Depression Medication Article

A Look at the Different Types of Depression

2009-07-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

When people talk about depression, they usually mean a person who is feeling down and lethargic, and who has generally lost interest in life. Most people don't realize that there are many different types of depression a person can be suffering from, with each type often showing different symptoms.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, here is a quick overview of the most common forms of depression.

Mild/Minor Depression is the least severe form of depression. Usually the symptoms aren't so severe that they have a major impact in the life of the sufferer, although the depression can still cause distress and disruption. Many people who are suffering from mild depression never seek treatment - they don't believe the symptoms are severe enough.

Dysthymic Disorder is a long-term form of mild depression (lasting two or more years). Like mild depression, most sufferers never seek help as they don't believe their symptoms are severe enough. Also like mild depression, the symptoms of dysthymic depression don't usually have a huge impact on the sufferers day-to-day life. But when the long-term results from the depression are considered, the impact can be huge. People who suffer from dysthymic depression often can't remember a time when they weren't depressed.

Moderate Depression fits somewhere between mild depression and major depression. The symptoms of moderate depression are more severe and numerous than mild depression, and they begin to have an impact on the work, home and social life of the sufferer. While mild depression and dysthymic depression can go unnoticed by others, the symptoms of moderate depression are usually noticeable. If left untreated, people suffering from moderate depression can slip into major depression.

Major Depression (also known as clinical or unipolar depression) is what most people think of when they think of depression - the individual seems to have totally given up on life, and has a large number of obvious symptoms. It is unlikely that someone suffering from major depression could function normally in a work, social or home setting - their symptoms are too pronounced. Suicide can be a huge risk with major depression, and professional help needs to be sought to treat the depression.

Bipolar Depression (BPD) is sometimes known as manic-depression, and is characterized by the sufferer having large mood swings from very upbeat and energetic to extreme lows. Both periods normally last for several weeks at a time. Bipolar depression is usually categorized into a number of sub-categories. While there is no firm consensus on how many sub-categories there are, the four most common are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

People with bipolar I disorder have the most extreme mood swings. Their low moods can be classified as major depression, while in their positive moods they can engage in crazy, outrageous and even dangerous activities. During this 'mania' state they may even suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

People with bipolar II disorder have much less extreme mania periods. Indeed, many bipolar II sufferers go untreated because people mistake their 'mania' phase for simply getting over their depression. People with bipolar II don't suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder but much more long-term version of bipolar disorder (usually lasting for two or more years). Like bipolar II the mania phases are relatively minor, but in addition their depressive phases aren't so severe that they classify as major depression. If left untreated, cyclothymic depression can develop into bipolar II depression.

Finally, Bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) is a catch-all category for people who have some of the symptoms of bipolar, but those symptoms don't allow the person to be neatly categorized in one of the three other categories. For example, the sufferer may have fast cycling between the manic and depressive states, or manic states without depressive states.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that affects between 3% and 8% of women. Symptoms of depression appear around a week prior to menstruation, and disappear within a few days of menstruation beginning.

Postnatal (Postpartum) Depression can occur any time in the first 12 months after a baby is born. Some form of postnatal depression affects over 80% of new mothers, although most who are affected only have a very mild form of depression that usually passes naturally with rest and the support of family and friends. However around 15% of mothers get a more severe form of postnatal depression, and like major depression the sufferer needs treatment and support to overcome the illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by the changing light levels throughout the year. The most common for of SAD is caused by the low-light levels of winter, but a much rarer form of the disorder is triggered by the high-light levels of summer.

As you can see, depression comes in many different forms - each type of depression has different triggers and symptoms associated with it, and each type of depression also responds better to different treatments. By being aware of the different forms depression can take, you can be much more prepared to help a friend of family member.

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Antidepressants side effects | How To Treat Depression Without Taking Antidepressants

2009-07-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

We now have proof of what I’ve long suspected: Antidepressants don’t work. That’s bad news for the millions of Americans who suffer from depression. This condition can cause a depressed mood; loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, including sex; fatigue; sleep problems; feelings of hopelessness and helplessness; and difficulty thinking and making decisions.Yet many people believe that antidepressants drugs are the answer. Today, one in ten Americans takes an antidepressant. Women have a 10 to 25 percent risk and men a 5 to 12 percent risk of developing severe major depression in their lifetime. Depression has different causes. And each cause needs a different approach to treatment.

Unfortunately, new research shows that they don’t work and have significant side effects.

In fact, most patients taking antidepressants either don’t respond or have only partial response.

And 86 percent of people who take these drugs have one or more side effects, including sexual dysfunction, fatigue, insomnia, loss of mental abilities, nausea, and weight gain.

No wonder half the people who try antidepressants discontinue them after just 4 months.

Now let’s talk more about this new research.

A report published in a recent issue of “The New England Journal of Medicine” looked at 74 studies involving 12 drugs and over 12,000 people. Some of these studies were published -- and some weren’t.

You see, drug companies don’t have to publish all the results of their studies. They only publish those they want to.

The report’s researchers really had to dig to find these unpublished studies. When they did, they found that 37 of 38 trials with positive results were published, while only 14 of 36 negative studies were published.

And the negative published studies were twisted to imply the drugs worked when they didn’t.

Now that really is depressing news -- and there’s no easy fix.

However, Functional Medicine, on which my approach of UltraWellness is based, can help.

Functional Medicine doesn’t rely on drugs to suppress symptoms, but uncovers the root causes of depression.

Let me tell you about a few of my patients.

A 23-year-old woman had been on various antidepressants throughout her childhood and adolescence. We discovered that she had food allergies, which cause inflammation. And recent studies suggest that inflammation may be related to depression.

The patient eliminated her food allergies and her depression disappeared. She was able to stop taking her medication -- and she lost 30 pounds to boot.

A 37-year-old had depression that didn’t respond to drugs, plus fatigue and a 40-pound weight gain.

When we got the very high levels of mercury out of her body, she soon became happy, thin, and full of energy.

And a 49-year-old man had taken antidepressants for years but was still severely depressed.

We treated his severe deficiencies of vitamin B12, B6, and folate. Now he’s free of depression.

As you can see, antidepressants are not the answer.

We need different solutions.

Try the following measures to help alleviate depression. They are based on Functional Medicine which is the foundation of my practice and the core of UltraWellness.

1. Try an anti-inflammatory elimination diet that gets rid of common food allergens.
2. Check for hypothyroidism.
3. Treat vitamin D deficiency with at least 2,000 to 5,000 U a day of vitamin D3.
4. Take omega-3 fats in the form of 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams (mg) a day of purified fish oil. Your brain is made of up this fat.
5. Take adequate B12 (1,000 micrograms, or mcg, a day), B6 (25 mg) and folic acid (800 mcg).
6. Get checked for mercury.
7. Exercise vigorously five times a week for 30 minutes. This increases levels of BDNF, a natural antidepressant in your brain.

These are just of few of the easiest and most effective things you can do to treat depression. But there are even more, which you can address by simply working through the 7 Keys to UltraWellness.

References

(1) Turner EH et al. 2007. Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy. New England Journal of Medicine. 358: 252-260.

(2) Eaton WW, Kalaydjian A, Scharfstein DO, Mezuk B, Ding Y. 2007. Prevalence and incidence of depressive disorder: the Baltimore ECA follow-up, 1981-2004. Acta Psychiatr Scand.116(3):182-188.

About the Author
Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available. See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Depression

Baby blues | How to Cope With Postnatal Depression

2009-07-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Postnatal depression is a condition that happens to about 10% of women after they have a baby. It is often known as the baby blues, and includes feeling unhappy, blue, sad, and miserable. In many cases Postnatal Depression is not even recognized because of all the normal changes that occur during and after pregnancy. However, although this is a very common problem, there are some things that can be done to treat Postnatal Depression and help to get new moms feeling back to normal again.

Causes of Post Natal Depression

There are a variety of different reasons that you could be dealing with depression after you have a baby. Many times it is a result of changes in the hormones in the body. There are big changes that occur within the first 24 hours after having a baby

and this can lead to depression. Also, thyroid levels can drop leading to depression. Some of the other factors that can end up leading to problems with the baby blues include feeling overwhelmed with taking care of a new baby, lack of sleep, stress, feelings of losing your identity, and have less control over the time that you have.

Symptoms of Postnatal Depression
There are many symptoms that can be symptoms of depression. If you happen to have any of these symptoms after pregnancy and they last for more than a couple of weeks, you could be dealing with depression.

- Very little energy
- Feelings is restlessness
- Irritability
- Loosing interest in activities
- Crying more often than usual
- Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
- Problems staying focused
- Too much sleep or not enough
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Withdrawing from family
- Dealing with chest pains or headaches

Simple Treatments to Try
There are a variety of treatments for post natal depression, and while some may include drug therapy or even talk therapy with a professional, there are simple things that you can do at home to combat this problem. The following are simply and alternative treatments that you may want to try.

- Get More Rest - One thing that you can try to get rid of the depression you are dealing with is to start getting a bit more rest. When you have a new baby, often it can be difficult to get the rest you need, leading to more risk of depression. Try sleeping whenever your baby does so you get the rest you need.

- Talk to a Friend or Family Member - Just talking someone can definitely be a huge help when you are dealing with the baby blues. It helps you to realize you are not alone and allows you to express your feelings too.

- Get Out More - Staying in the home all the time can actually lead to depression, so you need to get out more. Go out with your baby and run some errands or just go for a walk around the block. It can really help.

- Join a Support Group - Joining support groups can help. There are many people out there that are also going through postnatal depression and joining a group with others who understand can be very healing and helpful for you.

- Try Baby Massage - Consider trying baby massage by taking a class so you can learn how to do it. This is a great way that you can learn to better relate to your baby and you'll begin feeling better too.

- Eat Foods with Omega 3s - If you're going through post natal depression, chances are that you are low on fatty acids in your body, which can lead to depression. So, start eating foods that have omega 3s in them, such as seafood and fish.

About the Author
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Depression symptoms | Easy Ways to find the Right Treatment for Depression

2009-07-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Depression symptoms or prolonged sadness is actually quite common in the United States, around 9.5 percent of the American population actually suffers from this illness, however, not all of them get to be treated, thus, and find the right depression treatment and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to some individuals.

Treatment for Depression:

This illness may seem quite simple to treat but in reality, it takes more than a little cheering up to actually cure depression. Constant visits to a cognitive behavior therapist is a must as well as taking all the prescribed medicines that the doctor will ask the patient to take none of these exactly come cheap, but the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of depression is enough reason already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on through the various depression treatments that are available today. You can find more information about depression at http://cosmichealing.blogspot.com/2008/07/depression-introduction-about.html and more depression treatments.

Depression oftentimes can easily get in the way of an individual's daily activities and his or hers' normal functions, one's zest for life can quickly and easily dissipate due to depression. And in place of an individual's sunny disposition is more or less a person who hates his or herself, having no self-confidence, trying to isolate one's self from the world and basically just not caring about living any more.

More so, a person suffering from depression isn't the only one who's going to suffer from this destructive illness, his or her loved ones are sure to follow suit. By seeing the individual grow through such rough patches, basically not caring about anything or anyone anymore, it's highly likely that not only will depression one's relationship with one's self but with his or her loved ones too.

But this shouldn't really pose as such a problem since people who suffer from depression are actually lucky that there are all sorts of depression treatments that can be used to aid an individual through the course of having a sound mental health.

Starting treatment for Depression:

Depression treatment actually starts with the patient openly acknowledging his or her illness, by just being honest with one's self, it'll be a lot easier not only for the doctor but for the patient most of all, to actually cure depression and find an appropriate depression treatment for him or her.

From various medications (like Zoloft antidepressant depression treatment) to all sorts of psychotherapies promising to be the best depression treatment. The patient, as well as his or her family is sure to get the best, positive results from these depression treatments.

Depression Treatment using Psychotherapy:

Psychotherapy, a popular type of depression treatment actually includes short-term therapy sessions, usually from ten to twenty weeks promising to actually be able to make positive results for the depression patient.

This type of depression treatment actually helps the individual by slowly making them to actually open up about their feelings, the root of their problems, more so, the root of their depression.

Healthy verbal exchanges between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient is great depression treatment that'll positively affect the depression patient by helping him or her discuss and talk about whatever they've been keeping inside.

Various medications that are available for depression treatment are actually great for helping the depression patient to regulate his or her mood swings, to actually help him or her sleep better and as well as be more pleasant towards others.

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Depression symptoms | Understanding The Facts About Bipolar Depression

2009-07-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression as some people call it, is a very frightening condition to live with. The depression symptoms of this disorder can be harsh, they can come and go rapidly and they can lead to mood swings that are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Bipolar depression symptoms is the particular swing that can present some of the most problems for those who suffer from the condition. To understand bipolar depression symptoms, it's a very good idea to have a basic grasp on this condition in its entirety. Those who suffer from this condition tend to endure very extreme mood swings. Manic behavior is on one end of the spectrum and depressive the other.

The swings are not caused by a desire to get into trouble. They are not caused by a psychological problem, per say. Rather, the root of this medical phenomena is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. When these chemicals are out of whack, behavior can be, as well.

While both phases of bipolar disorder can cause very real, very lasting problems for those who suffer from the disorder, it is the depressive phase that can be the most troubling. This is so for a number of reasons.

First off, bipolar depression is generally the phase that causes misdiagnosis. Doctors recognize the depressive symptoms and fail to recognize the manic ones. This means a person suffering from this very real, very biological condition is more likely to be treated for the single phase, rather than the entire disorder.

Make no mistake, however, the blame doesn't necessarily fall entirely on the doctors. It is possible the patients and their family members, too, fail to connect the manic episodes with the depressive ones. This can mean a doctor is forced to treat a patient with only half of the picture to go on.

Since this condition involves a chemical imbalance, the medications used to treat depression might not always be helpful. A careful management of bipolar disorder needs to be present to help ensure a patient leads as close to a normal life as possible.

The second major reason bipolar depression is a big problem is the symptoms themselves. Often mirroring true, clinical depression these symptoms can range from loss of appetite and fatigue to feelings of helplessness, sadness and guilt. It is even possible that thoughts of death and suicide will be present and even acted on. The suicide rate for untreated bipolar depression is higher than many might think.

The depressive phase can also be misidentified as nothing more than "the blues." Since the bipolar patient can go through such extreme mood swings, it can be very difficult for the person suffering and those around them to take the depressive state and recognize it for its seriousness.

Living with manic depression requires very careful management. While there is no known cure for the condition, there are treatments that can help keep its most troublesome symptoms in check. When the disorder is properly treated, the signs of bipolar depression and even the manic phases are kept well under wraps in most cases.

About the Author
For more information on bipolar, try visiting http://www.bipolardetails.com - a website that specializes in providing bipolar related tips and resources to include information on bipolar depression.

Causes of postpartum depression

2009-07-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

Postpartum depression or peripartum depression occurs after a woman gives birth. Within a few hours of giving birth the amount of the two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, return to their pre pregnancy levels. Many researchers feel that this drop in hormone levels, much like the smaller changes in hormone levels can affect a womans mood just before her menstrual cycle, is one of the causes of postpartum depression.

There has been awareness of postpartum emotional problems throughout recorded history. Although pregnancy and the difficulties surrounding motherhood are far from new, and despite our so-called advanced modern medicine, we as a society have a shamefully meager understanding of the postpartum experience, and in general, we pay astonishingly little attention to new mothers.

While society regards bringing a new baby into the world as an entirely exhilarating, blissful period, most women experience some form of negative transition, and many suffer from depression and loneliness.

Postpartum Illness
Unfortunately, the nature and underlying cause of postpartum depression as a disease remains unclear. The term 'depression' is a rather vague and often imprecise blanket that has been commonly used to describe an entire range of (possibly unrelated) postpartum disorders, including the mild and very common temporary syndrome (which is characterized by feelings of sadness, emotional instability, weeping, irritability, and fatigue), as well as much rarer, more severe psychotic reactions.

Postpartum Psychosis
Most medical and psychiatric literature is preoccupied with this severe, but relatively rare disorder whose symptoms are similar to general psychotic reactions. Onset is rapid and debilitating; 80 percent of all cases occur within three to fourteen days after a symptom-free period. Symptoms include:
Extreme confusion, memory loss, incoherence, bizarre hallucinations, refusal to eat, inability to control behavior, frantic excessive energy, irrationality and unfounded suspiciousness.

Symptoms of Depression
Some of the major symptoms are as follows:
Always undergoing feelings of sadness, irritability and tension
Loss of interest in activities of pleasure or lack of libido
Feeling fatigued even though you may not have done anything
Having appetite problems which may lead to increased or decreased diet
Changed sleeping habits, which could translate into too much sleep or too little of it

Always feeling restless or feeling slowed down
Lack of concentration and difficulty in making decisions
Feeling worthless, hopeless and experiencing emotions of guilt

Causes of Depression
Depression is not caused by a single factor and is normally a result of one or more causes. These are not only changes in the state of mind but also physical changes in the brain. It is caused due to the imbalance of a certain kind of chemical in the brain that carries signals to the brain and nerves which are called neurotransmitters.

Some of the common causes of depression are given below:
Family History: Sometimes depression runs in the family and if the parents have depression the likelihood of the children also getting the same increases.

Read About Depression Treatment and also read about Causes of manic depression and Causes of postpartum depression

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Causes of manic depression

2009-07-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Manic depression - Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Some mornings can start with overriding feelings of joy, elation and power. By the time the afternoon has arrived this can shift to feelings of desperation, despair and depression.

