Let’s face it, we all get depressed at times, it is only being human. However, as with all things, when it becomes excessive, depression, characterized by erratic mood swings, loss of interest in hobbies and a generally sad demeanor is very detrimental to our overall health.
As damaging as it is to our general well being, it is quite alarming that most of us do suffer from this ailment and it is even more frightening that many people have been diagnosed as being clinically depressed. Is there hope? Most of us might ask.
Yes, there is.
It is summed up in one word; Faith.
And what is Faith?
Well, According to Heb 11. 1; "It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen", in lay man's terms, it is believing in what you can't necessarily see, feel or touch but knowing that it is there and will be beneficial for you.
Take for example; remember when you may have fallen of your bike as a kid and after your mom nursed the bruise she tells you "let me kiss it so the pain goes away..."?
Well as adults, we know that didn't necessarily make the hurting stop...per se, but in being told that, as kids we automatically believed "Well, if mommy says it'll go away by kissing it, then I believe it will...” The trick is the second part of that thought is what made it happen! Believing that what mom said she'd bring about will happen!
Evidently, kids in their innocence and supposed naïveté really are the group of humans who possess the most natural ability to abide by faith. We all had this gift at some point but, well, as we age and experience trying times in our lives, sadly the magic dissipates, leaving room for such negative forces as depression, doubt, self-hatred, you name it.
It's no wonder Jesus said "To enter the Kingdom of heaven, ye must be like little children..." The same Man went on to say in Luke 17:20-21: "The kingdom of Heaven is within you"
Wow...what a statement!
The author of “The Power of Positive Thinking” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale analyzed this verse and states that it means "We as humans, the images of God, have everything within us to make our worlds and lives better and all we want it to be!” Hey, it's no error that Psalm 82:6 says: "For ye are gods..."
Now as powerful as faith is and as necessary as it is to overcoming depression, it needs to be exercised wisely to be strengthened.
Here are some tips:
1. Always act like it is impossible to fail, believe that it always works.
2. Pre-condition your mind to success in all things.
3. Try, really try! Think, really think! Believe, really believe!
You are what you are and will be where you want to be based on your thoughts.
Admittedly, it may not always be easy, but that is what life is all about and one comforting fact is God has promised in His word, 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation (problem) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted (tested) beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (problem) will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Think on that, strengthen your faith with the tips above and you too will soon be overcoming depression.
About the Author: Foras Aje is the author of the e-book: Fitness: Inside and Out-A guide to Improved Health, Vigor and Vitality. He is the webmaster at http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Depression and the Sensitive at Heart - By Friedrich Asen
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.
Friedrich Asen has made it easy for you to grow and blossom. To learn more about the world's best resources for alternative depression treatment, read his article The Real Nature of Depression and its Spiritual Cause
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Friedrich_Asen
Monday, February 13, 2006
Depression and Anxiety - By Robert Kokoska
Most of us do experience occasional outbreaks of anxiety or momentary depression, at least once or twice in our lifetime. Anxiousness, changing moods, shifting metal attitude and a short term depression are all so common to thousands of people allover the world. Low intensity anxiety and depression also work as positive parameters, when we can prepare for a pending task or take precious time to reflect on our actions, and regroup our effort in order to get success in life. Thus, anxiety and depression are a common part of our life, often more helpful than overtly harmful. But, when anxiety and depression seem to crop up out of nowhere, persist for many months without providing much relief, or if it interferes with daily life, then you’re probably suffering from a grave illness or a permanent symptom.
Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent and highly treatable forms of mental disease in the whole world. People who are suffering from acute anxiety display a varied degree of symptoms, which range from trembling, muscle aches, intense sweating, dizziness, extreme fatigue, jumping heart and dry mouth. But, anxiety disorder is much more serious than it is assumed to be, just because, persons who are suffering from such a malady become practically disabled, both mentally and physiologically, making the life a hell. Anxiety and its symptoms can be categorized into many types and one must realize that it is very common disorder, treatable by many modern treatment techniques.
Depression is possibly one of the most common mental conditions in the world today and almost 150 million people suffer from symptoms of depression. One in four women and one in ten men can easily be diagnosed with depression, at some point in their lives, though very often it goes undiagnosed. They may not even know that what they are experiencing are symptoms of a treatable illness. Most visible signs of depression are often associated with the daily work, when people tend to neglect even the most common of daily work like brushing their teeth. Other visible signs include intense sadness, helplessness, irritability and uncontrolled anger. One of the most dangerous side signs is probably the tendency to commit suicide. Associated symptoms like memory lapses, slurred speech and lack neuromuscular movement are not uncommon in the later stages of depression.
Anxiety and depression outbreak can occur at any age and time. Most of these patients are usually very stubborn and often never believe that they are affected by the illness. Advanced stages of anxiety and depression require frequent hospitalization and intensive medical care. Unattended depression can also lead to further serious medical complications like psychosis, schizophrenia and mental disorder. However, a proper medical care and regular counseling will help patients to recover from the ordeals of anxiety and depression.
Are you sick and tired of feeling depressed?
Elevate your mood and self-esteem naturally with MindSoothe Depression Capsules
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Kokoska
Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent and highly treatable forms of mental disease in the whole world. People who are suffering from acute anxiety display a varied degree of symptoms, which range from trembling, muscle aches, intense sweating, dizziness, extreme fatigue, jumping heart and dry mouth. But, anxiety disorder is much more serious than it is assumed to be, just because, persons who are suffering from such a malady become practically disabled, both mentally and physiologically, making the life a hell. Anxiety and its symptoms can be categorized into many types and one must realize that it is very common disorder, treatable by many modern treatment techniques.
Depression is possibly one of the most common mental conditions in the world today and almost 150 million people suffer from symptoms of depression. One in four women and one in ten men can easily be diagnosed with depression, at some point in their lives, though very often it goes undiagnosed. They may not even know that what they are experiencing are symptoms of a treatable illness. Most visible signs of depression are often associated with the daily work, when people tend to neglect even the most common of daily work like brushing their teeth. Other visible signs include intense sadness, helplessness, irritability and uncontrolled anger. One of the most dangerous side signs is probably the tendency to commit suicide. Associated symptoms like memory lapses, slurred speech and lack neuromuscular movement are not uncommon in the later stages of depression.
Anxiety and depression outbreak can occur at any age and time. Most of these patients are usually very stubborn and often never believe that they are affected by the illness. Advanced stages of anxiety and depression require frequent hospitalization and intensive medical care. Unattended depression can also lead to further serious medical complications like psychosis, schizophrenia and mental disorder. However, a proper medical care and regular counseling will help patients to recover from the ordeals of anxiety and depression.
Are you sick and tired of feeling depressed?
Elevate your mood and self-esteem naturally with MindSoothe Depression Capsules
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Kokoska
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Victory Over Depression Series: Letting Go of Your Pain - By Sharon Lowell
Letting go
I'd like to throw out the question to us both "what do we needlessly hold on to?"
Interesting question, isn't it? This question seems simple on the surface to answer, but upon investigation into the deepest secret parts of our minds, and that being extremely complex. I desperately hung on to guilt, hurt, rage, disappointment and especially pity for years and years and years.
I'd like to explain my own personal reasons for doing this, with the hope that maybe a light will pop on inside your mind, helping you uncover reasons for clinging to your pain.
First of all, I felt that the horror of the experiences that led to all my negative torment deserved the reverence of me for ever paying "homage" to my consequential suffering.
If I didn't stroke and nurture the pain that resulted from living through my hell -- who would?
In my mind, no one else cared! So, I would carry the torch -- and live forever in remembrance of my agony – I was determined to take care of it. If I just let it all go, it would have been like admitting that what happened to me was okay, it doesn't matter, no big deal, forget about it!"
Well, everything that happened is not okay, and will never be okay! What people did to me does matter, is a big deal -- and I certainly won't ever forget about it! So, with a strong and determined protective, obsessive attitude, I kept all these promises to myself, and I "honored” my agony 24/7.
Unfortunately, this mindset eventually took on a life of its own. It gained momentum and power, and led me steadily down the path of nothing short of death. All I could see was the dark, critical, vicious side to life. Simple pleasures did not exist for me, and I became intolerably moody and angry. I trusted nothing and no one. My attitude towards everything became more and more sarcastic and miserable. The heaviness took its toll on my mind, body and spirit -- until I craved actual physical death.
I find this very difficult to write about, and actually become literally heavy in my head, eyes and body when I revisit these thoughts and past lifestyle. The good news is, however, that because of the grace and patience of God, and the tiny spark left with the need to find healing -- that healing is what I did ultimately attain.
My life changed forever when I finally adopted two very simple, but hard to learn philosophies:
• Honor the traumatic memories by learning from them, instead of living inside them. I understand completely the need to show respect and reverence for our times of horror, but we can transfer this reverence into knowledge and understanding. The lessons permanently learned from our times of agony will provide potent influence we can apply to future choices that will have to be made. The knowledge and understanding that comes from torment is ultimately a powerful gift that allows us to find maturity, compassion for others, and certain joy in our future.
• Reassign new positive associations and meaning to your hurtful memories. Almost always, in any bad situation, we can acknowledge the love and caring we put out there to others, which is always precious and of great value in the eyes of the Lord. Even if our love was responded to eventually with hate or betrayal, our love, concern and generosity of spirit needs to be seen as precious wonderful priceless, and worthy of great praise. Honor your goodness in mind body and spirit, and virtue in motive, regardless of how the situation turned out. Own responsibility for the mistakes you made, but feel compassion for yourself, as opposed to self pity.
These points, as well as many others which I cover in my audio e-book; “A Path To Healing”, helped me after a long time of meditation, searching and honest evaluation of all the details surrounding my times of suffering, to find a way back to joy, self understanding, love and humble beautiful new beginnings.
I pray the same for you.
Copyright 2005 Sharon Lowell
Sharon has found her way from debilitating suicidal depression to a new life of joy. Her passion now is helping others who suffer for the devastating affects of depression and anxiety through her new audio e-book; "A Path to Healing" at http://www.apathtohealing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Lowell
I'd like to throw out the question to us both "what do we needlessly hold on to?"
Interesting question, isn't it? This question seems simple on the surface to answer, but upon investigation into the deepest secret parts of our minds, and that being extremely complex. I desperately hung on to guilt, hurt, rage, disappointment and especially pity for years and years and years.
I'd like to explain my own personal reasons for doing this, with the hope that maybe a light will pop on inside your mind, helping you uncover reasons for clinging to your pain.
First of all, I felt that the horror of the experiences that led to all my negative torment deserved the reverence of me for ever paying "homage" to my consequential suffering.
If I didn't stroke and nurture the pain that resulted from living through my hell -- who would?
In my mind, no one else cared! So, I would carry the torch -- and live forever in remembrance of my agony – I was determined to take care of it. If I just let it all go, it would have been like admitting that what happened to me was okay, it doesn't matter, no big deal, forget about it!"
Well, everything that happened is not okay, and will never be okay! What people did to me does matter, is a big deal -- and I certainly won't ever forget about it! So, with a strong and determined protective, obsessive attitude, I kept all these promises to myself, and I "honored” my agony 24/7.
Unfortunately, this mindset eventually took on a life of its own. It gained momentum and power, and led me steadily down the path of nothing short of death. All I could see was the dark, critical, vicious side to life. Simple pleasures did not exist for me, and I became intolerably moody and angry. I trusted nothing and no one. My attitude towards everything became more and more sarcastic and miserable. The heaviness took its toll on my mind, body and spirit -- until I craved actual physical death.
I find this very difficult to write about, and actually become literally heavy in my head, eyes and body when I revisit these thoughts and past lifestyle. The good news is, however, that because of the grace and patience of God, and the tiny spark left with the need to find healing -- that healing is what I did ultimately attain.
My life changed forever when I finally adopted two very simple, but hard to learn philosophies:
• Honor the traumatic memories by learning from them, instead of living inside them. I understand completely the need to show respect and reverence for our times of horror, but we can transfer this reverence into knowledge and understanding. The lessons permanently learned from our times of agony will provide potent influence we can apply to future choices that will have to be made. The knowledge and understanding that comes from torment is ultimately a powerful gift that allows us to find maturity, compassion for others, and certain joy in our future.
• Reassign new positive associations and meaning to your hurtful memories. Almost always, in any bad situation, we can acknowledge the love and caring we put out there to others, which is always precious and of great value in the eyes of the Lord. Even if our love was responded to eventually with hate or betrayal, our love, concern and generosity of spirit needs to be seen as precious wonderful priceless, and worthy of great praise. Honor your goodness in mind body and spirit, and virtue in motive, regardless of how the situation turned out. Own responsibility for the mistakes you made, but feel compassion for yourself, as opposed to self pity.
These points, as well as many others which I cover in my audio e-book; “A Path To Healing”, helped me after a long time of meditation, searching and honest evaluation of all the details surrounding my times of suffering, to find a way back to joy, self understanding, love and humble beautiful new beginnings.
I pray the same for you.
