Friday, December 08, 2006

Depression Treatment by NamSing

NamSing has writen Depression Treatment and writes "Depression is of two types one is Major Depressive Disorder and the other Bipolar Disorder. The two are different which require different treatments. The symptoms of the former involves sadness, excessive crying, loss of pleasure, sleeping too much or too little, low energy, restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, loss of appetite or overeating, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, feelings of physical problems that are not caused by physical illness or injury like headaches, digestive problems, pain and thoughts of death or suicide.

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and also episodes of mania like inappropriate sense of euphoria (excitement), reckless behavior, little sleep needed, excessive energy, racing thoughts; talking too much, out of control spending, difficulty concentrating, irritability, abnormally increased activity including sexual activity, poor judgment, aggressive behavior, extreme irritability or “out of control” behavior. People with depression do not experience manic episodes..

And an episode whether depressive or manic can last for days, weeks, months or even years. It is very essential to note that the treatment differs for both the conditions. Both biological factors like genetics and psychological factors like stress play a major role in causing depression.

For people who are correctly diagnosed with depression i.e. major depressive disorder, antidepressant medications are often highly effective and they must be taken regularly for three to four weeks, sometimes even longer, before the full response is seen. Other treatments involve Electroconvulsive therapy, Lithium and Anticonvulsant medication both used for prevention. Sometimes interpersonal therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy is also used.

Treatments for bipolar disorder often involve a two-part plan of using both medication and psychotherapy. Different types of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder, including medicines for controlling manic symptoms, depressive symptoms or medications that help stabilize the patient's mood. Psychotherapy, with a licensed therapist or social worker, is also used in bipolar disorder treatment. Cognitive Therapy focuses on changing inappropriate or negative thought patterns, Behavioral Therapy focuses on current behaviors and Interpersonal therapy focuses on current relationships that can affect the illness. Psychoeducation helps the patient and family understand the illness and recognize signs of relapse. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy focuses on daily routines that can promote emotional stability. The line of treatment depends on the patient’s needs who usually works with healthcare professionals that supervise the patient’s care maintaining personal contact with each other to help ensure the patients' continued progress.

In both of the above cases it is very important that you do not stop treatment on your own, whether you have concerns about your medicine or if you feel you are doing better, discuss openly with your doctor.

NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his other websites Depression Treatment, Depression Medication and One Stop Information

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Thursday, December 07, 2006

How to Deal With Depression Naturally During Pregnancy

Foras Aje has written How to Deal With Depression Naturally During Pregnancy and writes "Since one is bringing new life into the world, pregnancy depression, like other forms of this emotional encumbrance, is one disturbance that must be attended to. Although use of conventional drugs is the oft-times prescribed method, when one considers the side-effects of drugs and the health of the baby, it may be time to revise one’s stand.

Pregnancy is a period in a woman’s life when needless to say, several internal and external changes are occurring on a daily basis.

To some women, this is a source of joy and excitement as they anticipate the responsibility of motherhood-especially the first time, to others; it is a source of a particular type of depression: Pregnancy Depression..

At this stage, what must be of uttermost concern is : there is a life inside of you, consequently, extra care must be taken on how to treat pregnancy depression as anything you ingest does have the tendency of getting into your baby’s bloodstream.

After discovering this, most women, after discovering the side-effects of several of the so-called anti-depression drugs, make the decision to cease the use of some popular depression medications even as they may be going through pregnancy depression.

Well, it is safe to say it is a wise choice considering the risk factor of exposing babies to the numerous side-effects of depression drugs. Well, it’s safe to say

This leads one to think what can be done as an alternative for treating depression during pregnancy?

There are other options.

The following three limbs of drug-less healing may be sufficient as pregnancy depression treatment options and I will have you know after the delivery of your child, they can still be used effectively in place of synthetic, side-effect laden depression drugs.

-Proper Exercise:

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. Though I personally recommend yoga for its numerous therapeutic effects on depression, depending on the stage of your pregnancy, it may not be the safest choice, at least not while you’re pregnant. However, there are some poses you can use that alleviate pregnancy depression and actually will strengthen the lower body in preparation for childbirth. They include: The ‘corpse/relaxation pose’, the ‘Diamond/Vajrasana Pose’, The ‘Eagle Pose’, ‘Lord of the Dance Pose’, ‘Tree Pose’ and Simple ‘Yogic Square breathing exercises’. Of course, exercises of the western culture such as walking, use of treadmills, bikes and things of that nature can be incorporated as alternatives for exercise.

