What Are The Symptoms Of Bipolar Depression?

You might have come across people with bipolar disorder without knowing it or without realizing the extent of the problem to seek medical treatment. Bipolar disorder is also called manic depression, a mental disorder whereby there are extreme or intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels from mania to severe depression. Bipolar Depression can go on for days upto months, even.

Symptoms of Bipolar Depression: Individual Actions Suggestive of Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression has two phases, the manic phase, and the depression phase.

During the manic phase, the individual may:

Create impulsive decisions.

Go shopping and engage in lavish spending habits.

Make unwise investments.

Gamble.

Pick fights.

Delusional.

When the individual is depressed, he/she may:

Find extreme difficulty getting out of bed.

Loathe or even curse himself.

Lose the desire to eat or to do anything pleasurable.

Lose weight.

Lack sleep.

Some Truths and Myths About Bipolar Disorder

· It's been said that it's once diagnosed to have the disorder, it is impossible to be normal again. That can't be true at all. If treated properly, individuals with bipolar still can have a normal life. They can pursue the career of their choice and become successful at it. They can even have a satisfying family life and a happy marriage.

· Bipolar affects not just the mood but everything else. It influences decision-making, your level of concentration, and even your physical well being.

· Medications are not the only thing that can control bipolar. A good support system and your own strategies can go a long way in preventing manic-depressive episodes.

Bipolar Treatment

Treating bipolar is necessary, but be prepared because the treatment program can go on for a long time. It being a chronic disorder, continuous treatment may still be required even if the individual seems not to experience the signs and symptoms of bipolar anymore.

Bipolar treatment involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy, moral support and self-help strategies that include, among others, making lifestyle changes. The client is usually given mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and other drugs that offer symptomatic relief. Your doctor may also prescribe vitamins and minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids, accordingly.

A Few Self-Help Strategies

While medications can be of great help, helping yourself deal with this disorder is very important as well.

· Understand your condition. Make an extensive research about bipolar. Nowadays, getting all the facts is easier with all the essential information just a click of the mouse away. Take advantage of the internet to know more about bipolar.

· Learn to cope with stress. You can't really avoid stress, no matter what you do, but you can learn how to cope with stressful situations. Don't overwork yourself, for one thing. Take a break once in a while. Go for long walks, take a breath of fresh air, or make time to appreciate nature. These don't require much of your time, do they? But once you get into the habit, you'll realize that they do make you feel good inside.

· Enroll in yoga or meditation classes. What's great about these exercises is that they keep your stress levels down while helping you focus on the finer or more important things in life.

· Create healthy lifestyle and eating habits. Make it an everyday habit to exercise, to eat raw vegetables and fresh fruits, and to sleep early.

· Appreciate your family and friends. Don't take your family and friends for granted. They can help you cope with your situation more than anybody else can. Spend more time with them.

· LOL. Laugh out loud. Have something to laugh about everyday.

How Do You Get Diagnosed With Depression?

Depression is a part of life, but it can be destructive as well. Don't belittle what depression can do to you or to your loved ones. It's one thing to be sad when the reasons are appropriate, but the feeling of sadness does not last a very long time; neither does it affect one's state of health. If it does, then it no longer is a simple type of depression, but one that requires medical attention. Getting properly diagnosed is very important in order to get the right treatment and avoid complications.

Not only can depression compromise one's health, it can also lead to one's death bed. So if you suspect someone you care about deeply to be suffering from a more serious type of depression, get him or her to see a specialist. The specialist determines, usually through an intensive interview with the client, if depression does exist and what modes of treatment are appropriate under the circumstances.

Diagnosing Depression

Diagnosing depression is like getting on a hot seat, with the doctor asking the client many questions. Currently there are no laboratory examinations to confirm the presence of depression, so the doctor will rely mostly on:

the presenting signs and symptoms

the client's family history

the client's medical history

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The doctor will take note in particular the following manifestations that can signal the presence of clinical depression:

extreme sadness

difficulty to focus or concentrate

agitation or restlessness

The doctor will also ask the client:

his/her sleeping pattern and eating habits, and social activities. Abnormalities in these are symptoms of depression.

How long these symptoms have been felt or experienced, and their severity.

If this is the first time the client has experienced the symptoms.

Family History

As part of the diagnostic process, the doctor takes a look at the client's family history. Genetics, as it appears, is one factor why some people have greater tendencies of developing clinical depression than the others. Be truthful when asked if any one in your family has:

Suffered from depression, regardless of whether the condition was diagnosed or not.

Received treatment or undergone therapy for depression.

Current and Medical History

Definitely not to be missed is the determination of the client's current medical condition and medical history. As depression can be brought about by insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals and hormonal imbalances, your doctor will look into your dietary habits and determine if you are not getting enough vitamin supplementation. Women are especially prone to depression because of hormonal changes that occur during pre and post pregnancy and menopause. The doctor will take these in consideration as well.

In addition, the following questions may also be asked:

Have you been treated for depression before?

What medications were you given? Which of these medications worked best for you?

Do you drink alcoholic beverages? How much and how often?

Diagnosing depression can be a long process. Chronic depression, for instance, cannot be diagnosed immediately. For chronic depression to be diagnosed as such, the client has to have depression symptoms (on and off) for a period of two years at least. Thus it happens that many people do not at all realize the importance of getting treatment right away.

Nonetheless to be safe, changing your lifestyle can prevent depression or reduce its impact on your health. An ideal lifestyle that promotes well being physically and mentally includes:

A rich diet of vegetables and fruits (preferably in their raw and fresh state)

Vitamin supplements (especially Vitamin B).

Exercise.

Proper stress management.

What Is The Difference Between Mild Depression, Severe Depression and Being Bipolar?

There is a world of difference among mild depression, severe depression, and being bipolar. There are, apparently, different types of depression, and each one requires different types of treatment. Knowing how to differentiate one from the other, therefore, is important in coping with the condition.

Mild Depression

Mild depression is depression of the chronic type of depression. What this means to say is that the feelings of sadness are going on almost every day for no less than two years. The symptoms are mild but should not be taken for granted, nonetheless, as they can, affect many aspects of your life, including your health, and sooner or later, these signs and symptoms can progress to something more severe.

Individuals diagnosed with mild depression are generally described to have:

Low energy levels.

Reduced appetite.

Difficulty sleeping.

Low self-esteem.

These manifestations can result in:

Over-fatigue.

Impaired work performance that can cost you your job.

Impaired social relationships.

Nutritional deficiencies.

Weight loss.

Anemia.

Impaired immune system.

Treatment of Choice for Mild Depression

The treatment of choice for mild depression is cognitive therapy or behavioral therapy which has the following features or goals:

Recognition of negative thoughts and feelings and learning to convert them to positive ones.

Gaining control of the situation, rather than the situation controlling you.

Encouraging motivation.

In some cases, this form of therapy is coupled with anti-depressants.

Severe Depression:

Severe depression is exactly what it is - depression of the severe kind. Clients diagnosed with severe depression are often called a psychotic case. Why, because the signs and symptoms associated with mild depression occur in greater intensity, and in many cases include hallucinations and delusions.

With severe depression, the client:

Is distressed or agitated.

Has very low self-esteem.

Is socially withdrawn.

Fails to take care of him/herself.

Hallucinates.

May have suicidal thoughts or tendencies.

Treatment of Choice for Severe Depression

Severe depression requires professional treatment. Make sure you engage the services of someone with extensive experience and one you will be comfortable working with. Just to give you an idea, depression of this kind is managed with anti-depressants, psychotherapy, and self-help strategies that include educating yourself, employing anti-stress techniques, deep-breathing, and making lifestyle changes.

Bipolar

Bipolar is depression of a different level, characterized by shifts in mood. You are manic at one point and depressed at another. Individuals with bipolar:

Are impulsive. They can go on a spending spree, make unwise investments, engage in gambling and other illicit activities including sex.

Are euphoric and restless, and highly irritable during the manic phase. There is an increase in energy levels as well.

Have difficulty getting out of bed, during the depressive phase. Feelings of hopelessness and self-pity are intense.

May have extreme feelings of guilt, hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Treatment of Choice for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is very serious and must be approached with extreme caution. Medications for bipolar cannot be bought over-the-counter and must be used only upon doctor's advice. A combination of anti-depressants and psychotherapy is usually recommended, along with a strong support system and some self-help measures. In worse-case scenarios, electro-convulsive therapy may be recommended.

It doesn't matter what type of depression you have. Mild or severe, depression can affect your health and the quality of your life. Don't let depression get the better of you. Don't let it control your life. Talk to a specialist at the first sign or symptom of depression or know how to prevent it with good food, exercise, and the right vitamins (such as the family of B-vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin D) and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Depression Risk Lower In Heart Patients Who Take Statins

Depression Risk Lower In Heart Patients Who Take Statins

Heart disease patients who took statins, the drugs prescribed for lowering cholesterol, were significantly less likely to develop depression than counterparts who did not take the drugs, according to a new study led by Dr Mary Whooley, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. The researchers write about their findings in an article published online in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry on 21 February.