Copyright 2005 Sharon Lowell
Sharon has found her way from debilitating suicidal depression to a new life of joy. Her passion now is helping others who suffer for the devastating affects of depression and anxiety through her new audio e-book; "A Path to Healing" at http://www.apathtohealing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Lowell
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Depression In Teenagers & Children - By Carolyn Magura
DEPRESSION in Teenagers and Children
A while ago I did a blog about Adult depression. While doing the research on Adult depression, I learned quite a bit of information about depression in general, in addition to what I already knew because I suffer from this condition myself. What I didn't know, however, is just how prevelant this condition is in the population at large, and in children and teens in specific. One source said that depression is close to the top psychological condition in the western world (more about what this means in a later blog; it'll take a whold blog to talk about what this means).
This article will cover the following: teenager and children depression statistics; teenager and children - specific depression symptoms (for "general" symptoms, check out the Adult blog), and, what you, as the parent and/or gaurdian, can do if you recognize the symptoms in one of yours. (Remember, the following information comes from many Internet sources.)
TEENAGER AND CHILDREN DEPRESSION STATISTICS
As many as 8.3% of teenagers in the U.S. suffer from depression. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers.
As many as one in every 33 children and approximately one in 8 adolescents may have depression. (Center for Mental Health Services, 1996; these data have increased over the past 9 years).
Treatment of major depression is as effective for children as it is for adults. (Dr. Graham Emslie, American Medical Association, Archives of General Psychiatry, November 15, 1997).
Twenty years ago depression in children was almost unknown. Now the fastest rate of increase in depression is among young people. (I don't know about you, but this statistic scares me the most!)
The statistics on teen depression are sobering. Studies indicate that one in five (1 in 5) children have some sort of mental, behavioral, or emotional problem, and that one in ten (1 in 10) may have a serious emotional problem.
What is even more chilling is that of all these children and teens struggling with emotional and behavioral problems, a mere 30% receive any sort of intervention or treatment. The other 70% simply struggle through the pain of mental illness or emotional turmoil, doing their best to make it to adulthood. Many theorize that this is why the suicide rate in teens is so high. Suicide is the third (3rd) leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. Even more troubling, it is the sixth (6th) leading cause of death among children ages 5-14.
The consequences of untreated depression can be:
increased incidence of depression in adulthood;involvement in the criminal justice system;or in some cases, suicide.
WHAT ARE THE TEEN/CHILDREN DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS?
As we see above, treatment (i.e., counseling, therapy, or even medical intervention, if needed) for depression is as effective for teens/children as it is for Adults. Let me state that again; research from a variety of sources indicates that appropriate treatment for depression in a teen and/or a child is as effective as it is for Adults. So, what, as a parent or gurdian, should we look for? What are the symptoms of real depression, and not just a "bad mood"?
"Real Depression" - the type that needs immediate and appropriate attention - in teenagers and in children is defined as: when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with the teen's/child's ability to function in his/her normal daily activities. This doesn't mean that one should ignore a teen's/child's bad mood if it lasts for a few days or a few weeks. What it does mean is that, at a minimum, you, the parent/guardian must know enough about your teen's/child's normal daily activities so that you can know when there are changes. OK, what covers "normal daily activities" for a teen/child? (And, in this, we are sticking to American generic teens/children, because that's what I am most famaliar with. If anyone can add to this list, please do so.)
As you read through this list, remember that your teen/child has to have "a siginficant" number of these symptoms; they have to be ongoing, out of character; and impair the teen's/child's normal daily activities (sound familiar?)
1) Snapping at people for no apparent reason - being irritable at everyone.
2) Physically or verbally aggressive at everyone.
3) Abandoning favorite hobbies or sports or other routine, daily activities.
4) Increased passive TV watching (where the teen/child has that "thousand yard stare" and is not interacting with the programs).
5) Increased risk-taking; e.g., dangerous driving; climbing too high in a tree and jumping, breaking something; other repeated unusually dangerous activities.
6) Misuse of drugs and alcohol. Particularly teens, who use drugs and alcohol to "escape". (1)
7) Changes in school behaviors (including training courses and work settings) for teens; changes in interpersonal behaviors and activities in a pre-school setting (i.e., used to like to color and play with clay; now just sits in a corner, holding a stuffed toy and sucking a thumb).
8) Frequent absences from school; poorer grades than formerly attained; increase in skipping classes; etc. For a child, reversion in activities (i.e., used to color within the lines, now just scribbling on paper; intentionally breaking things, etc.)
9) Complains of being bored (teen); a child whose attention waivers when it didn't before. A child who, during a group reading, who used to sit and listen, now gets up and wanders around.
10) Becomes disruptive in class (both teens and children).
11) Finds it harder to stay on task. Loses concentration easily; is mentally confused. Finds decisions difficult to make. In a child this might look like the following: unable to match blocks by color when s/he could before; unable to choose between playing ball and jumping rope when the child ALWAYS choose playing ball before. You can think of your own examples, I'm sure.
12) Cannot remember commitments - doesn't keep appointments (teen). As a child, forgets to bring papers home when s/he ALWAYS used to do so; forgets home address/telephone number when s/he has known them for months/years; etc.
13) Has difficulty staying still or conversely, is lethargic (sluggish). This would apply to both a teen and a child. You can picture, in your mind, the teen or child in constant motion; twitching, shaking a foot, or both feet; handling things; etc. OR, the teen or child who sits or lays with that thousand yard stare again. AND, again, this is unusual behavior for your teen or child.
14) Changes in relationships with family and friends. Usually, this change manifests itself in hostility, or in passivity. Arguing when s/he didn't before; or, using the "whatever" answer, when s/he used to talk to you. (Again, don't single this one symptom out; it must be one of many symptoms that your teen or child has.)
15) Stops going out with friends; shows no interest in group outings.
16) Increase or decrease in sexual activity (hopefully, an OLDER TEEN).
17) May start associating with a different peer group (that "bad influence" group as a teen; the "rowdy" kids as a child).
18) Loses interest in activities which once were fun.
19) More conflicts with parents and siblings than usual.
20) Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
21) Expresses inappropriate guilt, feelings of not being good enough, worthlessness, failure. (I can see this in a teen; not sure how this would look in a child. If you can, please let us know.)
22) Expresses hopelessness and having nothing to look forward to.
23) Speaks in a monotonous or monosyllabic manner.
24) Has a preoccupation with self; is withdrawn.
25) Cries easily, looks sad, feels alone or isolated.
26) Has fears about having to be perfect.
27) Fearful of doing something bad. This, in a child, could manifest itself as bedwetting after YEARS of not bedwetting; fear of darkness or "things that go bump in the night" after YEARS of no fear, etc.
28) Incidents of self-injury. Ideas of killing self. (I have no idea of how this would look for a child, and hope never to have such an idea!)
WHAT A PARENT/GUARDIAN CAN DO
The two most important things a parent can do for your child/teen is to first, KNOW YOUR TEEN/CHILD'S ROUTINE, AND NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITIES so that you can identify any changes; and, LISTEN:
1) listen when your children talk;
2) listen to their music;
3) spend more time with them and be involved in their activities;
4) take them to movies and concerts, and discuss them afterward;
5) know their friends, and listen to them, as well;
6) do not lecture or offer unsolicited advice, or ultimatums; and,
7) do not try to talk them out of their feelings; instead, ask them if they can describe their feelings.
It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, learn the above symptoms and know your teen/child. Here are some more things that you, the parent or guardian can do.
8) If a child, go to their day care periodically, and lern their routine; ask the teachers to alert you if their routine changes.
9) If a teen, go to ALL of your teen's teacher conferences to learn the patterns of the normal school day, and ask to be alerted immediately to changes.
10) For both teens and children, know their friends; see if your home can become the "gathering place"; get to know the parents of your child's or teen's friends and agree to let each other know if you see any changes in behavior.
11) In all cases, keep a diary of any changes that you see, so that you will be able to discuss the situation with great clarity and specificity with professionals, should the need arise.
12) Respond with love, kindness, and support if you think that your child/teen is experiencing problems that can lead to depression.
13) Let your child or teen know that you are there, whenever she or he needs you, and do so often and in age-specific (as Dr. Phil would say) ways.
14) Keep trying, but gently, if your teen shuts you out (depressed teenagers do not want to feel patronized or crowded).
15) Do not criticize or pass judgment, once the child or teen begins to talk (the important thing is that he or she is talking and communicating feelings). REMEMBER, NEVER CRITICIZE FEELINGS; everyone has the right to their feelings, even if you think that they are "wrong".
Let them be voiced; if inapproptiate, seek professional assistance.
16) Encourage activity and praise efforts.
17) Seek help from a doctor or mental health professional, if the teen's or child's depressed feeling doesn't pass with time (be prepared to list behaviors, note how long and how often they have been occurring, and how severe they seem - hence, the diary mentioned above).
18) Do not wait and hope that symptoms will go away on their own. Better to seek assistance and be told that your teen/child is fine than to let your teen/child become one of the 70% who never receive help.
19) When depression is severe – if teens or children are thinking about hurting themselves or about suicide – seek professional help as soon as possible.
20) Parents of depressed adolescents may themselves need support. Seek out groups of parents who have experience with teen depression
Footnote (1): What some of my friends and I did with alcohol when we had teenagers; we kept a "mark" (usually hidden so the teens couldn't see it on the bottle) that changed each time we used the bottle. In this way, we could know immediately if the teens were drinking, and could deal with the situation.
About Disabilitykey.com & Carolyn Magura:
Disabilitykey.com is a website designed to assist each person in his/her own unique quest to navigate through the difficult and often conflicting and misleading information about coping with disabilities.
Carolyn Magura, noted disability / ADA expert, has written an e-Book documenting the process that allowed her to:
a) continue to work and receive her “full salary” while on Long Term Disability; and
b) become the first person in her State to qualify for Social Security Disability the FIRST TIME, in UNDER 30 DAYS.
Click here to receive Carolyn 's easy-to-read, easy-to-follow direct guide through this difficult, trying process. If you are disabled, don't let this disabiling process disable you. Read Carolyns Disability Key Blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Magura
A while ago I did a blog about Adult depression. While doing the research on Adult depression, I learned quite a bit of information about depression in general, in addition to what I already knew because I suffer from this condition myself. What I didn't know, however, is just how prevelant this condition is in the population at large, and in children and teens in specific. One source said that depression is close to the top psychological condition in the western world (more about what this means in a later blog; it'll take a whold blog to talk about what this means).
This article will cover the following: teenager and children depression statistics; teenager and children - specific depression symptoms (for "general" symptoms, check out the Adult blog), and, what you, as the parent and/or gaurdian, can do if you recognize the symptoms in one of yours. (Remember, the following information comes from many Internet sources.)
TEENAGER AND CHILDREN DEPRESSION STATISTICS
As many as 8.3% of teenagers in the U.S. suffer from depression. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teenagers.
As many as one in every 33 children and approximately one in 8 adolescents may have depression. (Center for Mental Health Services, 1996; these data have increased over the past 9 years).
Treatment of major depression is as effective for children as it is for adults. (Dr. Graham Emslie, American Medical Association, Archives of General Psychiatry, November 15, 1997).
Twenty years ago depression in children was almost unknown. Now the fastest rate of increase in depression is among young people. (I don't know about you, but this statistic scares me the most!)
The statistics on teen depression are sobering. Studies indicate that one in five (1 in 5) children have some sort of mental, behavioral, or emotional problem, and that one in ten (1 in 10) may have a serious emotional problem.
What is even more chilling is that of all these children and teens struggling with emotional and behavioral problems, a mere 30% receive any sort of intervention or treatment. The other 70% simply struggle through the pain of mental illness or emotional turmoil, doing their best to make it to adulthood. Many theorize that this is why the suicide rate in teens is so high. Suicide is the third (3rd) leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24. Even more troubling, it is the sixth (6th) leading cause of death among children ages 5-14.
The consequences of untreated depression can be:
increased incidence of depression in adulthood;involvement in the criminal justice system;or in some cases, suicide.
WHAT ARE THE TEEN/CHILDREN DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS?
As we see above, treatment (i.e., counseling, therapy, or even medical intervention, if needed) for depression is as effective for teens/children as it is for Adults. Let me state that again; research from a variety of sources indicates that appropriate treatment for depression in a teen and/or a child is as effective as it is for Adults. So, what, as a parent or gurdian, should we look for? What are the symptoms of real depression, and not just a "bad mood"?
"Real Depression" - the type that needs immediate and appropriate attention - in teenagers and in children is defined as: when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with the teen's/child's ability to function in his/her normal daily activities. This doesn't mean that one should ignore a teen's/child's bad mood if it lasts for a few days or a few weeks. What it does mean is that, at a minimum, you, the parent/guardian must know enough about your teen's/child's normal daily activities so that you can know when there are changes. OK, what covers "normal daily activities" for a teen/child? (And, in this, we are sticking to American generic teens/children, because that's what I am most famaliar with. If anyone can add to this list, please do so.)
As you read through this list, remember that your teen/child has to have "a siginficant" number of these symptoms; they have to be ongoing, out of character; and impair the teen's/child's normal daily activities (sound familiar?)
