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. http://www.personal-development-guide.com

Friedrich Asen has over 20 years of experience as a personal development expert. For more information on the different types and symptoms of depression and on depression treatment, including natural remedies and powerful alternative healing methods, go to http://www.overcome-depression-now.com/depression_articles.html

You Can Control Your Thoughts and Emotions to Help Depression Treatment - By Deanette Russell

Change your thoughts and your emotions change automatically. There will always be things in your life you cannot change, that cause you misery just thinking about them. Whether it is in your past or contemplation of the future, if you cannot take action to solve it you need to change the way you think about it. Living the life of a victim will only worsen not help depression treatment. Because your emotions start off as thoughts, you can learn how to change them, even the strongest ones. Negative thoughts are the beginning of the stress cycle. They are self-generating. Once the stress reaction starts, the depressant activity of the stress chemicals released into your body cause more upsetting thoughts. This then increases your distress which causes even more upsetting thoughts which again increases your stress and it goes on and on. Pretty soon this constant stress turns into full blown depression. Changing these negative thoughts will stop the rest of the cycle from happening. You have a choice whether to be stressed or not. You can choose to think about things you cannot change, regrets about your past, fears about your future OR you can choose to change these thoughts thereby empowering yourself to take a happier, less stressful road.

If you have a situation ask yourself “What can I do about this?” If there is clearly no solution, this is what you MUST do.

Think of the situation. Write down your thoughts. For example - When you were young your father never came home until after your bedtime and on weekends he never had time to watch you play basketball. Your thoughts are: My father was never there for me when I was little, he didn’t love me.

Look at it carefully. What attitude to this situation would you rather have? One that is positive. One you can believe. This is your replacement thought. For example – Dad worked long hours so he could provide the best for me, even though he never showed it I know he loved me.

Every time you think of your father and your childhood STOP the thought in its tracks and SUBSTITUTE it with your replacement thought. Notice your emotions. What happens to them? The stress goes, the negative emotions subside and acceptance and peace grows in its place.

Do this continuously until when thinking of the situation, it no longer causes stress. Being able to switch off your negative thoughts is vital to thinking positively. If you can’t stop your negative thinking first then all the positive thinking in the world will not help depression treatment.

Deanette Russell (http://www.bemybestme.com) has spent the last 12 years reading, researching and attending seminars on self development to deal with depression. After sharing this with others Deanette is bringing her specialty to you in the hopes of sharing the feelings of freedom she now lives with by teaching you how to get your life back.

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

Dreams and Depression: Was Sigmund Freud Correct? -

Sigmund Freud was one of the most influential people of the 20th century. He claimed that depression and anxiety are influenced by factors that affect us in childhood, and that interpreting dreams can lead us to the childhood causes. He felt that psychotherapy could make emotionally sick people heathy by getting them to understand that what happens in childhood can cause them to develop depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

For 50 years, Freud was one of the most revered scientists on earth. Then scientists discovered neurotransmitters, chemicals that pass messages from one nerve to another. They found that people who hallucinate and are not able to think clearly are schizophrenic because their brains make too much dopamine or glutamate; that people are depressed because their brains make too little norepinephrine and serotonin; that people who shake with Parkinson’s disease do so because their brains make too little dopamine; and that people who lose their ability to reason and remember because they suffer from Alzheimer’s disease have too little acetyl choline. So now these diseases are treated with drugs that raise or lower brain levels of neurotransmitters. Drugs, like Mirapex, raise dopamine levels to treat Parkinson’s disease. Drugs such a Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft to raise brain levels of serotonin and treat depression. Modern psychiatrists know that you cannot treat chemical depression, schizophrenia or anxiety just with talking. You treat mental disorders with drugs to correct abnormal brain levels of neurotransmitters.

But wait a minute. Because today psychiatrists treat depression, anxiety and schizophrenia with drugs, doesn't mean that Freud was wrong. Psychiatrists cannot talk people out of mental disease, but new scientific marvels called pet scans, electroencephalograms, MRIs and so forth show why Freud was right. When you go to sleep at night, your eyes are still. After a while, your eyes dart from side to side rapidly. This is called Rapid Eye Movement sleep or REM for short, and during REM you have dreams. If you wake up, you can report your dreams, but if you try to remember your dream a few hours later, you usually can’t. During REM sleep, the part of your brain that governs emotions and visual imagery are activated, while the part of you brain associated with rational thought and reasoning are turned off. So dreams may uninhibit you so you can think about things that may be too painful to think about when you are awake. Or dreams may allow you to discover things about yourself that you would never tell directly to anyone, let alone your doctor.