More than 2 million American adults, or about 1 percent of the population have bipolar disorder, the percentage figures are the same for the United Kingdom. A depressive disorder is a mental disparity exemplified by a pessimistic sense of insufficiency. A person commonly suffers from feelings of gloom and sadness, downturns in mood, despair, feelings of low self-esteem, guilt, self-pity, and loneliness.

Different types of depression include:
Major Depression
Postpartum or Postnatal Depression
Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression
Cyclothymic Disorder
Dysthymic Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder
One out of 10 people suffer from this disorder. There are many causes of depression. Some types of depression do seem to run in families for generations, suggesting a biological susceptibility. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and severe major depression.
Researchers have shown that physical changes in the body take place along with mental changes. Medical illnesses such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depressive illness, making the sick person unconcerned and reluctant to care for his or her physical needs.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode)
â€¢ Increased energy, activity, and restlessness

â€¢ Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood

â€¢ Extreme irritability

â€¢ Racing thoughts and talking quickly, jumping from one idea to another

â€¢ Distractibility, lack off concentration

â€¢ Little sleep needed

â€¢ Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers

â€¢ Poor judgment

â€¢ Spending sprees

â€¢ A lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual

â€¢ Increased sexual drive

â€¢ Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications

â€¢ Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour

â€¢ Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
The above signs and symptoms of mania can be very difficult to spot in an individual who has manic depression as all of the EXACT symptoms and time frames may not be prevalent in every person as each individual is unique.

Read About Depression Treatment and also read about Causes of manic depression and Causes of postpartum depression

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Understanding Depression treatment

2009-07-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Depression and denial are never far from each other. The problem with denial is that you don’t face up to the fact that you have a problem, so that when things begin to happen to you, you seem to be unsure of why they happen. Eventually, you could do yourself some bodily harm and blame everyone but yourself… because you denied from the onset that you had depression.

If for nothing at all, the fact that you have friends and family who care about you should be reason enough to never allow depression any room in your heart. They might not be experiencing the same symptoms that you are, but they are feeling your pain as well. And when you lash out at them, it hurts. So, please don't. Instead, let them understand what you are going through and they will help you.

Depression is common enough as a regular mood that hits once it a while. Some call it the blues, but not when it is the serious type. That is the type of depression that becomes bipolar or manic depression; that is the type of depression that people get admitted into hospital for. The most important tip for depression always is this – don’t let it linger in your mind for too long. When you feel a problem is getting out of hand, seek help!

There are many mental illnesses that make themselves evident in countless different ways. Depression is one of the most common of them. All over the world, up to 8 percent of adults suffer depression occasionally, and in the United States, it is prevalent as much as 17% of the adult populace.

You could be in Afghanistan or Timbuktu and you would suffer depression all the same. It is not a question of who you are, or where you are; it is a question of what you feel, or what you feel. And of course, you have be able to handle it too. Many effectively handle it and nip it in the bud before it festers. Be like such people and you will have firm control of depression.

Depression comes slowly and gradually worsens until it becomes a full fledged disease. On the other hand, the depression could erupt out of the blues; suddenly coming upon you within the matter of a few weeks or days. This is admittedly not usual, but you might want to be on the lookout.

Adolescents, when they suffer from depression, experience common symptoms like sadness or “the blues.” This mood naturally affects their overall cycles and they might complain of sleep disturbances and lack of energy. A young person experiencing this can always seek the opinion of an older person; otherwise, when you see them like this, you can choose to take action quickly to help them.

A lot of people experience depression all the time. Of those who do, many will also do again sometime in the future – about 85 percent of them. It's like the condition leaves a footprint on you that it loves to visit again from time to time. There might not even be a permanent solution to this - merely that you must proceed to handle it every time it happens. In other words, don't give it room to breed within you.

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Bipolar Depression Solutions And What You Need To Know

2009-07-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

You may call bipolar disorder a kind of depression because that is what it is. It is the kind of depression that sometimes results in the infamous multiple personality syndromes, when people are unwilling or unable to face their problems and deal with them. In any case, they usually don't even know that they have problems, which is why they got that bad in the first place.

In the United States, a lot of people experience serious depression all the time. It is known that at some point during their lives, up to 17% of the populace is bound to suffer from the condition. Although not all of them are critical, you will agree with me that the effects are such that we could do better without them. Don’t join those that make up part of this statistics. Fight and win the war against depression and you will be the better for it.

Depression is common enough as a regular mood that hits once it a while. Some call it the blues, but not when it is the serious type. That is the type of depression that becomes bipolar or manic depression; that is the type of depression that people get admitted into hospital for. The most important tip for depression always is this – don't let it linger in your mind for too long. When you feel a problem is getting out of hand, seek help!

Women and men both get depressed, but not in the same way, as you might find if you spoke with an expert. Even without speaking to an expert, you would understand that with them having to deal with so many hormonal activities all the time, ladies are more prone to being depressed. The only thing left is for them to learn how to handle it, which they do quite well.

Depression is prevalent in the United States for some reason. However it is also a problem in many other nations of the world, although its prevalence varies widely. It is sort of a measure of how people react to the things around them, and also, how they influence those instances back.

You might not know this, but depression sometimes also varies according to culture. Sadness or guilt may not be what the person complains on in certain cultures; rather you might hear of can be physical issues and other related problems. Mediterranean cultures, for instance, complain more of headaches or nervousness; whereas people in the Asian world feel weakness, fatigue, or imbalance.

Depression often comes in episodes, or “crises,” if you care to call it that. You cannot afford to leave it unattended though, because a single episode of major depression may sometimes last for up to eight or nine months. Some people, although rare enough, may even suffer from it perpetually.

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Depression and Divorce: The New Person in Your Life

2009-07-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

Depression and divorce go hand in hand. Your marriage ends, and someone moves out, but someone also moves in. Like an unwanted house guest, depression becomes like a shadow, skulking in the background, right there, everywhere you go. The shadow is depression, and to move depression out, you are going to have to be armed. Arm yourself with knowledge, and call in the troops available to help you.

The bad news about depression is that when it's left untreated it can disrupt your job, your relationships, and your life. No amount of "cheering up," "toughing it out," booze, or exercise will make it go away. The good news about depression is that, once recognized, it usually responds well to treatment.

Depression affects about one of every seven Americans of all religions, races, genders, and income levels every year. About two thirds of those who suffer from depression do not get treatment for it. Take a moment to reflect on what that means. In any average group of 30 people, for example, the odds are that four of them will suffer from depression this year. It is believed that women are twice as likely as men to be affected by depression, but perhaps men are half as likely to seek help, and go undiagnosed. The first line of defense is understanding what depression is, and understanding that you cannot just ignore it, or pretend it is not there.

Just like an unwelcome house guest, it is there, coming right behind you, and though you may not see it, it is making messes, and those messed are left for you to clean up. Depression due to divorce is a double edged sword, because it tends to have a snowball effect. It tends to come ready made with a sense of failure being built right in, anger boils beneath the surface, your children suffer, finances change, living conditions change, it can often precipitate a move. It is no wonder divorce and depression is the new couple in any failed marriage.

Don't self-diagnose depression. Depression is too dangerous, and unpredictable, for any of us to attempt to diagnose or treat depression without professional help. You need the experience and savvy of a physician or mental health professional to help you understand your own case and get the right treatment for it.

Treatment for depression is twofold, including psychotherapy and medication. A lot of very smart people disagree about which is more important. Although it sometimes makes sense to use therapy without medication, it almost never makes sense to use medication without therapy.

Medication to treat depression keeps getting better. Medications now available for treatment of depression are more effective and faster-acting than ever. They have fewer, and have less disruptive side effects.

Most fall into one of four groups:

* Heterocyclics,
* Serotonin reuptake blockers,
* MAO inhibitors
* Lithium

Newer medications are coming on line every month. Here are some suggestions that will help your doctor find the best medication for you:

Use a psychiatrist. Generally, psychiatrists know more about the range of medications available than do general practitioners, for the same reason that pediatric cardiac surgeons know more about the options available for treating heart problems in children. They do it all the time.

Be patient. Although some symptoms may respond to medication quickly, the medications for depression usually take three to six weeks to become fully effective. By far the most significant factor in unsatisfactory treatment for depression is the impatient patient.

Expect changes in the medications. Expect depression to be treated in a trial-and-error manner. It is the only way to find the solution the right treatment for you.

Follow instructions. Take your medicine on schedule. Do not stop taking it entirely. If you follow your doctor's instructions carefully you equip your doctor with a full range of options for improving your treatment regimen over time and tailoring it for you.

Understand side effects. The side effects of medications for depression include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and changes in urinary and sexual function. Whenever your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask about side effects and what you can do to control them.

Avoid alcohol. Even in moderation, alcohol acts as a depressant. It can interact with medications in unpredictable ways. If you are an alcoholic, make sure your doctor knows this when he or she prescribes medications for you.

Keep your doctor informed. Conscientious physicians want their patients to let them know when they're experiencing something unexpected, because they can then evaluate the case and decide whether to change the medication. Don't expect to talk to the doctor whenever you want, but you should be able to describe your unexpected experiences to a knowledgeable person on the doctor's staff and get a reasonable response. If everyone seems too busy to talk to you, and if you're convinced you're not just being a pest, find another doctor.

Sandy Baker is a world renowned author whom recommends you join the depression forum at http://www.avoiddepression.com/forum . Here you can share your thoughts, make friends, and join the discussion on depression and other matters of life. You are not alone here!

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Identify the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

2009-07-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

Fear, worry, and apprehension can be caused by many events. But when fear, worry, and apprehension are present on a person in an intense and irrational manner, possibly all at the same time, then he or she might be suffering from an anxiety attack. The 3 aforementioned conditions are accompanied by physical symptoms. They are as follows:

Perspiration or Sweating - It is normal for a person to sweat. This is the body's natural way to cool down after physical activity such as exercising. It's also the body's response to external heat. However, sweating is one physical symptom that is also apparent when a person is having an anxiety attack.

Palpitations or fast and/or hard heart beating or pounding - Constant heart beating is obviously a sign of life. But, this should stay at a normal rate. When a person gets excited or frightened, he or she can feel that his or her heart skips or stops beating. Palpitating, however, can be an effect of anxiety. This is an unpleasant sensation that can be felt from the chest all the way to the neck and throat.

Stomach pain or abdominal pain - Often, physical pain has a corresponding physical problem. However, emotional illness such as anxiety attack can be one reason of such pain. Emotions can greatly affect the system of the body and can even cause inability to the person. Physical pain such as stomach and abdominal pain can be some of symptoms of anxiety.

Shaking or Trembling - Shaking or trembling can be caused by anger, stress, rage, or anxiety. But it should be noted that experiencing this regularly can be a sign of physical imbalance and should be examined by a doctor.

Cold or Hot Flashes - A sudden and lasting sensation of body temperature change particularly in the upper body can be caused by emotional illnesses to include anxiety.

Lightheadedness, Faintness or Dizziness - Lightheadedness with no apparent physical cause can be a symptom of an anxiety attack. The inability to maintain balance while sitting or standing can also be a sign of anxiety. Some anti-anxiety drugs can provide help in treating these.

Nausea and Vomiting - Nausea and vomiting can be caused by external conditions or it can be the body's response to stimulants. These can be pain, changes in the body, taste, smell, irritation, poor blood circulation and anxiety.

Chest pain - It is described as a pressure, heaviness and discomfort on the chest. Meanwhile, a sudden and sharp pain in the chest can be a sign of heart attack. Still, other reasons can cause a person to feel chest pain. One of these of course is anxiety attack.

Difficulty in swallowing - A feeling of tightening from the neck to the upper part of the abdomen, tightening of the neck area or only at the chest (behind the breastbone) can be a sign of emotional problems including anxiety.

Periods of breathlessness, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing - Any of these can send discomfort to the person. This often leads to dizziness as the muscles, brain, and other body organs cannot receive their required oxygen supply to function properly. Periods of breathlessness, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing can be a sign of anxiety.

As was mentioned, any of these symptoms can be caused by other physical conditions but if a person has shown at least 4 of the mentioned symptoms, it is advisable to seek proper help immediately.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Depression and the Sensitive at Heart

2009-07-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Beating the Blues. Depression Signs and Solutions

2009-07-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

Depression is quickly becoming one of the biggest health problems in the world. According to a study by USA Magazine, 75% of doctor visits in the US are for stress and depression related illnesses. Clinical depression is Australia's fastest growing illness. How do you know if you are depressed?

The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that one in four women and one in six men suffered from depression. In 20 years, depression will be second only to heart disease as the nation's biggest health problem. Chances are, you may be suffering from stress and anxiety, even depression. Here are some of the warning signs.

WORK STRESS.

Fear of going to work.
Conflict with co workers.
Errors or loss of concentration.
Absenteeism or being physically there, but doing little work.
Unusual or unacceptable behaviour.
Aggression or hostility.
Accidents or near misses.
Trouble with customers.
Feeling unable to cope with constant work demands.
Working more slowly or making more mistakes.
Poor time management.

GENERAL STRESS.

Disturbed sleep.
Lack of energy or motivation.
Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.
Physical aches and pains.
Poor concentration, memory or being easily distracted.
Feeling that life is not worth living.
Loss of interest in sex.
Difficulties with home life and routine daily activities.
Feeling easily tired.
Withdrawal from social activities.
Suicidal tendencies.
Sadness, worthlessness.
Frequent moaning, groaning and sighing.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

As Richard Bach in "Illusion", so eloquently put it: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly."

There is much you can do to reduce you stress levels {regardless of whether external stressors change}. Here are 6 of the best.

EXERCISE.

There is growing evidence that exercise, and in particular strength training, should be provided as a first line therapy for depression, according to exercise therapist Chris Tzar. "In the coming years, medical practitioners may find themselves prescribing exercise and healthy eating habits as frequently as drugs," he says.

MEDITATION.

Take time out to be quiet and attend to personal needs. Meditation is a way many people do this. It is easily learned and takes care of the need to unwind. After meditating, a few minutes rest should be taken before resuming other activities.

YOGA, PILATES OR TAI CHI.

All 3 activities include movements to reduce your stress levels. They can also benefit your fitness, balance, strength and flexibility. Why not join a class today? Don't worry, they have beginners' classes and cater for all age groups.

DIET AND NUTRITION.

Healthy eating is an important factor in beating the blues. Foods containing omega 3 fatty acids, particularly fish oils, can reduce stress. Increased intake of the minerals magnesium, zinc and selenium may help. B group vitamins are very important, particularly if you live or work in a highly stressful situation. An important benefit with these nutrients is that they can increase the level of serotonin [the feel good hormone] in the brain.

QUALITY SLEEP.

High levels of stress can make you restless and lead to disturbed sleep. You need a minimum of 6 hours sleep per night to function effectively. Lavender oil and chamomile tea can be effective sleep inducers.

PETS.

Have you noticed how you feel "at ease" when in the company of your pet? Do you have a warm feeling when you see or stroke a puppy or kitten? Pets can have an extraordinarily positive effect on our feelings and emotions and a growing body of research has indicated their benefits to our health.

Owning a pet has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer as well as a reduction in symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.

According to cancer specialist Dr Bernie Siegel, our body chemistry changes when we are in the company of pets. "Levels of the stress hormone cortisol go down, immune function improves and perhaps more significantly, serotonin levels increase". he says.

OTHER STRATEGIES.

Some of the best ways of dealing with stress and depression are often the simplest. Spending time with nature {such as a park or beach},spending time with friends, smiling, being happy, laughing, having fun and looking for the positive aspects of life, are just a few simple examples. Being grateful for just being alive is another. Yesterday, my wife Ros attended the funeral of a close friend who died of cancer. She was 49.

Finally, learning to say no, simplifying your life and reducing your commitments, may be very helpful too. It may be time to nurture "you" rather than always trying to please others.

Hannah Arendt summarized this point of view with: "Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight."

Graeme Lanham is the author of a popular new E book, "Your Life Fitness". It covers all aspects of health and fitness for busy and active people and includes a comprehensive coverage of depression, stress and anxiety. Please visit his web page at:
http://www.yourlifefitness.com

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Understanding the Symptoms of Depression

2009-07-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Depression is characterized by two things: (1) a sudden drop or loss of interest on the daily activities including those that he or she once enjoyed, and (2) a depressed mood. If one of these two symptoms is present then it's fair to say that the person in question may be suffering from depression, whether they know it or not.

Meanwhile, there are other depression symptoms that may appear in the person

Irregular sleeping patterns: - A person is expected to sleep during the night for an average of 8 hours a day. However, this may not be possible for a person who is experiencing depression. Changes can be seen if the person is awake for the whole night or could not get enough sleep; he or she could not experience deep sleep and could not go back to sleep when awakened. Irregular sleeping patterns could also mean oversleeping or sleeping throughout the day and staying awake during the night. These irregular sleeping patterns are very common in depressed teens and children.

Loss/gain of appetite: - Some people, when depressed, cannot get the appetite to eat while others tend to gain an appetite particularly for sweets and carbohydrates. As a result, a person who is depressed can either gain or lose a significant amount of weight. Depression that is the result of relationship breakup, divorce, and loss of a relative can have these kinds of manifestations.

Irritability or agitation: - Simple things may cause people suffering from depression to become irritable and easily agitated.

Lack of concentration: - This symptom is more evident to children. A depressed child lacks concentration to focus on lessons. As a result, he or she performs poorly on classes. At home, children manifesting this symptom may appear lost in his or her personal world.