1) Snapping at people for no apparent reason - being irritable at everyone.
2) Physically or verbally aggressive at everyone.
3) Abandoning favorite hobbies or sports or other routine, daily activities.
4) Increased passive TV watching (where the teen/child has that "thousand yard stare" and is not interacting with the programs).
5) Increased risk-taking; e.g., dangerous driving; climbing too high in a tree and jumping, breaking something; other repeated unusually dangerous activities.
6) Misuse of drugs and alcohol. Particularly teens, who use drugs and alcohol to "escape". (1)
7) Changes in school behaviors (including training courses and work settings) for teens; changes in interpersonal behaviors and activities in a pre-school setting (i.e., used to like to color and play with clay; now just sits in a corner, holding a stuffed toy and sucking a thumb).
8) Frequent absences from school; poorer grades than formerly attained; increase in skipping classes; etc. For a child, reversion in activities (i.e., used to color within the lines, now just scribbling on paper; intentionally breaking things, etc.)
9) Complains of being bored (teen); a child whose attention waivers when it didn't before. A child who, during a group reading, who used to sit and listen, now gets up and wanders around.
10) Becomes disruptive in class (both teens and children).
11) Finds it harder to stay on task. Loses concentration easily; is mentally confused. Finds decisions difficult to make. In a child this might look like the following: unable to match blocks by color when s/he could before; unable to choose between playing ball and jumping rope when the child ALWAYS choose playing ball before. You can think of your own examples, I'm sure.
12) Cannot remember commitments - doesn't keep appointments (teen). As a child, forgets to bring papers home when s/he ALWAYS used to do so; forgets home address/telephone number when s/he has known them for months/years; etc.
13) Has difficulty staying still or conversely, is lethargic (sluggish). This would apply to both a teen and a child. You can picture, in your mind, the teen or child in constant motion; twitching, shaking a foot, or both feet; handling things; etc. OR, the teen or child who sits or lays with that thousand yard stare again. AND, again, this is unusual behavior for your teen or child.
14) Changes in relationships with family and friends. Usually, this change manifests itself in hostility, or in passivity. Arguing when s/he didn't before; or, using the "whatever" answer, when s/he used to talk to you. (Again, don't single this one symptom out; it must be one of many symptoms that your teen or child has.)
15) Stops going out with friends; shows no interest in group outings.
16) Increase or decrease in sexual activity (hopefully, an OLDER TEEN).
17) May start associating with a different peer group (that "bad influence" group as a teen; the "rowdy" kids as a child).
18) Loses interest in activities which once were fun.
19) More conflicts with parents and siblings than usual.
20) Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
21) Expresses inappropriate guilt, feelings of not being good enough, worthlessness, failure. (I can see this in a teen; not sure how this would look in a child. If you can, please let us know.)
22) Expresses hopelessness and having nothing to look forward to.
23) Speaks in a monotonous or monosyllabic manner.
24) Has a preoccupation with self; is withdrawn.
25) Cries easily, looks sad, feels alone or isolated.
26) Has fears about having to be perfect.
27) Fearful of doing something bad. This, in a child, could manifest itself as bedwetting after YEARS of not bedwetting; fear of darkness or "things that go bump in the night" after YEARS of no fear, etc.
28) Incidents of self-injury. Ideas of killing self. (I have no idea of how this would look for a child, and hope never to have such an idea!)
WHAT A PARENT/GUARDIAN CAN DO
The two most important things a parent can do for your child/teen is to first, KNOW YOUR TEEN/CHILD'S ROUTINE, AND NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITIES so that you can identify any changes; and, LISTEN:
1) listen when your children talk;
2) listen to their music;
3) spend more time with them and be involved in their activities;
4) take them to movies and concerts, and discuss them afterward;
5) know their friends, and listen to them, as well;
6) do not lecture or offer unsolicited advice, or ultimatums; and,
7) do not try to talk them out of their feelings; instead, ask them if they can describe their feelings.
It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, learn the above symptoms and know your teen/child. Here are some more things that you, the parent or guardian can do.
8) If a child, go to their day care periodically, and lern their routine; ask the teachers to alert you if their routine changes.
9) If a teen, go to ALL of your teen's teacher conferences to learn the patterns of the normal school day, and ask to be alerted immediately to changes.
10) For both teens and children, know their friends; see if your home can become the "gathering place"; get to know the parents of your child's or teen's friends and agree to let each other know if you see any changes in behavior.
11) In all cases, keep a diary of any changes that you see, so that you will be able to discuss the situation with great clarity and specificity with professionals, should the need arise.
12) Respond with love, kindness, and support if you think that your child/teen is experiencing problems that can lead to depression.
13) Let your child or teen know that you are there, whenever she or he needs you, and do so often and in age-specific (as Dr. Phil would say) ways.
14) Keep trying, but gently, if your teen shuts you out (depressed teenagers do not want to feel patronized or crowded).
15) Do not criticize or pass judgment, once the child or teen begins to talk (the important thing is that he or she is talking and communicating feelings). REMEMBER, NEVER CRITICIZE FEELINGS; everyone has the right to their feelings, even if you think that they are "wrong".
Let them be voiced; if inapproptiate, seek professional assistance.
16) Encourage activity and praise efforts.
17) Seek help from a doctor or mental health professional, if the teen's or child's depressed feeling doesn't pass with time (be prepared to list behaviors, note how long and how often they have been occurring, and how severe they seem - hence, the diary mentioned above).
18) Do not wait and hope that symptoms will go away on their own. Better to seek assistance and be told that your teen/child is fine than to let your teen/child become one of the 70% who never receive help.
19) When depression is severe – if teens or children are thinking about hurting themselves or about suicide – seek professional help as soon as possible.
20) Parents of depressed adolescents may themselves need support. Seek out groups of parents who have experience with teen depression
Footnote (1): What some of my friends and I did with alcohol when we had teenagers; we kept a "mark" (usually hidden so the teens couldn't see it on the bottle) that changed each time we used the bottle. In this way, we could know immediately if the teens were drinking, and could deal with the situation.
About Disabilitykey.com & Carolyn Magura:
Disabilitykey.com is a website designed to assist each person in his/her own unique quest to navigate through the difficult and often conflicting and misleading information about coping with disabilities.
Carolyn Magura, noted disability / ADA expert, has written an e-Book documenting the process that allowed her to:
a) continue to work and receive her “full salary” while on Long Term Disability; and
b) become the first person in her State to qualify for Social Security Disability the FIRST TIME, in UNDER 30 DAYS.
Click here to receive Carolyn 's easy-to-read, easy-to-follow direct guide through this difficult, trying process. If you are disabled, don't let this disabiling process disable you. Read Carolyns Disability Key Blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Magura
Friday, February 10, 2006
10 Tips For Relieving Depression - By Wambui Bahati
1. Eat life-giving foods.
If you eat devitalized and lifeless food, it makes sense you will be devitalized and lifeless. Your body has nothing on which to draw to keep it energetic and vibrant. If you do not feel like cooking, then eat apples or other fruits or vegetables, sliced or whole. Even though you may crave sugar and junk food, these foods not only do not help in relieving depression, they make it worse. Buy and eat organic foods, if possible. It has not been determined how chemically treated and genetically altered foods affect us, so best to avoid them.
2. Know that you are not insane.
Depression is a warning sign that something is wrong. It is a symptom that something is out of balance in your body, in your environment, or both. We live in an environment filled with toxins. There are wars, inequitable laws, financial pressures, and media overload. The list is unending.
We are natural beings living in an unnatural world. This is the insanity. Our bodies, our minds, and our spirits are reacting to this insanity. Know that you are not insane. You are reacting to the insanity outside you.
3. Turn the TV off.
Take a break from media overload. Turn the TV off and do not read the newspapers. Most of what you hear on TV and read in the papers is not good news. This is not the time to read and listen to sad stories and ponder devastating events you can do nothing about.
4. Fake it till you make it.
Sometimes you need to work from the outside in. Act as if you are not depressed. How would you walk, talk or sit if you were not depressed? What would you do if you were not depressed? If Publisher's Clearing House came to your door right now with a $5 million check, would you tell them to go away because you are too depressed? Fake it till you make it. Your brain does not know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. Imagine you are not depressed.
5. Dress up.
Wear your good clothes. Do what you can to make yourself look and feel attractive.
6. Count your blessings.
When you are depressed, sad and perhaps angry, being grateful is not the first thought that comes to your mind. However, this is the perfect time to count your blessings. This is the perfect time to remember there are people who would gladly trade places with you. We have so many things to be thankful for; however, we often take them for granted. With an attitude of gratitude, depression cannot thrive.
7. Drink water.
You can survive many weeks without food, but only a few days without water. Dehydration will cause your body and your brain to shut down. Being happy and having a great attitude is impossible if your body is dehydrated. Drink plenty of water. One rule is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. That is, if you weight 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces of water. Drink filtered or spring water if possible. The tap water in many of our cities contains chemicals and, again, we cannot be sure how these chemicals are affecting us.
8. Listen to motivational tapes.
Do not leave your mind alone to do its "own thing." Obviously, your self-talk is not serving you well at this time. Therefore, this is the perfect time to listen to someone else's talk. Listen to motivational and inspirational tapes and music. Bombard your brain with uplifting thoughts from others. If you feel like reading, read uplifting and inspiring material.
9. Dance.
The body needs to move. Get that blood flowing through your body and your brain. Your brain needs a good supply of blood in order to work properly. But when you are feeling depressed, the idea of exercising is not appealing.
So, dance! Play uplifting and happy music. Play music that reminds you of happy times. Stretch out those parts of your body you are able to stretch. Move, move, move. Dance, dance, dance. Your body, your mind, and your soul will thank you.
10. Remember who you are.
You are a precious entity in this great cosmic universe. You are a representation of God. There is nothing true of the greatest among us that is not true of you. You are magnificent. Sometimes we forget how wonderful we are. Have you?
Wambui Bahati (Miss Inspiration) is a professional speaker, entertainer, and Emotional Freedom Techniques practitioner. Her fun filled, inspiring presentations draw on her diverse background and challenging adversities that she miraculously overcame. Her mission: "To remind you of your magnificence." Book Wambui for your next event at http://www.wambui.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wambui_Bahati
If you eat devitalized and lifeless food, it makes sense you will be devitalized and lifeless. Your body has nothing on which to draw to keep it energetic and vibrant. If you do not feel like cooking, then eat apples or other fruits or vegetables, sliced or whole. Even though you may crave sugar and junk food, these foods not only do not help in relieving depression, they make it worse. Buy and eat organic foods, if possible. It has not been determined how chemically treated and genetically altered foods affect us, so best to avoid them.
2. Know that you are not insane.
Depression is a warning sign that something is wrong. It is a symptom that something is out of balance in your body, in your environment, or both. We live in an environment filled with toxins. There are wars, inequitable laws, financial pressures, and media overload. The list is unending.
We are natural beings living in an unnatural world. This is the insanity. Our bodies, our minds, and our spirits are reacting to this insanity. Know that you are not insane. You are reacting to the insanity outside you.
3. Turn the TV off.
Take a break from media overload. Turn the TV off and do not read the newspapers. Most of what you hear on TV and read in the papers is not good news. This is not the time to read and listen to sad stories and ponder devastating events you can do nothing about.
4. Fake it till you make it.
Sometimes you need to work from the outside in. Act as if you are not depressed. How would you walk, talk or sit if you were not depressed? What would you do if you were not depressed? If Publisher's Clearing House came to your door right now with a $5 million check, would you tell them to go away because you are too depressed? Fake it till you make it. Your brain does not know the difference between what is real and what is imagined. Imagine you are not depressed.
5. Dress up.
Wear your good clothes. Do what you can to make yourself look and feel attractive.
6. Count your blessings.
When you are depressed, sad and perhaps angry, being grateful is not the first thought that comes to your mind. However, this is the perfect time to count your blessings. This is the perfect time to remember there are people who would gladly trade places with you. We have so many things to be thankful for; however, we often take them for granted. With an attitude of gratitude, depression cannot thrive.
7. Drink water.
You can survive many weeks without food, but only a few days without water. Dehydration will cause your body and your brain to shut down. Being happy and having a great attitude is impossible if your body is dehydrated. Drink plenty of water. One rule is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. That is, if you weight 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces of water. Drink filtered or spring water if possible. The tap water in many of our cities contains chemicals and, again, we cannot be sure how these chemicals are affecting us.
8. Listen to motivational tapes.
Do not leave your mind alone to do its "own thing." Obviously, your self-talk is not serving you well at this time. Therefore, this is the perfect time to listen to someone else's talk. Listen to motivational and inspirational tapes and music. Bombard your brain with uplifting thoughts from others. If you feel like reading, read uplifting and inspiring material.
9. Dance.
The body needs to move. Get that blood flowing through your body and your brain. Your brain needs a good supply of blood in order to work properly. But when you are feeling depressed, the idea of exercising is not appealing.
