficiency.

As will all programs, if you are on medications, please consult with your medical doctor first as going off antidepressants “cold-turkey” can be very dangerous.

* Reference: Neri DF, Wiegmann D, Stanny RR, et al. The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness. Avit Space Environ Med. 1995; 66:313–319.

Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter. To read more about sesame seeds, see the Oct. 2006 Natural Health Techniques Monthly Newsletter or Dr. Moffat's site.

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

The Warning Signs of Suicide - Michael Russell

2006-11-20T21:38:00.000-08:00

Have you experienced being told by someone that she wants to end her life? You may not know exactly how to react to it or you may find it absurd. Oftentimes, hearing this kind of statement from someone we know or love will lead us to ask the question, why?

For some people, talking about or attempting suicide is actually an overt cry for help. They do not really want to die but it is their way of desperately seeking for help. Yet for some others, suicide is the only way to put an end to their pain and misery.

A person may think about suicide but this doesn't actually mean that a concrete action is bound to be executed. Sometimes this only measures the level of distress a person is experiencing in her life and how she views life's worth.

There are those who are at greater risk of committing suicide than others. Location can be a factor. Those living in cities are more prone to commit suicide that those residing in rural areas. Age also is a factor. There is a higher tendency of older individuals committing suicide compared to younger people. Women have shown more suicide attempts than men, although there is a higher percentage of men actually committing suicide than women. There is a higher suicide rate also for certain occupations among which are psychiatrists, lawyers, musicians and police officers.

Here are the risks factors that indicate a person's heightened vulnerability to suicide:

1. A previous history of suicide attempts can predispose a person to commit suicide again.

2. A family history of suicide makes a person more susceptible to commit suicide herself.

3. When a person makes plans to commit suicide.

4. A person who is experiencing life's loss may be may be undergoing bouts of depression. This could be due to a loss of a loved one, a job loss or a person may be undergoing the painful process of divorce or even not being able to find a suitable life partner. These are instances that can cause depression. When the experiences of depression worsen, this may precipitate into suicide.

5. Physical health problems including debilitating diseases like cancer and AIDS. Also a recent major surgery that renders an individual in severe pain or chronic and terminal illnesses that offer no positive diagnosis and leave an individual helpless and hopeless.

6. Recent loss of a loved one, maybe a spouse and more so if it is a child.

7. When a person doesn't have a social support system; no friends or close relatives to talk to when problems arise and depression sets in.

Talking honestly and openly about suicide with the person who has a suicidal tendency may actually help the person prevent suicide. Never take suicide threats lightly. If you know a person who threatens to commit suicide, urge her to seek professional help. If you don't know what to do and say if person comes up to you and tell you she wants to end her life, try these suggestions:

1. Help the person talk about how she feels and acknowledge her pain.

2. If there is a specific behavior that the individual is practicing that needs to be addressed, inform her. It could be an increasing frequency of her drinking sessions to drown her misery or her withdrawal from social functions and being alone most of the time.

3. Urge her to seek professional help. It could be depression that is pushing her to suicidal tendencies. Her depression can be treated with counseling or drug therapy.

4. Show the person that you care and her well-being is important to you. Let her feel that you are there all the way to support her. Offer a message of hope and support and let her feel that you mean it.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Depression

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

How To Beat Depression - Alan Hands

2006-11-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

How To Beat Depression by Alan Hands

Clinical Depression is the number 1 mental disorder in the world and the 2nd most disabling condition in the world behind heart disease.

A staggering 16% of the population will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.

Why should you be interested in this?

1. Because EVERYONE at some stage in their lives will be affected by depression, either their own or someone else’s.

(Source – Australian Government research)

2. Because only around 20% of those who develop depression will receive adequate treatment.

If you or someone you know suffers from depression it is essential to understand what depression is; what the causes are; what the symptoms are and what treatments are available, both conventional and complementary.

What is Depression?

Depression can be defined as a mental illness which causes feelings of sadness and loss of hope, changes in sleeping and eating habits, loss of interest in your usual activities, and pains which have no physical explanation.

What does this really mean?

Perhaps it is easier to have a look at how a doctor would diagnose a person as suffering from depression.

A person can be diagnosed as suffering from clinical depression if 5 or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2 week period and represent a change from previous functioning. At least one of the symptoms is either (a) depressed mood or (b) loss of interest or pleasure.

(a) Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either a subjective report or an observation made by others. In children and adolescents this can be an irritable mood.

(b) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.

(c) Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

(d) Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness or sleep) nearly every day.

(e) Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feeling of restlessness or being slowed down).

(f) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

(g) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day.

(h) Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.

(i) Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Not all people suffering from depression will have the same symptoms.

In addition to the symptoms listed in the above definition of depression, people suffering from depression may report some of the following symptoms:

 Exhaustion on waking

 Disrupted sleep, sometimes through upsetting dreams

 Early morning waking and difficulty getting back to sleep

 Doing less of what they used to enjoy

 Difficulty concentrating during the day

 Improved energy as the day goes on

 Anxious, worrying and intrusive upsetting thoughts

 Becoming emotional or upset for no particular reason

 Shortness of temper, or irritability

 Feeling miserable and sad

 A feeling that even the smallest of tasks is impossible

 Don’t want to see people or are scared to be left alone

 Loss of hope

 No confidence

 Physical aches and pains with no physical cause

What are the Causes of Depression?

There is no single cause of depression.

In general, ‘causes’ can be categorised into 3 main points of view:

1. Depression is a medical disease caused by a neurochemical or hormonal imbalance.

2. Depression is caused by certain styles of thinking.

3. Depression is a result of unfortunate experiences.

There is a school of thought that believes that the chemical imbalance referred to above is actually a SYMPTOM of depression and not a cause and therefore anti-depressants which treat this imbalance can never cure a person of depression as at best they can only alleviate a symptom and will do nothing to find or cure the cause.

Conventional Treatments For Depression

 Medication

 Counselling

 Complementary Medicine

Medication has some benefit to around a third of sufferers and as suggested above can only ever treat the symptoms not the cause.

Counselling can be of help to some but success is largely dependant upon the skill of the counsellor.

More and more people are now turning to Complementary Medicine and Self-Help in their battle with depression and finding amazing results with this approach.

To benefit from Complementary Medicine and Self-Help it is important to fully understand what depression is and how it is affecting the individual concerned.

This may be as simple as treating an underlying anxiety problem with self hypnosis CDs or by using aromatherapy to help promote relaxation.

Another great method of self-help to consider is modelling.

We can all learn from the experiences of others in many aspects of life and beating depression is no different. Simply find someone who has successfully beaten the condition, find out how they achieved their results and copy and adapt their methods to suit your own circumstances.

The benefit of this technique is that what took one person months or perhaps several years of trial and error to find the right results, can be modelled immediately and the results can be achieved so much quicker.

In order to free yourself from the shackles of depression I urge you to fully research the modern thinking relating to the condition, reach out to others who have gone through a similar experience and don’t be afraid to try a different approach – you may be surprised at the results.

Alan Hands is a former sufferer of depression, stress, anxiety and panic attacks who now dedicates his time to helping others overcome these problems.
He has authored several self-help ebooks on the following subjects –
Beat Depression http://tinyurl.com/jpokn
Conquering Anxiety http://tinyurl.com/njks5
Combating Stress http://tinyurl.com/e4vnn

Article Source: www-mega-articles.com

Depression Faq: Finding Help For Someone With Depression - Dane Loveless

2006-11-16T00:11:00.000-08:00

* How do I know if a friend of loved one is experiencing depression?

Each person experiences depression differently. Depression generally comes in episodes and the same person will usually experience it similarly with each episode. Symptoms almost always include these three symptoms:

- Loss of interest in regular tasks.

- Feelings of sadness.

- Mood swings.

Other symptoms may include a combination of any of the following:

- Feelings of despair and doubt.

- Feelings of unimportance

- Guilt

- Impatience and unpredictability.

- An increase or decrease in weight from desire or lack of desire for eating.

- Thoughts of suicide.

- Irregularity in sleeping which may include sleeping too much or being too wrestless to sleep for long periods of time.

- Loss of energy and lack of will.

- Difficulty or inability to concentrate, focus or to make a decision.

* How do I know when a depressed person needs professional help?

A depressed person needs professional help if the person:

- is thinking of suicide

- is experiencing severe mood changes

- is thinking depression is connected to other problems needing professional help

- does not feel in control of his/her life

- feels overwhelmed, troubled, anxious, dejected, or out of control

- is not able to resist harmful behavior such as addiction

- is experiencing chest pain

* How can family and friends help a depressed person?

There are actually two important ways in which you can help a depressed person, but these must be done with kindness and consideration in order to avoid making things worse.

1) Help the depressed person find a suitable treatment for depression. This may include encouraging the person to continue with treatment until the signs of depression start to subside. You can also help the person by finding another treatment if there is no progress is being made.

2) Offer emotional support. This includes being considerate, calm, and loving. Involve the depressed person in a conversation and listen to him/her attentively. Do not downplay any of your impressions about suicidal tendencies. If possible, consult with the depressed person’s physician yourself. Be tenderly persistent if your request is rejected. Persuade him/her to join in some activities that will give pleasure.

Do not accuse the depressed person of being lazy or faking illness, and do not just wait for them to "snap out of it." In time, with healing, most depressed people do get well again. Remember, and keep comforting the depressed person with the knowledge that, with time and appropriate treatment, he or she will feel better.

* Where do you go for help with depression?

If you are concerned and think a friend or loved one may be experiencing depression, you can get help for them. Depression is not uncommon. In fact, anyone can experience depression. Try to get your friend or family member to talk about what they are experiencing. If you feel that the problem is beyond your ability to help, try to get them to consult a counselor or a physician. You may also choose to go to the nearest mental health center and talk to a specialist on depression. Depending on your relationship, you may want to go with them. You may find that the person doesn't feel anything is wrong with them and doesn't feel the need to see a doctor.

Dane Loveless is editor of Depression Lab, the online guide to Depression. He also writes Depression FAQ's for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.

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Basics of a Healthful, Antidepression Diet

2006-11-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Michael B. Schachter, MD, with Deborah Mitchell Authors of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About™ Depression

For some people, the phrase healthful diet is enough to send their mood tumbling. "Guess I'll have to give up everything I enjoy, like chocolate and hamburgers and french fries," sighed one patient. "That's enough to make me even more depressed!" But healthful need not be equated with unappetizing or boring. Different, perhaps, and for some people a change to a more healthful diet requires big adjustments -- in the foods they buy, where they eat out, and how they prepare their choices. The rewards, however, are many, including improved mood, more energy, enhanced immune system, better concentration, and invigorated sex drive, to name but a few.

I've found that laying down a few basic but critical guidelines for a healthful diet, and then tweaking them for individual patients, works much better than expecting people to follow a complicated program that involves counting grams of carbohydrates or protein, weighing foods, referring to charts, or combining certain items in complicated ratios. That being said, here are my lists of "Positive Foods" and "Foods to Avoid."

Positive Foods

Sweets. In moderation, natural sugars such as rice syrup, date sugar, pure Vermont syrup, unsulfured blackstrap molasses, and unfiltered honey are all acceptable. An herbalsweetener -- that has nearly no calories -- is stevia, which can be found in health food stores and increasingly in mainstream grocery stores.
Fats. Some fats are healthy and instrumental in maintaining mental health, especially omega-3 fatty acids. When you choose oil for cooking, your best choice is probably cold-pressed olive oil. Butter and other saturated fats (like coconut oil, but not margarine that contains transfatty acids) may be used in moderate amounts. I suggest you avoid fried foods (especially deep-fried).
Whole fruits and vegetables. Whenever possible, choose fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and eat at least five to seven servings daily. To derive the most benefit from these rich sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and carbohydrates, eat them in as pure a state as possible, preferably raw or lightly steamed. (Sorry, deep-fried potatoes and onion rings don't count as servings of whole vegetables.) Fruit and vegetable juices are good as well, and if you have a juicer, please learn how to make your own fresh juices, remembering to drink the pulp as well!
Whole grains and cereals. Whole grains and cereals (organic if possible) are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates. These foods include whole grains, brown rice, and unprocessed cereals. Complex carbohydrates break down gradually and provide a more steady supply of glucose -- brain fuel -- thus helping maintain an even or calmer mood. Simple carbohydrates, however, such as those found in sugary foods or those made with white flour, metabolize rapidly, contributing to and causing mood swings and energy highs and lows. Also, be aware that some grains and even other whole-food starches may be problematic for some people.
Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Choose organic foods in this important category as well. Foods in this group are excellent sources of protein, especially for people who want to reduce or eliminate animal protein. Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds are also high in fiber and many nutrients. Also in this category are tofu and other forms of fermented soybeans (miso, tempeh) and flaxseed.
Eggs and dairy. Eggs and dairy foods -- milk, cheese, butter, cream, and yogurt -- are good sources of protein, calcium, and other important nutrients. They are also rich sources of saturated fat, which may be fine for many people. The major concern I have about eggs and dairy relates to whether hormones were used in raising the animals; whether or not they were given foods containing pesticides, antibiotics, toxic minerals, or other chemicals; and whether the animals were confined to inhumane cages. Soft-boiled eggs are best because heat is applied without exposure to oxygen, thus reducing free radical damage. I recommend organic eggs and dairy products and prefer nonhomogenized milk. Although pasteurization of milk products is the norm today in order to eliminate harmful bacteria, certified raw milk is preferred in areas where it is available, provided the cows are clean and hygienic principles are used in caring for them. If you are lactose-intolerant because of a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, or you choose not to consume dairy items, nondairy foods may be used. These include products made from soy, rice, or nuts, such as soy milk, rice milk, and almond milk; cheese made from these "milks"; and nondairy desserts. These "dairy" foods are also good sources of protein.
Organic meats and poultry. Despite a push for people to eat more fish, meat and poultry continue to be major sources of animal protein for many people. For patients who eat meat, I recommend organically raised products, which are virtually free of hormones, pesticides, antibiotics, and other unnatural additives, all of which can have a detrimental effect on mood and general health. Such meat and poultry choices are slowly becoming more accessible and typically are available in natural and whole-food stores. Meats and poultry are sources of methionine, which is critical for methylation; this amino acid is difficult to get from plant-based sources.
Fish and shellfish. Fish and shellfish can be excellent sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, if you make judicious choices. I'm calling for "judicious choices" because of the persistent and very real problem of mercury, pesticides, PCBs, and other contamination of the fish supply. Fish that I tend to recommend that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, but relatively low in mercury, are wild Alaskan salmon and sardines. I am wary about farm-raised fish because some studies indicate that they are high in PCBs and other contaminants. The smaller the fish (say, sardines), the less likely they are to accumulate mercury. But if you eat fish fairly frequently, I recommend that you have your blood mercury levels checked, because there is no way to guarantee the fish you eat regularly is not contaminated. Everyone whom I have checked for mercury who eats sushi more than once a week is quite high in it. Swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and most tuna tend to be quite high in mercury.

I would like you to consider two factors when choosing foods from this list. One, do you have any reactions to these foods that may be contributing to or causing your depression? Two, do you have any specific food preferences based on religious, ethical, and/or moral beliefs? If you are a vegetarian, for example, you will not select meat, poultry, or fish, so you will need to choose other protein-rich foods such as soy products, legumes, beans, seeds, and, depending on the type of vegetarian diet you follow, eggs and/or dairy.