Lack of self-confidence: - This often leads to low self-esteem. As a consequence, the person will develop a fear of other people for no particular reason. He or she would see others as a threat to his or her security. As a consequence, this person will prefer to stay on their own rather than with a group. Depression would then intensify since this kind of isolation is never healthy. Their social skills become compromised and this can lead to future difficulties in forming relationships.

Periods of crying: - Given that a depressed person is sad, he or she could cry with no particular reason. For a depressed child, unreasonable tantrums may become very frequent.

Significant decrease in making love: - The loss of interest in sex and a reduction in libido is very common in someone dealing with depression.

Negative perception towards life and living: - A depressed person may see life as nothing but a waste of time. Some depressed people may even think of committing suicide. This feeling increases if the person thinks that everyone around him or her is against him.

Hopelessness: - When the view of the future is unclear, hopelessness sets in. A feeling that there is no reason to carry on living can grow out of this. This is by far one of the worst symptoms of depression and can cause great psychological damage.

Physical problems: - Emotional distress can cause several physical ailments. This will be more evident in teens and children. Headaches and body pains are more common. Other physical problems such as constipation, chest pain, muscle and joint pain, tiredness, and dizziness can be noticeable.

All these symptoms may be caused by other identifiable physical conditions. However, if 5 or more of these happen all in the same period of time; it seems very clear that the person in question is suffering badly with depression.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Bipolar Disorder Is More Than Just Mood Swings

2009-07-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

During the course of our lives, we all experience ups and downs. Some days we feel happy and care-free, while on other days we just can't shake the blues. While we may find these mood changes bothersome, they do not disrupt our lives.

In some people, more specifically those diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, mood changes are so drastic and severe that those suffering from the disorder often cannot function in the normal world. Once called Manic Depressive Disorder, the disease responsible for these drastic mood swings is now called Bipolar Disorder.

Those suffering from the disorder will fall into one of four subcategories of the disease. These subgroups include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

In order for a patient to be classified as Bipolar I, they must have experienced at least one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes. During a manic episode patients will experience an extremely elated or euphoric mood. Along with an elated mood, the patients will usually also have increase mental or physical abilities. They also require little sleep during these episodes.

That sounds great, right? So what's the problem? While the manic episodes can bring on an elated mood, those suffering a manic episode may also be suspicious or irritated, have a low attention span or be easily distracted. Worst yet, a deep depression can sometimes follow one of these elated periods.

During these periods of depression, the patient may feel unable to even get out of bed each day. These individuals may also suffer what is called a mixed episode. This is defined as a period of time when symptoms of mania and clinical depression can occur at the same time. Bipolar individuals are often most dangerous, sometimes to others but mostly to themselves, during this state as their moods are in constant flux and easily changed.

Of all four subcategories of Bipolar Disorder, more people are diagnosed with Bipolar II. In order to be diagnosed as suffering from Bipolar II, the patient must have suffered at least one hypomanic phase and one depressive phase. A hypomanic phase is similar to a manic phase, but is generally not as debilitating or destructive as the manic phase can be.

The third subgroup of Bipolar Disorder is the Cyclothymic Disorder. Bipolars in this subgroup often show signs of mood cycling from hypomania to depression but those around them usually accept the mood swings as a personality trait instead of a disorder. Also, the periods of depression do not meet all the criteria of a major depressive episode.

The fourth subcategory of this disorder is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS). This subgroup generally contains those who are suffering from some type of Bipolar Disorder, but do not fall into any of the above subcategories.

Bipolar Disorder is a disease of variations in mood. It can wreak havoc on the lives of those suffering with it and also those who must try to live and work with these people. There is help for those diagnosed with any form of Bipolar Disorder. Don't give up hope.

For more information on Bipolar, try visting http://www.bipolardetails.com - a website that specializes in providing bipolar related tips, advice and resources to include information on bBipolar Disorder.

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What are the Common Symptoms of Clinical Depression?

2009-07-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

Two of the most common symptoms of clinical depression are sadness (be it mild, moderate or severe) in the period of 2 weeks and anhedonia, or the condition wherein the person finds no pleasure on pleasurable activities such as eating, playing, socializing, and sexual interactions. However, these 2 symptoms are not the sole determinant if the person is suffering from clinical depression or not. There are several symptoms that need to be taken into great account. Knowing these will surely help the person recognize what he feels and perhaps be able to do something about it.

Here are the symptoms of clinical depression everybody should be conscious about:

1) Decrease of interest in the usual activities. Those activities that would normally bring great pleasure as detailed above.

2) Irregular sleeping patters. This covers Hypersomnia or excessive sleeping, loss of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and insomnia or lack of sleep. Clinical depression is physically evident in people who watch television throughout the night and sleep throughout the day. This can occur nearly every day. Having difficulty getting back to sleep with periods of disturbing dreams is also a sign of a change in sleeping pattern.

3) Appetite change, both loss and gain. Usually a person who suffers from clinical depression either gains or loses weight.

4) Guilt over things that are relatively beyond the patient's control such as getting sick. The feeling of worthlessness is also included. A person can also become upset or get too emotional on trivial little matters. There is a small tendency that a person who is clinically depressed can be suicidal. This tendency can grow if the illness is mishandled or if the person has not been given enough medical attention. A depressed person with suicidal tendencies can feel that life is not worth living.

5) Lack of concentration on tasks and the inability to think logically with evidence of indecisiveness on things both significant and less significant. This may be observed by other people or by the sufferer him/herself.

6) Exhaustion from physical activities. Exercise, work, and even walking can cause a clinically depressed person to get exhausted easily.

7) Irritability and short-temperedness is one of the clearer signs of a person suffering from clinical depression.

8) Periods of sobbing with no apparent reason at all.

9) Lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem are other symptoms that can trigger depression or the effects/signs of depression.

10) Occasional feelings of anxiety.

11) Negative perception of the future or loss of hope over things.

Other signs of clinical depression that can be observed:

12) Sensitivity to everyday noise

13) Behavioral changes over a short period of time (irritability and/or aggression)

14) Inattention to hygiene

Children may seem to look normal where in fact they are not. The following are significant symptoms that children may display:

1) Irritability

2) Aggression, social isolation, withdrawal and other behavioral changes

3) Lack of concentration in school and at home

4) Sleeping problems that include nightmares

5) Loss of appetite that may lead to irregular weight loss

All of these symptoms may appear on a single person. However, clinical depression can already be determined it the person has shown at least 5 of the mentioned symptoms. Once you or a person you know shows some of these signs, there are people you can go to. Treatments may include psychotherapy, medication and electroconvulsive or ETC. But be sure to talk to a qualified therapist or doctor first of all.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Teen Depression: Is There A Hopeful Outlook?

2009-07-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Teen depression strikes one in five children. This is a very frightening number. Depression is anything but a good thing. It happens to anyone, in any lifestyle, in any income range. Most of the time, it will not be noticed until it becomes a large problem. This should be the most sobering of all news about this epidemic. Yet, one thing that is hopeful about teen depression is that more and more individuals are learning about it and in this area of health, knowledge is power.

Tips To Noticing Depression In Teens

Teens are typically quite unpredictable, but when it comes to their health parents as well as friends should keep an eye out for these things and other things such as:

* Sudden changes in their mood, appetite or weight can be indications of depression. While these things can also be something that is attributed to just being an adolescent, when it is coupled with other conditions, it should be taken note of.

* A loss of interest in doing the things that they used to love to do can be depression. Now, this is not necessarily something from their childhood, but something within the past few months. Perhaps they enjoyed horseback riding and just stopped doing it within the last months.

* Traumatic situations can cause teen depression to come on fast. For example, divorce or separation of their parents, death, economic changes, or even just friendship and significant other changes. Often, teens blame themselves for these conditions.

* A lack of emotion is a sign that something is definitely wrong. If they do not seem happy any more, for any reason, there may or may not be something bothering them. Depression doesn't have to be brought on by something, it can just be there.

* Pulling away from family, friends and from school is something many teens with depression find themselves doing. They just withdraw into their own world. This is not normal teen behavior but a serious condition.

One thing that must be said about teen depression is that this is a serious, life threatening condition and one in which help should be sought for as soon as possible. There are many tragic stories of young teens harming themselves because they are suffering from depression and no one took notice.

Finally, on the good note, those teens that do get treatment for the depression that they are experiencing can actually recover quickly and completely from it and get back into doing the things they love to do. Talk to your doctor if you feel that you have been in any of these conditions or you know someone that is. They can determine what is happening and get life back on track for you.

So learn more about teen depression and depression in general and get help now or help a friend in need.

Sandy Baker is a well respected writer and recommends visiting http://www.avoiddepression.com to learn more about teen depression, as this is a major issue affecting most teens.

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What is Manic Depression?

2009-07-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a kind of mental or mood disorder that is characterized by an extreme shift of one's mood in a period of time. The shift of mood can be from an overly low feeling or depression into extremely high emotion. The change from mania to depression or depression to mania is called an episode.

Episodes of depression or mania vary from person to person. One episode can last for a few days to several weeks or months before changing into another emotion. Sometimes the emotional transition doesn't immediately follow after an episode (depression or manic); sometimes, transition can happen after a few weeks, months or years.

There are people who can experience predictable emotional patterns; and likewise there are some who do not.

A study made in 1973 revealed that among 400 patients observed with manic-depressive episodes, only 2 did not experience recurrence. Meanwhile, some studies revealed that Lithium reduced the risk of recurrence by about 75 percent.

In general, a person can recover from bipolar disorder without undergoing treatment; however, a person can recover more quickly if treatment is given.

There are 4 types of bipolar disorder according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Each has its own characteristics and each is used to diagnose the level of damage that the illness inflicts to the person as well as the kind of treatment to be applied:

1) Bipolar I requires the person to experience at least one or more mixed or manic episodes. The Bipolar I patient is not necessarily depressed, although, many who are diagnosed with this category suffer from depression as well.
2) Bipolar II is characterized by one or more episodes of severe depression and hypomania. Hypomania's presence is merely to establish the bipolar condition from unipolar depression. (There are criteria to determine if the person is experiencing hypomania.)
3) Cyclothymia. To determine if the patient is suffering from this kind of depression, he or she must have several episodes of hypomamia, combined with several episodes of depression (without reaching the full criteria of clinical depression).
4) Bipolar Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). The patient should not fall on any of the 3 criteria given above but still showing some signs of bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of depression include severe sadness that results in crying and tearfulness, isolation and boredom, sensitivity to negative feedback and rejection, lack of concentration, anger and irritability. They may also experience pessimism and hopelessness, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, physical pain such as headaches, back pain, muscle and joint pains, problems with the digestive system and lethargy, restlessness, a lack of self-confidence that could be the cause of low self-esteem and thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of mania include excessive anger over simple things, quick thinking and association of things that may or may not be related to one another which can lead to poor judgment. A significant change in physical energy, extreme irritability, change of mood from normal to extreme, overreacting to stimuli, and high levels of mania (including aggression, hostility, irritability, sexual drive, paranoia, volatility, and psychosis),

There is no particular cure for bipolar disorder that is why it is so important to know its types and symptoms because armed with that knowledge, it can be managed properly. The emphasis however is to treat the emerging symptoms and prevent the further damage through psychotherapeutic and pharmacological techniques.

Find more info about manic depression at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Pros and Cons of Taking Medication for Manic Depression

2009-07-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

Medication is not usually used as a first line of defense against manic depression. Often, the patient has to undergo psychotherapy before the doctor will finally decide if he or she needs to take antidepressants. The reason for this is that the effects of these medications can differ from patient to patient. And these effects can either be beneficial or, sometimes, fatal to patients.

Of course, the medications for manic depression are designed to cure the patient suffering from it. However, since it is a mental illness, it cannot be avoided that other patients would react negatively to the drug while others find the drug relatively helpful.

Manic depression occurs when there is an imbalance with the neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that control the functions of the brain. When there is an imbalance among these neurotransmitters, either mania or depression occurs.

From here, let us discuss the pros and cons of manic depression medications:

At present, there are 4 groups of antidepressants:

1) SSRIs or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
2) MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
3) TCAs or Tricyclic
4) Lithium carbonates

SSRIs are antidepressants that fix the serotonin levels of the brain. Popular SSRIs are sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac) citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro).

There are new SSRIs, the nefazodone (Serzone) and the venlafaxine (Effexor) that work not only to fix the serotonin levels of the brain but also another neurotransmitter, particularly the norepinephrine. Another antidepressant, the bupropion (Wellbutrin), affects dopamine and norepinephrine, more than the serotonin.

MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (phenelzine and tranylcypromine) inhibit the MOI (an enzyme works to break down certain neurotransmitters) at the same time reinstate the normal mood of the patient.

TCAs or Tricyclic antidepressants relieve depression by maintaining the right amount of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Popular tricyclic antidepressants are despiramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine and Trofanil), amitriptyline (Elavil), and nortryptyline (Pamelor)

Lithobid and Eskalith are Lithium carbonates that reduce the excessive activity of the brain.

Other antimanic medications include carbamazepine (Tegretol), divalproex sodium (Depakote), and lithium citrate (Cibalith-S).

All these, of course, are created for the benefit of the patient suffering from manic depression, especially the episodes of depression. However, since they are drugs, the effects may not be as desirable as they have to be; because, there are several patients that experience several side effects in taking these drugs.

Side effects could range from hair loss, motor problems, weight gain, headaches, tremor, diarrhea, anxiety, reduced sexual performance or drive, nausea, to dry mouth depending on what type of medication is given.

The occurrences of these side effects still depend on each patient. Some can claim that they experience at least one of the mentioned side effects while others can experience two or more. It should be noted that these are unavoidable but if the patient thinks that the medication he or she is taking gives more harm than good, the choice to continue now depends on him or her with the advice of his or her doctor.

As a precautionary measure, the patient should consult an expert psychiatrist or a qualified doctor with experience of handling cases of manic depression. Alternatively, ask for other types of treatment that may work more effectively like alternative medicines, psychotherapy, or for the worst cases of manic depression - electroconvulsive therapy.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Depression: What's That Cloud Over Your Head?

2009-07-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

What I Learned About How This Gets Started

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I Learned To Do About It

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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Bipolar Disorder: Which Treatment is Right for You?

2009-07-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that imposes a great deal of danger to its sufferers. The exact cause or reasons why it happens are still unknown to experts, but treatments come in a wide variety: psychotherapy, medication, alternative treatments, electroconvulsive therapy, and light therapy.

Each has its own effects (good or bad) and the effect would vary from patient to patient.

Clearly, then, there isn't one single treatment that can be recommended to everybody. This is because one particular treatment may be effective for one person but not for another. And it is wrong therefore to say that the same treatment that took effect on one person will also be effective to everyone.

The reason for this is that "bipolar disorder" is a collective term to describe a mental condition with distinct characteristics. And the effects and symptoms of this mental condition vary from person to person; as does the patient's response to a particular treatment.

Bipolar disorder is associated with chemical imbalance in the brain; and since there are several chemicals called neurotransmitters inside the brain, each person suffering from bipolar has a particular neurotransmitter or neurotransmitters that need to be normalized.

One treatment can cure a particular neurotransmitter(s) but not all treatments work the same.

The most common mode of treatment is psychotherapy or "talk" therapy. This treatment is given to those with mild to moderate bipolar disorder. Often, psychotherapy is combined with antidepressant medications depending on the particular patient. This method is widely used, widely accepted, and has been proven effective.

However, there are treatments that only work for a particular patient. Just like the Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment works by changing the biochemical compositions of the brain through waves of electric current. It is often used as a last mode of treatment for patients who do not respond to medications and psychotherapy.

This case also applies to antidepressants. There are several antidepressants but each will only work for a particular bipolar disorder case. For example, in one particular medication such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), there are several antidepressants that target the serotonin while others target the serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Prozac, Celexa, and Paxil are some SSRIs that act mainly on the serotonin. Newer antidepressants such as (Effexor) venlafaxine and Serzone (nefazodone) act on the serotonin and norepinephrine.

The SSRIs are a form of antidepressant medication that cannot be applied to patients who need MAO treatment. MAO is an enzyme that breaks down certain brain chemicals. Instead of SSRIs, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors are applied. Same thing goes if the patient needs an antidepressant that reduces the excessive activity of the brain. Here, the Lithium is what the patient needs.

Knowing the right treatment for bipolar disorder is not the same as knowing the right treatment for a certain physical illness. Bipolar disorder is a very delicate mental illness that needs to be treated immediately and accurately once diagnosed. It is not something that would go away after a matter of time. Dealing with bipolar disorder is both stressful and difficult to the patient as well as the family members, making sure that it is treated correctly must be the top priority. And to be able to do this, the patient must consult a psychiatrist or a qualified doctor with expertise on bipolar disorder cases the very moment he or she has been given its signs.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Bipolar Disorder and the Result of Self-Injury

2009-07-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that can result in self-mutilation or self-injury. The mere thought is alarming enough but the reality is even more so since this disease can result in suicide.

Since bipolar disorder affects the normal functions of the brain, the patient can perform uncontrollable acts that are often considered as unhealthy or even fatal. This is due to the episodes of mania and depression which can lead the patient to react strongly over the simplest of things.

Sadness that is caused by disappointments can lead to self-mutilation. A patient that feels guilt over something can cause him or her to blame themselves. This often leads to self-punishment that usually comes in the form of self-injury.

