How To Beat Depression Through Regular Exercise

Depression is a very common ailment, especially during these stressful and sour economic times. Depression is often considered a mental health ailment, although the main culprits have not yet been determined by psychiatrists, and even brain surgeons or experts. However, there are actually a number of easy ways for beating the blues, and staying fit at the same time, and this includes regular exercise.

Below are a number of exercise routines to beat depression, and keep your body fit and trim.

Exercise Is Associated With Good Mental Health

In 18th century Scotland, doctors in mental hospitals were known to allow their patients to perform heavy farm chores, because they considered exercise as a good antidote for depression and other mental health ailments. Even scientists and physicians today agree that there's a link between exercise and mood changes. One health expert even contends that moderate exercise leads to lower blood pressure levels, and results in a positive mood too. For good mental health, one should exercise at least 30 minutes each day, by doing brisk walking, swimming, light weight lifting, bicycling and using a fitness rowing machine.

Exercise, & Relaxation Techniques Help Ease Stress

A number of studies have also indicated that those who regularly exercise are more flexible, and experience less stress and depression. To ease stress, there are also a number of relaxation techniques that help manage stress and sweep the blues away. One of the most basic stress relievers is deep breathing. By breathing slowly and deeply, you can turn off your stress reaction button, and turn on your body's natural relaxation responses. A quick walk to a secluded area in the park, or within the neighborhood can also do wonders for stressed-out individuals who spend long hours slumped to their office desks. And if you think your body aches and pains are a sign of aging, think again. They're either a result of inactivity, or too much work.

Walking Eases The Blues

Even the least fit among individuals will still be able to find time incorporating simple exercises, like walking, into their busy schedules. An organized daily or weekly walking exercise routine can do a lot to fight stress and depression, because it's basically free, and it also strengthens the heart and lungs, tones the muscles of the hips and legs, and increase flexibility too. Walk for at least thirty minutes at least three to four times a week. If you're busy at work, you can walk for 15 minutes during lunch or break time. You can also take stairs when going up the office, instead of the elevator.

Regular exercise is one of the best weapons in fighting depression and stress, because it helps improve blood circulation, strengthens the heart and lungs, and also enhances muscle tone in all the major areas of the body too. Regardless of whether you'd like to jog, swim, run, lift weights or use a treadmill or rowing machine, a daily exercise routine can help boost your spirits, and ease anxiety at the same time.

Overcoming Sadness

Many people today feel sad, unhappy, blue, or down. Some of the most common reasons are age transition, job dissatisfaction or job loss, and divorce. In spite of the challenges that we face today there is some good news. The dark blue funk doesn't have to last. Beside, long-term, that could create very negative chemical imbalance in our bodies. With time though most negative emotions will pass and you will start to feel like your normal self again.

However, when unhappiness persists for a period of weeks or months it is usually an indicator of something considerably more serious. Depression is a real illness that affects as many as 1 in 10 people in the United States and many people all over the world. It is sad that many teenagers are also experiencing. The effect of depression on people's lives is relevant and effects all aspects of their lives including their jobs, relationships and health. If you or anyone you know is going through depression please do not wait and hope that the person will get better all alone. Rather, look for professional assistance immediately, stay close to this person, and be part of his or her support group.

If you or someone you know is sad, or unusually tired, it may be that this person is depressed. Here are some of he most common indicators of depression:
• Irritable mood
• Restlessness
• Change in appetite resulting in weight gain or loss
• Lack or excessive sleep
• Lethargy
• Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt, shame, or self-loathing
• Feelings of worthlessness, or hopelessness
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Inability to concentrate or sustain focus
• Lack of interest in social activities
• Thoughts of death and/or suicide

Depression has many causes. Some of the causes are external while others are internal. External or environmental causes include the following

• Stressful life events, including: the breakup of a relationship, divorce, loss of job, failing a class, abuse, death/illness of someone close to you, lack of social circle or social support, family disputes
• Alcohol abuse, drugs.
Internal causes of depression include, but may not be limited to, the following:
• Medical conditions (i.e. an under-active thyroid) and chronic pain or disease (i.e. cancer)
• Medication: anabolic steroids have been shown to contribute to the development of depression.
• Sleeping problems: insomnia can deregulate your mood.

Some forms of depression, those caused by the chemical imbalances for example, are not preventable but can be treated. However, there are certain lifestyle factors that can help to boost your mood and in some cases even alleviate symptoms if you are overcoming depression. A good healthy diet, nutrition and exercise can help minimize the symptoms of depression. Whenever you start a program to change your body it is a good idea to seek the advise of a professional, for example a nutritionist, certified fitness trainer or a clinical hypnotherapist.

In my practice I see a many individuals who are suffering from symptoms of depression. I usually create guided meditations and relaxations for them. Many of these same people come to see me to know what to do to prevent sadness or feelings of worthlessness. For many of them these feelings are recurrent which indicates that probably their biochemistry has a predisposition to develop depression. I always refer them to the right profession and on severe cases I work together with their doctor.

As a relaxation therapist with graduate training in both traditional counseling psychology and clinical hypnosis my focus is to work on mental reprogramming. Most of the feelings of worthlessness start with a thought and sometimes they are anticipatory. For example, a client may wake up and think, "I just know that today will be a crappy day."; or "Oh darn, its Monday and I always get down on Mondays". These kind of thoughts are self-sabotaging beliefs that prevent people from achieving health, no matter how many antidepressants they take. Of course I do not recommend for an instant that anyone ignore the advice of their physician or replace prescribed medications with relaxation techniques.

Relaxation therapy for depression is an advanced visualization technique that has already helped thousands of people to progress towards a more fulfilling life. This healing method helps clients understand the potential resting within. During the relaxation therapy session a new set of mental programming and linguistic patterns that helps the individual to achieve maximum health are created and inserted into the person's subconscious mind. Relaxation therapy is the most gentle and non-invasive way to achieve health.

During relaxation therapy a client visualizes different self-manifestations, images of the client carrying out various versions of his or her life with alternate scenarios. The client comes to realization that he or she can do absolutely anything they set their mind to. The subconscious mind doesn't separate reality from fiction. Thus it is easy to start feeling good immediately through relaxation therapy with the help of a professional hypnotherapist, certified relaxation therapist and counselor.

Relaxation therapy for health utilize subliminal messages. This is commonly known as mental programming. Don't let just anyone walk around inside of your mind. This type of therapy should be performed by certified practitioners in the field of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Training and expertise is necessary to deliver the best results possible.

Scientists have known for decades that the conscious mind is highly resistant to directions that are not delivered with the mental agreement or consent of the client. Suggestions and inductions for wellness should be discussed with the client before starting the session and should be mutually agreed upon. Not only should the client agree with the proposed suggestions, but the therapist needs to agree that the proposed suggestions are ethical and that they will be beneficial for the client. If this is not done then the client will most likely resist any direction during the session.