-Proper Diet:

Ladies (and expectant dads who may read this) think about this quote by the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates: “let your foods be your medicine and your medicine your foods…” Needless to say for your health and that of the baby’s, it will be essential that you eat properly. This includes knowing what, when and how to eat even the proper foods for nourishment.

-Positive Thinking:

“Be renewed by the transformation of your thoughts” (Rom 12:2) That quote says it all. What and how you think plays a very important role on your life and how you view it. This also dictates your actions towards fixing the things that may be causing or aggravating your depression during pregnancy. Read up on self-help books, your religious books (if applicable) and helpful media sources that advocates and promotes positive thinking.

So, if you are considering drug-free, natural ways of coping with depression during pregnancy and even afterwards, empower yourself with these methods for success.

In Friendship.

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. He invites you to visit his blog for more tips on Depression Treatment and Self-Help Today.

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Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Fight Depression and Fatigue Naturally

Thomas Von Ohlen has written Fight Depression and Fatigue Naturally and writes "Today we are going to teach you about a natural and effective way to fight depression and fatigue.

Besides its physical health benefits, exercise is often said to help people simply feel good. And a growing number of studies are showing that these mood-boosting effects may even fight clinical depression.

Researchers found that walking for 30 minutes each day quickly improved the patients' symptoms--faster, in fact, than antidepressant drugs typically do. The results indicate that, in selected patients with major depression, aerobic training can produce a substantial improvement in symptoms in a short time..

Previous studies have suggested that exercise is a potent mood-booster, and some research indicates that for some patients regular activity may be a better depression treatment than psychotherapy or medication. Exactly why is unclear, but exercise does influence certain mood-related hormones. And it is also believed to enhance people's sense of control over their lives.

In one study that compared exercise with antidepressants among older adults, investigators found that physical activity was the more effective depression-fighter. (British Journal of Sports Medicine April 2001;35:114-117)

We are not talking about running a marathon, just walking as little as 30 minutes can improve symptoms!

I personally have felt these amazing effects after starting an exercise program when I have been in a mental rut. Believe me, it will help you too!

Thomas Von Ohlen is a clinical nutritionist and developer of Plasma Pro software for doctors. In his 15 years in private practice he has helped thousands of people, from all over the world, achieve their health goals through education and product recommendations. His FREE newsletter is available at http://www.healyourbodynow.com

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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Finding the Right Depression Medication

Finding the Right Depression Medication was written by Barry McDonald and writes "Always feeling under the weather? Always not in the mood to be around others and have a good time? If you’re suffering from prolonged sadness for quite some time now, you should face these bouts of depression and get yourself diagnosed by a psychiatrist, they’re doctors who can actually help you out with your problem. Not to mention the various depression treatments, as well as all sorts of depression medication that doctors prescribe to their depression patients.

Fortunately depression can now be cured, especially when diagnosed early, depressed individuals can actually be treated through therapy and depression medication, although it may be a bit costly, a person’s good mental health is something that shouldn’t be scrimped on. Cognitive behavioral talk or interpersonal talk are incredibly healthy depression treatments that are just some of the available psychosocial depression treatments that cognitive behavior therapists can offer to their patients, both actually prove to be able to produce fruitful and positive results even for just short-term sessions, around ten to twenty weeks are almost always, already enough to get a depression patient slowly begin their recovery towards a sound mental health..

Before getting started with depression medication, the depression patient must first get him or herself to a reputable doctor, get a diagnosis of which type of depression the patient is actually suffering from, may it be clinical depression, manic depression or what-have-you. It’s best that you’re sure what you’re actually dealing with since there are various depression medications that are available in the market, you should make sure that you get the most appropriate one, the one that’ll actually cure your depression illness.

There’s actually a wide variety of anti-depressant depression medications available to help treat those who are suffering from depressive disorders. The more popular ones are those that are of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs variant then there are the tricyclics while the other popular variant is the monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs. These depression medications (the SSRIs variant as well as the other newer depression medication available in the market) actually to be a much safer alternative than the tricyclics, since they have fewer side-effects as opposed to the tricyclics depression medication variant.