Foods to Avoid

Most of the foods included in this list should come as no surprise to you. In most cases, foods on the "Avoid" list have been highly refined and processed. Fortunately, for every food you should avoid, there is a healthy alternative on the "Positive Foods" list. You may find that the "Avoid" list reads like your current grocery list; or you may discover that only one or two categories apply to you. Next time you're in the grocery store, here are the items you want to skip:

Sugar. Avoid all foods that contain added sugar, such as soda, candy, cakes, ketchup, some breakfast cereals, and so on. Become a label reader. If sugar (or one of its companions, such as corn syrup) is one of the first few ingredients, put the item back on the shelf! Sugar can give you a burst of energy, but in the long run it can leave you depressed and tired.
White-flour products. Just say no to white bread, white pasta, and other products that use white flour, including many crackers, rolls and bagels, refrigerator biscuits, pizza dough, and baked goods. Also avoid white rice. These overly processed food products have been stripped of their nutritional value, and then they are "enriched" with some nutrients, along with synthetic additives.
Alcohol. This includes beer, wine, and liquor. People often forget that alcohol is a depressant, even though it provides an initial kick. Drinking alcohol can also disturb your sleep, which is a problem with many people who are depressed.
Caffeine. Avoid coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate. (Okay, you can have a limited amount of organic dark chocolate on occasion.) If you must have coffee, choose an organic coffee, since most coffees are high in pesticides. Decaffeinated coffee is fine for most people, provided that it is organic and does not use toxic chemicals in processing.
Hydrogenated fats. Hydrogenated fats are oils to which hydrogen atoms have been added in the factory in order to harden them and improve shelf life. These hydrogenated oils or fats contain high concentrations of trans-fatty acids, which have recently been clearly shown to disrupt fatty acid metabolism in the body and cause serious disease. Hydrogenated fats are found primarily in margarines, snack foods (potato chips, corn chips), crackers and cookies, baked products, and fast foods. When you read ingredient labels, look for the words hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, margarine, or shortening, which indicate the presence of trans-fatty acids, or look at the nutritional panel for the percentage of trans-fat in the product. Beginning January 2006, food manufacturers were required to list trans-fat content on labels.
Chemical food additives. To avoid artificial preservatives, flavorings, colors, and sweeteners, you need to read labels. Not all labels list all the chemicals in the food item, but the general rule is: If the product has been processed, it probably contains chemicals. For example, artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, nitrites, monosodium glutamate, and nitrates are often seen in cereals, breads, frozen dinners, boxed meals, and crackers. All foods containing artificial colors (such as red dye 40) or artificial flavorings should be avoided. Artificial additives can cause various adverse reactions, including mood swings, depression, fatigue, headache, rash, aggression, irritability, and attention difficulties, among others. I believe all artificial sweeteners, including saccharine, aspartame, and sucralose, should be avoided. In particular, avoid diet sodas containing aspartame.
Fluoride. Do not drink fluoridated water or tap water (unless filtered) or use fluoridated toothpaste. Despite the popularity of fluoride dental treatments for both adults and children, I strongly recommend you not get them. Also, avoid fluoridated vitamins for children. There are a number of excellent books and websites that clearly document the lack of efficacy and dangers of fluoride ingestion and fluoride use. If you live in an area where the tap water is fluoridated and you want to drink the tap water but not the fluoride, you need to use a water filter with a reverse osmosis component; carbon filters will not remove fluoride.
Chloride. Do not drink chlorinated water (unless the chlorine has been filtered out), as chlorine is toxic. A simple carbon filter will remove chlorine from tap water.

From the book WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT DEPRESSION: The Breakthrough Integrative Approach for Effective Treatment by Michael B. Schachter, MD, with Deborah Mitchell. (Published by Warner Wellness; November 2006;$14.99US/$18.99CAN; 0-446-69494-0) Copyright (c) 2006 by Michael B. Schachter, MD, and Lynn Sonberg. Reprinted by permission of Warner Books, Inc, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Author

Michael B. Schachter, MD, is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia College, and received his medical degree from Columbia's Physicians & Surgeons in 1965. He is board certified in psychiatry and has achieved advanced proficiency in chelation therapy from the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM). Dr. Schachter has been involved with alternative and complementary medicine since 1974. He is a recognized leader in orthomolecular psychiatry, nutritional medicine, chelation therapy for cardiovascular disease, and alternative cancer therapies. Coauthor of Food, Mind and Mood (1989, 1987) and author of The Natural Way to a Healthy Prostate (Keats, 1995), Dr. Schachter was a major contributor to Alternative Medicine's Definitive Guide to Cancer (Future Medicine, 1997). He was president of the American College for Advancement in Medicine from 1989-91 and is the past president of the Foundation for the Advancement of Innovative Medicine (FAIM). A frequent lecturer to both professionals and the public, Dr. Schachter is often a guest on radio and television, speaking about health and related topics.

For more information, please visit www.schachtercenter.com/depression_book.htm

Holistic Depression Therapy: Treating Signs Of Anxiety And Depression With Natural Antidepressants - Athlyn Green

2006-11-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Holistic depression therapy is gaining respect in the medical world as a viable approach for treating stress-related and emotional disorders. The fast pace of modern-day living exerts tremendous pressure upon people, and depressive illnesses are on the rise, with a corresponding search for effective treatments to counter symptoms.

A common argument against holistic medicine for depression and anxiety disorders is that hard evidence is lacking to substantiate claims made for efficacy of these remedies. But is that really the case? What does investigation show?

Research has revealed that alternative approaches are safer than mainstream drugs and that these remedies are not usually accompanied by same severity of side effects or the withdrawal symptoms encountered when using or trying to stop prescription medications.

What facts are known about holistic depression therapy? What botanical and herbal substances are used? How do these work to treat symptoms? More importantly, what effect do they have on the brain?

SAM-e is a trusted natural treatment for moderate to severe depressive symptoms. In numerous trials involving thousands of patients, it has performed as well as traditional drugs used to alleviate depression: European research has shown it to be as effective or exceeding conventional medication, acting on the brain in a fashion similar to antidepressant drugs but generally free of troublesome effects. In fact, even at high doses, SAM-e is not associated with adverse effects. It has been prescribed successfully for two decades in 14 countries where it has been approved as a drug.

Siberian ginseng improves the balance of important neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) in the brain. It has been shown to be beneficial in treating depression by inhibiting monoamine.

5-HTP is derived from the griffonia simplicifolia plant and it increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of endocrine and brain activity responsible for emotional well being and sleep-wake cycles.

Backed by scientific research and clinical trials, confirmed by tangible results in patients, holistic medicine for depression and anxiety disorders offers active ingredients that have a significant impact on the brain and subsequently a person’s emotional health.

Valerian comes with a long track record and is considered one the most effective herbs for healing the nervous system and for treating depressive disorders. And no wonder! It affects production of the neurotransmitter GABA (increasing it at the synaptic cleft as well as prohibiting reuptake). GABA is an amino acid known to play a role in the physiology of anxiety. (Prescription drugs for anxiety (Valium and Xanax) affect GABA receptors in the brain.) Valerian is a recognized holistic depression therapy.

Passionflower offers flavonoids as primary constituents responsible for its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects.

Chamomile supports and soothes the nerves, helping to compose the mind and body. It has been used for centuries and its anti-anxiety effects are well attested.

Incorporating herbal extracts, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, enzymes and specialty supplements, complimentary holistic medicine for depression and anxiety disorders offers tangible medicinal benefits.

Diet changes can have a profound impact on the way a person feels, and supplementing your diet with a scientifically researched supplement, a holistic depression therapy makes good sense. You can restore critical chemical imbalances in the brain that may be sending out red flags: symptoms of malfunction through nervousness and negative mood or overwhelming sadness and loss of hope. As well, supplements offer protective and preventative benefits, so that these conditions do not gain the upper hand in the first place.

It is important to make sure you are consuming, digesting, and absorbing the needed proteins and essential fatty acids. Natural supplements, as a holistic medicine for depression and anxiety disorders, provide critical substances that the body needs for optimal functioning.

Check with your primary care giver or a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine before starting any herbal program. The use of herbals is a time-honored approach to healing, an effective holistic depression therapy.

Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to Holistic Medicine For Depression And Anxiety Disorders, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder.

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

Trazodone Antidepressant - Information You Need To Know - Athlyn Green

2006-11-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

Trazodone antidepressant is used for treatment of depression. It affects chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in the brain that nerves use in communicating or stimulating each other.

This is a prescription medication that is believed to target symptoms of depression by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin—a brain chemical that plays a role in mood. Using Trazodone for depression may also directly increase the action of serotonin.

Although this drug works in a similar fashion to serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it is chemically unrelated to them. It is the generic name for Desyrel. The Food and Drug Administration approved Trazodone antidepressant for use in 1982.

As with any drug that increases concentrations of serotonin in the brain, this medication should not be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Commonly noted side effects include headache, lightheadedness or confusion, blurred or abnormal vision, agitation, dry mouth, low blood pressure, tiredness or sleepiness. Stomach upset can be reduced by taking this drug with food. A more troubling complication can be priapism, a painful condition in which sexual organs remain in an erect position. More alarmingly, occasional permanent impairment of erectile function or even impotence has been noted. You will want to discuss this with your doctor before consenting to using Trazodone for depression.

Blood pressure may drop if you combine this medication with a blood pressure medication. Dizziness upon standing may be an indicator of reduced blood pressure levels.

Cardiac abnormalities have been associated with Trazodone antidepressant and it should be used cautiously in people with pre-existing cardiac disorders. Do not take Trazodone if you have had a heart attack in recent weeks. If you have any type of heart disease: irregular heartbeats, chest pain (angina), or high blood pressure, you may require monitoring.

You should use alcohol cautiously in conjunction with taking this medication. When taking Trazodone for depression, you may experience dizziness or drowsiness—and alcohol may increase these effects.

Your doctor will have weighed potential benefits against risks before prescribing this medication for you. He will outline why he feels Trazodone antidepressant may be indicated to treat your depression. If you are suffering from major depression, it is crucial to get these symptoms under control.

If you are concerned about potential side effects, other options are available. Many people have turned to natural remedies when seeking to alleviate their symptoms. Can natural supplements effectively treat depression? Can they act on neurotransmitters to repair and correct malfunctioning?

Evaluating ingredients in natural remedies provides insight as to how they work.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) significantly improves anxiety and depression and has been clinically shown to increase production of serotonin.

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) reduces depression and is critical in the manufacturing of important brain compounds, such as neurotransmitters.

Phosphatidyl choline increases central neurologic activity, brain energy, and mood. It is beneficial for treatment of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

L-Glutamine is an amino acid, which, studies show, significantly decreases depression by altering neurotransmission associated with mood disorders.

Other ingredients include Siberian ginseng, ginkgo biloba, passionflower, vitamins B1 and B6. These work respectively to alleviate anxiety and depression. A good quality natural supplement will incorporate these ingredients using a wide range of vitamins and minerals, amino acids and enzymes, herbal extracts and specialty supplements to restore brain balance and functioning in a manner similar to using Trazodone for depression and its troubling symptoms. Ingredients are scientifically formulated, in combination, to provide crucial nutritional, chemical, and hormonal balance needed for well being.

You should always consult your doctor prior to embarking on any course. You can be comforted, however, knowing that using Trazodone antidepressant or a natural remedy can bring desired relief from symptoms that may have been weighing you down.

Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to Trazodone Antidepressant, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder.

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

Depression In Adolescence - Janie Jonah

2006-11-11T22:31:00.000-08:00

Growing up is something we all have to face. This often brings with it the consequences that are not particularly welcome. Our biggest changes occur in our youth and in particularly during adolescence where we undergo, huge changes, not only physical but also emotional and psychological.

This can be very overwhelming and difficult for teens to cope with. Particularly within the family setting the teen can feel isolated as he may very well feel he is going through these changes alone. This can affect his mood and so the risks of developing depression is heightened. Some of the factors that can contribute to a teenager developing depression are teens suffering from anxiety and those with learning difficulties or attention deficit disorder.

Depression in teens can be difficult to diagnose as being moody is a very common symptom of adolescent development. With all these emotions building up inside, a teenager may find it embarrassing and feel ashamed to ask for help. They might also not be aware of the symptoms of depression and may not recognize that they have an illness that is actually very common and one for which there is a considerable amount of help available to sufferers of depression.

Depression is a very serious illness and can result in attempts to take there own life as well as successfully committing suicide. The fact that anti-depressants are not recommended to people under the age of 18 means that teenagers are more at risk of committing suicide because anti-depressants can cause severe side-effects and are thus not suitable for people under the age of 18. Being vigilant and keeping a check on teens is very important as it is quite difficult to recognize depression in teens.

Some of the symptoms of depression that you should keep in mind are teens talking about suicide of actions that are self-harming. A deterioration in performance at school as well as a problem with authority are also symptoms of depression in teens. Other factors that can contribute to poor performance at school are a lack of motivation and enthusiasm, a lack of concentration and forgetfulness, restlessness and agitation. Other factors that are often seen as an separate problem on their own, which many not realize that they can be a symptom or sign of a deeper problem are alcohol and drug abuse and problems with anger, and a lack of anger management skills. Which is understandable as youths have yet so much to learn about life. It can however, be relatively easy to pick up on teens that withdraw themselves, initially from their friends, and then past pleasurable activities along with changes to sleeping and eating routines.

There are many other signs of depression that can indicate a deeper underlying cause of the symptom. It must be noted however that symptoms experienced don't always point to depression, especially if the teen has only one or two symptoms. This may not indicate depression and thus one need only treat the symptom in isolation. Some of the other signs that may point to depression are frequent crying for no reason at all. Some sufferers can't bear color and choose to wear black clothing. They show little or no interest in themselves and neglect their personal appearance and hygiene. Some of the physical symptoms not usually associated with depression but can occur frequently are dizziness, lightheadedness, back pains, headaches, feeling nauseous and having stomach aches. They may also talk about running away from home or following through with action.

It is important to be vigilant and remember that it is better to be safe than sorry, so if you know someone who exhibits a number of symptoms described above, whether they are an adolescent or not, help them by seeking a health professional that can examine them and decide on a suitable course of action or medication that is appropriate for the diagnosis. Remember, it's never too late to help someone with depression. You may just save a life.

About The Author

Plain text Janie Jonah http://www.perfectdrugrx.com (c) 2006, PerfectDrugRx. All rights in all media reserved.

Bad Habits Can Lead To Stress Related Depression - Christopher Ruane

2006-11-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

When a person has bad habits, you can bet that this person will have stress throughout their lifetime. For example, if a person smokes cigarettes it increases the vitals functioning capabilities, which gradually affects the heart, lungs, and other vital organs.

An autopsy will tell if a person smoked or not when the person is internally evaluated. If the person was, a smoker it will show on the body’s organs and the person’s lungs will be black. Now we know that a person’s internal organs are pinkish and when black is current then problems occurred in the person’s life.

When a person has problems, stress is obviously overwhelming. Likewise, if a person drinks heavily it affects the central nervous system and reduces a person’s ability to cope with stress. Heavy drinkers put their self in harm’s way by destroying the body and potential going to jail in the future.

As you can see, bad habits can cause stress and will cause stress. When a person is born, they are often healthy and if this person avoids bad habits that cause harm then the person’s life will be rewarding. If you are free of chemicals and substances that can cause you harm you will have the ability to make good decisions that offers you a successful future.

Eating too much is also a bad habit that needs modified. If a person overeats regularly and avoiding exercise then this person is subject to obesity, heart failure, strokes, diabetes and so forth. We see this causes problems and problems are one of the elements that cause our stress to increase. One of the obvious bad habits that create potential dangers is stress itself.

When a person is lacking the ability to manage his or her life and becomes stress every time an expectation presents itself then this bad habit too can cause harm to the body. Coping means we have the ability to manage our lives successfully without creating stressors that cause our stress to increase.

Minimizing stressors can help us to live a more productive lifestyle and provide us hope when times are hard to deal with. It is never easy to eliminate a bad habit since it is obviously a ritual, but it is possible to work toward reducing and finally eliminating the habits that cause us stress.
If you are use to smoking a cigarette after each meal then tell your self that today you are going to drink water instead of smoking after a meal. If you drink coffee and it opens your smoking cravings up, then start drinking orange juice, milk or some other healthy beverage. If you are a heavy drinker, tell your self every day that you are worth saving.

Sit down and review with your self the many problems you are facing and if some are less severe than others are. If you are often late paying your bills then you know that this is a problem, so you will need to learn and practice paying your bills on time. When you do not pay your bills on time, late charges occur or shut-off notices following.

As you can see, we all cause many of our own problems, which initiate stress. Sitting down and evaluating our situation and decisions can help bring forth rewards by seeing the problems we created and learning how to eliminate the problems in our lives. For example if you are often late for work then you know you have a bad habit that can cost you your job.

You may think that losing your job is not a problem, since someone else will hire you, but loosing your job is not the only problem in the picture. If you continue to adhere to your behaviors by being late for work, you are going to get a bad repetition with businesses.

Business owners talk amongst other owners. Now you can permanent displacement is potential, poverty, potential crime, and so forth. We are adding to the list of problems by ignoring or not accepting that our bad habits are the leading cause of uncontrolled stress. Our decisions are at the top of the list that determines if our stress is overwhelming or not. When behaviors cause stress, it is time to make some changes.

For more related information visit: http://www.DepressionSymptomsTreatment.com - a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with depression. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!