The researchers write in their background information that while their benefits for cardiovascular disease are well established, the effects of statins on depressive symptoms have not been examined.

In previous studies, Whooley found that heart disease patients who are depressed are less likely to exercise and take medication. This can increase their risk for cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack.

Statins lower the amount of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) in the blood, high levels of which can lead to fatty deposits in the arteries and thereby increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease (angina and heart attack) and stroke.

They are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. In a press statement, Whooley describes them as "relatively safe, and generally well-tolerated."

Whooley and colleagues looked at data on 965 patients with coronary disease from 12 outpatient clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. They noted which ones took statins, and which ones had depressive symptoms at baseline (2000-2002), and then followed them up for 6 years, during which time the patients filled in questionnaires every year.

From the yearly questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire or PHQ), the researchers assessed which patients developed depressive symptoms over the follow up.

The results showed that:

629 (65%) of the patients took statins.

At baseline, patients on statins had significantly lower mean PHQ depresssion scores than those who did not take the drugs.

Among the 776 patients without depressive symptoms at baseline, statin use was linked to a significant 48% reduced odds of developing depression during the follow-up period.

This link remained, but reduced to 38% when they adjusted for potential confounders such as smoking, exercise and cholesterol levels.

As the study went on, the researchers also noticed that the difference between the patients who were on statins and those who were not became more pronounced, with the statins users becoming less likely to develop depression and the non-users becoming more likely as the years went by.

They conclude:

"We found that statin use was associated with a decreased risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in patients with coronary heart disease."

However, they acknowledge the study did not set out to and therefore did not establish cause and effect, but the result warrants further investigation:

"Whether use of statins prevents depressive symptoms deserves further study," they urge.

Whooley said one explanation could be that "statins may have some kind of long-term protective effect against depression, perhaps by helping to prevent atherosclerosis in the brain, which can contribute to depressive symptoms".

Statins alter the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. They stop the vessels getting stiff, so they can flex with the body's changing needs.

"The exact mechanism is not known, however, and requires further study," said Whooley.

Another explanation for their findings could be that patients who take statins just happen to be healthier overall than those who do not, and perhaps their analysis did not account for this, even though they adjusted for factors like smoking, physical activity and cholesterol levels.

Funds from the American Federation for Aging Research, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Ischemia Research and Education Foundation and the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression helped pay for the research.

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Additional

References

Citations

Visit our statins section for the latest news on this subject.

"Statin Use and Risk of Depression in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: Longitudinal Data From the Heart and Soul Study"; Christian Otte, Shoujun Zhao, and Mary A. Whooley; Journal of Clinical Psychiatry posted online 21 February 2012; DOI: 10.4088/JCP.11m07038; Link to Abstract.
Additional

Need Help? Know Where to Go

September is suicide prevention month and yet another suicide on the front page of the Aspen papers, you have to wonder why Aspen and the surrounding area has one of the highest suicide rates in Colorado. It is probably one of the most beautiful areas in the country in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Its culture, beauty and resort living make the quality of life there one of the best places to live in the country yet there continues to be a very high suicide rate. Colorado has double the national average and Pitkin County has triple the national average.

The Aspen Valley Medical Foundation commissioned a study in 2009 by the University of Colorado Depression Center found that historically a suicide happened every 11 weeks in Pitkin County. I find these very interesting statistics. Having lived in Aspen most of my life, I find it has always satisfied most of my needs and that the beauty always seems to lift me up when I am down.

I can only speculate that some of the reason may be alcohol related as resorts tend to encourage night life. Isolation may be another. People who need to reach out for help may not have as many resources as a big city. Our community in Aspen has changed over the years and isn't as strong as it used to be. The expense of living here has driven many locals out, bringing in part time seasonal home owners instead. The shops that had been there for years have been replaced with R.E. development companies and high end shopping that appeals only to the pocketbooks of wealthy tourists.

I knew a young man once who took his life after a relationship break up. He wasn't able at the time to look into the future and see that his lost romance at the age of 28 might have just been a door closing. Perhaps it was a lesson learned that would lead him to a new relationship around the corner that might carry him into old age with children and grandchildren. He will never know now because sometimes the pain is too great to see the next chapter of your life. Pain masks the possibilities and what is left is giving in to the pain allowing its voice to haunt you. It covers up the voice that says, "Will this still bother me a year from now, three years from now?" You may not be able to change your situation but you can change the way you respond to it. You may need time to cry, grieve your losses, feel your feelings but don't allow it to keep you from looking at new possibilities. This is a time when a friend or a therapist is needed. Don't give up one hour before the miracle in your life could happen.

A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that they don't want it. Most people who commit suicide don't want to die; they just want to stop hurting. When you can understand their world and be compassionate, that is when you have the ability to influence and help. The moment you judge someone, you lose the ability to influence them. They need to know that they are not alone, they are not broken, and they are loved. They need to know that they can create a future worth living. Without a vision, people perish. They need to know that if they can conquer this challenge in their life that it will be a gift that guides their life. Many great people have overcome intense struggles and have become better for it.

Recognize the warning signs and if you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, don't be afraid to ask them openly. It can save a life! Let them know you are concerned and that they can talk to you. Through understanding, reassurance, and support, you can help your loved one overcome thoughts of suicide. Seek professional help immediately if you have any concerns or questions about a loved one.

Depression and Anxiety Alerts to Watch Out During the Recession

We all are creatures of habit and though we all experience a number of different moods through the course of the day, this can be very different from prolonged or extreme moods, sometimes referred to as "mood swings". Changes in how we feel, act and interact can sometimes be early warning signs of deeper issues. Here are some things to watch out for in yourself or loved ones. Prevention is always better than cure.

Withdrawal

When things are going on inside our minds, we can become internally focused and this can result in a dramatic change to our personality, to those we are close to we can seem isolated and withdrawn as we literally become "lost in thought".

While this is natural to some extent if this becomes the overriding mood it could be a warning signal of a potential slide into a real depression. To avoid this, fight the apathy and seek out those people who are positive types. Moods are catching to some extent so choose your social circle wisely when you are feeling low. The recession does have an impact in us and it is a popular subject of conversation as the saying goes "misery loves company".

Now is the time to avoid this subject, choose to talk about other topics and there are a lot of people who will welcome the change of subject. What you focus on you will move towards and a change of topic and scenery will help you feel better.

Anger, the silent threat

Anger is a natural emotion but it can become very unhealthy very quickly if this is your dominating emotion. Are you irritable, do you have increasingly low tolerance levels; maybe you are snappier with your partner or the children? Shine the mirror on yourself; does even reading this generate an emotion like that?

Anger can destroy relationships and it can make us intolerant in many views, on top of that is can repress our immune system, elevate our heart rate and blood pressure and make us seriously ill as well as aggravating pre-existing conditions as diverse as asthma, eczema to heart conditions.

Blow off some steam with exercise, it will make you feel better, meditate to control the stress; breathing is a powerful calming tool. The first step is being aware and then take action to resolve and return to being you.

Depression and that sinking (drowning) feeling

The recession is for a while longer and as the subject of tea break chats it can cause us to worry about the "what ifs", doing this enough will create a mental process and we can start to feel hopeless, this is the path to depression and is one to steer well clear of!

If you worry, feel hopeless, become depressed then you create a cycle that could lead you to being seen as less productive and this state of worry over what "might" happen could lead to you creating the very thing you are worrying about!

You can avoid making a bad situation worse by not surrendering to your fears and staying proactive and keeping a positive outlook. The recession is not going to last forever and there are lots of things you "can" do to make things better.

Next steps

Financial anxiety and issues over security are all potential triggers for feeling depressed; statistics show that in an economic downturn that there is an increase in stress related illnesses and also an increase in fatalities.

Talk to someone, a counselor, a doctor, a friend and seek help. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of it is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Finally, there are also a lot of natural remedies out there that can help you such as meditation and reflexology which have a tremendous impact on the body, mind and soul.

What Is Good For Depression And What Are Some Good Antidepressants?

There are circumstances that turn our world upside down, and which we normally react to by becoming depressed. Depression is part of life. It is normal when appropriate to the situation. Yet depression can make us feel very low. It can also make us sick, or force us to withdraw from social activities and to push away people we care about. That is why when depression strikes, we must learn how to cope with it in a constructive manner. Chocolates, they say are good for depression. But let's not forget that chocolates are high in sugar. So even though eating a chocolate bar does get you out of the blues, the feeling does not last long, and feelings of depression may get worse after just a few hours.

So what is good for depression?