With depression the work of the hypnotherapist or relaxation therapist is to find all the positive motivators for the particular client that will help the client shift perceptions and attitudes. This is what gives subliminal and positive affirmations messages their amazing power to transform your life.

Relaxation therapy works with the whole individual; the person's body, mind and spirit. I use the relaxation response method to achieve overall health and to create the best possible future for my clients.

Recognize And React To The Signs Of Depression

Depression can be a minor, temporary problem that vanishes after a few days, but it can also manifest as debilitating chronic disorder that lasts for years. Depression is both a medical and psychological condition, it is studied and treated by both doctors and therapists. Depression has a strong negative impact on the mind and body, so it is important to be able to recognize the signs of depression so that you can act immediately to deal with the problem in yourself, a close friend or family member.

Individuals suffering from depression often feel or act sad, worried or apathetic. Consistent expressions of negativity, difficulty communicating and sudden changes in social behavior are all symptoms of depression, particularly if the personality change runs directly contrary to the person's normal habits. Sudden outbursts of anger or frustration are also more likely, as depression is closely linked with mental stress.

Sudden adjustments to basic life patterns, like eating and sleeping routines, are among the other common signs of depression. If a person eats significantly less or more than usual, then it may indicate that they are struggling with some form of depression. Inability to sleep, or lack of motivation and desire to get out of bed, are also recognizable symptoms.

Depression is difficult to diagnose not only because of its large range of symptoms, but also because it has many potential points of origin. When looking for symptoms of depression in yourself or someone else, it is important to watch for signs of physical or mental problems that could cause the condition in the first place. Even if the symptoms of depression are treated, it will never completely go away unless its source is discovered and removed.

Physical injuries, both permanent and temporary, can lead to depression, particularly in naturally athletic or mobile people. Numerous bacterial diseases, internal parasites and other pathogens can cause long-term health problems, which are closely associated with depression. To understand a particular case of depression, it is important to closely monitor diet and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Recognizing situations that could trigger depression is also an important part in preventing it from becoming a major problem. Biological changes that involve hormones, like menopause, are a common source of depression in women. There are several age-linked triggers for depression in men as well. Other events that are associated with the development of depression include divorces, weddings and the death of a close friend or family.

If you notice the early symptoms of depression in yourself, a friend or family member, there are several options for addressing the problem. Request a health checkup from a doctor and follow up on any abnormalities. Examine your living and working condition for possible sources of stress. Sometimes the cause of depression is difficult to identify at first, particularly for the person being effected. Encourage discourse on the subject by talking to friends, family or a psychologist.

There are some general types of medication that are available by prescription from doctors and mental health professionals. A large group of these medications are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which have long been used to treat the symptoms of depression. It does not solve the cause of the condition, but can improve quality of life and functionality.

Counselors, mental health professionals and social agencies are available to help combat depression outside of the doctor's office. Therapy is a common route for sufferer's of depression that want to navigate their way out of the mental maze that they've been buried in. The consultation of a therapist can help treat mental sources of depression, which cannot be solved in a hospital or pharmacy.

Copyright (c) 2012 Embracing Depression

Comprehensive Review of the "Depression Free Method" Program

The "Depression Free Method" is a downloadable healing program created by Dan Micheals. Dan Micheals suffered with depression for eight years and studied clinical psychology for ten years. And after reviewing his program, I believe that his experience and research have resulted in an informative and useful resource for individuals struggling with depression. Let me tell you why.

What you give:
One-time payment of $67.95

What you get:
"Depression Free Method" E-Book (61 pgs.)
"Depression Free Method" Audio Book (2 hrs.)
"Homeopathic Remedies for Depression" E-Book (73 pgs.)
"Insomnia Relief Methods" E-Book (67 pgs.)
60 day risk-free 100% money back guarantee

While initially downloading this product I became very disappointed. My first download was the "Depression Free Method" e-book and I noticed that it was only 61 pages long. When I saw this, I got a really bad feeling that I had been ripped off. In my mind, this was going to be the "meat and potatoes" of the program, and I expected it to be at least 150 pages. I proceeded to download the rest of the program feeling a bit skeptical.

I started the program by reading the "Depression Free Method" e-book. I found the content to be informative, accurate and highly useful for healing. It addresses most of the root causes of depression: guilt, lack of self-esteem, all-or-nothing thinking, hopeless thinking, persistent sadness and more. And even more important, it provides practical solutions to overcome these core issues. The book also educates the reader about the different types of depression and provides a thorough survey of the various classes of anti-depressant medications. The book ends with a 10 step plan for recovery that is practical and can potentially lead to healing, provided that it is followed.

My favorite part of this program is the audio version of the "Depression Free Method". I remember when I was so depressed that I couldn't think straight. Reading was very difficult and frustrating. Yet I was able to listen to audio and process information much more easily. Looking back, this was probably because listening is a more passive, stress-free exercise and; consequently, more appealing to someone who is depressed.

In my own healing journey, audio has proven to be my most effective learning tool. I used to drive quite a bit and spent many hundreds of hours listening to self-help healing products. And I believe that the repetition alone was the main reason for my own internalization of crucial healing knowledge. For example, I can still hear Tony Robbins' voice in my head teaching that, "The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions that you ask yourself". Or I hear Caroline Myss emphatically teaching that, "Victims do not heal". Or I recall Lucinda Bassett reminding me of a universal truth that we all need to accept and simply deal with, "Life is not fair." So clearly I am a huge fan of the audio that this program provides.

Next I downloaded the "Homeopathic Remedies" and reviewed this e-book. It proved to be more useful than I initially thought it would be. Even if one is not a proponent of homeopathy, there is still useful information about depression in the first half of the book that has nothing to do with homeopathy. Actually the first half of the book is a nice supplement to the "Depression Free Method" book.

Finally I downloaded the "Insomnia Relief Methods" e-book. Insomnia was never a major problem for me, but I read the book regardless. It provides a lot of educational material about the many different causes and types of insomnia. It seems like it would be beneficial for those that struggle with insomnia in addition to depression.

Let me wrap up by stating that I endorse this program. I was highly skeptical at the outset, but after experiencing the program in its entirety, I am of the opinion that is a solid healing program. The "Depression Free Healing Program" provides individuals suffering from depression with highly useful knowledge and equips them with the necessary tools to overcome their condition. However, whether or not an individual will experience healing is entirely dependent on their willingness to absorb this knowledge and use these tools.

Testosterone Does Not Necessarily Wane With Age

Testosterone Does Not Necessarily Wane With Age

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For many men, testosterone levels drop as they get older, but new research presented at a conference this week suggests this is not necessarily a consequence of age itself, but more to do with behavior, such as smoking, and changes in health, such as obesity and depression.