Sometimes, doctors actually find it more effective to mix up these depression medications, depending on the needs of the individual, the doctor might actually prescribed a variety of depression medication to help cure one’s depression illness. Also the dosages of depression medication can actually be increased or lowered depending on what the doctor finds to be the most effective. However, when it comes to taking these depression medications, patients are highly advised to never mix up depression medications as well as pick out which dosages to take without consulting their doctors first.

Anti-anxiety or sedatives however, should never be mistaken as depression medication. Even though these anti-anxiety drugs are often prescribed along with depression medication, they don’t actually help cure one’s depression illness. Their mere purpose is to help calm one’s nerves which is why depression medications are still needed to be taken by the depression patient.

There are actually some common side-effects from depression medication, usually coming from the tricyclic variety. Some people tend to not mind these side-effects from depression medication, however if it does become to much of a bother and may end up ruining one’s ability to function properly, it’s best to go immediately to your doctor and report the side-effects. Quite common side-effects from depression medication are the following:

Dry mouth: always having the irritating feeling of being hydrated, it’s best to always have some (clean, drinking) water nearby so as to have something to drink whenever dry mouth occurs, chewing sugar free gum as well as brushing your teeth after every meal is also a good idea.

Constipation: cure such discomfort by eating and taking in a lot of fiber to help aid your digestion.

Blurry vision: another temporary side-effect, this one’s quite easy to pass but if it proves to be too much of a bother, consult your doctor immediately.

Headaches: quite common with the newer kinds of depression medication, it’s really not a big deal and will actually go away easily.

Insomnia: first-time users may actually experience this depression medication side-effect but it usually just happens during the first few weeks of taking the depression medication, asking your doctor to lower the dosage of the depression medication may actually help you with this side-effect, as well as the time of day wherein you take your depression medication can actually have something to do with your sleeping problem.

Feel Happier, Get Back Your Passion for Life and Boost Your Energy Levels 100% by Conquering Stress, Depression and Anxiety in Only 90 Days - Many Clients Report Noticeable Results in Just SEVEN DAYS...Visit http://www.scienceofbreath.be/depressionhelp.html for details.


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Monday, December 04, 2006

Depression Treatment By Steve Valentino

Steve Valentino has written Depression Treatment and writes "In the old days some psychiatrists used to think depression could be cured by removing a patient's colon or teeth. In an attempt to cure the ancient malady of melancholia, doctors resorted to scads of strategies, some of them plainly stupid or cruel. But others, like Prozac, were actually effective.

Greek and Roman physicians treated their patients by recommending rest, refreshment, and the forging of new emotional connections. They recognized the soothing effects of the waters in the spas in Northern Italy, where they sent agitated or euphoric patients. Two thousand years later, these waters have been found to be rich in lithium salts.

Treatment in the Western world had been more inhumane, reflecting the fears that manic-depressives were possessed by the devil, so they were forcibly restrained and chained. Treatments included euthanasia, exotic potions, bloodletting, and electric eels applied to the skull. It was not until the 18th and 19th centuries, with the growth of science, that a more humane approach to the treatment of mental disorders was once again adopted in the west..

Treatment for manic-depressive illness depends upon the symptoms, the severity and duration of the illness, the possible precipitating stressors and previous responses to treatment. It can combine medication, electroconvulsive therapy and psychotherapy. Medications for the treatment of manic-depressive illness fall into three groups: anti-depressants, tranquilizers and lithium.

Electroconvulsive therapy works by using an electrical shock to cause a seizure in a short period of irregular brain activity. This seizure releases many chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, deliver messages from one brain cell to another. The release of these chemicals makes the brain cells work better. A person's mood will improve when his or her brain cells and chemical messengers work better.

Psychotherapy consists of a dialogue between patient and therapist in a supportive environment where there is respectful attention on the part of the therapist to the patient and his or her issues.

Apart from this there are many other methods of treating depression, like antidepressant medication, anticonvulsant medication, interpersonal psychotherapy, antianxiety medication, cognitive therapy, antipsychotic medication, stimulant medication, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy and self-help groups.

Depression provides detailed information on Depression, Depression Treatment, Manic Depression, Postpartum Depression and more. Depression is affiliated with Signs Of Clinical Depression.