Vitamins. Vitamins, especially B-vitamins, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, are good for depression. Making up the family of B-vitamins that are beneficial to depressed individuals are:

B1 (Thiamine) that enables the conversion of glucose (sugar in the blood) to energy, reducing chances of overfatigue that can occur with depression.

B3 (Niacin) that helps in the detoxification process and in promoting better metabolism. Not enough Niacin in the body can cause mental fatigue that can worsen into psychosis.

B5 (Pantothenic Acid) that works with amino acids and other substances in the brain to control depression.

B6 (Pyridoxine) that boosts immunity and is essential in serotonin production. Not enough Pyridoxine contributes to the development of mood swings.

B9 (Folic Acid) that enables DNA synthesis.

B12 (Cobalamin) that helps to ensure you have enough red blood cells so as to prevent mood swings, confusion, and even paranoia.

Vitamins C and D are essential vitamins for depression, too. Vitamin C is essential in serotonin production, and while it is not clear how Vitamin D helps with depression, there are many studies suggesting that Vitamin D does relieve depression in one way or another.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are needed in normal brain development and function, are also good for depression. Accordingly, people who live near coastal areas are not as likely to suffer from frequent bouts of depression as those who live somewhere else. This is because they have easy access to fish which is believed to be high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Yet, although these essential fatty acids are found in great amounts in fatty fish like mackerel and sardines, doctors do not recommend eating them daily because of the danger of contamination with highly toxic substances. If you want to benefit from Omega-3 Fatty Acids, take instead high quality fish oil supplements that are processed in a way that toxins are completely separated from the fish oil.

Time Off. A break does anyone a lot of good. If you are feeling gloomy (whether the reason for your doing so is valid or not), taking some time off will make you feel better. It's called breaking the routine, and it often works. Drive out-of-town or take a vacation somewhere. Make time for yourself, too. Get a new haircut or have a total makeover. Changes (not just changes of scenery) will do great things to your senses.

Kids. Kids, for me, are natural antidepressants. Being around them lights up my day and reduces my stress levels. Their simplicity and laughter are contagious. If you have kids at home, spend as much time with them as you can. Or why not volunteer a few hours a day at a day care center? Allow yourself to be a kid again, even for just a day or two.

Is Depression a Real Illness or Just Losing Hope, Spirit and Intuition?

I don't consider depression as an illness. Contrary to its definition I believe that depression is just an adaptive mechanism which has served humans for thousands years.

We all get depressed from time to time. Some people recover faster than others. Some turn to alcohol, drugs, food or something else to cope with their bad feelings. But many are able to find hope and good spirits in a relatively short time: these are normally people who are adapt at listening to their intuition or their intuitive voice.

The fact is that feeling low sometimes is nature's way of telling us that something is wrong with our lives and we need to fix it.

Depression is similar to pain. Pain tells us that something is wrong with our body and it needs treatment. The same can be said about depression - it warns us that we need to change the way we live our life.

Generally in order to feel good, seven important factors must be present in our lives:

1. Good nutrition.
2. Fresh air.
3. Sunshine.
4. Physical activity.
5. Purposeful activity (goals or purpose in life).
6. Good relationships.
7. Good and regular sleep.

If any of these factors are missing, a person feels uncomfortable. If several of them are missing a person gets depressed and even goes into despair.

The fact is that most depressed people live on a bad diet, drink lots of alcohol, smoke, and stay indoors nearly all the time, they don't exercise and don't have any goals to strive for. Their relationships are poor or almost non-existent.

Why do people practice this self-destructive behavioural pattern? I think one of the most important reasons is that they stop listening to their intuitive voice or their spirit. They lose hope that they can be happy again, have love and feel pleasure. Their intuition shuts down.

Intuition is our gift from nature and its function is to keep us safe, healthy and happy. Our intuitive voice always guides us to what is best for us. This voice is gentle, subtle and non-intrusive. The problem is that it can be easily overrun by brain noises - most of which are loud, emotional and negative.

The brain is your chatterbox.The brain tells you how bad your life is, how insufficient you are and how bad you feel. The brain does not necessarily tell the truth but often gives us only a perception of the truth. Intuition always leads you onto a better direction in live and always tells the truth.

Of course severe loss and trauma can cause depression even in an otherwise healthy person. Even when all the seven factors are present, the loss of a loved one or a breakup usually result in profound feelings of depression. The same can happen with the loss of one's career, health, home, etc.

But if the person who is suffering the loss is able to connect to his/her intuition - the depression goes away much faster.

One of the worst things that can happen to a person is when they go to a mental health centre; mentions they are depressed and is then sent off to see a psychiatrist. Then they get a prescription for antidepressant and are told (falsely) that their depression is an illness like diabetes for example. Then they are told they must take pills the same way that a diabetic must take insulin and they lose touch even more with their intuition.

Depressed people take the prescribed drugs they are given, but remain unequipped to manage their lives. Their habits and lifestyle stay the same so the depression grows. The side effects of taking antidepressants can also cause severe problems like drug addictions, drowsiness, immobility, poor coordination etc.

The most important thing for a mental health professional is to assess a depressed person's lifestyle, habits, relationships, history, etc., to determine the source of their depressive feelings. From this assessment, a healing program should be developed and active support and assistance provided to the patient in the implementation of this program.

An explanation on how the spiritual side in human beings work must also be provided by a health professional. Without recognising and accepting the spirit it is nearly impossible for anyone to recover from depression permanently. Sure they can go into a kind of remission, but some little thing happens and they crash back to their depression.

The best antidepressant is your own spirit and the intuitive voice we all possess. Learning to use it will be much more beneficial in the long run that a handful of drugs.

How to Overcome the Symptoms of Depression

If you suffer from depression you are not alone, and there is hope. There are many natural treatments for the symptoms of depression. This short article is written for you, as well as for physicians and mental health professionals who sincerely want to help their patients and clients to truly heal from depression in ways that transcend simply prescribing or taking anti-depressant medication.

I have personally experienced a deep, seemingly never-ending depression -- fatigue daily sadness, misery, and hopelessness. In the winter of 1984/'85, I experienced no pleasure and doubted that I ever would again. My depression was precipitated by a crisis in my business and by a betrayal by someone I cared for deeply. This, combined with a pre-disposition towards hypoglycemia and a history of extreme attention deficit, kept me rolled up in bed much of the time. Though I was able to take care of my fundamental needs,

I did so as if trapped in a dark tunnel. This book is not specifically born out of that experience. Yet the opportunity to write this book brought forward in my mind my experience with depression -- an experience I had almost forgotten about.

I have learned that depression symptoms are not a selective. This awful disease can affect an individual of any race, religion, nation, economic class, and political persuasion. Composer Cole Porter fell into a deep depression in the late 1940s that plagued him to his death in 1964. Winston Churchill suffered through most of his life in a struggle with depression that he came to call "the black dog." Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, began suffering from a type of depression he called "the melancholy of things done." The great writer and storyteller Mark Twain suffered from a period of great depression towards the end of his life; Abraham Lincoln, considered by many to be the greatest of all American presidents, suffered from what was then called melancholy throughout his life; and poet Emily Dickinson wrote a poem about an emotional breakdown she experienced, saying, "I felt a funeral in my brain."

Depression often seems to have a life of its own. Like some creature from one of those "Alien" movies, it grows inside of you and begins to consume you. Friends and family want to help, offer support, but what they say just doesn't get in. When you are depressed, you feel completely isolated. Depressed individuals sincerely want help and yet they often seem paralyzed in acting on that desire. People with the best of intentions will tell you to "get on with your life," "snap out of it," "think positive," and "exercise!" It isn't as easy as that. Depression, and the treatment of its symptoms, is both basic and highly complex at the same time.

Depression has become one of the major health problems in recent years. With the advent of technology, such as the internet, email, faxes and wireless devices, we are being forced to work harder than ever before, to be on call longer, while at the same time, to take less vacation and personal time. Catastrophic world events have only exacerbated this, spurning a record number of new cases of depression. In 2001, the National Book Award Winner in the category of Non Fiction -- and a major bestseller -- was a book about depression.

As you address your depression symptoms remember that there is no one magic answer. By being tested for blood sugar, glandular imbalances, nutritional deficiencies or some other factor you will in time heal and transcend this awful condition.

Too Much TV Watching And A Lack Of Exercise Causes Depression

According to a U.S. study that included thousands of women, found that too much TV watching and a lack of exercise causes depression in some people. While we all go through ups and downs, depression is different in that it engulfs your every waking moment and your ability to work, study, eat, sleep and of course, have fun.

The latest research discovered that women who exercised the most had a 20% less chance of being depressed than those who didn't exercise very often.

Depression affects almost 21 million Americans each year, and about 4% of teens get depressed. We do know that women are 70% more likely to experience depression than men. Clinical depression is not something you can snap out of, and calls for treatment with therapy and medications.