Article source: http://www.anyarticles.com

Some Simple To Implement Tips For Reducing Depression In A Healthy And Natural Way - Tim Gorman

2006-11-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

Most of us are finding life a lot tougher than it used to be - everything seems to be flying along at such a breakneck speed, it can be tough to keep up. It's hardly surprising that depression is becoming more common as a result. But if you find yourself slipping towards that dark place, there are some things you can do to stop the slide.

Firstly, give the media a miss. I know; we've all reached the point where we can't even go out for a coffee without our mobile phone in our pocket and TV screens in the food area at the shopping mall. But if you really look at newspapers and television, you'll soon realize that most of the stuff they tell you about is negative. They expose all the bad, horrible tings that people do, because that's what sells. By the time you've spent half an hour reading or watching about war, death, destruction, murder and despair, it's very hard for even the most optimistic person to still feel cheerful. So if you're already feeling a bit depressed, it's like hitting the fast forward button. I quit watching TV news and reading papers something like 15 years ago now, and believe me, if there's something going on that you need to know about, someone will tell you. But save yourself the misery of reading or watching it yourself.

Also, listen to what you say to yourself - your self- talk. If it's negative, then you need to stop doing it. This is true of what you say about other people as well - the more you focus on the positives, the better you'll feel. You've probably heard the say "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". It might be hard, but it really does make a difference to your attitude if you're always focusing on finding something nice to say to someone. This is a great way to turn your mind into more positive channels, and defeat depression.

Get outside! Sitting around at home gives you too much time to think. So go outside, walk in the sun, do some exercise. It's amazing how much better you'll feel if you get active. If it's snowing outside, then find somewhere undercover where you can take a walk. Many studies have proven that exercise and sunlight are good for your health, and the good news is they improve your attitude as well. Get moving!

Reality is that there are times life will throw you a curve ball, but instead of immediately starting to get depressed about it, stop and take a deep breath. Relax. Allow yourself time to take a short mental break. This momentary pause can do wonders for stopping the slide into depression, and will give you the strength to deal with the new challenge you've been presented with.

Think about what food you eat. Unfortunately many of the things we love can also have an effect on your mood, and may cause pronounced mood swings. Caffeine and alcohol are two big offenders. Go easy on sugars, starch and fats, too. Many additives can have a negative effect on your mood, including artificial dyes, preservatives and sweeteners. By avoiding them you will help reduce your level of depression, and may even improve your health as well!

Drinking water is also a great way to reduce depression. It's generally recommended you drink a minimum of 40 ounces of water a day. If you drink coffee or soda, though, you should drink even more water to compensate. This is because caffeine is diuretic and leeches water out of the body. Also, consider supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids or St John's Wort.

Depression can be a very debilitating condition, but by following some of the tips I've outlined here, you can make a big difference for very little cost.

For more href="http://www.depression-relief-tips.com/tips_for_reducing_depression.php">tips for reducing stress and depression quickly visit Depression-Relief-Tips.com where you will find valuable information and resources on bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder and href="http://www.depression-relief-tips.com/clinical_depression.php">clinical depression.

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

Depression In Adolescence - By Janie Jonah

2006-11-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

Depression In Adolescence

By Janie Jonah

Growing up is something we all have to face. This often brings with it the consequences that are not particularly welcome. Our biggest changes occur in our youth and in particularly during adolescence where we undergo, huge changes, not only physical but also emotional and psychological.

This can be very overwhelming and difficult for teens to cope with. Particularly within the family setting the teen can feel isolated as he may very well feel he is going through these changes alone. This can affect his mood and so the risks of developing depression is heightened. Some of the factors that can contribute to a teenager developing depression are teens suffering from anxiety and those with learning difficulties or attention deficit disorder.

Depression in teens can be difficult to diagnose as being moody is a very common symptom of adolescent development. With all these emotions building up inside, a teenager may find it embarrassing and feel ashamed to ask for help. They might also not be aware of the symptoms of depression and may not recognize that they have an illness that is actually very common and one for which there is a considerable amount of help available to sufferers of depression.

Depression is a very serious illness and can result in attempts to take there own life as well as successfully committing suicide. The fact that anti-depressants are not recommended to people under the age of 18 means that teenagers are more at risk of committing suicide because anti-depressants can cause severe side-effects and are thus not suitable for people under the age of 18. Being vigilant and keeping a check on teens is very important as it is quite difficult to recognize depression in teens.

Some of the symptoms of depression that you should keep in mind are teens talking about suicide of actions that are self-harming. A deterioration in performance at school as well as a problem with authority are also symptoms of depression in teens. Other factors that can contribute to poor performance at school are a lack of motivation and enthusiasm, a lack of concentration and forgetfulness, restlessness and agitation. Other factors that are often seen as an separate problem on their own, which many not realize that they can be a symptom or sign of a deeper problem are alcohol and drug abuse and problems with anger, and a lack of anger management skills. Which is understandable as youths have yet so much to learn about life. It can however, be relatively easy to pick up on teens that withdraw themselves, initially from their friends, and then past pleasurable activities along with changes to sleeping and eating routines.

There are many other signs of depression that can indicate a deeper underlying cause of the symptom. It must be noted however that symptoms experienced don't always point to depression, especially if the teen has only one or two symptoms. This may not indicate depression and thus one need only treat the symptom in isolation. Some of the other signs that may point to depression are frequent crying for no reason at all. Some sufferers can't bear color and choose to wear black clothing. They show little or no interest in themselves and neglect their personal appearance and hygiene. Some of the physical symptoms not usually associated with depression but can occur frequently are dizziness, lightheadedness, back pains, headaches, feeling nauseous and having stomach aches. They may also talk about running away from home or following through with action.

It is important to be vigilant and remember that it is better to be safe than sorry, so if you know someone who exhibits a number of symptoms described above, whether they are an adolescent or not, help them by seeking a health professional that can examine them and decide on a suitable course of action or medication that is appropriate for the diagnosis. Remember, it's never too late to help someone with depression. You may just save a life.

About the Author: Janie Jonah Canada Pharmacy (c) 2006, PerfectDrugRx. All rights in all media reserved. Reprints must include byline, contact information and copyright.

Source: www.isnare.com

Would you Recognize Manic Depression Symptoms? - Mark J Emslie

2006-11-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

Manic Depression is a serious medical illness and it is not something that you have made up in your head or something you can just "snap" out of. Most people think that depression is just a prolonged bad mood which it is not; it is a mood disorder that influences every aspect of daily life.

Manic depression is these days referred to as bipolar disorder or bipolar depression an the disease affects around 2% of the population and is a highly disruptive brain disorder. People with manic depression symptoms experience great highs (manic stage) and great lows (depressive stage).

Manic Stage Symptoms

- An Increased sense of self

-importance

- An inflated positive outlook

- A notably decreased need for sleep

- A reduction in appetite and weight loss

- Reduced concentration and easily distracted

- Extreme involvement in pleasurable activities

- Extreme irritability and aggressive behaviour

Depressive Stage Symptoms

- Feelings of sadness or despondency

- A loss of interest in pleasurable or usual activities

- Difficulty sleeping or getting up in the morning

- Reduced energy and constant lethargy

- Feelings of guilt or low self-esteem

- Problems concentrating

- Increased weight or weight loss

- Suicidal or death talk

As is the case for many mental illnesses, the causes of the manic depression symptoms aren't at all clear, although there are inherited components with there being evidence that genes play a role in susceptibility to manic depression symptoms and that it tends to run in families, but not always.

Depression is frequently ignored or untreated but the condition itself often prevents people from taking steps to help themselves. The first step in beating depression is though, to admit it. Look at the manic depression symptoms and be hones with yourself.

About The Author

If you need more information or resources concerning depression or anti depression, please visit http://www.AntiDepressionInfo.com

How Depression Can Threaten Your Marriage - Nancy Wasson

2006-11-06T23:29:00.000-08:00

In my work through the years as a counselor, I’ve talked with many depressed individuals. I’ve also had personal experience with depression myself and know firsthand how debilitating it can be.

Nearly everyone at some point in their life will be affected by depression—either their own or someone else’s, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend. Just in the U.S. alone, depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million adults in any given year.

Statistics show that only twenty percent of those who experience depression will receive an appropriate treatment plan. Many depressed individuals will be too embarrassed to seek help and will suffer in silence, sometimes for years.

The effects of depression can negatively impact every aspect of a person’s life—marriage, home life, work, and friendships. And the burden of living with a depressed spouse can take a heavy toll on the quality of a marriage.

Untreated depression poses a very real threat to a marriage. Recent research indicates that when one spouse suffers from depression, the likelihood is increased that both spouses will have an unhappy marriage.

This is because mental health and unhappy marriages are closely entwined. The harmful effects of depression are not limited to the depressed spouse but affect the partner, also

The depressed spouse will experience less happiness, satisfaction, and contentment in the marriage. At the same time, the partner will struggle with handling the increased isolation and social withdrawal of the depressed spouse, the loss of emotional intimacy (and often sexual intimacy as well), and the prevalent negativity in the relationship.

When one spouse is depressed, the depression colors everything in the relationship. The depressed spouse sees the world through a darkened lens that limits his or her perspective. Any negative events are interpreted even more negatively, neutral events are also interpreted negatively, and the positive happenings are often overlooked.

It’s as though depressed individuals have blinders on that keep them from seeing any positive, hopeful opportunities right in front of them. Even if they did see them, they wouldn’t have the energy to follow through.

The depressed spouse often loses interest in activities that used to bring pleasure and may experience fatigue and listlessness. There can be loss of sleep or sleeping too much; eating too much or too little; or problems focusing and concentrating.

Feelings of love and sexual desire may become dulled or absent when an individual is depressed. The biggest danger when this happens is that the depressed spouse may erroneously conclude that this means he (or she) is no longer in love with the mate.

Many depressed individuals report that they feel detached from what is happening, as though they are watching a movie. There can be a profound feeling of separation and isolation from others and a desire to avoid social contact. There can be feelings of sadness, hopelessness, dejection, and resignation. Or there can be feelings of irritation, agitation, anger, or emotional numbness.

Another danger to the marriage is that the partner of a depressed spouse can become depressed from the depressive atmosphere and energy in the relationship. Depression can be viewed as contagious when it creeps into a partner’s outlook, attitudes, moods, conversation, behaviors, and reactions. When this happens, both spouses may feel they are helplessly sinking lower and lower into despair.

Blame and shame are involved in depression and can cause additional problems. If a spouse doesn’t understand that the partner is depressed and not just lazy or uncooperative, she (or he) may blame the partner for things he can’t help at the time. This stirs up feelings of anger and resentment for the spouse.

The depressed spouse may be ashamed to admit that he (or she) can’t handle the depression herself and thus refuse to see a physician. This feeling of shame reflects the belief of numerous people about depression. They may feel that they should be able to just “snap out of it,” which is what family and friends may tell them, also.

In one research study, fifty-four percent of people surveyed believed that depression is a personal weakness. In reality, depression has nothing to do with personal weakness or will power or character.

A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It’s not just a case of the “blues” that a person can “get over.” Thus, common misunderstandings about depression can add to the problem.

It’s vital for both spouses to have a thorough understanding of depression—what it is, what it isn’t, what to expect, and what treatment options are recommended. It’s also important to recognize that before marital problems can be effectively treated, the depression needs to be treated first. That means that the depressed spouse needs to see a physician or mental health professional for a depression assessment and treatment recommendations.

What can a spouse do when the depressed partner refuses to seek help? This is a common situation and there’s no one answer that fits all situations. It’s important to get the depressed partner to the doctor or mental health professional, even if the spouse has to schedule the appointment, take off from work, and accompany the partner to the appointment.

Sometimes the parents or siblings of a resistant depressed spouse can be enlisted to encourage him (or her) to take action and seek treatment. At other times, a close friend or minister can help to convince a depressed spouse to consult with his physician or see a therapist.

Another strategy that a concerned partner can sometimes use is to send a confidential letter to the depressed spouse’s doctor, detailing the concerns and depressive symptoms observed. This only works when the depressed spouse has to see his (or her) physician for some other reason, such as a required annual physical, to get a prescription for medication, or on-going monitoring of some condition. The physician can’t respond to the partner’s letter due to confidentiality, but at least the information has been conveyed.

If all else fails, the partner can consult with a therapist herself (or himself) to get individualized recommendations on how to handle the situation. Together, they can create an appropriate plan of action while the therapist provides emotional support to the partner.

Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-creator of Overcome Control Conflict with Your Spouse or Partner, available at http://www.ControllingSpouse.com She is also co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" which is available at http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com, as well as a free weekly Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine . Dr. Wasson offers telephone and email coaching to individuals and couples who want to overcome relationship problems and create a rewarding, loving partnership.

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

Is Your Teenager Suffering From Depression? Clues Every Caring Parent Should Watch For! - A. Graham Smith

2006-11-04T21:08:00.000-08:00

Does your teenage child spend a good portion of their days lolling around doing very
little constructive? Do they suffer from innumerable minor ailments - maybe
headaches, stomach aches, feeling sick? Do they stay up way into the wee-small-
hours of the morning watching late night (or should that be early morning) TV, or
maybe playing video games, or endlessly 'chatting' via the Internet with person or
persons unknown? Do they seem to resent being asked almost anything about their
lives, and do they usually react with an odd grunt, and rarely as much as two
syllables?

If you can see a likeness to your own teenage child or children in some of these
descriptions, perhaps you are thinking: "Yes, but so what?" Perhaps you have
assumed - as many parents might - "That's just being a teenager! They're all like that
aren't they?"

Well, to be honest the answer is "No". Not all teens are like that. It may be true that at
some time or other all teenagers wrestle with the challenges of things like hormones,
spots, first love, social acceptance, and all the other stuff that suddenly seems so
important during those transitional years between childhood and becoming an adult. It
may also be true that these issues could lead many teens to become surly, sullen and
uncommunicative from time to time for short spells. But, you do need to take stock,
for if your teen is like this nearly all the time...then you should take a little time out to
do some 'discreet' deeper investigation.

Why? Because your teenage offspring might be suffering from depression. It is a sad
fact that the combination of common stressors that can arise in today's society can
compound themselves in a way that sends some youngsters spiralling down into a first
major period of depression, which they almost certainly find difficult to cope
with. Some such teenagers can turn to trying to alleviate their plight by abusing drugs
or alcohol. Admittedly rare, but in extreme cases depression can lead to unpleasant
self-harming activities, or possibly attempted suicide. Every year there are devastated
families whose teenage child made the ultimate 'cry for help' that a suicide attempt is
judged to be - and sometimes that 'cry' does indeed have fatal consequences.

It is unlikely that most teenagers, themselves, will actually recognize that they
are depressed. They may well feel isolated, cut-off from being able to talk to you or
their friends, lacking in any feeling of motivation or enjoyment of life. They may drift
away from long-term friendships - sudden 'spats' and arguments might occur and this
could all be part of a downward spiral. You may even become aware that they are
increasingly finding excuses to miss a day of school here or there. All these are possible symptoms
of depression and should be seen as 'amber lights' warning you to beware that all may not be well.

We, none of us, want to be an over-concerned parent over-reacting every time we
have the slightest inkling that something may not be right. But equally we don't want
to 'plough-on' regardless, ignoring what may be happening to our children, blissfully
unaware that they could have a real, major problem brewing.

Common wisdom and media influence, even including TV comedies, have led us to expect that
teens will be difficult to deal with. They may seem to inhabit a world of their own into
which an adult parent dare not stray - without the risk of being strafed by some
carping comments, accusations of never leaving them alone, or maybe even greater
tantrums. Nonetheless today's parents should have enough understanding of basic
psychology to be able to pick-up on whether there is really something going on in
their teenager's life that requires them to 'be there' for their growing child, even if the
going gets a little rough.

Both teenage, and even childhood depression have been shown to be on the increase,
particularly in developed Western societies like the US, UK and Northern Europe. It
is important that as a responsible and caring parent you put some homework in to
familiarizing yourself with those signs and sypmtoms that could indicate that your almost-adult-
child is suffering from more that just the occasional ups-and-downs of normal teenage
angst!

A Graham Smith - 15 years lecturing, tutoring and acting as a student counsellor and mentor, plus 30 years experience of depression as both a carer and sufferer, now publishes a web-based guide to dealing with depression a resource that looks at the positive side of depression and how it can help you change your life for the better. http://www.depressionisok.com contains useful articles, information and links plus much more
about spotting the signs and symptoms of Teenage Depression.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Graham_Smith

Christian Faith, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia; Part one - Matthew Robert Payne

2006-11-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

Growing up with Bible stories and the TV and movies, you come to know about maniac’s. As a teenager I knew that genius and insanity were very closely related. Little did I know I would one day become insane.