In men, the hormone testosterone is made in the testicles and controls the development of their sexual characteristics. It influences wellbeing, sexual function and fertility and also helps maintain a healthy body composition, develop muscle bulk, sufficient levels of red blood cells, and protect bone density.

Study co-author Dr Gary Wittert, professor of medicine at the University of Adelaide, told the press:

"It is critical that doctors understand that declining testosterone levels are not a natural part of aging and that they are most likely due to health-related behaviors or health status itself," he added.

Past research has shown that many men have low levels of testosterone, and some have linked depression and low testosterone, but few population studies have followed the same group of men over time, said Wittert.

For the latest study, the researchers analyzed testosterone measurements in more than 1,500 men who had their hormone levels tested twice, with a five year gap between clinic visits. All the samples were tested at the same point in time before, and then after, the five-year gap, said Wittert.

Wittert and colleagues only included 1,382 men in their analysis because they took out the ones who were on medication or had health conditions that affect hormone levels. The men they included had an average age of 54 (range was 35 to 80 years).

They found that the average testosterone level fell by an insignificant 1% a year between the first sampling and the second, five years later.

However, within subgroups, they found a noticeably different pattern: certain factors appeared to influence more significant drops in hormone levels over the period.

The biggest falls in testosterone were among men who became obese, had stopped smoking, or were depressed at either of the clinic visits, said Wittert, adding that:

"While stopping smoking may be a cause of a slight decrease in testosterone, the benefit of quitting smoking is huge."

The study also showed that of the participants, unmarried men experienced larger drops in testosterone than married men.

Wittert said this finding probably supports that of other studies that suggest married men tend to be happier and in better health than single men. He also said that regular sexual activity tends to raise levels of testosterone.

The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

Dr Andre Araujo, a visiting professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia, and vice president of epidemiology at New England Research Institutes, in Watertown, Massachusetts in the US, is presenting the findings at the Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, USA, this week.

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

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Do You Feel Depressed Every Day?

Why do you get out of bed? Normally, we have to go to work or, if retired, we have something that interests us we want to do. There are those who leap out of bed as though they've been shot from a cannon, because they can't wait to attack the day.

I thoroughly enjoy what I do, but that still doesn't stop me from being convinced that someone moved the floor the night before. Once found, and I'm in an upright position, things progress fairly well from there. The nearest I come to morning exercise is brushing my teeth, but once that's done, I'm more or less ready to start the day.

Although, as I say, I thoroughly enjoy what I do. The poor old depressive, though, feels that climbing out of bed is a pointless exercise. Indeed, severe depressives simply don't get out of bed, unless they're coaxed. They've dreamed too much, therefore not having the good, deep sleep they need, and so they feel like death warmed up.

They may still hold down a job and do their best, but without treatment, they'll almost certainly become worse until either they're fired, or they feel they want to leave of their own volition.

Do you feel depressed every day or just for some of the time? Again, without treatment, you soon will feel depressed all the time. But why? It's here where you must pay the closest attention to things that may be worrying you.

You feel worried and uneasy. Why? Think very carefully what could be causing you distress. Our old friend imagination may rear his head here. Perhaps you've been worried about something thrown up by your imagination, that hasn't happened and isn't likely to. What is it?

For some reason, you're frightened silly of being fired. Your imagination has suddenly put that into your head. Now think. What's the likelihood? You're a reasonably senior member of the firm, in years, anyway. They've just employed three new people and you know the firm is going from strength to strength. So why are you worried?

Occasionally, our imaginations kick up things that frighten the life out of us, but are absolute rubbish. But make sure you find the source of the worry, otherwise it'll keep eating away at you.

If you do feel depressed every day, then seek qualified help. The ideal person is a well qualified hypnotherapist. With great respect to doctors, stay away from them. They'll throw you a load of pills, probably antidepressants, and before you know it, you're hooked. Not only that, but they won't cure your condition.

The hypnotherapist, on the other hand, will put you in a trance state and dig down deeply as to why this depression is plaguing you in the first place.

How Dare You to Want To Take Your Life

Recently, I have come across statistics that showed that the Australian suicide rate is higher in males than in females. That made me stop and think for a moment. Questions popped into my head. Why are men more inclined to take their lives than women? And what are the main reasons that make any person to decide to end this existence prematurely?

The desire to live and flourish is an inborn desire. We are born with an enthusiasm for life and growth and the whole of existence. Just watch a baby how determined they can be to achieve the smallest steps on their way to development. As we grow our minds are filled with ideas, inspirations, dreams and desires. There is so much information around us that it cannot all be absorbed by our minds. We do not have a way to make any sense of it, unless we generalise, distort and delete what we regard as unnecessary. And by doing this filtering, which we have been doing since early childhood, we construct a certain map of reality that we perceive to be the 'real' world. Now, to have aspirations, dreams, expectations and goals is second nature to us. It gives us the ability to find ways to achieve what we set our mind on. That's all great.

A problem can arise with that when our dreams and expectations are way too inflated or way too low. When we imagine life to be a certain way it comes as a surprise when it's not as we want it to be. Either way, we can get to a point where we don't feel happy about life. As this has happened to many people before, there is even a term for it. It's called 'Middle Age Crisis'. However, this crisis can happen at almost any age, except the very early childhood years. Although there is a general term for it, unfortunately it doesn't mean there is also a general solution that would help everyone to alleviate it.

It affects people differently. Some people come to the realisation, that their current life is not satisfying and in order to improve it, they change their lifestyle. They either find a new occupation, if that's what they associate happiness with, or start to study a new degree. Others might make changes in their relationships. And there is another group of people - people who's lives have been dramatically changed, possibly by unforeseen circumstances which put them too suddenly into a new reality that they weren't prepared for and didn't know how to cope with. Their minds were not ready for the change and they couldn't find options to improve their situation.Suddenly, life could have lost its shine, its meaning. The newly seen reality was too overwhelming to handle. All they could see was suffering, pain and loss.

An interesting process of our mind is, that when we focus our attention on something, part of our mind gets switched on and starts to look for anything that could be at least closely relevant to that focus. This process searches through our memories, our experiences and our day dreams. This is a great tool to have when we are focussed on things positively. However, as it works both ways, when we only see the negative in life, this part of our mind will offer more examples to support the same. After a while, if this process is allowed to continue, it can come to be a rather dangerous way of thinking. People who get to this stage might experience loss of motivation to live, loss of appetite for food and loss of all desires. They could start to feel lethargic, apathetic and withdrawn from every day life and society. They could start seeing death as the only possible solution to end the misery of their lives. They even come to believe in the idea that, "It would be better for others if I took my own life and died". Desperation is a very narrow-minded lady.

How can we help a person who sees death as a way out of misery?