The research included almost 50,000 women who completed surveys every few years as an ongoing part of the American. Nurses' Health Study. The period examined in this work was from 1992 to 2006.

The participants noted down the time spent in front of the TV each week throughout 1992, and also provided information on how regularly they exercised between the years 1992 and 2000. The women also reported any clinical depression or if they were taking medication to combat depression.

The work included women who were not suffering from depression in 1996. Over the ten years that followed, 6,500 new depression diagnoses occurred among the subjects.

Even after the team took into account health and lifestyle factors known to be associated with depression - things like being over weight, smoking, along with a host of diseases, those who exercised the most (up to 90 minutes/day) meant these women were 20% less likely to be depressed than those who only exercised ten minutes or less a day.

Those who sat for three hours or more in front of TV a day had a 13% greater chance of being depressed compared to women who hardly ever watched TV. Of course part of that is that women likely replaced active time with time spent sitting in front of the television.

But, the more hours the women spent in front of the TV, the more likely they were to be depressed.

It's also possible that some women may have been experiencing depression before being diagnosed. The diagnosis came later, after they'd been participating in the research.

Being more active was linked with a lower depression risk. Being active might help boost self-esteem as well as give a sense of control, while releasing beneficial endorphins into the bloodstream and helping manage stress and tension.

Another part of depression is the very real risk of suicide. Thinking about death or ending your life are symptoms not to be ignored. This isn't just a warning sign or a bid for attention - it's a serious cry for help. A cry you need to heed. If you believe someone you love is thinking this way do something about it and seek professional help immediately. Talking about depression and suicide can save a life. As can avoiding activities that can cause it, like too much TV watching and a lack of exercise.

Does Niacin Deficiency Cause Depression?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is one of 8 B-complex vitamins used by the human body. Much like the other B Vitamins, Niacin helps to convert fats, carbohydrates and protein into fuel for the body, and plays a role in skin, hair, eye and liver health. Niacin also supports proper nervous system function.

How Is Niacin Related to Depression?

Additionally, Niacin is responsible for helping the body make stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and various other parts of the body. When Niacin (B3) levels are insufficient, the body is unable to produce these stress related hormones, which is thought to contribute to depression.

Symptoms and Causes of Niacin Deficiency

Severe Niacin deficiency is relatively uncommon in the developed world. Extreme deficiency can result in a condition called Pellagra, which is characterized by cracked skin, diarrhea and dementia. Mild deficiency, which is still somewhat rare in developed countries, often results in fatigue, vomiting and depression. In the US, alcoholism is thought to be the primary cause of Niacin deficiency, which may contribute to the link between alcoholism and depression. A very poor diet can also lead to deficiency, although this is far more common in third world countries.

Taking Niacin for Depression

Taking Niacin for depression is certainly effective if B3 deficiency is in fact the root cause. As with most deficiencies, taking a supplement that remedies the issues will greatly improve the problems associated with that deficiency.

However, for a complicated issue such as depression, there are a wide variety of possible causes. While Niacin and depression are related, so are various other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, is strongly associated to fatigue and depression, as is vitamin D deficiency.

Given the large array of possible cause of depression, it's important to consider all of the possibilities. Perhaps Niacin deficiency is the problem, is which case supplementation should greatly improve the condition. Perhaps another vitamin or mineral deficiency is responsible. Perhaps the experienced depression isn't nutrition related.

Steps to Take

Begin by identifying some likely causes, address those, and see if the condition improves. Try a Niacin supplement and see if you see better. Make sure you're not deficient in B12 or vitamin D. Takes steps to improve your diet, making sure to get plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and dairy products. Avoid junk food, excess sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils and refined grains. See if the condition improves.

Finally, consult a medical professional if you are unable to remedy the problem yourself.

What Are Some Natural Therapies For Depression?

Depression is not to be taken lightly. If you suffer from it often, getting professional treatment is necessary. If you don't, you run the risk of getting into a more serious mental disorder that can make you lose yourself or even your life. More specifically, untreated depression can lead to:

Heart problems.

Alcohol and substance abuse.

Impaired relationships.

Suicidal tendencies.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The earlier you seek treatment, the better. But how do you know when is the right time to do that? Answer the following questions to help you decide:

Do you tend to eat more or less?

Are you losing or gaining weight?

Is there a significant loss of interest in things you normally have fun doing?

Are there changes in your sleeping pattern? Do you have difficulty sleeping or do you find yourself oversleeping?

Do feel persistently low, hopeless, worthless? Are these feelings accompanied by thoughts of suicide?

If you answer yes to all these questions, get professional help at once. A specialist will run some more tests to arrive at a diagnosis and then he/she will come up with the treatment plan that will be appropriate to your case. Usually a combination of psychotherapy and medications is recommended.

If you want to help with your treatment, you can ask your doctor about natural therapies to ease some symptoms of depression. There are mind-and-body practices that appear to offer relief from symptoms, just like:

Yoga. Yoga is essentially an exercise of the mind. It involves a variety of poses and breathing exercises to boost the levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals responsible in controlling mood, while at the same time reducing the stress-hormone cortisol. Yoga is also intended to create balance between your emotions and physical self. Practicing yoga helps to clear the body of negativities and so at the end of the session, one usually feels contentment, joy and peace.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is one of the oldest alternative treatments that dates to as far back as 2,000 years. It involves the insertion or penetration of needles into the anatomical points on the body to treat various medical conditions. Accordingly, the procedure has a positive effect on the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Pregnant women who cannot take antidepressants (or any medicines for that matter) may rely on acupuncture to control their depressive state.

Acupressure. Acupressure is a simplified version of acupuncture. It's not invasive because you don't insert needles to stimulate anatomical points; rather you simply use your hands to press on the acupoints to balance your emotions. Unlike acupuncture that has to be done by a specialist, acupressure can be done by you. Try these for a start to relieve yourself of depression:

Deliver acupressure to your foot (specifically on the area below the ball of your foot) using your hands or a hairbrush. Do this for five minutes.

With your fingers or an aide of a wooden comb, deliver moderate pressure to your scalp, starting from the center line of your scalp out to both sides, and then brush along from your forehead up to where your hairline ends.

Massage. Getting an ear or a chest massage helps with depression greatly. Next time you are hit with the blues, try pulling your ears in all directions while taking slow and deep breaths at the same time or gently rub your chest.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamins For Depression

Along with these, ask your doctor about taking Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamins for depression. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential fatty acids which improve brain function and development, while certain vitamins like Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, are said to raise the levels of the "feel-good" brain chemicals.

Suicide Rates Highest In 15 Years, US

Suicide Rates Highest In 15 Years, US

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Between 2008 and 2009, the suicide rate in the United States rose by 2.4%, with a reported 36,909 suicide deaths, according to a report by the CDC. In 2008, 13.4% of individuals who committed suicide experienced job and financial problems, a report by the CDC revealed in August 2011. Furthermore, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, an emergency crisis hotline, revealed that the volume of calls they received between 2010 and 2011 increased by 14%.

The increase in suicide rates has prompted the CDC to recommend increasing job placement counseling, as well as financial services that can help to lower the mental distress that can increase the risk of individual committing suicide.

Dr. Lisa Firestone, Director of Research and Education at The Glendon Association and Violence and Suicide Prevention Alliance, explained:

"The recent increase in suicide, whether heightened by economic strain or other social triggers, signifies the need for education and training on understanding and preventing suicide. The suicidal state is both preventable and treatable. Services and education have been proven to save lives. Armed with the right tools to identify the warning signs and implement helper tasks, we can fight that crisis."

According to the CDC, between 2008-2009, nearly 4% of the U.S. adult population (an estimated 8.3 million adults) reported thinking about suicide in the past year, over 2.2 million adults revealed they had made suicide plans in the past year, and over 1 million reported attempting suicide.

In 2010, 20% of adults in the U.S. suffered from mental illness, although just 32.9% of these individuals said they received treatment, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. With the decrease in U.S. mental health services, education on suicide prevention would help schools, healthcare providers, the general public, military personnel and law enforcement personnel.

Data gathered from Eurostat and the WHO, reveal that even in tough economic times, European countries with strong social safety nets and services have shown little increase in suicide rates. This proves that services and education can make a difference.

The Glendon Association and other similar organizations that provide evaluation and education are vital to lowering the suicide rate in the country. Over the past three decades, Glendon has conducted studies and developed effective evaluations for self-destructive behavior and suicide.

The Glendon Association's website, PsychAlive.org, offers suicide prevention advice that includes information on warning signs, risk factors, helper tasks and strategies for prevention and intervention that have proven effective in reducing suicide risk and completion.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Most Depression Is Diet Related

It seems strange to think that depression is diet related. But it has been estimated that 90% of chronically depressed people are deficient in proper nutrition.

Depression is a serious and debilitating illness which can break families apart. It can cause problems at work and often leads to suicide. The trend is, alarmingly, on the rise.