Insanity…being out of your mind…delusional….having visions of grandeur…deceived by evil spirits…possessed by demons…contacting the dead…trips to heaven and hell…seeing evil spirits…seeing angels…seeing Jesus…seeing people out of the Bible…all in Part One

writing five pages without editing except for a proofreader…writing a warning from God to a nation…being delivered from demons…having demons speak to you…having a demon pretend to be the Holy Spirit and tell you lies and direct you to do things that you assume are God telling you to do…staying up for three days and three nights without sleep… sleeping for two days straight…being so depressed you can’t even wash clothes, shower, shave or cook for yourself…all in Part two

These are all experiences I have had as a Christian with schizoaffective disorder. Which is Manic depressive (Bipolar disorder) and Schizophrenia bundled into one illness.

One thing I have found in the church is that FEW people understand mental illness. I also have never met a born again Christian in the mental health services I have been part of and so I am in limbo.

One time about five months ago when I was in hospital I prayed for a Schizophrenic patient to be able to hear from God, and asked her to repeat about four sentences that I would have God speak to her. The message was a message I wanted to hear from God but didn’t have the faith to ask Him myself as my own head was in a bad place with deceiving spirits going rampant. She was half way through the second sentence and tears were streaming down my face. God gave me a very comforting and reassuring message of hope in the midst of my crisis.

The patient who delivered the message was astounded that I was so affected and told me that she was so in love with the voice that had spoken the message to her. She said the voice was so soft and so full of love and so different to the voices that spoke to her. I told her that she could always ask God to speak to her and He would comfort her.

Everybody thinks Schizophrenic patients are possessed. Every one has half answers. Ask the same believers to cast the demons out of these patients and they are first to admit that they haven’t got the gift.

So how do I cope?

Man, I have to tell you this with all honesty.

I go to dark places and I cry. I cry a lot.

I pray.

I read my Bible.

And I chat to God.

Let me address each of the topics briefly that I mentioned above.

Insanity…being out of your mind.

Whenever you dream, daydreaming is being out of your mind. Where it crosses over to insanity is when you start to believe the reality is true. Many mentality ill people get help from inside their heads as an inner voice to think insane thoughts. I have in the past been quite convinced I was talking to Mary Magdalene in heaven. I used to speak to her for an hour each night. I was thrilled to be speaking to a person so close to Jesus. This is insanity.

Delusional…

Delusional as I understand the term is just like being out of your mind. In the year 2000 I began to speak to my ex wife in my mind. I was told by a spirit that was pretending to be Jesus that through my ex wife I was going to contact a whole lot of witches and convert them to Christianity and because they were gifted in the dark arts they were going to be very effective and powerful in the Christian world when they are operating out of love.

I asked who I thought was Jesus how to do it and he stepped me through it. Soon the whole 144,000 of the book of Revelation were converted and all were ex witches and I was the leader. I had a number of girls that I was speaking to in my mind and one was appointed as leader. Without much sleep I would preach to the 144,000 converts and teach them things and then I would ask them questions and we would do a count of the answers in percentage of which the lead girl would do a tally. Most of them were yes and no answers. When I started wanting to meet the Australian girls and the ones in my city and started to ask for phone numbers and email addresses I was told that it was a whole lot more convenient to speak like this.

If you have a Schizophrenic friend, ask them the answer they got from their voice they are speaking to when they asked for the phone number, mailing address, or email address.

The most common demonic response is that it’s cheaper and more convenient to do it through telepathy. I never pushed it further to the second and third level lies from demons.

Having visions of Grandeur…deceived by evil spirits.

I have thought I was one of the two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11. A human being who isn’t one of these two last days prophets who is convinced that they are, is most often mentally ill. When people said I wasn’t, this only made me more confident as I said, “No one believed in the prophets of the Bible, and so having no one believe me makes it more credible.” The only thing that brought my thinking back to reality was medication.

Many mentally ill people have low self esteem and so thinking they are a modern John the Baptist or Jesus or one of the two last day’s prophets makes them feel important. These delusions that the patient takes on makes them a person that is important and they will fight not to let go of this through of importance. All the way though my delusion I had a “Jesus” voice speaking to me that wasn’t Jesus. I never considered that Jesus would lie to me and so nothing my parents or friends said could be convincing to me.

God had grace on me though,as he allowed the Jesus voice on two occasions six years apart say something that turned out to be a lie. I never forgot the lies and could not reconcile I am the Way the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) of what Jesus said of Himself and the lies my Jesus had told me. I had simply forgiven Him and tried to forget it. Then two years ago anointed preacher from Malaysia told me my Mary Magdalene, the God the Father voice and the Jesus voice that were speaking to me were demons and that I was not to speak to them. I obeyed.

Possessed by demons.

On four occasions I have been delivered of demons. On only three of the occasions did I feel any better afterwards. As I have had an addiction to prostitutes I have always had a vessel full of all sorts of demons that have sex with me and fill me back up again. Touch wood by faith I have conquered that addiction so in months to come when I am delivered again they will stay out of me.

Much of the Christian community does not believe in demon possession. Fewer still believe that a born again Christian can be possessed. It’s as if demons disappeared 2000 years ago.

I have a number of demons still in me. I have to spend time on my faith, in the Word and in prayer and healing before I am ready for them to come out.

At present I know a man with a spirit of murder in him and he wants to kill me. Of late this has caused me some distress and put me into a depression. I have to avoid a whole block of my city for my life’s sake and this has upset me. Demons are real. Most times it’s a demon that is speaking to a Schizophrenic. But it’s not easy to turn that voice off even for a Christian with that illness.

Fear, lust and a spirit of Masons have been cast out of me. The Masonic spirit leaving made my whole head seem free. The spirit of fear had a big difference on my personality and is trying to re-exert itself through the man who wants to kill me. The Lord himself lifted the spirit of lust one day after I repented in tears and touch wood I have not been with a sex worker since.

Contacting the dead…trips to heaven and hell.

Often times when in conversation with a stranger the Holy Spirit will direct me to ask them if they have a question for Jesus. Sometimes the person will ask how a dead relative is. On many occasions Jesus will give me a message to share about their relative. On some occasions the relative has spoken. I know in the Law a medium is condemned yet each time it comes a surprise to me the question, and in almost every case the person’s eyes fill up with tears. I know this could be a familiar spirit but on most of the occasions I can describe the house the relative has in heaven and all the furniture and they are able to confess that features in the house I describe are exactly what they person would love but never had the money to own on earth or something like that. I see visions of the house and the people when this happens.

On many occasions I have been to heaven. I have been into a throne room at one time and seen a big ball of light like I think Isaiah saw. I explain that in more detail in my article Modern Prodigal Goes to Heaven. One time I saw a whole park full of children and Jesus told me it was all the children in heaven that had no parents. Most of them were abortions on earth. That was a memorable trip. One time in heaven Jesus put a big diamond the size of a soccer ball in my hand. Later on the Father said that diamond that I held would run the USA government for 200 years. He told me that was what he thought of money as the wall I took it out of was hundreds of feet high and miles long all of which were diamonds of that size. Bill Gates with all his wealth wouldn’t even be able to buy one of them, such is the verse Jesus said, “Beware of greediness, life does not consist of the abundance of one’s possessions.” And also when He said, “what does it profit a man if He gains the whole world and loses His own soul?” That wall of diamonds showed me the reality of those two verses.

Yeah I am no one great. But each time I have been to heaven it has been memorable for me. A month ago I took a guy to heaven in his mind in a vision where he met his wife that had died a year before. He saw her sitting with Jesus in a meadow full of yellow flowers and a waterfall in the distance. She smiled at him and spoke to him. I was pleased that he could tell me what she had said and done as I watched it happen and was able to confirm it.

I have been to a part of hell for two fifteen minute trips. It’s not a place you want to visit. If you are reading this and you are not a Christian, I invite you to email me and tell me so, I have a few passages in the Bible I want you to look up.

Seeing evil spirits…seeing angels…seeing Jesus…seeing people out of the Bible.

I have only once seen an evil spirit of lust on a girl. It did not look nice. The best I can say is it looked like one of those dragons, people like to collect in popular shops. It gave her an attraction to all the guys and she was very attractive also. One of the Christian men I was with pointed it out and when he did I saw it.

I once asked Jesus, “How come I see angels all the time and I don’t see demons?”
He said, “Matthew if you saw the demons around you most of the time, you would not get any sleep.” I laughed, understood and never once complained since. Sometimes I have discernment of spirits and I can tell the name of a demon a person has inside of them, but I don’t see the demon.

However I have seen so many angels it would take a whole article to share all of them with you. Five times I have had the honour to see Michael the archangel. All but one time, He was in the company of Jesus. One time a few weeks before I went to hospital he was with me walking down the street. I saw two big guard dogs back off when I walked toward them as confirmation he was with me. The same day I had a six year old girl confirm that he was with me and when I told her Michael was a fighter, she started to have a play fight shadow boxing into the thin air as her mother wondered what had come over her daughter. With my two confirmations I felt convinced yes on that day I walked with Michael. I have felt a strong presence of God in a church and many times seen angels worshipping God in my church. On some special occasions to me I have seen women angels dancing.

Six years ago I was on a beach at 2am in the morning and Jesus had told me to move away from my family and go 400 miles and to Sydney where I had no friends and 800 miles from my son. On that night I asked Jesus where He was I was so caught up in my love for Him. He told me He was just beyond the breakers. I knew sharks like to cruise right behind the breakers for fish and night time was the wrong time to be swimming there, but I pushed the fear aside and went to swim out. As soon as I took a step toward the water the water receded 100 feet. I asked Jesus what was going on, and he said, “Not tonight, but you will meet me real soon.”

I said, “You said in the Book of Revelation that you are coming soon and that has been 200 years. How soon is soon?”

He said “very very soon Matthew.”

Three weeks later I met Jesus in Sydney in the flesh. He was dressed as a hungry, homeless man, dirty and forsaken by men. He did three things is my presence that were miracles to prove that He was who I thought He was. One of them was disappear into thin air.

I have seen Jesus in heaven, seen Him on many occasions in visions on earth and not less then ten times with one of my good friends. I once have been knighted by Jesus with a sword. I do not know what that means. When He spoke for ten minutes in the flesh on His ideas on the Gospels, the speech was so rich, so profound that I know it would take many years’ study to understand the depths of it.

In heaven I have met people out of the Bible. I have also met Daniel and the Apostle John on earth in visions on earth. I know I will have some role to play in these end times simply because both these men wrote visions of prophecy about these last days. Daniel came and comforted me in hospital.

Seeing evil spirits, seeing angels, seeing Jesus and dead people would have a sane person committed to a psychiatric ward of most hospitals, but to me these are regular experiences and you can’t have me put away because at present my mental health workers are very happy with my state of health. I am in a major depression and they can’t even tell.

As you can see I have not covered all of the topics. The rest: of them being:

writing five pages without editing except a proofreader…writing a warning from God to a nation…being delivered from demons…having demons speak to you…having a demon pretend to be the Holy Spirit and tell you lies and direct you to do things that you assume are God telling you to do…staying up for three days and three nights without sleep… sleeping for two days straight…being so depressed you can’t even wash clothes, shower, shave or cook for yourself…will be covered in part two.

Matthew is a writer, of both fiction and non fiction. He is a gifted speaker and has addressed professionals in mental health on his experiences with his disorder, in addiction is in in training to preach full time from chruch to church in years to come.

He shares his faith with 500 people per week here in his articles, where he writes on a variety of subjects, Christian, divorce and mental health being the main ones.

He operates a prayer and prophecy web site where you can reques a free personal prophecy or personal prayer free of charge, whether you are a Christian or not all , people are prayed for at http://www.online-prayer.net

You can read the list of articles in the link below

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

Depression And Relationships - By June23

2006-11-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

Depression can be a very lonely illness and your relationships are a key part of how you cope with your depression. You need friends for support. Not just good weather friends but friends who can support you when you're down. If one of these friends is also depressed it is not necessarily a bad thing. You can understand each other and perhaps be there on each other's bad days (but not if you're having a bad time at the same time). However, you need to be conscious when choosing sexual partners that your depression will have altered you as a person. It is likely that the person you get together with when depressed will not be the person you want to be with when you are better. When you are depressed you are a different person, you may not even know who you really are but your partner will be with the person you are at that time. Also, depression alters your view of the world and therefore your view of other people, so your view of your partner will not be the same when you are better.

Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't start a relationship when depressed. On the contrary, it could be the best thing for you. It may provide the stability you need to start working through your problems and you may be able to talk to your partner about things you can't discuss with anyone else. Your partner may be the only person you can relax around and start to feel yourself again. Issues may arise that hadn't before and wouldn't have come up if you weren't in a relationship. On the other hand, you may find that you keep up the pretence of being the person you think you ought to be. There is also the possibility that the relationship could fail before you are ready - perhaps due to your depression. This will make you worse. Either way, the stability may give you the space to start seeing things differently and the confidence to start seeking therapy.

However, what I strongly advise is do not start a relationship with someone who is also depressed. I am not a doctor but I do have 25 years experience of depression and there are two likely outcomes of this sort of relationship. Firstly, one of you will get better, you will split and the other will get worse. The reason is this: if you are simply friends with another depressed person you can help each other and if one of you gets better you can still be there to help the other one with your understanding and advice. However, if you are in a relationship with another depressed person and one of you gets better and you split up then the other person will have suffered the end of their relationship plus the loss of their friendship and support. By all means be friends with other depressed people, we all need friends when we're depressed, but wait until you have both recovered before you think about starting a sexual partnership.

Depression is a difficult illness to really get rid of. Once you have had it there is always the possibility of a recurrence. If you have recovered from your depression but are still in a relationship with someone who is depressed it is very difficult to stay recovered. Also, you may find that you want to get out of the relationship but feel trapped because you know that the other person will get worse. The stress of this may send you back into depression. This is the second outome - you will both remain depressed.

There are two remaining possible outcomes - the first is that you will both get better and stay together. I believe this is highly unlikely but not impossible. You will both be different people when you are better, with different views and personalities from when you first got together. You may still like each other but want different things. It would be great if you both manage to help each other through depression and out the other side but the normal stresses and strains of a relationship make this unlikely.

The other outcome is that one of you will get better and you will stay together. I think this is the least likely to happen. If you recover from depression and live with someone who is depressed you are not likely to be really happy. You may still remember the feelings and understand but there may be an element of "I got through it so you should be able to as well." We all know that's unreasonable as part of depression is the feeling that you just can't try any more but don't people always say that ex-smokers and the worst critics of smokers?

Bear in mind that a long-term partnership is not necessarily a bad thing when you are depressed but please think about the consequences of getting together with another depressed person. Try to help each other and be there for each other but keep enough distance between you so that you help each other and not bring each other down. In other words, stay friends and don't live with each other, at least, not until you know who you really are.

June23 maintains the Depression Online Site - a collection of articles for people living either with depression or with someone with depression.

Article Source: DW Articles

The Symptoms and Causes of Clinical Depression in Adults - Matt OConnor

2006-11-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

Clinical or major depression - sometimes referred to as major depressive disorder or severe depressive disorder, is the most common mental disorder in the world. It affects 16% of the human population and is the leading cause of disability in America as well as in other countries. The World Health Organization expects that in 2020, clinical depression will become the second leading cause of disability in the whole world (next to heart disease).

Clinical depression is characterized by severe sadness and melancholy for a prolonged period of time. It can affect a man or woman's mental and behavioral attitude as well as his or her ability to carry out normal, everyday things.

So, what are the symptoms of clinical depression in adults?

• Severe periods of sadness that could last for hours, days, and even weeks.

• A decrease or loss in interest in the usual activities that he or she usually finds interesting

• Appetite change (can be both loss and/or gain). The result is a ballooning up or down in weight.

• Guilt over things that are relatively beyond their control such as getting sick.

• A general feeling of worthlessness.

• Lack of concentration on tasks and the inability to think logically including evidence of indecisiveness on things both significant and less so.

• Exhaustion during physical activities including exercise, work, and even walking.

• Irritability and a short temper

• Periods of sobbing for seemingly no apparent reason.

• Lack of self-confidence

• Low self-esteem

• Negative perception of the future or loss of hope over everything

• Occasional feeling of anxiety.

• Suicidal tendencies

• Irregular sleeping patters that include hypersomnia or excessive sleeping, loss of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and insomnia or lack of sleep. This can be coupled with a difficulty in getting back to sleep. This in turn is naturally not good for a person's health or day to day existence.

