Thursday, August 31, 2006

Postpartum Depression

Steve Valentino has written Postpartum Depression and writes "Postpartum or postnatal depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in a mother after giving birth. Depression may occur in women at during the pregnancy or after the delivery of the child.

Postpartum depression occurs after delivery because of the hormonal changes in a woman's body. About 70-80% of woman experience this, and it may appear within days of delivery or within a year.

During pregnancy, the levels of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, rise greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, these rapidly drop back to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think that this fast change in hormone levels may trigger depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman's moods before the menstrual cycle. Also, drops in the levels of thyroid hormones which helps to regulate metabolism is responsible for prompting depression..

The amount of blood in the body, the blood pressure, the immune system and metabolism all change after giving birth. These changes affect how one feels physically and emotionally, causing fatigue or mood swings. There is no exact cause known for depression after childbirth, but it's likely that physical, emotional and lifestyle factors all play a role.

Often, the depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight occur during and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression.

The major causes include a family history of depression or substance abuse, little support from family and friends, anxiety about the fetus, problems with a previous pregnancy or birth, marital or financial problems, young age of mother, feeling tiredness after delivery, broken sleep patterns, feeling less attractive, and doubting one's ability to be a good mother.

Sometimes, women think they have to be the perfect "super mom," which can add stress. Having to stay home or indoors for longer periods of time and having less time to spend with one?s husband or partner and loved ones also results in depression.

There is a difference between baby blues and postpartum depression. Baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally go away within a few days to a week, whereas postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth and needs to be treated by a doctor.

Talk therapies and anti-depressant medicines are the best ways to overcome and avoid this depression. Taking a nap when the baby does, asking for help from family members and friends, and talking with other moms definitely helps. Keeping a diary to note down emotions and feelings also works as a vent.

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

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Depression What Really Causes It

Michael Russell has written Depression - What Really Causes It and writes "Many people think they are depressed because they are sad about something terrible that has happened in their life. Maybe they lost a loved one. Maybe they even just lost a job. You may be surprised to find out that outside of physical abnormalities inside the brain, depression is not caused by sadness.

Depression is a very difficult condition to diagnose. In many people, there are no real physical signs, especially in people who have become very good at hiding their feelings. Depression isn't like somebody who falls and breaks his arm where the break is visible to an x-ray. Depression is not something you can see. Not even trained professionals can always correctly diagnose somebody who is clinically depressed. What makes this condition even more difficult to diagnose is the misconception of what causes depression. Outside of those physical abnormalities, depression is not causes by sadness but is caused by conflict..

If you're scratching your head wondering exactly what this means, the best way to explain it is with a hypothetical example.

You're dating a nice girl. You've been dating for quite some time and you fall in love with her. You are so sure that she is the girl of your dreams. Then suddenly you find out something about her that makes you realize that if you were to marry this girl you would have some serious problems. Well, you've got a real problem. You can't live without her because of the way you feel about her but you also know that you're not really going to be happy if you go ahead with the wedding. You are confronted with a serious conflict. If you think this doesn't cause depression you need to think again. This is the major cause of depression.

The reason for it is simple. There's no solution. At least no simple solution. If you break up with the girl then you've lost a really great love. If you marry her, you doom yourself to a life that you know won't be as happy as you were hoping for. Either choice you make, you lose. It's a no win situation until you can resolve the conflict. That is the hard part. That is where psychiatrists can help. They do this by trying to get you to work through which option would be the better of the two. Eventually, after a lot of therapy and a lot of pain, a decision is reached, the conflict is resolved and the depression lifts.

Again, there are types of depression that are actually caused by physical imbalances of certain chemicals in the brain. For these cases of depression, certain drugs can help correct these imbalances and the sufferer can live a normal life. Yes, there are side effects, some of which aren't too pleasant. So the patient needs to keep this in mind.

Depression is a terrible thing. But with the proper treatment, whether it be for chemical imbalances with drugs, or with therapy for emotional conflicts, depression can be controlled and even conquered. It's a life long battle. But it is one that can be won.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Depression

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Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Know How To Overcome Depression

Robert Thatcher has written Know How To Overcome Depression and writes "There are times in a person’s life where loneliness and lack of contentment is experienced. Depression is a state where an individual feels bored and sad. This feeling can be disturbing especially when a person seems so low and cannot overcome the obstacles that he is experiencing.

Many have thought that this emotional problem is not that serious to worry about. Studies have proven that this state of depression can be an illness and must be treated. Some depressed people may go to a physician for check up and consultation. It could be more advisable if the person would see a therapist.

Most depression therapists are very good in finding the reason why a person became depressed. The process in which a therapist treats depression is through emotional and psychological approach. On the other hand, a doctor will recommend patients to take anti depressant medicines. There are instances that have happened where a doctor treating a patient for depression was involved in such controversies where improper medications were applied..

An expert for depression would classify a depressed person if he shows some symptoms of significant weight loss, increase in appetite, loss of agility, or weight gain because of excessive eating. Others who are depressed may also encounter problems in sleeping or insomnia, over sleeping, decrease of sexual interest, and the lack of interest in lifestyle activities.

Some indications of depression may also come in a more emotional approach like the feeling of sadness and boredom, feeling of being a useless individual, the feeling of guilt to oneself, the feeling of being undecided to some simple decisions, and the decrease of the ability of the mind to think and concentrate. The most frightening symptoms of depression may come if a person is always thinking of his death or an individual wants to commit suicide.

Here are some ways to deal with depression in a personal approach:

1. A person must force himself to go outside. Do not even bother if the climate is not that good. Try to have a walk outside, read a book, or even try to write a poem. This can be an effective idea to overcome the depression rather than staying on the room alone.

2. It is always better if there are people that will support the person in depression. It is recommended that a person seek for a friend or a companion while he is still in the stage of recovering depression. If the individual is not use to this kind of therapy, the Internet should be a very good resort to find ways how to find ways to treat this kind of illness. It could be a little awkward to find some other people who are experiencing depression, but there is the possibility that there are others out there that can relate.

3. It is advisable for the individual to write what he feels at the moment. If there are no friends to tell what the problems are, he may try writing about the feeling so that the hatred or sadness will subside. Holding the feeling can just add more depression.

4. Meditation can be a good tool to overcome the depression. Deep breathing and good relaxation can relieve anxiety and pressure that may lead to depression.

Depression can be treated if the person realizes that he must also do his part on overcoming the illness. If these recommended ways do not show any development to let go of depression then it should be best if the person seek the help of a doctor or a therapist.

About The Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides depression resources on http://www.aboutdepression.info.


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Free Tips On How To Reduce Depression

Steve Hill has written Free Tips On How To Reduce Depression and writes "This article is all about beating depression. I am a person who suffered from long bouts of depression, however after deciding to change my whole outlook on life, I now have a much happier, successful and stress-free life. I will explain how I went about achieving this new life.

As I grew older and especially when I was in my early twenties, I used to always compare my life with other people I knew, for example my friends. It seemed to me that my life was so much more of a struggle than what their's was and that most of these people had so much more going for them and so much more to look forward to than I did.

I was not happy at the hand of cards I had been dealt and would regularly be down in the dumps, feeling sorry for myself. I had a number of issues in my life which had a major impact on my self-confidence and self-esteem, which would also lead me into depression. This issues including a weight problem, a stutter, a bald patch on my head and I am quite short in height compared to the average man..

I was in a regular state of depression and found it very difficult to pull my self out of it. The stress for example of socialising when you have a stutter and trying to gain employment would take a lot out of me. My hair started to turn grey when I was only twenty-one years of age.

I was not content at always being depressed and at the age of twenty-two, I decided to attempt to change my whole life. I had to have a whole new approach and a totally different thought process, in a nutshell I needed to chill out, think in a far more positive way and learn how to de-stress.

This was not going to be easy however it was essential to do. I started to read many self-help type books and books about eradicating depression. I learnt many things such as worrying about a situation makes it even harder, not easier and that in life all you can do is to try your best, therefore whatever the outcome you can feel proud that you gave it your best shot. It is also important to remember that we only live once and that that life could come to an end tomorrow, therefore we should treat every day as if it is the last and to enjoy ourselves.

The main change I made was that I started to think and compare my life to people I was reading about in the newspapers or watching on the television instead of comparing my life to my friends for example. From learning about countries in the third world and reading about certain disasters and terrorist acts, I realised what a fool I had been and that I was actually one of the lucky ones. If and when I start feeling down or depressed, I quickly switch on the news and it soon shakes me out of that temporary depressive state.

About The Author
Steve Hill has a number of websites including:

http://www.eradicate-depression.com
http://www.stuttering-help.co.uk
http://www.stress-management-game.co.uk

info@stammering-stuttering.co.uk


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Monday, August 28, 2006

Depression Symptoms, Causes and Treatment options

Knut Holt has written Depression Symptoms, Causes and Treatment options and writes "The main symptom of depression is sadness or low mood level, but many other mental and physical symptoms also occur. Here are symptoms, causes and treatment options explained.

Depression is a complex of psychological and physical symptoms. Low mood level or sadness is often the most prominent symptom. The common property of these symptoms is a decreased activity level in parts of the brain.

THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Depression may give one or more of these symptoms:

-Low mood level or sadness.
-Lack of joy or interest in activities that were joyful before.
-Pessimism.
-Feel of guilt of something without any substantial reason to feel so.
-Inferiority thoughts.
-Irritability.
-Slowness in the thought process.
-Slowness in interpreting sensorial stimuli.
-Slowness of digestion or other internal physical processes, and symptoms caused by this slowness, for example inflated stomach, constipation or difficulties by urination.
-Slow physical reactions.

Depression can be a mild disease that only causes some annoyance in the daily life, but can also get very serious and make a person totally unable to work and unable to participate in social life. By depression of some severity, there is also a greater risk of suicide.

Depression can occur in all age classes. In teenagers lack of interest in school work, withdrawal from social life and difficult mood can be signs of depression.

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT PRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS

By depression there is a decreased amount of neurotransmitters in parts of the central nervous system, mainly deficiency of serotonin, but also to some extend of noradrenalin, acetylcholine, dopamine or gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), or the nerve cells do not react properly by stimulation from neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter is a signal substance that transmits the nerve signal through the junctions between two nerve cells.

Serotonin and noradrenalin cause nerve cells to send impulses along to other nerve cells, and thus increase the activity in the brain. Deficiency of these substances causes slowness in parts of the brain, and that again causes the depressive symptoms.

The role of GABA is the opposite, namely to slow down some nerve impulses, mainly those causing anxiety and panic response. Lack of GABA causes higher anxiety and easier panic response. Yet, lack of this transmitter also seems to cause depressive symptoms. This is because a too high activity in some brain processes may slow down other processes.

There are many causes and subtypes of depression with different physiological mechanisms involved.

TYPES OF DEPRESSION

Depression is often divided into subtypes according to exhibited symptoms.

1. Mono-polar depression and dysthymic disorder

By mono-polar depression there are pure depressive symptoms. Mild cases of mono-polar disorder that do not affect a persons ability to work and to participate in social activities are often called dysthymic disorder.

2. Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disease) and cyclothymic disorder

In this condition there are periods with symptoms of depression - the depressive phase, alternating with periods of elevated mood level with increased mental and physical activity - the manic phase. In the manic phase, the affected person also sleeps poorly and has concentration difficulties. A mild form of this disease is called cyclothymic disorder.

3. Manic disorder

This condition is characterized by abnormally elevated mood, by unrealistic optimism, by lack of sleep and by hyperactive behaviour. Many psychiatrists think that this disorder is simply the same disease as bipolar disorder where the depressive face has not yet occurred.

4. Depression with mainly physical symptoms

Sometimes the physical symptoms of depression are alone or dominant, as for example: Digestive problems, constipation, difficulties with urination, slow response to sensorial stimuli or slow physical reactions.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

Two or more factors can have an effect simultaneously to cause depression. Depression can be an independent disease, or a part of other disease. Depression is also divided into different subtypes according to cause.

1. Reactive depression

This disease is simply a result from psychological stress, physical struggle or mental straining without proper rest or sleep over a long time period. The straining will simply wear out the nervous system or deplete the organism from nutrient necessary for the nervous system to work properly.

2. Endogenous depression

When there has not been any period of stress, straining or lack of rest that can explain the condition, the condition is often called endogenous depression. Inheritance is thought to be a part of the cause.

3. Depression by physical disease

Depression or depressive symptoms may be a symptom of physical disease. This is perhaps the most common cause of depression.

Diseases often associated with depression are: Heart disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, hypertension or Cushing's syndrome.

Mononucleosis or flu may trigger depression that continues after the infection has gone.

By lack of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism, the metabolism in the whole body is slowed down, including the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore depression is an important symptom of hypothyroidism.

4. Depressive symptoms as a consequence of unsound lifestyle

A general unsound lifestyle with too less exercise, too much of stimulants like alcohol, coffee or tea, too less of important nutrient and too much of sugar and fat may give depressive symptoms, as well as physical problems.

5. Postnatal depression

Women will often have a period of depression after pregnancy and berth of the baby Pregnancy and berth is physically and mentally exhausting, and may drain the body for nutrient. This in turn can cause depressive symptoms.

6. Seasonal affective disorder

Depression can occur in cold and dark periods of the year and go away in warm and light periods. Light stimulates brain activity, and lack of light is a causative factor.

TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

Serious or prolonged depression is often treated with anti-depressive medication. Medicines used against depression generally increase the level of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the central nervous system, or they mimic the neurotransmitters.

The medications mostly used today increase the serotonin concentration by decreasing the removal of serotonin from the space around nerve cells. Examples of this medication type are: Fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro, Celexa), sentraline (zoloft).

By bipolar disorder in the manic face, heavy tranquilizers (neuroleptica) are used to stop the manic symptoms. By bipolar disorder, lithium salts are sometimes used to stabilize the condition, and prevent new outbreak of depressive or manic faces.

Psychotherapy is sometimes used by depression, usually in combination with medication.

Sometimes serious depression is treated by applying electric shock through the head, electroconvulsive therapy. The shock induces epileptic eruption of nerve signals through the brain and this gives cramps throughout the body. The cramps are alleviated or stopped by applying anaesthesia before the electroshock. This form of treatment is controversial, since it can cause memory loss and is suspected of causing brain damage. The possibility of brain damage is however denied by most psychiatrists.

By seasonal depression, light therapy maybe useful.

Adjustment of lifestyle should always be considered by depression or depressive symptoms. Lifestyle measures can sometimes be enough to cure depressive symptoms before a serious depression develop. Lifestyle adjustments can be:

- To slow down a stressful life with too much work or activities.
- Enough rest and sleep.
- A good diet with enough of necessary nutrients.
- Some physical exercise.
- Meditation.
- Supplement of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, lecithin, amino acids and essential fatty acids.
- Stimulants like coffee or tea may help against depressive feelings in moderate amount. However, if you are a heavy user of these stimulants, you should cut down on your consumption.

There exist nutritional products in the marked to help against depressive symptoms. These contain ingredients that the brain uses as building blocks for neurotransmitters, for example amino acids and lecithin. They also often contain vitamins and minerals that the brain uses as tools to produce neurotransmitters, especially vitamin B6.

Supplements may further contain herbal extracts that trigger higher brain activity much like anti-depressive medications, but may have fewer side effects.

About The Author
Knut Holt is an internet consultant and marketer focusing on health items. TO FIND natural supplements to help against serotonin deficiency, GABA deficiency, hypothyroidism, mental problems, acne, skin problems, heart disease, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, and other common health problems, PLEASE VISIT:---- http://www.panteraconsulting.com/salg2.htm.

Free to reprint with the author's name and link.

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Sunday, August 27, 2006

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks

Eddie Tobey has written Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks and writes "Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness, fainting, fear of losing control, going crazy, fear of dying, chills or hot flushes are some of the immediate changes that the body suffers on account of an anxiety attack.

The immediate physical symptoms preceding an attack include signs of a strong feeling of dread on the patient?s face, loss of control, trembling and shaking, sweating, hot flushes, tense muscles and dry mouth. Moments before a patient goes into an attack, he or she may complain of being lightheaded, dizzy or congestion in the chest..

The number of symptoms that one experiences does not dictate the severity of the attack. Someone can gave an attack with just a few symptoms listed above, and someone can first experience a cascade of all these before they precipitate into an attack. Some people experience anxiety attacks but never actually have any symptoms.

A number of biological changes occurring within the body are responsible for these symptoms, which leave the patient totally worn out and depressed. Furthermore, since muscle tension is one of the symptoms, it leaves the patient totally distressed at the end of the attack. Tension in the head and neck muscles often lead to headaches and migraines, accompanied by facial numbness. Similarly, tensions that occur in the chest on account of breathlessness are the causes of rib pain or tender breasts. All these secondary effects impair the sensations around mouth, face, cheek and jaw.

Anxiety Attacksprovides detailed information on Anxiety Attacks, Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks, Anxiety Attacks in Children, Causes of Anxiety Attacks and more. Anxiety Attacks is affiliated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.


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Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Eric Morris has written Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and writes "Social anxiety disorder is a condition, more than temporary, and sometimes permanent, in which the sufferer feels a distinct sense of anxiousness in social settings. It is often misinterpreted as mere shyness or even snobbishness. Many people have one form of social anxiety disorder or another. But it is important to understand the difference between fleeting feelings of nervousness, and real social anxiety disorder. Sometimes you can sense whether something is wrong all by yourself, whether there is a doctor to confirm your suspicions or not. But sometimes you would need a doctor to guide you in the diagnosis.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder are both emotional and physical, and they vary from individual to individual, though most commonly they include overwhelming feelings of panic, fear, and anxiety, along with uncontrollable obsessive thoughts and a variety of physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, numbness, and muscular tension. The physical symptoms include sleep disturbances, cold or clammy hands, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, jitteriness, dry mouth, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, gastrointestinal upset, and muscular tension..

In a few cases where the symptoms are severe, it could seem that the person is suffering from a heart attack or any other illness. These symptoms often occur for no apparent reason, and they are persistent. Such symptoms, if left untreated, can make the person immobile and he may refuse to leave the home completely. Individuals with any such anxiety symptoms should visit a psychiatrist for a thorough examination and diagnosis before making any conclusions about themselves.

Social Anxiety Disorder provides detailed information on Social Anxiety Disorder, Cause Of Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms, Social Anxiety Disorder Medications and more. Social Anxiety Disorder is affiliated with Anxiety Treatment.


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Friday, August 25, 2006

Help For Depressed Older People

Michael Russell has written Help For Depressed Older People and writes "Older people experience a lot of changes in their lives that cause depression. Depression is one of the most common health problems among the elderly. Changes in older people's physical, personal and financial capacities may contribute to their anxieties and in return, they may end up feeling sad, alone, empty and rejected.

Depression in older individuals is caused by many factors including accumulated lifetime losses and medication. Lifetime losses usually include changes in the standard of living, housing and reduced income. These also include changes in relationships, the loss of a loved one or close family members and in instances where friends and family move away. Even the loss of a pet or important possession contributes to depression. Medication on the other hand is also a common cause of depression among older individuals. Older people oftentimes take a lot of medications such as sedatives, tranquilizers, high blood pressure medicines and anti-inflammatories, all of which can cause depression. Drug interactions can sometimes be dangerous and can produce depression, mental confusion and many other physical problems..

If your older loved ones are showing signs of depression, you can help them by trying these strategies:

A loving touch can perform miracles and for depressed individuals it can give them the assurance that they are cared for and loved. Show your affection, hug or offer back rubs. These maybe the simplest forms of showing how much you care but these will mean so much for depressed people. Communicate with your loved ones in a manner that shows respect and honors their dignity. The manner in which you express yourself and talk to older people can create a huge difference in how they will feel about themselves. Be considerate to the older person's needs especially if there is physical barrier to communication. Face the person when talking to him or her and use short sentences as much as possible, especially if the person has hearing difficulty.

Respect their preferences and routines. They may be old and dependent upon your help but they too have lifelong routines and patterns that they need to follow for a sense of continuity and that needs to be respected.

The worst thing we do for our elderly loved ones is strip them of their dignity and control. In our desire to help them and make life easier for them, we tend to take over their lives and be in full control. Always bear in mind that overprotecting your older loved ones will only drive them to depression. No one likes to have his or her control and dignity taken away. Encourage them therefore to decide for themselves and always respect their privacy.

Finally, let them continue to be involved with life's activities. Being old doesn't mean staying inactive and glued to their beds. Help them become involved in meaningful activities that will spark their interest and enthusiasm. Involve them in volunteer activities or get them into crafts or hobbies that will make them look forward to another day. It is by being involved with life's activities that older people will find worth in themselves.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Depression


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Depression and Learning Disabilities

Greg Culver has written Treatments for Depression and Learning Disabilities and writes "Most of the people are unaware about the depression and learning disabilities but these diseases are very common. Children who suffer from learning disabilities suffer with common pressures of everyday living. They either cannot speak fluently or are unable to take stress or are not competent enough to take care of their health and bodies.

Most of such patients that suffer from depression and learning disabilities come in the category of retarded people. Depression is termed as a form of retard ness because patients suffer from chemical imbalances, insufficient nutrition's, emotional scaring, childhood traumas and many more such factors. Positive influences, miscommunications and lack of education are the root causes for learning disabilities..

More than enough caring the patients suffering with problems like depression and learning disabilities also adds to the problem. You immediately contact a professional for help if you find anyone around you who is suffering from symptoms of depression and learning disabilities. The symptoms of such people are unhappiness, feelings of despair, suicidal tendencies, lack of enthusiasms while playing and negative thinking.

The diseases such as depression should be taken proper care of without any carelessness as it may prove fatal. Some people who suffer from depression or learning disabilities consume drugs or alcohol to sooth themselves but it only adds up to the problem.

It's not only so that patients of depression and learning disabilities are danger for themselves as in some cases their lack of interest, behaviors and fatigue could result in criminal prosecution. Such patients need support to cope with stress they have in their minds due to several factors such as debts, deaths in the family etc.

Recent studies have shown that the use of Prozac, for the treatment of such patients have side affects. These side affects may create more problems instead of removing them. What I believe is that such patients need support and someone to take care of them. A little attention to such people can be of great help to them. Most of the patients of depression and learning disabilities search for answers of their questions regarding their problems but no one help them. You must never tell the patients of such problems that their emotions are unreal as it would enhance the problem. You must recognize the problem and try to eradicate it.

A labeled person is even more depressed as people look at him with a different eye. If you are suffering from depression or any such disability then the best way is to accept your disability as a recognized problem is half solved problem. But there are patients that disagree to accept that the problem exists, in such cases it is the duty of the professionals to help them. Deal with each and every symptoms one by one, eradicating all problems. Problem arises when professionals try to cure the patient with medicine and effective therapy to experiment which works faster.

Patients who are diagnosed as the sufferers of schizophrenia, antipsychotic, and other related diagnosis are usually prescribed Ziprasidone, but this medicine has side-effects such as glucose or sugar level is affected, blood pressure levels, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, promotes involuntary movement disorder etc. Most of the risks involved are connected to the central nervous system that may prove fatal for treatment of such patients as their nervous system is not to be hindered in any case to avoid further problems.

About the Author
Greg Culver is the owner of www.healthmedicinehome.com. For information and articles on health and medicine go to: www.healthmedicinehome.com

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Thursday, August 24, 2006

Treating Depression and Anxiety the Natural Way

Jammy Hokins has written Treating Depression and Anxiety the Natural Way and writes "Prescription Anti-Depressants, Tranquillizers and Sleeping Tablets are regularly prescribed by doctors to treat anything from bereavement to postnatal depression. While there are many responsible and caring doctors out there, there are also many who over prescribe.

This may sometimes be due to lack of time, lack of adequate training in emotional problems and mood disorders or sometimes just pure indifference towards the patient's problems! Sad, but unfortunately true!

In my opinion, the above drugs should only be used as a very last resort to treat depression, anxiety, or insomnia which is severe and chronic, i.e. when the person's day to day functioning is badly affected and where the problem is not responsive to any other forms of treatment..

Many times, however, prescription drugs are the first line of treatment and this often becomes an obstacle in the patient's road to health and empowerment. In the extreme, it can lead to addiction and more problems than the patient started out with.

As for prescription sleeping tablets, the majority are addictive if used for longer than two weeks. After a while, more and stronger medication is needed, as the body gets "used" to the drug and "forgets" how to go to sleep by itself.

This sets up a cycle of insomnia and dependence which is very difficult to break - and which would have been entirely avoidable if the health practitioner had spent some time listening to the patient and helping him or her to overcome problems, rather than resorting to prescription drugs.

The good news is that there are usually many healthier alternatives which really work well. They are not always the "quick fix', but most are a more permanent and certainly healthier alternative, leaving YOU in control!

Here are a few:

Exercise

I know, I know - you've heard this before and it IS hard to start! But if every client followed this advice, I would go out of business! Regular exercise helps you to feel healthier, increases the production of natural "feel good" chemicals in the body, boosts self-esteem and significantly reduces the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.

It also helps those struggling to lose weight or fight addictions. The keyword is "regular"! At least half an hour of brisk exercise three times a week. Daily is better if you are trying to beat depression.

Walk, swim, jog, dance, do aerobics, whatever - so long as it results in a bit of sweat and an increased heart rate. Believe it or not - if you persevere, you will begin to enjoy it!

Social Support

When you are depressed, you usually isolate yourself and avoid company. Mixing with people is not always what you feel like doing, but loneliness is one of the major causes of depression.

Get out there and join the world! You may hate it at first, but do it anyway! It will ultimately help to uplift your spirits and you will not feel so alone. If you don't have a social circle, join one!

Volunteer organizations, mothers' groups, churches, sports clubs, hobbies and crafts are all good ideas. Be creative! Try out different alternatives until you find something that you like. Don't give up!