So, 100 years after Freud published his Interpretation of Dreams, we can see that he may be right because dreams can be a clue to why we feel depressed, anxious and may reason poorly. But psychotherapy, by itself, has not been shown to be an effective treatment for most cases of depression, anxiety or schizophrenia. On the other hand, psychotherapy plus medication is more effective than medication alone to treat anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy can help people cope better with their problems and interpreting dreams can help them understand why they are what they are. Even though many theories proposed by Freud one hundred years ago appear to be wrong, Freud remains one of the most brilliant contributing intellectuals of the 20th century.

Read my Good Food Book FREE, with 100 healthful recipes.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

Where There Is Life There Is Hope - By Terry Weber

There is a dictionary definition of hope that says: HOPE: A desire - with expectation of fulfillment. So then, what is desire? Again the dictionary explains that "DESIRE" is a strong impulse to have or be something.

With those definitions in mind, consider these thoughts about hope:

The Hope Diamond- mined in India in 1668, was named (in 1839) after one of its many owners, Henry Hope of England. (Now it is in the Smithsonian, in Washington, D.C.) It is a many faceted jewel with an original weight of 177 grains (112.3/16 carets- now 45.52 carets). In fact, it is one of the largest and most valuable jewels ever mined. But, it has often been reported to bring bad luck to those who possess it. Even so, Evalyn McLean, one of the owners of the Hope Diamond, disregarded those superstitions and said: "What tragedies have befallen me might have occurred had I never seen or touched the Hope Diamond. My observations have persuaded me that tragedies, for anyone who lives, are not escapable."

This, I believe, reveals her strong conviction that where there is life there is hope, regardless of the opinions or superstitions of others.

Regarding hope, in his study of emotional intelligence Daniel Goldman said: “hope means that one will not give in to overwhelming anxiety, a defeatist attitude, or depression in the face of difficult challenges or setbacks. Hope is more than the sunny view that everything will turn out all right; it is believing you have the will and the way to accomplish your goals.”

President Abraham Lincoln understood the value of hope. He knew his hopes would succeed and that numerous setbacks were inevitable before the Civil War could be brought to a victorious close.

In addition, Jesus, when praying in the Garden, knew he was on the path that would soon lead toward God's eternal hope for mankind.

Now, I say: this life is like a jigsaw puzzle. God knows His work wouldn't be complete without us! I don't know about you, but I am an optimist in that I have always had great expectations and confident assurance that most of my desires would eventually be fulfilled.

Now let me say, I have great hope and an enthusiastic hope-filled attitude toward life. That is, I have always trusted and relied on the confident expectation that my desires would be fulfilled. But, let me throw in a qualifier statement.

You see, when I was much younger I guess I had some pretty wild and rather immature hopes and desires. Now I know that they were actually a passing fancy, something I thought I wanted but really didn't want or desire. In other words, I was glad some of those hopes were not realized. What I've learned over the years is something I'd like to pass along to you and it is this:
Before I was a saved believer in Jesus, I had a lot of self-centered desires and hopes. After I was born again, my viewpoint gradually changed to that of a Christian with a heartfelt need, desire and hope to please my Lord. Then, I began to try my best to see things as if I were seeing them through the eyes of Jesus.

Gradually, over a long period of time (I guess I'm a slow learner), I began to submit my desires and hopes to the Holy Spirit and to ask Him for His advice, wisdom and guidance.

Slowly it dawned on me that in order to lead a life that was pleasing to Jesus, I had to learn to put things that were related to: I, me, my and mine in the background and put the Lord's hopes and desires for me - regarding His glory - in the foreground.

Thus, in His gentle way, Jesus showed me that He wanted the things he'd created in me to simply be available to Him for His purposes whenever he needed them. So, at that point it became my hope to always be attentive to the desires and needs of my Lord.

You see, He only made one person, one human being, exactly like me. Therefore, there must be something unique and special about me. Something the Lord needs to make use of today, tomorrow or at some special time in the future. I'm sure it must be something He knows only I can do for Him.

So - now, with this insight in mind, I try my best to keep myself accessible and available to Jesus and His needs. I simply tell Him in my daily prayers, that whatever happens to me in this life, a life where problems are inescapable, I know life goes on. And, where life is -- there -- is hope.