Now, let's not think about Euthanasia here. I am writing about people who can be physically fit, but are in such a state of mind that they see suicide as a relief or escape, people who's minds are torturing them so much that they don't see any other way.
They can and should be helped and not condemned. There are rather simple, yet very effective techniques and therapies available.
The most important thing to realise is, if we want to help someone who shows signs of withdrawal and possibly has suicidal thoughts, the importance of human connection and compassion. Firstly, show that you care. Show that the person is worthy of your love and compassion. If you are unable to provide help yourself, find a qualified therapist in either Classical Psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming or Hypnosis. All these could be used and work well to improve the way the mind processes information and creates the desired reality.

Remember that, should there be someone close to you having a suicidal thoughts, they might not talk about it. However, long lasting withdrawal symptoms and apathy could be cover-up signs and should be taken seriously.

Growth Mindset Activities to Help With Depression

A number of experts believe that adopting a growth mindset will help lower your stress levels and improve both your psychological and physical well-being, and thus help with depression.

Although more research is necessary to establish absolute connections between having a growth mindset and health, current studies indicate that it helps with depression and stress management as well as improving coping skills. However, changing a fixed mindset into a growth mindset takes a great deal of determination and application. In this article I aim to give you some activities to help you manage your depression by developing a growth mindset.

Counter Negativity to Help With Depression

The nature of the thoughts, ideas and words that are constantly going through your head, are often determined by your mindset. Taking the time to evaluate your own thoughts is one of the best ways to determine if you have a fixed or growth mindset. Once you know which relates most to you, then incorporating growth mindset activities to help with depression will assist you enormously on your journey to overcome depression.

One exercise that will help you with depression is to write down or type a negative thought that comes into your mind on a piece of paper, computer or diary. Then for that negative thought, write or type at least 5 to 10 positive counter thoughts that will derail the one you already have. The more the better!!

With a fixed mindset, when things don't go the way you expect them to, you tend to place all the blame on yourself. Let me give you an example: say you decide to learn a new skill and find that you are not very good at the start, you will tell yourself "I mustn't be smart enough to learn this." In addition, with a fixed mindset you don't allow any room for error, everything is always black and white for you. You believe that either it comes naturally or you will never master it.

You will be able to start to change your mindset by writing down or typing your negative thoughts and countering them with more realistic ones. For example, you did not get the lead in a play, so you write down the negative response that you are not talented enough to play the lead and you will never make it as a stage actor. Now, counter that negativity by writing down something like, "I'm disappointed that I didn't get the lead but I am grateful to still be in the play where I can continue to learn", or "I didn't get the lead this time but I am developing as an actor and will have a better chance the next time I go for a lead role." Continue to write down more statements that reflect fact rather than continue to focus on the belief that you are not good enough to be an actor.

Adopt a Growth Mindset to Stay Healthy

Studies show that negative thinking, often associated with having a fixed mindset, can lead to a decrease in the bodies' immune response. A growth mindset on the other hand, produces optimistic emotions that actually affect your physical health in a positive way which in addition helps with managing depression.

Growth mindset activities to help with depression also include identifying all of your personal accomplishments, working on improving your self-worth and reconizing the things that you value most about yourself. With practice, these exercises will help to promote a growth mindset. Make time every day to list a minimum of five accomplishments of which you are proud and read your list on a regular basis to help with depression.

In my book, "Self-Help Guide To Depression" I go into detail on many more ideas of how you can change your current thinking patterns to help you beat depression.

You can also go to my website depression treatments.net for more information on how to change your mindset.

I would love to hear how you are going and encourage you to comment below as you embark on this journey.

Annette Tonkin

Adversity Consultant, Physiotherapist and Author

"You have to do it yourself, and you can't do it alone." Martin Rutte

Herbal Remedies For Sadness

Emotions are a big part of us. They are part of being human. If we can't feel sadness and grief then we would kill each other for profit without any remorse whatsoever. Emotions is what makes us human, and what differentiates us from wild animals. However not all emotions are wanted in specific times. We don't want to feel sad when we are working. We don't want to feel happy when we lost someone. Emotional feelings that prevent productivity are often called negative emotions. Sadness that comes to our lives without any warning or any event nor reason isn't wanted.

Sadness due to seasonal change can happen. There are people who get sad due to bad weather and absence of sunlight. These often happen during the winter time. This is how powerful our emotions are. We can suddenly get depressed just because we don't see any sunlight. A great natural remedy for this is sad soother. Sad soother contains homeopathic ingredients designed to combat such change in people's emotional state. Sad soother is designed to specifically target emotional depression or sadness that is caused by seasonal change. This seasonal change that causes sadness is often called seasonal affective disorder and many Americans are suffering from such effect.

There are many types of natural herbal remedies for sadness. They are very effective at alleviating the doom and gloom type of feeling. A natural herbal ingredient to cure depression and sadness is Ignatia amara. This ingredient comes from a tree that is mostly found in the Philippines, which has been proven by Doctors and Psychologists to be able to cure strong feelings of grief and depression. This natural herbal ingredient is very effective and most homeopathic remedies have it as an ingredient. Homeopathic remedies are often frowned upon by the medical field but lately Doctors from different parts of the Earth are providing evidence and scientific tests that concludes there is a basis and a foundation for homeopathy that homeopathic medicine does in fact work and are very effective.

Nat sulph is also another natural herbal ingredient that is very effective at relieving depression, sadness and grief. This herb is best suited to people that tend to cry and get easily emotional in movies and theatres. This natural herbal remedy is very effective also and very popular. Homeopathic remedies that relieves sadness and grief should have Nat Sulph.

Natural herbal remedies have come a long way. They were once treated as baloney and shunned away by the medical community but as new technology comes, more and more license Doctors and medical experts have come to conclude that natural herbal remedies does work. Natural herbal remedies are safe, non-addictive and very easy to use. They are a good alternative to prescription drugs with severe adverse effects. Rather than using prescription drugs and dealing with the adverse effects these drugs have, people should try natural herbal remedies first. There is really no reason for not trying them since they are very cheap, very effective and the popularity of natural herbal remedies or homeopathic medicine is becoming more and more popular.

Depression Self Help

If you experience depression frequently or in an ongoing manner, it's important to seek professional help. Nonetheless, there are things that you can do on a daily basis to help lift your spirits and shed the mantle of depression - at least temporarily - and perhaps permanently. In this article, we will share a series of practical, doable tips to help you cope with depression in your daily life.

1. Do your best to develop supportive relationships. Sometimes, when we are depressed, it's hard to even notice other people. Be that as of may, try to keep your eyes open and notice the many small kindnesses that people bestow upon you every day. You may be surprised to find that people are generally concerned about you.

2. Don't hide yourself away. Make it a point to get out every day and spend a little time among others. Even if you just visit a mall or park and do a little people watching, it will lift your spirits. Taking part in a social activity once or twice a week is also very helpful. Good places to look for social activities include libraries, places of worship, or your local gym.