See the Discussion Forum Notice Boards for free support groups and topics of Inspiration. Join an online support group or start one of your own. Go to www.feelgoodcounseling.com/FeelGoodCommunity.htm

Talk About It

This is the most effective way of relieving depression and anxiety. Share your problems and "externalize" them, rather than bottling them up. You will be amazed at how relieved you feel and how you are able to begin to get things into perspective.

Speak to friends, family or to a professional person like a licensed counselor. Writing about your feelings is also therapeutic, so keep a journal, write a book or consult a professional online at Native Remedies

Do Nice Things For Yourself

Nurture and spoil yourself. You deserve it too! So have a bubble bath, buy that special something you've been wanting, play your favorite music and SING, have an aromatherapy massage or relax and soak in your bathtub after adding a few drops of soothing lavender oil to the water. - and do it because YOU ARE SPECIAL!

Learn how to say 'No' to others when it is appropriate and 'Yes' to yourself when you need it. If you tell yourself "I don't have enough time to do that for myself', ask whether you would make the time if it was someone else's need.

You will probably find that, while you have the time to see to the needs of others, you have 'no time' for yourself! Turn this around and see to your needs too. They are just as important! Don't be a martyr and deny yourself and then resent other people for not caring about you!

Diet

No, not the starvation kind! Enjoy your food and eat healthily. Some foods help to fight depression and anxiety. A carbohydrate rich diet helps the body produce serotonin - the 'feelgood' chemical.

Special serotonin foods are oats, whole wheat, bananas and other carbohydrate rich foods. Make sure you are having a full supplement of Vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and iron - a deficiency in any of these can lead to depression and anxiety-type symptoms and insomnia.

Natural Alternatives

There are many natural alternatives to prescription antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sleeping tablets. Research suggests that St John's Wort is as effective, but has far fewer side effects, than many of the commonly used prescription antidepressants. Passiflora, Melissa, and Lavender are other natural remedies to relieve anxiety and, in sufficient dosage, may also help to induce sleep.

To ensure therapeutic dosages and correct manufacturing processes, Feelgood Health has formulated a number of natural remedies to promote emotional and psychological health.

Becalm (adults) and KiddieCalmer (children) are specifically formulated to soothe the symptoms of anxiety and stress, while MindSoothe (adults) and MindSoothe Jr. (children) will assist with anxiety as well as depression. Serenite (capsules or drops for adults) and Serenite Jr. (drops for children) help to promote natural sleep.

All of these, and other natural remedies, can be ordered at Native Remedies. Consult a health practitioner before changing or stopping prescription medication!

Learn to Relax or Meditate

Relaxation techniques and meditation are easy to learn and are so effective in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression that I wonder why they are not routinely prescribed or even taught as a life skill at school! There are some excellent books on meditation and relaxation reviewed at www.feelgoodcounseling.com/AngelBooks.htm

Understand Your Symptoms

Why are you feeling depressed? What is bothering you? What needs to change to help you to feel better? Is it something in your present, or are there unresolved issues in your past or in your childhood that you still need to deal with and which are affecting your life and your relationships?

Are your anxiety symptoms realistic or do they subconsciously mask other issues in your life which need dealing with like low self esteem, relationship problems or problems from your childhood?

Symptoms of depression and anxiety are very troublesome, but they are also an 'early warning' signal from your body that something is not right and needs to change. Listen to your body and work on your problems to prevent further ill health.

If you need professional help in any of these areas, you are welcome to consult a professional online at Native Remedies

Here are some other useful eBooklets on the topic of Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression.

* Understanding And Treating Anxiety * Help Yourself Overcome Panic Attacks * Help Yourself Overcome Insomnia * Understanding And Treating Depression

Feelgood Tip

Here's a private game to play, guaranteed to warm your heart! See how many people you can get to return a smile! Without looking loony, make eye contact, smile and greet each person you meet or pass (as long as it's not in a dark alley!). Count how many return your smile.

Not only does it feel good to have people smile at you, the facial muscles involved in smiling send messages to the brain, causing an increase in production of natural feelgood brain chemicals! Try it - you'll be surprised!

Jammy Hokins writes for http://www.anxietyremedies.info where you can find out more about cheap hotels and other topics.

About the Author
Jammy Hokins writes for http://www.anxietyremedies.info where you can find out more about cheap hotels and other topics.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 10:27 AM | | Comments

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing!

Claire Williams has written Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing! and writes "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental condition, and another name for depression.


But these two conditions are very different!

And when you label a condition incorrectly it can cause no end of problems when trying to diagnose and treat it. So it's extremely important to make the distinction between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression - because they are completely different illnesses..


For one, depression can be a symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but there are many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers out there who do not suffer from depression at all.


Second, research has shown that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers have an abnormality in their 'deep sleep' brainwave patterns. In contrast, depression sufferers do not have this abnormality.


In addition, depression sufferers tend to feel tired all the time, whereas Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers' exhaustion increases notably after mental or physical exertion.


There are also symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that are not shared by depression sufferers. Nasty flu-like symptoms, headaches, reversal of sleeping patterns, painful muscles and joints, Restless Legs Syndrome, and an increase in colds and viruses all are just a few symptoms that can play a part in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.


These are just a few of the differences between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression!


Another myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that all Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers need to do is to 'pull themselves together' - and they'd be cured...


... if only it were that simple!


Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is actually a bio-physical condition and was (finally) accepted as such by the UK government in 2001. But no cure has yet been found.


Unfortunately there are still many people out there (including some medical professionals) who still think that the condition is 'all in the sufferer's head'.


It is because of this misunderstanding that the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community has fought so hard against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome being wrongly labelled as a mental illness. And it is perhaps because of this battle that depression amongst Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers has often sadly been overlooked...


Yet for many, depression can be a very real symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. If you suffer from depression as a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer, then it's vital that you take it very seriously and that you try to address it as soon as possible.


If you don't deal with your depression, you are unlikely to be able to recover from any chronic illness...


...and recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is no exception.


It is possible to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. So if you do experience depression as a symptom of your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, make it a priority to deal with it. Only that way can you get yourself on the road to recovery.


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The article above may be freely reproduced provided that: (1) you include the following resource box; and (2) you only mail to a 100% opt-in list.

Here's the resource box to use if reprinting the article above:
Claire Williams is editor of sleepydust.net and has suffered from Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since 1995.

She created 'sleepydust.net' to help Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferers to deal with the condition - from handling their money worries, to recovering from their illness....
http://www.sleepydust.net

To subscribe to the newsletter in which this article was published, please go to:
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Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Seth Miller has written Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and writes "Anxiety disorder symptoms are those physical and behavioral signs that a person is experiencing or developing anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is defined as the inability or fear of communicating with other human beings. The degree of GAD as a disorder is gauged by the intensity and duration of symptoms, including any problems with functioning caused by the symptoms. GAD is diagnosed if symptoms have been interfering with daily life and have been constantly present for at least six months.

Anxiety disorder symptoms are caused by a rise in the 'benchmark' or normal level of anxiety. This rise can be started by many factors such as stress or bereavement for example. Anxiety disorders become apparent when anxiety disorder symptoms become constant or regular..

In some cases, when there are no symptoms pointing towards GAD, other psychiatric problems should be investigated. Although many people with GAD cannot be cured, most people gain substantial relief from their symptoms with treatment. The array of symptoms that GAD presents include sweating, difficulty in concentrating, nausea, frequent urination, unrealistic view of problems, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, headaches, tiredness, trouble falling or staying asleep, trembling and easily startled.

Anyone who suspects they may be suffering from anxiety disorders should seek the help of a physician who will test to make sure anxiety disorder is the proper diagnosis. Research has found at least two effective treatments for anxiety disorders including medication and specific types of psychotherapy. The treating physician may use one or both treatments depending on the specific phobias.

Anxiety Disorders provides detailed information on Anxiety Disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and more. Anxiety Disorders is affiliated with Anxiety Attacks in Children.


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Eliminate The Belief That Your Illness Is Genetic

Eliminate The Belief That Your Illness Is Genetic was written by Dr. Nick Arrizza and he writes "Many illnesses, emotional and otherwise, are often said to be genetic in origin. When one is told that their particular problem is of a genetic nature it often leaves them feeling helpless since, to date, the idea of reversing something that is stored deep within one's structural DNA, which exists in every single cell of one's body, is considered an impossibility.

So where is one left when one is given such a "genetic diagnosis". Well apart from feeling helpless one is also given the option to try to correct the symptoms of their problem, and only the symptoms, with some form of medication or other supplementation. This can come from allopathic or alternative medicine sources..

The root cause, i.e. the genetic root, is still in place however and apparently can never be eliminated. Hence we have a situation where the treatment is essentially a palliative one. That is, it only tries to stem the symptoms but not eliminate the cause itself. Unfortunately, many individuals accept this as a solution to their problem because of the fundamental belief that the illness is genetic and therefore its complete elimination is accepted as impossibility.

In an article entitled "All You Problems Are Based in False Beliefs" I make the point that any problem is essentially the result of deeply held false beliefs. One belief that causes a problem for an individual is the belief that their particular illness is of a genetic nature.

Now this may sound strange to you perhaps. You might say, well that's just a fact, and I can't change it, so what does the belief have to do with it? Well as I hope to show you here it is the "belief" that your illness is genetic that is the problem.

Now I'm not suggesting that you choose to believe that it isn't. That would just be going into denial. Denial is really a state of trying to lie to oneself about something that they already believe inside. The purpose of such denial would supposedly be about trying to stem the sadness about knowing that the illness is genetic and that nothing can be done about it.

What I am suggesting however is a brief analysis of the belief itself. Let me show you what I mean:

We choose to believe that a given illness is genetic so that,

a) It will allow us to accept that there is little we can do about it other than try to manage it, so that,

In accepting it we can feel better, more at peace, happier and so we can live a more contented life.

Or that,

b) It will relieve us of responsibility for having caused it, so that,

We can feel we're not at fault so that,

We can feel better, more at peace, happier and so we can live a more contented life.

Or that,

c) It will allow us to work hard at finding a way to find a cure, so that,

We can find it, be cured and so that,

We can feel better, more at peace, happier and so we can live a more contented life.

Hence in all three scenarios above the conclusion appears to be that:

d) Believing that our illness is genetic allows us to feel better, more at peace, happier and so we can live a more contented life.

Now does statement d) above make sense to you? Probably not. However please notice whether you agreed with a), b) or c) above from which d) was derived in each case.

So you see, if you believe any one of these and you don't believe d) you are faced with a paradox, aren't you?

On the one hand you believe something and then in the next breath you say it's not true. So which is it?

If you recognize that d) is not true for you then quietly acknowledge this to yourself and then notice how you feel.

Now if you wish, say this statement to your self: "My illness is genetic" and notice how it feels.

Does it make you feel good inside. If not then please acknowledge this to yourself and again notice how you feel.

You see this belief is actually "toxic" to you, isn't it.

That is because it likely makes you feel helpless, hopeless and sad inside. Do you therefore want this kind of toxic belief living inside you?

If you want to take this journey further you may wish to visit the web site below in my bio.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is a Key Note Speaker, Author of "Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation" (available in ebook format at: http://www.telecoaching4u.com/ebook.htm), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Personal URL: http://www.telecoaching4u.com


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Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Your Daily Struggle With Depression

Your Daily Struggle With Depression was written by S A Baker and he writes "If you have been diagnosed with depression or feel that you are dealing with depression on a daily basis, you may feel that depression is consuming your life. You worry about everything. You don't want to do anything. The things that used to make you happy, well, they just don't seem important anymore. You need to realize that depression is a serious condition and that without the assistance of a doctor, depression just won't go away.

But, you can learn to deal with the effects of depression within your daily life. Yes, it is hard. Yes, it would be much easier to try and forget about it all. But, if you ever want to be happy again, you'll want to find a way out of your black hole. In order to deal with depression on a daily basis, you may have to force yourself to do things that you do not enjoy doing anymore. You may have to surround yourself with people and places that are positive. You may have to seek out a therapist to talk to about your depression..

No one said that dealing with depression on a daily basis was easy. It is not. But, if you have this disease, then you must find a way, even if it is deep inside you, to pull through the day. Remind yourself of the positive things that you have within your life. Your family, your job, your friends can be a few. For more ideas on how to surround yourself with good things, and for ways to avoid depression in your daily life, visit websites like www.avoiddepression.com. You'll learn how to get through the day. While it is not a medical website, it is a great outlet for finding resources to help you.

S A Baker is staff writer at Depression.


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Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw?

Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw? was written by Charles Donovan and he writes "A major survey on depression symptoms from the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), released in july 2001, revealed a dramatic degree of progress in public understanding. Yet even amid this promising trend, the survey sheds light on the difficulties faced by millions of people striving to manage this sometimes chronic, life-long illness.

The NMHA survey shows a major shift in public opinion in the last decade about the cause of depression. A majority (55 percent) of those polled who have never been diagnosed with depression symptoms understand depression is a disease, and not "a state of mind that a person can snap out of." In 1991, only 38 percent recognized depression as an illness..

The survey also sketches a troubling portrait of the socio-economic lives of some people with depression symptoms. Survey respondents with depression symptoms reported higher levels of unemployment and divorce than respondents who don't have the disorder.

"We set out to get a snapshot of the state of depression and its treatment," said Michael M. Faenza, president and CEO of the NMHA. "The good news is that there is greater public understanding of depression and that people living with depression are finding substantial relief by following their treatment plans. The challenging part is understanding the degree to which public perceptions impact those in treatment," said Faenza.

In this year's survey, nearly one in three Americans say they believe depression symptoms is a state of mind. "Fifty-five percent understand the truth about depression. That is good, but it is not enough," said Faenza. "You'd never hear 31 percent of the population deny that diabetes and heart disease are real. Erroneous beliefs about depression fuel stigma, bad public policies and poor personal choices by those living with the illness and may impede their recovery."

The survey also describes a strong correlation between clinical depression symptoms and diminished social and economic circumstances for families. Survey respondents with depression report greater rates of divorce and unemployment than the general public. What's more, respondents who have experienced multiple depressive episodes are even more likely to be divorced or unemployed. They also are more likely to have lower income and educational levels. The NMHA survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies LLC, comprised interviews with 500 adults currently being treated for depression, 300 primary care physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists and 800 members of the general public.

Gap Between Knowledge and Behavior

Survey respondents who are living with depression symptoms overwhelmingly feel that treatment, including medication, psychotherapy or both, works. (Their average self-rated symptom severity dropped from 8.5 before treatment to 3.6 within six to 12 months after starting treatment, using a severity scale of one to 10, with 10 being the most severe.)

Yet people are finding that staying with treatment is hard work. While they seem to understand the value of long-term treatment (in fact, most respondents believe that adhering to treatment is not difficult) nearly one-third (29 percent) of people on antidepressants report skipping doses during the week and nearly one-fourth (24 percent) have difficulty attending regular psychotherapy sessions. However, physicians and psychiatrists surveyed believe adherence is much lower than people in treatment profess. Almost 40 percent of doctors believe those they treat have difficulty staying with their medication regimens (a number consistent with most studies), and half (52 percent) say those they treat have difficulty staying with their psychotherapy regimens.

The survey suggests many reasons why some people don't stick with treatment. In addition to struggling with the nature and demands of the depression symptoms, they may find the requirements of long-term vigilance overwhelming. A majority of doctors (70 percent) say those they treat for depression symptoms might find adherence easier if they could take medication less often. But medication is not the only issue. Though people with depression symptoms believe diet and exercise to be beneficial to long-term wellness, they nevertheless report not adhering with these regimens either.

"The survey clearly shows that the fewer episodes of depression people reported, the more likely they were to have stayed with treatment, whatever that treatment may be," said Faenza. "Facing up to this illness and taking personal responsibility for its treatment are vital. Yet some may not acknowledge and seek treatment for depression because of negative public attitudes and misperceptions."

In fact, even as people with depression symptoms struggle with the illness itself, they also seem to be searching to determine their best course of treatment, how long they should stay in treatment, what they might expect from treatment and whether they will ultimately recover. As a result, more people are employing a combination of techniques to get and stay well.

Perceptions Diverge

Public perceptions about depression symptoms often diverge significantly from the perceptions of people in treatment and may discourage them from seeking effective therapeutic approaches. For example, the survey results showed that the general public ranks regular exercise, a healthy diet and psychotherapy higher than medication for effectiveness in warding off future episodes of depression symptoms. In contrast, doctors and people in long-term treatment rate staying on medication as the most effective way to prevent a relapse, even as they seek the right mix of psychotherapy and lifestyle choices.

Perceptions also diverge when it comes to understanding what treatment can deliver. Thirty-five percent of the general public believe that a person can be cured completely of depression symptoms, a belief held by only 12 percent of people in long-term treatment for the illness. It is likely that many in this group are struggling to achieve realistic expectations for treatment because the majority of subjects in the survey sample are in long-term treatment for multiple episodes of depression symptoms.

About half of those who experience depression symptoms will never have another episode; half will. The findings suggest that people treated for clinical depression symptoms understand the frequently episodic nature of this common illness. More than three-quarters (76 percent) believe that they will need some type of treatment for the rest of their lives, and most understand that their treatment will control, but not necessarily cure, their depression symptoms. However, even as more people come to terms with the long-term demands of depression symptoms, too many still find it difficult to make a treatment plan work for them. "The upshot is that people living with depression conduct highly individualized searches for the right mix of therapies-medical, psychological or lifestyle. The last thing they need is for stigma or public misperceptions to diminish their efforts," said Faenza.

Source : National Mental Health Association, July 11, 2001

Charles Donovan is a study patient in the investigational trial for vagus nerve stimulation and chronic depression. He testified at the FDA Panel Meeting on June 15th and is the author of the upcoming book: Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 10:12 AM | | Comments

Monday, August 21, 2006

Depression's Link to Diabetes

Elizabeth Radisson has written Depression's Link to Diabetes and writes "Diabetes is now a disease that affects people not just North America wide, but worldwide. Many complications come with diabetes. Blindness, cardiovascular disease and kidney problems can all result from diabetes. Amputation of limbs may be a necessary result of diabetes is extreme cases. Studies have also linked early life depression as a contributor to adult diabetes.

Understanding why depression can lead to diabetes and other problems is important, as lifestyle changes are part of the solution in dealing with diabetes. Depression can lead to problems such as weight gain, poor eating habits, and decreased motivation for exercise. Eating healthy foods, monitoring body weight closely and getting adequate exercise are treatments for both diabetes and depression. Both may also require the use of medication in a comprehensive treatment plan..

Children and teenagers diagnosed with depression when they are young, typically become overweight as adults. Being overweight often leads to diabetes as an adult. Early prevention for adult diabetes involves monitoring and controlling for being overweight as a teenager and beyond. Research indicates that there is also a link between women with depression and anxiety disorder and an inflated body mass index (BMI) as compared to similar women that do not suffer from depression. This appears to be more typical for women than with men.

Patients treated for diabetes and depression often show no improvement. This is usually due to little or no change in diet and exercise improvements. These lifestyle changes can dramatically improve the symptoms of diabetes and depression. Diabetic patients that suffer from depression have twice the mortality rate of those who do not suffer from depression. The complications are numberous and include: heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney and teeth and gum disease. Over 21 million Americans are noted as suffering with mostly Type 2 diabetes, directly resulting from obesity.

Diabetics with depression often take poor care of their health and are prone to smoke, drink alcohol, be overweight, not exercise and eat poorly. As the body's cells gradually loose sensitivity to insulin, blood sugar levels need to be controlled. Failure to do so can lead to early death. A recent clinical study shows that elderly patients with diabetes may respond positively to clinical intervention programs. Depressed diabetic patients are now believed to be hopeful candidates for successful clinical intervention programs.

Early warning signs for diabetes involve childhood depression and anxiety disorder. Healthy eating, proper nutrition and regular sleep will help to prevent and fight against diabetes. Reducing the consumption of refined sugars and having a fiber rich diet are important parts of healthy eating. It is important to be focused on the point that fighting diabetes and depression can be done using the same methods.

About the Author
Elizabeth Radisson is the editor of Diabetes.OurGoodHealth.org, where you'll find numerous articles on the symptoms of diabetes and related causes and illnesses. For more information about the treatment of depression, visit Depression.OurGoodHealth.org.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 4:12 AM | | Comments

Reclaiming Your Life From Anxiety Symptoms

Reclaiming Your Life From Anxiety Symptoms was written by Charles Linden and he writes "Only somebody who has lived with anxiety - as either a sufferer or a carer - knows how devastating it can be. The affect can be seen and felt across every aspect of your life for years and years.

So how does anxiety make you withdraw from life?

Basically, people with anxiety live their lives defensively, at a level where they are merely 'coping' instead of 'embracing'. They are life's 'passengers', passive in their emotional and physical relationship with the world around them - rather than 'activists' who engage with their surroundings and interact with people..

Now I want to share something with you that will probably - hopefully! - shock you.

Have you ever sat down with pen and paper and worked out how much time you spend feeling anxious every day of your life? An hour? Two? Four? Ten?!

If you spend even a single hour a day in anxious mode, that equates to 30 hours a month - that's two 'waking' days every month where you could be playing with the kids, training for a marathon run, taking up a hobby, visiting old friends? LIVING your life. Instead, you're wasting that valuable time on your anxiety.

At it's worst, I know my anxiety had reached the point where it took over 90% of my waking thoughts. It left me totally exhausted.

Looking back, I now know that by allowing this anxiety to have such a huge stake in my life took real commitment on my behalf!

So, I took control and by doing so, I was rewarded with all this extra time? and all this additional energy with which to fill the hours in a positive way! What a bonus!

I cannot tell you the sense of relief and liberation this sparked in me. And the most wonderful thing is, just as anxiety is a downward spiral that sees you withdraw from life, so this liberation is an uplifting cycle which grows and grows. Once you begin, you can't contain it!

I know that if I hadn't taken control and eliminated my anxiety for good, I'd still be on that downward spiral? getting ever more sucked into the anxiety abyss where your every waking moment is dominated by fear.

So, don't be afraid of the fear, the unknown. Instead, look forward to all the wonderful possibilities that YOUR life has yet to put your way!

Looking at my family, I'm so glad I faced up to my own fear. The answer is never in retreating from life? it's everything to do with defeating anxiety.

Charles Linden specialises in the treatment of anxiety symptoms. Learn how to cure yourself of Anxiety quickly, permanently and get Free access to a valuable interview done with Charles by the BBC visit: http://beatanxiety.amazon-4u.com


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 4:03 AM | | Comments

So You've Been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?

Brian Cook has written So You've Been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder? and writes "If you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) you are not alone. It has been estimated that over 2 million people in the United States suffer from this form of mental illness which involves episodes of both mania and depression.

Although bipolar disorder usually begins in childhood or early adulthood, it is often not recognized as an illness. And, because it is sometimes misdiagnosed, individuals who have it often suffer needlessly although treatment is available. Left untreated, those with bipolar disorder sometimes experience serious complications, including an inability to keep a stable job, abuse of drugs and alcohol, marriage problems, and even suicide..

Symptoms of mania can include: decreased need for sleep; excessive feelings of euphoria; extreme distractibility; racing thoughts and rapid talking; decreased need for sleep; drug abuse; and a denial that anything is wrong. Depressive symptoms, (the flip-side of mania) may include: difficulty sleeping; loss of appetite; feelings of hopelessness; decreased energy; persistent sad mood; loss of interest in pleasurable activities; and thoughts of death or suicide.

It is important to recognize the various mood states experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder so that they can obtain effective treatment. Unfortunately, this illness often goes unrecognized by everyone involved, including family, friends, physicians, and even the patient.

An early stage of this illness often manifested is hypomania, in which the person suffering from it shows a high level of energy, excessive moodiness or irritability, and impulsive behavior. Ironically, hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it. Unfortunately though, if left untreated, bipolar disorder tends to get worse, and the person typically will experience episodes of full-fledged mania and clinical depression.

Fortunately, most people with manic depressive illness can be helped with treatment, specifically medications and therapy.

Medications play an important role in helping to stabilize the mood swings often found with this type of mental illness. Lithium has been shown to be very effective in helping to control mania and in stopping the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes. Several types of antidepressant have also been found useful in combating the depression aspect of bipolar disorder. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy is often helpful in treating severe depression that fails to respond to medication.

Therapy from a qualified provider can also be helpful in educating the patient and providing support and guidance to all family members involved. It is important to remember that bipolar disorder is recurrent, and, as such, long-term preventive treatment is indicated in most cases.

Finally, it is important to know that bipolar disorder is a legitimate illness, and that it will not "just go away" if given enough time. Treatment is necessary to help keep the disease under control and a maintenance regimen (including both medications and therapy) may be required over the length of a person's life.

Brian Cook is a freelance writer whose articles on bipolar disorder, and depression in general, have appeared in print and on many websites.

You can find more of these at: http://www.bipolardisordercenter.info

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 3:49 AM | | Comments

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Botox Cures Depression In Patients?

Ricardo de Silva has written Botox Cures Depression In Patients? and writes "Every once in a while, the medical profession comes up with something truly surprising. In this case, it is the new finding that Botox may cure depression.

Botox Cures Depression in Patients?
In the world of elective medical treatment, Botox has proven to be one of the more popular treatment courses. Given as an injection, this otherwise nasty stuff has proven to reduce or eliminate wrinkles in the facial area. Given the fact Botox injections are a fraction of the cost of a facelift, the procedure has met with massive popularity. Now, it may really explode on to the scene..

Over the years, medical professionals have noticed that patients getting Botox injections report being happier. Perhaps due to ego, most doctors simply thought they had done a good job and the patient's happiness was a psychological result of feeling better about their appearance. A recent study, however, suggests there is more to the sensation of happiness than just the perception of one's appearance.

Recently, a pilot study was undertaken to analyze the relationship of Botox injections and depression. The study involved 10 patients that were diagnosed with depression. They were then given a course of Botox injections per usual custom and standards of the medical treatment. 90 percent of the patients reported that their depression lifted after the treatments, a rather stunning result.