So, dance! Play uplifting and happy music. Play music that reminds you of happy times. Stretch out those parts of your body you are able to stretch. Move, move, move. Dance, dance, dance. Your body, your mind, and your soul will thank you.
10. Remember who you are.
You are a precious entity in this great cosmic universe. You are a representation of God. There is nothing true of the greatest among us that is not true of you. You are magnificent. Sometimes we forget how wonderful we are. Have you?
Wambui Bahati (Miss Inspiration) is a professional speaker, entertainer, and Emotional Freedom Techniques practitioner. Her fun filled, inspiring presentations draw on her diverse background and challenging adversities that she miraculously overcame. Her mission: "To remind you of your magnificence." Book Wambui for your next event at http://www.wambui.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wambui_Bahati
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Is This Depression? Screening Tool and Simple Ways to Feel Better - By Cynthia McKenna
“All I want to do is sleep.”“I am crying and feel sad – a lot.”“I usually enjoy playing games with the kids after work, but now I just want to be left alone.”
We all have bad days and the ups and downs of daily living can really wear us out. Sometimes, we notice that we are having more down times than up, and the feelings of sadness or hopelessness can begin to dominate our outlook.
If you used to feel good, happy, and productive and now you are sad and have trouble getting the smallest tasks finished, it is a good idea to take the time to explore the changes.
Check out this list of common symptoms:
* No energy
* Irritable
* Feeling sad or hopeless most of the time
* Feeling empty
* Crying a lot, or, feeling like you want to cry but cannot
* Not experiencing joy in life
* Trouble concentrating
* Trouble making decisions
* Decreased interest in doing things you usually enjoy
* Sleeping too much or not sleeping enough
* Eating too much or not eating enough
* Thoughts of death or suicide Note: if you are in immediate crisis, or seriously considering suicide, you should go to the nearest emergency room or phone 911 for help.
If you have several of these symptoms and feel down for more than two weeks, you might be experiencing depression.
Depression can range from normal, mild “ups and downs” to severe depression that lasts a long time. Women are more than twice as likely to experience depression as men. Maybe it is hormones or genetics, but the stress of daily living, raising a family, responsibilities at work, finances, and the expectation that we should be “super women” might also contribute to this statistic.
Depression doesn’t just affect us. When we feel lethargic and sad, our partners and children notice. This change in mood can affect our job performance as well. If you think you might have depression, consult with your doctor to see if medication is the right choice for treating your symptoms.
I often tell my clients that depression is a sneaky disorder. Depression says, “Stay in bed and you’ll feel better,” when in fact, getting up and moving can actually help your brain produce the chemicals it needs to help you feel better. Here are some ways to help you regain a sense of balance.
Get back into a routine – get out of bed in the morning, get a shower, and get dressed. Go to bed at a reasonable time so your internal clock can readjust. This sounds so simple, but depression can make it very difficult. Work every day toward returning to your own personal routine.
Eat regularly and healthfully - Often, when we are depressed, we don’t want to eat, or we only choose “comfort foods” that feel good initially, but don’t help us nutritionally. Make a choice to eat proteins, vegetables, carbohydrates, and fruits, every day. If you don’t have an appetite, decide to eat something at mealtimes, even if it is only a small amount, to help your system get back on track.
Drink plenty of water - Most of us don’t drink enough water and it helps your body function at its best. Drinks with caffeine or sweeteners are not the same as pure water.
Avoid alcohol which can make you feel more depressed.
Exercise – Gee, the last thing we want to think about when we are depressed is exercise.
However, exercise helps our brains produce chemicals that make us feel good and it gets more oxygen into our system. Check with your doctor if necessary, and start out with small goals and gradually increase your time and exertion as you get stronger.
Talk about your feelings with a therapist - It is good to have someone to talk with during rough times. Additionally, you can work together to understand events or triggers that might have contributed to the depression.
Drink plenty of water – No, this isn’t a typo – drinking water can help clear toxins from your body. I believe there is a strong connection between our emotions and how our bodies feel and function. Giving your body what it needs can help restore balance to your system.
Be gentle with yourself - Having depressive symptoms can feel scary and frustrating. You are giving yourself, your partner, and your family a gift by working to take good care of yourself.
© 2006 Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC is a therapist and life-coach who helps people transform their lives. Her goal is to help people have more joy and peace in their daily living. Cynthia works with individuals, couples, and groups in the Texas Hill Country. She also works with clients online and by phone. For more information or to make an appointment, visit Cynthia McKenna’s website http://cynthiamckennacounseling.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_McKenna
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
How to Beat the "Black Dog" of Depression and Have Better Sleep - By Wendy Owen
Almost 10% of the US population suffer from depression at any one time. Similar statistics would be expected from other developed countries.
Depression can affect our sleep in many ways. Some of us sleep longer and others find themselves waking up in the early hours of the morning, unable to go back to sleep.
Insomnia can be one of the many symptoms of depression, so it’s best to treat the depression itself and usually the sleep problems will resolve themselves.
Depression can affect not only the sufferer but also family and friends who are often at a loss as to how they can help. We should let them and not try to shoulder the burden ourselves.
We have to be careful whom we chose to confide in though as some people still have the mistaken belief that depression is a "malingerers" complaint. The last thing we need when depressed is someone telling us to, "Snap out of it" or "Pull yourself together"!
Depression is a clinical complaint and a genuine illness. Symptoms of depression can include fatigue, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, irritability and even physical symptoms such as headaches or digestive upsets.
Depression can be severe (major depression) which can completely disable the sufferer, or moderate (dysthymia) in which sufferers can function from day to day but never really feel content or happy.
Then there is bipolar disorder which is less common. Those afflicted with bipolar disorder can swing from a high (manic) state to a low (depressed) state seemingly without cause.
What causes depression? It could be several things. Depression may run in the family, or start after a chronic illness. It can also be caused by hormonal imbalance which is why so many women fall victim. A person's thinking pattern may be prone to depression, for example those with poor self esteem.
"Cures" for depression are many and some more effective than others. There is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) while sounding like something from the torture chambers of the inquisition, is an effective aid for severe depression.
Prescribed medications like lithium can be effective but can also have side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, constipation and more…
Herbal remedies are a viable option and have many less side effects while being remarkably effective and cheaper. Recommended are St John's Wort and Passiflora.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are also important. Make sure there are plenty of B vitamins in the food you eat or take a supplement. Include foods which help raise serotonin levels (Oats, milk turkey and pasta) This will have a beneficial effect on your sleep too.
Cognitive or behavioural therapy can greatly assist by changing behaviour and thought patterns that may have led to the illness.
To summarise - Share your problems with a trusted friend or paid counsellor, watch your diet, exercise regularly, take appropriate medication or enrol in behavioural therapy. Help yourself defeat the "black dog" of depression.
Copyright 2006 Wendy Owen
Want to know how to cure insomnia and achieve healthy sleep? Visit http://www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for good sleep advice and articles. Sign on for our newsletter and receive 2 books absolutely free! Wendy Owen is a health researcher and author.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Owen
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Depression - Sexual Urges Rejected - By Kacy Carr
Each and every one of us has had our fair share of ups and downs in life. Trivial little things can trigger off emotional upsets but it is how we cope with the cause behind those stressful moments that matter. Ups and downs do not last forever because after the (Down the only way is Up).
How do you compare depression against that of ups and downs is there any similarities? Yes. Ups and downs are just that, where as depression has its ups and downs in a way that it turns your whole world Upside Down.
Depression is a psychological problem and depending on how serious the symptoms medical attention maybe necessary. Clinical depression can damage your health where lack of sleep is a main factor for chronic fatigue settling in. Bouts of depression can have devastating affects on a patient trying to lead a normal life due to different mood swings which interfere with their normal daily activities. Those feelings can be of sadness/loneliness and dysphoria. The lack of concentration is a major holdback for a person suffering from depression especially when decision making is involved.
Behaviour in sufferers with depression can dramatically change causing major havoc to their daily way of thinking or doing. Common occurring mood swings can consist of uncontrollable anger outbursts or anti social emotions. Social withdrawal can lead to loneliness where living like a recluse is the only option to deal with the depression. This is not the solution.
Sexual urges that were once placed high up on your daily list of pleasurable thoughts can be reduced to a level of near non existence therefore this can cause your partner to feel rejected (Not in all cases) Medication is there for the taking, help is there for the taking, so why not take it. It may not cure but it certainly helps combat stress and anxiety. Awareness of just how serious depression can be if it reaches a certain level has to be addressed immediately. Check out how this disorder has or is still destroying lives. With the right treatment and medication you can still hold onto life.
Due to the similarity of symptoms to ups and downs and depression has led to a lot of heartache. Sadly to say life was not worth living for some whose ups and downs turned out to be depression which scaled to a height as high UP like that of a mountain and then to come DOWN to earth with a bump where they are to sleep forever.
It is our own depressed state of mind that hampers our efforts in finding the true cause and cure.
We pill pop to take away the pain, why? We turn a deaf ear to advice. Why? Instead of looking for the answer to how it all started we intend to deal with the pain that comes with depression why? Because like I said it is our own depressed state of mind that hampers our efforts in finding the true cause and cure.
Not sure if you are coming or going thats fine we all get into a state where we get flustered and do silly things but the silliest thing you could ever do is ignore the comings and goings of your ups and downs because it just maybe the start of depression so please talk to your doctor.
Advice on my health page about this disorder and more. Browse for answers or solutions on how to relieve stress/depression etc. http://www.benidormbeaches.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kacy_Carr
How do you compare depression against that of ups and downs is there any similarities? Yes. Ups and downs are just that, where as depression has its ups and downs in a way that it turns your whole world Upside Down.
Depression is a psychological problem and depending on how serious the symptoms medical attention maybe necessary. Clinical depression can damage your health where lack of sleep is a main factor for chronic fatigue settling in. Bouts of depression can have devastating affects on a patient trying to lead a normal life due to different mood swings which interfere with their normal daily activities. Those feelings can be of sadness/loneliness and dysphoria. The lack of concentration is a major holdback for a person suffering from depression especially when decision making is involved.
Behaviour in sufferers with depression can dramatically change causing major havoc to their daily way of thinking or doing. Common occurring mood swings can consist of uncontrollable anger outbursts or anti social emotions. Social withdrawal can lead to loneliness where living like a recluse is the only option to deal with the depression. This is not the solution.
Sexual urges that were once placed high up on your daily list of pleasurable thoughts can be reduced to a level of near non existence therefore this can cause your partner to feel rejected (Not in all cases) Medication is there for the taking, help is there for the taking, so why not take it. It may not cure but it certainly helps combat stress and anxiety. Awareness of just how serious depression can be if it reaches a certain level has to be addressed immediately. Check out how this disorder has or is still destroying lives. With the right treatment and medication you can still hold onto life.
Due to the similarity of symptoms to ups and downs and depression has led to a lot of heartache. Sadly to say life was not worth living for some whose ups and downs turned out to be depression which scaled to a height as high UP like that of a mountain and then to come DOWN to earth with a bump where they are to sleep forever.
It is our own depressed state of mind that hampers our efforts in finding the true cause and cure.
We pill pop to take away the pain, why? We turn a deaf ear to advice. Why? Instead of looking for the answer to how it all started we intend to deal with the pain that comes with depression why? Because like I said it is our own depressed state of mind that hampers our efforts in finding the true cause and cure.
Not sure if you are coming or going thats fine we all get into a state where we get flustered and do silly things but the silliest thing you could ever do is ignore the comings and goings of your ups and downs because it just maybe the start of depression so please talk to your doctor.
Advice on my health page about this disorder and more. Browse for answers or solutions on how to relieve stress/depression etc. http://www.benidormbeaches.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kacy_Carr
Monday, February 06, 2006
Grieving Losses - By Denise Boggs
“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning….” Ecclesiastes 7: 2-4
When you are in the process of healing you must take in to consideration the losses that have resulted. These losses must be grieved in order to be released. One example is in a parent child relationship when there has been emotional, verbal, or physical abuse there will be many things lost. Trust, respect, and good times together, just to name a few. Some losses like trust can be restored over time but the time lost can not be restored. So the loss of time spent together will need to be grieved. You can not go back and relive your life as a 10 year old again. The time you need to spend with your father is now gone and so it must be grieved. You will always be trying to find what you have lost until you grieve and release it.
The following are eight short steps that can be taken to grieve losses so the heart can be healed. These steps will need to be repeated out loud or written down several times during the healing process. You will experience the peace of the Lord as you go through this grieving and releasing process.
These eight steps are a process for grieving what you have lost. They will need to be applied to every relationship where you have been hurt. You can’t accept the fact that someone or something is gone until you face the loss and grieve it. In Ecclesiastes 7:2-4, the writer says that we actually go to a house of morning and that the sadness makes the heart better. Now is the time for healing!
1. Step one for healing is to face it.
Who hurt you? _________
Who did not hear you?_________
Who left you? __________
Who did not receive you? __________
Who refused to love you? ___________
2. Step two is to face what you lost.
Did you loose out on a good father?
Did you loose out on a good mother?
Did you loose a good friend?
Did you loose a husband?