Here are some of the most common acts of self-injury related to bipolar disorder:

Cutting of the Sufferer's Own Skin

This often happens in an episode of severe depression, and there are many reasons why the patient does this. One is the feeling of guilt over a certain event that happened recently or even years back. A breakup with a boyfriend or a girlfriend perhaps, or, if the stress is so intense then the person's only resort is to divert it into physical pain. Another reason could be for mere pleasure. The episode of mania causes the patient to have excessive energy and forcing it out through self-injury is one way to prove it.

Meanwhile, cutting can also be recognized as a plea for help. Since a patient with bipolar disorder is often neglected and left unnoticed, he or she creates a venue where other people can notice him or her, this time through self-injury.

Inappropriate Clothing

Another way to punish one self is by wearing inappropriate clothing for a particular season or climate. One reason why a patient wears thick clothing during warm weather is to conceal an object or possible even just themselves, shielding them from the world.

Body Piercing & Tattoos

In some cultures, piercing and tattooing are forms of spiritual conversion. Other people on the other hand consider these acts as self-expression. While these reasons are widely acceptable to many, piercing and tattooing can still be considered as ways of injuring one's self. Sometimes, these self-mutilations (others call it transformation) become so addictive and so uncontrollable that they become two entirely different problems.

Reenactment of a Previously Painful Experience

A patient with one or more painful experiences of abuse who is suffering from bipolar disorder can reenact those times if they remain unprocessed or untreated. There are two possible reasons why a person does this: one is to let others know that they are still hurting, and the other is to let him or her experience the pain all over again as a gesture of guilt and unforgiveness.

As was mentioned earlier, these acts are clear manifestations of the intention to harm and can lead to suicide. Recognizing these acts, therefore, can save the patient's life. If you know someone who is depressed and does this, carefully approach the patient and suggest that he or she should consult a psychiatrist. If in case you are the one who is practicing these acts, recognize your condition and seek psychological treatment immediately.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Do You Think You Are Prey To Depression? Take A Self Depression Test And Find Out

2009-07-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

We all have our blues and we all know that when we go down, we will also bounce back sooner or later. The normal blues are sometimes triggered by something that someone said, or something that you thought, or something that you feared - and sometimes the blues come really out of the blue, without any explanation, without any warning, rhyme or reason. At these times, the best you can do is hang on in there and wait for the blizzard to wear off.

How Do You Know You Are Suffering From Depression Or Not?

Sometimes you are unable to climb out from the pits for a long time; sometimes you climb a little only to slip further back and sometimes you find yourself more in than out. When and how will you know whether you are suffering from depression or not? There are some simple self depression tests that will tell you clearly whether what you are suffering from is depression or just plain blues. This is what you have to look for:

1. Are you feeling totally withdrawn from the regular pleasures of life? This is a very accurate self depression test - try out something that you know is supposed to give extremely pleasure (such as your favorite hobby, your favorite movie, shopping, etc) and if you find that it leaves you unmoved, then this is a sign that this is depression.

2. Are you forgetting an awful lot of things with no recollection at all even afterwards? Depression causes hiccups in your memory and you will find that certain things are totally wiped out from your memory, leaving you totally baffled. This is another point from the self depression test which gives a very accurate indication.

3. Do you find that you cannot sleep at all or very little during the night? Check out carefully about why you are not able to sleep at night. Is it because you are drinking coffee or some similar stimulants or do you not really have any logical reasons for it? In case you do not have an answer for it, then the self depression test will give you another clue about your state.

4. Do you find that you have lost your appetite? Sometimes, not wanting to eat or not feeling like eating is normal. However, if you turn nauseous even when you are served with your favorite dish, then the self depression test is confirming depression.

If you have one or more of these questions answered with 'yes' then you are suffering from depression. Get hold of yourself and get professional help!

Eddie Lamb provides an abundance of vital information on a range of health topics. We believe a better understanding of your disorder can help reduce unnecessary anxiety. You'll find a host of useful articles all about depression listed on our site map page at http://www.SelfDepression.com

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Problems with Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis that should be avoided

2009-07-03T04:46:00.000-07:00

Currently, there is no laboratory or medical test that would give a straightforward conclusion that a person is suffering from bipolar disorder. This makes it difficult to determine if the symptoms (associated with bipolar disorder) that are present to him or her are indeed signs of this mental illness. Meanwhile, it is very important to detect whether or not this person really has bipolar disorder to provide the right treatment.

Furthermore, the symptoms that could be clear indications of bipolar disorder can be related to other identifiable physical or psychological illness. This makes it more difficult to give treatment since the focus is to give relief to the existing physical pain; rather than identifying if the patient is suffering from any psychological problem. And to complicate these things even further, a person who shows physical signs of bipolar disorder goes to medical doctors rather than a psychiatrist.

Therefore, bipolar disorder often remains unknown until it is too late to give treatment.

But this does not end here. There are other factors that cause problems in diagnosing bipolar disorder. These are:

Doctors' Dissimilar Opinions

There is an internationally accepted and standardized way to diagnose a patient whether he or she has bipolar disorder or not. The problem is, many therapists do not follow it. The result would be this: one patient can get several diagnoses from each therapist. The DSM-IV or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Revision, by the American Psychiatric Association is an internationally accepted standard for psychiatric diagnosis.

Self-denial on the part of the patient

Since there is a negative notion about mental illness, people are likely to deny their condition to escape from criticisms and discrimination. The result is, instead of seeking for immediate diagnosis on the onset of the illness, the patient prefers to keep it to him or herself. And if this happens, the effects could be far worse than previously imagined.

Misdiagnosis

When people are ill, they go to the doctor for treatment and obviously this is generally a good idea. However, there are physical illnesses that are not related to any disease or physical conditions. Some medical doctors are limited to treating medical and physical conditions. They are not qualified to diagnose if the medical and physical conditions are caused by psychological illness. And since the patient complains about a certain physical pain, the treatment given is that which corresponds to the complaints. In other words they're treating the symptoms and not the source of the problem.

In addition, psychological symptoms of bipolar disorder can also be associated with other psychological illnesses. These might be psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder) substance-induced mood disorder, major depressive disorder, mood disorder due to a general medical condition.

With all these problems hindering a person - to know of his exact psychological condition, it is important to recognize his condition, accept that he needs help, and seek out a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced with this kind of case. In this way, bipolar disorder can be managed properly and the effects would be minimized.

Read more articles about Adult Clinical Depression from the author Matthew OConnor at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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How To Love And Live With Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

2009-07-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Giving unconditional love for Bipolar disorder patients is a tough job. It is not easy to express love when you are being turned away from, disrespected or even ill-treated. It is never easy to lend a hand to those who think grandiosely of himself. Most importantly, it is never simple to care and understand someone who has disorganized thoughts and feelings.

In-depth understanding of the illness is the primary aspect you need to undertake. If you do not understand what is happening to your loved one, then you will have difficulty relating to them.

After you have gone through the understanding and assessing specifics of Bipolar disorder of your loved one, then it is time to devise a plan wherein you should workout the problems.

You need to recognize symptoms.

It is not the fault of your loved one why he is inflicted with Bipolar disorder that is the one thing you should take into account. He does not have control of his actions or of his feelings.

You need learn to recognize the many symptoms of Bipolar disorder. Does he have sleeping problems? Why is he getting too much or too little sleep?

It is important to observe his moods, his actions and the way he relates to people. Jot it down so you know when and where it occurred so you have a basis to present.

When you perceive that the symptoms can be most likely Bipolar disorder, do not be embarrassed.

Do not think of the illness as humiliation.

To love someone knows no illness. Bipolar disorder is not an illness where you should cast off or put your loved one into shame. This type of disorder can be treated just like any other diseases.

If you will feel ashamed of your loved one because he is inflicted with such illness, then you are not helping him restore his good health, instead you are letting him do worse than expected.

Build trust.

Trust is essential to individuals with Bipolar disorder. They need you to trust them, not entrust them to other people or institutions such as the psychiatrists or an asylum.

There will be times that you will feel that you cannot deal with your loved one anymore that you will be tempted to call the doctor for him to be fetched because you do not want to take care of them. Never let them hear you say those words because it will just aggravate the situation.

To build up trust, an open and honest communication is needed.

Keep the communication line open.

Once you acknowledged the symptoms, and then ask yourself what you can do. However thinking of good ways to help your loved ones is not always the best way. You may think it is good but it may not really be helpful to the patient. Hence, it is needed that you communicate with the patient.

An open and honest communication is vital. Encourage your loved one to talk about what he thinks and feels. Let him suggest ways on how you are supposed to relate to him.

Do not suppress what you feel. However, there are positive ways to let your loved know how you feel. It is recommended that you avoid nagging, preaching or lecturing an individual with Bipolar disorder. Such negative actions will drive him to detach. If you are concerned about him, let him see how concerned you are in a gentle and encouraging manner.

Let him do his way.

Family members or friends usually ends up wanting to serve his loved one afflicted with Bipolar disorder. You begin to do every work he intends to do. You start to make things he is supposed to construct. Do not do such things.

Along with trust and communication, let the person experience what he can do for himself. Let him solve problems he can find solutions. Let him live the way he is supposed to live. By that, he will feel that he is important and has a good reason why he lives.

Be there.

Although you allow him to do his own way, it does not mean that you will not be there when he needs you to. Let him do his way but make sure that you are around to give assistance when needed.

Most importantly, apart from assistance, you need to offer your love, understanding and support.

Scott Shurian has written extensively on the subject of Bipolar disorder. Scott's father suffers from Bipolar disorder, and he has spent a lifetime of research, trial, and error before starting a new website with his solutions for Bipolar disorder - http://www.bipolardisorderuncovered.net/

Article Source: http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info

Beating Depression. Is Work Stress Getting You Down?

2009-07-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

John was a hard working and caring teacher. He loved his job, despite increased workload pressures and the demands of extra curriculum activities. He regularly took work home and his wife often complained that he was "married to his job".

Of concern to her was his occasional bouts of work related stress and depression.

Just over 12 months ago, he arrived at work early to prepare for a pre school interview with "a particularly difficult parent." At morning tea he suddenly lost consciousness and slumped forward over the staffroom table. Frantic attempts to resuscitate him failed. His heart attack at the age of 53 came without warning. He was in generally good health. According to colleagues he took his job seriously and seemed depressed and anxious in the weeks prior to his death.

Teachers, nurses, doctors and police are in particularly stressful occupations. They are constantly dealing with members of the public and research studies show that members of these professions have high rates of stress, depression and anxiety. Doctors also have high rates of suicide.

Yet all occupations these days can be stressful. Increased work pressures due to staff reductions and "downsizing" as well as tough deadlines to be met and demanding sales quotas, can lead to health problems including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and cancer. The current escalation of fuel prices has placed particular stress on those involved in the transport industry.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE YOUR WORK STRESS?

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS:

SEEK COUNSELLING.

Almost all businesses have professional counseling services to help employees who may be experiencing health problems due to stress and depression. In most cases the service is free. Don't feel as if you are being weak. Your future health is at stake here. Use it.

TAKE LEAVE.

You are entitled to this as part of your sick leave. Remember you are not indispensable. Your job will survive without you! You will be amazed at how much better you will feel when you take a break. Your body will thank you and so will your family. They could have you for a lot longer! Your counselor may recommend a period of stress leave and a doctor's certificate may be necessary.

TAKE YOUR HOLIDAYS.

According to Professor Ron Penny, medical director of Good Health Solutions, "Studies have proven people are much better emotionally and physically after taking a holiday. For starters, the heart attack risk drops in males when they take annual leave at regular intervals".

Importantly for employers, healthy well rested people are more productive, they take fewer sick days and the strange phenomenon of "presenteeism" { in which an employee stays too long} or classic Mondayitis, becomes less prevalent.

TAKE TIME OUT.

At lunchtime, leave your work premises and go for a walk on your own, preferably in a park or even along the beach. The fresh air and solitude will do wonders for your spirits, giving you time to reflect and rejuvenate. Similarly on the way home from work, stop of at a park and either go for a walk or just sit in your car listening to relaxing music.

EXERCISE.

Of all the stress reduction activities, this is possibly the most important. Research studies indicate that exercise is one of the best for your health. Brisk walking and tennis are two of my favourites. Gardening, taking your dog for a walk or simply throwing a Frisbee are great stress reduction activities. Simply being out in the fresh air is an added bonus.

NURTURE A PET.

Did you know that your dog can be a great stress reducer? The simple act of stroking or playing with your pet releases "feel good" hormones, including serotonin, that are beneficial for your health.

Never start a new treatment before consulting your doctor, especially if you are currently taking medication. The information published in this article is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice from your physician or other qualified health-care practitioner. It is for information purposes only.

Graeme Lanham is a retired school Principal. He fully understands the trauma of stress.His new book "Your Life Fitness",focuses on solutions to many health problems,including depression. visit: http://www.yourlifefitness.com

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Seven Spiritual Exercises to Naturally Overcome Depression

2009-07-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

There's no doubt that if you experience painful levels of anxiety and depression, you will be vibrationally disallowing the very things you want to create. This of course, leads to more reasons to feel depressed.

Your first decision is to decide that what you want is simply Peace of Mind!

There are simple spiritual exercises that you can do to push through the inertia of depression to begin slowly but systematically overcoming your lower level emotions and feelings of negativity, to eventually get to a place of pure, positive vibrations.

Disclaimer: I am not qualified to give advice on how to treat depression and therefore nothing here should be misconstrued as advice or counsel. If you are depressed, please see a qualified physician or therapist. If you have been prescribed medications, do not do anything without consulting your doctor. Any suggestions that this article may propose, are simply suggestions on how one might use the law of attraction as a natural remedy for depression, anxiety or any emotional distress. Should you choose to experiment with your depressed feelings and these spiritual exercises, please consult your physician and accept full responsibility for your choices.

Some basic laws of physics here can be applied. The inertia of your particular depression depends upon the mass of your negative thoughts. If you've been having depressed thoughts for years, then you have a mass larger than someone who happens to be in a one-month slump.

When you think of these depressing thoughts as a mass, for example, a toxic onion spoiling your magnetic frequency (the field that surrounds you that is either attracting or repelling what you want,) then you can estimate what kind of force you're going to have to apply in order to extinguish the toxicity, and eliminate the depression. The greater the mass, the greater the inertia, the greater the friction required to change the direction of the negativity.

Roll a pencil across the table and eventually it will come to a stop. The force that acts upon the pencil to make it stop is called friction. With the law of attraction, you can use the friction of positive intentions to impose an equal and opposite force, causing the depression to stop and the good feeling thoughts to thrive.

To counter the mass of energy surrounding depressed thoughts, you must be willing to apply enough conscious creation thoughts and techniques to cause the 'depression pencil' to come to its own stop.

Here are seven simple spiritual exercises to naturally release depression: (Not in order of importance)

1 - Meditate!
Don't tell yourself that you've tried it and it just doesn't work for you. Meditation is a learned skill that anyone can do, with time, patience and practice; you absolutely can achieve the promise of being closer to God through meditation.

Meditation is a simple act of releasing your thoughts and communing with God. This one act alone can support you in achieving that state of serenity and peaceful acceptance that is crucial to manifesting what you want easily and effortlessly. The resource that I recommend is the HoloSync Program.

2 - Seek out things that feel good!
Anything that you can do to feel better; to get your attention upon what you have to be grateful for, what you have to be joyous about is going to set you on the path of feeling better.

If you feel good when you hold a baby, then volunteer at a woman's shelter, a child advocates organization, or an orphanage.

If you feel good when you are out in nature, then MAKE time every day to sit under a tree and listen to the birds.

If you feel good when you read a good book, then MAKE time every day to enjoy a chapter.

If you used to love memorizing jokes when you were a kid, go to the library and read joke books.

If you used to love to paint, pick up a "paint-by-the-numbers-kit" and begin painting.

3 - Remember Your Alamo! Keep a Victory log!
You want to remember that every day that you are alive, you do something each day, that someone, somewhere didn't have the good fortune to do!

Therefore, remember your personal accomplishments and the things you have to be grateful for! Do this by keeping a victory log. Write in your log every day a minimum of 3 accomplishments.

It doesn't matter how small they are, write them down. They can be past accomplishments or current, but you are not allowed to sleep until you can write down 3 things that you are proud of yourself for, every day!

4 - Use Emotional Freedom Technique to eliminate your fears, doubts, worries, and your shameful, guilty, or apathetic thoughts and emotions.

In just 3 minutes, you can use this simple, tapping with intentions on your body's meridian points to eliminate your negative thoughts.

If you visit Gary Craig's site, there are tons of testimonials about individuals healing their short-term and even life long bouts of depression.

Try these Releasing statements:
Even though I feel depressed and don't know why
Even though I feel worried that my negative thoughts are going to poison my creative abilities
Even though I feel anxious because I know I'm sabotaging my own success
Even though I am sick and tired of being sick and tired

Try these Implanting statements:
I choose to be willing to let these thoughts and feelings go.
I choose to trust in the Divine for complete and total healing, now.
I choose to courageously and boldly do what must be done, now.
I choose to be optimistic.
I choose to make peace with what is.

5 - Use Dr. David Hawkin's Map of Consciousness
Using his map, you can intentionally walk yourself up the vibrational scale, transcending the lower level, depressed thoughts and emotions and raising your consciousness to a place of peace, joy, love, and tranquility. The more you do this, the easier it becomes, and the faster you'll get there next time.

6 - Launch a happy Daily Living Vision
Every day, launch a living vision that includes what you want your everyday emotional well-being to look like.