What are the causes?

• Medical condition – Illnesses or traumatic experiences that are far too difficult to handle can cause depression. This might be cardiovascular disease, hypothyroidism, hepatitis, and major injuries.

• Life experiences – Depression can be triggered by poverty, prolonged unemployment, career frustrations, multiple personal failures, gambling addiction, financial problems, loss of family members (spouse, child or relatives), a breakup within a committed relationship and other events that can trigger severe sadness.

• Early life experiences – Childhood trauma like rejection or abandonment, chronic illness, neglect, death of loved one, sexual abuse, incest, psychological trauma, and other accidents that may not appear to be harmful during the early years but which can manifest later in life.

• Psychological conditions – Lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem can trigger depression.

• Physical conditions – Weight issues and physical deformities or disabilities can cause an adult to become depressed.

• Living with a depressed person – Acquiring negative energy from someone who is depressed can increase the chances of depression. It's true - negative "vibes" can have a damaging effect!

• Heredity – It is believed that there are depressive genes. If the parents have these kinds of genes, the offspring is likely to become depressed as well.

• Postnatal depression or postpartum depression – Mood changes after giving birth. This is often seen within 3 months after the delivery and would last for a number of months.

• SAD or Seasonal affective disorder - Some people experience depression during winter when daytime is short. The Seasonal affective disorder can be countered with phototherapy.

It seems then that there are a number of causes for depression, the majority of which are not the sufferer's fault. This then reveals depression as the most cruel of illnesses. It's important for us to remember that only we, in the end, can control what goes on inside our minds. That is our last defense against this condition.

Did you know 16% of the world's population suffer from depression? Are you a sufferer? Find out more information. The author of this article, Matthew OConnor runs a site dedicated to the latest news and developments in adult clinical depression.

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

Mood Stabilizers & Mood Enhancers - A Remedy To Naturally Boost Mood & Alleviate Depression - By Danna Schneider

2006-10-31T23:43:00.000-08:00

Depression and mood disorders are very prevalent mental health issues today. In an increasingly health conscious society, more options are being put forth in the realm of natural medicine, allowing people to stabilize and enhance mood naturally, without addictive and often harmful prescription antidepressants.

Natural mood stabilizers and mood enhancers usually work by encouraging the production of serotonin and other "pleasure" chemicals such as norepinephrine in the human brain, thereby promoting a sense of calm, well-being and revitalization.

Herbal mood enhancers may contain several different herbs and vitamins in concentrated form ranging from St. John's Wort, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12 and various other proprietary blends of botanical extracts and powders. The goal of natural mood stabilizers is to simultaneously alleviate stress and anxiety, while increasing energy and vitality levels (this is where Vitamin B12 usually comes into play - as an energy enhancer). All of this is done through precise blends of complementing ingredients to produce the desired outcome chemically in the human body.

A mood stabilizer is an excellent way to help make it through life's rough patches or particulary stressful events in life, since they are natural and non-habit forming, but very effective at enhancing mood for those who need some temporary help from time to time. Please note that individuals who suffer severe clinical depression should seek the help and guidance of a therapist and/or psychiatrist though, as therapy and medication may be needed in extreme cases.

Mood enhancing herbs have actually long been used in ancient civilizations as a means for mood stabilization and mood elevation. Natural mood enhancers, in contrast with prescription antidepressants, actually do not produce many of the common side effects of prescription antidepressants.

Side effects of the more common antidepressants (Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Lexapro and more),may include any of the following: suicidal tendencies, sexual disfunction, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, blurred vision, headache, weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbance and more.

Most people actually discontinue the usage of prescription mood enhancers (antidepressants) due to the simple fact that the side effects are worse than the actual depression. Many critics of prescription mood stabilizers argue that we don't know enough about how or why they work in the human brain, and that it is the "overkill" approach to treating depression or the "sledgehammer to crack a nut" approach, which is not necessary to effectively treat many cases of depression.

One thing is certain. There are countless people who suffer from moderate depression and mood disorders from time to time. There is simply no reason to not try a natural method to stabilize and regulate your mood by using a natural mood enhancer to get through emotionally difficult times. It's simply not worth the risks associated with antidepressants if it is not severe enough to warrant a psychologist's supervision.

About the Author: Danna Schneider is the webmaster and founder of Herbal-Therapeutics.com, http://www.herbal-therapeutics.com providing the latest and most effective alternative medicines and herbal remedies for maximum life enjoyment and fulfillment.

Source: www.isnare.com

Treating Depression With Modern Approaches - Athlyn Green

2006-10-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

Treating depression is an important step on the road to recovery. Modern research has yielded discoveries into how the brain works and offers varied treatment approaches.

Newer depression medications offer relief from side effects associated with older medicines. Newer drugs may be called on when waging war against depression treating symptoms of this challenging condition.

If you have been diagnosed with depression, your doctor will outline different medications, their benefits and risks. He will weigh these in deciding on a treatment for you. In treating depression, your doctor will consider your age, your history—whether you have experienced depression previously—and he will gauge the severity of your depression.

He or she may recommend that you try a SSRI. These are used to treat depression in its early stages. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are an appropriate and beneficial treatment choice because they do not present the same severity of side effects. In weighing your depression treating it with a SSRI may be your doctor’s first choice.

Alternatively, your doctor may choose a tricyclic antidepressant. This may be decided upon if you have tried several different medications but have seen no appreciable improvement. Your doctor may consider a tricyclic antidepressant when treating depression if you are grappling with a major episode.

Other drugs can be called on. MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors may be used, but caution is indicated because of potential dietary and drug interactions.

Drugs such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, Remeron, or Desyrel are also currently used for depression treating symptoms effectively. These may be selected because the risk of side effects is reduced.

Modern treatments offer much in the way of choice. Thankfully, a wide range of antidepressants is available for treating depression effectively.

If you are looking for other treatment options, natural remedies may be more tenable. A nutritionally oriented physician or therapist can help you to research supplements and herbs that are known to calm the nervous system. Natural supplements have been used successfully for depression treating and reducing symptoms by correcting brain imbalances and restoring neurotransmitter functioning.

Natural supplements are gaining in popularity as a viable method for treating depression and their use is not attenuated by side effects encountered with prescription medications.

What beneficial substances do natural remedies contain? A good quality natural supplement will include vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, specialty supplements and additional herbal extracts. Chamomile offers beneficial anxiolytic effects (anxiety reduction) and is effective in alleviating insomnia; valerian is used for mood disorders such as depression. (Clinical studies suggest a neuroprotective effect associated with valerian extracts.) Calcium and magnesium alleviate emotional and physical stress; ginkgo biloba increases oxygen content to the brain, aiding in concentration and mental acuity. It is also used for treatment of depression. These supplements are specifically formulated to address depression treating it by improving balance and restoring damaged neurotransmitters in the brain.

Side effects can largely be a thing of the past with newer medications and potent herbals. You do not have to suffer with debilitating symptoms. Treating depression has never been easier, with the many modern options available.

Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to Depression Treating, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder.

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

Dealing With Postpartum Depression Panic Attacks - Kum Martin

2006-10-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

One out of every eight women suffers from postpartum depression, and many have panic attacks. Here are some things to try when you think you having a panic attack. Firstly try to distract yourself and remind yourself that your body is only tricking you. Wait before taking any actions, even if you feel like you should. You should feel the fear rise and fall, and when that happens you will better be able to identify and conquer it in the future. Rehearse your panic attacks so that you are more ready for them when they do come. Try identifying what you can do, rather than how you feel, and step outside yourself to give you better grounding.

Remain in the present instead of allowing feelings from the past or fear of the future to control you. Don’t be afraid of the fear. Exercise can be quite useful in long term coping, as it releases valuable endorphins and reduces muscle tension. Social contact associated with exercise is also quite healthy and gives a mother an additional support network she can rely on. It can also help improve a mother’s self image, boosting her confidence and alleviating fear. Overall, remember that a panic attack by itself it not dangerous. It is simply a misplaced, biology induced feeling that it is possible to conquer. Rely on the people you love and trust, and but do not self medicate. Self medicating can also pass drugs along to your baby through breast milk so it is best avoided.

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Does A Powerful Self Image Keep Depressive Illness At Bay ? Part 1 - By Christopher Ruane

2006-10-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

A powerful self image comes with a self-control treatment program which consists of the following :

Observe Yourself In the viewpoint of a depressed person, depression usually seems to come for no apparent reason and from nowhere at all. Research has been clearly presented that positive events or activities lead to positive moods, while negative events lead to depression.

The depressed person should accept that this is so, amidst having depressed feelings out from nowhere. So rate your mood on a subjective 1 to 10 degree and keep a record every day of positive events. It is likely that your mood will be a reflection of what is currently happening in your life.

People with depression symptoms focus more on negative events of their lives and neglect or overlook positive ones.They are not aware of this situation and don't know they are doing this.So, it is for your advantage to know the importance of what is happening in your life everyday.

To do this, you must look for and record all daily events and activities, even little, trivial pleasant ones. It is very important for you to learn again and see the wonderful greatness this world has to offer.

Feel the invigorating atmosphere and smell the flowers. Don't forget usual things like sipping a cup of coffee, assisting someone, taking a walk, watching a bird, reading a book, taking children to school, watching your favorite program, reading an advice column, going shopping, listening to music, making yourself attractive, visiting a friend, completing chores, playing with children, playing sports, expressing an opinion, getting a long kiss, getting or giving a compliment, and the act of smiling. Put this in your record book or so-called diary with a brief description of these pleasant events.

You should observe if your disposition doesn't go up and down according to how many pleasant events occurred that day. If so, this is a motivating push to increase the number of pleasant events and experiences in your life and to appreciate the nice things that happen for each and everyone of us. You may start to view the very negative experiences much less and keep away from the path towards depressive illness and the accompanying symptoms of depression
Using this advice, you can have your simplified version of a "behavioral analysis" in which you would look for the previous situations and consequences of good and bad moods. Your objective in doing this is to find cause and affect relationships that can be used to boost your spirits and reduce depression.

Take One Small Step at a Time Some depressed people get disappointed when their desire for a better outcome results to disappointments. One main reason is because their expectations overshadow the essential details of how to get there.

Impractical anticipations, like having your grade as all A's, may also lead to frustration and a low self-esteem. Thus, it is important to learn to have a well-defined plan, to set realistic goals and expectations, and to have some success experiences. It is valuable to be satisfied with small rewards and blessings.

Thus, you must make a decision on some practical, possible, important self-help project that will boost your confidence and vitality, such as working out to have a stunning body figure, increased exposure to people, learning to play basketball, spending more time alone with your spouse, or anything for that matter.

Then, for each project goal set many clear and reachable sub-goals (small steps), perhaps things you could do every day. Schedule your time, prioritize your tasks, and do all your best to become successful. Jot down your progress in a diary or record book, along with the positive outcomes.

For more related information visit: http://www.depressionsymptomstreatment.com/ - a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with depression. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!

Article source: www.anyarticles.com

What is the Main Cause of Depression for Men - By Mike Stevens

2006-10-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

What is the main cause of depression for men? We know that men are much less likely to suffer from depression than women and for that reason, we often forget that men can suffer as well.

Depression in men, although less common, is still a major problem. Some signs of depression in men are similar to those in women and include withdrawal from the outside world, disinterest in formerly enjoyable activities, thoughts of suicide and sleep problems. Other symptoms more exclusive to men may include reckless behaviour such as speeding, taking drugs or other dangerous activities. Men are also more likely to indulge in alcohol, overwork and casual sex to try and relieve the depression.

Since depressed men are four times more likely to commit suicide, it's vital that we recognize the signs of depression in men. Often a wife or girlfriend will be the first to realize that her husband is depressed. By taking action immediately, tragic results can be avoided.

So, the question remains, what is the main cause of depression for men? The number of causes of depression in men is great, so it's difficult to determine the main cause. Many men are taught from a very young age to be the rock, strong and independent, and they tend to feel the burden of providing for a family more than the woman.

This over-developed sense of responsibility can lead to problems when a man loses his job or is incapacitated in some way. He is required to depend on others and can no longer support his family, making him feel useless and leading to depression.

If you ask a group therapists what is the main cause of depression for men, you will probably get a different answer from each one. But the overall gist can be used to get the answer to the question "what is the main cause of depression for men?" Stress on the job and at home. When a man feels he isn't measuring up to the standard of success he has set for himself or that others have set for him, he is likely to fall into a depression.

When asking what is the main cause of depression for men one must also take into consideration that each man is different in what level of stress he can handle. Men with a history of alcohol or drug abuse are likely to become depressed quicker than a man who has a clean history. Those with a family or personal history of depression are also at higher risk.

A supplement of ginkgo biloba or chamomile might also prove useful in easing the effects of stress on the average man, making him less susceptible to depression due to job or in the home stress and anxiety. Taking time to relax and enjoy life is another essential ingredient in the prevention of depression in men, as is the recognition of the signs of depression in men so that it can be treated early on.

Men do not deal with depression in the same way as women and it must be remembered that each gender has unique manners of handling stress. Finding a treatment for the stress will most likely result in a prevention of depression later on.

Mike Stevens has been studying the mood disorders for years, and has written many articles on the subject. He is a regular contributor to the Signs of Depression in Men section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com, a site discussing conventional and alternative ways to treat depression and related mood disorders.

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

Depression and Experts - By Friedrich Asen

2006-10-24T01:04:00.000-07:00

This article is about depression from an unusual perspective. It is about the powerlessness and hopelessness of modern psychological science and research. The importance of an holistic approach to mental and physical health will be explained.

Do you know, what really startled me since I was a child?

It is actually very simple but profound at the same time. I could see that there were problems in the adults' lifes. That was one thing. The other was that they never seemed to really get beyond them. My first assumption about grown ups was that they are really smart people. I mean, they were grown up and I was a kid. You admire them. Anytime they want they can turn on the TV or take the car for a ride, just for fun. They can go to sleep whenever they want or they can stay awake till the morning dawn. They are gods...

My father used to comment on the radio news. From what I could hear I realized that adult people are not what they seem to be. They lacked knowledge, although they heavily pretended to have some. Adults build huge hospitals, but the number of diseased people is increasing. They do a lot of research, but things get worse. They are holding big conferences, but there is no solution to poverty, hunger and pollution. The destruction of the planet continues, unhampered. They scientifically study the human mind for years, but still they are fighting over minor issues and killing each other. Depression is rampant.

The experts are wearing white coats of authority and they look really impressive. But the picture is deceiving. They are as helpless as the rest. They have been told that depression is caused by some material disfunction in the body. They wouldn't admit it, but this theory is the cause of their own latent or acute depression.

There is one important saying: "Doctor, heal thyself". So, obviously, an expert treating depression in a person should be free of that mental condition himself. But is this really the case? Are our experts examples in their own lives? Have they achieved the peace of mind and the happiness that we are looking for?

To be quite frank: Our mental health experts are haunted by depression themselves.

Of course, their job is demanding and it is hard to stay untouched from all these unfortunate human destinies. But that is no excuse. For a health practitioner it is of prime necessity to become a strong, positive and loving personality. It is not enough to just "know" one's field of "expertise". Life operates on rules that cannot be managed properly just by some theoretical knowledge. A doctor abusing nicotine and alcohol is as unbelievable as a psychologist suffering from a minority complex, being arrogant and insensitive.

People tell me about their experience with mental and physical health practitioners. They feel ignored, misunderstood and treated like an innate object. That's how modern science looks at it's objects: things, which have to be manipulated into proper function. People feel that the experts lack self esteem and hide behind academic degrees and honors. They rightly perceive all this as symptoms of personal weakness. How to develop real trust in such a person?

The formal training in any given area was much less in former times. But that does not mean that we have become advanced. Modern education has created highly trained specialists in their respective fields, but being too much focused on a tiny segment of reality they seem to have lost the whole big picture. At the same time they have lost themselves.

A person is not just ears or heart or mind. A person is an individual being. And what does that mean? A person cannot be divided. A person is one. Treating a depressed person without this consideration will only lead to frustration and more depression.

Depression spreads like wildfire. People seem to get lost in the rat race and the competition. Survival of the fittest. They drown in the struggle for existence. The one and only thing a depressed person needs is unalloyed love and compassion. No one will learn this at university. The students will learn about material processes in the body, in the brain. But they will learn little or nothing about the person possessing the body or brain. In this way they will not learn anything about themselves, too. They will look at depression with the arrogance and helplessness of a lost soul. How should they be able to help?