Did you loose a wife?
Fill in the blank, I lost _________.
3. Step three is to accept that what you lost is gone. Make a list and write down all that you have lost.
I accept the fact that ____________is gone. The good times that we had together are over. Or the good times we should have had never happened.
4. Step four for healing is acknowledged to the Lord that you have been hurt and angry. Lord I have been angry at __________ for ___________. I ask you to heal me and cleanse my heart of this anger.
5. Step five is to release what you have lost. Lord, I ask for your help to be set free from this pain. Lord by myself I can not accept the losses. I ask for your help to accept what I have lost. I accept the reality that _________ is gone; and I release (person or thing).
6. Step six is to forgive the person. Lord I choose to forgive __________ for hurting me. They owe me nothing.
7. Step seven for healing. My hope is in You Lord. I know You are the one that gives life. Not the person or the things I have lost.
8. Step eight for healing is to choose life. Lord, I choose Life; help me to continue looking forward towards the life you have given me.
Denise Boggs is an author, teacher, and Director of Living Waters Ministry. She writes a daily devotional available through email The Path Called Righteousness.
For daily devotional, visit http://www.livingwatersministry.com.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denise_Boggs
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Depression: More Than Being Down in the Dumps - By David Westbrook
How common is depression?
So common that it is thought of as the common cold of mental illnesses. However, this is not to understate the severity of depression which is one of the leading indicators of suicide. By some estimates depression costs the country a staggering $43 billion dollars a year in costs resulting from medicine, hospitalization, lost work days and reduced productivity. One in six of us will experience a major depressive episode in our lives and 15 million Americans are suffering from depression at any given time.
What causes depression?
There are a great many possible causes for depression. Frequently, depression is caused by an organic (chemical) or physiological cause. Possible organic causes include food allergies, heavy metals, prescription drugs, illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Depression can also be caused by preexisting physical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies.
How do you know if you have depression?
Depression can be broken into at least two categories major depression also called unipolar depression or mild depression, which is also referred to as dysthmia.
Major depression is determined by therapists to be present when a person has five of the following symptoms: Poor appetite accompanied by weight loss, or increased appetite accompanies by weight gain; insomnia or excessive sleep; hyperactivity; loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities or decrease in sexual drive; loss of energy including feelings of fatigue; feelings of worthlessness; reduction in one’s ability to think or concentrate; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Some symptoms of mild depression can be similar to those of major depression. Therapists will diagnose a person as having mild depression if at least three of the following symptoms for at least two years: low self-esteem or lack of self-confidence; pessimism; hopelessness or despair; lack of interest in ordinary pleasures and activities; withdrawal from social activities; fatigue or lethargy; guilt or ruminating about the past; irritability or excessive anger; lessened productivity; difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
How does western medicine treat depression?
A number of drugs have been developed by western medicine for the purpose of treating depression. These drugs include tricyclic antidepressants (Amoxapine, Amitriptyline, Trazodone and Mirtazapine), polycyclic antidepressants (Imiparamine, Desipramine or Protriptyline), or most commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Fluoxetine, Nefazodone, Sertraline or Parozetine). Other drugs such as Venlafaxine which increases serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and Bupropion which increases catecholamine reuptake are also used for depression. Most drugs are prescribed to increase chemicals in the brain that are low in people who are depressed.
What are the natural remedies for depression?
Natural medicine practitioners frequently prescribe botanical medicines for depression. The best researched of the botanical medicine for treating depression is St. John’s Wort. The studies done to date have shown that St. John’s Wort is just as effective as anti-depressants for treating mild depression and that patients report greater satisfaction and fewer side effects then with anti-depressants. Ginkgo bilboa has also proven effective for treating depression in both human and animal studies. Exactly how Ginkgo bilboa works to treat depression is not known; however, the most likely reasons are that it impacts serotonin levels and that it is a powerful antioxidant.
Homeopathic medication that is frequently used for depression includes Anacardium, Arsenicum album, Aurum metallicum, Calcarea carbonica, Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla, Staphysagria, and Sulfur. The exact remedy is chosen by matching a person’s individual symptoms with the remedy.
Counseling is frequently employed in the treatment of depression. Of the counseling techniques available, one of the most useful for treating depression is Cognitive therapy. In this type of counseling the counselor works with the patient to restructure the thought patterns of the individual. Important in treating depression are how the person thinks about such issues as failure, mistakes, and personal deficiencies.
Other natural therapies may treat hormonal imbalances including hypothyroidism, and adrenal functions. Treating these and other hormonal imbalances can clear up depression. More information on these conditions can be found on other pages of this site.
Can you prevent depression?
Self-care is highly important in warding off and preventing reoccurrence of depression.
Important factors include diet, lifestyle and nutritional supplements.
Lifestyle changes may be in order.
People suffering from depression should decrease, or better yet discontinue, alcohol consumption as alcohol is a depressant drug. They should begin or increase exercise to increase levels of endorphins. And, they may want to discontinue or reduce intake of caffeine.
Diet changes should include an increase in fruits, vegetables, grains and raw nuts and seeds all of which are fiber-rich. Avoid any foods which are triggering allergies.
Some supplements to consider include folic acid and vitamin B12 (800 mg /day each) which are frequently deficient in people with depression; vitamin B6 (50 - 100 mg / day) which is essential for the brain to make serotonin, and omega-3 oils which are important in the composition of nerve cell membranes.
Natural medicine offers many ways to deal with the possible underlying organic and physiological conditions of depression. Consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended as they can assess your condition and create an individualized treatment plan.
David Westbrook writes for such fine websites as http://www.healthcraz.com and http://www.automedicine.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Westbrook
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Over Compulsive Disorder - OCD I Cry Alone - By Kacy Carr
To gain control of our actions first we need to face up to the OCD and believe in ourselves that we can fight this fight single handed if need be. I say single handed purely because this battle is one sided (between you and you).
Medication is readily available to combat and ease the symptoms but for results you have to work hand in hand with prescribed medicines and listen to medical advisors. This has proven to be successful for many of our fellow sufferers of over compulsive disorder(OCD)
Patients in desperation who take a stand and decide enough is enough, go on to topple this illness thus claiming contentment after liberation. The cure is out there whether you opt to take it is another matter, freedom beats being a prisoner inside of your own thoughts where mind over matter, matters. All patients differ where in some cases symptoms are more severe than that of others. There is no need to try and beat this alone, yes I did mention this was between you and you, but where is the harm in having a little support behind you.
The cause behind many a sufferer's OCD remains a mystery, regardless of not knowing why and how it all started the sufferer continues to carry on with their repetitive compulsions in return for peace of mind. A combination of factors have been addressed which could probably be the cause, it has not been ruled out that in some cases it is hereditary. More prone to OCD are people who are susceptible to stress. Perfectionists also come under threat from developing this disorder.
In America approx one in 50 adults currently suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) double that number for the amount of people who in the past at some point been gripped by this self destroying illness.
2% of the population have been recognised as sufferers of OCD but just who really are the true sufferers. Family, friends, children even strangers are affected. Any one in general who proves to be a threat where an OCD patient is interrupted or prevented from performing his/her repetitive rituals in the home or out on the street is not welcomed with open arms. Figure in numbers for all infected and affected by OCD, is now a population over populated with an epidemic.
I still fight this battle alone but as I stated earlier the success rate in curing an over compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferer is quite high but it is a time thing so don't expect miracles overnight. I am going to be honest with all who are reading this article. I found coping with my OCD over the years easier than trying to fight it where it caused a lot of heartache and pain. I hasten to add most importantly at this point we all differ greatly. What works for one may not work for the other.
Symptoms of OCD to an outsider can be looked on as quite hilarious, but then you have the fellow sufferer with understanding on obsessive compulsive disorder who can relate to why a victim's tears just keep on flowing. Please consult a doctor if you or someone close may have developed any signs of this disorder.
A little advice, if you choose to ignore this warning then I know I cry not alone.
Any Concerns on OCD then take time to browse my health page at http://www.benidormbeaches.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kacy_Carr
Friday, February 03, 2006
3 Ways To Ease Depression Isolation - By Chris Green
One of the hardest symptoms to deal with during a depressive episode is feeling disconnected from reality. This feeling causes sufferers to retreat further and further into their own world. They become isolated from their loved ones and friends and the loneliness deepens the depression.
Here’s three ways to stop isolation from making depression worse.
1. Have at least one person you can turn to and have regular contact with 3-4 times a week. Someone you can call when you need to talk, someone who can be with you just watching TV or going to a movie. You don’t have talk about how you feel if you don’t want to and be clear that you don’t want to be questioned about your feelings. Hopefully, they’ll understand this and will be there for you when you need them.
2. There will be times when you just want to shut out the world and have your own space. Many sufferers just want to be alone in a quiet room such as their bedroom. There’s nothing wrong with this at all. But try not to make it a daily or regular habit. Schedule this once, maybe twice a week at most and be strict with it. It’s about a balance. Yes, shut the world out for a day or two each week. For the rest of the week, be around people, especially the special person we discussed in the first paragraph.
3. When you do shut the world out, do it in a way that helps you rather than hurts you. So, instead of retiring to a dark room and lying in bed to brood about your problems, try these: Mind puzzles – logic problems, crosswords, spatial puzzles etc. – jigsaw puzzles, draw or paint, play a musical instrument, write stories, watch TV or a movie, or read a book or a magazine and listen to some music. With a book and music, avoid anything too heavy or deep. Keep it nice and light. In this way, isolation doesn’t become a period of deep introspection where you worry or fret about problems or go over the past or beat up on yourself. You get the peace and tranquillity but not the torment that can accompany it during a depressive episode.
If you feel isolated and that life seems like a “virtual reality”, then please put these techniques to use. Isolation is a part of depression and the key to lessening the impact is to understand how it happens and use it so it helps you beat depression instead of keeping you trapped in it.
Copyright 2006 Christopher Green
Chris Green is the author of “Conquering Stress”, a special program which will show you how to conquer stress, depression and anxiety without taking powerful drugs. For a free e-course please click here => http://www.conqueringstress.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Green
Here’s three ways to stop isolation from making depression worse.
1. Have at least one person you can turn to and have regular contact with 3-4 times a week. Someone you can call when you need to talk, someone who can be with you just watching TV or going to a movie. You don’t have talk about how you feel if you don’t want to and be clear that you don’t want to be questioned about your feelings. Hopefully, they’ll understand this and will be there for you when you need them.
2. There will be times when you just want to shut out the world and have your own space. Many sufferers just want to be alone in a quiet room such as their bedroom. There’s nothing wrong with this at all. But try not to make it a daily or regular habit. Schedule this once, maybe twice a week at most and be strict with it. It’s about a balance. Yes, shut the world out for a day or two each week. For the rest of the week, be around people, especially the special person we discussed in the first paragraph.
3. When you do shut the world out, do it in a way that helps you rather than hurts you. So, instead of retiring to a dark room and lying in bed to brood about your problems, try these: Mind puzzles – logic problems, crosswords, spatial puzzles etc. – jigsaw puzzles, draw or paint, play a musical instrument, write stories, watch TV or a movie, or read a book or a magazine and listen to some music. With a book and music, avoid anything too heavy or deep. Keep it nice and light. In this way, isolation doesn’t become a period of deep introspection where you worry or fret about problems or go over the past or beat up on yourself. You get the peace and tranquillity but not the torment that can accompany it during a depressive episode.
If you feel isolated and that life seems like a “virtual reality”, then please put these techniques to use. Isolation is a part of depression and the key to lessening the impact is to understand how it happens and use it so it helps you beat depression instead of keeping you trapped in it.
Copyright 2006 Christopher Green
Chris Green is the author of “Conquering Stress”, a special program which will show you how to conquer stress, depression and anxiety without taking powerful drugs. For a free e-course please click here => http://www.conqueringstress.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Green
Thursday, February 02, 2006
'I'm So Sad' -- Psychotherapist Jane Firbank Answers Problem Letters - By Jane Firbank
Dear Jane,
I have felt very unhappy for months. There are times when my spirits lift but only briefly. I tend to worry a lot and feel stressed and cannot see any joy in life. I am 30 years old, a female and a lecturer.
I have a lot on my plate work-wise. Yet I have few fixed working hours and some of my work can be done at home or at the library. I am involved in several tasks as well as having written a thesis and waiting for feedback.
I had a bad experience when I left my previous job eight months ago as I couldn't give them notice. Physically I feel run down and long for free time; yet when I give myself time off I feel bored and unhappy.
I had a bout of pneumonia two years ago and tend to think about the possibility of a recurrence. I’m also worrying about doing too much work and missing out on life -- but then I worry about not doing enough!
I am not married and have no-one in my life. I have creative tendencies but they are not made use of in my work at the moment.
M.
Dear M,
Your letter gives a clear insight into the origins of depression. It's all there!
Trauma. That bout of pneumonia. That bad experience when you left your last job.
Stress and suspense. Waiting for feedback on your thesis. A lot of work, unstructured so you can never feel quite sure that you've finished for the day.