Depletion of the neurotransmitter called norepinephrine can result in loss of alertness, a poor memory and clinical depression.

The medical solution is to prescribe anti-depressants. These not only take time to work, but are toxic in nature. They do not deal with the cause of depression. Side effects can be extremely unpleasant. And one of them compounds the depression, making it worse.

There are as many causes of depression as there are people with it, so this is a complicated area to venture into. Everyone needs a different solution, to match their individual needs. And the best way to resolve the cause of your depression, on an individual basis, is through homeopathic treatment.

However, there is also something you can do yourself. Dr Abram Hoffer and Dr Andrew Saul (author of Fire Your Doctor) have discovered that depression can be significantly improved, if not cured, by increasing your nutrient intake.

It has been said that the west has never been do well fed but so poorly nourished. Not only do most people lack the knowledge of good nutrition, the modern farming methods are focused on quantity rather than quality. However, there are ways around this.

The production of norepinephrine can be increased dramatically by increasing your levels of vitamin C and the vitamin B complex. However, before you rush out and buy these vitamins as supplements, you need to be aware of problems they can cause.

The majority of nutrient supplements on the market today are isolated and synthetic. They are made in a laboratory. They can give you a short term favourable result, but can be harmful in the long term. Your body does nor recognise nutrients in isolation as it has been designed to get all its nutrition from the perfect balance of healthy food.

All nutrients are co-dependent on a complex array of other nutrients. So your best source of perfect nutrition is to eat healthy foods. With 90% of depression diet related, discover the way to cure it, along with any other ailments, with healthy eating.

By the way, all medical drugs upset the absorption of nutrients, further compounding your depression.

Dealing With Depression Without Drugs or Doctors

Depression is a condition that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. Anyone who has suffered from it knows that it is more complex than simple sadness; it is a melancholic, demotivated mood from which it can often seem there is no escape. It can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with, even with the aid of doctors and therapists; it deprives you of your drive to change anything, and this can lead to years of unhappiness. However, depression is caused by many different things, and is affected by many lifestyle factors which are within your power to change. The following is a helpful guide to assist you in dealing with your depression without drugs.

It might surprise you to note just how easily depression is affected by your diet. If you regularly eat junk food, full of sugar and fat, you will be familiar with the highs and lows of mood you can experience. This is something that is easily changed, and if you make sure you get your recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals, you can notice a big change. Eating large amounts of greens, getting an adequate amount of fruit into your diet and reducing your sugar intake are just three ways you can improve your demeanor through your diet alone. Since food is so vital to our continued functioning, it isn't really a shock that its impact on our emotions is so great; our bodies have adapted to perform perfectly with a reasonable supply of good nutrients, and the brain is no exception to this.

Another very helpful natural remedy for depression is exercise. Not only is regular exercise helpful for your physical and mental well-being, it can also be used as a topical treatment for depression. A long walk will often help dispel the feelings of impotence and demotivation that you experience when depressed, and the feeling of accomplishment you get when you finish it (especially if you have set yourself a goal) can often be enough to jog you out of your bad mood. Additionally, during heavy exercise, the body releases endorphins that have been proven to diminish negative emotions and encourage serenity. So running, cycling, and even simple walking can be an invaluable tool in the fight against depression.

Finally, if neither exercise nor dietary changes have helped you brighten your mood, you may want to consider herbal remedies. A classic example is St. John's Wort, a flowering hedgerow plant that has been widely used to treat mild to moderate depression for decades. In several clinical trials, it has proven to be more effective than a placebo, and indeed more effective than some prescription antidepressants, at treating all but the most severe cases of depression.

These are just a few of the many ways you can treat depression without attending a doctor; since depression is such a common condition, research into new ways to treat it is happening all the time, and as such there are many different avenues you can take (including natural remedies for depression ) in your journey back towards happiness. All you have to do is choose which one you would like to take.

What Are The Types of Depression?

Almost everyone experiences some form of depression. Simply put, depression elicits feelings of sadness, worthless, and hopelessness. Depressed individuals are often found to have negative views of things around them. Feelings of guilt may also come with depression.

In many cases, depression requires no medical treatment. Individuals feel sad for one reason or another, but the feeling normally goes away after a few days. In some cases, the feeling of sadness can become severe such that it already interferes with one's health and state of mind. Depression of this form has to be properly managed to eliminate or reduce health risks and suicidal tendencies.

Types of Depression

There are at least 10 different types of depression that you need to be aware of:

Major Depression. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, major depression is the type whereby the affected individual is in a state of gloom for most of the day lasting for a couple of weeks at the very least. Common to individuals with this disorder are the following signs and symptoms:

Lack of interest in doing daily tasks.

Loss of appetite or overeating

Weight loss or weight gain

Insomnia or oversleeping

Fatigue or lack of energy

Loss of focus and concentration

Inability to make decisions

Suicidal thoughts

Dysthymia. Dysthymia or dysthmic disorder is depression of the chronic type. Individuals with dysthymia are said to be in and out of depression for a period of two years, accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

Feelings of hopelessness

Eating problems (decreased or increased appetite)

Lack of energy

Low self-esteem

Loss of focus and concentration

Inability to make decisions

Manic Depression (Manic-Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder). Individuals with Manic Depression have manic episodes in one instance and may or may not have depressed episodes. Manic-depressive individuals appear to be highly irritable for a week or so. Their self-esteem is so great that they may feel as if they are the most important people in the world. Individuals with this disorder:

Have an inflating ego.

Are hyperactive they may not have the time to sleep anymore.

Talk nonstop.

Get distracted easily.

Have an increased interest in social and work activities.

Are engaged in risky habits, such as irresponsible sex and shopping beyond one's limits

Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is major depression that occurs during a specific season, such as fall or winter, for instance.

Post Partum Depression. It typically occurs within a month after giving birth.

Atypical Depression. This type is similar to a major depressive disorder or dysthymia but which comes with a temporary improvement in one's mood after experiencing something nice and beautiful.

Endogenous Depression. It occurs with no apparent reason. One simply feels "out of it".

Situational Depression. This type is brought about by circumstances such as death of a loved one, loss of job or broken relationship. It does not last for more than 6 months.

Psychotic Depression. This kind is major depression than comes with hallucinations and delusions. When somebody who is diagnosed with major depression appears to hear voices, you can be almost certain that person is entering the state of psychotic stage.

Catatonic Depression. It is a subtype of Major Depression characterized by lack of or inappropriate and bizarre voluntary movements. Catatonics meaninglessly repeat movements or words.

Treatment Options

Treatment options will vary greatly depending on the type of depression to be treated. A combination of psychotherapy and medications is usually recommended, and in more severe cases, ECT or shock therapy may be necessary. Treatment will also involve controlling the signs and symptoms to prevent them from posing major health risks.

Fighting Depression With Nutrition

Did you know that over 120 million people around the world are affected by depression? I find this to be a very depressing statistic. Fortunately depression can be combated with proper dietary habits. So what is depression? Depression is one of the most common mental disorders presenting a depressed mood, loss in pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-esteem, disrupted appetite or sleep, poor concentration, and low energy levels. Depression can become either a chronic or recurrent condition leading to substantial impairments in one's ability to care for his or her everyday tasks. Unfortunately, about 850,000 people die every year due to depression related circumstances.There are five major types of depression:

Major depression.

Major depression is all around us. When one has major depression they experience symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in particular activities that one may have once enjoyed, weight gain/loss, under/over sleeping, low self-esteem, and thoughts of death or possibly suicide.

Dysthymia.

People who are mildly depressed during most days of the week typically have dysthymia. This condition is closely related to major depression but more mild and not as severe.

Seasonal affective disorder.

Some individuals experience a less severe type of depression during certain seasons of the year. Most occurrences of this type of depression occur during the wintertime possibly do to the lack of sunlight, causing a vitamin D deficiency and other related issues.

Postpartum depression.

Many women experience this form of depression within the first few months of giving birth. The symptoms are eerily similar to those of major depression and often interfere with the mothers desire to take care of herself and the new child.

Bipolar disorder.

This type of depression is commonly used in films depicting someone who is happy one second and angry the next second. Such a view of bipolar is taken to it's furthest extreme. Having this condition may have subtle symptoms such as feeling depressed every other day.

So what causes depression? It is generally caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. These imbalances are caused by a number of underlying factors.

Fortunately, by providing one's body with proper nutrition, the symptoms of depression can be minimized. Any individual who wants to combat depression should include foods rich in tryptophan, zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can also be obtained through dietary supplements from the local supplement store, pharmacy, or online. Here are the following nutrients needed to fight depression:

Vitamin D.

Vitamin D can be obtained from fish oil, cows milk, soy milk, orange juice, and mushrooms. These foods may also have anti-inflammatory properties increasing the flexibility of the cell membranes, and helping the brain's neurotransmitters work properly.