Medical professionals are drawing a number of general conclusions from the study. First, it appears facial expressions may have a direct correlation to mood. In the study, the injections were used to eliminate frown lines. Second, a discussion of the subject resulted in the surprising realization for doctors that many patients undergoing Botox injections have admitted they are doing so to feel better, not improve their appearance.

So, should you rush out and get Botox injections if you are depressed? Well, such injections carry little risk, so it probably will not hurt to do so. What you must realize, however, is a study of 10 people is not of sufficient size to draw any solid conclusions. Botox injections may help depression, then again they may not. The only way to really know is to conduct a study of a much larger number of people.

Could Botox be the cure to systematic depression in patients? The first impressions are good, but much more clinical analysis is needed.

About the Author
Ricardo de Silva is with Plastic Surgeon Practices - a directory of plastic surgeons. Visit us to read more plastic surgery articles

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 2:35 AM | | Comments

Everyday I have the Blues: A Medical Intuitive look at Depression

Christopher Stewart has written Everyday I have the Blues: A Medical Intuitive look at Depression and writes "It may come in waves, it may control our lives. Depression is something that many of us struggle with.

For some people, depression has been a part of their experience for so long that they've begun to believe it's what they are. They become experts at "doing" depression--hiding it, working around it, even achieving great things (but at the price of great struggle and little satisfaction).

Recent research suggests some genetic cause, or other biological pre-disposition towards depression. However in my work with depressed clients, I have not found a single paradigm that explains all of its elements..

Here is an outline of a more holistic approach that has worked for many of my clients.

1) Feel your feelings (depression is the suppression of feelings -- acknowledging those feelings often causes depression to improve). I find that what limits a person's capacity for love or recognition is what they are afraid to feel. Wherever I go, whomever I talk with, their ability to stay in a marriage, to work consciously, to be without fear and to experience joy depends upon what they have the capacity to feel.

Remembered pain is hostility and anger, anticipated pain is fear and anxiety, pain directed at yourself is guilt. The depletion of energy with all of the above is depression.

(2) Realize that nothing comes out of the blue (your depressed state has a root cause that you should look for in events or situations).

(3) Challenge your depressed thinking by questioning your assumptions, especially ones that center on meaningless perfectionism.

(4) Establish priorities so that your energy focuses on what's most important to you.

(5) Communicate as directly as possible to everyone around you. Depressed people are often poor communicators who don't get their emotional needs served. With better communication, they can experience a more supportive emotional environment.

(6) Take and expect the right responsibility for yourself -- for your own actions. Depressed people often feel guilty about things that they have no responsibility for (like the death of a parent or the divorce of their parents). Eat good whole foods. A new study published in the February 15, 2005 issue of Biological Psychiatry shows that certain foods are better at treating depression than antidepressant drugs. The study found that omega-3 fatty acids and foods high in a compound called uridine were able to reduce the symptoms of depression as well as or better than three different antidepressant drugs that were tested. In addition to the omega-3 fatty acids, these health enhancing substances are found in walnuts, molasses and fish, according to researchers. This research was conducted at the McLean Hospital, affiliated with Harvard.

(7) Look for heroes. These role models can empower you to see the way to improve, especially if they were also depressed like Abraham Lincoln.

(8) Be generous. Helping others puts your own situation into perspective.

(9) Cultivate intimacy. This means letting down your defenses so people can see you as you are, and accept you for that. Depressed people often feel disgusted with their true selves, and hide that self from everyone.

(10) Get help when you need it. This may be the most important piece of advice since so many people do not. Medicine often has value and can help a person achieve a level of stability so that they can tackle the other causalities of their depression. A severely depressed person should seek professional help and find a medication of some kind before starting this work. It could be very overwhelming for someone who is in complete despair.

There are many other actions that you can take to lessen, lift, and heal your depression.

Opening to your feelings, communicating your needs, and cultivating intimacy are powerful life tools for healing and for living.

© Christopher Stewart
Christopher Stewart is a Clairvoyant Counselor and Medical Intuitive assisting others in their healing process.
His work is compassionate, uplifting and empowering. You can visit Christopher's website at http://www.clairvoyantguide.com for further information and to schedule a private consultation.

You can also look for frequent updates to his blog at: http://intuitiveliving.blogspot.com/


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Depression After A Heart Attack

AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com has written Depression After A Heart Attack and they write "There are several factors can lead to depression after heart attack. The stress of being in the hospital, the fear of another heart attack, time away from work can all contribute to feeling depressed, helpless, down and despondent.

Do many people suffer depression after heart attack?
Not surprisingly, the answer to this question is yes. Recent studies show that as many as 65% of people who have a heart attack report feeling depressed, down and despondent. A general state of despair. Moreover, women, people who have been depressed before, and people who feel alone and without social or emotional support are at a higher risk for feeling depressed after a heart attack. Two new Canadian studies have shown that More than twice as many women than men tend to fall into chronic depression after suffering a heart attack and are more likely to lead lives of poorer quality following their treatments..

Being depressed can also make it harder for you to recover. However, depression can be treated.

Being told by doctors that you should take up exercise, adopt a new diet, stop smoking, etc. etc. etc. can certainly make you feel helpless, in fact, you will probably have good days and bad days following your release from hospital. However, most people start to feel better as time passes. People that are quickly able to get back to their usual routines normally notice a drop in anxiety faster than those that don't.

So what exactly is depression?
Depression, be it after a heart attack or not, is a medical illness, like diabetes or high blood pressure and not just somebody going crazy. This is important both for the sufferer and family members to understand. The symptoms of depression may include some or all of the following:
  • Feeling sad or crying often
  • Losing interest in daily activities that used to be fun
  • Changes in appetite and weight
  • Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
  • Feeling agitated, cranky or sluggish
  • Loss of energy
  • Feeling very guilty or worthless
  • Problems concentrating or making decisions
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Can heart disease trigger depression or depression trigger heart disease?

Either of the above may be true, one thing seems clear. The two are often found hand in hand, therefore controlling one may help control the other.

According to The American Academy of Family Physicians research has shown that people who are depressed and have pre-existing cardiovascular disease have a 3.5 times greater risk of dying of a heart attack than patients with heart disease who are not depressed. In a recent study, depression was shown to be associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease in men and women. Depression was shown to increase mortality related to coronary heart disease in men but had no effect on mortality in women.

How can the risk of relapse be avoided?
The risk of relapses, be it of heart disease or depression, can be greatly reduced by living a healthy lifestyle, and your doctor will instruct you on this. However, some important lifestyle modifications are avoiding alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking, start a regular exercise program, eating a balanced diet, manage stress, join a club, meet new people or take courses in things that interest you, get enough rest and sleep."

For more heart health related information visit http://www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com - a site that offers user-friendly articles, tips and advice for avoiding heart disease, getting the edge on risk factors and living your life to the full!


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Thursday, August 17, 2006

Anxiety Disorders:symptoms, types, and treatment options

Yury Bayarski has written Anxiety Disorders:symptoms, types, and treatment options and writes "Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension, fear, or worry. Most everyone experiences temporary anxiety, a feeling of nervousness or fear, as a normal reaction to a stressful situation at some point in life. While anxiety is a natural response to some situations, it can develop into a debilitating disorder in some people. It is estimated that about 13% of the United States population has anxiety. Most peope suffering from anxiety do not consult a doctor as they believe only "mentally sick" people need to visit a psychiatrist.


The important thing is to understand that anxiety can be treated and that living with constant anxiety is not necessary. Untreated anxiety disorders can push people into avoiding situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. People with anxiety disorders are likely to suffer from depression, and they also may abuse alcohol and other drugs in an effort to gain relief from their symptoms. Job performance, school work, and personal relationships can also suffer.


Types of anxiety disorders
There are several different anxiety disorders:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder - an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic, exaggerated worry and tension that is unfounded or much more severe than the normal anxiety most people experience. Worrying is difficult to control. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include muscle tension, trembling, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, irritability, loss of sleep and not being able to concentrate.

Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder - an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated panic attacks along with intense anxiety between attacks and possible avoidance of situations where attacks may occur. Panic attacks last about 5 to 30 minutes. Panic attacks can lead to phobias if they aren't treated.

Phobias. A phobia is an extreme, unreasonable fear in response to something specific. Examples include fear of crowds, bridges, snakes, spiders, heights, open places or social embarrassment. A phobia is only considered a problem when it keeps you from living a normal life.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which feel uncontrollable to the sufferer.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - a debilitating anxiety disorder that may develop following a terrifying event. It is characterized by persistent frightening thoughts and memories of the ordeal.
Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia - an anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by one's actions.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders

Physical symptoms:
rapid or irregular heartbeat, feeling as if you are having a heart attack
stomach problems (gnawing feeling, nausea, diarrhea, irritated bowel syndrome)
breathing heavily, shortness of breath
difficulty in swallowing
sweating, or feeling cold and clammy
headaches, lightheadedness or dizziness
muscle tension and pains
chronic fatigue
difficulty falling or staying asleep
insomnia
hot flashes or chills
chest pain
rubbery legs, tingling in fingers or toes
frequent urination
Emotional and psychological symptoms:
a general sense of apprehension and dread
nervousness
jumpiness
poor memory
lack of concentration
extreme exhaustion
fearfulness or terror
isolation from others
strong desire to escape
feeling incredibly self-conscious and insecure
feeling of being overwhelmed
fear that you are losing your mind
fear of going crazy, of dying
fear of losing control
frequently feel like crying for no reason
feeling angry and lack of patience
fear of madness, impending death
feelings of being outside yourself, being cut off from reality
feeling worried all the time, tired, irritable

Self-help methods

A self-help treatment is one that can be used by the public without necessarily consulting a health professional.

Physical Exercise. Because anxiety is the body's response for fight or flight - physical exercise is a very good way of burning the adrenaline off. It improves our physical well-being and helps to restore balance.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Avoid alcohol and drug abuse. It may seem that alcohol or drugs relax you. But in the long run they make anxiety worse and cause more problems.

Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate. Caffeine may increase your sense of anxiety because it stimulates your nervous system.

Spend as much time as possible with people who make you feel good.

Share your thoughts and fears with friends, family or a therapist. A journal might be a helpful way to record things that cause make you anxious, stressed or hurt.

Often, helping someone else can take your mind off your worries and give you perspective. Volunteering on a regular basis or helping someone in need from your neighborhood, church or community can give you a break from yourself and your worries.

Improve you intimate love relationships. If your anxiety stems from early life issues that interfere with your ability to build safe, trusting, intimate love relationships, you may benefit from learning ways to improve love relationships.

Plan your day - list the chores or activities that need to be done today, then the ones that can wait until tomorrow. List them in order of priority, and make sure you at least try to do those at the top of the list.

Relax. Take time out for play, recreation and relaxation and try to spend time doing hobbies or activities you really enjoy.

Identify your stress or anxiety triggers. Identify the situations or thoughts that cause anxiety. It is only by identifying them that you will learn to control the anxiety. Consider the following: When do I feel anxious? Who am I with? How do other people cope in this situation? Is there anything I can do differently? Am I allowing myself enough time? Is there anyone I can talk to or telephone?
Try to limit the known stressors in your life.

Be realistic - don't set your goals too high. Lower your expectations.
Become your own expert. Learning more about your anxiety will help you get the best treatment and enable you to conquer your fears. Read books, visit websites, go to lectures and workshops, and talk to your doctor and therapist.

Laugh as much as possible and seek out things and people that you find funny (like exercise, laughter causes the release of healthy endorphins in the body). Try to find humor or absurdity in stressful situations.

DonТt generalize. Notice when you use expressions that generalize ("He always lets me down." "She is never nice to me." "Everyone knows I'm a loser." "No one will help me."). Such statements are rarely true, but when you use them, you are more likely to react to the situation as if they are, which will increase your anxiety.
Deal with situations/problems before they get out of control.
Positive Thinking. Optimism can counteract the negative impact stress, tension and anxiety has on your immune system and well-being. Often it is how you perceive things that determine if you get overwhelmed, both mentally and physically. Having a positive attitude, finding the good in what life throws your way and looking at the bright side of things enhances your ability to effectively manage stress.
Sleep. Getting enough sound sleep has a profound impact on your stress levels, immune function and disease resistance. A chronic lack of sleep can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, forgetful, accident-prone, and have difficulty concentrating or coping with life's daily aggravations. Strive to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Medications for anxiety
According to the National Institute for Mental Health, the types of medications often prescribed for anxiety disorders include:

Antidepressants: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), Tricyclic antidepressants.
SSRIs are helpful in a variety of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, and social phobia.
The FDA has granted specific indications to the following disorders and agents: generalized anxiety disorder (venlafaxine, buspirone, escitalopram, paroxetine), social phobia (paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine), OCD (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine), and PTSD (sertraline, paroxetine).
Anti-Anxiety Medications: Benzodiazepines, Azipirones.
Benzodiazepines are especially useful in the management of acute situational anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder where the duration of pharmacotherapy is anticipated to be 6 weeks or less and for the rapid control of panic attacks. If long-term use of benzodiazepines seems necessary, obtaining a confirmatory opinion from a second physician may be helpful because chronic benzodiazepine use may be associated with tolerance, withdrawal, and treatment-emergent anxiety.
Benzodiazepines include clonazepam, which is used for social phobia and GAD; alprazolam, which is helpful for panic disorder and GAD; and lorazepam, which is also useful for panic disorder.
Buspirone is a newer anti-anxiety medication that is used to treat GAD. Unlike the benzodiazepines, buspirone must be taken consistently for at least two weeks to achieve an anti-anxiety effect.


About the Author
Yury Bayarski is the author of OriginalDrugs.com. If you would like to learn more about anti anxiety medications, please visit the author's website.

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Proven Natural Treatment for Hypothyroidism

Nicole Francis has written Proven Natural Treatment for Hypothyroidism and writes "Hypothyroidism refers to a condition where there is an underproduction of thyroid hormones that is linked to depression, fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, memory loss, dry skin, brittle and dry hair, thickened tongue, constipation, and light or no menses.

As you may know, one of the causes of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency. Iodine is an essential trace mineral and a very important ingredient in the thyroid hormones: thyroxine and triodothyronine..

Did you know that approximately 80% of the iodine found in the body is located in the thyroid?

By influencing the thyroid's activities, iodine plays a vital role in basic metabolism and bodily processes. For instance, it helps regulate body temperature and maintain energy levels. It also plays a key role in blood cell production, muscle and nerve function and, helps keep your hair, skin, teeth and nails strong and healthy. It even assists the body in the destruction of toxins.

Iodine is one of the natural remedies that can help boost thyroid function and eliminate the symptoms associated with this condition, including slow metabolism. But it's not the only one. There are other natural medicines such as herbs that can also positively impact under-active thyroids and help you feel more energized, happier and healthier.

Natural Treatment for Hypothyroidism

Fortunately, low thyroid function can benefit from a natural treatment reason why it's worth taking the time to learn more about your options. You may find that it is a safer way to alleviate the symptoms associated with an under-active thyroid gland than common prescription drug approaches. And even though you may be taking thyroid medication most of these natural remedies can be added to your treatment as long as you tell your doctor and he or she works with you to adjust your dose of medicine.

Proven Herbs for Low Thyroid Function

Some popular herbs that can help hypothyroid conditions and are commonly used are:

* Ashwagandha root is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry. It is a well regarded herb in Ayurvedic medicine and has been traditionally used in cases of debility, impotence and premature aging. Recent research conducted with animals has shown that ashwagandha may stimulate thyroid function by enhancing the concentration of serum T4.

*Kelp is a type of seaweed that is good for thyroid function, arteries, and nails. Kelp is rich in iodine, a mineral that is necessary for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones. It is also used to stimulate metabolism which is why it is often found in some herbal slimming supplements.

There are other three herbs that have been shown to help people with hypothyroidism and all the symptoms related. Learn about these and how they will help you by visiting: natural hypothyroidism treatment

About the Author
Written by Nicole Francis. For more information on natural treatments for hypothyroidism visit: natural hypothyroidism treatment.
To learn about hypothyroidism, diet, and much more visit: http://www.lowthyroidhelp.com
2006/08/proven-natural-treatment-for.html

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Recognizing Depression's Warning Signs

Garrett Coan has written Recognizing Depression's Warning Signs and writes "Depression is a serious illness, not a harmless part of life. It is a complex disorder with a variety of causes. It is never caused by just one thing. It may be the result of a mix of factors, including genetic, chemical, physical, and sociological. It is also influenced by behavior patterns learned in the family and by cognitive distortions.

Depression affects millions of people in this country. It is always troubling, and for some people it can be disabling. Depression is more than just sadness or "the blues." It can have an impact on nearly every aspect of a person's life. People who suffer from depression may experience despair and worthlessness, and this can have an enormous impact on both personal and professional relationships. In this newsletter, I will describe many of the factors that may cause depression, and I will explore strategies for preventing it.

Depression Is Pervasive
When a person suffers from depression, it can affect every part of his or her life, including one's physical body, one's behavior, thought processes, mood, ability to relate to others, and general lifestyle..

Symptoms of Depression
People who are diagnosed with clinical depression have a combination of symptoms from the following list:

  • Feelings of hopelessness, even when there is reason to be hopeful
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Much less interest or pleasure in most regular activities
  • Low self-esteem
  • Feeling worthless
  • Excessive or inappropriate guilt
  • Lessened ability to think or concentrate
  • Indecisiveness
  • Thinking distorted thoughts; having an unrealistic view of life
  • Weight loss or gain without dieting
  • Change in appetite
  • Change in sleeping patterns
  • Recurrent thoughts of death
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • A specific plan for committing suicide
  • A suicide attempt
  • Feelings of restlessness or being slowed down

When a person is suffering from depression, these symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. This means that the person's family and social relationships, as well as work life, are impaired. When a person is suffering from depression, symptoms such as these are not the result of a chronic psychotic disorder, substance abuse, general medical condition, or bereavement.

Grief, Sadness, and Depression
Depression may include feelings of sadness, but it is not the same as sadness. Depression lasts much longer than sadness. While depression involves a loss of self-esteem, grief, disappointment and sadness do not. People who are depressed function less productively. People who are sad or disappointed continue to function.

Depression and Socioeconomic Factors
Depression does not seem to be related to ethnicity, education, income, or marital status. It strikes slightly more women than men. Some researchers believe that depression strikes more often in women who have a history of emotional and sexual abuse, economic deprivation, or are dependent on others. There seems to be a genetic link; depression is more common among parents, children, and siblings of people who are diagnosed with depression. The average age at the onset of a depressive episode is the mid-20s. People born more recently are being diagnosed at a younger age.

Physical Causes
Many physicians believe that depression results from a chemical imbalance in the brain. They often prescribe antidepressant medication, and many people find relief as a result. However, there is no reliable test to identify such a chemical imbalance. It is unknown whether life experiences cause mood changes, which create changes in brain chemistry, or whether it works in reverse.

Depression may be associated with physical events such as other diseases, physical trauma, and hormonal changes. A person who is depressed should always have a physical examination as part of the assessment process to determine the role of physical causes.

Signs That Professional Treatment Is Needed
If you or someone you know is depressed and exhibits any of the following signs, it is extremely important to seek the assistance of a medical or mental health professional.

1. Thinking about death or suicide. This is always dangerous and you should see a professional therapist immediately.

2. When symptoms of depression continue for a long time, you may need professional help. Acute responses to events are normal, but they should not last beyond a reasonable time.

3. Your ability to function is impaired by your depression. Seek help before your life situation deteriorates to a serious level.

4. You have become so isolated that you have no one with whom to check reality. Seek out someone to share your thoughts and feelings with.

5. Depressive symptoms have become severe.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. He offers online and telephone coaching and counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or 201-303-4303.

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Are you suffering from Depression?

DepressionSymptomsTreatment.com has written Are you suffering from Depression? and writes "Millions of people sufferaround the world from a depressive illness. They think that depression is just a normal occurrence in their lives, which will go away after a short while. If you think of the fast moving and complicated world we live in today it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed and dismiss how serious depression can be.

Did you know that words related to depression are searched around almost 1 million times a month? Much attention has been centered to this global health problem as one of the rigorous challenges of the 21st century.

No one is safe from being affected by depression because it affects everyone. It doesn't matter whether you're a male or female, rich or poor, educated or uneducated. Once a person starts becoming depressed, he or she usually behaves in a manner that intensifies the illness.It is a viscious circle that can be very difficult to break free.

Symptoms can include :
Miserable frame of mind over a period of time, sometimes in a number of weeks
Disheartened thinking - negative approach about oneself, the present and the future
Difficulty in focusing and remembering
Feelings of unimportance and desperation
Anxiety - a sense of being afraid - that something "dreadful" is going to happen
Phobias or doubts about specific situations
Loss of appetite and weight loss or, alternatively, increased appetite and weight gain
Disrupted sleeping patterns - not much sleep or wanting to sleep all the time
Physical symptoms - aches and pains, gastrointestinal upsets, headaches
Incapacity to do the usual everyday activities
Thoughts of suicide

It is a mystery sometimes why some people suffer depression throughout their lives and others do not. The following are some physical causes of depression:

Hepatitis
Hypoglycemia
Infections
Brain or nervous system disorders
Glandular disorders
Low thyroid
Hyperthyroidism
Excessive ovarian hormonal irregularities

Note that there are "mental" as well as physical factors that cause depression such as anxiety which is a symptom of depression itself.

There are many ways to improve your life. Sometimes this can involve drug medication and in other circumstances it might not be necessary at all.

Recent scientific evaluation studies show in some scenarios medication has little positive benefit while having the potential side effects that come with SSRI drugs such as fluoxetine or older tricyclic antidepressants.You need to find a resource which can assist you in this somtimes confusing area.

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


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Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms and Treatment

Michael Saville has written Bipolar Disorder Symptoms and Treatment and writes "Bipolar disorder is also known as manic- depressive illness that causes mood swings, energy displacement and ability to function normally. It is a brain disease that cannot be cured; just like heart disease or diabetes, but with proper treatment and understanding of the illness one can treat it so it will be under control thus, no longer life threatening.

Bipolar disorder affects both sexes equally; in adults, mania is usually episodic with an elevation of mood and increased energy while in children it is commonly chronic rather than episodic and it presents itself in mixed states with irritability, anxiety and depression. During a mixed episode both mania and depression can occur the same day..

Bipolar disorder is often mistaken to be a temporary problem such as alcoholism, drug addiction, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, panic disorder and social phobia.

Typical Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

* Moods swings - these mood manifestations are not what we normally see or experience ourselves; they are dramatic ups and downs. When a person suffering bipolar disease is experiencing a down period they are liable to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors. On the other hand when they experience an up mood swing they are on top of the world and everything looks pink and possible.

* Energy displacement - a person suffering from bipolar disorder experiences at times tremendous energy bursts and that may keep him/her awake for days and they often don' t eat well during these periods.

These behaviors are called episodes of mania and depression; they can be easily recognized in both the above-mentioned cases.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

In order to get the right bipolar disorder treatment one must get the right diagnosis as soon as possible. There are no diagnostic laboratory tests for bipolar disorder thus; a diagnosis is achieved by using standardized diagnostic criteria to rate the patient' s behavior.

The usual bipolar disorder treatment is lifelong therapy with mood stabilizer medications; the bipolar disorder treatment will result in dramatic decrease in suffering and reduction in suicidal risk.

Research has shown that the most effective bipolar disorder treatment is a combination of supportive psychotherapy, psycho education and the use of mood stabilizers together. The support of family and friends is critical with such a disease so the patient can deal effectively with it.

Psychological treatment is essential for managing the disease long term; medications are available with the doctor' s prescription, which help in stabilizing the mood swings and the depression.

Support of family and friends is what usually helps most to assist the sufferers as they deal with the mania and depression episodes; they do need constant supervision in order to assure that the medication is taken on time on daily basis.

Facts about Bipolar Disorder

* Approximately 5.7 million adult Americans or approximately 2.6% of US population over 18 suffer from bipolar disorder.

* Manic depression typically occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood with very few reported cases of the disease developing late in life.

* Bipolar disorder cannot be cured but it can be successfully treated and kept under control with the proper care.

There is information available in any hospital or with your doctor if you have any doubts about someone close suffering from this illness. You need to act quickly in order to save the affected person's life before it is too late.

Bipolar disorder can be fatal if it is not treated in time and as the depressive episodes get worse; if in doubt about the disorder and its symptoms, contact help right away to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment are on the way - prompt action may save the afflicted person' s life.

About the Author
For more information about bipolar disorder in adults, teenagers and children visit http://www.bipolar-disorder.biz

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Common Anorexia Symptoms and Treatment

Rob Zawrotny has writteb Common Anorexia Symptoms and Treatment and writes "Anorexia is often seen as an eating disorder reserved for white middle-class teenage girls, research has revealed that anorexia doesn't discriminate based on race, age, class, or gender. Though predominately a condition afflicting females, over 2.5 million Americans--boys and girls, men and women, rich and poor, Asian, Latino, Caucasian, and African American--suffer from anorexia, and it is now being seen in patients as young as 9 years old.

People with anorexia resist maintaining a healthy body weight, have an intense fear of putting on weight, and exhibit extreme behaviors resulting in severe weight loss. They lose pounds mainly by severely restricting the amount of food they eat and by over-exercising. Anorexics have distorted body images. They look in a mirror and see themselves as overweight even though they are precariously thin..

The causes of anorexia are not clear, but it is likely a combination of multiple factors:

1. Genetics. Recent research reveals that anorexia may be attributed to genetics, similar to alcoholism or depression. While such diseases can be triggered by stress or trauma, they are rooted in genes and brain chemistry. 2. Family Environment. Parents who stress appearance and criticize their children's bodies increase their chances of having an anorexic child. The likelihood of developing anorexia also increases if somebody else in a family suffers from it. 3. Culture. American society stresses extreme skinniness. With the images the media presents, beauty has become synonymous with thinness. 4. Psychological State. Anorexics sometimes feel they would be happier and more successful if they were thin. Someone with anorexia may feel helpless and hate the way she looks, and she sees anorexia as an outlet for self control and perfectionism.