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Sunday, December 03, 2006

How To Treat Depression

Milos Pesic has written How To Treat Depression and writes "Depression is very common among Americans, especially given the fast life they live. Though the treatment for depression is quite simple, it requires extra care and a little cheering up to help the patient come out of the problem. The cost of the treatment is no doubt expensive; but given the problem, everyone should take advantage of the various depression treatments that are available today to cure the problem.

There is nothing wrong with consulting a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is the best guide in this field. You should consider yourself lucky that today there are all sorts of depression treatments to help you overcome the problem. You should get the best treatment. Your family will always expect a positive result from the best treatment available..

Among the vast array of treatments available, psychotherapy is one of the most popular depression treatments that allows the patient to slowly uncover hidden feelings and the root of the problem. These short-term therapy sessions involve a healthy discussion between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient. These sessions mainly involve a healthy interaction with the patient to help him overcome the problem by finding positive solutions.

People may suffer from either bipolar disorder (manic depression) or major depressive disorder.

Bipolar disorder mainly involves certain episodes of depression, where a person may experience certain unexpected emotional outbursts that are difficult to control. These episodes may last for hours, days, weeks, or even a month. Treatments for bipolar disorders usually involve the application of both medication and psychotherapy. Psycho-education is beneficial, as it helps the patient and the family members to understand the root cause of the problem.

Major depressive disorder mainly involves sadness, loss of pleasure, excess crying, headaches, and digestive problems. Apart from normal medications, other treatments involve Electroconvulsive therapy, Lithium and Anticonvulsant medication, which are used for prevention of such outbursts. In these cases, consulting a doctor is a must, as he or she can help you come out of the problem.

Today, various depression treatments and medications are actually helping a large number of patients to return to their normal course of activities and get a proper sleep, which most patients lack. The treatment for depression depends on the severity of the problem. In case of mild depression, psychotherapies are suggested. Medication is usually recommended when the depression problem is severe and cannot be handled with psychotherapy alone.

Your medical consultant will get you the right kind of treatment and medication depending on the severity of the problem. A combination of psychotherapy and medication may be suggested if the problem of depression is serious. Specialized help from a psychiatrist is usually recommended when there are no positive results from medication alone.

The best treatment for depression is to engage yourself in lots of physical activities. Overconsumption of alcohol will only aggravate the problem. Do not suffer the problem of depression alone. Talk to your near and dear ones. There is no more effective treatment than this.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of Overcome Depression Blog. Visit now to find out all you wanted to know about depression and simple ways to overcome it.

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Saturday, December 02, 2006

Natural Ways To Treat Depression

Gray Rollins has written Natural Ways To Treat Depression and writes "Depression is a medical condition that affects the mind, often leaving the person suffering from it feeling hopeless, without ambition and unable to focus. Left untreated, this condition can adversely affect academic achievement, family life, friendships and careers. People tend to seek help from a mental health professional who may prescribe mood balancing drugs. Most, however; use an alternative form of medicine for a more natural treatment in tandem with drug therapy. Milder cases of depression can be treated solely with natural remedies without the need for prescription drugs.

Therapy is a great way to restore balance in your life. Seeking help from others who have similar issues will provide a support system to discuss issues, understand symptoms, and develop techniques to feel better. Often talking is very cathartic and can help alleviate stress and loneliness, which may cause feelings of depression..

Therapy that involves personal expression has been found to provide an outlet for pent-up feelings and can be a positive way to articulate deep feelings and emotion. This can take many forms. Dance is a great outlet for this as well as other movement therapies such as martial arts. Martial arts teach focus, self awareness, and control which can greatly benefit someone suffering from depression. Using art as a form of therapy is another expressive form of therapy. Whether it is sculpting or painting or any other variation of art, it’s a way to expose feelings in a tangible way.

Relaxation techniques help a person focus and gain a sense of serenity. Yoga is an ideal form of exercise that melds the body, mind, and spirit. It promotes good health, a positive self image and teaches relaxation. Meditation is also a good way to relax and unwind. It reduces the heart rate and clears the mind, allowing more focused thought. Acupuncture has grown in popularity as a means to treat depression. By using various pressure points, it is believed to enable a calming effect and promote a healthier emotional balance. Hypnosis is also popular as a means of getting to the core issues of why someone is depressed and leaving them with a sense of well being.