A psychologist, a coach, a trainer, a priest, a doctor: they all have to understand what life really is. They have to thoroughly understand themselves first. They have to get rid of their own depression and hopelessness deeply buried in themselves. They actually have to become free and independent loving persons. That is the real challenge: How to transform oneself into a great personality. Theoretical knowledge alone is useless.

Friedrich Asen is a spiritual counsellor, coach and author since 20 years. He lives in Austria near Vienna. If you are looking for more quality information about the subject of depression, visit his website http://www.overcome-depression-now.com/

Article source: http://www.anyarticles.com/

Depression Treatment - NamSing Then

2006-10-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

Depression is of two types one is Major Depressive Disorder and the other Bipolar Disorder. The two are different which require different treatments. The symptoms of the former involves sadness, excessive crying, loss of pleasure, sleeping too much or too little, low energy, restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, loss of appetite or overeating, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, feelings of physical problems that are not caused by physical illness or injury like headaches, digestive problems, pain and thoughts of death or suicide.

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and also episodes of mania like inappropriate sense of euphoria (excitement), reckless behavior, little sleep needed, excessive energy, racing thoughts; talking too much, out of control spending, difficulty concentrating, irritability, abnormally increased activity including sexual activity, poor judgment, aggressive behavior, extreme irritability or “out of control” behavior. People with depression do not experience manic episodes.

And an episode whether depressive or manic can last for days, weeks, months or even years. It is very essential to note that the treatment differs for both the conditions.

Both biological factors like genetics and psychological factors like stress play a major role in causing depression.

For people who are correctly diagnosed with depression i.e. major depressive disorder, antidepressant medications are often highly effective and they must be taken regularly for three to four weeks, sometimes even longer, before the full response is seen. Other treatments involve Electroconvulsive therapy, Lithium and Anticonvulsant medication both used for prevention. Sometimes interpersonal therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy is also used.

Treatments for bipolar disorder often involve a two-part plan of using both medication and psychotherapy. Different types of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder, including medicines for controlling manic symptoms, depressive symptoms or medications that help stabilize the patient's mood. Psychotherapy, with a licensed therapist or social worker, is also used in bipolar disorder treatment. Cognitive Therapy focuses on changing inappropriate or negative thought patterns, Behavioral Therapy focuses on current behaviors and Interpersonal therapy focuses on current relationships that can affect the illness. Psychoeducation helps the patient and family understand the illness and recognize signs of relapse. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy focuses on daily routines that can promote emotional stability. The line of treatment depends on the patient’s needs who usually works with healthcare professionals that supervise the patient’s care maintaining personal contact with each other to help ensure the patients' continued progress.

In both of the above cases it is very important that you do not stop treatment on your own, whether you have concerns about your medicine or if you feel you are doing better, discuss openly with your doctor.

NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his other websites Depression Treatment, Depression Medication and One Stop Information

NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his other websites Depression Treatment, Depression Help and One Stop Information

Article Source: ArticlesOn.com

Bipolar Disorder and Sleep - Ronald R. Fieve, MD

2006-10-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

"How many hours do you sleep on average at night, and what is the quality of your sleep?" are two of the first questions I ask every patient on the initial interview and all subsequent follow-up visits. While the hypomanic usually gloats over how little sleep he needs, getting by on 3 to 4 hours a night, the lack of quality sleep can wreak havoc on his mood and decision-making abilities. Sleep deprivation results in feelings of malaise, poor concentration, and moodiness, and even accidental deaths.

In a revealing sleep study published in the September 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Judith Owens, MD, and her team of researchers from Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, followed 34 pediatric residents from Brown University over the course of 2 years to compare post-call performance to performance after drinking alcohol. During this time, the residents were tested under light call (1 month of daytime duty with no overnight shift, or about 44 hours of work per week) and heavy call (overnight duty every fourth night with an average of 90 hours of work a week). The residents performed computer tasks to gauge their attention and judgment after their light call (after consuming alcohol) and heavy call shifts (with placebo). The residents who were on heavy call and had not ingested alcohol performed worse on the computer tests than those doctors who had taken alcohol and were on light call. Dr. Owens concluded that the residents were so sleep-deprived that they didn't recognize that their own judgment was impaired.

Drugs, stressful situations, and even excessive noise can affect daily body rhythms and moods. Once a Bipolar II mood disorder with disturbed rhythms has begun, it tends to be self-perpetuating, since depression and anxiety are likely to disrupt 24-hour rhythms further. An irregular living schedule can aggravate mood disorders. The old-fashioned sanitarium rest cure was effective with the "nervous" because it put the patient on a regular schedule of sleep, activity, and meals.

Insomnia

How is your sleep? Do you have difficulty falling asleep? Or do you toss and turn most of the night until you fall into a deep sleep just hours before the alarm goes off? A person suffering from insomnia has difficulty initiating or maintaining normal sleep, which can result in non-restorative sleep and impairment of daytime functioning. Insomnia includes sleeping too little, difficulty falling asleep, awakening frequently during the night, or waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep. It is characteristic of many mental and physical disorders. Those with depression, for example, may experience overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt, all of which can interrupt sleep. Hypomanics, on the other hand, can be so aroused that getting quality sleep is virtually impossible without medication. In a study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, Allison G. Harvey, PhD, and colleagues in the department of experimental psychology determined that even between acute episodes of bipolar disorder, sleep problems were still documented in 70 percent of those who were experiencing a normal (euthymic) mood at the time. These normal-mood patients with bipolar disorder expressed dysfunctional beliefs and behaviors regarding sleep that were similar to those suffering from insomnia, such as high levels of anxiety, fear about poor sleep, low daytime activity level, and a tendency to misperceive sleep. Dr. Harvey concluded that even when the bipolar patients were not in a depressive, hypomanic, or manic mood state, they still had difficulty maintaining good sleep.

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

This is the most common circadian-rhythm sleep disorder that results in insomnia and daytime sleepiness, or somnolence. A short circuit between a person's biological clock and the 24-hour day causes this sleep disorder. It is commonly found in those with mild or major depression. In addition, certain medications used to treat bipolar disorder may disrupt the sleep-wake cycle. I often recommend chronotherapy to patients. This therapy -- an attempt to move bedtime and rising time later and later each day until both times reach the desired goal -- is often used to adjust delayed sleep phase syndrome. To adjust the delayed sleep phase problem, sleep specialists might also use bright light therapy or the natural hormone melatonin, particularly in depressed patients.

REM Sleep Abnormalities

REM sleep abnormalities have been implicated by doctors in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, some forms of schizophrenia, and other disorders in which psychosis occurs. Special tests, called sleep electroencephalograms, record the electrical activity of the brain and the quality of sleep. From these tests, we know that in people who are depressed, NREM sleep is reduced and REM sleep is increased. Most antidepressant medications suppress REM sleep, leading some researchers to believe that REM sleep deprivation relates to an improvement in depressive symptoms. Yet Wellbutrin XL, a common antidepressant, and some older medications used to treat depression do not suppress REM sleep. Researchers are therefore still trying to determine the connection between the REM sleep mechanism and depression.

Irregular Sleep-Wake Schedule

This sleep disorder is yet another problem that many with Bipolar II experience and in large part results from a lack of lifestyle scheduling. The reverse sleep-wake cycle is usually experienced by bipolar drug abusers and/or alcoholics who stay awake all night searching for similar addicts and engaging in drug-seeking behavior, which results in sleeping the next day. This sleep disruption and irregularity make it much more difficult for the bipolar patient's physician to treat him or her with conventional medications and adjunctive cognitive therapy. In most cases, the patient needs to acknowledge the drug-seeking behavior and get involved in a recovery program such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, or other group. Talk therapy with a psychologist is beneficial to many patients as they seek to change destructive lifestyle habits and learn new behaviors that will help them adhere to a more normal sleep-wake schedule.

Reprinted from: Bipolar II: Enhance Your Highs, Boost Your Creativity, and Escape the Cycles of Recurrent Depression -- The Essential Guide to Recognize and Treat the Mood Swings of This Increasingly Common Disorder by Ronald R. Fieve, M.D. © 2006 Ronald R. Fieve, M.D. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling at (800) 848-4735.

Ronald R. Fieve, MD, has published more than 300 scientific papers in the field of bipolar and depression research. His work has been published in such prestigious publications as The Lancet, Nature, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Archives of General Psychiatry, The Journal of the American Medical Association, L'Encephale, and Lithium. Dr. Fieve has also written two widely acclaimed books on mental health, Moodswing and Prozac (translated into five languages). He is professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and principal investigator, Fieve Clinical Services, Inc. He maintains a private practice in New York City.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronald_R._Fieve,_MD

The Formula for Preventing Depression - Paul M. Jerard Jr.

2006-10-19T00:29:00.000-07:00

While it is arguable that depression is not always preventable, there are many cases, when using the following ideas, will keep you in good spirits - most of the time. Unfortunately, we cannot be happy all of the time, but there is something we can do about it.

Working with a variety of clients over the years, I have seen how Yoga and exercise changed, and continue to change, them for the better. It is a well-known fact that endorphins are produced from a variety of exercise routines, including gentle Hatha Yoga.

Endorphins reduce stress and enhance good moods. Just that information alone is enough to start an exercise program, but weight control, muscle-tone, circulation, flexibility and a variety of other health benefits, should be an incentive to start a mild exercise program.

If you have been inactive, I suggest a beginner Yoga class with a very mild-mannered Yoga teacher. Without pushing this any further, let’s look at other options to start, and things to avoid.

Participate in social activities, support groups, senior centers, or local church activities. The activities could be in your local mosque, temple, or shrine, as well. There is always an activity that you can find around any religious center.

You could also join a league for golf, tennis, fishing, bowling, bocce, or any other activity where people gather to share a few laughs. Take competition in stride, and don’t take anything too serious.

Many social groups also function as support groups. The collective activity is good for all involved. Stay away from “alcohol drinking” clubs. This is not just bars, or nightclubs, but local clubs, who organize for the common good, and then, routinely get together to drink.

There is a conflict here, in that alcohol is a depressant, and if you are prone to depression, this is not a good combination. On top of that, there are plenty of health problems that accompany alcohol abuse.

Substance abuse is not a solution to depression, and you won’t find a purpose in life through it. So, let’s keep it simple and stay away from drinking alcohol - altogether.

If your friends and family abuse alcohol, they need counseling, and you will have to look outside your normal circles to get guidance. You need to surround yourself with positive and energetic people.

Also, don’t hang around your house too much, especially in dark or unlit areas. Get outside, take a walk, go shopping, get a little sunlight, and if you are in the house all day, open the curtains during daylight hours. If you have a sunroom to relax in - that’s good, too. Lack of sunlight can cause elevated levels of melatonin, which is sometimes called the “sleep hormone.”

Lastly, visit the self-improvement section of your local bookstore. It is a hidden treasure within itself. This is a great reason to leave the house.

Audio books are also good for traveling in your car or listening to in your sunroom. Pick out books that really captivate your imagination. If your local bookstore has CD’s, you may want to pick up some relaxing music for your ride home.

Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Article Source: articlecapital.com

Kinds Of Therapy For Depressed Patients - By Stephen White

2006-10-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Behavioral therapy offers a fairly high success rate. It can be conducted on an individual basis or as part of a group therapy strategy. Behavioral therapy focuses primarily on helping depressed patients to develop coping strategies for the problems they encounter and new patterns of behavior. This technique also involves instructing patients to increase their recognition of desirable situations and events as they happen. In a sense, behavioral therapy is a means of teaching people to find the positive and to better deal with the negative. It attacks depression on both fronts and is a popular treatment option.

Depression with Catatonic Features - This subtype can be applied to Major Depressive episodes as well as to manic episodes, though it is rare, and rarer in mania. Catatonia is characterized by motoric immobility evidenced by catalepsy or stupor. This MDD subtype may also manifest excessive, nonprompted motor activity (akathisia), extreme negativism or mutism, and peculiarities in movement, including stereotypical movements, prominent mannerisms, and prominent grimacing. There may also be evidence of echolalia or echopraxia. It is very rarely encountered, and may not be a useful category.

* Depression with Melancholic Features - Melancholia is characterized by a loss of pleasure (anhedonia) in most or all activities, a failure of reactivity to pleasurable stimuli, a quality of depressed mood more pronounced than that of grief or loss, a worsening of symptoms in the morning hours, early morning waking, psychomotor retardation, anorexia (excessive weight loss, not to be confused with Anorexia Nervosa), or excessive guilt.

Depression with Atypical Features - Atypicality is characterized by mood reactivity (paradoxical anhedonia) and positivity, significant weight gain or increased appetite, excessive sleep or somnolence (hypersomnia), leaden paralysis, or significant social impairment as a consequence of hypersensitivity to perceived interpersonal rejection. People with this can react with interest or pleasure to some things, unlike most depressed individuals.

Depression with Psychotic Features - Some people with Major Depressive or Manic episode may experience psychotic features. They may be presented with hallucinations or delusions that are either mood-congruent (content coincident with depressive themes) or non-mood-congruent (content not coincident with depressive themes). It is clinically more common to encounter a delusional system as an adjunct to depression than to encounter hallucinations, whether visual or auditory.

1. Interpersonal Therapy

This strategy is premised on the notion that interpersonal difficulties are the primary problem experienced by the depressed patient. It works by increasing the awareness of interpersonal interaction patterns and teaches the patient how to alter and improve these patterns. It is often perceived as a short-term treatment option for depression, but does offer a success rate on par with other popular therapeutic techniques.

2. Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy utilizes behavioral techniques to retrain thinking patterns in depressed patients. Cognitive approaches also boast a relatively high level of success and research indicates that this technique may decrease the likelihood of experience additional depressive episodes after treatment is completed. Cognitive therapy is focused upon recognizing and then correcting thinking patterns that are believed to contribute to depression. This is accomplished via restructuring exercises performed under the guidance of a professional.

3. Other Therapies

Other therapy options do exist. Talk therapy, reminiscence therapy and self control therapy strategies have all been used to treat those with a diagnosis of depression. The optimal therapeutic approach cannot be easily discerned and will vary from patient to patient.

About the Author: For more great depression related articles and resources check out http://counselorhq.info

Source: www.isnare.com

Manic Depression: Tips to Turn Frowns and Tears into Smiles and Laughter - Matt OConnor

2006-10-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

You could be suffering from manic depression without even knowing it. Even if your mood swings don't resemble the actions of a pendulum, actions of extreme opposites are sufficient evidence to prove that you’re suffering from manic depression. If you believe that you’re suffering from this disorder, it's important to get help immediately and prevent it from affecting your life in a more significant way.

How to Handle Manic Depression

Also known as bipolar disorder, manic depression may be inherited and is usually serious and persistent. As mentioned earlier, not all people suffering from bipolar depression would have violent mood swings. In some cases, the transition from depression to mania or elation is gradual.

Regardless of that, it’s imperative that proper medical attention is given immediately to the affected individual to prevent the disorder from worsening.

COOPERATE FULLY WITH YOUR DOCTOR. This is not the time to feel ashamed about your condition. It's not your fault if you happen to suffer from manic depression. You should also understand that your doctor is there to help you and nothing else. If you don’t give your complete trust to your doctor, the treatment for your condition is most probably not as effective as it’s meant to be.

KEEP A CHART OF ACTIONS AND EVENTS RELATED TO YOUR CONDITION. Take note of the dates and times when symptoms of manic depression have occurred. Keeping a chart would not only help you understand the seriousness of your condition but it could also show you a trend that you were once unaware of. Awareness of this trend will better enable you to identify when you’re once again starting to experience the effects of manic depression.

NEVER TAKE ANY MEDICATION FOR MANIC DEPRESSION WITHOUT A GO-AHEAD FROM YOUR DOCTOR. Although your desire to be cured is entirely understandable, that doesn’t mean it should overrule common sense. Dabbling with drugs that you don’t fully comprehend can lead to serious medical complications. If you don’t think your present medication is effective, relay your feelings to your psychiatrist and he will no doubt see to it that your medication is immediately changed.

Speaking of medication, mood stabilizers are one of the most common forms of drugs prescribed for people suffering from manic depression. With the consumption of mood stabilizers, there is less chance for manic depression to recur. Lithium is the first type of mood stabilizer used for treating manic depression. Anticonvulsant medications like valproate are conversely used to treat the more serious cases of manic depression. It’s possible for a doctor to prescribe both anticonvulsant medication and lithium for manic depression patients.