P.S. The Acronym: “H.O.P.E.” can be divided into these four ideas. We can picture Hope as being like a circle that surrounds at least four segments held within the circle:

H = Holy Spirit
O = Opportunity for change
P = Perspective
E = Eternity

QUESTION:With all of this is mind, what is your HOPE for today?
http://crafty-ones.com/web/viewXPage.asp?pageID=77http://www.weberanchorsoffaith.com

Terry Weber is a retired advertising/direct mail sales letter copywriter and inventor of several useful items. Terry and his wife Doris are Habitat For Humanity, RV Care-A- Vanners who, for the past eight years have volunteered to help build more than 39 houses all over the USA. They travel to and from the 2- week long builds in their RV. The money they make on their Crafty-Ones website helps them pay their expenses to and from those volunteer Habitat builds. P.S. Due to the high cost of gasoline we can no longer afford to drive the RV to Habitat builds. The RV is parked until gasoline prices come down. (4/28/06)

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

Depression Needs To Be Treated - By Michael Russell

Depression is not something you can just ignore and hope it will go away on its own or think that you will just "snap out it". Depression is a serious medical condition and needs to be taken seriously. It is caused by chemical changes or imbalances in the brain coupled with other different factors.

Many people who are diagnosed with depression wonder how and why it has happened to them, but the truth is that depression can happen to anybody. Debilitating depression can be triggered by many factors, but the good news is that treatment is available to help you cope. These treatments will help stabilize the chemicals in the brain and make sure all the vital messages to the brain are sent and received correctly.

Your first step in the fight against depression is to understand how it affects you, its causes and the treatment options available to you. Learn about the different types of medications, psychotherapy or "talk therapy" and other treatments.

Major depression can severely disrupt your life, affecting your relationships, your sleep pattern, appetite and even your daily work. Some of the symptoms that help the doctor to make a diagnosis of depression are:

- Feelings of sadness

- Losing interest in activities and hobbies you used to enjoy

- Low energy despite lack of activity

- Poor appetite

- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively

- Poor concentration and ability to make decisions

- Feeling hopeless or not worthy

- Suicidal thoughts

Symptoms of depression may also include severe mood disorders. Some mood disorders include but not limited to postpartum disorder and Bipolar disorder.

Postpartum depression affects women who have recently given birth and it normally occurs within the first months after delivery. This type of depression affects the mother's ability to bond with her newborn despite all the joy surrounding the birth of a new baby. It is extremely important that the new mother seeks medical attention if she experiences these symptoms. Postpartum depression can sometimes be confused with the "Baby Blues" which normally occurs within the first few days after the birth of the child but usually goes away spontaneously.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder, affects millions of people every year. For sufferers life can have intense highs (mania) and crippling lows (depression). Patients suffering from bipolar disorder describe life as being one giant emotional roller coaster. The good news here is that there are treatments that help control these intense mood swings.

Even though there is no known cure, people with bipolar disorder can live normal lives with proper treatment and management. Patients must manage their condition very carefully just like if they had another illness such as diabetes or heart disease. Building a strong support network can be extremely helpful in treating bipolar disorder.

Living with depression may mean that you have try different types of medications over time until you find one that responds or works best for you. Therapy and lifestyle changes may also be recommended to help elevate depression symptoms.

Change will not happen overnight, but with the right treatment, therapy and lifestyle changes, you can keep depression from overshadowing your life.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Depression

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

Emotional Issues Behind Insomnia - By Pradeep Chadha

Insomnia is a common condition seen by family physicians. The usual short-term treatment for it is medication that involves hypnotics. These medications are habit-forming drugs and with long usage people can become dependent on them.

The problem can start for many reasons. In many people who work in shifts, the body rhythm is disturbed disturbing the normal sleep pattern. In many young mothers the sleep pattern gets disturbed waking intermittently at night to look after the baby’s needs. Caring for an old relative at night can also disturb the sleep pattern.

In almost all of these cases, the subconscious mind has got the message that sleep would put someone at risk. So in order to deal with this perceived ‘danger’, the mind goes into an alert state and does not allow the body to sleep. No amount of conscious logic or reason can convince the subconscious to let the body sleep. This increases physical tension.