3. Learn to substitute positive thoughts for negative thoughts. If you find yourself being pessimistic or thinking negative thoughts, simply cancel them. Substitute something positive in the place of negative thoughts. Act on your new thoughts right away to help them come true.

4. Get plenty of high quality rest every day. Get 8 hours of sleep a night, or if this is problematic for you, be sure to take a nap in the afternoon or at a convenient time during the day to make certain that you have a total of 8 hours of good rest every 24 hours. This is very important to maintaining a good mood because lack of REM sleep and lack of dream cycles can very negatively affect the way we feel.

5. Learn relaxation and stress management techniques to be better able to cope with day to day stressors. Learning to meditate, redirect your thoughts, use muscle relaxation and any other established method of managing stress and relaxing body, mind and spirit will be helpful in alleviating depression.

6. Spend a little time with a pet. It has been proven that time spent petting and playing with a dog, cat, rabbit or other beloved pet, or even just watching fish in an aquarium can have the effect of lowering the heart rate, lowering blood pressure and relieving stress. Stress is a big contributor to depression, and spending time with a pet can help you get rid of stress and enjoy the unconditional love that pets give freely.

7. Be sure to get at least 15 minutes of light-to-moderate exercise every day. Going for a walk, swim or bike ride can be very effective in improving your physical condition and your state of mind. Exercise such as yoga can be extremely helpful in ordering your thoughts and settling your spirit. All of these things are helpful in the fight against depression.

8. Spend a few minutes in the sunshine every day. Although spending too much time in the sun can be bad for your health, it's important to attain a happy medium. Don't stay out of the sun entirely. People, like plants, need sunshine to thrive. Take 5 or 10 minutes to enjoy the sun on your face every day. Combine this with your walk or bike ride outside or simply sit in the sun to read or have a chat with a friend or acquaintance. It will lift your spirits.

The effect of these tips is synergistic. Each tip alone may not seem to amount to much and won't take much effort for you to perform. Nonetheless, when done together and regularly, all of these tips combine to have a depression fighting effect that is much greater than the effort it takes to follow the tips. If you incorporate these tips into your lifestyle on a regular basis, you may wake up one morning to find that you are free of depression!

Recovery From the Depths of Depression

There is the belief among many counsellors that people who have fallen upon hard times have the capacity and resource within themselves to recover. Those having difficulty adjusting to their new situations, many of which have occurred beyond their choice, can negotiate these situations; but help helps.

People in many counselling capacities, whether in private practice, from churches, or as caseworkers, have an innate belief that people come to them with the answers.

The counsellor merely provides space where a special relationship can be developed where perspectives may be viewed together and anew.

But when we fall into a depression, when life turns awkwardly, and we begin feeling incapacitated or overwhelmed, we may stop believing we have the answer.

WHERE WILL OUR HELP COME FROM?

The concern of where will our help come from - how will we recover, and when? - could become our overriding concern. And such concern can become desperate.

We can become so polarised to the helplessness, we begin to seriously doubt recovery will ever come. We see more barriers than agency. We see more reminders of our helplessness than we do of reason for hope. We may feel incredibly isolated.

We hardly think that the answer might come from within us, for we cannot see just now.

Perhaps it may turn out to be that we had the answer all along, but we needed the space and the assurance with which to proffer confidence for a fresh onslaught in the living of life.

Help out of a depression can certainly seem impossible. But it is amazing what support and encouragement, coupled with an openness to explore new perspectives can do.

A VISION OF RECOVERY

A lot of the time the sort of help we need is actually miniscule. But it is no less critically important. It might be as if we are trudging up a cloudy hill, and we have no idea where the top is. The person who helps us may merely lead us a few steps to the top where we can see our lives more clearly.

As we pirouette at the top of the hill, we see the cloudy formation we came through, and we begin to see, more, from a safer perspective, that life is full of similarly cloudy formations.

We begin to see the purpose in trudging up that hill. Now others' hills have our attention and empathy. We draw confidence that getting to the top of our hill was due to our own capacity and resources - with a little help from a friend.

When hope has returned, and maybe even embellished our view of life, we have a strange new capacity for living. The rut we endured actually worked out for our best.

***

Little things make big differences in the difficulties of life. There is power in renewal as there is power in having openness within ourselves. Seeking help out of a depression can prove the making of us.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Dealing With Depression Effectively Today

Statistics claim that approximately forty percent of individuals will experience depression at some time in life. The symptoms can be not only debilitating but also confusing for the person as well as for family members. Like diabetes, depression is not cured but must be managed in order for the individual to experience any sense of well-being.

Following are some strategies to help with the management of depression:
1. Focus on the present and future - Things of the past need to be left in the past. There is absolutely nothing that can be accomplished by harbouring hurts and problems that are long gone.

2. Adopt an attitude of forgiveness - When you refuse to forgive yourself or another person, you are the one who suffers and will continue to suffer. You don't need to forget what happened but you do need to let it go. As my little pre-school granddaughter once told me "That's okay. Everybody makes mistakes".

3. Choose each thought carefully - The good news is that your brain that only hold one thought at a time. There might be several that are competing for your attention but you actually get to choose which thought you will allow your brain to have at any time. Write down the things that you want to have happen, in the present tense, and repeat them to yourself throughout the day. For example, "I can control my emotions", "I choose to live a healthy life" or "Things are improving every day".

4. Always say what you want instead of what you don't want - Your mind is like a giant computer that does what you ask. If you keep saying things like "I can't sleep", "My relationships are horrible" or "Things will never get better", your brain thinks that it should respond by giving you the things you request.

5. Know what you need to be healthy - Pay attention to the things that help you to stay well. Getting enough rest, ensuring that you have a nutritious diet and being involved in positive activities are important. Each person needs a unique amount of each but only you will be able to put the exact formula together.

6. Develop assertiveness skills - People who are passive often become resentful and angry with themselves and others when their needs aren't met. Assertiveness means that you know what you need and know how to ask for it in a healthy way.

7. Learn how to establish healthy boundaries - It is acceptable and necessary to say "No" at times. Just because someone asks you to do something or tries to convince you that they have a good idea, does not mean that their idea would be wise for you. Listen to your inner voice!

8. Follow your treatment plan - So many clients tell me that they don't want to take medications for their whole life or that they vary the instructions given to them by their physician, psychologist or psychiatrist even before they have given themselves time to notice if there would be improvement over time. Give good advice a chance!

9. Find interesting things to do - If you are bored then you will become boring to others. Always have something to look forward to even if it is only a walk in the park, a trip to the green house or a telephone visit with someone who has a positive attitude.

10. Be your own best friend - Think of how you would treat someone who you love and enjoy being around and then transfer all that affection and care towards yourself. Laugh at your own "quirkiness", find enjoyable hobbies that you can do on your own and give thanks for what you do have. Remember, there is always someone who is worse off than you!