Lack of flow. You are not using your creative tendencies. Your work is not bringing you joyful challenge and achievement. Your talents and skills are not being satisfyingly expressed
Lack of people in your life. We all need friends and intimacy, the feeling of being loved and needed.
Worry, worry and worry.
On top of this you may be physically in poor shape. Not enough good quality food, fresh air and exercise.
Every improvement you make, however small, in any of these areas towards the direction of life and fulfilment will make you feel better. A priority is to reduce the amount of time worrying.
Pointless worry is corrosive.
(When your brain goes over and over a problem that it can't sort out, the issue is recycled again in your dreams. The purpose of dreams is to resolve problems but these worries are not the sort of thing which are easily resolved. So you will be dreaming too much, and when you dream too much you wake up in the morning feeling as if you have left your headlights on all night.
Dreaming is the most tiring thing your brain can do. Up to a couple of hours is normal - indeed essential. But when you're depressed you may dream for up to six hours - which is devastating. You wake with no energy to feel pleasure, interest, curiosity, excitement, motivation and get up and go.)
Worry also causes chronic low-grade stress. So not only is your sleep not refreshing, but many of your body systems are affected by stress hormones. No wonder you worry in case you're at risk of another bout of pneumonia - because you will not feel completely healthy and you will have some strange physical sensations and aches and pains.
Your mental functioning is also affected by worry, stress, and over-dreaming. You will find that your ability to plan and make decisions, concentrate and remember things are all below par.
Your mind does not seem to be working clearly. Instead of seeing things in perspective, you will find you have a tendency to see them in black or white - ’Everything is awful.’ ‘I am a complete failure.’ ‘Nothing will ever get better.’ ‘It is all my fault.’ Such illogical, over-the-top thoughts result from depression, and of course because they make everything seem so hopeless, they make you even more depressed.
The worry half hour
The way forward is by keeping your worry under control. Set aside a 'worry half hour'.
Whenever worries come into your mind, you acknowledge them and say to yourself 'I'll think about this at 6 o'clock' or whenever. This works better than trying to dismiss or fight against the worries. Work out what you're afraid of and what is the worst that could happen and what you could do about it. Imagine you're advising a friend, and treat yourself with the same realism and calm common sense you would use to help someone else.
Dealing with trauma
Depression always imroves when traumas are lifted. I use the powerful Fast Trauma Cure developed by the Human Givens counselling approach. In just one session, people can feel so much lighter and clearer. Otherwise look for an EMDR (NLP) practitioner. EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique, may also help ... and has the advantage that you can do it for yourself.
Trauma and worry are two components of depression. Having unmet needs is the third. There are gaping holes in your life which need filling. People. And an outlet for your creativity. Start with finding interest groups, people you could have a cup of coffee with. Start by using your creativity on your environment, so that it's pleasant and expresses your personality. Such things are not trivial. They are the building blocks of a good life.
Lastly exercise improves people's mental outlook - even a brisk walk is a lot better than sitting on the couch worrying. And be sure to get good quality fresh food, and take two Omega 3 fatty acid capsules daily with a multi-mineral pill to insure basic physical health to support a better frame of mind.
Good luck.
Jane
Jane Firbank's site, http://www.secretsofchange.com, has over 100 fascinating and helpful problem letter replies, plus scores of articles and book reviews.
Jane Firbank is a psychotherapist working from the new Human Givens approach to counselling. This unites cutting-edge psychological and brain research with the new insights of evolutionary psychology and the ancient insights of the traditional healing and spiritual disciplines. The Human Givens approach is powerfully and rapidly effective in helping people move on from depression, stress and anxiety, obsession, psychosis, relationship problems and addiction. Phobias, traumas and Post Traumatic Stress can often be removed in one or two sessions using the latest knowledge of how the brain works.
Jane Firbank, BSc (Psych), HG Dip. GHR, is in private practice in London, England where she also regularly writes and consults on psychological matters for the Press, TV and radio.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Firbank
I have felt very unhappy for months. There are times when my spirits lift but only briefly. I tend to worry a lot and feel stressed and cannot see any joy in life. I am 30 years old, a female and a lecturer.
I have a lot on my plate work-wise. Yet I have few fixed working hours and some of my work can be done at home or at the library. I am involved in several tasks as well as having written a thesis and waiting for feedback.
I had a bad experience when I left my previous job eight months ago as I couldn't give them notice. Physically I feel run down and long for free time; yet when I give myself time off I feel bored and unhappy.
I had a bout of pneumonia two years ago and tend to think about the possibility of a recurrence. I’m also worrying about doing too much work and missing out on life -- but then I worry about not doing enough!
I am not married and have no-one in my life. I have creative tendencies but they are not made use of in my work at the moment.
M.
Dear M,
Your letter gives a clear insight into the origins of depression. It's all there!
Trauma. That bout of pneumonia. That bad experience when you left your last job.
Stress and suspense. Waiting for feedback on your thesis. A lot of work, unstructured so you can never feel quite sure that you've finished for the day.
Lack of flow. You are not using your creative tendencies. Your work is not bringing you joyful challenge and achievement. Your talents and skills are not being satisfyingly expressed
Lack of people in your life. We all need friends and intimacy, the feeling of being loved and needed.
Worry, worry and worry.
On top of this you may be physically in poor shape. Not enough good quality food, fresh air and exercise.
Every improvement you make, however small, in any of these areas towards the direction of life and fulfilment will make you feel better. A priority is to reduce the amount of time worrying.
Pointless worry is corrosive.
(When your brain goes over and over a problem that it can't sort out, the issue is recycled again in your dreams. The purpose of dreams is to resolve problems but these worries are not the sort of thing which are easily resolved. So you will be dreaming too much, and when you dream too much you wake up in the morning feeling as if you have left your headlights on all night.
Dreaming is the most tiring thing your brain can do. Up to a couple of hours is normal - indeed essential. But when you're depressed you may dream for up to six hours - which is devastating. You wake with no energy to feel pleasure, interest, curiosity, excitement, motivation and get up and go.)
Worry also causes chronic low-grade stress. So not only is your sleep not refreshing, but many of your body systems are affected by stress hormones. No wonder you worry in case you're at risk of another bout of pneumonia - because you will not feel completely healthy and you will have some strange physical sensations and aches and pains.
Your mental functioning is also affected by worry, stress, and over-dreaming. You will find that your ability to plan and make decisions, concentrate and remember things are all below par.
Your mind does not seem to be working clearly. Instead of seeing things in perspective, you will find you have a tendency to see them in black or white - ’Everything is awful.’ ‘I am a complete failure.’ ‘Nothing will ever get better.’ ‘It is all my fault.’ Such illogical, over-the-top thoughts result from depression, and of course because they make everything seem so hopeless, they make you even more depressed.
The worry half hour
The way forward is by keeping your worry under control. Set aside a 'worry half hour'.
Whenever worries come into your mind, you acknowledge them and say to yourself 'I'll think about this at 6 o'clock' or whenever. This works better than trying to dismiss or fight against the worries. Work out what you're afraid of and what is the worst that could happen and what you could do about it. Imagine you're advising a friend, and treat yourself with the same realism and calm common sense you would use to help someone else.
Dealing with trauma
Depression always imroves when traumas are lifted. I use the powerful Fast Trauma Cure developed by the Human Givens counselling approach. In just one session, people can feel so much lighter and clearer. Otherwise look for an EMDR (NLP) practitioner. EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique, may also help ... and has the advantage that you can do it for yourself.
Trauma and worry are two components of depression. Having unmet needs is the third. There are gaping holes in your life which need filling. People. And an outlet for your creativity. Start with finding interest groups, people you could have a cup of coffee with. Start by using your creativity on your environment, so that it's pleasant and expresses your personality. Such things are not trivial. They are the building blocks of a good life.
Lastly exercise improves people's mental outlook - even a brisk walk is a lot better than sitting on the couch worrying. And be sure to get good quality fresh food, and take two Omega 3 fatty acid capsules daily with a multi-mineral pill to insure basic physical health to support a better frame of mind.
Good luck.
Jane
Jane Firbank's site, http://www.secretsofchange.com, has over 100 fascinating and helpful problem letter replies, plus scores of articles and book reviews.
Jane Firbank is a psychotherapist working from the new Human Givens approach to counselling. This unites cutting-edge psychological and brain research with the new insights of evolutionary psychology and the ancient insights of the traditional healing and spiritual disciplines. The Human Givens approach is powerfully and rapidly effective in helping people move on from depression, stress and anxiety, obsession, psychosis, relationship problems and addiction. Phobias, traumas and Post Traumatic Stress can often be removed in one or two sessions using the latest knowledge of how the brain works.
Jane Firbank, BSc (Psych), HG Dip. GHR, is in private practice in London, England where she also regularly writes and consults on psychological matters for the Press, TV and radio.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Firbank
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Depression And Suicide - By: Dr. Isaac Schumann
Eighteen year old Catherine had everything: the most supportive family, a loving boyfriend, awesome set of friends and a comfortable life. But all of these things took a backseat when she was diagnosed with depression. From the bubbly chatterbox that she was, she morphed into a melancholic girl who had nothing in mind but to kill herself. "There is nothing left to live for. I'm worthless and hopeless." That statement ran in her head over and over again. She wanted to jump off the bridge or drink formaldehyde on a whim.
She was suicidal.
It took a lot of trips to the doctor and support from her family and friends before Catherine bounced back to normalcy. Now, the melancholia and suicidal thoughts are gone. She has just finished college and is about to start her dream job.
Suicide is defined as the act of killing oneself intentionally. It stems from severe depression, an illness that intervenes with the mental, physical and emotional aspect of a person.
The majority of depressed people do not actually die from suicide. But depression does trigger a higher suicidal risk. New data has reported that two percent of depressed people who have received treatment for depression in an outpatient scenario might die by suicide. Four percent of those who were treated in an inpatient hospital setting might also die by the same method.
Those who have suicidal attempts before are also likely to die by suicide later on. Another research shows that 7 percent of men with a history of depression will eventually kill themselves whereas only 1 percent of women with history of depression will do.
Those who have had mood disorders commit suicide. The clinically depressed younger ones often turn to substance abuse to kill themselves.
The most common method of suicide is by the use of firearms, as it makes up the 60 percent of suicides. From a study of the National Institute of Mental Health, about 80 percent of white males commit suicide by shooting themselves. This pushes the resolve that a firearm must be removed from the home if a family member is discovered to be at risk for suicide.
The next most common method for men is hanging where as drug overdose or self-poisoning is the second most common suicidal method for the women.
Other than depression, there are other risk factors for suicide:
1. Impulsivity. There are people out who do things on a whim. If one has a gun in hand, he might shoot himself out of an impulse.
2. Traumatic life events. A death of a loved one, financial rut or other adversity might compel a person to kill him or herself.
3. History of suicide in the family. There is such a thing as "suicide contagion" in which a person is exposed to suicides and suicidal attempts often. This can become a risk factor for killing onself.
4. Family violence If one is physically or sexually abused, he or she might turn to suicide to end the ordeal.
5. Suicide attempt before He has done it before, why not do it again?
6. Alcohol and drug abuse An alcoholic or drug addict will reach a point when he will have no qualms on killing himself.
Depression is a problem that has to be uprooted to keep suicidal thoughts at bay. If a person is suicidal, it is a must that he receives professional treatment. Usually, those who are thinking of killing themselves do not know they need help.
Preventing suicide is no easy feat, either. It is in this light that a broad and extensive suicide prevention program must be established. These programs must zero in on the treatment of depression and drug abuse. Before being launched to the public, they must be scientifically assessed and tested first for effectiveness and safety. They must also be extensive and complex enough so that the effects will last a long time and eventually banish all suicidal thoughts. They must also be carried out according to the age, culture and gender of the suicidal patients.
Depression and suicide do go together, but if one works hard to combat depression thoughts of suicide will be banished.
About the Author:
Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time of experience in the mental health field http://www.depressionhelpguides.com
Source: www.isnare.com
She was suicidal.
It took a lot of trips to the doctor and support from her family and friends before Catherine bounced back to normalcy. Now, the melancholia and suicidal thoughts are gone. She has just finished college and is about to start her dream job.
Suicide is defined as the act of killing oneself intentionally. It stems from severe depression, an illness that intervenes with the mental, physical and emotional aspect of a person.
The majority of depressed people do not actually die from suicide. But depression does trigger a higher suicidal risk. New data has reported that two percent of depressed people who have received treatment for depression in an outpatient scenario might die by suicide. Four percent of those who were treated in an inpatient hospital setting might also die by the same method.
Those who have suicidal attempts before are also likely to die by suicide later on. Another research shows that 7 percent of men with a history of depression will eventually kill themselves whereas only 1 percent of women with history of depression will do.
Those who have had mood disorders commit suicide. The clinically depressed younger ones often turn to substance abuse to kill themselves.
The most common method of suicide is by the use of firearms, as it makes up the 60 percent of suicides. From a study of the National Institute of Mental Health, about 80 percent of white males commit suicide by shooting themselves. This pushes the resolve that a firearm must be removed from the home if a family member is discovered to be at risk for suicide.