In order for the body to rest, the tension has to be reduced. When the perceived fears are addressed, the body goes into a state if tiredness and then it is allowed to fall asleep. One of the exercises that I have suggested to my patients is this: At bedtime, when you are going to sleep, sit in the bed. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in and then through your nose push the breath out forcefully but slowly. Next, take a deep breath and this time breathe out slowly and easily through the nose. Continue breathing like this with alternate breaths till you start to fall asleep.

With simple sleep problems, this exercise works well.

The underlying reason for most of the sleep problems is fear. Fear of the future is the worry. If fear issues are addressed in counseling or psychotherapy, sleep can become better. The other reason of sleep problem is anger. Most of the people would be unaware that they are carrying anger in their bodies. They might feel that because they do not worry, sleep disturbance is simply a disturbance of the body rhythm. In almost all such cases that I have seen, anger has been an underlying issue. Addressing the anger benefits sleep.

Sleep disturbance is commonly seen in anxiety, depression, psychosis and mania. Many psychiatric conditions start with disturbed sleep. It is important to take insomnia seriously. It is good to address the issue as soon as it starts than to let it build up and cause complications.

Pradeep K Chadha is a psychiatrist who specialises in helping patients with meditation and imagery using little or no medication. He is the author of The Stress Barrier-Nature's Way To Overcoming Stress published by Blackhall Publishing, Dublin. He is based in Dublin, Ireland. His website address is http://www.drpkchadha.com

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

Alcohol Depression: The Bottle may be Increasing the Depression - By Foras Aje

Alcohol depression is very grave and should not be one’s state of living, however just how one can overcome this form of depression could be quite challenging as two factors are being addressed here: a substance abuse and an emotional disturbance.

Dealing with depression means at the moment you may not be feeling too good. What with low energy, poor sleep and a general feeling of helplessness, naturally finding a solution out of being depressed is a much expected step. Sadly, most people turn to either legal (e.g. Zoloft) and illegal (e.g. marijuana) drugs or the use of drinking alcoholic beverages in a quest to ease the pain, however, research has shown that both illegal drugs and alcohol are marked depressants. (in spite of the buzz they may temporarily give) and speaking of depression drugs from recent studies, these substances just may not be worth the side-effects.

Now on the subject of alcohol use and depressive illnesses; this is actually the worst possible strategy for dealing with depression. Depressed moods can be a direct outcome of substance abuse. Conversely, use of alcohol by people with a depressive disorder may increase the severity of their depression symptoms and thus should be avoided.

Alcohol depression is quite rampant these days as up to 40 per cent of people who drink alcohol heavily have symptoms that resemble depression. However, when these same people are not drinking heavily, only 5 per cent of men and 10 per cent of woman have symptoms meeting the need to be diagnosed for depression.

Even though when used sparingly, alcohol may briefly produce a pleasant and relaxed state of the mind, depression resulting from alcohol is not uncommon. This starts off like anything else, slowly but picking up intensity with time. When alcohol is used sparingly, it may for a while lift the moods; however, when used to treat a depressive illness, tolerance to the effects of it may lead a patient of depression to drink more alcohol in search for a positive effect. This is where the problems begin, one drinks more and more and before you know it, alcohol- being a noted depressant-starts to cause depressive tendencies in the mind.

Alcohol Depression: Effects and Consequences

Now we all know alcohol confuses judgment and makes one more impulsive to take risks, moreover it causes a loss of inhibition and increases aggressive behavior and violent acts even towards one own self. Consequently, when used as a means to curb depression, this should be a particular concern as studies have shown depression can lead to suicide. Generally, a much higher incidence of suicide, both completed and attempted, is associated with alcohol depression.
Moreover, alcohol depression leads to complicated social disorders such as absenteeism, sickness and under-performance. Inevitably, marital problems often arise because of an alcohol problem, add this to the depression problems at hand, it is not surprising that many marriages have suffered due to this particular depressive illness.

In regards to health, alcohol depression can cause a lot of physical problems. These may arise in the liver in the form of hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver failure. Stomach Ulcers, sexual dysfunction and irregular heartbeat are other factors as well. Now these are just symptoms that result from excessive alcohol use, add to this the effects of depression on the body…needless to say, this particular form of depressive illness is a very serious and grave one. Here are the symptoms of this particular kind of emotional disorder.