A wonderful life does not just "happen". People who do well are the ones who plan to do well and then follow through on their plans.

Guilt In Depression Has Different Brain Response, Suggesting Freud Was Right

Guilt In Depression Has Different Brain Response, Suggesting Freud Was Right

The brains of people with depression, even in remission, respond differently to feelings of guilt, suggesting Freud was right, said researchers from the University of Manchester in the UK who compared magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of people with a history of depression to those of people who had never had it. If further tests prove successful, they suggest the finding could lead to the first brain scan marker for future risk of depression.

The new study, part-funded by the Medical Research Council was published on 4 June in an online-first issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

It is the first piece of research to show there is a brain mechanism behind Freud's classical idea that depression differs from normal sadness by proneness to exaggerated feelings of guilt or self-blame.

Dr Roland Zahn, from the University's School of Psychological Sciences, told the press:

"For the first time, we chart the regions of the brain that interact to link detailed knowledge about socially appropriate behavior - the anterior temporal lobe - with feelings of guilt - the subgenual region of the brain - in people who are prone to depression."

For their study, Zahn and colleagues took fMRI scans of people while they imagined themselves or their best friend acting badly (eg in a mean, tactless or bossy way) towards others, and said what they felt, for instance, guilt, shame, contempt, or disgust, and whether this was toward self or another.

The participants were 25 people who had been in remission from depression for over a year (16 of whom were not currently taking anti-depressants), and 22 healthy volunteers with no history of depression who served as controls.

Previous studies have suggested that the subgenual cingulate cortex and adjacent septal region (SCSR) become active when we feel guilty, and in healthy people with a low risk of depression, this effect is "selective relative to equally unpleasant feelings associated with blaming others (indignation/anger)", write the researchers.

The anterior temporal lobe (ATL) has also been consistently implicated in moral feelings such as guilt, but unlike the SCSR, this part of the brain is "activated irrespective of the type of moral feeling, whether it is guilt or indignation", they note.

There is also evidence to suggest the right superior ATL is important for constructing social concepts that help us make different judgements (eg such as distinguishing merely critical from fault-finding behavior). This in turn protects us against over-generalization and self-blame (eg my pointing out a typing error in a colleague's piece of writing means "I am critical" as opposed to "I am unlikable").

So, prior to this latest study, it had already been proposed, but not shown, that a coupling between these two brain areas, or "ATL-SCSR functional coupling", helps people with low risk of depression blame themselves in an "adaptive" way, without damaging their self-worth or hating themselves.

Zahn and colleagues found the fMRI scans showed the coupling between these brain regions was weaker in the group with a history of depression than in the healthy controls with no history of depression.

"We corroborated the prediction of a guilt-selective reduction in ATL-SCSR coupling in MDD [major depressive disorder] vs controls ... and revealed additional medial frontopolar, right hippocampal, and lateral hypothalamic areas of decoupling while controlling for medication status and intensity of negative emotions," they write.

They also found that lower levels of ATL-SCSR coupling were linked with higher scores on a validated measure of overgeneralized self-blame.

"Interestingly, this 'decoupling' only occurs when people prone to depression feel guilty or blame themselves, but not when they feel angry or blame others," explained Zahn.

"This could reflect a lack of access to details about what exactly was inappropriate about their behaviour when feeling guilty, thereby extending guilt to things they are not responsible for and feeling guilty for everything," he suggested.

Zahn and colleagues suggest the finding is important because it shows there are brain mechanisms that may explain why some people respond to stress with depression rather than aggression.

The team is now testing whether these findings can predict the risk of depression following remission. If they succeed, this could lead to the first fMRI marker for risk of future depression.

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

Additional

References

Citations

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

"Guilt-selective functional disconnection of anterior temporal and subgenual cortices in major depressive disorder"; Green S, Lambon Ralph MA, Moll J, Deakin JW, Zahn R;Arch Gen Psychiatry Published online first 04 June 2012; DOI:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2012.135; Link to Article
Additional

Mindset And Depression

Mindset and depression are closely linked by the ability of the mindset you have to expand or contract your life.

The view you have of yourself has an overwhelming influence on the way you live your life and this is often a difficult concept to grasp when you are depressed. Simply acknowledging this concept and doing something about it are worlds apart.

Thought patterns can affect the way we feel each day and to control this, there is a need to question where negative thoughts come from. Questions to answer can include:

"I constantly limit myself. Where did I learn these beliefs?"
"When did I take on this type of thinking pattern?"
"At what time in my life did I begin the downhill slide I'm on now?"
"I don't like the person I've become. When did this happen?"
"How did I get to the place I am in now?"

UNDERSTANDING MINDSET

Research completed by Dr. Carol S. Dweck on the types of mindset is be illuminating. Our state of mind and behaviour is greatly influenced by our thoughts even though we know that our thoughts are not who we are as individuals. Our behaviour is such that it corroborates the negative thoughts that we have. Depression is a state of mind and it is not who we are as a person. What I mean by this is: we are not a 'depressed person', we are in a 'state of depression'. Changing depressive thoughts patterns that have been developing, often over many years, to overcome depression takes commitment and determination.

Carol S. Dweck in her book "Mindset", established that there are two types of Mindset and she calls them "Growth" and "Fixed'.

FIXED MINDSET

"Fixed Mindset" is the belief that your qualities at birth are carved in stone. That the intelligence you have now and your moral character is what you will have for the rest of your life. Learning and growing are not part of the 'fixed mindset' way of thinking.

Many of us are trained in a fixed mindset early on in life, often unwittingly by those who care the most about us. Care givers and educators that we come across in our school years may believe that the IQ and EQ we have initially in school are fixed and as such treat us as though we have no capacity to improve.

In our early school years we don't like to be seen as stupid or unintelligent so we instinctively act to look smart. The outcome of this is that we fail to learn to take risks for fear of being 'exposed' as not being very smart. The enjoyment of learning and investigating new things are lost through fear of failing.

The behaviour of 'proving ourselves' repeats itself throughout our lives whether it be in relationships, our careers or leaning institutions as we feel we are being continually judged.

This type of repetitive behaviour is potentially devastating to our development.

GROWTH MINDSET

"Growth Mindset" in contrast, is based on the belief that your basic qualities are just the starting point for development. You have the ability to learn, grow and cultivate whatever initial gifts, skills, interests or disposition you have been given. If you have a 'growth mindset' you have the opinion that each one of us has the opportunity to change and grow through practice and the implementation of developmental exercises. Your potential at any given time or in any circumstance is unknown.

Now the uncertainty of any given situation is part of the process of growing. In children and adults with a 'growth mindset' a love of learning can be created at any stage in their development. No longer does an individual feel the need to 'prove' them self as they believe that they are always on a learning curve and that any setback is just part of that learning process.