Tryptophan rich foods.

Sources of tryptophan include turkey, chicken, lamb, beef, dairy, spelt, nuts, soy, tuna, beans, and salmon. Tryptophan is an amino acid that can help produce good feelings and promote better sleep.

Omega-3 rich foods.

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish, flaxseed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and canola oil. Studies have shown that when people's diets are lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, they tend to have higher occurrences of mood disorders and schizophrenia.

Folate rich foods.

Sources of folate include beans, orange juice, hazelnuts, spinach, avocados, and wheat germ. Low levels of folate have also been associated with poor brain performance and depression.

Foods rich in zinc.

Sources of zinc include oysters, chicken, cheddar cheese, yogurt, beans, basil, beef, pumpkin seeds, and fortified grains. Research has shown depressive behavioral patterns associated with low zinc intake.

While the above are important to include in one's diet to prevent depression one must also avoid consuming trans fats, saturated fats, high glycemic foods, and alcohol. Also, one should avoid low-carb and high-protein diets, and skipping meals.

By following these nutritional suggestions you will be multiple steps closer to being depression free. Remember, nutrition is not the only method for fighting depression. You must use any and all methods at available to fight this sometimes chronic condition. Always tell your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.

Effective Tips for How to Get Over Depression Naturally

Depression is a serious psychological condition which must be dealt with immediately because it can significantly affect the overall functioning of an individual. Depression is expressed in extreme feelings of unhappiness and sadness, hopelessness, loss of energy, reduced sex drive, loss of appetite, insomnia, crying spells and/or feelings of restlessness.

Are you looking for help in how to get over depression? Through extensive scientific studies, lots of methods have been formulated to effectively deal with depression. This article will start you in the right direction. There are also links at the end of the article that take you to a website where you can explore other possible options for treating depression.

There is a wide availability of methods on how to get over depression but many people prefer natural methods of treating depression when it comes to safety, effectiveness and efficacy concerns. One of the natural ways on how to get over depression is to surround yourself with supportive people. Finding someone to talk to and confide in might help you figure out what's causing these feelings. Avoiding the cause may help to alleviate the sadness/hopelessness.

Learning to trust the people around you and ask support from them can help alleviate the symptoms of depression. In fact, confiding with therapists, friends and relatives can significantly help in treating depression naturally.

When depression strikes, many people often find it more comfortable to deal with their problems alone but this is not really an effective way to deal with depression. Mingling with positive and lively people makes depression easier to deal with. Engaging in social activities can also help an individual cope with depression. Furthermore, joining a support group whose members share similar experiences and feelings can also gradually help relieve symptoms of depression.

A person experiencing feelings of depression may want to sleep in their clothes or not take showers or brush their teeth or wash their hair. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle - doing the things that show yourself that you respect yourself -- is also essential in dealing with depression.

Studies show that observing a healthy lifestyle which involves taking a healthy and balanced diet, getting adequate amount of sleep, engaging in relaxation techniques and managing stress properly helps considerably when trying to lift your mood.

Getting enough sleep is effective in dealing with stress. When the body is stressed out, it automatically releases high levels of cortisol hormones which are believed to induce depression. Taking a vacation leave from work or attending a retreat makes an excellent escape route from factors that cause stress such as work overload, health problems, financial difficulties and relationship problems.

Engaging in relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, muscle relaxation and deep breathing are also effective in alleviating the symptoms of clinical or psychological depression. Studies show that exercise is as effective as anti-depressant medications in dealing with debilitating depression.

Regular exercise substantially reduces the feeling of fatigue and significantly increases energy levels. Scientific evidence reveals that exercise stimulates the growth of new cells in the brain. Physical activity enhances the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters which results in a significant reduction of stress and feelings of depression.

Eating a balanced diet which is composed of foods that are rich in proteins, fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates creates a positive impact in treating depression naturally.

Seasonal Affective Disorder - Tips For Coping

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD is a depressive disorder affecting sufferers during the dark mornings and evenings usually from late September through to the end of March. This disorder is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance brought about primarily from the lack of sunlight during the dark winter months. Although this seasonal depression can sometimes be difficult to treat there are a number of things that will help the person who is suffering with seasonal affective disorder to cope and manage life during these difficult months.

Listed below are some proven ways to deal with SAD:

Light Therapy - also known as phototherapy, this is where you sit close to a light box which is specially designed to mimic natural daylight. Using a light box for a couple of hours a day during winter has been proven beneficial in treating seasonal affective disorder. Ask the advice of your family doctor on the type of light box to use

Natural daylight - during dark mornings and evenings make sure you go outside as much as possible during the daylight hours, also let as much sunlight into your home as possible by having blinds or curtains opened fully during the daytime

Exercise - exercising is a proven way of dealing with most depressive disorders and it works for SAD too, get as much vigorous exercise as possible, if the weather prevents you going out use an exercise cycle or similar indoor machine. Always check with your doctor if you are not used to exercising

Join a group or forum - it will be a great help to know that you are not alone in your suffering, if there isn't a local group then consider an internet forum where you can share your experiences and coping mechanisms with others

Antidepressant medication - discuss medication with your doctor, he or she may feel you would benefit from a course of antidepressants during the winter months, remember to seek treatment early as this type of medication takes time to start working

Take up a winter hobby - find a hobby or pastime that you can do regardless of weather or daylight hours, make sure this is something you enjoy doing and you will find you have less time to feel sad or depressed

So, if you tend to start feeling depressed as the winter months get close and feel down for most of the time during the dark mornings and evenings then you are probably someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder and you will benefit from taking action as shown above.

© Andrew Tudor Jones

How To Prevent Depression When It Strongly Runs In The Family

Genetics remains a big factor in the development of depression. This is why clients who seek medical attention for depression are usually asked if they have any one in their family diagnosed and treated for depression or any mood disorder, for that matter. If the clients, to the best of their knowledge, reply in the affirmative, the doctor next tries to determine the treatments given and which worked best for them. The information can prove to be very useful to find the right treatment program for the depressed individuals.

Needless to say, even if depression strongly runs in the family, it doesn't mean that you will simply resign to your fate. Chances of depression developing are high, yes, but depression is not necessarily imminent for such individuals. Moreover, genetic predisposition to depression may also serve as a warning to take the necessary precautions.

How To Prevent Depression:

For people with a family history of depression, there is hope. Preventing the disorder is possible by:

Taking essential vitamins, especially those of the B family.

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine improves memory and helps in controlling anxiety and depression. Depressed individuals suffering from fatigue, loss of appetite, and insomnia, may find an improvement in these symptoms by taking Vitamin B1.

Vitamin B3 or Niacin also works as an antidepressant. It's been used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Aside from boosting body metabolism, Vitamin B3 also reduces symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and memory loss.

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid lowers stress levels and helps relieve fatigue and depression.

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is known for its role in the regulation of enzymes, but aside from that this B-vitamin is also found to improve mood and decrease anxiety and nervousness.

Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid is also an antidepressant.

Vitamin C stabilizes mood and reduces anxiety.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential fatty acids that are critical in brain development and brain health. Regular intake of Omega 3 Fatty Acids can prevent depression.

Iron is another element that needs to be in sufficient amounts to prevent depression.

Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc also help control some symptoms

Employ stress management techniques. As stress can trigger depression, employing stress management techniques is going to be beneficial especially to people who have a familial history of depression. Among these techniques one has to learn are:

Proper management of time, money, and resources. A cluttered lifestyle adds to stress which triggers anxiety and depression. Fix your things, sort your wardrobe, get rid of stuff you no longer need. Even if multi-tasking these days is a must, you need to learn how to manage your time so that you will be able to do more things in less time without stressing yourself out. If money is the cause of your depression, learn to budget your money. You may need to make a few sacrifices which eventually will make you realize the value of money as well as the value of having peace of mind.

Exercise. Exercise comes with many benefits. Not only does it help one achieve physical well being but it also promotes a healthy mind. Exercising is one of the best ways to cope with stress. Try leisure walks after a hard day's work at the office to experience what I mean.

Meditation/Yoga. Yoga relaxes the mind and helps one deal with stress better. Yoga trains the mind such that one eventually works towards a healthier lifestyle which can prevent depression.

As you can see, you don't have to resign to the fact that depression runs in your family. If you take action now, you can keep depression from crippling you for the rest of your life.

Getting Out of Depression

I am not a therapist trained that can solve a depression. I am not certified in helping depression patients or anything like that. All I had was a mild depression experience and that's it. The thing is when I'm in it, I didn't know that I'm in a depression until I was out of it.

The scary thing about depression is that you don't want to get out. You close yourself up to everyone. For some it may be avoiding the topic that got them into depression all together. There will also be a group who wants to get out but don't know how to. Some others wants to get out but find reasons how come they can't get out. They continue to spiral downwards into a deeper hole.