Alcohol Depression: Symptoms indicating its presence

There are a number of pointers that should lead one to consider if one has an alcohol depression problem. In no particular order, they include:

1. Using alcohol to try to escape from one’s worries and trouble.
2. Drinking too much alcohol everyday.
3. Using alcohol to induce sleep.
4. Drinking this excessive alcohol alone.
5. Feeling an immense guilt about one’s excessive drinking

Thankfully, as with all things there is hope, however one has to have the desire to change. Enumerated are some helpful tips for this emotional disorder resulting from excessive drinking.

Alcohol Depression: Helpful solutions.

Depressive symptoms resulting from alcohol might indeed be quite difficult to curb, However, as with anything, the more one works at it, the better the chances of success.

It always helps to know the cause of one’s reckless desire to drink in the first place. These may be marital, financial or even spiritual problems. Therefore these issues should be addressed by competent counseling, reading self-help books and even a good old talk with one’s creator.

Moreover, a simple fast or restricted diet on a seasonal juicy fruit can aid to detoxify the body of alcoholic tendencies. Now this may sound very unconventional, but according to Professor Arnold Ehret, this method has been used successfully to aiding many an alcoholic to give up excessive drinking. Dr. Stanley Burroughs also attested to this in his writings known as the Master Cleanser. Of course 60% of the battle may perhaps be the patient’s desire for change in the first place.

In addition, physical exercise, besides occupying one’s time, also goes a long way to first aiding in detoxifying the body and helping with alcohol depression as this method exercises the motor centers of the brain, making the blood flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently one becomes more receptive to positive thoughts.

Yoga is highly recommended as a choice for exercise here as several benefits lay in its use as an alternative depression treatment. From the intense relaxation and stress relief that arises from its use, to the increase of alpha and theta waves in the right portion of the brain ( a noted characteristic of optimistic people), yoga as a means of coping with alcohol depression, though admittedly may be unconventional, is indeed a wise choice.

One major step in overcoming alcohol depression is the desire for change. Consequently if a relative or loved one expresses the need for help, it is advised to immediately lend a helping hand and walk them through the steps to redemption. If however one is alone in these struggles, well, the internet in constantly making the world a smaller place or help may just be a phone call away…as long as one makes the move, the spiritual forces that are ever inherent in our own minds will guide one to the right path for success. The tips provided thus far can definitely help as well.

Alcohol depression need not be one’s state of living, with the drug-free methods of a positive thinking, and even diet and proper exercise, its symptoms, causes and effects can definitely be overcome.

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

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

Depression - Treating It Naturally - By: Kathy Ferneau

Chances are you know someone suffering from depression or maybe you feel depressed yourself. The modern bubonic plague, depression feeds on the stresses and anxieties of modern living. When a problem reaches 30 minute infomercial status, you know it affects a huge percentage of the population.

If you're dieting, depression makes it difficult to stay motivated. Why bother, you make think. Who cares if I'm fat? And the downward spiral continues.

You may find yourself in a bit of a Catch 22 situation: Your poor diet makes you feel depressed, and because you feel depressed, you make poor food choices.

The feel good foods beckon, chocolate, donuts, chips, and too often you succumb.

So does the answer to depression lie with psychotherapy or prescription drugs? The implications of those solutions are vast, including:

financial burden

time commitment

social stigma

health concerns

loss of privacy

The treatment can be more depressing than the disease itself, and with no guarantee of a cure.

But our problems won't just go away by themselves. Much as we'd like to tell our boss to take this job and shove it, that usually isn't an option. A rich relative won't die and leave you a million bucks and that annoying coworker won't vanish into thin air.

Back to our diet again. What we put in our bodies determines how we act and react. What foods should we eat or not eat to help overcome depression?

The same foods and substances that make us fat and sick, make us depressed as well. These include

sugar, fats, and starch.

Many food additives, too:

artificial sweeteners

artificial dyes

preservatives

We wouldn't knowingly consume poison, but by ingesting these substances, we end up with the same result.

A balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables will eliminate many of those toxins, particularly if the produce is organic. A good multivitamin supplement provides extra nutritional insurance.

Start replacing coffee and soda with water. Enjoy sweet fruits, such as apples and plums, instead of candy or pastries. An apple a day keeps the doctor away is a cliche for a reason. It's true.

You can treat depression with other nonmedical treatments, including meditation or yoga, taking up a new hobby, or spiritual counseling, to name just a few.

Resolve to beat depression without drugs and a trip to the therapist's couch. Reward yourself for each victory with some nonfood treat. Soon you'll be looking and feeling better.