So while the exact causes of anorexia are unknown, the effects are and they can be fatal. Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness. Anywhere from 5-10 percent die, with death caused by starvation, electrolyte imbalance, or suicide. About half of anorexics recover; the rest spend their lives battling the disorder.

Despite its caustic effects, thousands of anorexics persist in their dangerous habits and find support on a recent trend of pro-anorexia Web sites. Such sites contain countless postings:

"Starting a seven-day water fast tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Only problem is that mom will try to make me eat. Any tips on how to get through seven days of dinners without my mom making me eat?" Parents concerned their child might harbor similar thoughts can be on the lookout. Anorexia has several physical, emotional, and behavioral signs and symptoms besides weight loss:

* fears gaining weight * won't eat in front of others * weighs food and counts calories * has dry skin and thinning hair on the head, fine hair all over their body, and brittle nails * acts moody or depressed * doesn't socialize * has absent or irregular periods * feels cold frequently * has difficulty concentrating * takes pills to urinate or have a bowel movement (BM) * doesn't eat or follow a strict diet * constantly exercises * moves food around the plate; doesn't eat it * talks about weight and food all the time * adopts rigid meal or eating rituals * feels fatigued or dizzy * has a flat mood, or lack of emotion * frequent checks the mirror for perceived flaws * wears baggy clothes to hide appearances

One of the difficulties in treating anorexia is that people suffering from the disease usually don't consider it an illness. They deny that they even have a problem. While there are no FDA-approved medications to treat the condition, help is available to anorexics and their families. Hospitals, clinics, and specialized eating disorder centers can provide care. If the condition poses an immediate threat, emergency care may be needed for dehydration, psychiatric issues, and electrolyte imbalances. Treatment usually entails a team effort with professionals trained in eating disorders, including medical providers, dieticians, and mental health professionals:

1. Medical Providers. Hospitalization may be required as people with anorexia often need frequent monitoring of vital signs, hydration level, and electrolytes. 2. Dieticians. A dietitian helps outline and implement a healthy diet by providing specific meal plans and monitoring calorie requirements. 3. Mental Health Professionals. Therapy takes place individually, as a family, or with a group. One or multiple approaches may be beneficial.

While concerned parents can't force children with anorexia to stop, it is important to love and support them their struggles. The National Eating Disorders Foundation (www.edap.org) offers the following advice:

Learn as much as you can about eating disorders. Read books, articles, and brochures. Know the differences between facts and myths about weight, nutrition, and exercise. Knowing the facts will help you reason against any inaccurate ideas that your child may be using as excuses to maintain their disordered eating patterns. Be honest. Talk openly and honestly about your concerns with the child who is struggling with eating or body image problems. Avoiding it or ignoring it won't help! Be caring, but be firm. Caring about your child does not mean being manipulated by them. Your child must be responsible for their actions and the consequences of those actions. Avoid making rules, promises, or expectations that you cannot or will not uphold. For example, "I promise not to tell anyone." Or, "If you do this one more time I'll never talk to you again." Compliment your child's wonderful personality, successes, or accomplishments. Remind your child that "true beauty" is not simply skin deep. Be a good role model in regard to sensible eating, exercise, and self-acceptance. Tell someone. It may seem difficult to know when, if at all, to tell someone else about your concerns. Addressing body image or eating problems in their beginning stages offers your child the best chance for working through these issues and becoming healthy again. Don't wait until the situation is so severe that your child's life is in danger. Your child needs as much support and understanding as possible.


About the Author
Rob Zawrotny is a freelance writer living in the Salt Lake City area. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English. He has been doing work for MWI - Search Engine Optimization and Avalon Hills Anorexia Treatment Center

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:15 PM | | Comments

Depression Series: Why Don't I Respond to Medications? (Part 1)

Dr. Michael G. Raye has written Depression Series: Why Don't I Respond to Medications? (Part 1) and writes "Maria has been feeling depressed for at least two and a half years. About three years ago, her husband of 20 years left her for another woman. Devastated, she became despondent and tearful almost daily.

Eventually, her depression got worse associated with inability to function. Her appetite, energy, concentration, and sleep became impaired. She also felt hopeless and suicidal. Her psychiatrist put her on a starting dose of antidepressant. She responded initially but after a few days, she felt just like before taking the medication.

For the past two years, Maria has tried four types of antidepressants. She has taken the usual adult doses of these drugs. Although she somewhat improves, she has virtually remained the same - depressed and disabled..

Maria seems to be taking the medications regularly. But why is she not responding to her antidepressants?

Maria is just one of the many depressed individuals who don't feel "normal" despite treatment. Depression is a treatable disease but how come some people don't do well on medications?

There are many reasons why depressed patients like Maria don't improve on antidepressants.

First, is the diagnosis correct?

Depression can be caused by many clinical entities. Sometimes, knowing the right diagnosis is a challenge. Medical disorders, medications such as beta-blockers and benzodiazepines (e.g. clonazepam), and various psychiatric disorders can cause depression and they all require different treatment. If your doctor fails to identify and treat the true cause of your depression, you will remain depressed despite the use of antidepressant.

Second, are there co-morbid disorders?

Depression can exist along with other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorder, alcohol or drug problems, personality disorder, dementia, and psychosis. Depression will persist if these co-morbid disorders are not treated. For instance, depressive disorder with psychosis cannot be adequately treated just with antidepressant alone. You need an antipsychotic drug added to an antidepressant to treat the illness.

Third, is there an ongoing neurological or medical disorder that precipitates, aggravates, or complicates depression?

Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, vitamin B-12 deficiency, pancreatic cancer, brain tumor, Parkinson's disease, and stroke can all cause depression. If any of these disorders are present, antidepressants are less likely to help. The goal in these situations is to treat the underlying medical condition. A 65 year-old lady came to see me complaining of severe depression. On evaluation, she disclosed that she had been on three types of antidepressants for the past four years with minimal response. I checked her recent laboratory results which showed an abnormal thyroid! No wonder, she was not responding to the medication.

Fourth, are there ongoing psychosocial issues?

Financial problems, family conflict, work-related stress can all precipitate and complicate depression. Despite adequate medication treatment, some individuals will remain depressed especially if such problems are not addressed by the therapist or psychiatrist. Is there any way you can reduce the stressors? Please do so the earliest you can.

The treatment of depression is frequently straightforward. Occasionally however, various factors complicate it. For antidepressant to be effective, a psychiatrist should ensure that the diagnosis is correct, that co-morbid psychiatric disorders and medical problems are treated, and that psychosocial issues are adequately addressed.

Maria's doctor should explore further the real problem and provide the most appropriate intervention.

About The Author
Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Dr. Michael G. Rayel - author (First Aid to Mental Illness-Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002), speaker, workshop leader, and psychiatrist. Dr. Rayel helps individuals recognize the early signs of mental illness and provide early intervention. To receive free newsletter, visit www.drrayel.com. His books are available at major online bookstores.
mike@drrayel.com

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What is Neurotransmitter Deficiency Disorder and How Can It Cause Depression, Anxiety

William Nelson has written What is Neurotransmitter Deficiency Disorder and How Can It Cause Depression, Anxiety and writes "Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain, muscle, nerve and organ function. The most common NTs are serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Low levels of these important chemicals is extremely common in the general public and is due to innumerable lifestyle, environmental, and dietary factors. This article is intended to help the reader determine whether they may be deficient in NTs and how evaluation and treatment of this disorder can help.

People with neurotransmitter deficiency disorder can suffer from one or more of the following conditions: obesity, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, insomnia, attention deficit, learning disorders, panic attacks, migraines, pms, menopausal symptoms, digestive complaints and many more.

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs working on the neurotransmitter biochemistry such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin, etc. are currently some of the most commonly prescribed drugs. They work by artificially increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapse of the nerve which allows a temporary improvement in the chemical messaging system.

The problem with this approach is that these drugs DO NOT increase serotonin levels and in fact deplete reserves of the NT. This occurs because the SSRI class drugs cause an increase in an enzyme called MAO. It is common for people to experience only temporary improvement due to this effect.

The most effective way to correct a neurotransmitter deficiency is to perform a simple urine test to measure the NT levels. The treatment for optimizing the neurotransmitter levels is to provide the basic amino acid precursors or building blocks so the body can replenish the inadequate levels.

The true value of any treatment is the results it produces. Using this approach over the last year, I have helped coach many patients to a higher level of wellness. Patients with chronic depression, anxiety, and or insomnia have experienced a new sense of wellbeing while continuing their prescription, others have successfully weaned themselves off their prescription SSRI drugs after their symptoms have improved. Weight loss patients using slightly higher amino acid dosing consistently lose 1.5-2.5 lbs. per week without hunger while improving their lean muscle/body fat ratios.

FAQs regarding Dr. Nelson's NT program for anxiety and depression

Q. If I am already taking SSRI drugs, can I safely use this amino acid approach?
A. In my clinical experience I have seen great results with patients who have been on SSRI drugs for many many years. First, we get the person feeling better, then if the patient chooses, we slowly wean them off their prescription drugs.

Q. How does amino acid therapy increase NT levels?
A. 5HTP is converted into serotonin and then melatonin. Phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine, then dopamine, L-Dopa, norepinephrine, and lastly epinephrine.

Q. How do you measure for the neurotransmitter levels in order to determine appropriate treatment?
A. The levels for epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, PEA, histamine, and many others can be measured with a simple urine test. An initial urine test can be given and then repeated after 6 to 12 weeks of therapy to determine optimal neurotransmitter levels have been obtained.

Q. Are there any side effects associated with the amino acid neurotransmitter therapy?
A. Not only are there no side effects, but there are numerous side benefits. People with depression often find relief not only from depression but also insomnia, fatigue, GI symptoms, chronic pain, pms, menopausal symptoms, obesity, food cravings, etc. In a small amount of people (less than 5%) people could have gastro intestinal symptoms such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, etc. This occurs in people with severe neurotransmitter deficiency. This usually occurs within the first three days and is solved by stopping all amino acids. Therapy is continued at very low dosing after symptoms abate and then slowly increased to therapeutic levels over three to six weeks.

Q. How long will it take until my symptoms of depression/anxiety improve?
A. Each individual responds differently to treatment. Some patients have noticed incredible improvements in moods in a few days, others don't notice any improvements for a period of time (sometimes 3-4 months) and then notice gradual improvements over the following 3 to 6 months, most patients notice gradual improvements beginning after 1 month of treatment and then continue to improve.

Q. What should I expect during a normal course of evaluation and treatment?
A. Evaluation involves an initial office visit to determine overall health history, prescription drug levels, severity of symptoms, and any related health concerns. There is an optional urine test for neurotransmitter levels. Treatment consists of the following:

1. Conditioning Phase - a one to two week period to prepare the patient for higher levels of therapeutic amino acid dosing.

2. Therapeutic Phase - a period lasting anywhere from two months to 1 year+ where high levels of amino acids are given to restore the neurotransmitter levels.

3. Maintenance Phase - ongoing treatment with a small amount of amino acids to maintain the levels of neurotransmitters. This provides enough amino acids to replace the neurotransmitters excreted throughout the day.

Q. Will I need to stay on amino acid therapy indefinitely?
A. Most people need to stay on a low level maintenance dose in order to continue to feel well after their 2 month to 1 year plus treatment phase. If people stop taking the amino acids, their neurotransmitter levels will slowly decrease over time.

Q. What amino acids are used in this therapy?
A. The amino acids used depend on the unique situation. The therapy will include any number of the following: 5HTP, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cysteine, mucuna (herbal L-Dopa), theanine, glutamine, taurine, methionine, GABA, phosphorylated b vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.

Q. What is the approximate cost of the therapy?
A. The cost of the neurotransmitter replacement therapy can range from $80 to $120+ during the therapeutic phase. After the patients symptoms have improved and the urine tests show optimal levels, the cost for the maintenance therapy is significantly less.

Q. What's the success rate for anxiety and depression using this approach?
A. Anxiety and Depression are conditions that are multi-factorial. Patients that follow the dietary recommendations, take the supplements and don't give up before the neurotransmitters levels have been restored have a very high success rate. This natural therapy corrects the biochemical imbalance associated with these conditions. Patients working with a qualified counselor or therapist to address the mental and emotional aspects of these conditions have an even higher success rate.

William Nelson, NMD is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor in private practice in North Scottsdale. He specializes in the treatment of depression/anxiety and weight loss using amino acid therapy. Dr. Nelson combines time honored natural therapies with the latest advances in medical science for the treatment and prevention of all other chronic and acute health concerns. 7500 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. A207 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 480-563-4256

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006

American Indian Youth and Depression - Using Traditions To Heal The Wounds

Lisa Hoskins has written American Indian Youth and Depression - Using Traditions To Heal The Wounds and writes "When most people hear the words American Indian, visions of warriors on horses, feathers, or an 'Indian Princess' dance vividly in their heads. Instead, who they are is a culture of people who traditionally educate their children through oral traditions taught from generation to generation, day-to-day life, and sacred ceremonies that included song, dance and stories told to them by elders and spiritual leaders in the community.

To give you a better look at American Indian life today I will switch my focus over to the Lakota Nation of South Dakota. Home to such leaders like Black Elk, Crazy Horse and Fools Crow, the land in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge reservation is now the place of a people who remain strong in spirit like their warrior ancestors while trying to live in an economically depressed condition where the unemployment rate can be as high as 85% at times. Many Lakota people on the Pine Ridge reservation live in government housing (or worse), while the children there attend boarding schools run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs..

The Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools were originally set up to try to civilize the 'savages'. The children were forced to separate from their families and community, while at the same time were forbidden to express themselves through their native culture and language. Changes have been made slowly over more recent years- allowing parental involvement and introducing traditional teachings into the school's curriculum.

Because of the acts done to the American Indian people like genocide and attempts at taking their culture and traditions away, many generations have suffered emotional, mental, spiritual and physical damage. To the Lakota people these four things alone are important to rearing stable, self-sufficient children who can then go on to live productive lives as adults. The damage done through genocide and the rape of their culture didn't occur just once, but slowly and over time. From generation to generation they have struggled to live in two worlds- that of their people and the one which they were forced into.

Across the board the rates for depression, suicide, many physical diseases and crime are greater for American Indians than they are for any other race. The rate of suicide among American Indians age 10-14 is almost 4 times higher than it is for young people from other ethnic groups. Being raised by parents and grandparents who have endured the repression of their culture over many years definitely has an effect on the youth in their communities.

Of course there is always free will and the ability for each person to make their own choices regarding how they live their lives, but under such circumstances as these, living with a lack of stability and balance, how can these young people make good choices for themselves? I believe that it cannot be done unless they are given something to stand on- a stable foundation for them to fall back on and begin from.

Because the American Indian culture has always been richly-infused with their teachings and spiritual way of life, many psychologists along with native leaders are coming together to bring back the connections for the youth that they so desperately need. This can foster well-being and help to prevent such mental disorders like depression and suicide among the youth in these communities.

In Porcupine, South Dakota, the Children First Corp. run by Ethleen Iron Cloud Two Dogs, is using mainstream treatments in conjunction with traditional American Indian methods. The inipi (purification ceremony) is a sacred ceremony for purifying the mind, body and spirit. By going through this ceremony it gives them a stronger foundation to start with before problems can arise.

The Lakota naming ceremony is traditionally done when a baby is born. They are given a Lakota name that "anchors them to the earth" and connects them to their culture and their family in a deep way.

For children who have suffered more traumatic events like abuse, their spirit can become damaged and actually leave their body, like a disconnection of sorts. In these cases they would hold a ceremony to call back the spirit so it can re-connect with the mind and body.

People like Ethleen Iron Cloud Two Dogs along with mental health professionals, volunteers and Lakota people are slowly connecting the children back with the traditional ways and it has been shown to pay off in recent years. By giving them instruction in the schools about the history and culture of their people along with the spiritual ceremonies and teachings of generations past, they are infusing the children with the stability that they so desperately need for prospering in today's world.

Once the children can integrate daily living with native traditions so important to their culture and by getting help and support from the adults in the community by fostering that strong family bond, they can keep their mind, body, emotions and physical self healthy and the rates for depression and suicide among them will lesson greatly.

Lisa Hoskins is a jewelry designer who owns Animal Spirit Jewelry. She has studied animals her whole life and is now blessed from Spirit to be able to create jewelry based upon the spiritual principles revolving around animal totems and guides. You can find her website at http://www.animalspiritjewelry.com


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Manic Depressive Episodes And Scientology

Gene Leshinsky has written Manic Depressive Episodes And Scientology and writes "Scientologists believe that chemical imbalances do not exist. In their view manic episodes should be treated with periods of introspection and audits; a notion which is particularly bizarre and scientifically untenable.

Chemical imbalances do exist in the brain. Everyone has them, not just those with clinical instances of mental illness. A perfect chemical balance would be unnatural. However, every balance goes through a series of sinusoidal curves, these are commonly known as mood swings. Mood swings can leave the charted path of the sinusoidal normality and become instances of depression or mania. While small shifts in mood are normal, and a complete lack of them would point to a certain psychosis and a lack of balance in the brain, large shifts can be devastating..

Scientologists believe that these large swings can be controlled without chemically interfering with the brain. This is utter nonsense. From one of my case studies a patient with an acute manic episode was hospitalized for two weeks and given a heavy does of psychotropic drugs, such as haldol, seryquil and depacote. If given to a person in the natural swing of emotion, seryquil for example would knock a healthy person out for about a day. These drugs had no effect on the patient in the study. As time passed the patient convinced the doctors that he could be released, however the relapse was swift and within two weeks the subject was once again in a mental hospital.

Although the medications could not prevent the subject from going off them, what eventually saved him was the realization that perhaps it would be best to seek help and more drugs to control the condition. While the hardest part for the patient was to come to grips with the diagnosis, the only thing that was able to eventually bring down the mania was a heavy drug cocktail and several weeks of lockdown.

Arguing that such severe episodes can be controlled through meditation is absurd. Depression, like mania on the other end of the spectrum, can be an equally debilitating condition. While a manic patient exhibits uncontrollable amounts of energy, one that is depressed lacks this very energy. Depression can lead to suicide, just as mania could lead to reckless behavior and end with equally grievous consequences. Not medicating a severe case of depression can mean the difference between life and death. The quality of life of people on medication is significantly better then of those who are not on medication and are attempting to self medicate. Scientology claims are largely based on science fiction, claims that are highly harmful those suffering from mania or depression.

Gene Leshinsky http://www.enkitel.com A prepaid marketing company with an emphasis of helping new e-entrepreneurs take off.


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Depression And Celiac Disease

Gina Gardiner has written Depression And Celiac Disease and writes "Depression is a condition which affects about 15% of the population. Women are more likely to be affected than men.

It is quite common for people who have been diagnosed as having Coeliac Disease to find themselves feeling depressed and anxious. For many there is a link between food and a sense of control over their lives. Celiacs are faced with something over which they feel no control.

A diagnosis of celiac disease, the restriction the new diet places upon you, and a sense of isolation created because you feel you are not able to join in with everyone else can bring on symptoms of depression..

Poor absorption of vitamins and minerals can make the celiac sufferer feel unwell, feeling depressed can be a side effect of not having the correct balance of foods which affect your mood and have a significant impact on how you are feeling emotionally. For some of you simply sticking to a strict gluten-free diet will be enough. For others, counseling and psychological support can be very helpful.

Taking control of your life, finding alternatives to foods you previously enjoyed and living with celiac disease rather than letting the condition rule your life are the key. See it as an opportunity to take control of your life, to eat better, fewer processed food, less junk food. A shopping trip is an adventure - what new gluten-free food can I find?

On a personal note I have become much more adventurous since becoming a celiac - I'll try anything once! I have extended my range of food; I can eat better and more healthily.

Gina Gardiner author of "Live Well Eat Well With Celiac Disease" writes from first hand experience of being a celiac. For more information go to http://www.celiacliving.com

Works as a professional life coach working with people developing their leadership skills, preparing people for promotion and supporting their ongoing development once in post. For more information contact gina.gardiner@ntlworld.com


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Major Depression and Its Serious Complications

Dr. Michael G. Rayel has written Major Depression and Its Serious Complications and writes "When suffering from clinical depression, people have different ways of confronting it. Some acknowledge it, face it just like any problem, and seek help. Some ignore it as if it doesn't exist. And others simply accept that it's there but they don't do anything about it. In fact, they don't even ask for help.

Those who ignore and don't do anything run the risk of developing the serious complications of depression. Like any medical disorder, untreated clinical depression has its hazards.

What are some of the complications of clinical depression? How serious are they?

Suicidality
Without treatment, some depressed individuals feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. Subsequently, thoughts about death occur. They sometimes feel that they are better off dead than alive. As the illness worsens, suicidal thoughts and behavior gradually ensue..

Homicidal Behavior
Although rare, homicidal behavior can happen to someone with significant level of depression. In fact, a few high profile cases in the media had point to some cases of clinical depression and homicide. Severe depression can result in impaired judgment, making these depressed individuals vulnerable to cause harm.

Psychosis
Clinical depression likewise causes disturbances in perception and thinking. Some individuals with severe depression experience auditory hallucinations ("hearing voices") and delusions (false fixed beliefs). Hallucinations can manifest as inappropriate commands telling the person to do certain things such as to harm oneself or others. Delusions can range from suspiciousness to bizarre beliefs such as the thought that the person is the "Anointed One."

Functional Impairment
It's very common for depressed individuals to develop lack of energy and loss of interest to do their usual activities. These individuals can hardly do their usual chores, prefer to isolate themselves from everyone, and stay in bed the whole day. Work absences, financial problems, and job losses may be the inevitable end result.

Relationship Problems
Due to ongoing behavioral and thought disturbances, some family members don't understand what is going on. Fights, ridicule, name-calling, and arguments between spouses or among family members can happen. As the relationship becomes more strained, the individual becomes more distant from friends and relatives. It is not uncommon to see unsupportive spouses, parents, and children during these difficult times.

In summary, clinical depression has fatal consequences. Ignoring it is too risky. Doing nothing about it is a grave mistake. Early recognition and treatment is the only way to prevent its unwanted complications.

Copyright © 2005. Dr. Michael G. Rayel - author (First Aid to Mental Illness-Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: An Emotional Intelligence or EQ Game. For more information, visit http://www.oikosgame.com and http://www.soardime.com

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 6:35 PM | | Comments

Antidepressants 101 What You Absolutely Need to Know

Mansi Gupta has written Antidepressants 101- What You Absolutely Need to Know and writes "Introduction

Change in social and economical states throughout the world although has brought prosperity among the individuals of the world but at a price. It has brought both physical and mental stressors. Now people have to work harder and under mental tensions. Now the depression is prevalent everywhere at office, in transport and also at home. To relieve those stressors people are trying every type of therapy be it drugs or some exercise or some kind of psychotherapy so as to work efficiently.

What is depression?
Depression is basically a pathological change in mood. For being diagnosed as depressed medically one has to have certain well defined symptoms such as early morning awakening, decreased or increased appetite, decreased interest, sense of guilt, etc. continuously for a period of 2 weeks. From the biochemical point of view at the neuronal level it is hypothesized that there is a lack of nor adrenaline and Serotonin at the neuronal nerve endings..

Different types of antidepressants
Modern day antidepressants are classified broadly into nor adrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake intake inhibitors and the atypical ones. As stated above, the cause of depression is lack of nor adrenaline and serotonin and hence most of the antidepressants are meant to serve that purpose for e.g. some like imipramine increase the concentration of nor adrenaline and serotonin while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like fluoxetine block the uptake and hence increase the concentration of serotonin. The atypical antidepressants like mianserin increase the release of nor adrenaline at the neuronal nerve endings cause the elevation of mood. Extreme forms of depression are associated with suicidal tendencies and they are mostly treated by electro convulsive therapy.

Uses and side effects
The antidepressants are used in major depression and also are sometimes used in enuresis of children. The side effects of the antidepressants are many like dry mouth sedation increased appetite hypotension and convulsions to name only few but the most important of them all are dependence of the patients on these medications and then the drug abuse.

The electro convulsive therapy has the side effect of some impairment in memory hence it is only used in extreme cases.

Other options and their advantages
The other options available in the market are herbal medicines, cognitive psychotherapy, yoga and other alternative medicine. Most of these therapies are based on the age-old system on minimally disrupting the chemical composition of the body but at the same time relieving the subjects of their symptoms. One of the herbal medicines is St. John's wort. Therapies like yoga and psychotherapy are gaining ground as most the drugs are having their own side effects profile but these have none. Cognitive therapy aims at altering the thought processes of the individual and has beneficial effects not only in depression but also in disorders as varied as panic attacks, bulimia, etc.

From the discussion it is clear that there are a number of options available and what is best for one is not necessarily going to be the best for other and hence the therapy should be customized for individual rather than generalized.

Mansi Gupta writes about Antidepressants topics.


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Monday, August 14, 2006

Depression is Underdiagnosed in College Students

Susan Fee has written Depression is Underdiagnosed in College Students and writes "Everyone feels down or blue once in awhile. Especially during difficult times, it's normal to feel sad or discouraged. But when those feelings persist for two weeks or longer, it could be depression. It's a common illness that affects an estimated 19 million Americans-that's nearly one in ten! It's also one of the most under-diagnosed illnesses on college campuses. The symptoms can come on so slowly that one day, a person realizes that he can't remember the last time he felt good. Here are some warning signs for depression:

Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or enjoyment in things that used to be fun
Decreased energy, fatigue
Restlessness, irritability
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Trouble sleeping, or oversleeping
Appetite or weight changes
Thoughts of suicide

Many students suffer needlessly. Depression is often very treatable. Not everyone experiences every symptom, and the severity can vary over time. Depression is not something you can just "snap out of" and make better on your own. This assumption can reinforce feelings of hopelessness and failure. It's important to seek outside help. Through counseling and, in some cases, medication, the majority of people notice significant improvement! If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above for two weeks or longer, here's what you need to do today: Make an appointment with a counselor on campus. Your counselor can screen you for depression and get you the immediate help you need. Do not spend another day suffering in silence!