For example:

I am so grateful to experience such joy in my everyday existence. I am free to be me and I feel at peace with what is at all times. Just this morning, as I was sipping my soothing cup of coffee, I was listening to the birds and feeling so happy about simply being alive and well. I don't know what tomorrow will hold, but I do know that I feel more and more at peace and in joy, every day. I know that I was born to be happy and I claim this as my normal level of existence from this point forward. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be so loving towards others and to be so loved. I am inspired to be at the right place, at the right time to make a difference, to make my life count even in the smallest of ways. I acknowledge my greatness and I give thanks! I claim peace, joy, love, and harmony to be my moment to moment expression!

7 - Pray!
Find time to ask God to support you in your desire for fulfillment, peace, serenity and joy. Your prayers will always be answered when you hand it over. Surrender to what is by accepting all things as perfect and then hand your fears, worries, doubts, and all levels of anxiety over to the omnipotent presence of God.

I know from personal experience, that when we are depressed, it's hard to make ourselves get out, exercise, eat right etc. However, this is what is required to begin building a mass of positive intentions that is larger than the mass of negative, depressed thoughts.

Your work is to release your limitedness and accept your unlimitedness. Seek the presence of God within through your spiritual pursuits, and any and all depression will be removed. It is impossible to realize your unlimitedness and simultaneously feel depressed - the two cannot co-exist.

Receive Anisa's FREE Conscious Creation 101: a 5-part e-course on the basics of Manifesting by visiting http://www.creatavision.com/creative-manifesting.htm. Read more about manifesting and conscious creation by visiting http://www.CreataVision.com and http://www.ManifestingProsperity.com.

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Signs That Someone You Love Is Depressed

2009-07-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Depression is something that many people face throughout their lives. There are many causes and even more ways in which it can effect an individual. No matter what type of depression someone has, though, they need to seek treatment for it. As someone looking into their world, you may not notice it right away. But, there are some signs and symptoms that can tell you to start paying attention a little better.

Here are some things to watch for in those that you love. If you see any of these things happening to your loved one, encourage them to seek help from a professional to safeguard their health.

• A withdrawal from any activities that they would normally participate in. This usually happens over time and can be something that becomes more and more frequent. Also, a withdrawal from the social scene that they are commonly part of is also a key factor.
• A sudden loss of weight, a loss of appetite, moody behavior and sudden change in life outlook can all be signs of depression especially when they worsen over time.
• Unhappy thoughts and feelings that come through in their everyday life. Not only with withdrawal but often with anger and crying as well.
• You can notice it in the way that they dress and care for their belongings and their feelings for others.

The most noticeable sign that someone is dealing with depression is simply a change in who they are and what they do throughout the course of a few months, weeks or even longer. They will pull back from the things that they enjoy and do and will become more out of the loop.

In any of these cases it is important for you, as their loved one, to help them to seek the help that they need. Depression often times can be treated and it will improve as long as help is sought in a timely fashion.

Sandy Baker is a well respected writer and recommends visiting http://www.avoiddepression.com, to learn more about depression, and empower yourself and be of postive support to those suffering from depression.

Article Source: http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info

Fight up Depression with the Best Treatment

2009-07-02T03:14:00.000-07:00

Prolonged sadness or popularly known as depression is factually quite rampant in a number of countries, especially in the United States, nearly 9.5% of the total population of the US have this problem. Nonetheless, only few of them may be treated and so depression along with its ill effects is continually bothering some people.

Depression is apparently a simple illness to cure but truly, it takes much more than laughter medicine to really treat this illness. Continuing visits to a psychologist or a behavior therapist must be done, also at the same time taking medicines prescribed by the doctor. These drugs however are considerably not cheap. The quantity of suffering that the individual experiences as caused by depression is already an adequate reason for some to begin noticing the illness throughout the different treatments that are currently available.

Depression usually may easily take a person's ability to function normally on their everyday activities and one's normal actions, an individual's zest for living can easily and quickly dissipate as a result of the illness. And in the position of a person's cheery disposition is precisely an individual who hates his own self, a being with no self-confidence at all, isolating himself from anyone and really doesn't care about life anymore.

In addition, an individual going through depression will eventually be not the only one who will suffer from such serious illness, people around him will surely follow suit as well. As they see the person walk growingly along the rocky road without bothering anyone or anything anymore, it is most likely that depression will not just ruin one's own relationships but the afflicted person's loved ones as well.

However, this should not be taken as a problem because people who are depressed are in fact lucky enough because there are numerous depression treatments which can be taken to help a person go along the course of suffering a destructive mental condition.

Basically, depression treatment begins with the patient's acknowledgement of his illness. It will be much easier not just for the doctor to treat depression and search for an appropriate treatment if the patient could just be honest with himself.

Like anti-depressant drugs, various depression medications for all psychotherapy sorts could be promising enough to be a great depression treatment. Surely, the patient together with his family will get the best result taking such depression treatments.

A popular kind of depression treatment known as psychotherapy comprise a short-term program of therapy sessions, normally ranges from 10 to 20 weeks, effective enough to really be able to attain considerable results for the patient. This kind of depression treatment helps the patient by slowly making the individual open up and talk more about his feelings, the cause of his problems, and the cause of his illness. Healthy communication between the patient and the cognitive therapist is the best depression treatment that will help the patient by gradually making him talk and discuss the things he had been keeping inside all along.

A lot of medications available for depression are indeed great for treating the patient to control his mood swings, to help the patient sleep better, and more so, be much pleasant to the people surrounding him.

The necessary action to take on depression is to visit a behavioral therapist as soon as possible before the condition worsens. The visits and check ups needed must be regular since depression requires to be addressed in its early stage. Care and attention from professionals, relations, family, and friends are essential and will surely go a long way for a successful depression treatment and such contributions from these people must not be treated a little less.

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

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Depression; Treatments for Severe Depression

2009-07-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Depression affects the person physically, mentally and emotionally. Though there are many causes, it is only through proper treatment and with the help of a specialist that this can go away.

Here is a list of treatments that can be used to counter depression.

1. People who are suffering from mild depression are given anti-depressant medications. Some of these include seretonin reuptake inhibitors better known as SSRI's, tricyclics and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOI's.

Doctors who are prescribed these drugs should inform the patient about the side effects that can be experienced. The dosage may have to be increased or decreased depending on the person's reaction to the medication.

2. Over the past few years, scientists have been researching on new ways to treat depression. One that is gaining popularity is herbal therapy.

Initially used in Europe, doctors in the United States have started clinical trials using natural supplements such as those found in biloba, echinacea, ephedra, ginseng and hypericum. People who use these herbs have shown significant improvements without any side effects commonly experienced when taking medication.

3. Psychotherapy is another common way used to treat depression. The patient will talk to the doctor regularly so that both can find out what is wrong mentally. Some homework is sometimes given to the individual so that this can be discussed during the next session.

4. Next is called electro convulsive therapy otherwise known as ECT. This is only used in patients who are suicidal and when anti-depressant medications are not working.

The doctor will first give a muscle relaxant. When the person feels calm, electrodes are placed in precise locations in the head that will deliver electrical impulses. For this to be effective, the patient will have to come in the clinic at least 3 times a week.

5. Depressions makes on feel tired, helpless and hopeless. Since many consider this to be 'all in the head' some doctors have suggested the use of self-help is another way to treat those who are feeling depressed.

1- The person can start by focusing on small goals that doesn't take a lot of time and energy. Once this is achieved, bigger ones can be planned. If the task given is too difficult to do, its advisable to break it down into smaller ones so this can be better accomplished.

2- It is hard to bottle up the feeling of sadness inside. Since people need some time to let off some steam to feel better, it is suggested to talk to a friend about this.

3- Exercise is another form of treatment for depression. This is because engaging in some activity may release endorphins in the body making one feel happy.

4- No man is an island. This means family and friends who are aware of what the person is experiencing can help out by just being there and listening. Advice should only be given when it is asked for and criticism should be avoided since this may make the problem even worse.

Treating depression takes weeks and sometimes months. This really depends on the attitude of the person, the doctor and those around who are willing to help.

The patient must remember that not to expect things to change after just one session. This will happen gradually and this will reveal itself all in good time.

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

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4 Simple Yet Effective Stress and Anxiety Relief Ways To Get Rid Of Emotional Attachment

2009-07-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

Stress, depression and anxiety are part of our life. Virtually no one in this world can avoid themselves from these events. But being stressed out or getting into an anxiety disorder will only occur to those who lack control over their emotional response.

People often have the perception that they have no control about what their minds are doing. Through the events that happened around them, peoples' emotions are easily involved and they develop a flaw mode of thinking as time goes on.

Stress, depression and anxiety are not just mental hazards; they are physical too. That is why most of us experience feeling lightheaded, short of breath and many other symptoms which may lead sufferers further down the road to mental disorders.

By properly managing one's skills or changing the way of thinking, anyone can change himself to be the master of his emotions rather than the slave.

Below are 4 powerful tips to help you get rid of any emotional attachment to any event.

o Self-Hypnosis at Pre-bedtime

Self hypnosis is a powerful tool which is able to change your thoughts and the way your body reacts to your thinking. In major situations, people who are suffering under stress have the problem getting a good sleep or worse, they may suffer from insomnia.

Pre-bedtime hypnosis is useful to calm your mind down before sleep and help to attain a sound and deep sleep. All you need to do is to lie down in a comfortable position and spend two to five minutes, reflecting to yourself:

"I have been tired the whole day long."

"Now it is time to rest. I am not going to think about other things."

"I am going to get a good night's sleep."

"Tomorrow will be another good and productive day."

"I am resting safely and comfortably now."

Doing this might not be effective to some people because everyone is different and unique. It depends on each individual case. It is important to understand what causes you to be stressed and find out the magic word that will soothe your mind.

Remember the basic skill to make this work is to concentrate!

o Self-hypnosis at post-bedtime

How we feel in the morning determines the rest of the day. When we wake up feeling stressed or depressed, then the rest of the day will not be better than what we imagine.

In reality, some people may find morning time rather depressing because they might think that it is another stressful day for them to work, having to deal with unexpected events or face difficult problems.

Morning hypnosis is another useful spell. Unlike a fairy tale, it only serves as a spirit booster and helps you to change your thinking for the entire day. Say to yourself:

"Yesterday is over, now is the beginning of my new day."

"I am the main character of my life; I decide what I want for the day."

"Okay good, I am full of energy now. I am going to perform my best today."

"Okay, by end of today I will achieve something I want!"

Close your eyes and isolate yourself from any disturbance. Make this process not longer than 5 minutes.

Same as pre-bedtime hypnosis, concentration is the key to send the magic word deep down into your subconscious mind and let it work for you.

Do not ever be skeptic about your ability to do your own self-hypnosis. Even a professional hypnotist will not be successful in hypnotizing you if you do not believe in him.

o Self-talk

When you are caught up in a distressful situation, self-talk is a great way for you to bring back your direction.

"Okay, I am cool. I am cool."

"Something bad is happening to me, I know I should handle this consciously."

"It will be alright. Losing this will not cost me my life. It is not the end of my world."

By doing this, obviously you are the master of your mind, taking control of the situation and being able to decide what will be your next move. However, most people will have these thoughts running through their heads:

"Why is this happening to me?"

"I am not going to live without this."

"I do not want this to happen to me, etc."

You will realize that by suppressing or avoiding these feelings, it will just worsen the situation, and these negative thoughts will linger in your mind.

o Breathing skill

Last but not least, learning a breathing skill is highly recommended when you are having stress, depression or other emotional situations.

Frankly, I myself was an anxious guy. I had experienced shortness of breath, extremities tingling and nausea during an anxiety attack. At first, I thought I was going to die.

That attack brought me to a specialist and he explained what was actually going on with my body and the entire episode was caused by flawed mode of thinking. He later taught me the proper way of breathing should I experience another anxiety attack.

I doubted his answer and solution given to me. Until my next attack, I have no other choices but to learn the breathing skill taught by the specialist. Incredibly, I shook off the symptoms in just a minute and immediately, my body got back to normal.

Then, I found out that when someone is highly distressed or severely anxious, the breathing pattern will change as a physical reflex. Shallow chest breathing can cause your heart to beat faster and your muscles to tense up, hence exacerbate any distressful event.

To deal with this situation, breathing from your diaphragm will oxygenate your blood, which help you to relax almost in a split second. The actual way of doing it is:

o Put your hand on your abdomen just below the navel.
o Inhale slowly through your nose and watch your hand move out as your belly expands.
o Hold the breath for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly as your belly sinks in.
o Repeat several times.

Try one of these 4 tips, and you will see positive results to help you get rid of emotional attachments.

The Mind Is The Limit

Kam Meng, Mok & Keng Yong Ong is the author of "Panic No More" & "Stress No More".
They are firm believer in mind power to achieve a better life. Visit Their blog at http://www.brainszone.com to download free ebooks and articles.

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Severe Depression: The Symptoms of Depression

2009-07-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Depression is considered to be a disorder. This is because it involves everything in the patient's body, mood and thoughts. Anyone who has this won't be able to eat properly, sleep well, think about oneself and practically do anything.

People have to keep in mind that depression is much worse than just a passing mood that anyone can get because of a bad day at the office. This is because it is something that a person will not able to recover from with just a snap of finger rather with medication, counseling and the help of family and friends who are there.

Some studies have shown that depression may be passed on from one generation to the next. Though this doesn't always happen because there are also patients who have never had this in the family's medical history, only one thing is certain. This will usually occur when there are changes in the patient's brain structure or function.

This could be from worrying too much or having low self-esteem, losing a loved one after a traumatic event, hormonal changes in the body or after patient has survived from a medical illness making one feel apathetic.

The causes just mentioned show that depression can happen to anyone regardless of age, culture or gender. Those who have this problem can later become mentally ill while others turn suicidal. The best indication for anyone to notice that the person is experiencing this problem could be in the output at work or in the relationship one has with others.

Here are some of the symptoms of depression. The person may experience one or manifest a combination.

1. The person may have feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and sadness.

2. Someone who once enjoyed a certain sport or hobby has somehow lost interest in it. Friends or family may not be able to tell if this happens on one occasion but will be able to later on if this continues.

3. Depression can also happen if the individual has difficulty focusing on a certain task, has difficult remembering something or when making a decision.

4. The patients weight has dropped down because the person isn't consuming anything or if this has gone up due to overeating.

5. The individual has a hard time going to bed at night more popularly known as insomnia or has difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.

6. The last symptom is the person's no response or reaction to the treatments given by the doctor. This can be felt even when given medication to treat a headache, digestive disorders or chronic pain.

Those who feel that the person has this problem should schedule a physical examination with the doctor. More tests will have to be done later on should the specialist feel it is needed so that a course of action can be taken.

Depression affects many Americans every year and studies have shown that it affects more women than men. Since there is no wonder cure for this disorder, both the doctor and the patient will have to work together for weeks, months or even years before making a breakthrough.

The specialist may use drugs and recommend medication. Patients who feel this can be overcome at home can just visit the clinic regularly while those who cannot will have to be confined to the mental institution.

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

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Depression Symptoms Should be Taken Seriously

2009-07-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 due to change in appetite, the depressed person losses or gains weight
2 sleeps too much or hardly sleeps
3 cannot sit still or exhibits a feeling of restlessness
4 feels tired most of the time
5 guilty feeling or feeling unworthy
6 problems with concentration, remembering, and making decisions
7 thinks about death or suicide

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

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

1 - having headaches, body aches, pains
2 - digestive problems
3 - loses interest in sex
4 - feels worried or anxious without reason
5 - blaming self or others for the depression
6 - not talking or moving for several hours
7 - increased anger, tearfulness, tension, anxiety
8 - arms and legs suddenly feels heavy
9 - very sensitive to rejection

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

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

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

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

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3 Step Counter-Cycle To Break The Panic Attack Worsening Cycle

2009-07-01T04:07:00.000-07:00

Most of the people who suffer from anxiety events have less success in getting their way out. Without truly addressing the root cause of the event, people have a hard time finding a proper and effective solution.

In almost all cases of general anxiety, sufferers are frequently faced with unwanted thoughts that flood their minds. These unwanted thoughts play an extremely important role in our minds and usually it comes from our daily junkies.

It ranges from personal health, concern of a loved one, career performance and more. These thoughts will never develop on its' own. People themselves bring them into their mind unintentionally. Without proper handling, it could result in a major traumatic event.

Sometimes, these unwanted and intrusive thoughts come from previous agonizing experience that is etched in our mind. Others are simply bizarre, leaving a person with such feelings for unknown reasons. In all these cases, a person is upset by the unwanted thinking because they are always distressed and worried.

Usually, there are a few ways that people often use to deal with these anxiety problems. These common ways being use are ineffective and it could lead you to another anxiety cycle.

o Take no Action
Unlike real life problems that we're facing every single day, anxiety is a kind of imaginary event.

Most of the people have the perception that they have little or no control of what their mind is doing, and therefore causing more pain as time passes by.

Letting these thoughts flow and creep through our mind, the anxious feeling will never fade away unless the cause of the unwanted thoughts is treated. Every day-in and day-out, the victim lives under a suffocating atmosphere and therefore a higher level of anxiety is gradually built.

o Avoid the feelings
Frankly speaking, avoiding the root cause is the most incorrect action. When the victim senses danger, they probably try to avoid such unwanted thoughts or specific locations which will make them feel anxious.