Certain dietary changes and supplements have been reported to be helpful in the treatment of depression. Adding fish oil, Zinc and B vitamins are found to help the body regulate chemicals that may trigger depression. Exercise is also very important. Keeping active will rejuvenate the body and keep it fit, promoting a healthier lifestyle and better self image. Working out several times per week can calm the senses and invigorate the body.

Depression does not need to be debilitating. Making a few changes to your daily routine will help promote a sense of well-being and help alleviate symptoms of depression. If you continue to have feelings of depression or have severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts, consult a health care professional immediately.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for Depressionso. To learn about natural depression treatments, visit http://www.depressionso.com/natural/ and http://www.depressionso.com/tipsforbeatingdepression/.

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Friday, December 01, 2006

7 Way to Overcome Depression

ElmerFizz has written 7 Way to Overcome Depression and writes "In North America, it is estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the population is affected by winter depression. There is a broad spectrum of symptoms that arise, from a change in sleep patterns and weight gain, to overwhelming suicidal thoughts and the unfortunate results. Think of it this way - fully half of the people you know are somewhat depressed in the wintertime!

Wintertime depression is very common in those parts somewhat north (or south) of the equator. People who live near the equator have a very low incidence of winter depression. Why? Simple. They live where there are enough daylight hours to avoid triggering the hormone imbalance that causes depression. Now, please note that I did not say that people near the equator spend more time sunbathing than northerners. It doesn't matter that they have a better tan. Rather, it is the length of the day that matters..

Again, it is the length of the day, not the weather! This fact about winter depression is what gave rise to the name Seasonal Affective Disorder. People who live in northern climes suffer because of the seasonally shortened days. Just as trees lose their leaves when the days shorten, people lose their happiness. People who live where the days shorten seasonally are victims of the brain's chemical reaction to lesser hours of daylight.

So, understanding that it is not your fault, what can you do?

First, start right now on a plan to extend the hours of daylight in your day by using light therapy. Light therapy is the most effective depression treatment known. All you need is a small bank of lights and the time to sit near them for a couple of hours each day.

The lights are the easy part. Get the cheapest fixture you can find that will hold four foot long fluorescent bulbs. Mine has four bulbs. Buy the best 'grow' lights. The kind that is best for plants. They are the closest match to the spectrum of sunlight. Do not use standard fluorescent bulbs. They are too green and will actually drain the energy out of you.

Research has shown that the best time to treat your winter depression with light therapy in early in the morning. It is best to make it your first task of the day. As well, this will give you some quiet time alone to read some uplifting material. It never hurts to get some positive input!

Reduce your stress by sticking to a daily routine. Get to bed on time so you can do your light therapy in the morning. Try to avoid annoying people. Get to work early and plan your day. Make a list of things to do and check them off as you accomplish them. Save the challenging projects for when you are not fighting your winter depression.

Next, decide that the weather will not affect your mood. You can't change the weather, so why be upset by it? If the weather is bad, allow a little extra time to get to work. It's simple, isn't it? Accept it and move on.

Then, improve your health. Eat a little less. Eat healthier foods. Exercise a little. Go for a walk. Did you know that it is nearly impossible to think bad thoughts while walking briskly? Drink water! The vitamin that people lack the most is plain old water.

Last, don't give up on yourself. If you feel bad, yell for help! Talk to someone. Those closest to you need to know how you are feeling. Tell them. If you can't talk to your family or a friend, go see your doctor. Go to a walk in clinic and see a nurse, a psychologist - somebody! And please, except if you are completely overwhelmed, do not take antidepressant medication. Yes, they will help if you are suicidal, but the long term side affects of these mind altering substances are extreme and not good for your overall health.

In summary, here the seven things you can do now to overcome your winter depression:

1) Make or buy a light box. Use it in the morning. One to two hours every day.

2) Reduce your stress by having a daily routine.

3) Get enough sleep. Go to bed early so you can get up early and sunbathe in front of your lights.

4) Decide that the weather will not affect your mood.

5) Eat healthy. Get some exercise. Drink lots of water.

6) Talk about how you feel. Remember, 50% of people feel like you do, to one extent or another.

7) No matter how bad it gets, hang on! It will get better.

About the Author
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