WHEN A PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR YOU, FOLLOW THIS RIGOROUSLY. Having on-and-off treatment will only give you a temporary cure from manic depression. Prioritize your therapy sessions as it’s the only way for you to get better.

DON’T KEEP SECRETS. If something new comes up and it seems to be related to your condition, inform your doctor immediately. Failing to do so could lead to more suffering in the future.

TAKE NOTE OF SIDE EFFECTS. Certain medications for manic depression may make you gain weight, feel weak or nauseous, and even lose hair. If your medication has any side effect that bothers you, inform your doctor about it so he can change your treatment accordingly.

Lastly, don’t hide your condition from your loved ones. Even if you don’t have a doctor for a parent or partner, you’ll be amazed at the amount of help they can give just by providing you comfort and emotional support.

Did you know 16% of the world's population suffer from depression? Author Matthew OConnor runs a site dedicated to the latest news and developments in manic depression.

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

Menopause And Depression - By Susan Megge

2006-10-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Many women experience bouts of depression as they approach menopause. As a matter of fact, midlife can be considered a period of increased risk for depression in women, the majority taking place in the years during the transition through the menopausal years. This period of time is associated with gradual declines in estrogen levels, which may be linked with the onset of depression.

It can be confusing when trying to determine if you’re suffering from depression, simply going through menopause or experiencing both. This is because many symptoms of menopause and depression are very similar, such as interrupted sleep patterns, fatigue, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety and difficulty concentrating. It’s important, however, to talk with your doctor if you think you may be suffering from depression; don’t play guessing games with your health because if left untreated, depression can lead to additional episodes, which have the potential to be more severe. Untreated depression can also result in physical complications, such as heart attack and the loss of bone density.

If your doctor thinks that your depression is as a result of declining hormone levels as you’re approaching or experiencing menopause, there’s a possibility he will suggest hormone replacement therapy, which includes estrogen. It’s important to discuss both the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy, including potential benefits to your overall mood. Recent studies have shown that the risks of hormone therapy include heart attack, stroke and breast cancer, and some professionals believe that these risks may outweigh the benefits women can receive from this course of treatment. That being said, estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for many menopausal symptoms.

Short term therapy (12-20 weeks) has also proven to combat depression in women experiencing menopause. Especially effective are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on negative thoughts and behaviors that tend to worsen depressed mood and teaches better ways of thinking and behaving, and Interpersonal Therapy, which helps individuals to communicate more effectively with others to help eliminate stressors.

Fortunately, the benefits of exercise in depression are well documented. Exercise helps with the treatment of depression by releasing the body’s mood-elevating compounds, reducing the depression hormone cortisol, providing a feeling of accomplishment and enhancing self esteem. I personally exercise approximately an hour most days of the week, but even exercising as little as ten minutes per day has been found to have beneficial effects for many women experiencing menopausal depression.

You may also want to consider a prescription medication to help you cope with the symptoms you’re experiencing. Discuss this possibility with your doctor because there are several effective and well-tolerated antidepressant medications now available. These medications have been proven to be an essential part of treatment for women who are moderately to severely depressed.

It’s also important to simply take care of yourself by eating a well balanced diet, decreasing your intake of refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate. Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep deficiencies can make depression worse, so if you must, develop relaxing bedtime rituals, such as taking a hot bath or reading a good book.

Finally, just give yourself a break. Not only are you experiencing symptoms of menopause, but midlife also brings about life events that can be stressful, adding to the risk of depression, irritability and moodiness. Perhaps your children are leaving home, you’re caring for an elderly parent or have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. All of these events will undoubtedly add stress to an already busy life. Take time for yourself, eat a healthy diet, exercise and know that you’re a strong and capable woman and you will get through this.

About the Author: Susan Megge is the founder of http://www.40isbeautiful.com, a website designed to assist mature women as they approach and experience menopause. Susan started experiencing symptoms of menopause several years ago and researched various avenues to deal with these symptoms naturally. This led to her discovery that menopause can be a very manageable, and even wonderful time in a woman's life.

Source: www.isnare.com

Always Tired, fatigued, Anxiety filled? Maybe you need a Depression Test. - By: Synergize Marketing

2006-10-15T01:12:00.000-07:00

Depression has become one of the most widely increased diagnosed disorders in this country over the past few years. Things like the falling economy causing a decrease in personal finances, in addition to lifes daily stresses and worries have caused many Americans to become depressed.

You may have seen the recently advertised television commercials offering depression testing. Depression not only saddens an individuals state of mind, but also causes symptoms like fatigue, anxiety and loss of motivation, even in the simplest of daily activities. People who are depressed are not temporarily moody or sad. The condition is unfortunately, long-term and negatively affects the way a person feels, thinks and behaves.

Depression is a genuine medical condition that can be treated, but the help has to be sought out. That in itself can often times be a difficult task for someone experiencing this ailment. A Depression Test is important because depression is a disease that requires attention and medical treatment. If it is not treated, it can last for months, and in some cases, even years.

If you have been feeling out-of-sorts for an extended amount of time, you might consider taking a depression test. There are several ways you can do this. If you dont feel up to a doctor visit, go online. Visit a website that can offer you a simple questionnaire to decide whether or not you might be clinically depressed. There is a wonderful website called lexapro.com that offers a very good depression test which is in the form of a simple questionnaire. You will also find answers there to any questions you might have about the way you are feeling. Another good web resource is depression.com. Please keep in mind that if your depression test results lead you to believe that you are in fact suffering from depression, you must make an appointment to see a physician and get treatment.

If you are, or know someone who is suffering from depression, seek help. There is nothing to be ashamed. You shouldnt have to live in sadness so dont continue to let life pass you by. You are valuable part of this world and you deserve to experience the same happiness as everyone else around you.Have you been feeling lathargic? Anxiety and loss of motivation? You just may have a mild to cronic form of depression. Find out with depression test.

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Natural cure for depression by DR RAO

2006-10-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

Depression is a common disorder in every one. This happens when we miss something or someone really we need. This is considered as one of the chronic disease as if the person goes deeper then he is addicted to many problems or the diseases to his body. Ya truly to say this life is filled with some good times and some bad times, happiness and sorrow, ups and downs. But we feel very bad when we are not getting the thing which is needed. But if this prolongs for more time then it makes up difficulty in the functioning of our daily life. Our life will be filled with blues and we are addicted to the clinical depression a serious and which is away from the common medical illness. But this clinical depression is a common, real and a curable one. For more information meet: dr jack Some of the basic facts for this clinical depression are major depressive disorder, maniac depression and dysthymia, a milder. This depression is in such way that the common people loose their daily pleasure which in turn to the complicated in their medical conditions and sometimes even make turn themselves to suicide. This is caused to any one without the difference of age and or race or sex or health condition. It is not a normal part of life. Many people think that this depression is not a serious illness and they can be cured without any medical treatment.

This depression also enters the life in such a way that it makes difficult for a person to work, to study, eat and enjoy once the pleasurable activities. This does not occur once it can occur any times in life. But the treatment is needed for it so that it may not become serious illness.
There are some types of depression like major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder and others. But the conditions of the health changes in these types of depression disorder.

Some of the symptoms of this depression are: • persistent sad, anxious or empty mood, • feeling of hopelessness, pessimism, • feeling of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness, loss of interest in the hobbies and the activities that were once enjoyed, • decreased energy, fatigue, slowed down, • difficulty in concentrating, making decisions, remembering • insomnia that is early morning awakening and over night sleeping • appetite or weight loss/ weight gain • thoughts of suicide or death, and also sometimes attempts to suicide also • restlessness or irritability • Some of the other conditions are headache, digestive disorder or chronic pain. This depression can be completely stopped and get safe treatment from herbal and natural supplements are mist power full and miracle cure for depression.

There are many causes for this depression. This depression may start at any place that is at family, working place, school or at any place. In some of the families this depression seems to occur generation after generation or the people who does not have any family history of depression. But this depressive disorder is associated with the changes in brain structure or brain function. People who have low self- esteem or who think that they are stressed by this world then these people are more vulnerable to this disease. In recent years the researches have shown that the physical changes in the body can be accompanied by mental changes as well. If the person is suffering with any of the chronic disease then he is surely addicted to this depression. It is said that the man if he is addicted with sadness and gloom then he is at initial stage. But this must not go deeper as he will become abnormal from his daily activities. So, he should get treated at its initial stage. He may get upset for the small things but these should not contribute as a major part for his depression disease. There is good news for this disease that it can be healed with the proper treatment given by the physician whom you consult for the treatment.

This clinical depression is a treatable disease. Many people have who ever have been suffered by this disease are healed. The treatment depends on the condition, pattern and severity of the illness, its persistence and the history of the illness. If it is in its initial stage it would be alleviated than it turns into serious reoccurrence. IF you are suffering with the symptoms of the clinical depression then it is must that this should be treated by a physician or a qualified mental health profession before it takes a long way for curing of it. This clinical depression can be cured with the counseling if needed. But if it is really higher then it is better to turn your attention towards the natural and herbal treatment which have been proved as miraculous and marvelous improvements in heal of the suffer. These natural remedies are good as they do not harm and treat us as soon as possible. The primary thing what you can do is you can consult the doctor as early as possible. The check ups that are needed should be regularly as it should be narrowed at its first stage. Keeping oneself with enthusiasm and being away with the tiredness. To have confidence in doing the works which are daily activities or others? This depression can be helped when we encourage the people to get active in their work, thinking and all the factors. He should have a loved atmosphere that can cure the disease. Dr Jack is a Conventionally Trained Western Medical Doctor from India and fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). He is also trained in traditional supplements since the age of 5 years to practice complimentary alternate supplements. More information contact: dr jack.

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Teen Depression - Milos Pesic

2006-10-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone feels down at some point. It’s normal to feel the “blues.” But if you are sad most of the time and the feeling is starting to affect your grades, relationships, and your behavior in many ways, then the problem may be more than just the “blues.” It may be teen depression, a serious illness that approximately four out of a hundred teenagers suffer through each year.

How do you when you’re depressed? Or when a friend might be depressed?

The signs of depression are numerous that there is usually no hard and fast rule to identifying all the symptoms of teen depression. But the most important thing to remember is that there are generally two types of teen depression.

Under the first type, you will find two other types of depression which vary only in their intensity – major depression or clinical depression (severe) and dysthymia or chronic depression (moderate but lasts for a longer period).

The second type of teen depression is referred to as bipolar depression, the depressive state of manic-depressive disorder, a condition wherein the subject suffers periodic bouts of mania or elevated mood and depression where the subject is often too low in energy that he would not be able to move.

It would take a health professional to distinguish the particular type of teen depression. It is advisable therefore that you consult professional help when you notice any of the following signs of teen depression:

* Persistent feelings of sadness (You cry a lot and for no apparent reason)

* Persistent feelings of guilt, again, for no real reason (You feel like you are no good or are worthless)

* Loss of confidence or low self-esteem

* You feel as though life is meaningless and that nothing good will ever come out of it.

* You always seem to be exhausted and you do not feel like doing the things that you used to enjoy a lot, like music, sports, being with friends, or going out. Most of the time, you just want to be left alone.

* You keep getting distracted and you can’t seem to concentrate. You also forget things, or you do things without any recollection of doing them.

* Little things make you lose your temper. You get irritated very easily, or you overreact.

* Your sleep pattern changes. Either you sleep more or you sleep less or you can’t seem to fall asleep or stay asleep. You wake up too early most mornings and have difficulty falling back to sleep. Insomnia (too little sleep) or hyposomnia (too much sleep) sets in.

* Your eating habits also change. You have lost your appetite or you eat a lot more. Weight gain or weight loss is drastic.

* You think about death, or feel like you are dying, or you have thoughts about committing suicide, whether or not you have the energy to actually harm yourself.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive href="http://overcome-depression.blogspot.com/">Overcome Depression blog. For more articles and resources on Depression related topics, visit his blog at:

=>href="http://overcome-depression.blogspot.com/">http://overcome-depression.blogspot.com/

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Hope For Those Suffering From Manic Depression - Athlyn Green

2006-10-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

A bombshell has dropped! You or a loved one have been diagnosed with manic depression. After the initial shock has lessened, you find yourself trying to understand this disorder. It makes sense to educate yourself about bipolar disorder, when attempting to deal with and recover from this condition.

Questions may arise regarding the origin or cause of manic depression. Do genetics influence whether a person is born with it or will be affected later in life? Are early experiences significant and can stressful events trigger onset of symptoms? Much has been said about chemical imbalances. Is there a correlation between nutritional deficiencies and biochemical imbalances in the brain?

Although the illness appears to have a genetic link, seemingly running in families, no gene has been identified that can be said to be responsible or the cause of manic depression and experts are divided in their opinions as to whether genes actually play a part.

Psychological factors may also play a role. Children who have experienced traumatic events and suffered emotional damage may be at greater risk. Some sufferers can pinpoint a period of great stress precipitating or triggering onset of their condition and feel this may be at the root of or the cause of manic depression in their case.

More significantly, however, extensive research shows that nutritional deficiencies in the brain and nervous system can have an impact on the brain's delicate balance, with neurotransmitters and the nervous system being compromised. These deficiencies can contribute or may be a cause of manic depression because nutritional imbalances and deficiencies may cause neurotransmitters and brain impulses to malfunction, leading to thought and mood fluctuations and changes in energy or behavior. These changes can last for hours or days, weeks or even months. For someone living with manic depression, life can be a roller coaster. Moods can swing between highs (mania) and lows (depression).

When examining characteristics of or defining what is manic depression it may be helpful to describe how a brain deficient in the right nutrients may present chemistry consistent with bipolar disorder. During a manic phase a person may feel a heightened sense of self-importance, increased self-confidence, and euphoric feelings. In this overactive state, a person may experience racing thoughts and rapid speech and may be bubbling over with plans. Impulsivity and poor judgment may lead to spending sprees and debts; irritation and anger may be more readily activated. When we continue to define what is manic depression the most consistent symptom and the one presenting the biggest challenge, is often the depression sufferers experience. The sadness, worry, anxiety, guilt, and worthlessness can feel overwhelming. Appetite and sleep patterns may be affected. Trying to concentrate and remember can make even the simplest tasks seem monumental. All of this can combine to provoke suicidal feelings.

Thankfully, promising new treatments offer hope. One effective treatment option is the use of natural remedies. Natural remedies incorporate essential and key ingredients, providing nutrients that work to correct deficiencies and imbalances in the brain, restoring positive mood, repairing neurotransmitter malfunction, and increasing emotional energy. Key nutrients found in natural supplements are: Choline Bitartrate or Phosphatidyl Choline, L-Valine, Selenium, and Valerian, to name a few. These nutrients address deficiencies that may be a cause of manic depression and offer hope to sufferers.

We have discussed what is manic depression what causes it, symptoms, and how use of natural remedies is a safe and scientifically backed alternative treatment approach for bipolar disorder. More information about the cause of manic depression can be found at our site.

Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She is a regular contributor to several health sites, including Beat Your Depression, a site dedicated to treating depression safely and effectively.

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

Depression Can Effect Seniors Too - Joanne King

2006-10-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

One common myth about aging that many people believe is that as you grow older, you have a significantly greater risk of suffering from depression. That is simply not true, just because you are aging, does not mean you have to suffer from depression as well. All of us have to face difficult situations as we age, the loss of loved ones, the inability to do the things we once could, health issues, etc., but there are ways of dealing with all of these problems without letting yourself succumb to depression.

Current depression studies indicate that out of all adults who are at least sixty-five years young, only about fifteen percent show any symptoms that could be associated with depression. Since many of the symptoms that accompany depression can limit one’s ability to perform even daily care tasks, factor that in with the similar problems that come with aging, and many of those adults end up needing help in caring for themselves. So, if you are a senior citizen, it is important that you find ways to deal with your depression before it impacts your life, especially if you value your independence.

Another scientific study shows that elderly people who often have symptoms of severe depression for at least a six year time period are at a much greater risk of being diagnosed with cancer sometime in the near future. Not only are you more prone to develop cancer, leaving your depression untreated can also put you at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is the reason that many seniors end up in skilled care facilities each year. Family members just do not have the skills needed to handle this disease, no matter how much they want to care for their elderly, they are just unable to do so. Sooner or later, they will realize that they have got to seek help.

Depression should be treated, before it impacts your life. It is often more difficult to diagnose and treat in aging adults, but it can still be done. There are many diseases that have similar symptoms, which may cause a physician to overlook the underlying cause of all of the problems, severe depression. If there is a simultaneous medical illness, it is easy to focus on treating the illness, bypassing the depression altogether.