To learn more about depression, take the National Mental Health Association's online depression screening at www.depression-screening.org.

To learn more about suicide prevention, visit the Jed Foundation Web site at http://www.jedfoundation.org/index.php.

For help with someone who is threatening to commit suicide, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. Their Web site is http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor and author of the college survival guide, "My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy! Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell" (Adams Media). She offers more college survival tips on her Web site, http://www.myroommateisdrivingmecrazy.com


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Can You Overcome Depression?

S A Baker has written Can You Overcome Depression? and writes "There are many things that happen within the body when depression occurs. It is not only a feeling, but a disease that is often caused by an imbalance of chemicals within the brain. Is it avoidable? Is there a way to cure depression? It is important to understand that depression is not caused by feeling bad. Instead, depression causes the bad moods, the uneasy feelings, and the worries. For that reason, anyone who is dealing with depression, need to go to their doctor and begin treatments.

For many, treating depression will give them their life back. Through the use of medication and therapy, depression can be relieved and it may or may not return down the road. No matter what has caused the depression in you or your loved one, you will not be able to cure depression on your own. You can find ways to lessen the effects on your body and mind through positive energy and forcing yourself to work through it..

The question of whether or not depression can be overcome can be answered by any of the thousands that have worked through their depression through the use of medications and therapy. Again, you can not fight depression on your own; you need others to help you get through it. In order to learn more about depression, avoiding it, and getting through it, visit websites like www.avoiddepression.com. The website is not a medical website but more of a resource to help individuals learn about their condition or the condition of the people they love.

S A Baker is staff writer at Depression.


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Depression Mantra

Depression Mantra was written by Nadeem and she writes "Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders. This may vary from feelings of slight sadness to utter misery and dejection. It brings together a variety of physical and psychological symptoms which together constitute a syndrome.

Depression is the most unpleasant experience a person can endure. It is far more difficult to cope with than a physical ailment. The growing complexities of modern life and the resultant crisis, as well as mental stress and strain in day to day living, usually leads to this disorder. It also arises out of the monotony and drudgery of a daily routine, without any meaningful variation in urban life. Suicide is the major risk in extreme cases of depression.

Symptoms
It is not always easy to diagnose depression clinically. The most striking symptoms of depression are feelings of acute sense of loss and inexplicable sadness, loss of energy and loss of interest. The patient usually feels tired and lacks interest in the world around him. Sleep disturbance is frequent. Usually the patient wakes up depressed at 4 or 5 in the morning and is unable to return to sleep. Other disturbed sleep patterns are difficulty in getting off to sleep on going to bed at night, nightmares and repeated waking from midnight onwards..

The patient often suffers from guilt, oppressive feelings and self-absorption. Other symptoms of depression are : loss of appetite, gidiness, itching, nausea, agitation, irritability, impotence or frigidity, constipation, aches and pains all over the body, lack of concentration and lack of power of decision. Some persons may lose interest in eating and suffer from rapid loss of weight while others may resort to frequent eating and as a result gain in weight.

Cases of severe depression may be characterized by low body temperature, low blood pressure, hot flushes and shivering.

The external manifestations represent a cry for help from the tormented mind of the depressed persons. The severely depressed patient feels worthless and is finally convinced that he himself is responsible for his undoing and his present state of hopeless despair.

Causes
Depleted functioning of the adrenal glands is one of the main causes of mental depression. Irregular diet habits cause digestive problems and lead to the assimilation of fats. An excess of carbohydrates like cereals, white sugar, coffee, tea, chocolates and comparatively less quantities of vegetables and fruits in the diet may result in indigestion. Due to indigestion, gases are produced in the digestive tract, causing compression over the diaphragm in the region of the heart and lungs. This in turn, reduces the supply of oxygen to the tissues, which raises the carbon dioxide level, causing general depression.

The excessive and indiscriminate use of drugs also leads to faulty assimilation of vitamins and minerals by the body and ultimately causes depression. The use of aspirin leads to deficiencies of vitamin C and antacids can cause deficiencies of calcium and vitamin B. Diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and weakness of the liver resulting from the use of refined or processed foods, fried foods and an excessive intake of fats may also lead to depression.

The Cure
The modern medical system treats depression with anti- depression drugs which provide temporary relief but have harmful side-effects and do not remove the causes or prevent its recurrence. The harmful side-effects include gross liver damage, hypersensitivity, insomnia, hallucinations, a confused state, convulsions, a fall in blood pressure which brings on headaches and dizziness , blurred vision, difficulty in inhaling and urine retention. The plan of action for self-treatment of depression consists of regulating the diet, exercise, scientific relaxation and meditation.

Diet has a profound effect on the mental health of a person. Even a single nutritional deficiency can cause depression in susceptible people. Dr. Pricilla, associate clinical professor at the University of California, prescribes nutritional therapy to build up brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, that affect mood and are often lacking in depressed people. She recommends eating foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, green vegetables, eggs and fish.

The diet of persons suffering from depression should completely exclude tea, coffee, alcohol, chocolate and cola, all white flour products,sugar, food colourings, chemical additives, white rice and strong condiments. The diet should be restricted to three meals. Fruits can be taken in the morning for breakfast with milk and a handful of nuts and seeds. Lunch may consist of steamed vegetables, whole wheat chappatis and a glass of butter-milk. For dinner, green vegetable salad and all available sprouts such as alfalfa seeds, mung, cottage cheese or a glass of butter-milk would be ideal.

Activity and Exercise
The depressive mood can be overcome by activity. Those who are depressive will forget their misery by doing something. They should turn away from themselves and consider others. At home they can take to decorating, repairing or constructing something new. The pleasure of achievement overcomes the distress of misery.

Exercise also plays an important role in the treatment of depression. It not only keep the body physically and mentally fit but also provides recreation and mental relaxation. It is nature' best tranquiliser. According to Dr. Robert Brown, a clinical associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, " Exercise produces chemical and psychological changes that improves your mental health. It changes the levels of hormones in blood and may elevate your beta-endorphins( mood-affecting brain chemicals). Exercise may also improve the function of the autonomic nervous system."

Exercise also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus reduces the sense of helplessness. Some form of active exercise, must be undertaken each day at a regular hour. To be really useful, exercise should be taken in such a manner as to bring into action all the muscles of the body in a natural way. Walking is one such exercise. It is , however, so gentle in character that one must walk several kilometers in a brisk manner to constitute a fair amount of exercise. Yogic asanas such as vakrasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, paschimottanasana, sarvangasana and shavasana and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma and bhastrika are highly beneficial in the treatment of depression.

Relaxation and Meditation
The patient must gain control over his nervous system and channelise his mental and emotional activities into restful harmonius vibrations. This can be achieved by ensuring sufficient rest and sleep under right conditions. He must also learn the art of scientific relaxation and meditation which will go a long way in curing depression.

Relaxation enables the muscles to work more efficiently and eliminates fatigue by promoting venous blood circulation throughout the body. The best method of relaxation is to practice shavasana or the 'ded pose.' The procedure for this asana has been outlined in chapter 7 on yoga therapy.

Meditation involves training the mind to remain fixed on a certain external or internal location. All the mental faculties should be directed, without cessation, towards the object of meditation. It can be achieved by constant practice. It will be advisable to meditate on God or Atman as one becomes imbued with the quality of the object on which one meditates.

Meditation will help create an amount of balance in the nervous system. This would enable the glands to return to a correct state of hormonal balance and thereby overcome the feeling of depression. Regularity of time, place and practice are very important in meditation. Regularity conditions the mind to slowing down its activities with a minimum delay. The most effective times are early dawn and dusk, when the atmosphere is serene and peaceful.

A neutral immersion bath for one hour daily is also helpful in the treatment of depression. This bath is administered in a bath tub which should be properly fitted with hot and cold water connections. The patient should lie in the tub after filling it with water at a temperature ranging from 92 o to 98 o F. The head should be kept cold with a cold compress.

About The Author
Nadeem has been figuring a lot about depresson. He has started creating a website for people with Depression that provides a lot of valuable information and links to many resources.
nademirates@yahoo.co.in

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Neuromodulation Is Now The Mainstream Therapy For Chronic Depression

The cover of the March 7, 2005 issue of Business Week titled REWIRING THE HUMAN BODY, describes how neuromodulation brings new hope to the four million desperate patients in the United States who suffer from the debilitating disease of chronic or treatment-resistant depression.

The neuromodulation industry is just in its infancy and could double over the next several years as doctors are thrilled by this vision of the body electric. Why these implantable devices work are a bit of a mystery, but the potential upside is great. Unlike most antidepressants, these implants produce few side effects and are aimed at patients that currently have no alternative therapies that adequately treat their depression..

Cyberonics Inc., the manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator, was listed as the leading company in the field of neuromodulation. The vagus nerve stimulator has been used to treat pharmaco-resistant epilepsy since 1997, now the FDA has approved the identical procedure to treat depression. This is wonderful news for the millions of desperate patients( and their families) who have been endlessly searching for an answer to their incurable disease.

Learn more about this remarkable device at http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com You can keep up-to-date on all of the latest developments about this remarkable device. For more detailed information, there is an invaluable book available on the site:

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

The book gives the reader everything they need to know the vagus nerve stimulation therapy for depression. The book is also available on Amazon.com

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 6:18 PM | | Comments

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Depression: Escape Your Mental Prison

Jesse S. Somer has written Depression: Escape Your Mental Prison and writes "There is an illness all around me in modern society that seems to be spreading like the Black Plague once did in Europe so long ago. It's called depression, have you heard of it? Has it affected you? The more I look, the more I see it in so many people in my life, including myself. Depression sucks. It's a real drag, and I mean real drag. It is different from the feelings of unhappiness that all humans have to deal with in their lives. It is being in a solitary prison where you are the only one who can see the walls; you are the jailor, the guard, and the prisoner all rolled into one. Sounds like fun huh? Well, we better become more aware of it because there are certain aspects of contemporary life that are causing more and more souls to lock themselves up, some believing that they have no hope of ever finding the key out.

If you look up depression on the Internet through a Google search query you will find a lot of different ways and means to manage or treat the problem. There are Eastern and Western approaches, psychological and spiritual; today there are 15,400,000 links about the subject. It seems to be on everybody's mind and yet we don't give it the general social awareness that we do for other illnesses. This is probably because there are so many stigmas around faults with the human mind. Broken bones and cancer we can understand or at least think we do; but we touch on a soft spot when we find a problem with that infinitely complex, helpful, magical device we call the brain..

Recently I went to a public talk by a world famous Psychologist named Dorothy Rowe who was selling her new book, 'Depression: The way out of your prison". I'm not going to tell you that she has all the answers, but I did like the different approach that she took to the illness. She's not against modern medication, but she feels that it can be only part of the solution. Of course there are types of intense clinical depression that need certain chemicals to rebalance the brain to a 'normal' working order, but for all depression she feels that the focus could be shifted from a management to a prevention paradigm.

Dr Rowe focuses on the assertion that depression comes when one's structure of interpreting the world around you has been affected by some deeply negative occurrences (usually in one's youth). Her theory suggests that if a certain event happens to one hundred people, they will all probably interpret the experience in an individual, different way; the perceived 'reality' having been a resulting construct from one's life experiences. For example: Let's say you get fired from your job. Just about everyone is going to feel a general unhappiness and grieve over the subsequent period. However, many people have built positive, optimistic ways of seeing life and will just go on and feel as though the layoff was another necessary step or a momentary setback on the way to their life's goals and dreams. "Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." is a common sentiment from this type of personality.

However, a person who is prone to perceiving the world around them as threatening and dangerous (maybe their parents never gave them positive affirmations as a child, or even put them down emotionally) may believe that the loss of this job is a relative 'destruction' of their world, their safety, their confidence. This is where the illness of depression can dig its sharp teeth in. This is a pretty mellow analogy; in reality some people have gone through hellish childhoods filled with abuse, neglect and addiction. When this type of person then has to deal with the loss of a loved one or relationship break-up, you can imagine that they would be much more prone to perceiving the experience as deeply negative. Dr. Rowe believes that these constructed structures of perceiving what happens to you can be altered, thus giving rise to a new way of seeing reality. The main idea is based around the idea that we must learn to change the ways in which we see ourselves.

If we can learn to accept ourselves with all our faults and imperfections, and realize that if we are doing our best to be a loving and giving person everyday, then we can see ourselves as being worthy, and that all is well. Then if someone else treats us badly, ignores us, or says we aren't good enough, we can know and acknowledge that they are the person with the problem and that we don't necessarily need their affirmation or acceptance. We can then wait for positive people to come into our lives, as like attracts like. Soon enough we will find that there is a group of people that will stand by our side and support us when things get bad because we do the same for ourselves and for them.

One of the most powerful insights I had from this experience was the sheer number of people in the room for Dr. Rowe's speech. Each and every one had been or known someone close who had been depressed at one time in their life, thinking that they were completely alone in the world. When you see a big group of people together whom have all felt alone, you might just see into the true paradox of reality? If everyone who got depressed realized that it is a common occurrence, and connected to others in similar cases, it definitely could be a step towards healing. Could the Internet take a leading role in this process?

Jesse S. Somer
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer has been locked in a prison of his own mind. The way out was within.


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Do You Think You Have Depression?

David Smith has written Do You Think You Have Depression? and writes "Do you have days where nothing can make you happy? You are not alone. I ignored my depressive thoughts about life for years. Unfortunately I didn't do anything to fix my situation until they became so dehabilitating that I had no choice.

Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. In a given year, an estimated 22.1% of Americans aged 18 and older (about 1 in 5 adults) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. According to the 1998 United States Census population estimate, this figure translates to 44.3 million people! In addition, 4 of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. and other developed countries are mental disorders, with major depression being the leading cause of disability.

It is estimated that depression alone will occur in approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5% of the United States population aged 18 or above. If you are a woman, you are twice as likely than a man (12% vs. 6.6%) to be affected by depression each year..

My symptoms of depression started with an occasional case of the blahs. I was able to cope with them for a long time. I thought that since this happens to a lot of people, that it would pass and I didn't need to worry. I didn't think about finding out why it was happening. Besides, after a few drinks I always felt much better. I later learned that depressive disorders commonly occur with substance abuse...

So what is the cause of all of this sadness in our society? Speaking from experience, I wasn't happy with my life and the direction it was taking me. I would look back at a past week and not be able to recall one thing that I enjoyed. It was a blur. Nor would I look forward to the coming weeks ahead. All I saw were potential stresses that were going to present themselves. But I didn't do anything about it. I accepted that this was life. Looking back I don't know how I could have ever believed this.

When we are suffering from depression, it seems that we lose our objectivity. Does thinking that we have nothing to look forward to sound rational to you? Where did my enjoyment in life disappear to? It was my perception of the world that had slowly changed and I was unable to see it because of the control that my depression had over me.

In the fast pace of today's world we often don't allow ourselves time to evaluate our lives and set goals to realize our ambitions. Whether you do or do not have depression, you're reading this article because you think something might be wrong with your life. Have you tried to identify the things you are unhappy with? The first step for me was to educate myself and find out what it was that I was dealing with. I started reading books. I consulted a psychologist to get some unbiased insight about myself.

Otherwise, how do we find solutions for problems that we don't yet understand? So let's get started. What's stopping you?

David Smith is the writer for My Depression Help, a resource site where he describes his feelings and experiences with depression and provides the depression help treatment he used for his recovery.Read more about me and my depression experiences.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:05 PM | | Comments

St Johns Wort and Depression

Mireille Gautschi has written St Johns Wort and Depression and writes "The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) with it's ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun that forces away the darkness. This already points to the anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly respected, even in conventional medicine.

St. John's Wort, a perennial plant, has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, unrest and anxiety disorders as well as nerve pain. For a long time, doctors and herbalists alike have known about its use as a sedative, but also as treatment for wounds, burns, insect bites, stomach ulcers and more. It is still used widely today and it's effectiveness has been proven to a point where some insurance companies are now covering the treatment.

It is not a powerful drug -- when used to treat depression -- in the sense of bringing a quick recovery, but shows excellent long term results in many patients. The herb assists body and soul in the healing process and helps to build a solid foundation for a complete recovery..

St John's Wort was tested in a double-blind study of 105 male and female patients in the 20 to 64 year age group, suffering from mild to moderate depression. They were divided into two groups and monitored over a period of four weeks. One group were given 300mg of St Johns Wort extract three times daily, and the other received a placebo. All of the patients had psychiatric evaluations before the start of the study and after four weeks of treatment. The results revealed that, 67% of the St Johns Wort group had responded positively to the treatment without any adverse side effects whereas only 28% of the placebo group showed any signs of improvement.

St Johns Wort is available as tea (flowers and leaves), liquid extracts and pills or capsules. It is normally taken thrice daily and it will take one week or more to notice any improvement in the condition. Treatment can be continued for long periods of time as the herb does not normally produce any side effects. But St Johns Wort can interact strongly with other medication e.g. cancer and HIV drugs, contraceptive pills and others. So it is vitally important to consult a medical specialist first before starting a course of treatment.

One effect of St Johns Wort is, that it makes the skin more sensitive to light. It is therefore important to keep out of the sun as much as possible while using the herb.

There is growing evidence to suggest that St. Johns Wort is a safe and effective, natural remedy for the treatment of mild to medium depression.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.

Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies. Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website that also offers a very informative newsletter.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:02 PM | | Comments

Is it ADHD or is it Depression?

Douglas Cowan has written Is it ADHD or is it Depression? and writes "During the assessment process it is of great importance for the physician or clinician to consider other possible causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in your child, or teen, or yourself. In fact, this is probably the most important element of a good assessment. There are several possible causes of these behaviors, especially in children, and the clinician must have great certainty that these other possible causes have been ruled out before giving the label of "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" to your child.

In this issue we will discuss the possibility that your child has depression rather than an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, lymbic type.

When one is depressed several of the following symptoms will be noted. Someone with four or five of the following symptoms should probably see a physician or other professional to get a real assessment done..

The common symptoms of depression include:
· Physical Hyperactivity, or Lack of Activity (Hypoactivity)
· Change of Appetite, either Less or More
· Change in Sleeping, either Less or More
· Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
· Loss of energy, increased fatigue
· Feelings of worthlessness, or inappropriate guilt
· Difficulty concentrating
· Thoughts of death or dying
· In children and teens, depression is shows itself with increased aggression, irritability, or isolation from the family.

Sometimes really out of control emotional behavior is attributed to ADHD, but might really be the result of depression! Depression in children and teens often looks to a clinician, who barely knows your child, as ADHD.

One main difference is that depression has a "starting date" and ADHD has been present to some degree or another since birth.
· Does your child seems very sad, or very grouchy or irritable?
· Does it seem like nothing is fun for him, even things he used to like doing?
· Does he seem bored most of the time and just sit around?
· Has he gained a lot or weight? Or lost a lot of weight?
· Does he seem to be sleeping a lot more than usual, and have lots of trouble waking up in the morning? Or does he have unusual trouble getting to sleep at night?
· Does he seem unusually restless or agitated?
· Is he having more trouble than usual paying attention to school work?
· Is it harder for him to make decisions than usual?
· Has your child/teen talked about suicide, or even make attempts, recently?

If three or four of these are true of your child/teen over the past six months, expecially the one about suicide, then we'd recommend that you have him checked out by a therapist, psychologist, or physician who specializes in depression. It is very common to mis-diagnose depression for ADHD, especially by inexperienced therapists and physicians. Learn more at the ADHD Information Library at http://www.newideas.net.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.


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The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

Charles Donovan has written The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression and writes "Everybody has a story. My story is the one I know best and can write about. It is not a memoir of chemical dependency or self-abuse. Those subjects have been written about many times. This is a story of my winning battle against depression and the vagus nerve stimulation treatment that saved my life by bringing me Out of the Black Hole. And, this is the first book to be published about winning the battle with a medical implant procedure called VNS Therapy?.

Personally, I don't believe the stigma associated with depression has changed one bit in the past century, so I was apprehensive about sharing my story. After all, I had spent the majority of my life hiding my depression from family, friends, and business associates--and now I was writing a tell-all book.

I wrote the main part of this book as if I were having a conversation with my closest friend who was looking for guidance with his or her debilitating chronic depression. I discuss the misery I experienced, the seemingly unending search for answers, the vagus nerve implant procedure itself, and my subsequent recovery from the grip of depression. The last part, the appendices, contains technical information about depression; the VNS Therapy System?; and Cyberonics, the manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator..

I hope my journey and the treatment I chose helps readers with their depression treatment plans; especially when they consider whether or not to undergo vagus nerve stimulation therapy. When I decided to participate in the investigational trial there wasn't any information available to me. I just signed an eleven-page consent agreement and hoped for the best.

On June 15, 2004, the FDA's Medical Device Advisory Panel recommended approval of vagus nerve stimulation as an adjunctive long-term treatment for chronic depression. Cyberonics, the manufacturer of the VNS Therapy System?, is in the process of providing the FDA additional information required for the FDA to render a final decision consistent with the Panel's recommendation. Currently VNS Therapy for the treatment of chronic depression is available in Canada and Europe.

I also wrote Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression for the loved ones of people who suffer from depression. When a patient reaches the severe, chronic level of this disease, often it is their family members who are making the medical decisions. At the other extreme, the family members may be in the dark about what is going on between the doctor and the patient, or they don't trust the information that they're receiving from their loved ones. One thing is for certain, the lack of knowledge about this disease and not knowing the best way to help and interact with the suffering loved one complicates everything.

I have been fortunate throughout my life because I have always had access to the best medical care available (for any illness), and I have a close and supportive family. I don't know how people survive severe depression if they don't have access to good doctors, the latest pharmaceutical drugs, psychologists, psychiatrists, and a strong support group. Many depressed patients have none of the above, yet they still endure. Their stories, in many ways, are more remarkable than mine.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote a book titledIt Takes a Village. It's about how we can shape our society into the kind of village that enables children to grow into able, caring, resilient adults; physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. If my family wrote a similar book about the past ten years of my life, it would be titled It Took Heaven and Earth. So, I've also written this book for them. Let's get started.

Visit www.VagusNerveStimulator.com for more information on the book.
Charles Donovan was a patient in the clinical trial for the investigation of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic depression.

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

Helping Yourself with Depression Help

Barry McDonald has written Helping Yourself with Depression Help and he writes "If you're currently feeling so out of it, totally out of your normal system and just basically hating and ignoring almost, always everything and anyone that comes along, try to get yourself checked by a psychiatrist because you those little mood swings and erratic Ally McBeal-ish behavior that you're trying to ignore for some long may actually be symptoms of depression. Act fast because if you do, it'll certainly be a lot harder for you to be able to have yourself cured from this illness, especially once self-delusion starts to kick in.

Actually start by hauling your depressed ass into the hospital and get yourself diagnosed by a reputable psychiatrist, one that'll actually help you with your depression concerns, answer all the possible questions that you may have when it comes to depression as well as provide you with the best available to depression treatment that'll make you give yourself some good-old, yet extremly effective depression help. All it needs is the right attitude.

After actually being honest with yourself when it comes to actually being a patient who is suffering from depression, quit turning youself into a victim and find out from these various types of depression the actual one that you're suffering from: Manic or Bipolar depression - characterized by sudden and extreme changes in one's mood wherein one minute he or she is in an elevated state of euphoria while the next minute (day or week) he or she is feeling to be in a personal hell, Postpartum depression - characterized by a prolonged sadness and a feeling of emptiness by a new mother wherein physical stress during child birth, an uncertain sense of responsibility towards the new born baby can be just some of the possible factors why some new mother go through this, Dysthimia - characterized by a slight similarity with depression, although this time, it's been proven to be a lot less severe, but of course with any case, should be treated immediately.

Cyclothemia - characterized by a slight similarity with Manic or Bipolar depression wherein the individual suffering from this mental illness may occasionally suffer from severe changes in one's moods, Seasonal Affective Disorder - characterized by falling in a rut only during specific seasons (i.e. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall) studies however, prove that more people actually fall in to a rut more during the Winter and Fall seasons and lastly, Mood swings, wherein a person's mood may shift from happy to sad to angry in just a short time. But in spite of how scary or how daunting a task is the road towards a sound mental health is, depression help abounds and is just up to you if you’re willing to take in some of that depression help, may it be from your family, friends, support group and mainly starting from yourself, there really is a lot of depression help to go around.

The old adage, slowly but surely greatly applies in trying to treat depression, as the patient continues taking the prescribed medicines for his/her depression treatment, as well as the corresponding therapy sessions with the cognitive behavior therapist, a patient being treated from depression needs all the support and depression help that he or she can get.

While being treated for depression, the patient as well as his or her family and other loved ones are advised to make realistic goals concerning depression wherein, to not assume that their depression can be easily treated in a snap. Depression help begins with trying to understand the patient’s situation and continue on being patient as well as always extending your help because depression help is never easy nor is the depression treatment itself, which is why both patients and loved ones need to help each other out through every step of the way. Never set goals that are high above your reach, give yourself some depression help by not being too hard on yourself, believe that you are good and strong enough to achieve your goals but only one step at a time.

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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Posted by Tk Rujak at 6:39 PM | | Comments

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Why Depression Drugs May Not Be Necessary Fight Depression Naturally

Danna Schneider has written Anxiety and Depression - Why Depression Drugs May Not Be Necessary - Fight Depression Naturally and she writes "Millions of people, especially in the United States, are currently suffering the symptoms of depression, and have even gone as far as taking prescription antidepressants that may have harmful side effects and dampen the quality of their life in other ways in the hopes it will just go away.

The fact is, many prescription antidepressant drugs do have undesirable side effects that really can affect other areas of your life, but they are looked at by many as "the lesser of two evils". It's better to not be depressed and anxious, even if you do suffer side effects such as headache, nausea, and decreased sexual function, right?

