Sunday, 18 September 2011

Depression and Panic Attacks - Are They Linked?

The prevalence of depression is rising in today's world. Perhaps this is due to economic issues leading to unemployment and financial hardships. Hardships then lead to stress, which creates stress on entire families and interferes with their emotional well being. No matter the cause, depression is a serious problem that also leads to panic attacks.

The link between depression and panic attacks is quite obvious because anxiety tends to accompany depression. This can result in very severe problems because the two conditions can aggravate one another. The two conditions can also be difficult to treat. Nevertheless, there is a proper treatment. It just takes time for that treatment to be found.

Without treatment, an individual will continue to have debilitating attacks with depression that makes them feel as if their worthless and going crazy. Most individuals do not know what is happening to them, so there is a great deal of confusion involved as well.

When depression and anxiety aggravate one another

When depression and anxiety aggravate one another, they feel very extreme emotions. For instance, depression consists of feelings of boredom, hopelessness, sadness, and lonesomeness. Anxiety consists of feelings of urgency or an exaggerated feeling of readiness. Anxiety can also consist of a feeling of dread, such as the dread of social situations or dreading facing another day because of the unknown.

Those that have anxiety that accompanies depression are quite susceptible to frequent panic attacks. Those with frequent panic attacks can actually develop a phobia of whatever triggered the attack. All it takes is for something to trigger one attack for a person to become afraid. Add in the fact that the individual experiencing the attack has a rather glum view of the world and the end result is a person with no joy in their life.

It has been found that depression accompanied by panic attacks are more common than what was initially thought. Of course, not everyone suffering from depression will have anxiety attacks, but many with panic attacks may be depressed. Fortunately, there are some medications on the market that are made to deal with depression that is supplemented with anxiety.

You are not alone!

If you suffer from panic attacks and depression, then you should speak to your doctor so that you can discuss treatment options. It is true that after a panic attack you may not think about it until it happens again. Then again, you may have fear everyday that an attack is around the corner. Just know that you are not alone. There are millions of people suffering from depression and panic attacks at the same time.

In the end, don't hesitate to seek treatment. Individuals feel that they are going to be committed or their doctor will think ill of them. This is not true. Doctors treat individuals with such disorders all of the time. Sometimes therapy will help and other times a combination of therapy and medications are the solution. In the end, the right treatment will lead to a much happier life.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

How To Get Over Break Up Depression

Break up depression is something that could leave you dazed and confused. You could actually suffer from break up depression for a long time depending on how long you were in the relationship. Although you may think as though there's no chance for you anymore, you should know that there still is. People can be very resilient and could bounce back from most trials.

One thing you could do to help you with break up depression is by consulting a counselor. Your counselor will not only help but could also point out a psychiatrist who will provide you with medication for depression. Although it may sound terrifying at first, this is actually a logical method of approaching the problem. You can also deal with break up depression by reconnecting with friends and family members. It would be healthy for you to surround yourself with people who value you as a person. It will be easier if you get rid of all the reminders of your sadness so that you can move on from the break up. Boxing items and hiding them in the attic is one way of ensuring the reminders are no longer about. Of course, you shouldn't do this immediately and wait until you are ready.

Recovery is not something you can just fast forward. You may find yourself succumbing to temptation like having a one night stand or drinking until you puke.

The thing is that you should be focusing on something more productive even as some people may find what you're doing understandable. One good way to prevent break up depression is to get some physical activity.

An exercise would really help although you may not think so. The depression could actually be alleviated thanks to all those endorphins. Also, make sure that you are living a healthy lifestyle with eight hours of sleep each night.

It's likely that you are dining on junk foods right now so try to discard them and eat healthy. Lastly, you shouldn't be blaming yourself. These things happen with the involvement of both people.

Forgive both you and your ex before moving on. Soon enough, you'll be ready to start going round the dating scene again. There's no specific length of time that you need to stay single so don't pressure yourself into a decision. Only you know what would be the right thing for you, so make sure that you devote yourself to figuring out what you want.