Elderly people often feel ashamed or embarrassed to discuss their feelings. They fail to seek treatment, thinking that they are just in a funk, and will get out of it on their own. Another reason that many elderly fail to seek medical treatment for their depression is the fact that they often live off of very limited incomes, and simply cannot afford to pay for an extra visit to the doctor, or for a new medication each month. If they do have Medicare, chances are they will still be left with a hefty bill that Medicare will not cover, especially due to all of the prescription plan changes that have been taking effect recently. They may have family that they could turn to for financial help, but for many it is a matter of pride, they don’t want to ask their children for money because they feel as though they should be helping their children, not the other way around.

If they do bite the bullet and schedule an appointment with their physician, they may have problems with the medication that is prescribed. The elderly tend to be more susceptible to the dangerous side effects of many medicines, and antidepressants have a long list of side effects with them. If they are taking medicine for other conditions, their antidepressant medication may cause dangerous interactions, especially if they see a new doctor and forget to tell him all of the medications they currently take. Seniors are often on so much medication that they have a hard time remembering when they are supposed to take what, and what the correct dosage of each is. The best thing that a senior who is suffering from depressive symptoms can do is talk to their physician. The physician should be told what medications are currently being taken, what the problem is, and how the patient feels about treatment. The physician should work with the patient to help find the best treatment plan, so they can start feeling normal again.

Seniors may respond better to treatment sessions with a mental health therapist, or a combination of therapy and medication. If you seek help and don’t feel that your treatment program is working for you, don’t be afraid to speak up and say so. You are the best judge of how you feel, and your doctor cannot help you if there is a communication problem. They take the information that you give them, and combine that with test results to try to come to a diagnosis and treatment plan. You are in integral part in your own treatment, regardless of the condition!

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What is Postpartum Depression? - Joanne King

2006-10-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

There’s no more joyful event for most women than the birth of a child. In the best case scenario, after the months of doctor visits, prenatal vitamins and extra healthy eating, the mother is rewarded with a tight fisted and wailing bundle of joy. Afterwards, mommy and the new baby go home to spend the next few weeks happily getting to know one another. At least, that’s the way it is supposed to happen.

Sometimes mommy doesn’t fair too well, and becomes a victim of postpartum depression, also known as peripartum depression. This illness can strike up to a year after the mother has given birth. After pregnancy, the woman’s body goes through hormonal changes which can cause symptoms of depression. Estrogen and progesterone are produced heavily during pregnancy, however twenty four hours after delivery, these hormones slide quickly back down to their normal pre-pregnancy levels. These fast hormone level changes are thought to be the cause of postpartum depression, just as hormonal changes prior to a woman’s menstrual cycle can cause mood swings.

Thyroid hormones may also be partly to blame, as they too may drop quickly after giving birth. Located within the neck, the thyroid gland that helps regulate how your body stores and uses the energy gained from eating food, this process is called metabolism. Once the hormone levels from this small gland begin to dwindle, the results can be loss of interest in anything, trouble in sleeping, fatigue, weight gain, irritability and difficulty in concentrating on any specific task. Luckily, depression from thyroid dysfunction can be detected by taking a blood test to check the hormone levels of the thyroid. Depression caused by thyroid dysfunction can be treated easily with proper medication prescribed by a physician.

Postpartum depression can also have its onset stem from the circumstances which occur after the mom and child have returned home. When a new mom comes home with her child, she may doubt her ability to take proper care of the child, and feel as though she is not a good mother, or even that she is unfit to raise a child. This feeling may even strike a mother who already has one child or more already.

After delivery a mother may have to get up several times during the night, losing sleep and not getting the rest required to keep up with the demands of an infant. Coupled with the fact that a woman may not be back up to full strength for several weeks, this loss of sleep can severely and adversely affect the woman’s mental well being.

If you or someone you know seems to be a victim of postpartum depression, then you should know that it is treatable. By seeking the advice of a physician early, you can rest assured that Mommy will be there for baby, and all will be well.

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How To Recognize Depression - By: Ray Stone

2006-10-09T00:17:00.000-07:00

Mental health, not the sort of thing most people choose to talk about seriously. We've all heard the comments about 'Sad Sack', 'Mr Grumpy' or phrases like 'Smile, I'll pay for the stitches' or 'Stop moping around'. It saddens me every time I hear a remark like that, something insensitive or said out of plain ignorance, usually by people who have little or no contact with people who suffer from depression, and most certainly do not have a loved one or family member that suffers from depression or any other mental disorder, that can so easy get a tight grip on a sufferers life. It's almost tabboo if you think about it.

Suffering from depression or mental health problems, is something that most people feel ashamed to admit. Who wouldn't, with comments like those above aimed right at you. If you have suffered from major depression or have had an episode of depression that has contributed significantly to a change in your daily life, facing up to comments like those above is something that you will have to accecpt sooner or later.

What about those people who don't suffer a major depression or severe episode, whether life-threatening or not? Those of us who definately don't have depression and definately don't need to see a shrink to confirm what we already know: that we are not depressed! This brings me to the core of this article: How do you recognise depression?

It is so very important to be vigilant. To be aware of the warning signs, and the earlier they are spotted, the better. Why? Because being depressed leads to behaviour that is not helpful. Behaviour that over time, is reinforced day after day, month after month. Slowly but surely getting a firm grip on your life. It is much harder to spot a change in behaviour if it occurs and develops gradually over time. But what are these signs and behaviour that we should look out for?

The most common symptom of depression and one which most people think is the only one is having a persistant empty or 'sad' mood. This is not what can sometimes be reffered to as feeling 'down in the dumps'. The mood will last from several weeks at least. At which point you should see a psychiatrist or doctor. A feeling of pessimism, hopelessness or helplessness and being critical of oneself for never being good enough at anything no matter what we do. Depression can lead to a lack of interest in persuits someone usually enjoys. Feeling lethargic or having no enegry or drive, even for sex, is another symptom of depression that can slowly be re-enforced over time. Trouble with sleeping and eating is a symptom that most people would not usually associate with depression. Sleeping disorders are often dismissed as having developed a mild case of insomnia that will surely go away over time. Some people wake early in the morning and are unable to fall back asleep. Eating disturbances to, especially in women, can hide the depression, because the first thing that will come to mind is anorexia or bulimia. This is true, but we also need to place these symptoms in context, which is why it is so important to know the facts and symptoms of depression so that we can see the bigger picture.

Depression often goes hand in hand with anxiety. Anxiety can also cause sleeping disturbances, as well as a feeling of dread, increased heart rate and more severely, panic attacks. Depression and anxiety can easily knock our confidence levels as both can lead to difficulty concerntrating and remembering or making decisions. These symptoms can climax with devistating effect. Within the workplace they can lead to a complete nervous breakdown where the person no longer knows, or can't remember how to do their job or how they even got there. Nothing makes sense and it can be very frightening when you are faced with a situation like this where you no longer know what is happening around you, or much less, why you are feeling this way. Depression can also manifest itself through persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not seem to respond to treatment. Irritable and losing ones temper are also symptoms of deppression, seen more often in males than females. Thoughts of suicide, attempts and plans are never to be taken lightly. Often, suicide attempts are a cry for help. Sometimes they are not.

A person can be diagnosed with depression if four or more of the symptoms above have been present in a two week period or more. Not everyone will have the same symptoms so it is important to be aware and look for signs of all symptoms of depression. Remember, only a doctor or psychiatrist can diagnose depression.

Article Source: http://www.ContentArticles.com
Ray Stone Discount Prescription Drug (c) 2006, PerfectDrugRx.

A Review Of Techniques In Managing Your Depression - By Stan Popovich

2006-10-08T00:47:00.000-07:00

Some people have a difficult time in managing their depression. Sometimes, their depression and fears can get best of them. As a result, here is a short list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their depression.

I was told by a counselor that one of the ways to manage depression is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, your afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one. In addition, people change jobs all the time, and you always have that option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location.

Some people get depressed and have a difficult time getting out of bed in the mornings. When this happens, a person should take a deep breathe and try to find something to do to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get your mind off of the problem and give you confidence to do other things.

Sometimes, we can get depressed over a task that we will have to perform in the near future. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that make us feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements.

As a Layman and author of an anxiety book, I have done many interviews with various counselors in how to manage fear, anxiety and depression. The techniques that I have just covered are some basic ways to manage your depression, however your best bet is to get some help from a professional.

About the Author: Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods”-a book that presents a overview of techniques in managing Fear. For more info go to: http://www.managingfear.com
For free articles on managing fear please go to: http://www.managingfear.com

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Depression After Divorce - by Stephen White

2006-10-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

Divorce may be sad, but that doesn't mean you have to let yourself fall into a spiral of depression that you can't get out of ever again. Divorce is a reason why many men and women alike find their selves fighting depression. Depression is a problem when you rely on another person, and your marriage ends. Splitting up can be difficult. The changes in your life can feel as if they are overwhelming but with the right treatments, they dont have to be. Realize that for some, divorce is the best option especially if there are children involved.

Depression treatments are available for those suffering from depression due to a divorce. Remember, children are affected by divorce too. This type of treatment could be short term, depending again, on the individual and their personality. If you are a strong willed person, and are finding that depression is seemingly overwhelming you, you can get a hold on it, and put your life back in order. Treatments for depression could include natural methods, therapy, rest and relaxation, group therapy, and even medications. Every person is a bit different in regards to changes in life, and how these changes are handled. Children need special attention during a divorce. Let them know that you still love them.

Relationships as long as a marriage should not be broken off easily and without much forethought. There is no limited to those who could suffer with depression. The main symptoms that a person will notice involving depression are those of feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and even unworthy of living. If you are feeling different after a major break up or divorce, this is because you are different, your life is different. If you feel that you just cant handle it anymore, that you need help, you most likely are suffering from depression. Depression is brought about often times, by major changes in life. If you are sure you are getting divorced, and you need a little assistance in handling the situation, you can seek help by visiting with your family doctor. At the very least, they can give you some options for you to consider.

For more great anxiety depression related articles and resources check out http://depressionresources.info

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The Ultimate Drug For Treating Depression - By Dr. Joseph Mercola

2006-10-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

More and more researchers and physicians are coming to the conclusion that exercise can be as effective as antidepressants in reducing the symptoms of major depression.

Group or Solitary Both Work

Many studies have shown that exercise in a group setting is highly effective, and new research is beginning to suggest that solitary exercise, such as workouts at the gym or a daily jog, can be equally helpful.

Better Than Zoloft

Research on the subject has demonstrated that:10 months of regular, moderate exercise outperformed a leading antidepressant (Zoloft) in easing symptoms in young adults30-minute aerobic workouts done three to five times a week cut depressive symptoms by 50 percent in young adults

Boosts Energy

One probable cause is that exercise affects key brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, but physical activity may also trigger positive changes in other areas, such as by boosting energy. A more intense exercise regimen may be the most effective for that purpose.

As depressed individuals may have trouble breaking into an exercise routine, however, starting on a small scale and building up may be the key to success.

Yahoo News November 6, 2005

~~~~~

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Over 20 million Americans suffer from depression. The World Health Organization identified major depression as the fourth leading cause of disease worldwide, causing more disability than heart attacks or strokes.

If you start to feel depressed, especially with the decreasing sunlight of winter in the northern hemisphere or the coming holidays, I would encourage you to review my signs and symptoms of depression page to help you understand if you suffer from this disease.

Fortunately, there has been an increasing acceptance in conventional medicine that there are better, safer and healthier alternatives to treating depression than prescribing an antidepressant.

More and more evidence is accumulating that for most people exercise is more powerful than drugs in treating depression.For exercise, though, it needs to be used like a drug and must be prescribed very carefully. Going out for a simple walk after dinner will not likely provide as much benefit as a comprehensive exercise strategy.

It has been my experience that most Americans have a serious exercise debt. I've found patients need to move toward 90 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day during the treatment phase to repay this exercise debt. Of course when you are feeling depressed the last thing you want to do is exercise intensely for 90 minutes, so you need to move gradually and as fast as your body will allow you to progress.

The key, as thearticle states,is to get started in some way, no matter how small. Fortunately, I have plenty of free tools to help you get started, including a comprehensive exercise guide and an exercise table you can use to monitor your progress.

It is also important to make sure you have a regular supply of either fish or cod liver oil, as the animal-based omega-3 fats of DHA and EPA are probably the single most important nutrient to battling depression. Avoiding sugar and grains will help normalize insulin and leptin levels, which is also another powerful tool in addressing depression.

Bright light exposure is crucial to prevent SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and the use of full-spectrum lights in the winter is a vital tool in helping solve the depression mystery. We will be offering some of the best and least expensive full-spectrum bulbs in the next few weeks for this purpose.

I also encourage you to review the strategies Paul Chek and Dr. Ben Lerner share with readers every week in my 'eHealthy News You Can Use' newsletter.

About the Author: This article is reprinted from http://Mercola.com, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test" to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm right now to take this quick test!

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How To Recognise Depression - By Ray Stone

2006-10-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

Mental health, not the sort of thing most people choose to talk about seriously. We've all heard the comments about 'Sad Sack', 'Mr Grumpy' or phrases like 'Smile, I'll pay for the stitches' or 'Stop moping around'. It saddens me every time I hear a remark like that, something insensitive or said out of plain ignorance, usually by people who have little or no contact with people who suffer from depression, and most certainly do not have a loved one or family member that suffers from depression or any other mental disorder, that can so easy get a tight grip on a sufferers life. It's almost tabboo if you think about it.

Suffering from depression or mental health problems, is something that most people feel ashamed to admit. Who wouldn't, with comments like those above aimed right at you. If you have suffered from major depression or have had an episode of depression that has contributed significantly to a change in your daily life, facing up to comments like those above is something that you will have to accecpt sooner or later.

What about those people who don't suffer a major depression or severe episode, whether life-threatening or not? Those of us who definately don't have depression and definately don't need to see a shrink to confirm what we already know: that we are not depressed! This brings me to the core of this article: How do you recognise depression?

It is so very important to be vigilant. To be aware of the warning signs, and the earlier they are spotted, the better. Why? Because being depressed leads to behaviour that is not helpful. Behaviour that over time, is reinforced day after day, month after month. Slowly but surely getting a firm grip on your life. It is much harder to spot a change in behaviour if it occurs and develops gradually over time. But what are these signs and behaviour that we should look out for?

The most common symptom of depression and one which most people think is the only one is having a persistant empty or 'sad' mood. This is not what can sometimes be reffered to as feeling 'down in the dumps'. The mood will last from several weeks at least. At which point you should see a psychiatrist or doctor. A feeling of pessimism, hopelessness or helplessness and being critical of oneself for never being good enough at anything no matter what we do. Depression can lead to a lack of interest in persuits someone usually enjoys. Feeling lethargic or having no enegry or drive, even for sex, is another symptom of depression that can slowly be re-enforced over time. Trouble with sleeping and eating is a symptom that most people would not usually associate with depression. Sleeping disorders are often dismissed as having developed a mild case of insomnia that will surely go away over time. Some people wake early in the morning and are unable to fall back asleep. Eating disturbances to, especially in women, can hide the depression, because the first thing that will come to mind is anorexia or bulimia. This is true, but we also need to place these symptoms in context, which is why it is so important to know the facts and symptoms of depression so that we can see the bigger picture.

Depression often goes hand in hand with anxiety. Anxiety can also cause sleeping disturbances, as well as a feeling of dread, increased heart rate and more severely, panic attacks. Depression and anxiety can easily knock our confidence levels as both can lead to difficulty concerntrating and remembering or making decisions. These symptoms can climax with devistating effect. Within the workplace they can lead to a complete nervous breakdown where the person no longer knows, or can't remember how to do their job or how they even got there. Nothing makes sense and it can be very frightening when you are faced with a situation like this where you no longer know what is happening around you, or much less, why you are feeling this way. Depression can also manifest itself through persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not seem to respond to treatment. Irritable and losing ones temper are also symptoms of deppression, seen more often in males than females. Thoughts of suicide, attempts and plans are never to be taken lightly. Often, suicide attempts are a cry for help. Sometimes they are not.

A person can be diagnosed with depression if four or more of the symptoms above have been present in a two week period or more. Not everyone will have the same symptoms so it is important to be aware and look for signs of all symptoms of depression. Remember, only a doctor or psychiatrist can diagnose depression.

About the Author: Ray Stone
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