Article Source: http://www.articles-galore.com

Kathy Ferneau has created an excellent resource for information on diets, healthy eating, and exercise. Get a free smoothie recipe e-book just for visiting! www.lose-weight-diets.com

Childhood Abuse and Depression - Anxiety Lives On - By: Dr Leo Kady

It has been established that nature and nurture should not be taken as enemies or total opposites, but as two intertwined realities that function together to make up the human experience. Nature was designed for nurture.

Many recent and notable studies have documented the effects that early childhood experience can have on both the physical and chemical makeup of the brain. In particular, childhood abuse and/or neglect can permanently alter an individual's physiology. These physiological changes may lead to a greater likelihood of the person suffering from depression or anxiety later in life.

Groundbreaking results from a major study of depressed women in the US have shown that women who were abused as children have abnormally elevated hormonal responses to stress compared to women with no history of abuse. It suggests that childhood abuse is associated with persistent hyperactivity of the hormonal system associated with the stress response and this may cause greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

The study, headed by Dr. Charles Nemeroff at Emory University, looked at women diagnosed with clinical depression who had been abused as children; depressed women with no past abuse; and healthy women. Each person was given a moderately stressful experience and asked to perform simple mathematic problems aloud for a panel of stalwart non expressive judges.

Cortisol and ACTH (two hormones that play a critical role in a person's response to stress) were measured in each subject while she completed the task. It was found that the levels of these hormones were especially pronounced in women who were abused as children and who also had current depression. In fact, their ACTH response indicators were more than six times those of the healthy women.

In addition to high levels of stress hormones, other studies by the same group found that women who had been abused as children had abnormal development of the brain's hippocampus, which suggests another physical result of early abuse that could lead to permanent brain abnormalities in later life.

Other brain structures can also be affected by early abuse or neglect. While the basic unit of the brain is in place at birth, neuronal pathways for the body's reaction to different experiences are still developing.

There is a critical period of time in a child's first three years of life during which most of these pathways are formed. If a child receives primarily negative stimulation early in life, pathways for forming lasting relationships and responding to positive experiences can be stunted or destroyed. While this may be a reaction to help the child survive, it can cause permanent difficulties for the individual.

Other research shows that the brains of severely neglected children tend to be smaller than average with underdeveloped areas in the cortex. The long term implications of this are still being examined, but it shows one more way in which nurture or lack of it can affect a person's biological make-up.

The knowledge that nature and nurture are two crucial aspects to a person's health will undoubtedly prove to be a very useful tool in the research and treatment of psychiatric illness and may lead to even more effective treatments in the future.For more health articles visit U Publish Free Articles.Thank youDr Leo Kady

Article Source: http://www.mega-articles.com

Dr Leo Kady is a retired medical practioner, educator, and magazine writer. He is currently an editor with U Publish - www.upublish.info - where you can find a great assortment of article talent.

Depression: What's That Cloud Over Your Head? - By Steve Roberts

I'm 53 years old. It was only two years ago that I finally beat the depression in my life. Gone. Done. Nadda. But, as one who spent 51 years of my life feeling blue, exhausted, not worth much, unproductive, and with a kind of numbness around relationships, I have a fairly clear picture of what this kind of life is like, and how to get out of it.

A reader recently asked: "My whole life has pretty much been one bad experience after another. There have been good moments, but I am always dealing with some kind of bad stuff. Whether it be home, work, relationships - you name it - always something bad to deal with. How do I get rid of the cloud that hangs over my head?"

This experience is far more common that you might think. And, if this is your personal experience in life, you probably think that you're just about the only one. I assure you that you aren't, and that you're not crazy, and that with a whole lot of personal work on yourself life can be quite the incredible journey. Remember, I know personally of what I speak.

What I Learned About How This Gets Started

Simply put, for most of us the Cloud gets started in early childhood. We face painful experiences from poor parenting, abusive people around us, or some kind of loss that could not have been prevented by the best of intentions.

At this very tender young age we form coping behaviors to deal with the pain and fear. If you think of your earliest life memories, they probably represent something of how you believe the world and you to be. You could have chosen many different things to remember, but you somehow chose to remember just these particular memories. That is significant.

For instance, my earliest memories are of making mistakes of some kind. My belief was that I'm some kind of a "screw up."

Once we have these early beliefs, an incredible, but terrible thing occurs. Our brains start looking for evidence that supports these beliefs, and discounts the evidence that would contridict them. I've always been able to identify how I "screw up" but rairly could claim my true abilities and giftedness.