Monday, 12 September 2011

Anxiety and Depression After Drinking

In today's fast-paced world, one of the most significant health threats that many people are forced to endure is chronic depression. Chronic depression can be incredibly detrimental to your well-being and, if left unchecked, can wreak havoc on your health. Fortunately, one way to help combat depression and anxiety is through the use of Rhodiola Rosea. Also known as Golden Root, Roseroot, and Aaron's Rod, Rhodiola Rosea is a medicinal herb that was originally discovered centuries ago in Siberia and consumed in order to help cope with the cold climate and stressful life. Today, because the herb has such profound relaxing effects on the central nervous system, Rhodiola Rosea has become a very popular treatment for ailments such as anxiety and depression.

Rhodiola Rosea is a natural plant in the Crassulaceae family and typically grows in very cold regions of the world such as the Arctic. In order to prepare Rhodiola Rosea for consumption, extracts of the herb are taken and made into capsules or tablets. These capsules or tablets are then typically tested for their rosavin and salidroside content, as these are two of the chemicals that are believed to contribute to Rhodiola's powerful effects on the body. The amount of Rhodiola extract used in pills will then be modified to ensure a 3:1 ratio between rosavins and salidrosides, as this is the naturally occurring ratio found in nature and is believed to be most effective.In order to get the most out of Rhodiola Rosea, it is essential to adhere to an intelligent dosing regimen.

In general, a typical dosing regimen consists of consuming 200 mg at three different times of the day. One potential side effect that some people have experienced from the consumption of Rhodiola is difficulty falling asleep if taken immediately before bedtime. In order to prevent this, it is recommended that you do not take Rhodiola within the hour preceding your bedtime to ensure that sleep is not impaired. For those who wish to purchase Rhodiola, the herb does not require a prescription and can commonly be found at local supplement stores. Because the herb is not dangerous and has ample research to support its use, Rhodiola is allowed by the FDA to be sold and marketed with moderate health claims.In the past, many people may have questioned whether or not an obscure herb from the Arctic could actually produce favorable results in those suffering from anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, research in the "Nordic Journal of Psychiatry" has clearly demonstrated that subjects with depression who consumed a Rhodiola Rosea supplement demonstrated significantly improved symptoms compared to those who were given a placebo. Clearly, for those who suffer from such devastating conditions as chronic depression or anxiety, the supplementation of Rhodiola Rosea is a safe and effective method for helping you recover from these ailments.

Saturday, 10 September 2011

Depression Cures - Easy Steps to Feel Happy

Some people think happiness is illusive, but I'm here to change your mind and give you the answer in 2 simple steps.

There are just two components which will help you enormously to find happiness: Your thoughts and your actions!

Have you ever heard the saying: "It's the thought that counts". I believe a truer word (or words) have never been spoken. It is critically important to be aware of your thoughts because what you are thinking about on a consistent basis is likely what you will get on a consistent basis.

The other critical component is: taking action!

These two relatively simple strategies will assist you to find happiness every day of your life.

If you commit to combine thoughts and actions you will undoubtedly join the ranks of those who 'intend to be happy'.

By taking small steps regularly, you can over ride your tendency to feel depressed. It may take regular practice on a consistent daily basis, and you may find that not all days will be easy, but it is well worth the effort to find happiness and to increase your chances of living a happy and good life.

Here are some tips to help to get you started:


  • Try to find the time to do something that interests you...action is much more likely to boost your mood than doing nothing. It may be as simple as going out for a cup of coffee with a friend or taking a walk.

  • When you set bigger goals, be sure to break them down into small, achievable goals; so when you do something towards your goal, just do it in manageable bits, and don't be disappointed if it takes a little longer than expected, you are still moving towards achieving your goal.

  • It will be easier to work towards something that means a lot to you; achieving something really important to you is a very strong source of happiness and well-being and will bring a great deal of satisfaction.

  • It's important to start some form of action, however small it may seem at the time, something that will create a meaning for you, family or friends, and provide you with renewed hope for happiness. Equally important is that you do some exercise every day, or any form of healthy activity such as walking out in the fresh air.

  • It is also a good idea to take time out to meditate or just relax by looking out a window to take in the wonder of nature or reading an uplifting book, or having a massage. (these things can be done without even moving!)

  • Do something kind for someone else, you'll be surprised how grateful they are, and you will enjoy seeing them smile. Random acts of kindness are always good for your well-being.