Doing it this way is like setting up fences to get protected from out-coming intruders thus also restricting your area of activity. Sub-consciously, the person will develop a higher intensity of fear and anxiety in order to feel safe and sound over time. Hence, recurring anxiety will appear when they to try the most to avoid it.

o Suppress the feeling
When it comes to unbearable distressing feelings, suppressing it will only intensify the sensation. It has proven that the very act of trying to suppress a thought, only results in a higher frequency of unwanted intrusive thoughts occurring.

This reoccurrence of the thought has been termed the 'rebound effect'. Simply put: the more you try suppressing a thought, the more the unwanted thought keeps popping up (rebounding).

Instead of avoiding, suppressing or ignoring the unwanted thoughts, there are a few proven ways that you should try:

o Thinking - Decide your reaction

"It's impossible to fully control what goes through our minds, but the least we can do is control how we react to it."

What I mean is to change the way you react to those unwanted thoughts. Instead of thinking:

"Oh my god, how am I going to handle this?"

Take a little twist, you'll find a tremendous difference when you think:

"Its going to be alright, someone surely has done it before" or "It's time to take on a new challenge in my life."

The key is to be optimistic (positive thinking). There are many uncertain events happening around us everyday. We can't avoid from facing the problem but we are able to change our perspectives. This is the best way to cope with major distressing events.

o Action - Practical solution
Instead of drowning within the fearful thoughts, it is wise however to do some practical planning. Shift your mind to the solution instead of the problem.

Write down all the possible solutions that you able to think of and make it into a list like below:
(e.g.: Jobs deadline)
1. Work overnight
2. Ask for extension
3. Ask for help
4. ...

Then you'll notice that there are always solutions to the problem you're facing. Of course, there must be obstacles to every success. Analyze the problem; understand the obstacle and wait no more... take solid action!

o Habit - Change your habit
You might have wondered why some people seem to be more susceptible to worries and unwanted intrusive thoughts while some people are born to be free of such events.

In reality, both groups of people are bombarded with the same array of anxious thoughts, but the difference is that the latter will not react to it with strong fearful emotions or thoughts. In nature, they're able to dismiss the thoughts or laugh it off and have a sense of trust that things will work out just fine.

While the former group of people may feel that they are by nature an anxious person and that they will always react with fear to these thoughts because they have done so for many years.

That is not the case. Continuous or obsessive anxious thinking is a behavioral habit, and just like any habit it can be unlearned.

Notice that the ways I mentioned are closely bonded to each other.

Thinking =} Action =} Habits =} Lead to new thinking =} Taking new action =} New habits =} ...

It is an endless process similar to the natural cycle of life. By improving or mastering any manner of the cycle, the following manners will experience reaction in nature.

For instance:
You know that jogging is good for your health and also helps weight loss. Without taking any action, you're not able to see any effects out of it. Once you get yourself started, you lose the problem of obesity. And slowly after that, jogging may turn out to be one of your habits in maintaining a healthy life.

See the effects?

The Mind Is The Limit

Keng Yong, Ong & Kam Meng, Mok are the co-authors of the free ebook "Stress No More" which is available for download at his blog.
Visit his blog about personal development and the power of mind at http://www.brainszone.com

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Beat Depression with These Good Mood Foods

2009-06-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

From time to time, we all suffer from stress and anxiety, even depression. It may be work related, family problems or financial concerns. The stress caused by these worries can lead to health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, stroke and even obesity. Then we start to stress over our health problems. It's a vicious circle.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS, BE CAREFUL.

All antidepressants work by manipulating the brain's use of serotonin, the chemical largely responsible for your mood. A study published in the British Medical Journal shows that the use of antidepressants can increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding for people over 65. And the newer types of antidepressants, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors {SSRIs} are the worst offenders. These drugs can also cause nausea, headache, dry mouth, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and tremors.

YOUR OPTIONS.

These prescription drugs are NOT the only option for dealing with stress and depression. Studies have found that people respond just as well to natural therapies without the toxic side effects. According to Dr Michael Rosenbaum, author of "Energy For Life", a B complex supplement, along with vitamin C can make a big difference. He also recommends St John's Wort. Beware however of drug interactions with this herb. It can be effective for mild depression, but should NEVER be taken if you are on warfarin therapy or taking SSRIs. As with all changes in diet, you should FIRST discuss it with your family doctor.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS.

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS.

For a long time we've known that fish is healthy for you, but American nutritionist Joseph Hibbeln, claims that a fish diet can dramatically improve your state of mind, even cure depression. Mr Hibbeln, from the US National Institutes of Health, says the Omega 3 fats in fish influence our state of mind by altering one of our brain's key chemical messengers, serotonin. Lack of it is thought to be the cause of depression. His studies are confirmed by research at Harvard Medical School. Deep sea fish such as tuna, swordfish and salmon are 3
sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.

SEROTONIN RICH FOODS AND SUPPLEMENTS.

Other sources of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps to improve our sense of wellbeing, include: vitamin D { cod liver oil and sunshine}, sunflower seeds, bananas, turkey, avocados, mangoes, broccoli, almonds, vitamin B6 and the mineral magnesium. Camomile is a herb rich in magnesium and chamomile tea can be effective as a bedtime "relaxant". These "mood foods" are required to convert the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin.

KOREAN {PANAX} GINSENG.

Ginseng is a tonic herb renowned for its benefit in helping the body "adapt" to stress. As a balancer of body energies, it helps to relax and relieve stress as well as promote stamina.

VITAMIN B9 {FOLATE OR FOLIC ACID}

Studies with those suffering mild and major depression have shown low blood concentrations of the B vitamin nutrient folate. Sources of folate include: liver, asparagus, lentils, chick peas, beans, spinach and other leafy green vegetables.

SAMe

One of the most exciting breakthroughs in natural approaches to treating depression is SAMe. Naturally produced in the human body, it has largest concentrations in the liver, followed by the adrenal glands, heart, kidneys, lungs and brain. Healthy people naturally produce sufficient SAMe, but a deficiency in the blood can result in depression.

SAMe helps increase the blood levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, encouraging the brain cells to be more responsive to these "feel good" chemicals. This helps promote focus, concentration, calmness and mood elevation. It is also a liver tonic and may assist with arthritis pain. When taken as a supplement, make sure it includes the key nutrients vitamin B12 and folic acid to optimize natural SAMe production.

Never start a new treatment before consulting your doctor, especially if you are currently taking medication. The information published in this article is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice from your physician or other qualified health-care practitioner. It is for information purposes only.

Graeme Lanham is a freelance writer and health/fitness researcher. His new book "Your Life Fitness" includes current research studies on fitness and anti-aging.For more information on depression and a FREE subscription to his regular newsletter, visit:
http://www.yourlifefitness.com

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Facing Depression Head On And Winning

2009-06-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Are you always feeling under the weather? don't have the inclination to be about others and have a good time? If you have been suffering from prolonged sadness for quite some time now, you should face these bouts of depression and get yourself diagnosed by a psychiatrist, they're doctors who can in truth help you out with your problem.

Depression or long-drawn-out sadness is of course quite common in the United States, about 9.5 percent of the American population of course suffer from this affliction, even so, not all of them get to be treated, thus, depression and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to some individuals. This illness may seem quite simple to treat but in truth, it takes more than a little cheering up to indeed cure depression. On going visits to a cognitive behavioral therapist is a must as well as taking all the prescribed medicines that the doctor will ask the patient to take. None of these exactly come cheap, but the amount of suffering that a individual is going through because of depression is enough cause already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on.

Depression oftentimes can easily get in the way of an person's daily activities and his or her's normal functions, one's zest for life can quickly and easily die away due to depression. And in place of an individual's sunny disposition is more or less a individual who hates his or herself, having no self-confidence, trying to isolate one's self from the world and basically just not caring about living any more. More so, a individual suffering from depression isn't the only one who's going to suffer from this destructive affliction, his or her loved ones are sure to follow suit. By seeing the person grow through such rough patches, basically not caring about anything or anyone anymore, it's highly likely that not only will depression one's relationship with one's self but with his or her loved ones too.

Fortunately depression can now be cured, especially when diagnosed early, depressed individuals can in reality be treated through therapy and medication, although it may be a bit costly, a person's good mental health is something that shouldn't be scrimped on. Cognitive behavioral talk or interpersonal talk are just some of the available psychosocial treatments that cognitive negative reinforcement therapists can offer to their patients, both observably prove to be able to produce fruitful and positive results.

Even so, people tend to not recognize depression even it's right before their eyes, being honest with one's self is key to being able to cure such an affliction. Never overlook the various symptoms, depressed individuals oftentimes exhibit uncharacteristic behaviors such as suddenly lacking interest in one's hobbies (or other stuff that he or she usually enjoys), sleeps too much or undeniably aren't able to get some shut-eye, suddenly becoming anti-social, talks a lot about death or being a worthless individual. There are of course a lot more other symptoms but in case these already fit in your category or of someone that you know of, go to a reputable psychiatrist at once in order to see if the depression is still at an early stage or not. From here you'll be able to assess how the treatments will in fact go.

Depression shouldn't be something that people fear of, instead, people should just start taking charge of their lives and in fact face this condition and fight it. Life is too beautiful a gift to waste and if one will spend the majority of his or her life just brooding about about every single little thing then what kind of life would that be? Depression may not kill one's body but it'll certainly kills one's spirit if you'll let it. Don't be a victim.

Paul Winter has been marketing online for six years. He is the editor of http://www.ArticlesRus.Net and http://www.ArticleBazaar.Net.

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Is Avoiding Past Panic Attack location The Best Solution Or The Worst?

2009-06-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

A lot of people who encountered panic attack tend to develop a certain level of fear to the place where the attack took place.

Those with less fear will start to avoid going to the exact location where the event happened, whereas those with more fear will be avoiding similar place altogether. And, some with serious fear will probably develop a social sickness called "Agoraphobia".

Agoraphobia is fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places. Those with this sickness have a great fear of leaving a safe place, and eventually, wanted to stay at home, or in their most familiar sanctuary, their room.

This is a typical case where we human tend to do, that is taking the easy way out when we face pain.

"If avoiding the location of the past pain event can reduce the risk of getting the pain happening again, why not?"

But, when anyone does this, the following 3 things happened.

First, instead of solving the fear or anxiety cause, you are hiding and avoiding it. So, instead of forgetting about the panic attack, you are actually building a strong foundation to remember about the pain.

Secondly, you are putting a restriction to your own freedom. Your life start to change, there are certain locations that becomes a restricted zone for you. You are building new pressure to your fear, anxiety and stress level.

This is all happening sub-consciously, most of the time, you are glad that you do not have to face the location of the past event, but you know for the fact that deeply in your heart, you are becoming more and more fearful to that location.

Thirdly, the next time you have no choice but to face the location again, you start to think automatically about the past panic attack without knowing it.

You do not even have to physically be at the location, but just by thinking of getting close to the location might have just triggered the attack.

And, this time, it is going to be worse.

And, when all these 3 things happened, it trigger the worsening cycle of panic attack; and the fear to attack and attack to more fear cycle will sneak its way in to your life.

The next thing you know, panic disorder becomes a parasite living within you.

Instead of avoiding the location of the past panic attack, you should try to do the following.

Step 1:

Do not avoid the location by all means. But, before you complete this 4 step fear elimination process, try not to be too close to the location. Try not to let the trigger being pulled.

Step 2:

Analyse the location, your fear behind the event and the root cause of the fear.

Take an example, you were jogging alone along a pathway as usual, and suddenly the panic attack happened while you are passing through your neighbor house.

Ask yourself why this location and not other place?
What is there that you thought something might happen?

Is it because of the dog your neighbor having?

Is it because you are afraid of seeing someone that may appear there?

Or, is it because you suddenly realized that you forgot to lock your door?

Step 3:

What could you do to eliminate the root cause of the fear?

Let's use the example again.

If it is because of the dog, can you get someone to accompany you next time?

If it is because of someone that you afraid to see, can you understand why you are afraid of the person and try to remove the fear to the person?

If it is because the fear of someone breaks into your house, can you make sure that you lock the door next time?

Step 4:

Take action to clear the fear.

After analyse the reason and determine how to solve the problem, you must take solid action to make it happen.

Step 5:

This is crucial and a must do. You must now re-visit the location again, doing the same thing you did during the last attack.

Be prepared to the symptom of the attack, if you start to feel uncomfortable about the place, do not quit. Move on, because of you well prepared, you are very unlikely to face the event again.

The next thing you know, you are no longer a runaway refugee to that location.

The Mind Is The Limit.

Kam Meng, Mok is the co-author of the free ebook "Panic No More" which is available for download at http://www.PanicAid.com.
To learn more about his work and articles, visit his blog at http://www.brainszone.com

Article Source: http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info

Beating Depression. The Power of Pets

2009-06-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

To be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy, we all need contact with living things. Research into the bond between humans and animals reveals that something as simple as having a cat or dog as a pet, can protect us from numerous health problems including heart disease, cancer and depression.

Dr Edward T. Creagan, a cancer specialist at the Mayo Clinic deals on a daily basis with patients suffering from cancer induced stress and depression. He wrote in "Bottom Line Personal" July 2004:

"Social Connectedness, including the unconditional love of a pet, can protect against cancer. I often write a "pet prescription" for my patients. My three legged Golden Retriever gives us the best medicine of all."

Before I retired, I suffered from job related stress. When I returned home after a stressful day, my Cocker Spaniel "Chloe" was waiting for me at the door, tail wagging and ready for a play and a walk. Not only was the mutual affection and exercise good for both of us, it also released "feel good" hormones or endorphins that calm the body and help release tension. Simply stroking a cat or dog, or just being with them, can reduce and undo the stress generated by a busy day.

My situation was of course not unique, as all pet owners will testify. Dr Bernie Siegel, founder of "Exceptional Cancer Patients" recently discussed the effects of pets on heart attack victims in Australia. His research revealed that after one year, 6% of patients who owned a dog had died, compared with a 25% mortality rate in those who did not own a dog.

Dr Siegel has seen firsthand the extraordinary effects pets can have on our health and wellbeing. He has noted a positive change in body chemistry when pets are around. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol go down, immune function improves and serotonin levels increase. These are the same hormones that are elevated in a woman after giving birth, promoting bonding with her new baby.

But what causes these chemical changes?

Dr Siegel believes it is the unconditional acceptance and connection that animals consistently provide. They can also be incredibly intuitive. Often if a person is sick in bed, a dog will come and sit beside him/her. If that person was just taking a nap, the dog may not show the same level of concern.
"Animals respond to feelings, to what is really going on with their owners."

Dr Karen Allen is a research scientist at the School of Public Health, University of New York, Buffalo. Her work focuses on the therapeutic effects of pets in healing, depression and stress reduction. Her studies included the effects of having your best friend, spouse or pet present in stressful situations.

In one study, Dr Allen looked at women performing mental arithmetic problems alone, then with their best female friends present and finally, with their dogs present. With the friends present, the subjects experienced large increases in blood pressure {compared to when they worked alone}.However, when the dogs were present, insignificant increases, or none at all, occurred in blood pressure.

Her studies revealed, in both active and passive coping trials, participants experienced dramatic stress responses in the presence of another person, versus only slight increases in blood pressure in the presence of a pet. The consistent results led Dr Allen to conclude that pets clearly are a preferred source of social support. They are non judgmental, we don't have to impress them and they accept us for what we are.

Dr Siegel sums up the importance of pets in our lives. "Animals have an incredible ability to be completely there and completely devoted. How many of us can say that we are totally devoted to someone else's wellbeing? Animals are, and we respond positively to that."

Graeme Lanham is a freelance writer and health/fitness researcher. His new book "Your Life Fitness" includes current research studies on fitness and anti-aging.For more information on heart health and cancer plus a FREE subscription to his regular newsletter, visit:
http://www.yourlifefitness.com

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Clinical Depression - What is It?

2009-06-30T03:49:00.000-07:00

Depression, a mental illness that is often characterized by prolonged periods of sadness and melancholy, experts from the field of psychiatry say.

But just because one person is moping around and just generally hating the world around him or her, doesn't mean that it's already depression, but if this kind of behavior, the feeling of emptiness, loss of self-worth and absolutely no hope for happiness just goes on and on, then, yes, that individual is very much, indeed, depressed.

Still, there are various types of depression, 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.

Clinical depression however, or as some might call as 'major' depression, is actually the medical term for depression. Actually clinical depression is more of a disorder rather than an illness since it basically covers only those who are suffering from symptoms related to depression. Clinical depression is how doctors usually refer to "depression" when giving a diagnose of their patient. It's basically just a medical term.

However, in spite of being an actual disorder, Clinical depression may well be treated. Doctors are actually highly optimistic that their patients who are suffering from Clinical disorder will be well on their way towards good mental health as long as they treated as soon as they have been diagnosed with Clinical depression.

Patients who have been seeking for treatments for Clinical depression have proven to be quite successful in their quest, given that 80 percent of actual Clinical depression patients have been treated and has somewhat found relief from their disorder.

For those who may be seeking some answers for their Clinical depression related questions, the depression section of the health center is highly recommended, as well as books on psychiatry and the internet - which can offer a lot of helpful information with regards to Clinical depression although self-medication/treatment is highly disapproved of.

Clinical depression may not pose as much as a threat as the other types of depression, but it is best to leave it to the hands of professionals who can safely attend to and cure this disorder.

Paul Winter has been marketing online for six years. He is the editor of http://www.ArticlesRus.Net and http://www.ArticleBazaar.Net.