Wrong! There is a better way to manage stress, anxiety and depression - naturally and without man-made drugs or narcotics. This natural antidepressant remedy actually contains several pure botanicals, natural compounds and herbs that work in unison to balance mood, elevate our natural "antidepressant" chemicals in the brain, maintain even blood sugar levels (which believe it or not, has actually produced weight loss and belly fat loss in many who have taken it), and promote an overall sense of well being and peace..

This product is an excellent remedy for calming anxiety and depression. There are also lifestyle tips that will help you fight depression, anxiety and stress. Number one on that list is - you guessed it - moderate exercise. Now I don't mean you have to do aerobics until you drop, but a nice, steady flow of cardiovascular exercise like walking, jogging, biking, or another form of low impact exercise is an excellent way to manage these symptoms, while also promoting a healthy blood pressure level, a healthy heart, and bodily strength and endurance.

Yoga, forms of slow dance, tai chi, and other meditation-type exercise is also an excellent way to manage stress, anxiety and depression. These types of meditative exercises promote healthy bodily functions, a healthy state of mind, and mental focus, which are key factors in supporting a healthy sense of well being and peace.

If you have a desk job, make it a point to get up and walk around once every hour. Inactivity is one of the biggest perpetuators of depression and anxiety. The human body was designed to be in frequent motion, not to sit all day. So go, get a drink of water, walk some stairs, or take a little walk outside whenever you get the opportunity. You'll be amazed by what physical activity will do for your mental state.

Lastly, take some time for yourself. Every night, take a little time out of your schedule for yourself. Whether it is reading a book, writing in a diary or journal, taking a walk outside, or doing anything else you enjoy, just do it. Getting a little dose of genuine joy or peace in your day is key to being a happy and well-balanced person.

With these few lifestyle guidelines in mind, don't let depression and anxiety destroy your quality of life. Everyone deserves to live a happy, fulfilled life without the need for prescription anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs. If you need help, but do not want the common side effects of depression medication, I highly encourage you to take a look at this effective new product.

Danna Schneider is the webmaster and founder of Herbal-Therapeutics.com, a nutraceutical information site focusing on the latest and most effective in natural life improvement and enhancement products. Visit her site at http://www.herbal-therapeutics.com/mood-enhancers.html


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 6:56 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Do Natural Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Supplements Really Work?

Tess has written Do Natural Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Supplements Really Work? and writes "Unfortunately, millions of Americans currently suffer from the debilitating effects of stress, anxiety, and depression. In the pharmaceutical industry, anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants are among the best-selling medications on the market.

The everyday stressors faced by Americans have simply become too much for many to bear, and reasonably so. In recent years, taking an anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant has become as common as taking a multivitamin. However, the side effects and long-term effects of such medications were for the most part unknown until recently.

In the past year, some of the drastic negative effects of such medications have come to light, much to the horror of patients and physicians alike. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants have been linked to addiction, severe withdrawal, weight gain, vertigo, and even suicide and death. To treat the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, without negative health implications, many are now turning to natural supplements -- safely and with much success..

Most consumers are confused about which natural stress, anxiety, and depression supplements to take. Fortunately, there are now a few promising natural supplements on the market which offer truly effective results, safely. The challenge lies in distinguishing the effective products from the one's that are based more on marketing hype. It is critical that the product you choose contains those ingredients proven effective for treatment through clinical study, and that those ingredients are of the highest grade and included in the proper dosage in the product. This is the key to getting the results you desire - freedom from stress, anxiety, and depression.

After researching nearly every available natural anxiety product on the market today I can tell you that many products contain low-grade ingredients in amounts far too small to be truly effective. There are a few, however, with clinical research behind them that also contain quality ingredients in efficacious doses.

These products offer the definite potential to counter your emotional and physical responses to stress, anxiety, and depression. After review of the products and the available scientific literature only those products that met the criteria were recommended, Here is a list of the Top The Top 10 Stress, Anxiety and Depression Supplements On The Market Today:

1) Anxietol 7
2) Welatonin
3) Pinadol
4) Seredyn
5) Prosera
6) Amoryn
7) Euphorx
8) HerbVal Supra
9) Clarocet-NRI
10) Relora

Tess is a contributing consultant, columnist, and writer for various health, fitness. and medical publications. Her new book "Natural Relief For Anxiety and Depression" is scheduled for release in June 2005.

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Tuesday, August 08, 2006

FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression

FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression was written by Charles Donovan and he writes "On July 15th, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulation "for the adjunctive long-term treatment of chronic or recurrent depression for patients 18 years of age or older..". This approval concludes the formal seven year study of vagus nerve stimulation and depression.

It is impossible to express the magnitude and importance of this decision that is so important to millions of patients and their loved ones. Vagus nerve stimulation has been FDA approved for pharmaco-resistant epilepsy patients since 1997. Patients suffering from the debilitating illness of chronic depression now have access to the same safe and informatively labeled treatment option.

Many of the subscribers to the VagusNerveStimulator.com Bulletin relentlessly made their voices heard and no doubt contributed to this medical breakthrough decision. I thank you on behalf of the many people who have been waiting for this final and binding decision from the FDA. The manufacturer of the stimulator, Cyberonics, Inc., never gave up its effort to make this remarkable therapy available to those desperate patients who had run out of treatment options..

I will do my best to continue to keep you informed from a patient's perspective who was implanted with the VNS Therapy System in the double-blind, placebo-controlled investigational trial. You will need to continue to strictly follow the medical directives from your psychiatrist. A prescription for VNS Therapy will be required.

I hope that approval of this remarkable procedure gives depression sufferers the hope to continue to seek treatment for their illness. I have walked a mile in their shoes. Any bit of hope can be powerful.

You can learn more about vagus nerve stimulation at www.VagusNerveStimulator.com. There is a free newsletter to keep you up-to-date.

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

He is the founder of the http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com Web Site

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Monday, August 07, 2006

Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Chris Green has written Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression and writes "Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do some people become so ill through these illnesses, they can find it hard to function?

Well they sure don't happen overnight! You don't suddenly wake up one morning and feel stressed or depressed. It's not like flicking on a light switch! And by the same rule, if you're suffering, you can't just wake up one morning, flick off the switch and say "Great, I'm better now."

Many people who don't suffer from these illnesses often say to sufferers:

"Come on, snap out of it."

If only it was so easy! Should anyone say this to you, please forgive them as it's just a lack of understanding. It's very hard for people to understand how you're feeling if they haven't been there..

The fact that these illnesses don't suddenly happen means we can draw some parallels with illnesses such as heart diseases, some cancers and strokes.

Because these illnesses don't just suddenly happen either.

If we look at heart disease, it's often the result of damaging behaviors practised over many years. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat. Strokes are a result of similar behaviors and cancers too, particularly heavy smoking and drinking as you know.

So how do stressful illnesses such as stress, depression and anxiety compare?

Stress is also the product of harmful mental habits and behaviors. These habits and behaviors are developed and practised over years - since childhood in most cases. These are the mental processes that enable us to make sense of our lives and the circumstances we're faced with. When we reach adulthood, we perform them automatically because we've learned these behaviors by repetition.

Think of it like learning to drive a car. Initially, the skills required to control the vehicle needed conscious thought. It seemed really difficult didn't it? But once we've performed them for sufficient periods, we drive on auto-pilot. We've mastered the required skills by repetition.

Here's the key: if we eat healthy food, take regular exercise, cut out harmful behaviors such as smoking and drinking, we improve our health and drastically reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and strokes. We are repeating good habits, habits that will give our physical well being a huge boost.

It's exactly the same for stress. What's important to understand is that not everyone becomes stressed or depressed - even when tragic and traumatic circumstances happen to them. Just like people who lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid harmful habits and behaviors, people don't become stressed or depressed because they have learned effective habits and behaviors that prevent stress from arising.

This is very good news if you suffer from these illnesses. Because just as we can learn habits and behaviors which cause us to become highly-stressed, depressed or anxious, we can learn the habits and behaviors which stop these terrible illnesses in their tracks. And the more often we make use of them, we'll soon begin to perform them automatically and our mental health will benefit enormously.

No more feeling stressed out. No more feeling unable to cope. No more anxiety and no more depression. EVER.

I'm living proof of this. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events sent me spiralling into an anxiety-induced depression nightmare. I came out of it by learning the natural skills that starve these illnesses. The more I used them, the less anxious I became. They're now as natural to me as driving a car, and I've completely eradicated anxiety and depression from my life.

You can do it too.

Chris Green is the author of the new book "Conquering Stress", a special program which will show you how to conquer stressful illnesses such as depression, anxiety, panic and worry permanently and without taking powerful drugs. You can learn more about this new book and purchase it at http://www.conqueringstress.com


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Depression: Bringing Yourself Down

Novo Vitae has written Depression: Bringing Yourself Down and writes "Sometimes it's hard to see the forest from the trees. Sometimes its hard to see how much you can bring your self down. Recently, my life has been turned upside down. I lost someone close to me and the world became a dark place.

Repression is a common reaction to traumatic events. People repress all sorts of things, violence, trauma and loss. To repress is to be able to move on - quickly. The side effects are often just as bad; repression invites long term suffering and inner turmoil. Typically, the common solution to repression is to be open to dealing with the emotions as they come. By deal with your emotions as they evolve, you have no need to repress. Its seems like a simple solution - until you have to go through it.

Problems arise when you allow yourself to immerse yourself in the emotions. This is what happened to me. In order to work my way toward healing I opened myself up for the emotional ride. I decided that the long term benefit of not repressing far out weighed the social concerns of functioning 'normally.' I let my self go. Exploring painful emotional memories really can bring you down. The problem was that I had no means to pull my self back up. Gradually, I just began to stay lower and lower. My frame of reference of what normal emotional levels were.

I have to tell you that sinking lower and lower was bad. It really did nothing for my overall outlook. However, more critically, I began to accept this low in my emotional state as the norm. I reset frame of emotional reference to this lower - and miserable- point.

This is not as uncommon as I thought. It happens all the time with drug users. New users find that each subsequent high is never as good as the last. Further, each period of coming down is longer and more severe. When they return to homeostasis, it is lower then when they began. To compensate users have to take more of the drug and the process becomes a viscous downward spiral.

In my case, my body and mind adjusted its sense of normal to fit with my most consistent emotional state. Our bodies are really talented when it comes to things like this. However, this did little for my overall happiness. It was not until I got out of this cycle that I could even see what was happening. I could not see the forest from the trees.

I don't want to suggest in this article that repression was a better solution for me. No. I just want to make it clear that exploring any emotional difficulties should be done so with great care. I recommend finding someone who can act as a touchstone for you. That is someone who can show you the forest anytime you need to see it.

Novo Vitae is a site dedicated working through depression. Novo Vitae can be found at http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/depression.


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What It Is and What You Can Do About It

Garrett Coan has written Depression: What It Is and What You Can Do About It and writes "There are three basic ways to treat depression: psychotherapy, self-help, and medication. Many people respond best to a combination of two or more methods.

Psychotherapy: Exploring one's beliefs and ways of thinking, and learning new ways of thinking and behaving, with the guidance of a professional. Self-help: Exploring one's beliefs and ways of thinking on one's own. Medication: Altering one's brain chemistry by taking antidepressant medication.

A physician may recommend medication when four conditions exist:
The patient's depression is severe.
The patient has suffered at least two previous depressive episodes.
There is a family history of depression.
The patient asks for medication only and refuses psychotherapy.

There are four types of antidepressant medication available today:
  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Structurally unrelated compounds

The TCAs and MAOIs have been used for decades. The SSRIs (such as Prozac) and structurally unrelated compounds are newer and are being prescribed more and more frequently. They have fewer and less pronounced side effects than the TCAs and MAOIs.

Treatment without Medicine
One of the leading methods for treating depression is cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapists help depressed clients feel better by identifying how faulty ways of thinking are making him or her feel bad. The client analyzes his or her thoughts and beliefs, and learns to substitute more healthy ways of thinking and believing.

Many mental health professionals believe that the ideal treatment of clinical depression is medication in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Prevention of Depression
Depression can often be prevented. It is especially important to take preventive action if you are aware that you have predisposing factors such as those mentioned in the last newsletter.

Identify your risk factors and be aware of where you are vulnerable. Each of us has unique risk factors, such as things we were taught in our families of origin, values we have learned, and the presence or absence of a family history of depression. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned and replaced with something healthier.

Learn to manage stress. You can learn proven techniques for calming and relaxing yourself. Consider taking a stress management class or buying a set of relaxation tapes.

Learn problem-solving skills. Many people who develop depression never learned problem-solving skills. They need to develop the ability to see problems from many viewpoints and to look for a variety of solutions. Build your life around things you can control. Learn to recognize what you can control and what you can't. Avoid spending much effort on situations that won't pay off for you.

Learn self-acceptance. Instead of rejecting the parts of yourself you don't like, learn to manage them more productively.

Become aware of selective perception. Observe how you generate ideas and opinions about people and events. Remember that these are just your views, not necessarily objective facts.

Focus on the future, not the past. Depressed people tend to be focused on the past. People who set goals and focus on the future tend to be more positive about life.

Develop a sense of purpose. Many depressed people lack a sense of purpose or meaning. This means they have no goals and nothing in the future drawing them forward. To prevent depression, develop your sense of purpose and meaning.

Strengthen your emotional boundaries and set limits. Boundaries define your role in a social situation. They determine how you will or won't behave in a given situation. Having clear, strong boundaries is empowering, while boundary violations make you feel victimized and helpless. Setting limits means having and enforcing rules for the behaviors you expect in a relationship.

Build positive and healthy relationships. Think about what you need from others in relationships. Learn to read people and trust your instincts about which people are good for you.

Avoid isolation. Talk to others about what's going on with you. If you keep your thoughts to yourself, you may be unaware that your thoughts are distorted. If you share them with another person, you can become more objective.

Signs That Professional Therapy Is Needed

Thinking about death or suicide. This is always dangerous and you should see a professional therapist immediately.

When symptoms of depression continue for a long time, you may need professional help. Acute responses to events are normal, but they should not last beyond a reasonable time.

Your ability to function is impaired by your depression. Seek help before your life situation deteriorates to a serious level.

You have become so isolated that you have no one with whom to test reality. Seek someone out to share your thoughts and feelings with.

Depressive symptoms have become severe.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. Garrett also offers online and telephone counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or at 201-303-4303.

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Sunday, August 06, 2006

Learn To Take Control of Depression

Sean has written Learn To Take Control of Depression and writes "While depression is a growing epidemic in western society, it remains to be one of the most treatable as well. While the medical profession looks first to medication, I believe only the most severe cases require any long-term medical treatment.

If you look at the criteria for diagnosing depression, you will notice that most of it relies on behavior and thinking. Two things that we can consciously control, even if in the pit of depression it does not seem like it.

I was clinically depressed for several years in my early adulthood, and have since worked with hundreds of people suffering from anxiety and depression. What I have seen in people who get through the depression without medication, is that they relearn how to not act and think depressed. They learn that they are responsible for their depressive thoughts and behaviors even if they do not feel great. I remember taking half an hour to roll off the couch and do a push-up when I was depressed because I knew I had to do something that went against how I was feeling.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has always been known to be effective in dealing with most depressed people. The basis of this is to understand how your thoughts influence your feelings and behavior, then to work to change the habitual thought patterns in a beneficial way.

Some of the more common depressive thinking patterns are to: catastrophize, to attribute specific events to always and never (over-generalizing), and to argue against hope and positivity. Just these three can lead us to think that everything is always worse than it really it is and will never get better. The more someone tries to cheer a depressed person up, the more the person argues and holds onto their view, because they think nobody else can understand how bad it is for them. We get into a habit of negative perception, and exclude any evidence that it can or is getting better.

At the root of depression you will usually find anger (at self, others, and the world), feeling alone, fear, hopelessness, and helplessness. Often depressed people will have some social anxiety, causing them to isolate and be uncomfortable around others. When you talk to a depressed person they are usually trying to convince you how bad it is, so they are also looking for validation. Rather than trying to convince you that it is not as bad as you think and will get better, I would rather start where you are and agree with you. I would ask you how being this depressed and having such a terrible life benefits you and why you would want to stay there.

The truth is that most depressed people get a benefit from being depressed, and it is often that nobody expects anything of them, and they can justify their ineffective behavior. Being depressed is easier than dealing with life and taking action to improve it. We fool ourselves into believing that we are helpless and there are no options to make it better. Depression becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy that helps us prove how bad our life is because we don't do anything to change it. I have found that sometimes having suicidal thoughts can actually bring about positive change because when you get that desperate you are usually willing to see other options and maybe choose one over killing yourself.

While I know that depression can usually be helped without medication, I am not totally against taking short-term antidepressants as long as it is in combination with other things as described above. If all you do is take the meds, any improvement is attributed to the meds and you don't learn to live differently and feel a sense of personal power. However, sometimes the meds can help us just enough so that we can start making these changes and then eventually when our life looks better, we can be weaned off of them.

For a full program to help you overcome depression at WholeLifeGym click below.

http://www.wholelifegym.com

Sean has been a therapist and life coach for oveer 13 years. He is a published author and founder of WholeLifeGym.com, home of "The 10 Pillars of Health and Happiness" eBook.

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Mood Disorders And Depression

Jeannie Crabtree has written Mood Disorders And Depression and writes "We all suffer with bad moods from time to time. But if you are someone who is in a bad mood or depressed much of the time, take heart. There are natural remedies to help with balancing your mood disorders.

If you have a problem with bad moods, you may be low on specific neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Read on to learn more about your brain chemistry.

Varying degrees of chemical imbalance in the brain are more common than you think. Only when these imbalances manifest enough blatant symptoms do people seek corrective measures for their symptoms of depression and mood disorders..

Instead of waiting, it is important to take note of the symptoms and start to do something about it.

Serotonin deficiency is one of the most common neurotransmitter imbalances. What is often overlooked can be very important. The lack of this hormone leads to overeating, fluid retention, mood imbalances and other problems such as a sleep problem. Does this apply to you?

Unfortunately, many of these problems, of mild to moderate intensity, are accepted as part of one's 'personality' instead of being recognized as a chemical imbalance.

Using nutritional remedies that balance Serotonin level is very important. As you use this multi direction approach your hormones and body chemicals balance out, you will feel better and your mood will lift.

Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac. offers nutrition that is absorbed at the cellular level. Find out how to balance your moods by balancing your Seretonin. http://www.health-doc.com/products/sleep-aid.html


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Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work?

David McEvoy has written Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work? and he writes "It is now no secret that people all over the western world are turning to high grade ethyl EPA omega 3 fish oil to treat a number of conditions, but can it really work against a problem that knows no boundaries of age, race or gender. It is a condition that affects millions of people at some time in there lives, it's called depression.

Depression
So can high grade ethyl EPA fish oil help with depression and low moods, lets take a look at the evidence. In one study involving 20 people with recurrent depression, researchers studied the effects of the specific omega 3 fatty acid known as pure EPA.

Patients involved in this study randomly received either the ethyl EPA fish oil capsule or a sugar pill in addition to the anti depressant medication they were taking. After only four weeks, six out of ten patients receiving EPA had significantly reduced symptoms of depression..

The leading researcher in this study Boris Nements said " the effect of the fatty acid EPA was significant from week two of treatment" he also noted that " the symptoms of depressed mood, guilt feelings, worthlessness and insomnia had all improved by week three."

This particular study was carried out at the University of the Negev in Israel and was published in the American journal of psychiatry 2002.

Another very high profile study using the essential fatty acid pure EPA was carried out in Scotland by doctors Peet and horribin. This study involved seventy patients who were suffering from depression that was persisting despite ongoing treatment with standard antidepressant drugs.

The study lasted twelve weeks, and the background anti depressant drugs the patients were receiving was not altered during the trial. The results showed that the patients taking EPA showed significant improvement after only four weeks in all symptoms of depression, when compared to the group who were administered a dummy pill.

This study was published in the Archives of general Psychiatry.

Pure Ethyl EPA
Omega 3 fish oil is high in two key compounds DHA and EPA. In both studies mentioned above they used ultra pure ethyl EPA that contained zero DHA. The reason for this was that they found that the purer the compound of EPA then the more effective it seemed to be.

The brain has much more DHA than EPA but the studies found that EPA is much more important when it comes to responses to nerve stimulation. It appeared that the DHA maybe more important for structure and the EPA for function.

Blood samples taken from people in the USA, Europe, Australia and Japan showed that depressed people have especially low levels of EPA, when compared to blood samples of people who were not suffering from low moods or depression.

The lead researches from the study in Scotland both concluded that EPA is the most important essential fatty acid in the treatment of depression.

These findings are backed up with two randomised controlled trials from Sheffield and Baylor universities involving DHA only, which showed no improvements in the symptoms of depression. In fact the results were significant and showed the DHA controlled groups to be slightly worse than the placebo controlled groups.

Conclusion
People all over the western world are successfully using pure ethyl EPA without the DHA to treat depression and related disorders.

Copyright 2005 David McEvoy
Dave mcevoy: A great resource for high grade omega 3 Ethly EPA fish oil in a vegetable shell with a 90% concentrate of EPA and Zero DHA visit http://www.mind1st.co.uk

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Seven Steps to Good Mental Health

Michael J. Hadfield has written Seven Steps to Good Mental Health and writes "Psychological well-being is something that we all have a right to. However, for a variety of reasons to do with upbringing, life experiences, physiology, environment and so on? we often find ourselves with a mind-state other than what we desire. Depression, anxiety, and stress seem to be the major obstacles to just feeling good - judging by the number of visits to doctors for help with these problems.

It doesn't really matter what the label is for your particular problem, if you follow the seven steps diligently, there will be an improvement in your general feeling of well being.

The Seven Steps are:

1. Acceptance
2. Releasing guilt
3. Expressing Appreciation
4. Physical exercise
5. Creative activity
6. Right livelihood
7. Meditation

They need to be taken in sequence. Total mastery is not required, but the time to move on is when you feel, or get a sense, that some movement has taken place within your mind. Psychological shifts are felt with a lightness, better sleep, smiling, singing, noticing beauty around you, wanting to do something different, spring cleaning?

Acceptance:
Acceptance is the single most important step to take. Acceptance is giving up being a victim. Acceptance is giving up giving up. Acceptance is a declaration of intent to move forward with life rather than continue to stagnate and blame circumstances or individuals for how things are.

Acceptance is the shift towards accepting that whatever is going on in your life is your responsibility. It is recognising that you are where you are because of the choices you have made in life. And if this means that you have to accept the crazy idea that you made a choice to suffer from a physical illness, then you do just that - accept it. Acceptance is no longer fighting. Once you no longer fight, you no longer resist. Once you no longer resist you can move with the flow.

Every single thing, big or small, good or bad, you simply say to yourself "I accept that this is going on for me right now". You don't have to like it. You don't have to keep it forever. You just have to accept it in the present moment if it's there.

The truth is that it's there whether or not you accept it. So by accepting you are not making things worse, because you've already got it. You are just changing your position in relation to it.

Accept also that the thinking that got you where you are is unlikely to get you out - otherwise it would have already done so. You need to think differently. Acceptance is thinking differently. Acceptance is approaching the problem with wisdom. If you are so frightened you can't go outside without a companion, and even then you are terrified, then just accept that that's the way you are right now. You don't have to understand why you are like that, you just need to acknowledge it. "I am too frightened to go out right now, so I'll stay in"; "I'm really worried about my new boss right now, but that's okay, worry is a natural event in the face of difficult circumstances"; "I feel really depressed, but that's okay, it's just my mind's way of preparing me for change". You can always find something to say to yourself that is accepting.

Releasing Guilt:
Guilt is something we are taught to experience. It is unnatural. Guilt can be experienced in the form: I did something I shouldn't have done and now I feel bad; or I didn't do something I should have done and now I feel bad; either way this is a self-created guilt. Or it can be induced "you should feel bad because?" when you behaved in a way that someone disapproved of; or in the form "well I was planning on going out tonight and I almost never go out with my mates and you go out all the time, but if you really want to go out, then I'll stay in? don't think there's much on telly?".

Whatever you did or didn't do is done or not done. Feeling bad about it can't undo it. This style of guilt is a belief in a Time Machine. It is engaging in fantasy. What is in the past is in the past. Either own up and take the consequences, or don't. Choose which it is to be and then consign the experience to the past where it belongs and shift your attention to the present moment.

Emotional blackmail is the other way guilt is commonly experienced. Just stop playing that game. If you accept responsibility for your own feelings, then you must allow others to do the same. Do what you want to do and as long as you are not physically or psychologically harming others then that's ok. Someone sulking because you are having more fun than them won't do them any harm. When you give in to emotional blackmail you are effectively walking round with a big sign on your back saying - Abuse me, I don't mind.

Expressing Appreciation:
This is one of the most difficult steps to master, so remember mastery is not the goal. The real problem with expressing appreciation is that many people feel uncomfortable when appreciation is expressed for something they have done "it was nothing", "don't mention it", "anyone would have done it".

Let's say you decide to buy a gift for someone you love (not a sexual partner, a friend) just so they know how important they are in your life. You spend a lot of time choosing the gift. You wrap it beautifully and present it to them. They take one look and hand it back. How would you feel? Most people would feel at least a little hurt.

Appreciation is a gift.
Appreciation is a gift of love.

When someone does something for you that you like - let them know. Write an e-mail, send a letter, give a bigger tip, say something more than the ritual "thank you" - "thank you that was nice", "I really enjoyed?", "you are very thoughtful"?

Money is a wonderful way to express appreciation. Buy from those whom you appreciate. Send donations. Offer payment where none is expected.

And as you start to express appreciation more and more in your life you will find one day that when someone offers that gift of appreciation to you, you will not reject it you will accept it with "thanks, that's really nice of you to say".

Physical Exercise:
However much exercise you get you can always increase it. There is much truth in the old adage - A healthy mind in a healthy body.