Why Not Get Out

They feel that it is safe in this hole. This hole is probably the safest place in their perspective. In their view, no other place is safer than this hole. Taking any form of action to get out of the hole is risky. That is how they see.

Of course, a normal person will know it's absolutely nonsense. A normal person will feel that doing anything is safer than being in the hole. But for someone in depression, he/she will think otherwise, because it's safer in their view.

They are like hanging on a cliff with a rope. Their strength is being sapped away, and they will drop further down the cliff. At the same time there is a out-stretched hand wanting to pull them up. But they refuse to grab hold out the out-stretched hand, thinking that it's safer to hold onto the rope.

How Did I Get Out

The support of friends and team mates really help me to overcome the state of depression. I'm very grateful to all those who never give up on me. Some of the friends persistently catch up with me, though I kept that at bay. Finally I relented and allowed them to come in.

Their continuous encouragement helped a lot. They kept reminding me of who I am and my purpose here. They believe in me when I don't believe in myself. They constantly engage in conversation with me, invite me for lunch, dinner or activities etc.

Beside that, there are others who trusted me. Even though I'm down and out, these group of people gave me opportunities and financial support. They trusted that I will climb back up soon, and make it big.

With all the support and encouragement, I found myself again. Reignite my purpose and finding new goals, I picked myself up bit by bit. It wasn't an overnight awakening, it was a slow and steady process.

After 3 months of all the encouragement, I was in full throttle finally. This year is going to the best years of my life.

My experience says get help, support and encouragement when you are in depression. Work on something that you are passionate, get into purpose and move your life on that purpose. If you are still stuck, please get professional help. It's not good to dwell in depression for too long.

How Do You Overcome Feelings of Depression?

Overcoming feelings of depression is a must, especially if you have a familial history of any kind of mood disorder. Uncontrolled depression can affect your health, as well as your wealth (material and otherwise). Psychotherapy sessions can be very expensive, so can medical treatments designed to treat depression. As much as possible, you would not want depression to come to this point at all.

But overcoming depression can be quite a challenge. Needless to say, here are some of the things I normally do when suddenly attacked by feelings of depression:

Go to an empty room and scream or cry all you want. Feelings of depression can be such that they can have the capacity to make your insides burst. Going to an empty room and screaming your lungs out should be a lot better than lashing out at someone, hurting, or even killing someone. If you are not that vocal or you would rather deal with your depression very quietly, try writing. Get your thoughts down in paper.

Divert your attention to something else. It's easy to forget you are depressed when you are doing something else. Occupy your mind by:

Watching a comedy flick.

Reading a funny story.

Doing house chores.

Play some music. Music is therapeutic, is it not? If you can play any musical instrument, get your hands on it right away. If you don't have that gift, try singing instead, or listening to soft, relaxing music.

Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also seen as a means of preventing bouts of depression overtime. Health is wealth. Research has it that people who are physically healthy are generally sound in mind and happy as well. Here are some good habits that can count towards reducing depression symptoms or their impact:

Exercising every morning or early evening. You've heard of the importance of exercise far too often already, yet you still may have taken this for granted. Exercising does many wonderful things to your cells. It boosts body metabolism, improves circulation, and reduces your stress levels as well. To keep yourself from getting bored, don't stick to a single routine. Try different types of exercises to keep you motivated, and as much as possible, do the exercises with your best friend.

Getting a bit of sunlight every morning. Sunlight activates the Vitamin D in our skin which appears to be in low levels in individuals having a mild case of depression. Taking Vitamin D3 supplements can also help especially during cold weather when the sun is rarely up and about.

Making wise food choices. Apparently, there are foods that are said to come with the ability to beat depression. Foods that are high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin B and Vitamin C all make wise food choices. Fish oil, walnuts, and flaxseed help not only with depression, but also in proper brain development and function as well as in maintaining a healthy heart. Brown rice is also recommended as it has Thiamin, Niacin, and Folic Acid, three members of the Vitamin B-family that play a critical role in preventing depression symptoms. Being low in sugar, brown rice also prevents mood swings. Cabbage and citrus fruits, being high in Vitamin C, aids in the production of serotonin, that chemical in the brain that is linked with moods.

Taking essential vitamins. Although nothing beats eating whole foods, taking vitamin supplements is still necessary as we cannot always be certain if we are getting the right amounts of vitamins in the foods we eat. The vitamins that are very important in preventing depression are Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D3.

Celebrate Depression - It Is the First Step Towards Our Personal Happiness and Peace of Mind

On first glance the title might seems absolutely ridiculous and can only be made by a deranged person. Depression surely isn't a "happy place" to be in and is a state of mind accompanied by a constant "low" mood and aversion to activities. Depression normally impacts unfavorably on our thoughts, behaviors, feelings, emotions and eventually our physical well-being. It include feelings of sadness, anxiety, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, irritability or restlessness and emotions such as antagonism, resentment, guilt or bitterness. So... How is it possible that any person in his or her right mind can EVER dare to think that depression could be the beginning of personal happiness and peace of mind?

Bear with me just a little bit. I am not really deranged, I just have a slightly different view on the meaning and purpose of the human experience of depression. And this is why...

I regard depression as the "low fuel warning light of life", similar to the "near empty" warning light on the fuel gauge of a car. Once the "low fuel warning light" lights up, we normally don't ignore the signal and immediately adjust our daily schedule or routine and start looking for the closest filling station to refill the car with petrol. Because, past observations and experiences has taught us, that when we ignore this warning light, we will soon run out of petrol and run the risk to possibly get stuck somewhere really unpleasant. We would rather detour from our present route for a while and "prevent the problem" by filling up in due time.

Another view regarding depression, is that the experience of depression is quite similar to experiencing physical pain. For example, when we are running, bump our toe against a rock and we experience a sudden sharp pain. We normally slow down, stop running and investigate what is wrong. Upon investigating our throbbing toe, perhaps, we discover that it is broken. We then might take the necessary corrective actions and adjust our present running tempo accordingly to avoid further damage to our toe and allow for healing to take place. An unwise decision would be to swallow some painkillers and continue with our relentless pace of running, regardless of our broken toe... then we are sure to cause some serious damage that could have a far reaching consequences in future. Following the latter route, can be just as destructive as turning up the radio to drown the ominous knock in the car's engine. There is a slight change that the knock will "disappear" when ignored, but it is much more likely that we will cease and completely destroy the car's engine, if not attended to in time.

Also, I am aware of and it is know fact that medical sciences and psychiatry, largely blame depression on a chemical imbalance in the brain. However, most of us - to a greater or lesser extent - know that thoughts creates chemical changes in our brain, which are adequately confirmed by plenty of neuroscience studies done in recent years (for more information search neuroscience on Google). This present us with a somewhat different perspective and view on depression.

What was first... the chicken or the egg? Do we experience an imbalanced thought as a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain or does a chemical imbalance in our brain occurs as the natural result of an imbalanced thought pattern? I tend to favor the latter as a more reasonable explanation and understanding of why we experience depression in the first place. Thus, it stand to reason, we must have had an imbalanced thought pattern first, before a chemical imbalance could be reflected in the brain.

And my point is... depression is our "warning light" indicating that we are running dangerously low on "life's petrol" (i.e. happiness) and the "emotional pain" that accompanies depression, is a sure indicator that we have to slow down our frantic pace in life and thoroughly explore our present thought patterns (i.e. beliefs) and views about life. Turning up the "music of medication" will merely "drown" the "pain" for the time being, but unless the cause of depression (i.e. our thoughts) isn't dealt with and put into the proper perspective or context, we are heading for a serious calamity in life.

A word of caution though. Collecting all one's antidepressant medication and suddenly throw it into the nearest dustbin, wouldn't be a very wise move to make either. Keep in mind that depression is an evolving mental state of being. An imbalanced thought creates a chemical imbalance in our brain, which in turns intensify the imbalanced thought, which then further increase the chemical imbalance in our brain and so the unhealthy cycle continues. To suddenly remove antidepressants from the equation, wouldn't restore equilibrium and happiness in our lives and could actually worsen our present depressed state of mind.

A much more sensible strategy would be to use the "support" offered by antidepressants (much like plaster to heel a broken leg) while simultaneously make a serious and genuine effort to adjust our thoughts to a more balanced and contextually sound point of view. Then, as our mind gradually heals, so we will need less and less "support" from antidepressants.

Happiness and peace of mind is within all of us. It is our natural state of being.