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21 Things to Expect When Being Treated for Anxiety

2009-06-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

As a psychologist and counselor practicing in the Cary-Algonquin-Crystal Lake area of Illinois, I find that there are 21 essentials you can expect in your treatment for anxiety here.

But first, what are the symptoms of anxiety?
1. Excessive worry that is disproportionate to the situation
2. Muscle tension, restlessness or shakiness
3. Palpitations, butterflies, or nervousness
4. Being on edge, concentration problems or insomnia

If you have these symptoms you should seek counseling or psychotherapy. But if you begin treatment, what will your counselor do- how does therapy work?

1. Your therapist will ask you to explore your thought processes-the way you think. In many cases the type of thoughts you have cause your anxiety. Fearful, dreadful, pessimistic thoughts are, what I call, anxiogenic. That is they lead to anxiety.

2. You will be asked to identify major life conflicts, past and present, to determine how they may be affecting your anxiety. Often history still lingers in your present.

3. Your therapist may train you in various relaxation techniques to subdue the butterflies or worries. One such technique is the therapist guiding your imagination to condition more pleasant relaxed feelings to the anxiety-provoking stimuli.

4. The therapist may train you on how to sculpt your anxiety-provoking thinking patterns so your thoughts are not so pessimistic, scary or catastrophic.

5. You may be asked to identify a list of negative consequences resulting from your your anxious thinking processes which interfere in your life.

6. The possible benefits of herbs or medications might be explored to assess whether or not one or more might be helpful in making your life more comfortable.

7. You might be asked to consider that your anxiety has its own subconscious sales pitch which tricks you into believing that it is necessary and helpful. Some of these sales pitches convince the patient that without the active worrying, his life will be ambushed by a terrible event or catastrophe that will be unmanageable.

8. Once the sales pitch has been figured out your therapist will teach you how to dispute it so that your mind believes your disputation rather than the deceptive pitch of your anxiety.

9. Your therapist may hypnotize you so that your subconscious mind learns that you do not have to worry to protect yourself. When your subconscious believes it, so will your everyday conscious mind and the anxiety will disappear

10. The therapist may prescribe that you read and study some pamphlets or articles about anxiety and ask that you select relevant concepts to discuss with him in the session.

11. Your therapist will likely help you to develop an awareness of your relapse triggers and constructive ways to manage them.

12. You may be required to verbalize how your current living situation contributes to your anxieties and may act as a hindrance to your recovery.

13. If your living situation is seen as aggravating your anxiety, other interventions, such as marriage or family counseling, may be introduced to deal with it.

14. Your therapist will assist you in developing insight into the personal or career changes that may be needed in order to prevent a relapse of serious anxiety.

15. You may be encouraged to increase your awareness of how your upbringing may have affected you psychologically. Remember that often a traumatic past may linger or even lurk in your present.

16. Your therapist will likely support and encourage you when you begin to express relevant fear, rage and rejection relating to any abuse or neglect that you may have experienced.

17. In helping you to manage a traumatic past, your therapist may help you identify the role you played in your family,the feelings associated with it and its impact on the present.

18. The therapist may help you to identify self-defeating patterns relevant to your anxiety that exist in your present family or career situation and suggest ways of modifying them.

19. The therapist may prescribe psychological testing to expose any factors that may be neglected in isolating the causes of your anxiety.

20. You will be helped to identify sources of ongoing support and reassurance to effectively curtail and manage your anxiety.

21. If you are taking any related medications, their clinical and side effects will be monitored to be sure that they are contributing efficiently to a therapeutic outcome and not hampering it in any way.

Dr Shery is in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Lake-in-the-Hills. He's the only marriage counselor and psychologist who adds targeted training to his counseling to get faster results. Call 1 847 516 0899 or learn more at: http://www.nextdayappointment.com

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Taking Care of Mentally Challenged Family Member

2009-06-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Of all the challenges that life has thrown me, I have found that caring for my bipolar brother has been the hardest. Not only has he been diagnosed with depression and bipolar mania, but also with borderline personality disorder, as well as narcissism disorder.

How do these all play against one another? Initially my brother was hypermanic. If you started out at a street corner together, on your way to the subway, by the time you had taken your first 10 steps he would be half-way down the block. He would be so wrapped in his own mental world, he would not even notice you were not next to him. Arguments were common in discussions with him. No matter how much something you were trying to get him to do or to at least agree to were for his benefit, if he did not agree he would battle with you, and viciously at that. He would espouse his viewpoint to such a degree, that you felt you were dealing with one of the world's most hostile and aggressive salesman and for the sake of getting him to shut up, I would eventually agree. And feel like I needed to shower after the interaction.

Now that he has been living with me for nearly two years, I have gotten to observe, up close and personal, how a person with these disorders on medication lives life. He has no regard whatsoever for personal nutrition. If I did not make him drink water everyday the only liquids he would drink are coffee and diet soda. He eats absolutely no fruits or vegetables. If I did not parcel out his cigarettes to him, he would easily smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, and still bum more cigarettes at his evening AA meetings.

Having taught sixth grade for twelve years, I have realized that my brother seems to share a lot of traits common to 11 year olds. He has been told to do the same chores, such as keeping his kitchen counter clean, hundreds of times. He has been told to clean the area around his toilet hundreds of times, In each case to no avail.

How do you punish a 52 year old. Like many other bipolars/mentally challenged in some other way people, the thing he wants to do the most is watch tv. Can you tell a 52 year old to go to his room, which is exactly what he wants to do?

This has certainly been a learning experience for me, and I seem to have to do more of the adapting than my brother does.

Ken Hassman is the owner of the back-of-book indexing service, Hassman Indexing Services (http://hassmanindexing.com), dedicated to providing high quality academic/scholarly indexes, medical indexes, trade book indexes, textbook indexes, encyclopedia indexes, journal indexes, and embedded indexes.

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Depression Therapy Must be Based on Spiritual Knowledge

2009-06-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Depression can definitely destroy your life. In our modern rat race society more and more people suffer from it. Every sixth person suffering from severe depression commits suicide.

I have read a lot of information about depression and related subjects. What really struck me was how helpless we are, when it comes to mental disorder and disease. The prescription of antidepressant drugs with all its problematic side effects is the most frequent form of depression treatment. Sometimes some sort of psychotherapy or "talk therapy" accompanies it.

It is not my intention to minimize the importance of antidepressant medications. It has its value, especially in the emergency treatment of depression. However, in the long run there are severe side effects. Medication can in no way replace a psychotherapeutic treatment. Studies have proven that talking to an expert about your condition will often be of great help to resolve it. It is not possible to replace what I call the "personal factor". Unfortunately, this "personal factor" is a mere side effect in modern mainstream depression treatment, because it is not properly understood. To enhance the "personal factor", therapists first have to learn what a person actually is.

We live in a society, which has made massive advancement in the field of technology and science. All this aims at increasing the human potential of control. In the name of security and survival, we'd like to control anything and everything not only on this earth, but even in the universe. Space ships are sent to foreign planets to find out the situation there, so that the human race can repeat the history of control and exploitation there, too.

It does not come as a surprise that the leading heads of humankind tend to transfer this model of control to the field of consciousness, including the mental and emotional sphere. Being obsessed with a mechanical understanding of reality they try to approach this field the same way as they do with matter in general, down to electrons and atoms. Even with regard to matter, quantum physics teaches us that a mechanistic understanding will not be able to explain reality. But main stream science does not mind as long as the results of the research can be converted into money by commerce and industry, on which they depend for their living.

What is the result of this approach? The answer simply is: Manipulation.

Pharmaceutical products will manipulate you to get rid of your depression, being happy and functioning. Less and less are we allowed to develop our natural health, whether mental or physical. If you are sad, take a pill and you'll be happy. Change some chemicals in your brain and everything will be alright.

This approach makes people into slaves, slaves of magic pills and quick fixes. They are treated like machines, repaired like broken cars. More and more they come to the conviction that they actually are machines. In this way, they are taught to completely abandon their own responsibility for themselves. They are taught to abandon their free will, which separates them from machines.

There simply is no manipulative way to treat depression. It may be covered up, but it will stay. The main modus operandi of modern depression treatment is manipulating people into numbness. It is directly opposite to what really is required. Instead of covering up the root of the problem, instead of manipulating depressive patients into dullness and forgetting, they should be taught about their real nature of happiness and power.

But how will the therapists and doctors be able to do that? They mostly have no idea themselves! They mostly do not know who they are! They have no idea, why they are here except some mysterious "big bang" blah. How should they know their patients? In a strange mixture of helplessness and arrogance modern psychology and psychotherapy is stuck in a nowhere land between ignorance about the spiritual facts of life and its inability to admit that.

Without a proper standard of spiritual education no one should be allowed to treat depression. Mainstream psychology, either in theory or in practice, has no foundation. Despite all its (self-acclaimed) professional credentials, without proper spiritual knowledge it is simply charlatanism. They may throw stones at me, but it is a fact.

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

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Is Depression a Sign of Intelligence?

2009-06-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Are you depressive? Congratulation, there is every reason to be. It is quite normal. I would say that only an insane person would not be depressive in a world like this. Open any magazine, newspaper, watch TV or listen to the radio. There is disaster, corruption, cheating, catastrophes, heart breaking cruelty, misery, drama, hatred, war and crime everywhere. What to speak of the common problems of life: Disease, old age and death.

The ancient Indian scripture called Bhagavta Purana describes modern reality as follows: "When there is a predominance of cheating, lying, sloth, sleepiness, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear and poverty, that age is Kali, the age of the mode of ignorance."

It seems to be the reaction of at least a somewhat healthy mind to become depressive in the face of all these horrible things, in the face of death and disease, which might strike at every moment. In the same old Vedic scripture of ancient India it is said: "Padam padam yad vipadam na tesam. This is a world, where there is danger at every step." Who could deny it? This indeed is very depressing.

So, to me at least, it seems that each and every person not suffering from depression must be either blind or have found some other shelter in a place, which is devoid of all these calamities. I would suggest that the majority of people dragging along according to the motto "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we shall die" fits into the latter category. It is a main ingredient of material life, especially its modern variation, to forget. Ignorance keeps the masses dragging on.

People are eager to numb their minds. Drug abuse, sex addiction, TV addiction, eating, drinking, everything just to forget the miseries of life, which would be unbearable otherwise. Their mind is so dull that they cannot afford to be depressive. They have taken shelter in ignorance and a superficial life of cheap, fleeting and unfulfilling sense gratification.

But there are those healthy people who dare to be depressive. While the former cannot be helped so easily according to the statement "It's folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss", the latter are more open for advice. They actually KNOW that this sort of life IS depressing. They do not deny it. They don't escape. They sometimes even do not respond to therapeutic treatment, which's only aim is to scatter the sane considerations of the depressive client to make him believe, against the obvious facts, that everything is alright.

It is interesting that those who blame metaphysically oriented people to be escapists all the while have nothing else to do than to use every and all means just to make them forget depressing reality.

Who is an escapist? The one, who sees life as it is, with all the war, disease, death and cruelty, or the one who refuses to do so? And nevertheless he calls himself a "realist"! And, admittedly, there are nice things in this world, too. But this does not change things for the better, but for the worse. It is like enjoying ice cream, delicious fresh ice cream, with sand in it. This could drive you crazy.

I remember an incident over a quarter of a century ago, when I talked with my eldest sister about happiness. Together with my father we were out for a walk at my grandma's place, when the discussion came to this subject. I said to her that people have no real standard of happiness. They actually take ignorance as a substitute. Therefore their enjoyment - hampered by the mode of ignorance - is very shallow and superficial. I added that it is important to enlighten them about this fact.

My sister did not agree at all. "If they are happy, leave them alone", was all she said. I grew so angry that my loud voice drew the attention of my father. At that point I stopped the conversation, being totally frustrated my sister.

Although I know that her response was the consequence of her own ignorance and fear, today I can at least appreciate one very important point she made. There is no use to force people to acknowledge the brutal facts of this material life, culminating in the fact that one day - and it could approach at every moment - we have to leave everything behind. They will not appreciate you pulling the carpet from under their feet. We have at the same time show them an alternative, a better way of life.

It is a sign of intelligence to be depressive. It shows at least that a person does not bury his or head in sand like an ostrich. He or she is too intelligent to believe the old saying "Out of sight, out of mind.".

But depression is no solution. It is even more intelligent to ask whether there is any other way out from this tragedy than just ignorance. And there is. But this is the second part of the story.

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

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Overcome Depression Naturally

2009-06-29T04:16:00.000-07:00

Depression can have a number of triggers, including a reaction to a stressful time in a person's life, medical conditions or even hereditary illness. Because there are many different types of depression that can be experienced by sufferers, there are also many different drugs that can be taken to suppress the depression.

Drugs, however, are not the only method for coping with depression. It has been noted that patients who use alternative therapies are more likely to be able to cope long-term with their illness, rather than using medication that will suppress the feelings for short periods of time instead of helping to resolve them.

Natural therapies are ideal for mild to moderate depression. Before beginning to incorporate a natural alternative or stop taking anti-depression medications prescribed to you, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor. It is also important to tell your doctor about any natural medications that you plan to take.

What You Can Do
Regular exercise is one of the best remedies for depression. It doesn't cost anything and can be done around any schedule. By exercising, you are releasing endorphins into your body that will help reduce stress and give you a sense of well being.

Meditation or relaxation exercises are another feel-good remedy that will help you to reduce your stress and give you a feeling of calm and balance. Relaxation techniques will also help reduce the tension found in your muscles, making your body feel relaxed, as well as your mind.

Psychotherapy is another non-medication treatment that will help you understand and cope with your underlying issues causing depressive reactions and take steps to resolve them completely.

Lifestyle Habits
Altering dietary habits can also assist in naturally reducing stress. Foods that contain omega 3 and amino acids, such as SAMe, help to promote a feeling of well-being in the body. A range of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables will also help you to feel better.

Natural Herbal Medications
Natural herbal preparations can also be beneficial, taken in conjunction with a well balanced diet and exercise regimen to enhance the feeling of wellness and give your body the needed nutrients that may be triggering your feelings of depression.

Some of the best types of herbal preparations for relieving depression are St Johns Wort, Vitamin B with folic acid, Bergamot and flax seed oil.

What To Avoid
While some foods are beneficial to our health and aid in keeping depression at bay naturally. There are some foods and beverages that are known to trigger or make the effects of depression worse, so these foods and beverages need to be avoided.

Medications such as sedatives and antihistamines are mood altering. They should be avoided at all times while suffering from depression. Other things to watch out for are alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, which are also mood-altering substances.

If you are serious about taking a natural approach for your depression, make sure that you are well informed and seek the very best advice available to help you to get back on track.

Shari Ode is a web designer and marketer with a keen interest in Natural Health and ongoing research into ways you can manage depression. Find out how you can make life changes now that will benefit your health and wellbeing at http://www.depression.interestinginfoonline.com

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All You Need To Know About Depression Treatment

2009-06-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Depression is a disease, a mental affliction. Getting the right depression treatment at the right time is vitally important. To someone suffering from depression, it is not only extremely stressful for the patient themselves but also people who are concern about them, especially their good friends and relatives.

Some symptoms of depression include mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, the frustration and helpless of not being able to snap out of it. Some other signs of depression include feeling of worthlessness, incapability to work (threatening to leave), inability to concentrate, inability to remember things, total detachment from favorite things, constant talk about afterlife, death, God, and so on. Basically, the earlier you notice the signs of depression, the easier it is to treat the depression.

Fortunately, doctors nowadays are well trained in depression related issues. They are well trained in giving enough information to the people out there about what is depression, its symptoms, how to avoid it and how it can be treated. In the old days, depression was associated with madness and mental instability. Such misunderstandings are minimized today. Today, people suffering from depression receive a more sympathetic viewpoint from other people and they are treated with dignity and care. You can get the correct depression treatment at any medical facility. The sufferer should only be able to recognize that he/she is not really feeling in control anymore and that aid is needed.

The best depression treatment is to identify the signs of depression as early as possible and find out the core reason that is causing the depression. The longer you wait, the worst the depression would get, and the longer it would take for the depression treatment to recover the condition. At early stage, depression treatment can be very effective. It also has a very fast recovery rate. Therefore, it does not seem smart to suffer and wait to snap out of your blues forever.

There are good amounts of anti-depressants and depression medications which can help ease depressive symptoms. Some drugs are to be taken with water and some are for chewing. Though there are number of anti-depressants and depression medications, the depression treatment will have to be customized as per individual condition. This is not like having fever, or a cold which has standard medicines and care. It takes special care and individual attention to ensure that the depression treatment given to the person actually works. Hence, no two depression cases may be alike, and no two depression treatments would be similar either. Depending on your condition, your doctor will be able to recommend the right medication for your particular type of depression, whether mild or severe.

Since the marketplace is full with anti depression medication, it is vital to note that never take over the counter anti depression pills/ medication. This is very risky and not meant to be experimented with. In case you take the incorrect medicines or in the wrong dosages, there can be enormous disasters. Always medicate yourself only after you consulted a medical doctor. Only the medical doctor will be able to advise you the correct dosage. I have known people who have taken this particular advice as a joke with very terrible consequences. Depression can lead to suicide if not checked in time. Hence, it is extremely imperative that it is rather prevented than cured.

Besides anti-depressants and depression medications, another alternative is to look for the cures which are natural based. This is because, in general, most of the anti depression medications have side effects. These side effects can be terrifying but most side effects will subside after a while. Inform your doctor about your side effects to find out if they are standard and keep a record of how long they last. If they persist for too long, you may have to either change your medication or reduce the dosage. Your doctor will be able to make that decision. Never make it on your own.