Exercise is the expression of appreciation for your beautiful body. Your body is such a miraculous creation - so complex, so incredibly amazing - that it would be a rejection at the deepest level for you to ignore its physical well-being. It doesn't matter how unfit you are. You can always exercise more than you are doing. Exercise releases endorphins. You feel better after exercise. The benefits are cumulative. It provides more oxygen to the brain, creates more alertness, awakens the immune system and so makes it easier to fight pathogens. But most of all it establishes a discipline and routine that is frequently lacking when mental health is poor. This change alone will improve the situation. Should you have any physical health problems then seek your doctor's advice about exercise.

Creative Activity:
Everyone is a creative being. Stifling our creative outlet leads to poor mental health Our creativity is frequently stifled long before we realise what is happening, and then it seems too late because we believe what we have been told about ourselves. Creativity is about expressing yourself in the world. If you create a simple, badly written story with atrocious spelling and poor grammar, then you have expressed yourself creatively. Your creative works don't have to be seen by others. Others tend to judge, and if you decide to create in an area where others have much greater expertise then your creation will not initially withstand comparison. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

Photography and gardening have been loves of mine since I was 14. I decided to combine the two interests and my photographs developed a distinctly horticultural slant. At one point I wanted to share them with the world and offered them for sale. It was a while before I made my first sale, and another while before one of my pictures adorned the cover of a magazine. One day I looked back at those first photographs I offered. I felt embarrassed at the poor quality - compared to my later work. But it was only by taking more and more pictures, looking at what was being published, and constantly improving that I achieved my dream of a picture on a magazine cover. But the important thing was that I enjoyed what I was doing. I didn't have to show them to the world. I didn't have to place them in the market for comparison with others who had much greater skill and experience than I. But I did need to take the pictures. It was part of who I was and how I needed to express myself. My pleasure came from the picture taking, looking at the pictures, and constantly seeking ways to become more skilled at my craft.

Express yourself in something that you love to do. Show it only if you want to, but don't stop doing it while you love what you do.

Right Livelihood:
In a way this follows on from the previous step. It is the logical consequence of expressing yourself through what you love to do.

Now lest you are becoming concerned that I might ask you to do something you can't do - like find another job - I never ask anyone to do what they can't do. I might, however, ask you to ask yourself what exactly is it that is stopping you from doing it. At least that way you can move towards an acceptance of the barrier to happiness.

From time to time I ask the people I encounter "If you could be doing anything you wanted to do, would you choose your current livelihood?". I've yet to meet someone who answered 'yes' to that question. Those people are out there. They just don't need to come to see me.

People tend to either hate what they do, but it's all they can get in the way of work; or their work is okay, but they are earning too much money to give it up and do something fun for a living.

Look to how you feel when you get up in the morning on a workday. Is there any excitement or sense of anticipation or looking forward to the challenges of the day ahead? This is a good sign. If there is dread, a wishing for the day to be over, tiredness, or a general lack of enthusiasm - then something needs to change, either the work or the attitude towards it.

Go back to step one and accept whatever it is you are engaged in right now. Accept that you would like to be doing something more fun but that you don't know how to bring about the change, or you are fearful of taking the necessary steps. That's all. As best you can find small pleasures in what you do - even if it's just the appreciation for how the income makes life better than life would be without that income; or appreciation for the good feeling that comes from making a contribution that benefits someone, somewhere.

And then make a list of all the things you love to do. And then write a fantasy job description for an income-generating job doing each of the things on your list.

Then find a way to do one of the things you love to do for free.

Meditation:
Meditation is a mind/body regenerating exercise. Aim initially for 10 minutes once a day at a regular time and place. If you have such a busy schedule that you haven't got 10 minutes to spare then I'll tell you how you can create 10 minutes out of nothing. But I know you won't do it, because "I haven't got time for 10 minutes meditation every day" is just an excuse to avoid coming face to face with yourself.

There are plenty of books and articles on meditation so I won't go into the technique here. But I would also like you to consider that in part I am suggesting quiet space for you to relax and let go of the busy-ness in your mind for a few minutes on a daily basis. This is a regenerating activity.

It is essential.

It is rejuvenating.

It is the most difficult step, and therefore, it has the capacity to bring about the greatest sense of achievment.

? and if you really want to know how to get the free 10 minutes then you'll have to e-mail me.

Michael J. Hadfield MBSCH is a registered clinical hypnotherapist. You can experience his unique style on a popular range of hypnosis CD's and tapes at http://www.hypnosisiseasy.com. Here you can also obtain treatment for a variety of problems and explore his approach to health, healing, and hypnosis.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 6:52 PM | | Comments

Saturday, August 05, 2006

14 Universal Laws for Recovery

Jeff Herring has written Depression: 14 Universal Laws for Recovery and writes "The Law of Blue

Just sort of feeling blue, kinda out of it, gets confused with being depressed. We all get the blues from time to time, and they pass.

The Law of Sad
Feeling sad, while not pleasant, makes sense in the context of the situation.

The Law of Clinical
True clinical depression is not just feeling blue or sad. It's both a biological and psychological struggle that's often best treated with a combination of medication and counseling..

The Law of Boot Straps
When you are depressed, some well-meaning people will tell you to just "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps." The problem is when you are clinically depressed, you don't have bootstraps.

The Law of Music, Part 1
Music can either lift you up or keep you down. Listening to certain kinds of music while depressed is like pouring gasoline on a fire and then wondering why it gets worse.

The Law of Music, Part 2
Make your own list of uplifting, positive, energizing music.

The Law of Coping
You need to have a variety of tools in your tool bag to effectively cope with depression. Here's a few suggested tools:

Talk about it. Trying to handle depression on your own is like trying to do your own open-heart surgery.

Write out your feelings. Getting it out on paper can get it out of you.

Take a drive and ease your mind.

Cry if you need to. There's a great line in Pat Conroy's novel Beach Music that goes something like: "Men die younger than women because men have not washed their faces enough with their own tears."

Exercise. If I can get a client that is depressed to exercise regularly, I know we are part of the way home.

The Law of Lifestyle
I've come to believe that there is such a thing as a "depressive lifestyle." Over-working, over-stressing, expectations of perfection, a critical, complaining and cynical spirit, focusing on the negative in life, feeding a sense of hopelessness through what you read and listen to, all these things contribute to a depressing life.

The Law of Discovery
Discovering they are depressed, while frightening for many clients, also gives a name and a beginning understanding of the struggles they have experienced.

The Law of Warning Signs
Many people feel like depression sort of snuck up on them. They didn't see it coming. As you work your way out of depression, it's crucial to develop a list of "early warning signs." These allow you to take early action to prevent a reoccurrence.

The Law of "Like Minded People"
If you surround your self with depressed people, you're likely to stay depressed. Or get depressed if you weren't already. And if you surround your self with positive people, it's a lot harder to get and stay depressed.

The Law of Focus
Focusing on everything that is wrong with your life and the world is a great way to stay stuck in depression. By the same token, focusing on everything that is right with your life and the world is a great way to move on out of depression.

The Law of Recovery
The really cool news is that people can and do recover from depression every day. Recovery begins with the decision to recover, and then selecting the best guides and creating the best map for your journey back to the passion of life.

The Law of Getting Stronger
This one comes from a special client of mine who has a wealth of experience in this area. Instead of only praying that circumstances change for the better (which is a good thing to do) pray and work on getting your self stronger to deal with whatever comes your way.

As Chicago, one of my favorite bands still sings:

"I'm feelin' stronger every day............"

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.


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First Thing You Should Do to Get Out of Depression

Willie Krut has written First Thing You Should Do to Get Out of Depression and writes "Depression, in psychiatry, is a symptom of mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of loss, sadness, hopelessness, failure, and rejection. The two major types of mood disorder are unipolar disorder, also called major depression, and bipolar disorder, whose sufferers are termed manic-depressive.

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

Take a Break.
I mean it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:44 PM | | Comments

Mental Health Stigma - What Can We Do About It?

Sonia Devine has written Mental Health Stigma - What Can We Do About It? and writes "What is Stigma?

Stigma is the use of stereotypes and labels when describing someone, and it is often attached to people who suffer from mental health issues. We don't fully understand how the brain works yet, but one thing we DO know is that it is an organ. Yet our society doesn't readily accept brain disorders the way we accept other organ disorders. Why is this so?

Stigma is a harsh reality for people who have mental health problems, because it prevents them from enjoying a normal and productive life. So many people today feel uncomfortable about mental health issues, despite the fact that there is growing evidence that more and more people are developing these problems. In fact, many people are so uncomfortable with the stigma that they would rather suffer in silence than get help they need..

Here are a few of the most common misconceptions about mental health problems:
  • Mentally ill people have a weak character
  • Mentally ill people are potentially dangerous.
  • People with mental illness should just "snap out of it"
  • Mentally ill people are violent
The media has only further fuelled our distorted beliefs about mental health issues. Frequently, characters on television and in the movies that have a mental illness are depicted as dangerous, unpredictable and violent.

What Are the Effects of Stigma?
If you became ill you would go to a doctor. Once you got better, you would expect to get on with life as usual. But it's not that easy for people who suffer from mental illness. Often, they can suffer from persistent rejections and exclusions by ill-informed members of the community. Some people have been denied loans, health insurance and jobs because of their history of mental health issues. Consequently, these people lose their self confidence and may develop further anxiety or depression, on top of the issues they are already facing.

I witnessed this first hand many years ago, when my brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The majority of his friends deserted him; they weren't able to comprehend or cope with his altered personality and erratic behaviour. Within months he went from being a popular, vivacious and outgoing young man to a shattered, isolated loner. Over the following months, I watched my brother sink deeper into debilitating depression, which ultimately became so unbearable that he took his own life.

What Can We Do?
All of us have times when we feel depressed, anxious or angry. We might even have a series of bad days, where we think that nothing will ever go right for us and the world is against us. For a mentally ill person, these feelings do not go away.

So the answer lies in education and understanding. If you know someone who seems very emotional, down or upset, then lead by example; show compassion and understanding, and encourage them to seek help. And if you're suffering silently yourself, take comfort in the fact that you're not alone and that there is hope.

*** You are licensed to publish this article free of charge, on condition that the author's name is included, and the link to her website remains visible and clickable to human readers, and as long as the links can be read and followed by the search engine spiders. ***

Sonia Devine is a qualified professional hypnotherapist and success coach with a caring and committed approach to healing, who lives in Melbourne, Australia. You can find more of her information on mental health, self image, love, relationships, phobias and much more on her website Manifest Your Success


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Depression Explained

Rapheal Adewale has written Depression Explained and writes "Depression is a mental state marked by melancholy, pessimism or dejection. Depression can also be defined as a psychotic condition characterized by stuporous withdrawal from reality and intense guilt feelings.

Depression is characterized by the following:

  • Loss of confidence in oneself
  • Undue pessimism
  • A feeling of constant helplessness

Uncalled for or unexplainable mood changes-i.e an abrupt switch from happiness when nothing has happened to warrant it.

Rudeness or aggression that is without apparent cause or which is occasioned by some trivial incident..

An unreasonable demand for perfectionism, not only in oneself but also in one's loved ones, friends, business associates and even from things or situation.

Habitual underachievement especially if one is adequately equipped to do the work one is called upon to perform.

The inability to accept responsibility, often manifested by a recurrent loss of employment or unemployment.

Phobias

Unreasonable feelings of persecution

Self destructive acts

Sexual deviation

Sudden and dramatic change in sleeping habits

Physical ailments and complaints for which there are no organic causes.

Most people have blue moods from time to time in their lives. Indeed, when faced with a personal tragedy like the death of a loved one, a normal healthy individual may well undergo a period of depression. A person suffering from the depressive reaction, however has persistent feelings of worthlessness and pessimism unrelated to events that might depress a normal person. An inability to cope with problem situation is gradually magnified into an inability to cope with anything at all. Attempts to mask the crisis by putting on a front-feigning cheerfulness and optimism-give way to episodes of total hopelessness. Suicide is often considered and sometimes attempted. Threat of suicide from a depressed person should always be regarded seriously.

Common physical symptoms accompanying depression are fatigue, loss of appetite, and insomania.

Rapheal Adewale believes everyone is suppose to enjoy live to the fullness. You can completely STAY out of depression.In this world of uncertainity,lots of people feel depressed and suffer anxiety. But... You can completely STAY FREE from this.


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:17 PM | | Comments

Turn Depression into Joy

Ann Stewart has written Turn Depression into Joy and she writes "Depression is the most prevalent disease of our time. Under the guise of informing the public, both the medical profession and the media are constantly "warning" us of the dangers and probabilities of the disease most likely to terminate us. News about a lack of sufficient influenza vaccine is enough to get our collective blood pressure soaring.

Bad news is chronic and it affects us all. Do I have a magic pill that will make all the bad go away? No. But, there are ways to help us stay out of depression.

Live One Day At a Time
The Bible admonishes us to live each day to the fullest as there's enough evil in one day to handle! Don't look back on past hurts, nor fret about tomorrow. Live today as if it is the only day you have. Make each day so full of the present that yesterday and its problems are completely shut out and tomorrow is unattainable! Choose to focus all your thoughts and energy on what is at hand, and do everything to the best of your ability..

Watch Your Tongue!
The power of life and death are in the tongue. Words can both bless and curse. Negative words can evoke great fear and anxiety. The mind paints a picture of every word we hear or see. Although words are not tangible, they have the power to bring about physical matter! The earth was created by the Word of God's Power! Negative words always produce negative impulses, whether minute or major. Conversely, positive words make you feel good. A mere smile and a happy: "Have a great day!" instantly exude warmth. So, be careful of what you allow to sink deeply into your subconscious.

Happiness Is a Choice
We can choose to dwell on bad news and perpetuate it by speaking about it, or to swiftly replace our thoughts and words with constructive ones. Whenever we hear good music, our feet start tapping, we're humming the melody, and pretty soon we're happy. Our thoughts respond to what we feed the mind through our senses. Therefore, we CAN choose to be happy! Start practicing to switch off the minuses in your life and concentrate on the pluses.

Gratitude; the Antidote
Thankfulness is one of the greatest virtues. If you divided a page in two and wrote all your setbacks on one side and all the blessings on the other, you would find that your blessings far outnumber the negatives. The Bible says to give thanks with a grateful heart for all things.

God Is In Control!
Start each day by thanking God, your creator and loving father. He knew you before you were born and knows your end. Spend time in the Word, especially the Psalms. You will receive a new refreshing, empowerment and warmth.

Some Practical Recommendations
1) Get lots of sunshine. Melatonin, a hormone produced only in the dark, lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish.

2) Keep busy. Taking frequent strolls, playing sports, or volunteering help chase the blues away.

3) Pamper yourself every now and then. Choose a day to just have fun, doing what you like most.

4) Eat nutritiously. Sugar, caffeine, and alcohol will eventually cause anxiety, tension, and internal problems.

5) Socialize. Hang out with people who are up-beat and give moral support.

Life is great. Let's choose to be happy!

Ann Stewart is an author. With Wings As Eagles was birthed to help motivate and inspire those who are facing tough decisions and trials in their lives. This autobiography shares how she learned to be an overcomer and how you can, as well.
http://www.as-the-eagle.com


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Thursday, August 03, 2006

The Formula for Preventing Depression

The Formula for Preventing Depression was written by Paul Jerard and he writes "While it is arguable that depression is not always preventable, there are many cases, when using the following ideas, will keep you in good spirits - most of the time. Unfortunately, we cannot be happy all of the time, but there is something we can do about it.

Working with a variety of clients over the years, I have seen how Yoga and exercise changed, and continue to change, them for the better. It is a well-known fact that endorphins are produced from a variety of exercise routines, including gentle Hatha Yoga.

Endorphins reduce stress and enhance good moods. Just that information alone is enough to start an exercise program, but weight control, muscle-tone, circulation, flexibility and a variety of other health benefits, should be an incentive to start a mild exercise program..

If you have been inactive, I suggest a beginner Yoga class with a very mild-mannered Yoga teacher. Without pushing this any further, let's look at other options to start, and things to avoid.

Participate in social activities, support groups, senior centers, or local church activities. The activities could be in your local mosque, temple, or shrine, as well. There is always an activity that you can find around any religious center.

You could also join a league for golf, tennis, fishing, bowling, bocce, or any other activity where people gather to share a few laughs. Take competition in stride, and don't take anything too serious.

Many social groups also function as support groups. The collective activity is good for all involved. Stay away from "alcohol drinking" clubs. This is not just bars, or nightclubs, but local clubs, who organize for the common good, and then, routinely get together to drink.

There is a conflict here, in that alcohol is a depressant, and if you are prone to depression, this is not a good combination. On top of that, there are plenty of health problems that accompany alcohol abuse.

Substance abuse is not a solution to depression, and you won't find a purpose in life through it. So, let's keep it simple and stay away from drinking alcohol - altogether.

If your friends and family abuse alcohol, they need counseling, and you will have to look outside your normal circles to get guidance. You need to surround yourself with positive and energetic people.

Also, don't hang around your house too much, especially in dark or unlit areas. Get outside, take a walk, go shopping, get a little sunlight, and if you are in the house all day, open the curtains during daylight hours. If you have a sunroom to relax in - that's good, too. Lack of sunlight can cause elevated levels of melatonin, which is sometimes called the "sleep hormone."

Lastly, visit the self-improvement section of your local bookstore. It is a hidden treasure within itself. This is a great reason to leave the house.

Audio books are also good for traveling in your car or listening to in your sunroom. Pick out books that really captivate your imagination. If your local bookstore has CD's, you may want to pick up some relaxing music for your ride home.

Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? - for Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org


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Fighting Depression by Restoring Your Routines

Fighting Depression by Restoring Your Routines was written by Allan Cowley and he writes "When we have depression, one of the things we drop from our lives is a routine. Most humans need routine as it adds structure to our lives. During bouts of depression we find it hard to go about our daily lives with a sense of purpose and direction. Restoring your routines will help to counteract this problem.

Even the simplest things can appear to be beyond us and therefore get put aside. When this happens, we are in fact, only moving further away from a "normal" life.

To reclaim a normal life, return to doing normal things.

A major effect of depression is a feeling of losing control over ones life. We start to feel that everything is happening "to us" rather than through the choices we are able to make. By reinstating your routines you can begin to regain more control..

Start by writing a list of the day-to-day activities that you may no longer participate in.

I include a few simple suggestions below and possible remedial action you might take for each.

1) Brushing your teeth. Clean your teeth twice a day and use a mouthwash. There ARE going to be times when you smile, so make sure you are prepared! Even if the smile is accidental, there is no point in having a piece of lettuce between your teeth.

2) Remain well groomed. For men this would include having a shave every day, for women, putting on make-up (I know of some men and women who need both!). Trim your fingernails.

3) Personal cleanliness. Have a shower every day and use a deodorant, after-shave, cologne or perfume.

4) Clean clothes. Put on fresh clothes every day. Make sure your clothes are ironed; even if someone else usually irons on your behalf, taking charge of your own ironing will help in your recovery.

5) Eat sensibly. A loss of ones appetite, especially for sensible foods, is very common. Make the effort to eat as much fresh fruit, vegetables, fibre and nutrients as possible. If you find that your stomach is in a knot and the thought of eating fills you with dread, try taking these things in the form of a drink. Use a food blender, juice extractor or similar. There is a wide variety of these machines on the market. Adding an appropriate multi-vitamin supplement to your daily diet can also help. Don't be afraid to allow yourself a food treat now and again, just be careful not to overdo it. "A little of what you fancy does you good", with the emphasis on "little".

6) Get out as often as you can. Even if, at times, all you think you can manage is going out into the garden, then you are, at least, getting some fresh air and a bit of sun on your face. Exercise is a great way to lift your spirits, so even going out to post a letter will help.

7) Keep in touch with family and friends. Losing touch with our loved ones leaves us feeling more isolated so make the effort to meet up with those people you care about and who care about you. Even if you feel that you can't manage to see anyone face-to-face, phone them, write a letter or use email. If you don't want discuss your life with people you know, you could consider the likes of internet forums as an outlet for expression. Talking to strangers is often easier.

8) Look after your personal environment. Housework not only improves the look of your surroundings but also provides good, low level exercise.

9) Don't get bored. Do ANYTHING to fill in that gap. Do a crossword, read a book or magazine that you find interesting, polish the silver, polish your shoes, shave the cat. Just do SOMETHING. Make it an activity you have to concentrate on so that your thoughts are, at least temporarily, distracted from the depression. Even 5 minutes of concentrating on another subject is a welcome "holiday".

Now turn your list into an action plan. Take the points you have noted down and make a chart with all the various activities you have listed. Each day, tick off each step as you go. Not only will taking positive action improve the way you feel, but by showing to yourself that you ARE taking action to defeat the depression, you will give yourself a well deserved feeling of achievement.

Allan Cowley is a Life Coach working on a one-to-one basis with clients throughout the world. He provides personalised online life coaching via his website. You can contact him through his website at: http://www.uk-success-coach.com/


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:37 PM | | Comments

Natural Remedies For Depression

Natural Remedies For Depression was written by Tyler D and he writes "It is true that forms of depression cannot be avoided, although, it has also been proved that a healthy life style can play a major role in alleviating depression or even preventing some forms from even occurring. Mild types of depression can develop from poor diet and nutrition. Lack of exercises, stress, poor, little, or no sleep, traveling, lack of necessities, withdrawl from an addiction, and lack of sunlight have also been linked to some cases of depression.

There are many natural ways of relieving depression, but like i said, it can be prevented by a proper life style and diet. Here are 2 all natural and healthy methods in preventing depression and alleviating it..

Herbal remedies for depression:

-2 Parts St-John's-Wart (Hypericum Perforatum)
-1 Part Oat (Avena Sativa)
-1 Part Lavender (Lavandula Officinalis)
-1 Part Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Take this mixture in 5mL servings three times a day.

Depressive symptoms are exacerbated by nutrition deficiencies, there for a well-balanced diet is important to insure the proper daily intake of vitamins and minerals.

Supplement Remedies for depression:

-Vitamin B Complex - 400 mcg/day
-Folic Acid - 400 mcg/day
-S-Adenosylmethionine - 800mg/2x day
-Selenium - 100 mcg/day

Recommended daily dose of the amino acid supplement L-tryptaphon. This amino acid is known to increase the synthesis of serotonin and in turn relieve depression. L-tryptaphon is found in foods such as turkey, chicken, fish, soybeans, cooked dried beans, peas, yeast, and peanut butter. The proper intake of carbs should also be taken to help the brains uptake of L-tryptaphon.

Got a question? Try the Forums?
Tyler D Falls - Info researcher


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:32 PM | | Comments

Quick Steps To Improve Your Mood

Quick Steps To Improve Your Mood was written by Edward W. Smith and he writes "Looking to improve your mood?

Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and TV show host, who specializes in quick tips on how to move your life ahead even faster, offers the following advice.

The best way to improve your mood and keep it higher on a consistent basis over time is to maintain a list of the things you are grateful for, and review it on a daily basis. Make a written list of all of the things and people in your life that you are grateful for. First, you will discover many things you were not aware of or things you had taken for granted. Secondly you will discover you have a lot more to be grateful for than you first thought..

Reducing the amount of negative news you take in will also improve your mood. Spend less time watching the news, and avoid being exposed to the news the first thing in the morning or just before you go to sleep. Replace the time spent taking in negative news with positive information taken from books, CDs, the web, etc, and be sure to expose yourself to this first thing in the morning and just before you go to sleep.

Contact Information
Edward W. Smith, 201-568-0019, edsmith@brightmoment.com, www.brightmoment.com, PO box 8106, Englewood NJ 07631-8106

Edward W. Smith is the author of Sixty Seconds To Success, he hosts and produces the Bright Moment TV show, is a motivational speaker, is president of the Bright Moment Seminars and publishes the free, daily email of the One Minute Motivator.


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 6:35 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Omega 3 EPA: Natures Very Own Anti-depressant

Jane Stewart has written Omega 3 EPA: Natures Very Own Anti-depressant and she writes "Since Dr Malcolm Peet, a consultant psychiatrist at Sheffield swallow court hospital released his findings about the effects of Ethyl Epa and its effects on people suffering from depression and low moods, many other studies have been performed using Ethyl Epa to help treat depression and related disorders. The vast majority of the studies that have been performed consistently confirmed that Ethyl Epa, a natural substance found in omega 3 fish oil, helps relieve depression and low moods.

The idea that high grade omega 3 EPA could be used to help combat depression and other related disorders came from the late Dr Horribin, who as early as the 1970s was a pioneer in lipid research involving the brain and central nervous system. Since the findings at Sheffield, studies have been conducted round the world, Harvard university 1999, London Hammersmith hospital 2001 and Israel Ben Gurion University 2002 to name but a few..

EPA As Part Of A Healthy Diet
EPA is part of the Omega 3 chain of ecosanoids and is most commonly found in fatty fish such as fresh salmon, mackerel, pilchards and sardines. Over the past 100 years the diet patterns of most people in the west has shifted dramatically to include far more hydrogenated oils and Trans fatty acids (bad fats) this is largely due to the increased consumption of fast food and ready made meals. Even people who think they eat a healthy diet consume way too much omega 6 and not enough omega 3.

Researchers have recently found that a diet high in Tran's fatty acids could affect the mood stabilizing hormones within the brain, this is thought to be due to the saturated fats slowing down the messaging system within the brain, should this happen then the onset of depression could occur.

How Does EPA Work?
While the benefits of high grade EPA have been well documented, the scientific community still don't know exactly how EPA works on the brain, one theory released by Dr Basant Puri is that it eases the passage of the signals over the tiny gaps in the brain called synapses. Another theory was that the high Grade Epa actually worked similar to lithium and had anti depressant properties of its own.

Until recently it was widely accepted in the medical community that once a human reached maturity that the adult brain could not grow anymore, in a recent paper just released by Dr Puri his findings show other wise. Dr Puri scanned a 21 year patient before treating him with high grade Pure Epa, after the course of treatment he rescanned the young man only to find that the grey matter of the brain had increased in size.