MINDSET AND DEPRESSION

As I mentioned at the start, the type of mindset we have can influence whether we are prone to depression or not and one of the tools at our disposal is that of changing our mindset.

In different areas of our lives, out mindset may vary. Unfortunately, if you are struggling to overcome depression, it is likely that the "Fixed Mindset" is pervasive throughout most of your thinking and therefore, actions.

Over the next few articles I will write more on Mindset, how it is developed and suggestions on how to change from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset as part of dealing with your depression.

If you are interested in mindset and it's affect on our moods, particularly depression, then consider reading my book "A Self-Help Guide To Managing Depression"

Depression and Natural Ways to Help It

I have been doing a great deal of research on neurotransmitters and their effect on the brain, body and every day life. Being a personal trainer, I routinely field resistance training questions, nutrition questions and cardiovascular concerns. What I have been noticing lately is a trend in inquiries around motivation, the brain and even techniques to deal with depression. The traditional approach in the past has been to speak with your family physician or a specialist so they can run a few tests and prescribe medication that is supposed to help you deal with the symptoms you may be experiencing. These can range from sadness, laziness, lack of motivation, lethargic, lack of sleep, irritable, etc.

Some common medications are Wellbutrin, Paxil, Elavil, Remeron and the like. I will discuss in greater detail why these may not be meeting your expectations and why some natural amino acids when combined produce astonishing results that not only elevate your serotonin and dopamine levels but keep them high when you cease from taking the amino acids. Please note that I have a few Medical Doctors as former and current clients and I am by no means recommending you stop your medication, but I am giving you an alternative to take in conjunction with your prescribed medication or entirely on their own.

To get a better understanding on how prescription medications and amino acids work, you must look at the two primary neurotransmitters and they are serotonin and dopamine. There are others that play a role in your vitality but these two are the primary components that need to be functioning at optimal capacity. It has been documented that 93% of patients on anti-depressants show no progress or change at all when on the medication. The main reason for this is that serotonin and dopamine are largely found in the gut (near the kidney) and the around the brain. When on most prescription medications, the serotonin and dopamine stay in the synapses outside the kidney and brain because the medications are not constructed to pass through the OCT2 transporters (or gates) that would give all the benefit to the brain and kidney. Therefore you have an influx and abundance of serotonin and dopamine on the outside which are not fulfilling their intended purpose of increasing serotonin and dopamine levels within the brain cells.

You now may be asking the million dollar question of how can you penetrate the gates of the brain and have the serotonin and dopamine reach the kidney and brain as both are related. The answer is through a regimen that includes the amino acids Tyrosine (which increases dopamine) and 5-HTP (which increases serotonin) with a B6 vitamin. These amino acids have been shown in studies by Dr. Daniel Kalish (http://www.drkalish.com/index2.html) to have the ability to open the OCT2 transporters and allow the serotonin and dopamine to flood the brain and kidneys. Taking 1000mg of Tyrosine, 100mg of 5-HTP (10 to 1 ratio) and a B 6 vitamin three times a day have yielded very high levels of serotonin and dopamine inside the cells and the results were very satisfied clients/patients who have never felt better. This includes more energy, better sleep patterns, reduced appetite, and the list goes on. The reason for this dosage ratio is that serotonin and dopamine are antagonistic meaning as one increases, the other one decreases so you have to balance them out and ensure both go up or you will not have the desired effect. Dr. Kalish describes this in detail on his site and I strongly encourage you to visit his site. This is revolutionary information that has changed the lives of thousand of people but the problem is most people don't even know about it. As discussed, you can take these amino acids on their own or in conjunction with your prescription medication. It is completely up to you. I don't recommend stopping "cold turkey" from your medication and please speak with your doctor should you be encouraged to try this approach. I highly recommend it and let me know how you feel after a few days, weeks and months. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Thanks and have an excellent day.

How To Overcome Depression By Exiting Negative States

You must start controlling how you think. Negative states widespread with people who are depressed. When you see a restless person, always a person in foul mood, a person who always wants to be alone, a person who always speaks negative, probably you are seeing a person suffering from depression.

If you are one of these people, it is not the real you when you are in these states. Negative states overpower people, that is why they are difficult to overcome.. So remember, negative states are not the real you. Stop succumbing to them!

There are two solutions. first and this is very obvious but you need to become aware that you indeed are suffering from these states.. Awareness is key, when a person becomes aware on an inner level what is happening to them, things change. Become aware when you are thinking negatively. When one is aware that something false is happening, one can change this. It is not the real you we are talking about here. You are a person of love and hope. This is the real you at your core.

Secondly, just try to stop the source dead in its tracks. You can't stop a negative thought from entering your mind but you can decide the mood of the next thought. Make sure it is positive as this will stop a potential negative state growing.

These states are designed to hold you hostage. They do not want to make decisions for you, they do not want you to come to any conclusions. What negative states want to merely keep you under control under lock and key. This is a dark state, a state where they master you, a state where they have a grip on you but only if you let them..

Awareness is so important. These states are illusions, figments of your imagination but the problem is that your mind acts on the thoughts you think. Even though the thoughts could be superficial and not true, they do hold vast power in the mind. This is why you must not let yourself enter negative states on a consistent basis. You must strive to transcend them. How to transcend them is by making a split second decision to exit this state. You most certainly have the power to do this. Transcend them consistently and you will notice that after a while, you no longer experience negative states. There and then you will overcome depression.

How To Overcome Depression By Having Values

Sometimes people who are overcoming depression think that they need to have a value element when interacting with new people. How is this "value element" created?. Basically the answer to this for me to this is that it's an inside job. You must think of yourself as a person who has value in this world. You must think of yourself as a person who can help another person.

If you are a brain surgeon or a CEO of a company and you come into contact with people on a regular basis. It is inevitable that people are going to have their own opinions about you internally. For example a person who is a business owner and is highly successful financially but does not spend time with his family may not be perceived as a person of value by other people. This is why it's an inside job. When you think of yourself as a valuable person who stands up for what you believe in, by having good values, etc, then people will see this and be attracted to you.

Having Mental toughness is imperative. To be happy with who you are.

Remember This Important Life Principle: Be - Do - Have

"Be" stands for belief. Believe that you are special & valuable. Secondly do the things and behave in a way that supports your values. Lastly simply Have. You will have the results, good relationships, good health, good of everything. Just by standing for who you are, this will attract like-minded people to you.

Ultimately if you want to be free, you have got to be yourself. Not the person you think your wife thinks you should be, not the person you think your kids think you should be. And above all, not the person you think society thinks you should be. Ultimately if you want to be free, you have got to be yourself, period.