The next most common method for men is hanging where as drug overdose or self-poisoning is the second most common suicidal method for the women.
Other than depression, there are other risk factors for suicide:
1. Impulsivity. There are people out who do things on a whim. If one has a gun in hand, he might shoot himself out of an impulse.
2. Traumatic life events. A death of a loved one, financial rut or other adversity might compel a person to kill him or herself.
3. History of suicide in the family. There is such a thing as "suicide contagion" in which a person is exposed to suicides and suicidal attempts often. This can become a risk factor for killing onself.
4. Family violence If one is physically or sexually abused, he or she might turn to suicide to end the ordeal.
5. Suicide attempt before He has done it before, why not do it again?
6. Alcohol and drug abuse An alcoholic or drug addict will reach a point when he will have no qualms on killing himself.
Depression is a problem that has to be uprooted to keep suicidal thoughts at bay. If a person is suicidal, it is a must that he receives professional treatment. Usually, those who are thinking of killing themselves do not know they need help.
Preventing suicide is no easy feat, either. It is in this light that a broad and extensive suicide prevention program must be established. These programs must zero in on the treatment of depression and drug abuse. Before being launched to the public, they must be scientifically assessed and tested first for effectiveness and safety. They must also be extensive and complex enough so that the effects will last a long time and eventually banish all suicidal thoughts. They must also be carried out according to the age, culture and gender of the suicidal patients.
Depression and suicide do go together, but if one works hard to combat depression thoughts of suicide will be banished.
About the Author:
Dr. Isaac Schumann brings to you a life time of experience in the mental health field http://www.depressionhelpguides.com
Source: www.isnare.com
Monday, January 30, 2006
Dear Suicidal - By Ed Howes
May you daily increase in wisdom, love, gratitude, reverence, healing, peace, joy, happiness, laughter and prosperity. If no one else seems to want these things for you, I do. Please accept them with an open mind and heart. All of your pain has a single source. That source is ignorance, or not knowing. If you knew, deep in your heart, as well as in your head, the great secret that few people ever know; you would never again feel the pain you have been feeling.
The secret is two fold. Who you are and why you are. You can hardly know who you think you are is a creation of others, fastened upon you since birth. All your life, others have defined you by their words and actions. They have convinced you that you are somebody very different than who you are. You have every right to be confused. You sense you are someone else but you can't find that person or see her or him clearly. You can solve this problem.
The tools you need to find yourself are mocked by those who also believe they are someone they are not. This riddle is passed from one generation to another through all history. Here is your key: Obtain your astrological natal chart from an astrologer. You will have to supply the astrologer with your date, time and place of birth. Ask someone who should know, or seek out hospital records. If you cannot find your time or place of birth, a fair natal or birth chart can still be constructed.
Next, seek out a numerologist or get a book or two on the subject. When you have examined your personal astrology and numerology, you will see the truth of my words. You will find the person you suspected was you, your strengths and weaknesses. You might also discover many reasons why you have been mistaken for somebody else. You will no longer feel like a lost soul.
You will also begin to see that all things in life are cyclical. That is, no situation remains indefinitely and change is the way of all life. You will see that certain experiences will repeat throughout your lifetime. As you change the way you see them, the effects will be very different and much less painful. You will see how patience is always rewarded and forcing is always punished. You will see new options for your life. You may be inspired to use these tools to better know people close to you, instead of defining them through your pain. This is your opportunity to be free of the pain that has denied you so much happiness. You can handle this. You will be lightening an unbearable load until there is no longer any load at all. It is a rapid process, quite the opposite of accumulating pain.
Now that you know who you are, you are ready to learn why you are. This is detective work. You have clues to follow up. You have experience. You have had moments of utter joy. What were the things that created this joy? Perhaps you cannot recall any joyful thing in your life. Look for the moments of relative happiness. What was the cause of it? Astrology and numerology will provide more clues, explaining what kind of things suit you and what kind of activities are likely to provide you with satisfaction.
You may think you came into this world with nothing. Others may have told you so. You did not come with nothing. You came with gifts to give or share with the rest of us, as we have gifts to share with you, if you would only look for and accept them. The joy you have been missing is the giving, receiving and sharing of these gifts. All givers are unique and one of a kind. Their gifts are likewise unique.
No two people receive gifts the same way either. To test this, give the exact same gift to a dozen different people and carefully observe its effect on them. This is the universal purpose for every person who ever lived. Giving and receiving. To only give or to only receive is to rob ourselves and others of joy and happiness. Who can receive when no one gives? Who can give when no one accepts?
Years of accumulated pain become an addiction. Pain we never wanted in the first place becomes an old friend. When things go well for us, we miss this old friend. We feel uncomfortable that something is missing. We can no longer respond to pleasure or enjoy it. We don't quite understand that we are doing this by free choice. We focus on external influence and deny ourselves the very freedom of choice.
We fail to meet the expectations of others and don't know what we should expect of ourselves, simply because we don't know who or why we are. When we do know these things, the expectations of others lose all importance and we become very reasonable about what we expect of ourselves. All the pressure is then removed. With the pressure off, we see everything more clearly, as though a mental, emotional and spiritual fog has lifted from our lives.
Lift your eyes to heaven and give thanks for the pain you have known. This will be the standard against which to measure your pleasure, joy and happiness, once you have found who and why you are. Some religions deny reincarnation. Some support it. No matter what we personally believe, the wisest assumption is that reincarnation is the case. That you can earn a better or worse life in this one. Numerology will tell you about the lesson you are now here to learn. If you short circuit this learning process, you will be forced to repeat it as you might a grade in school.
When you take matters into your own hands in the hope of escaping your pain, instead of learning from it, your circumstances in the next life may be far worse than this one, with twice the pain and twice the struggle. Who would want that?
We are made to think that the beliefs of others belong to us. We defend these beliefs as though they were our very own and hard won. In most cases they were planted in our subconscious by mere suggestion, as a hypnotist might do. Accept them or reject them. It is foolish to fight for or against them. We struggle when we need to simply relax.
We can believe whatever we choose, no matter what others say, which is often NOT what they really believe. Because we can choose whatever we want to believe, we can believe things that cause us pain. We can just as easily believe things that give us pleasure. The natural person seeks pleasure. The confused person chooses pain. If we can only care enough about the world around us and how we fit, we can end all confusion and totally transform a life that only seems to have so little value. Think of yourself as the caterpillar who cannot know a great transformation is in the works.
A small book that can be read in a few hours, teaches anyone how to tap into and direct the power that transforms caterpillars into butterflies, at will. It is titled the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. It was written by Deepak Chopra. Once you have learned who and why you are, this book will show you how to be and do what you choose and what you must. It will show you how to find true happiness. The world would be a far better place if everyone read this book in school. The more we read it and follow its advice, the more peace and happiness we find within us. Drop me a line when you emerge from your cocoon.
Ed Howes sought and found, knocked and entered. Now he sees things differently. To see more of what he sees, please visit http://www.justanotherview.com or do an author search here at Ezine Articles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Howes
The secret is two fold. Who you are and why you are. You can hardly know who you think you are is a creation of others, fastened upon you since birth. All your life, others have defined you by their words and actions. They have convinced you that you are somebody very different than who you are. You have every right to be confused. You sense you are someone else but you can't find that person or see her or him clearly. You can solve this problem.
The tools you need to find yourself are mocked by those who also believe they are someone they are not. This riddle is passed from one generation to another through all history. Here is your key: Obtain your astrological natal chart from an astrologer. You will have to supply the astrologer with your date, time and place of birth. Ask someone who should know, or seek out hospital records. If you cannot find your time or place of birth, a fair natal or birth chart can still be constructed.
Next, seek out a numerologist or get a book or two on the subject. When you have examined your personal astrology and numerology, you will see the truth of my words. You will find the person you suspected was you, your strengths and weaknesses. You might also discover many reasons why you have been mistaken for somebody else. You will no longer feel like a lost soul.
You will also begin to see that all things in life are cyclical. That is, no situation remains indefinitely and change is the way of all life. You will see that certain experiences will repeat throughout your lifetime. As you change the way you see them, the effects will be very different and much less painful. You will see how patience is always rewarded and forcing is always punished. You will see new options for your life. You may be inspired to use these tools to better know people close to you, instead of defining them through your pain. This is your opportunity to be free of the pain that has denied you so much happiness. You can handle this. You will be lightening an unbearable load until there is no longer any load at all. It is a rapid process, quite the opposite of accumulating pain.
Now that you know who you are, you are ready to learn why you are. This is detective work. You have clues to follow up. You have experience. You have had moments of utter joy. What were the things that created this joy? Perhaps you cannot recall any joyful thing in your life. Look for the moments of relative happiness. What was the cause of it? Astrology and numerology will provide more clues, explaining what kind of things suit you and what kind of activities are likely to provide you with satisfaction.
You may think you came into this world with nothing. Others may have told you so. You did not come with nothing. You came with gifts to give or share with the rest of us, as we have gifts to share with you, if you would only look for and accept them. The joy you have been missing is the giving, receiving and sharing of these gifts. All givers are unique and one of a kind. Their gifts are likewise unique.
No two people receive gifts the same way either. To test this, give the exact same gift to a dozen different people and carefully observe its effect on them. This is the universal purpose for every person who ever lived. Giving and receiving. To only give or to only receive is to rob ourselves and others of joy and happiness. Who can receive when no one gives? Who can give when no one accepts?
Years of accumulated pain become an addiction. Pain we never wanted in the first place becomes an old friend. When things go well for us, we miss this old friend. We feel uncomfortable that something is missing. We can no longer respond to pleasure or enjoy it. We don't quite understand that we are doing this by free choice. We focus on external influence and deny ourselves the very freedom of choice.
We fail to meet the expectations of others and don't know what we should expect of ourselves, simply because we don't know who or why we are. When we do know these things, the expectations of others lose all importance and we become very reasonable about what we expect of ourselves. All the pressure is then removed. With the pressure off, we see everything more clearly, as though a mental, emotional and spiritual fog has lifted from our lives.
Lift your eyes to heaven and give thanks for the pain you have known. This will be the standard against which to measure your pleasure, joy and happiness, once you have found who and why you are. Some religions deny reincarnation. Some support it. No matter what we personally believe, the wisest assumption is that reincarnation is the case. That you can earn a better or worse life in this one. Numerology will tell you about the lesson you are now here to learn. If you short circuit this learning process, you will be forced to repeat it as you might a grade in school.
When you take matters into your own hands in the hope of escaping your pain, instead of learning from it, your circumstances in the next life may be far worse than this one, with twice the pain and twice the struggle. Who would want that?
We are made to think that the beliefs of others belong to us. We defend these beliefs as though they were our very own and hard won. In most cases they were planted in our subconscious by mere suggestion, as a hypnotist might do. Accept them or reject them. It is foolish to fight for or against them. We struggle when we need to simply relax.
We can believe whatever we choose, no matter what others say, which is often NOT what they really believe. Because we can choose whatever we want to believe, we can believe things that cause us pain. We can just as easily believe things that give us pleasure. The natural person seeks pleasure. The confused person chooses pain. If we can only care enough about the world around us and how we fit, we can end all confusion and totally transform a life that only seems to have so little value. Think of yourself as the caterpillar who cannot know a great transformation is in the works.
A small book that can be read in a few hours, teaches anyone how to tap into and direct the power that transforms caterpillars into butterflies, at will. It is titled the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. It was written by Deepak Chopra. Once you have learned who and why you are, this book will show you how to be and do what you choose and what you must. It will show you how to find true happiness. The world would be a far better place if everyone read this book in school. The more we read it and follow its advice, the more peace and happiness we find within us. Drop me a line when you emerge from your cocoon.
Ed Howes sought and found, knocked and entered. Now he sees things differently. To see more of what he sees, please visit http://www.justanotherview.com or do an author search here at Ezine Articles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Howes
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Practical Spirituality—Healing Depression I - By John Gilmore
In our last article we gave instruction on how to deal with anger. The same techniques can be applied to grief, anxiety, and any root emotion associated with stress. The techniques should work with you whether you have an explosive type of anger, or if you are one of those people who just hold anger in, and allow it to slowly wear away at your stomach, liver, heart and other parts of your body. Through much research Aryuvedic practitioners have discovered, and have reported, that a large percent of illness is caused by stress.
Internalized anger, or anger turned inward, is a source of stress that is very much related to depression.
Many people in the world today, especially in the west, suffer a great deal from depression—especially those who have traditionally not been allowed to express their anger openly. It is not surprising that another name for depression is learned helplessness. An example of learned helplessness can be understood through an experiment done a long time ago with a dog. The dog was put into a big box with a metal grate on the floor and a partition in the middle. Scientists would push a button and send an electric current through the grate. Each time the dog would jump over to the other side.
After doing this several times the scientists decided to tie the dog down so he couldn’t jump, and see what happened. They hit the button several times. He whimpered and hollered trying to escape. Eventually he just laid there, stopped struggling, and took the pain. When they released him they hit the button again expecting him to jump over the partition. To their surprise he just stood there and took the pain until they let go of the button each time. He never jumped again. They also noticed that the dog became very depressed.