Besides taking chemical or natural anti depression medication, you should go for exercise, fresh air, and meditation. It is also true that one should be happy and proud with whatever God sends their way; high expectations are usually a very important trigger for depression.

The good news is that the amateur has understood that depression is a treatable and curable malady, just as the flu, which can and should be treated with the correct medicine and sometimes psychiatric treatment. This does not signify that the person is psychologically unstable or that he/she are on their way to become mad, as the belief was some decades ago.

Depression is treated with sympathy and care. Besides medication, meditation, yoga and positive thinking are other factors that help battle and treat depression time and again. Quality off-time and therapy sessions and anti-depressants also can bring you back from your blues; however, the best way to wrestle depression is regular relaxation of both mind and body.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. For more information on severe depression treatment and depression self test, visit http://www.anti-depression-help.com.

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What is Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia?

2009-06-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

The number of Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia sufferers is growing. However, not many people understand what Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia actually means. Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia actually refers to two types of ailments. Chronic Fatigue is serious body exhaustion which could last for at least six months or longer. Victims of this disease may have impaired memory, mind numbing brain fog or have problems concentrating. On top of that, they would also feel muscle fatigue, muscle pain, lack of sleep, chronic abdominal bloating, malaise, headache and sore throat.

On the other hand, Fibromyalgia is a syndrome which is associated with pain on several tender points of the body. People who have Fibromyalgia normally suffer from insomnia and fatigue. This condition is typically caused by dysfunction of the immune system or the hypothalamus. The inadequacy of certain body nutrients also adds to the severity of the disease. Fibromyalgia normally develops very slowly over the years. This makes it difficult to be diagnosed.

Both these ailments need medical attention, as they may occur in different levels of severity. The truth is, they are difficult to be diagnosed and treated. Currently, there are no definite laboratory tests to confirm them. Hence, most of the doctors consider an all-inclusive approach to the disease, including the use of alternative medicines. Most of the time, it is up to the patient to determine which medication help them better. The road to recovery is often long and costly.

The treatment of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia should be carried out on the first signs of the disease. For starters, a highly nutritious and balanced diet should be in place. The energy required of a person with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia is found in foods rich in Vitamin B or in several supplement capsules which are available at most drug stores and pharmacies.

Another common way to relieve fatigue is by getting enough peaceful sleep. People with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia have difficulty sleeping. Even if they do get to sleep, it is not as refreshing as it should be.

The body pains associated with the disease have to be addressed. This is done through taking medications, either drug or herbs. Always consult your doctor to prescribe one for you. From time to time, you might need to switch from one pill to another though, just to determine which drug is most helpful to you.

Many chronic fatigue fibromyalgia sufferers also use alternative treatment to overcome the disease. This form of treatment often involve three holistic steps namely detoxification, rejuvenation and prevention. Each step would need to be completed thoroughly before moving to the next. Over time, patients would notice a gradual improvement in their health.

Read More About Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia at http://chronic-fatigue-fibromyalgia.health-and-family-center.com

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General Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

2009-06-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

General Anxiety Disorder or GAD as it is known is another type of anxiety disorder. It affects roughly 4 to 5 million people of the American population alone. If you suffer from this Disorder symptoms can include but are not limited to those also suffered by panic disorder victims. It has also been found that it affects women proportionally more that it does men.

The symptoms are many and vary from person to person. There are however a few symptoms that are the same across the board for most people and which generally characterize their lives and lifestyles. The sufferer will live in a chronic and exaggerated state of worry and tension most of the time. Extreme emotions may arise even if there is nothing happening to provoke these feelings. Symptoms can also induce the sufferer to be always anticipating disaster.

One such is chronic and incessant worrying. Although worry is a natural emotion and most of us experience it from time to time in our daily lives, for the sufferer their worry is chronic and most times pathological. Most times the chronic worrier will let their worries overtake their world and will sometimes let it go so far as to incapacitate them in their daily lives.

By this, I do not mean that there is no choice over whether or not they worry ceaselessly, on the contrary the person might be aware that they are worrying needlessly but be unable to stop it or help themselves.

By the same token it can bring on insomnia, panic attacks and depression. Intense anxiety and fear are also quite common to these symptoms.

Other more physical, symptoms include headaches, diarrhea and nausea, lightheadedness, trembling or twitching. A palpitating or pounding heart, shortness of breath and trouble concentrating are also effects that can occur.

Irritability and mood swings, constant tension coupled with the inability to relax are all General Anxiety Disorder symptoms, and are all contributing features to other symptoms as well.

This vicious cycle can sometimes take its toll not only on the Disorder sufferer but also on the family of the sufferer. The pressures of living with a person who suffers from GAD, the inability to cope with the persistent and sometimes inconsequential worrying, the constant depression and mood swings can all take their toll. Most families do not survive too well if someone within the family suffers from this disorder.

That is why medical attention should be sought as soon as possible to alleviate your symptoms. General Anxiety Disorder can be cured and you should know this. Treatment methods are readily available to you and it is merely a matter of finding the courage to go out and find it. Rest assured that your doctor or therapist can help you in alleviating your symptoms properly and it will only take a little time and patience and will power on your part to cure yourself.

DTM is the publisher of many pobular books and audio books.
Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks
http://www.panicanxietycure.com
The Heartburn Cure
http://www.ultimateheartburntips.com

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How to Survive Depression in the Family

2009-06-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

We lost everything!

We lost our home, our investments, our live savings, our friends, our relationships with our family members including our kids and our enjoyment of life. We almost lost our marriage and my wife almost lost her life all to her depression!

This article was written out of empathy for those who live with someone who suffers with depression or anxiety disorder; for those to whom I refer as "The Silent Victims"

For 6 years I was a silent victim and my life was completely unlivable as my wife, Sharon, suffered with extreme debilitating depression, anxiety disorder, a severe sleep disorder, destructive obsessive compulsive behaviors, rage and several other behavioral disorders.

I didn't know about any of her conditions until the day after we were married, then it was all to obvious that something was desperately wrong!

I could go on for hundreds of pages about what happened next, but the purpose of this article is to share with you just a couple of the lessons I learned through my 6 years of learning to live with sever depression and other mental and emotional illnesses in the family.

I should also mention that Sharon and I are still together and doing just great! In fact, our purpose now is to help others who suffer as we have.

It took me six years of learning lesson every minute of every day to make it through life with Sharon's depression. Through that time, I documented what I was going through.

While going through the daily stresses of Sharon's depression-driven behaviors, and in speaking with so many poeple who have also gone through it all, I have identified 4 unconscious stages of coping with a loved one's depression.

1. Denial: In this stage, I was either not willing or not able to accept that fact that my wife was mentally ill. My denial made life very difficult for both Sharon and I because I was not in a position to help her by continually pressuring her to "snap out of it"!

In order for us to move forward, it was critical that I accepted the reality that Sharon was ill...that took me to the next unconscious coping mechanism...

2. Secrecy: Once I accepted internally that Sharon was ill, I felt ashamed and uncomfortable with it. Again, this did not help either of us. I made sure that our private affairs were kept as private as I could and I was not able to willing to speak with anyone about it.

Holding all of this inside was like a poison to me and it soon began to affect my own health and my own emotional well being. At this point, Sharon's depression and related illnesses were starting to cost us dearly. Some of her behaviors involved compulsive spending which financially crippled us. This, along with other behaviors, pushed me into the next unconscious stage of coping...

3. Anger and Resentment: At this stage, I made my plight very public...and I began to consult my lawyer about a divorce. This was the most dangerous stage for us because this is the stage at which I was closets to leaving the marriage. It was also the stage which was hardest on Sharon, because she could clearly see my misery which drove her to blame herself and become suicidal on more than a few occasions.

If you think you are at this point in your own relationship with someone who suffers from depression, you truly do need to do whatever it takes to get to the next stage. The next stage is the one where you can finally start healing and moving forward in a positive direction...

4. Understanding and Forgiveness: This was the point where Sharon and I began to work together to find solutions. At this unconscious stage, I began to become more empathetic to Sharon's situation and she and I began down our path to healing together.

This is, in my judgment, where things can start to turn around. Until you reach this stage, I am convinced that there is no chance for the family to survive.

To survive depression in the family, I recommend that you start by identifying which stage you are currently at and do whatever you need to do to get to stage 4; Understanding and Forgiveness.

It may take some time; it took me several very unhappy years of living minute by minute to reach stage 4. Once there, you can then start taking the steps towards healing for both you and your depressed loved one.

Depression destroys lives...but it doesn't have to destroy yours!

Steve Lowell is the author of the audio program "Victory for the Silent Victim: A Survival Guide for those Whose Loved One Suffers from Depression or Anxiety" at http://www.VictoryForTheSilentVictim.com

Article Source: http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info

Are You Getting Anxious Over Anxiety Depression?

2009-06-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

People who exert too much of their brain power usually exhaust not only their physical strength when engaging in in to many activities, they also tend to over extend their brains up to the point when it becomes plain that they need to take some time out to relax and recharge their batteries. A lot of busy people cannot fathom the idea of relaxing and taking time off from work, as well as their worries, this can result in them having nervous breakdowns, anxiety depression and all sorts of mental illnesses that can cause a person's sanity to go haywire. Fortunately, if you're one of those poor unfortunate ones who are unable to destress and are constantly worried and fussing over things, there are various cures and treatments for treating anxiety depression.

Anxiety depression is actually characterized by all sorts of irregularities and erratic behavior, this is usually due to certain stress triggers that which cause the person to have undue jitters and stress. Also, a lot of people who tend to get easily nervous over stressful activities are prone to having anxiety depression, its just a matter of being strong-willed when it comes to facing difficult and stressful activities. It may be pretty hard to overcome at first, but trying to be calm and cool in times of extreme pressure is what'll actually help to save your mental health from going on a totally downward spiral.

When it comes to effectively curing one's self from a mental illness, one must keep in mind that you have to be actually honest with yourself and assess what kind of depression or mental illness you actually have, go to reputable psychiatrist to get yourself diagnosed correctly and get the right depression treatment for yourself. Here are the various types of depression:

Manic or Bipolar depression - characterized by sudden and extreme changes in one's mood wherein one minute the sufferer is in an elevated state of euphoria,while the next minute (day or week) he or she is in a state of complete depression.

Postpartum depression - this is characterized by a prolonged sadness and a feeling of emptiness which some women experience following child birth. This is usually the result of the physical stress of child birth, and an uncertain sense of responsibility towards the new born baby .

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 - has some similarity with Manic or Bipolar depression wherein the individual suffering from this mental illness may occasionally suffer from severe changes in their mood.

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 during the Winter and Fall seasons than at other times of the year.

But the type of depression that has been proven to be quite common among people is anxiety depression. Anxiety Depression is characterized by the state of being overly anxious about things. Anxiety, a supposedly normal behavior that'll actually help a person adjust more to a certain stressful activity, such a first date jitters or a grueling exam the following day. Anxiety actually helps you get psyched up towards facing certain "difficult situations"; anxiety therefore is actually a good thing. Anxiety Depression however, is simply the opposite, not to be easily dismissed as a "case of the nerves"; Anxiety Depression is in actuality an illness that can be caused from the biological makeup of an individual, or in other words, a hereditary illness.

Also, there are actually various types of Anxiety depression, each having its own unique characteristics. Take for example Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD, this kind of Anxiety Depression is a lot more complicated than the average Anxiety Depression, in spite of possibly being a day-to-day habit for those who suffer this kind of Anxiety Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder actually makes the individual more paranoid than usual, anxiety attacks are more frequent, and even absurd at times. Sufferers can even be anxious for no apparent reason. People suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder exhibit a number of symptoms, from lack of sleep, to being unable to relax, getting tired easily, cannot concentrate on what they're doing and even suffering from depression. This kind of Anxiety depression is still curable; just a little work will actually do the trick.

Consult a reputable Cognitive Behavior Therapist who will help by giving the individual the therapy that a sufferer needs to help him or her loosen up, and also prescribe any medication that may help help them to calm them down and relax.

Paul Winter writes articles on various subjects and is the editor of http://ArticlesRus.Net and http://ArticleBazaar.Net.

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Depression Symptoms; Know the Causes of Your Depression

2009-06-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

A depressive disorder is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away whenever you want. It is a disease that affects your thoughts, mood, and even your body. This disease or depressive disorder can affect the way you eat and sleep as well as the way you feel about yourself and the way that you think of different things. There are various types of depressive disorders such as dysthymia, mania and depression, which have different symptoms for each case.

How important is to know the causes of your depression?, have you ever felt that really sad despite of the good things that has happened to you or the great blessings that you have received? Are you out of mood sometimes for no reason at all? There is a reason for this though maybe you are experiencing the symptoms of depression.

Aside from sadness and low mood that you are experiencing, there are other symptoms of depression, such as guilt towards someone with no reason at all, being irritable to many things, and slowness in thinking and in reacting to a circumstance.

Do not think that depression is just a simple mental disorder or a depressive disorder. It can lead to annoyance in life, and can make you very serious and unable to work and participate socially. If the case is severe, you may have a great risk of committing suicide, the main reason why you should be aware about depression symptoms is the last one.

Before seeking out professional help, you have to make sure that is indeed depression that you are having. Depression can be caused by many different factors, here is a list of those known causes:

1.- Stress is one of the causes of depression. When you are working so hard, you tend to forget to take enough rest and unwind yourself from the tons of paperwork and pressure from your job. Stress can wear out your nervous system and drain your body from nutrients necessary for the nervous system to work properly.

2.- Another cause is physical illnesses. Once you have a disease like maybe Parkinson's, a stroke, and hypertension for example, you might as well develop depression. In most cases, it is one of the effects of the mentioned diseases. Being stricken by an illness makes one feel insecure and incapable

3.- An unhealthy lifestyle may result to depression. If you do not practice regular exercise, you take too much stimulants such as alcohol or coffee, and you take in too much sugar and fats in your everyday diet, then you might as well expect to develop depression.

Avoiding these causes will increase your chances of avoiding depression. But if you think that you or your friend or family member has a severe case of depression already, seeking professional help would be the best recourse.

To talk with a specialist is maybe the best thing that you can do if we are talking of depression, He/She will help you, no doubt about it.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of http://www.mydepressionsymptoms.com , a website about symptoms of depression, learn about How to Eliminate Stress and Anxiety at http://www.mydepressionsymptoms.com/eliminate-stress-anxiety/ , thanks for use this article in your website or ezine.

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Tips for Combating Depression and Anxiety

2009-06-27T00:11:00.000-07:00

Depression and anxiety affect more than 20 million adults every year. With depression symptoms ranging from mild to severe, more people are seeking help for the treatment of depression and anxiety than ever before. Treatment options for depression and anxiety include prescription medication, hormone therapy, psychotherapy, and a variety of other specialized therapies.

Since each case is unique, there is no "one-size-fits-all" cure for these sometimes debilitating mental disorders. But when natural remedies are used in conjunction with other types of treatment, treatment success rates can soar!

Regardless of whether or not you are in a professional depression or anxiety treatment program, there are a number of things that you can do to help yourself.

Natural remedies for these mental disorders don't get a lot of attention so they're often overlooked as successful treatment options. Fortunately the situation is changing. Natural remedies for depression and anxiety are most effective when used in conjunction with professional therapy. For many patients, that combination is enough and additional treatment methods usually aren't required.

Here are some proven tips for getting depression and anxiety under control:

Banish Negative Thoughts

Although it's nearly impossible to prevent negative thoughts from creeping into our minds, negativity makes depression and anxiety worse. Try to offset these thoughts by focusing on the positive things going on in your life. Positive, happy thoughts trigger the brain to release "feel good" chemicals that combat depression and anxiety naturally.

Avoid Associating with Negative People

Sharing your life with people who are negative only strengthens your own negative feelings. Likewise, sharing your life with positive, upbeat people strengthens your positive feelings. The choice is voluntarily so choose the people who can help you and avoid the ones who can't.

Journal Your Way to Relaxation

Take a few minutes each day to write in a journal. You don't have to create a novel, just jot down your thoughts on the positive and negative aspects of each day and note what made you depressed and what made you happy. At the end of each week take time to reread what you've written. Before you know it you'll have a clear picture of the things that lift you up and which ones bring you down. As soon as possible, start avoiding the things that affect you negatively and start doing more of the things that make you happy.

Tap Into the Power of Affirmations

Affirmations are uplifting statements that you say out loud. Because affirmations are spoken as if the results you are seeking have already occurred, they work by programming your subconscious to make true that which you have already told it to be true.

Feel free to create your own affirmations or use these:

"I deserve the happiness that I feel every day."

"I think only positive and uplifting thoughts."

"I am in control of my moods and outside issues do not affect me negatively."

"I love myself and I deserve the love of others."

Summary

You are in control of your thoughts and feelings. Depression and anxiety are not unbeatable conditions that you are powerless to control. Start by following the tips presented in this article and then seek the help of an expert in the field of anxiety and depression management if you require additional assistance.

Susan Huebert, L.S.C.S.W., practices counseling in Wichita, KS. Visit her private counseling website at http://www.counselingpro.com or visit her Wichita Counseling and Coaching Center web site at http://www.wichita-counseling.com to find more ways to relieve depression and anxiety.

Article Source: http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info/Article/Tips-for-Combating-Depression-and-Anxiety/1639

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2009-06-27T00:10:00.000-07:00

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