What I mean by this is individual thinking, individual interests, individual likes/dislikes. Of course you must help the "big group", you must listen to them, you must come to their aid, you must advise them when asked but you must never conform to the big group. By conforming to the big group, one is at risk of losing their individuality and this is not good because one may get depressed being a person that they don't want to be.

Just stick up for you values and don't change who you are. This is one of the most fundamentals laws when overcoming depression. Good Luck!

How to Feel Good After Depression (8 Proven Ways!)

Depression can be a debilitating illness that can destroy lives, sometimes without the person even realising that they have it. The feeling of depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain: Sometimes well meaning people tell someone with depression to 'get over it'. This rarely helps.. Here are 8 proven ways to help you to feel good after depression. Different approaches work best for different people. Start by trying those methods that seem to be a fit for you!

It may help take your recovery slowly and understand that there is no need to pressure yourself into taking all of these steps at once. Start with one step each week, or how ever often you feel is right for you, and regularly bring in another element to aid your recovery.

1: Keep people around you
Turn to the friends and family that you trust and share your troubles
Regain contact with old friends and make new friends
Socialise if you find that being with other people counteracts the depression
Spend your time with positive people who feed you positive emotions
Join a support group were you can talk to others with similar challenges and seek to boost each other up

2: Look after your body and mind
Eat a well-balanced diet
Do some exercise each day (it is as affective as anti-depressants)
Get enough sleep (about 8 hours each night)
Go outside into the sunshine
Practice relaxation techniques
Avoid stressful situations
Do something you enjoy even if you don't feel like it

3: Change your routine
Do an activity you have never tried and keep it up
Factor in some time for fun and pleasure each day
Get out and about rather than sitting at home

4: Give yourself a challenge each day
Make a list of tasks you need or want to do in your daily life. These can be anything from going to the shops to cleaning the car
Do a task each day and after congratulate yourself
From this you can gain confidence in your achievements
Over time you are likely to feel more capable

5: Take care of your physical appearance
You are more likely to feel more like going out if you are clean and dressed
Dress in clothes that make you feel confident
Invest in your appearance to show yourself that you care about yourself

6: Look back on past successes
Remind yourself where you have succeeded before
Remember your strengths and skills
This will help to build self-confidence and success for the future

7: Challenge negative thinking
When you have negative thoughts write them down
As yourself what triggered those thoughts
Think about another way/s to view the situation that is more balanced and optimistic

8: Give somebody a genuine compliment
This takes the focus off yourself and helps you realise that everybody has problems
Filling a person with self-confidence from your compliment can help make you feel better

These steps are here to help you to rebuild your life. If you do these you are likely to discover that you can feel good after depression and have a positive future.

Depression: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Options

Major depressive disorder, which is usually simply referred to as depression, is a condition that is characterized by chronic feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It is important to note that everyone experiences feelings of sadness from time to time, and that is usually not a cause for concern. However, it is not normal to feel that way all of the time. People who are chronically depressed are at an increased risk for developing physical health problems and committing suicide.

What are some of the symptoms of major depressive disorder?

Feeling sad and hopeless all of the time is the main symptom of this disorder. Fatigue, lack of energy, insomnia, impaired ability to concentrate, weight loss, agitation and worry are some of the other symptoms that may accompany major depressive disorder. Depressed people also have a tendency to isolate themselves from others.

What causes major depressive disorder?

Health experts have not been able to identify the exact cause of depression. However, they have found that genetics, chemical changes in the brain and stressful events may play a role in the development of this condition. Drug and alcohol abuse can also make a person more susceptible to developing major depressive disorder.

What are some treatment options for major depressive disorder?

It is very important for all depressed people to go to their doctor, so that they can get the appropriate treatment. A doctor will usually recommend a combination of therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and group therapy are the three forms of therapy that are recommended for depressed patients.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps a patient fight off the negative thoughts that can contribute to major depressive disorder. The goal of psychotherapy is to help patients understand the issues that are causing their condition. Group therapy helps people communicate with others who are experiencing similar issues.

Antidepressants are the standard group of medications prescribed to treat major depressive disorder.

These medications work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Health experts believe that serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that control happiness. Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro and Celexa are some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.

Even though antidepressants are extremely effective, they do not come without side effects. Weight gain, appetite loss, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety and decreased sex drive are some of the most commonly reported side effects. Taking antidepressants during pregnancy can be very dangerous. Studies have shown that women who take these medications while they are pregnant are more likely to give birth to a baby with birth defects. Additionally, antidepressants may also increase suicidal behavior in some patients.

What are some things that can be done at home to treat major depressive disorder?

Exercise is one of the most effective home remedies for major depressive disorder. In fact, some studies suggest that exercise may be just as effective as antidepressants. When people exercise, their body releases endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals in the body that promote feelings of relaxation and well-being. People should try to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.

There has also been evidence to suggest that omega 3 fatty acids can help treat major depressive disorder. Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat found in cold water fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil. Researchers believe that omega 3 fatty acids help improve overall brain health.

Yoga and meditation can also help a person feel better. Even though some patients can treat their condition at home, everyone should consult with their physician before they try any type of natural remedy. Furthermore, no one should stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with their doctor.

Copyright (c) 2012 Embracing Depression

How To Overcome Depression With Faith

In my view in life, nothing can take the place of persistence. When one has persistence locked in unity with faith, one can but only succeed. Decide now that you will overcome depression. Decide now that you will never give up and above all decide now that you WILL overcome depression and you have 100% faith that you will.

When you have this level of belief, nothing can and will stop you. The simple fact is this. People with faith persist. People who really want to overcome depression bad and know they will do it persist. They do what they have to do. They take things one day at a time but above all, they will never ever give up.

So my question for you today is - how bad do you want it?. I ask this because people who only are 90% sure they will overcome depression will eventually give in when the tough gets going. This cannot be you. It's the same in anything in life, the leaders, the people who persist through massive struggles whilst always having their eyes fixed on the goal prevail.

It's not how smart you are or how much you know. It ultimately will come down to how bad you want this. Focus on results, continue without exhaustion and become a person with great faith and you will do this..

Also ask yourself why you want to this. Reasons come first, answers come second. If you are doing it for a family member or somebody else, that's fantastic. Make your mission bigger than you. Involve more people and tell them of your goal and faith. It is far easier to be dishonest with yourself that with others.

Ultimately the seven words of success in Life are "Never give up - Never ever give up" Be ruthless in your endeavor. You have to look at this as you - the victor and depression being the culprit - the loser. All depression wants to do is to drag you down into its abyss of loneliness, fear and negativity. The key here is that depression does not want to be logical for you. It never wants you to come a conclusion about anything. It's sole mission is for you to repeatedly think negatively. That is all, to keep you trapped in a state where all you know is fear, hate and self-doubt.. Depression wants to keep you its slave but as of from today you have awoken and now you know you will persist and persist until this disgusting disease is once and for all eradicated from your life.