Omega 3 EPA And The Body
As well as EPA being very good for helping to balance mood it has other well documented effects on the body, these included:-

- Blood thinning properties
- Decrease risk of heart attack
- Decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
- Slightly lower blood pressure

There is also some limited scientific evidence to show that high grade EPA has helped people suffering from:-

- Bipolar disorder
- PMS
- Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME
- Huntington's disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- ADHD
- ADD

Although more research needs to be done in these areas, the current evidence looks very promising.

EPA Versus DHA
Omega 3 fish oil contains another omega 3 nutrient called DHA, there is a currently a controversial argument as to which omega 3 nutrient is the more beneficial in dealing with depression and related disorders. This Argument is born from doctors who have used high grade Epa , Horribin, Puri and Peet They claim that the higher the ratio of Epa to Dha the more effective the results have been, just recently Dr Andrew Stoll has also come out in support of this theory.

EPA From Food
Any good doctor or nutritionist will tell you that the best way to get any nutrient is to eat a very balanced diet of the correct amount of carbohydrates , protein and omega essential fatty acids. In the case of Omega 3 epa this would be in the form of fish, unfortunately due to the high concentration levels of epa needed to obtain a therapeutic dose you would have to consume a large amount of oily fish daily and sadly due to the pollution levels found in our oceans today this is not advisable.

Omega 3 Epa can also be found in high doses in certain fish oil supplements, when choosing a fish oil supplement you should choose only the fish oil of the highest quality it should also have as high an EPA to DHA ratio as possible,for maximum therapeutic effect.

Conclusion
The large majority of scientific trails using high grade Omega 3 Ethyl Epa point towards this natural oil being very beneficial for many conditions. The argument about the DHA rages on and probably will until some solid scientific evidence is presented to us .In the mean time a product with a high EPA to DHA ratio is considered more beneficial by some leading UK doctors.

The Author
Jane Stewart: A great resource for high grade omega 3 Ethly EPA , with a 90% concentrate of EPA and Zero DHA visit http://www.mind1st.co.uk

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 8:28 PM | | Comments

Tuning the Music Therapist

Nick Arrizza M.D has written by Tuning the Music Therapist and writes "Music so strongly evokes emotional responses that it is being more frequently employed in the context of psychotherapy as a powerful healing modality. As a novice in this field I inquired at a recent conference on music therapy as to how this tool effects healing in clients with emotional disorders.

Conceptually, it is my understanding that the music therapist often employs musical improvisation to communicate with the unconscious aspects of the patient's psyche. The therapist may set out to convey an empathic or supportive intention with the use of a musical language that communicates at an emotional rather than verbal level. The intention of the therapist may be completely informed by what she/he "thinks" the patient needs for his/her healing i.e. a unidirectional healing intention. Alternately, it may be more dynamically informed.

In the latter case, the therapist's intention is informed dynamically through her/his empathic attunement to the patient's emotional state as the musical dialogue unfolds. In such a case the emotional quality of the music may evolve as the therapist and patient interact through the musical medium..

Ideally in a genuine healing situation it is expected that the therapist will evoke in the patient an emotional state that brings with it greater internal harmony associated with such feelings as relaxation, peace, joyfulness, contentment, and a sense of light heartedness. This feeling of harmony, from an energy psychology paradigm, is associated with an ordered and sustaining bio-field of energy that supports both structure and function of the body at all levels.

Metaphorically, the therapist could be seen to be helping the patient "tune" him/her self to an optimal bio-energetic field of frequencies that then spontaneously effect healing. To say that the therapist is directly doing the healing would be difficult to justify as the therapist couldn't possibly know how to direct the multitude of biochemical reactions necessary for healing to occur. She/he however may be facilitating the re-establishment of a healing bio-energetic field within and around the patient that itself orchestrates the biochemical re-organization.

If we extend the use of this metaphor, the therapist could be considered as a tuning device, similar to that required to tune a musical instrument. Hence we can speak of the therapist as the tuner for the patient's bio-energy field.

It becomes obvious then that if a tuning device is itself out of tune the musical instrument to be tuned will be out of key, no matter how well the musician's technique.

In the same way, if the music therapist who is helping to facilitate a realignment of the patient's bio-energy field is "out of tune" this will not only limit the healing process but could also potentially be harmful for the patient. It becomes imperative then that the music therapist, apart from being a skilled musician, also undergoes an internal bio-energetic realignment or retuning.

What will the therapist use as a tuning device however? In order to answer this question we must reflect on what it means to be in tune. As we alluded to earlier, when the patient is in harmony he/she feels relaxed, peaceful, joyful, contented, and lighthearted. We also notice that in such a state, stress is reduced and physical and emotional resilience is enhanced. This is clearly a state in which healing is optimally supported and might therefore be accepted as a state of optimal tuning of the bio-energetic field.

Unfortunately, music alone cannot effect such an optimal state of tuning. If it could we wouldn't need the presence of the music therapist in the therapeutic situation. Hence, in the same way the music therapist cannot rely on music alone for the realignment of their own bio-energetic field. We are therefore left with a slight conundrum. In order to address this it becomes necessary to ask: where does the internal source of harmony that is represented by the feeling state mentioned above, originate within an individual.

We note that his feeling state of harmony can be rapidly evoked when one actively appreciates something they like about themselves. Through the action of self appreciation one can spontaneously begin to feel joyful, relaxed, peaceful, contented and lighthearted, among other feelings. These feelings are also felt most intensely over the region of the person's heart.

Since it is the person themselves that is actively doing the appreciating the feelings of appreciation are clearly emerging from that person's Self. As the feelings of appreciation are most intensely felt over the heart region, then it follows that that person's experience of themselves originates in the heart region. Ironically, most individuals however tend to "think" of themselves as originating in the mind or brain. In other words they think they are somewhere where they are not. Their heart, i.e. their Self, is left forgotten and abandoned.

The mind and the beliefs that flow through it become the organizing bio-energy field that then tries to sustain the body in its daily functioning. However, because the mind is not the Self it does not have the necessary information to adequately sustain the physical/emotional body. This is obvious because none of us is capable of consciously knowing how to orchestrate the multitude of biochemical processes in our bodies. In most cases we are not even aware of what they are.

As a result the individual does not feel in a state of harmony i.e. they feel stressed. It is only when the heart is re-instated as the center of that individual that harmony is re-established.

The re-instatement of the heart as the center of a person however is not easily accomplished. The reason for this is that there are many beliefs in the mind/brain that lead the individual to fear or mistrust the heart's motives or capability in supporting the individual. Ironically such beliefs then keep the person in a state of disharmony.

The extent to which a music therapist, or any therapist for that matter, is ruled by such beliefs renders her/him unable to effect a true state of internal harmony and optimal tuning in the patient. Such beliefs are often deeply conditioned in the therapist, held at an unconscious level and effectively convey a disharmony in the music that they produce in the therapeutic situation.

By clearing these conditioned beliefs it is possible for the therapist to tune themselves to their own inner harmony thereby allowing them to improvise a form of "pure musical harmony" in the therapeutic setting that helps the patient optimally tune into their own internal harmony. The permanent clearing of such conditioning from one's bio-energetic field has recently become possible through a new tool called the Mind Resonance Process? developed within the last several years.

Nick Arrizza M.D. is an Energy Psychiatrist and Researcher who lives in Toronto, Canada. He is the developer of the Mind Resonance Process? (MRP), Author of "Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation" (Found at http://www.telecoaching4u.com/ebook.htm), and a Speaker. He has trained therapists and the public in the use of MRP. He holds international teleconferences on emotional, physical and spiritual healing.


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 8:27 PM | | Comments

Recognizing Depression

Recognizing Depression was written by S A Baker and he writes "Depression is a serious issue. There are simply hundreds of thousands of people who deal with depression on a daily basis. Are you one of them? Do you know someone that may be? How can you recognize the signs of depression? How can you help someone who may be facing depression within their lives? and he writes "While there are many forms and levels of severity in depression, one thing is for sure. Depression causes negative effects on the way a person lives, the way a person is perceived, and the stability of their well being. But, what are some signs that a person you love, or maybe even yourself, is suffering from depression? There are many things that you can look for. Some basic things are listed here.

Does the person seem withdrawn from their normal activities? Do they seem unhappy with things that have made them happy before? Do they stay home rather than do something that they once considered fun? Does the person seem to be pulling away from close friends and relatives? Does the person feel isolated, hurt, and alone?.

There are many other things that you can look for in individuals who may be experiencing depression. The most important thing that you can do is to talk to them, get them to talk to someone they can trust, or to see their doctor. If you would like additional information on avoiding depression and recognizing its signs, you can visit websites like www.avoiddepression.com. While it is not a medical site, it can offer ideas on what depression is and how to avoid its effects.

S A Baker recommends visiting Depression Help for other good information on depression.


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 8:04 PM | | Comments

Andropause and Depression

Andropause and Depression was written by Cathy Taylor and she writes "Andropause correlates directly with depression - a major player in the notorious mid-life crisis period men face in their late 40´s to late 50´s. There are a wide variety of symptoms and conditions hormone-wrecked men experience during this mid-life transition - everything from the mental (i.e. irritability) to the physical (loss of libido, lack of energy, and weight gain.) Depression, left untreated, can be a disabling condition.

Andropause depression is due to dropping levels of testosterone. Low testosterone levels cause many depressive symptoms - among them, a general indifference to events surrounding you, the inability to concentrate, extreme irritability, and memory loss. We might stress over things that might otherwise be worry-free in a normal situation and brood over certain matters. Our memory might go down the drain and we begin to see our lives in a negative light.

Energy levels plummet and enthusiasm for the activities we used to enjoy become flat-lined. Insomnia and restlessness is also a common symptom. Normal everyday things might become a burden to us, and the simplest shout of a child can make us excessively irritable. Psychologists use a variety of battery tests to figure out whether you suffer from depression. Besides handing you test sheets to work with, they also place you under observation - noticing your behavior, tendencies, and habits while talking to them..

Men tend to be rebellious creatures by nature. We love shrugging off our faults and being poised in the midst of emotional trouble. We take on the role as masculine creatures - lion kings of the jungle that reign over the sprawling landscape we call life. Men can be in full denial when it comes to questions about their sexual ability and prowess. Refusing to understand that we aren't who we once were with our sexual performance as a result of Andropause is in our blood. Fellas, it is time to become aware and acquainted with the severity of your depression.

Off the bat, there are facts and figures supporting depression as a major problem. For one, 80% of all suicides in the United States are carried out by men. The majority of people with this condition never seek the advice and counsel of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Probably the most shocking fact of all is the male suicide rate is highest during the Andropause years. You read correctly - highest during the years we're specifically talking about.

How do we deal with these devastating changes to our lives? How can we manage stress to reduce the chances of clinical depression? For one, we must follow a daily exercise regimen. That coupled with a caffeine-free diet will boost our immune systems to fight disease. It will also slow down the aging process. Aim to maintain that explosive 30-inch, vertical leap well into your 60s! Another is doing the activities we love. Don't stray from playing your pick-up basketball games with buddies or building those go-carts from scratch as a hobby. Stick to them and enjoy the satisfaction of doing so. Distract yourself from your current condition without ignoring it completely.

Maintain a social network of friends and family that will cheer you up when you need it most. Something as simple as having your young child shove a hand drawing of a red school bus in your face can provide for laughs and smiles. The most important piece of advice is to accept your condition and make accommodations. For example, low testosterone levels can easily be supplemented with testosterone cream. It's bound to happen to all of us, and you either have the choice of making the best of it or letting it overwhelm you. Awareness is critical, and an optimistic attitude, followed with physical activity and a solid nutritional plan, is the best means of fighting Andropause, anti-aging, and the demon known as depression.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting http://www.everythingmenopause.com or http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 8:01 PM | | Comments

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Wellbutrin For Depression: When Its More Than Just The Blues

Wellbutrin For Depression: When Its More Than Just The Blues was written by Ian Mason and he writes "We all have blue days:

We're missing someone we've lost, the expected promotion didn't come through, we've exhausted ourselves over the holidays. But when these feelings continue for a long time and begin to interfere in your life, you may have an illness that doctors call major depressive disorder (or depression).

Depression is not something you can "just snap out of." It's caused by an imbalance of chemicals in your brain; just like diabetes, cancer, or any other serious medical problem, depression needs treatment for you to be well again..

How do I know I'm not just having a bad day?
Symptoms of depression sometimes creep up on their victim. They may be triggered by a difficult event (like divorce, childbirth, or job loss) which makes it hard to see where the natural sadness ends and a depressive event begins. But over time, these symptoms become distinctive. They include feeling sad or "flat," unexplained changes in eating or sleeping, feelings of hopelessness, guilty or worthlessness, losing pleasure in things you used to love (whether that's your job or flying kites with the kids), and sometimes thoughts of death or suicide.

In the midst of an episode of depression, it may be hard to see yourself and identify depressive symptoms clearly. A spouse or close friend may mention that you haven't seemed like yourself, or maybe you've noticed that you're just not functioning like you used to. If so, your doctor is an objective person to talk with about how you're feeling and whether you're suffering from depression.

But I've heard that antidepressants are dangerous!

While a few people may have unusual reactions to mood altering medications, most modern drugs for treating depression are safe and effective.

Wellbutrin, a relatively new antidepressant medication, is one of these drugs. It works by affecting the chemicals that changed in your brain to cause depressive feelings. Unlike some other antidepressants, it's more likely to make you feel "alert" rather than "mellow." It also is less likely to cause sexual side-effects and weight gain than other antidepressants.

Talking to your doctor
One of the hardest parts of depression is that you may feel helpless or exhausted and thus have a hard time getting motivated to see a doctor. If you can, ask a friend or loved one to help arrange an appointment. When you see your doctor, she'll help you sort through your symptoms. She'll also check on whether any other medications that you're on (like MAO inhibitors or nicotine patches) might interact with Wellbutrin. If you've had a history of seizures, she may also suggest a different drug.

But if Wellbutrin fits with your life and health, she'll start you on a prescription, which you can fill at your local pharmacy or even online! Once you started taking it, it may take a little time before the effect is apparent (remember, it's a gentle antidepressant. If it's not working after a few weeks, contact your doctor to talk about a dose adjustment.

You should also contact your doctor if you start experiencing significant side effects, especially if they get worse over time. These include symptoms of anxiety (like sweating, difficulty sleeping, and dry mouth) or significant loss of appetite.

As Wellbutrin readjusts your brain chemicals, you should begin to feel more active and interested in your life. Best of all, you'll be back to yourself - with your own natural highs and lows - the person that your family and friends know and love!

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Wellbutrin and a free depression forum to help you get through the hardest times.

Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 8:01 PM | | Comments

What About Drugs for Anxiety and Depression?

What About Drugs for Anxiety and Depression? this article was written by Margaret Paul, Ph.D and she writes "As a counselor, I am often asked, "Can drugs be helpful for anxiety and depression?" The answer I give is "Yes" and "No."

Yes, drugs may be useful for short-term help. No, drugs are not a good long-term solution.

Anxiety and depression are not caused by a lack of drugs. Drugs do not heal the underlying causes of anxiety and depression. However, when drugs are temporarily used to give a person a window of relief to do the inner work necessary to heal the underlying causes, they can be useful.

Anxiety and depression generally have two major underlying causes - emotional and physical..

THE PHYSICAL CAUSES OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Our bodies go into imbalance when we do not eat well or have enough healthy exercise. Our bodies are not made to handle the unnatural substances found in processed food. When we overload our bodies with chemicals, pesticides, sugar, and devitalized foods, our bodies become depleted of vital nutrients and go into stress. Anxiety and depression can be the result of this physical depletion and resulting stress.

Our bodies are designed to thrive on the food and water that God gave us - pure, clean, organic, unaltered food and water. If you take drugs for anxiety and depression and do not clean up your diet and get proper exercise, you are just using a Band Aid for a gaping wound.

THE EMOTIONAL CAUSES OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Emotionally, anxiety is caused by dysfunctional thoughts - thoughts that are not true. For example, if you tell yourself that you are not good enough or you have to be perfect, you will likely feel anxious. Thoughts of not being good enough and having to be perfect are generally focused on our outer qualities of looks and performance, rather than on the inner qualities of kindness, compassion, and gratitude. When we choose to be kind, loving and compassionate with ourselves and others, we feel good about ourselves. When we choose gratitude for what we do have rather than dwell on what we don't have, we create inner peace. Kindness and gratitude are wonderful antidotes to anxiety!

Anxiety is always a sign that we are telling ourselves a lie. The truth creates peace inside, while lies create fear and anxiety. This is a sure-fire way of knowing what is true and what is not true!

Emotionally, depression is caused by not taking good care of ourselves. If we ignore our needs, don't speak up for ourselves, judge ourselves, and make others responsible for our feelings, the result may be depression. If you have a child whom you ignore and judge, that child will likely be depressed. The same occurs on the inner level when we ignore and judge our own inner child. Putting yourself last and taking care of everyone else but yourself may cause you to feel unworthy and depressed.

There is little point in taking drugs for anxiety and depression without attending to your dysfunctional thinking and to how you are treating yourself. However, if you take drugs for a short time and give yourself the opportunity to do your inner work, they may be helpful. Many of the people I work with find that as soon as they start taking good care of themselves, they don't like the effect of the drugs. They don't like the fact that the drugs take the edge off their feelings. They find that, rather than wanting to be numbed out, they want to feel all of their feelings deeply, both the highs and the lows. The more they learn to take responsibility for their feelings by attending to their thoughts and needs, the more they want to feel all of their feelings. They discover that, while drugs may take the edge off pain, they also take the edge off joy.

Most of the people I work with can avoid drugs completely by learning to take loving care of themselves, both physically and emotionally. Many of the people who practice the Inner Bonding process that we teach find Inner Bonding to be far more powerful in healing anxiety and depression than drugs.

If you are a person who does not want to learn to take personal responsibility for your pain and joy, then drugs may be a way out for you. But if you want to feel true peace and joy, drugs are not the answer.

About The Author
Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.
margaret@innerbonding.com


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:58 PM | | Comments

Major Depression and Manic Depression - Any Difference?

Major Depression and Manic Depression - Any Difference? this articles was written by Dr. Michael G. Rayel and he writes "Countless number of patients and their family members have asked me about manic-depression and major depression. "Is there any difference?" "Are they one and the same?" "Is the treatment the same?" And so on. Each time I encounter a chorus of questions like these, I am enthused to provide answers.

You know why? Because the difference between these two disorders is enormous. The difference does not lie on clinical presentation alone. The treatment of these two disorders is significantly distinct.

Let me begin by describing major depression (officially called major depressive disorder). Major depression is a primary psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of either a depressed mood or lack of interest to do usual activities occurring on a daily basis for at least two weeks. Just like other disorders, this illness has associated features such as impairment in energy, appetite, sleep, concentration, and desire to have sex..

In addition, patients afflicted with this disorder also suffer from feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Tearfulness or crying episodes and irritability are not uncommon. If left untreated, patients get worse. They become socially withdrawn and can't go to work. Moreover, about 15% of depressed patients become suicidal and occasionally, homicidal. Other patients develop psychosis-hearing voices (hallucinations) or having false beliefs (delusions) that people are out to get them.

What about manic-depression or bipolar disorder?

Manic-depression is a type of primary psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of major depression (as described above) and episodes of mania that last for at least a week. When mania is present, patients show signs opposite of clinical depression. During the episode, patients show significant euphoria or extreme irritability. In addition, patients become talkative and loud.

Moreover, this type of patients doesn't need a lot of sleep. At night, they are very busy making phone calls, cleaning the house, and starting new projects. Despite apparent lack of sleep, they are still very energetic in the morning - ready to establish new business endeavors. Because they believe that they have special powers, they involve in unreasonable business deals and unrealistic personal projects.

They also become hypersexual - wanting to have sex several times a day. One-night stands can happen resulting in marital conflict. Like depressed patients, manic patients develop delusions (false beliefs). I know a manic patient who thinks that he is the "Chosen One." Another patient claims that the President of USA and the Prime Minister of Canada ask for her advice.

So the big difference between the two is the presence of mania. This manic episode has treatment implications. In fact the treatment of these disorders is completely different. While major depression needs antidepressant, manic-depression requires a mood stabilizer such as lithium and valproic acid. Recently, new antipsychotics, for example risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine, have been shown to be effective for acute mania.

In general, giving an antidepressant to manic-depressed patients can make their condition worse because this medication can precipitate a switch to manic episode. Although there are some exceptions to the rule (extreme depression, lack of response to mood stabilizers, among others), it is preferable to avoid antidepressants among bipolar patients.

When considering the use of antidepressant in a depressed bipolar patient, clinicians should combine the medication with a mood stabilizer and should use an antidepressant (e.g. bupropion) that has a low tendency to cause a switch to mania.

About The Author
Copyright © 2004. All rights reserved. Dr. Michael G. Rayel - author (First Aid to Mental Illness-Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002), speaker, workshop leader, and psychiatrist. Dr. Rayel pioneers the CARE Approach as first aid for mental health. To receive free newsletter, visit www.drrayel.com. His books are available at major online bookstores.
mike@drrayel.com

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:56 PM | | Comments

Acidity Depresses Thyriod Function

THE RISK
Accumulation of acids in your body, due to insufficient digestion of food, food allergies and consumption of acid-forming substances, can depress thyroid function. Acid-related causes of hypothyroidism also include exposure to heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the water supply and in highly processed food. When your body's acid level rises too high, your thyroid function will be depressed and your metabolism will slow.

Lack of digestive enzymes, also caused by over-consumption of processed foods, further depresses your thyroid function. Your body's ability to neutralize acids is further reduced. As you get older, the more toxins you're exposed to, the more likely you will develop an under-active thyroid - if you haven't already..

THE DAMAGE
With a depressed thyroid function, your body's cells and organs will not metabolize as quickly as they should. The presence of excess acid only makes the problem worse. Your cells and organs will become overrun with acid that they need to eliminate, but your depressed thyroid function will reduce their ability to deal with these acids. The acid, in turn, will perpetuate or worsen your hypothyroidism.

For example, a sluggish thyroid reinforces the digestive problems that cause acid to accumulate in your body. Because a depressed thyroid function slows your cellular metabolism, it reduces your body's ability to eliminate acid waste. The more acid-forming substances you consume, the more this cycle repeats.

Hypothyroidism also reduces your immune system function, leading to chronic infection. With the accumulation of acid in your body, infection will spread quickly, further reducing your body's ability to neutralize acids.

As with other organs, the thyroid needs glucose and oxygen to function. When acid waste accumulates in the bloodstream, these vital substances cannot get through. Without adequate oxygen and glucose, thyroid function is reduced. The resulting hypothyroidism further reduces the body's ability to clear the bloodstream of these acids that prevent the oxygen and glucose from getting through.

THE BENEFITS OF A BALANCED pH
Because hypothyroidism causes so many other degenerative diseases, a thyroid that functions properly can restore health in so many other areas of your body. When you neutralize the acids in your body and eliminate acid-forming substances from your diet, you give your thyroid a chance to heal. Improved thyroid function will, in turn, help your other body organs function properly.

To neutralize acids and restore your body's pH balance, you need to reduce or eliminate consumption of acidic foods and other acidic substances. Adding more alkalinizing foods and minerals to your diet can help restore your pH balance. As your acid level falls, you'll find that your thyroid function will increase. Your body's metabolism will increase as a result, and you'll be able to neutralize acids even further. The end result will be restored health, higher energy, and a decreased risk of degenerative diseases.

If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself you need to take a proactive approach. Don't expect to feed your body processed foods, not exercise, then pop a pill and be all better? it just doesn't work that way. If you want to bring your body into pH balance then you need a complete approach. A great place to start is the Immersion Kit, you can learn more by going to http://www.pH-health.com


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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:38 PM | | Comments

ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought

ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought was written by Douglas Cowan, Psy.D and he writes ""Thanks for Noticin' Me" says Eeyore. He walks slowly. He looks sad. He doesn't accomplish much. He's just glad to be noticed. This is Eeyore, the stuffed donkey who is so often in need of his tail being pinned back on.

Eeyore is a good picture of life is like for those who are impacted by the type of ADHD that includes sadness, or depression. It is estimated that as many as 25% of all those with ADHD have to battle depression as well. This type of ADHD is called "Limbic System ADHD" by Daniel Amen, and for good reason. SPECT scans show that when the brain is at rest, there is increased activity deep in the limbic system, in parts of the brain called the thalamus and hypothalamus. There is also a decreased level of activity in the underside of the pre-frontal cortex.

When the brain is placed under a work load, as during a homework assignment, we would expect the under-active pre-frontal cortex to increase activity and get to work. But instead, nothing changes. The over-active limbic system remains over-active, and the under-active pre-frontal cortex remains under-active..

Those with this type, or style of ADHD are often very inattentive to details, and are easily distracted by unimportant things. They have a chronic sadness or low-grade depression to deal with every day. They seem to be negative, or apathetic, and have low energy levels. They just do not seem to care. They often feel worthless, or helpless, or hopeless. As you can see this type of ADHD looks very much like a combination of ADHD and Depression.

Our specific treatment strategy for Limbic System, or Eeyore style ADHD, begins with our recommended Eating Program. In addition, experts recommend DL-Phenylalyne (up to 600 mg per day for adults), 5-HTP, and B Vitamins and St. John's Wort (up to 600 mg per day for adults).

We think that best way to approach this problem is by using the nutraceutical medicines Attend, Extress, and Deprex, which are available over the counter. The Attend contains over 70 ingredients, including GABA, DL-Phenylalyne, Ginko, Pycnogenol and Grape Seed Extracts, 5-HTP, pregnenolone, DMAE, and more. The Extress contains GABA, DL-PA, 5-HTP, and St. John's Wort. Deprex contains more GABA, and just 2 capsules of DEPREX contain 320 mg of St. John's Wort and 420 mg of DL-Phenylalyne. When combined in a targeted treatment strategy like this, the individual with limbic ADHD can expect to see improved and stabilized moods, improved concentration, and improved memory.


Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

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Posted by Tk Rujak at 7:32 PM | | Comments

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