Each one of us will - sooner or later - become disillusioned with our mis-perception of happiness. When we think we are going to find happiness outside of ourselves, that somebody or some miraculous event will make us happy, we are setting ourselves up for many depressing disappointments. We may look around us and conclude that others seem to be happy, with a degree, bigger car, fancy house, position as team captain, beauty queen, rugby player,...etc. These people may be motivated by their latest attempt to change their miserable lot in life. It, however, is merely a temporary and relative happiness... relative, because it is dependent on rearranging outer circumstances, something that we have very little control over. All circumstantial expectations, eventually lead to bitter disappointments. We also could not know what real and lasting happiness is, if we didn't already have it... inside of ourselves. Depression is merely a mind-set, accompanied by feeling of loss and hopelessness, that comes into existence when our illusionary understanding of happiness no longer holds up.

The fact that many doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists call this natural personal development step a "disease" of our time, is a dangerous point of view, which frequently cause tremendous mental suffering. Any person (with a little bit of common sense, I might add) will inform you that medication is not a permanent cure and in fact could makes matters worse, especially when continued for a long period of time or being administered at an early age. Plus, it is readily admitted by some "experts", that they do not truly understand the cause of depression and simply attempt to make the "sufferer" feel better, by doping them up to their eyeballs with a variety of legalized drugs.

Experience has indicated that depression is actually one of the easiest human conditions to deal with, no matter how severe it might seem and feels to be. In fact the more severe the experience of depression, the easier it is to help the "sufferer". When a person is at the brink of utter despair and they are ready to give up on life completely, they are also well prepared to let go of imbalanced thoughts and open themselves for innate happiness to shine through once again. The way that we could efficiently deal, treat and heal "depression", is to bring our mis-perceptions to TRUTHS... truths about ourselves, our present circumstances and the context in which we function as unique human beings.

We could surely use the support offered by antidepressants to help "heal" our "broken thoughts", just as we need plaster to help us heal a broken leg. But when we keep our leg in plaster for a prolonged period of time, we loose the natural ability of our leg to effectively support our bodily "weight" during everyday walking. Antidepressants - in the same manner - let us loose control of our thoughts and we are unable to deal with everyday pressures, confrontations and changes in our environment... and we become helpless, hopeless and unhappy within ourselves.

The cure... is actually quite simple! Start to daily exercise and stimulate your mind with uplifting thoughts and different perceptions, just as you would exercise a weak leg to regain its muscle strength and stamina once again. When such an "exercise program" is also complimented with a healthy, balanced diet and a good nights rest, you will be amazed by the results and the progress made to restore happiness and peace of mind.

One final question... Are you still of the opinion that the statement "Celebrate depression... because it is the first step towards our personal happiness and peace of mind", originate from a demented person? Or do you also think... "Thank God for depression and a chance to grow as a human being?"

How Can You Cope With Or Lessen Your Symptoms Of Depression?

Depression occurs when the levels of chemicals in the brain, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, drop so low. These brain chemicals are responsible in controlling mood and emotions. It goes to mean that when you have them in sufficient amounts, you exhibit a happy mood; else, you become sad.

There are factors that can cause the levels of these brain chemicals to dip. Environment factors, everyday stresses, and medications can all interfere with how these brain chemicals transmit signals to the brain.

The point is, if you want to cope with depression, then your primary goal should be to maintain the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. These can be made possible by taking:

B-vitamins. The B-vitamins are very important in preventing and treating depression. Vitamin B3 or Niacin, Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid and Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine especially are directly involved in controlling and regulating mood. Meanwhile, Vitamin B1 or Thiamine, Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin all help in reducing the symptoms and complications of depression such as lack of energy and anemia.

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid boosts not just your immunity but also serotonin production, helping greatly in controlling depression.

Medications. If you are suffering from moderate to severe depression, your doctor is likely to prescribe mood-lifters, along with psychotherapy. But these medications are formulated with chemicals and so they have to be taken with extreme caution. They also come with a variety of side effects.

Now, while these vitamins take care of the general problem, there still comes the need to reduce the symptoms of depression. After all, these vitamin supplementation and medications do not work overnight, but over a period of time. Following are some of the most common symptoms of depression and how you can beat them:

Feeling of sadness. Beat the blues by:

Watching a comedy film on DVD. Although you can watch a movie in a movie theatre, I suggest that you do it at home. Why, because the dark surroundings in the theatre can further dampen your mood. When watching a movie at home, keep the lights on and the curtains up to let the sunshine in. It helps a lot.

Reading a good book. Something inspiring and funny at the same time will put a smile to your face.

Being around little children. Children find happiness in very little things. Being around them can make you realize and appreciate the wonders and beauty in small things.

Malnutrition. Some people are too depressed to eat. If depression gets in the way of your desire to eat, here are some helpful tips:

Take small but frequent meals.

Begin your day with a good meal, composed of pure fruit or vegetable juice, a piece of toast, and tuna which is high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, the essential fatty acids that improve brain function.

Avoid high-fat and fried foods, and foods with caffeine. These are heavy on the stomach, reducing digestive function.

Snack on something light and healthy in between meals. Vegetable sticks make great alternatives to French fries or potato chips.

Drink at least 10 glasses of water everyday.

Sleeping problems. Most people with depression cannot get to sleep. If you happen to have this problem as well, the following tips can be of some help:

Take a warm, relaxing bath (preferably one that's infused with lavender oil or chamomile oil) before you go to bed.

Have a glass of chamomile tea after dinner. Besides helping with your digestion, chamomile tea also helps to relax you.

Play on soft music.

Avoid watching TV or anything that is stimulating to the senses.

Post-Partum Depression And How To Recognise It

Postpartum Depression is a depressive disorder experienced by some women following childbirth. It is not fully known what causes this disorder, postpartum depression can affect any woman not just those who are predisposed to depressive disorders and just because a woman suffers depression after childbirth does not mean she will go on to have a depressive illness later in life. There are different types or stages of postpartum depression ranging from the mild baby blues feeling to the more serious disorder of psychosis. It is rare for a woman to suffer psychosis with research showing that less than 2 women out of a thousand have this diagnosis.

Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to other depressive disorders and can also include symptoms of anxiety and panic. In some sufferers the depression will lift within a couple of months of giving birth whilst in others it may remain longer term and require treatment. Postpartum depression can be effectively treated with therapy such as counselling or one of the newer talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, more severe cases will respond to an anti-depressive medication. A combination of therapy and medication may also be used. The first port of call for a woman suffering this disorder should be their family doctor who will if necessary refer then on to a specialist in this type of disorder such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist.

Here are some of the symptoms to look out for if you feel you or someone you know may be suffering from postpartum depression:

· Feelings of sadness and being tearful

· Unable to concentrate on normal activities

· Feeling tense or anxious most of the time

· Feeling irritable or short tempered

· Feeling uncomfortable being alone with the baby

· Extreme worry and fear maybe leading to panic episodes

· Palpitations, dizziness and feeling short of breath - probably panic relate

· Repetitive behaviour similar to that experienced by sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder

Some more serious symptoms which would require immediate help would be:

Hallucinations

Thoughts of self harm or harming the baby

Delirium

It is important to remember that you are not alone and that many mothers go through this, it is not something to feel guilty about or something you feel you must try and hide from your partner or family and friends. You will need their support during this time and they will be understanding of your situation.

© Andrew Tudor Jones

The Facts About Teenage Depression And How To Recognise The Symptoms

When the word "depression" is mentioned most people associate it with the adult population, a mental health disorder that older men and women suffer from. However this is not the case as the medical research and statistics now show, a growing numbers of teenagers and even younger children are now suffering from this disorder, often without their parents or guardians even knowing about it or suspecting that anything is wrong.

Here are some shocking statistics:

Around 6% of teenagers are suffering with depression, that's 6 youngsters out of every one hundred

Suicide, caused by depression is at number four in the leading causes of death among 10 - 14 year olds

Suicide, caused by depression is the third leading cause of death in teenagers and young people in the 15 - 24 year old group

Research shows that in the past three decades the suicide rate by teenagers has risen by over 300%. A survey of High School students revealed that almost 60% of them had thought about harming or killing themselves and that just under 10% had actually attempted suicide because of feeling so depressed.

While it is normal for a teenager to have "down" days and that nobody feels on top of the world all the time there are some signs to look out for which may signify a more serious condition. If you recognise some of the following signs or symptoms on a daily basis over a prolonged period of time then it should be taken seriously and the help of your family doctor should be sought.

Lethargy - always weary with no energy

Moodiness

Overeating or not eating regular meals

Feeling dejected

Withdrawing from friends or family

Helplessness

Inactivity - when they were always an active person in sport and other out of school activities

Constant worry

There are various treatments for depression in teenagers and younger children. Your doctor will be the best person to decide on the correct course of treatment or he/she may refer you to a specialist in the care of teenagers with depressive disorders. You may be offered therapy in the form of counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy or an anti-depressant medication, quite often a combination of both therapy and medication is used. It is important to catch this disorder as early as possible as the sooner treatment commences the better chance of a full recovery, in severe cases of clinical depression medication may need to be taken on a long term basis.

© Andrew Tudor Jones