If you're stuck on how illogical this seems, please realize that we're not very conscious creatures. We're only 10% consciously aware. The other 90% is unconscious and runs on some fairly primitive programs that are very, very connected to the fight or flight response.

So, to keep this short, the summary is: We create distorted beliefs early in life to explain things and to protect ourselves in some way, and then as adults we either interpret the events in our lives in these negative ways, or we may even create events to match our expectations.

Take my word for it, you've got to read books on this simple idea to really understand how deep and persistent it is.

What I Learned To Do About It

This is the tough part. What worked for me will not exactly work for you. You developed your own particular storyline along these broad guidelines. This is where it helps to have a therapist, coach or mentor at your side. Your recovery needs to be tailored to you.

But, for what it is worth, here's a quickie version of my Cloud story.

1. For years I believed that if I just found the right environment "outside" of myself that I would feel better. This meant finding the right friends, the right food, the right job, the right vehicle, the next enticing thing, or even insisting that people around me behave in certain ways.

It didn't work. The problem came from inside me, not from the outside.

2. I tried traditional therapy. It helped a little. But mostly the guy just listened and stared at me. Big deal.

3. In my counseling training, I fortunately found a supervisor that really cared about me and started me on the road to caring about myself. At least, to the degree that I could at that time. This was the real start of my journey.

If you don't find this in your first therapist, keep looking!

4. I hit a really down time and decided that I needed to try anti-depressant medication. Even though I had referred many people for medication, I still had trouble with the stigma attached to such drugs. But I did it anyway.

It was Incredible! It was as though I had been color blind and could now see in color for the first time in my life! I walked around amazed that most other people felt this way most of the time.

And, it made for wonder in my marriage. No longer was I irritable all the time. I regretted all the years my spouse had to put up with me that old way!

That was over 10 years ago. As with so many, the first couple of good years didn't last. Anti-depressant "poop-out" syndrome occurred repeatedly. I tried many other medications along the way.

5. About 6 years ago I took up meditation. That's a challenging discipline for somebody with ADD! I credit meditation as breaking loose some of the blocks so that later success could come my way.

Several years ago I tried writing daily affirmations to myself as so many success gurus suggest. This helped in many other areas of my life, but the Cloud was still there.

6. Finally, I asked spiritually for the removal of the Cloud. Two months later I had the experience that enlightened me. I saw deep within me how I create the feelings, and therefore, how I can control them. This was nothing I hadn't known consciously before, but now I knew it deep, deep within me in an unconscious place I cannot even describe.

You'd think that having been a pastor or a pastoral counselor for over 20 years that this would have been my first step. But I think it took all the other steps to get me into position for the final magic to work. I don't believe there is a quick fix for any of us.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is a spiritual journey. To follow the metaphor, the Cloud is blocking the Light from our lives, and it is a rediscovery of this Light that enables our choice to remove the Cloud each time it reappears.

The Cloud does reappear. Once we have this old programming that believes things to be a certain way, it tries to come out from time to time. But we get better and better at putting it away and making the choice to see the wonder all around us and especially the wonder within us.

Once in a while we get a quick push, as I did two years ago, but mostly it is a slow dawning of letting a little more Light in each day.

And, did I mention there's no quick fix? You'd best find that counselor, mentor, or coach right now!

Steve Roberts, "The Couples Guy," is an experienced Marriage and Family Therapist who shares tips and real life relationship secrets from over 20 years of practice. Get Insight and Wisdom for your Relationships at: http://www.whatworksforcouples.com/

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

I'm Sorry

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

Happy Reading!!


Sincerely,
Anna

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2006 Linda Meckler

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Solutions For Depression - By Steve Hill

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

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

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

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

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

How to control your depression

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:

teeth grinding bruxism
hgh advice
stuttering

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

Reduce Your Depression With These Free Tips - By Steve Hill

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

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

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

These were the other issues I had to contend with:

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

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

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

Enough is enough.

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

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

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

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

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

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:

stop smoking cigarettes
anti aging tips
stuttering information

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

Loneliness n Depression - By Monalisa Hyden

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

Oh lonesome me oh lonesome me…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depression – How It Affects Our Sleep - By Wendy Owen

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some of the symptoms of depression:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright Wendy Owen 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Using Aromatherapy to Support Symptoms of Depression - By Eric Cech

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dragging Myself Out Of Depression - By David Gomm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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