The dog had accepted that he couldn’t do anything about his circumstances except bear the pain. He was depressed because he had learned that he was helpless and had accepted it. What was the difference between the pre-depressed dog and the post- depressed dog? One fought and struggled to be free each time, and for a moment, after he jumped the barrier he was free. The other one had accepted that he was helpless and from that moment on, during the shock or not during it, he was tied down. The same thing happens with many people in our society. They learn to be helpless and become depressed.
When horrible circumstances happen in people’s lives, they often hold on and struggle to live joyful lives until the circumstance pass. After the circumstance they usually, slowly rebound from the sadness or fear that comes with their loss. They expand their awareness of self, and realize that they are more then anything that has been lost. Sometimes, however, what happens is that the person gives up in the midst of the struggle. They, like the dog, begin to just wait for one painful episode after the next to pass. The outcome of this is depression and also a living death.
A major part of life is the struggle. We struggle to be born, we struggle to learn to walk, we struggle to talk, and we struggle with awkwardness during our teenage years…life is about struggle and overcoming circumstances. If we are not working to overcome circumstances and to be fully engaged in the world and with life, we are not living completely; we are only existing. It is important to live fully and completely in the midst of the storm, even if we are feeling lonely or depressed if we ever want to come out of the circumstances as whole, more powerful individuals. We can do this by: Doing the opposite that our emotions suggest. Instead of separating from people and breaking relationships we should start spending time with others and building more meaningful, supportive relationships; If we are more lethargic, we should become engaged in an exercise program that gives more strength and vitality—one where we can see a physical change to our bodies, not sleep more and gain weight; And instead of avoiding the problem, or trying to shove it under the rug or forget it, we should be working on whatever the core problem is, not the outgrowth.
The Shaolin say that many people work on the outgrowth of a problem when they are trying to solve it, and not the root. This is like trying to heal an ailing tree by working on the branches, instead of the root. According to the Shaolin it is important to find the root of the problem, and then bring all of our gifts and talents to bear to work on the root. Above we have suggested ways to work on the physical—the body, through physical exercise to improve self image, the mental through social interactions with friends and loved ones, but the most important is to work on the core of the problem.
What is the core of the problem? It is probably different for everyone, but it is likely that it is the same problem that the dog had in our previous example, with some variation. I once knew a man who said that he learned the cure for depression. He said that he was depressed for a long time. He discovered that he was only depressed when he stopped trying to live the way that he really wanted. When he couldn’t do that, or stopped trying to do what we refer to in our philosophy as his life work, or that which he felt called to, he was depressed. “All I do now,” he said, “is keep trying to do what I want.”
Very simple, yet profound. This basically means that you shouldn’t give up on life. As long as we keep jumping over the barriers, as long as we struggle and strive to do our life work, we will never be depressed. And we will see each little step—each little leap, as a victory, because that, after all, is what it is. It only takes one step at a time to make the longest journey. If you are a person inclined to be depressed, or if you know someone depressed consider this article. Work on the self image, work on your social life, and find the core of the problem and work to correct that. In the next three articles we will give you some techniques for doing one step at a time. Perhaps then you will find life more satisfying and you will discover your life work and be able to do it one step at a time.
Dr. J. W. Gilmore is a Writer, Spiritual Director, Anti-oppression Consultant and Wellness Consultant. He is a Certified Massage Therapist and Reflexologist, a Reiki Master Teacher, a Martial Arts Instructor and a Spiritual Coach living in Costa Rica. For more article like this or similar information visit: http://www.dswellness.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gilmore
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Couple Hikes The Sierra Nevada For Depression Awareness - By Irene Watson
Today we are pleased to talk to Jeff Alt, author of “A Hike for Mike.” The book is a true-life adventure of a couple who trekked the John Muir Trail as a depression awareness campaign. Hello Jeff.
Irene: What inspired you to write your second book, “A Hike for Mike,” a true life adventure?
Jeff: I knew I had a story that readers would be interested in and I had such a positive experience with my first book, A Walk For Sunshine. I received hundreds of letters from readers complimenting me and asking when my next book was coming out. A Walk For Sunshine received a book award, excellent reviews, and has sold through five printings. I just had to write another. But the real inspiration to write A Hike For Mike came after the tragic suicidal death of my brother-in-law “Mike” due to untreated depression. Thousands of people across the country followed our Hike For Mike depression awareness campaign across the Sierra Nevada and we received hundreds of heartfelt letters from folks all over the country; even Europe. Our journey had struck a chord. A Hike For Mike, the book, seemed to be a natural sequel to A Walk For Sunshine.
Irene: Why do you believe this was an important book for you to write?
Jeff: A Hike For Mike demonstrates how taking a walk in the woods can be such a fun and healing experience. The book allowed me to take the reader from where I left the Appalachian Trail into the journey of marriage and then back to the woods with my wife. The book has allowed us to help others by not only sharing our healing yet entertaining journey but also educating readers of the symptoms and treatment options for depression. On a professional level, A Hike For Mike helped me get beyond the “one book author” funk. My goal is to continue writing and speaking about my adventures and the philanthropic causes they benefit.
Irene: Deep inside, when you decided to make the trek of 218 miles across the Sierra Nevada, what were you wanting to achieve on a personal level?
Jeff: I wanted to help Beth work through the loss of her brother Mike. I also felt it was important to continue to enjoy our lives together in spite of such tragedy, and I knew the trail would help accomplish this. Beth and I walked down the wedding aisle four years prior but we had never taken a long hike together. I walked the entire 2,160 mile Appalachia Trail, chronicled in my first book, A Walk For Sunshine, and I asked myself “What’s next?” “What can top the Appalachian Trail?” Answer: The John Muir Trail accompanied by my wife. Although the distance of the JMT was much shorter than the AT, what we accomplished in our relationship was huge and can’t be measured with a pedometer.
Irene: Your wife, Beth, took the journey with you. How would this experience been different for you if she didn’t go with you?
Jeff: Beth and I bonded nomadically living in the woods together for the better part of a month. Not many couples can say they’ve done that. We shared romantic sunsets. We ate out of the same dish. We became an efficient team as friends, husband and wife, and as hikers. We had no TV, newspaper, or radio; just each other. We learned the power of humor. We learned that each of us have strengths and weaknesses and that we must take turns being the engine and the caboose even in the woods. We worked through an adverse situation together. Beth proved that she was a survivor not a victim. Our hike made our marriage stronger. We would have never discovered this aspect of our relationship if Beth had not hiked with me.
Irene: You just mentioned that Beth proved she was a survivor not a victim. What do you believe changed within her to let go of being a victim?
Jeff: When Beth committed to walking the John Muir Trail to raise awareness for depression she became a survivor. Beth knew that her brother’s death was most likely the result of untreated depression. Even though she couldn’t bring Mike back, she could help prevent someone else suffering from untreated depression to get treatment and avoid a potentially suicidal outcome. Beth saw the hike as a tangible vehicle to help heal from her brothers death and she was inspired by the fact that our hike would help prevent another needless death and help others realize they could live fulfilling lives instead of living under the cloud of untreated depression.
Irene: Were you a victim before the trek? If so, explain what changes occurred in you to also become a survivor.
Jeff: I wasn’t a victim. I had known Mike about four years and usually only saw him a few times a year. But, Mike and Beth had grown up together. They were close. Beth was the maid of honor in Mikes wedding a few years before I came into the picture. I saw myself as more of a survivor coach. I wanted my wife to be happy again. I hated to see her so sad. I pulled from my own near death experience in order to help Beth move forward in survivor mode.
Irene: Why do you believe that accomplishing a goal is an important aspect of healing?
Jeff: When tragedy strikes, it’s important to move forward. Working towards a goal takes courage and helps you focus to the future. And not get stuck in the past. It’s important to realize that life will get better with time.
Irene: When people are in a middle of a tragedy they often cannot see “getting past” the situation. What encouragement would you give them?
Jeff: Tragedy such as losing a loved one is hard. I don’t really have all the answers. Grief counseling may be a good start. Beth and I learned:
• the pain will ease with time.
• It’s ok to laugh.
• Focus on the good memories.
• Treat yourself well.
• Exercise is important
• Spend time with friends and family
Irene: What is the most important message you have in your book, “A Hike for Mike”, that you feel your readers would benefit from?
Jeff: A Hike For Mike demonstrates the healing power of nature and reflects on how one family overcame adversity. A Hike For Mike offers hope to those experiencing depression that with treatment, you will climb the ridge of life once again.
Irene: Thank you Jeff. Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you, your journey, or your book?
Jeff: A Hike For Mike is an award-winning, inspiring humorous adventure. I enjoyed reliving my adventure as I wrote the book. As a writer, I want the reader to feel as if they are on the trail with me. A Hike For Mike accomplishes this goal. As you walk vicariously alongside Beth and I through three national parks, ending atop the highest mountain in the contiguous United States, you’ll encounter bears, lightening bolts, fascinating people, and beautifully rugged scenery. You’ll also see a ray of light emerge from the dark ashes of tragedy. Our adventure reflects on perseverance, overcoming adversity, and navigating the mountains and valleys of life. All the best in the great outdoors!
Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, a book review service. http://www.readerviews.com. She is also the author of her memoir, "The Sitting Swing."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irene_Watson
The Effect Of Hysterectomy On Sexual Response And Sexual Identity - By: James Brann, MD
Women have mixed emotions regarding the effect of hysterectomy on sexual response and sexual identity. Most woman go on to have a normal sex life, some have a heightened response, while others are less able to have a sexual response following hysterectomy due to their perceived loss of femininity.
Some women may notice a change in their sexual response after the uterus has been removed. For example, uterine contractions a woman might have associated with orgasm may no longer be perceived. Other women may experience a heightened response. This may be due to the fact that they no longer have to worry about getting pregnant and no longer have tremendous pain or dysfunctional bleeding.
If the ovaries are not removed, the outer genitals and the vagina are not affected and remain lubricated when a woman is sexually aroused. If the ovaries are removed at the time of hysterectomy, vaginal dryness may be a problem during sexual intercourse. Vaginal dryness can be helped with the use of estrogen cream.
During a hysterectomy your doctor removes vaginal tissue. This may make the vagina shorter. Deep thrusting during intercourse may be painful. Changing positions during intercourse may help, such as being on top or bringing your legs closer together.
Recently interest in supracervical hysterectomies (where the cervix is not removed at time of hysterectomy) has grown out of speculation that women might enjoy better sexual function after hysterectomy when the cervix is left in place. A new study has found there is no difference in sexual function or quality of life when a supracervical hysterectomy is performed instead of a total abdominal hysterectomy.
Post hysterectomy depression may interfere with sexual response. Depression may follow a hysterectomy from a concept that femininity and an intact functioning uterus are one. Some women link their self-image with reproductive ability. Menses reminds a woman of her uniqueness where hysterectomy takes away this cue. Many women have a brief emotional reaction to the loss of the uterus and ovaries that erodes their sense of well-being and femininity. If the problem persists please discuss your feelings with your doctor.
Be sure if you are considering a hysterectomy you discuss your personal health and medical history with your doctor.
About the Author:
Dr. James Brann is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also the Editor of Women's Healthcare Topics an information source for all women. http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/ - http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/hysterectomy.htm
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
Some women may notice a change in their sexual response after the uterus has been removed. For example, uterine contractions a woman might have associated with orgasm may no longer be perceived. Other women may experience a heightened response. This may be due to the fact that they no longer have to worry about getting pregnant and no longer have tremendous pain or dysfunctional bleeding.
If the ovaries are not removed, the outer genitals and the vagina are not affected and remain lubricated when a woman is sexually aroused. If the ovaries are removed at the time of hysterectomy, vaginal dryness may be a problem during sexual intercourse. Vaginal dryness can be helped with the use of estrogen cream.
During a hysterectomy your doctor removes vaginal tissue. This may make the vagina shorter. Deep thrusting during intercourse may be painful. Changing positions during intercourse may help, such as being on top or bringing your legs closer together.
Recently interest in supracervical hysterectomies (where the cervix is not removed at time of hysterectomy) has grown out of speculation that women might enjoy better sexual function after hysterectomy when the cervix is left in place. A new study has found there is no difference in sexual function or quality of life when a supracervical hysterectomy is performed instead of a total abdominal hysterectomy.
Post hysterectomy depression may interfere with sexual response. Depression may follow a hysterectomy from a concept that femininity and an intact functioning uterus are one. Some women link their self-image with reproductive ability. Menses reminds a woman of her uniqueness where hysterectomy takes away this cue. Many women have a brief emotional reaction to the loss of the uterus and ovaries that erodes their sense of well-being and femininity. If the problem persists please discuss your feelings with your doctor.
Be sure if you are considering a hysterectomy you discuss your personal health and medical history with your doctor.
About the Author:
Dr. James Brann is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also the Editor of Women's Healthcare Topics an information source for all women. http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/ - http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/hysterectomy.htm
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
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