  • Take time to nurture a talent or skill that you may have. This will give you confidence and will naturally enhance positive emotions.

  • Chill out and have fun. You might like to watch a funny movie, go bowling, or play a game.

If you find yourself stuck and can't think of anything at all to do, try calling a friend and asking for some suggestions!

So go enjoy yourself...do something now and start finding happiness!

Thursday, 8 September 2011

Tips for Relieving Depression That Work!

Feeling down, disgusted, fatigued and suicidal are only a few attributes of depression, which sufferers have to face daily. Symptoms as such make living a difficult task and often interfere with victim's both social and private life by interfering with their cognition and overall motivation. In other words depression can turn a physically fit, highly motivated person into a fatigued, blank minded vegetable. As harsh as this state of mind may sound and be, the symptoms can be alleviated, if not completely extinguished by following some of the most basic depression/anxiety combating methods:

1. Exercise - if you are not already involved in some regular physical activity why not give it a try? Exercise has proven to be as effective as a secondary anti-depressant in alleviating troubling symptoms. Spending as little as 20 minutes a day on jogging (going for a walk will initially suffice until your stamina has increased) or other aerobic exercise can greatly lift your mood in the long run since it promotes the secretion of many mood enhancing neurochemicals such as serotonin.

2. Healthy habits - smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol may seem like a great help in combating depressive symptoms, but it is only a short-term solution with detrimental long-term consequences as these substances are neurotoxic with a high risk of developing dependency. Eating excess of sugars may seem to lift your mood, but a sugar rush is only a short lived experience which only adds to mood swings and severity of symptoms if practiced long enough. Introducing a more protein rich diet, eating fruits and vegetables and drinking water instead of flavored drinks will result in a greater mental clarity and an enhanced feeling of well-being. I personally have found that avoiding carbohydrates and eating rather frequently and in small increments allows me to think more lucidly

3. Knowing your enemy - what I like to do is research depression and find the possible chemical/mental sources. Once you are aware of the exact mechanism of action of your depression you will be much more efficient at defeating the disorder. The obtained knowledge will guide you to a relief as you will be able to recognize depressive triggers and resist them. Eventually you will be able to just tell yourself: "its only depression trying to make me feel miserable" and hence you will not let it take over you. This is probably the most helpful and crucial step in combating any psychiatric illness. So spend some of your free time learning about depression by reading books and articles (there are plenty on the web) and see for yourself the progress you will be able to make.

Depression, as any mental disorder, requires a lot of patience as results will not be seen immediately, but rather gradually in an augmenting intensity. Therefore it is important to learn to appreciate each small step you make, because in the end these will add up to a one ample achievement.

Monday, 5 September 2011

Quick Help For Depression

It's a fact: Depression symptoms will often improve with exercise.

Getting started and staying motivated is the key...

Of course when you are suffering from depression or anxiety, probably the last thing on your mind is exercise. But consider this: once you decide to make a start and get motivated to help yourself, exercise has the potential to make a huge difference in your life.

Recent research has been carried out which has revealed that not only will depression and anxiety symptoms improve, but there will be a positive affect in other areas such as: potential lowering of high blood pressure, assisting in the control of sugar levels for people with diabetes, and improving chronic arthritis symptoms.

Keeping up a regular routine of exercise is very important as it can definitely help a person to relax and feel better for long periods of time. If exercise is practiced on a regular basis the results will likely be significant. Walking at least 3 times a week for an hour is recommended. If that seems too much, then start with just a 10 minute walk, 3 times a week, and build up from there. As you start feeling fitter and start to enjoy the experience even more, you may find yourself wanting to walk for pleasure everyday.

The benefits of exercise include:

  • Increased self-confidence
  • Satisfaction in achieving goals
  • Less time to think about worries and concerns which are a major component of anxiety and depression
  • The chance to engage in more social contact with others to lift your mood
  • Doing something positive and enjoyable to guide you away from negative thoughts and feelings

The word 'exercise' may strike fear into some people as they imagine themselves having to run a marathon race. However this is certainly not the case, as there are several much less strenuous and more enjoyable activities to choose from such as:

  • walking
  • fishing
  • playing a team sport
  • getting together with a group for a card game
  • volunteering at a local community centre
  • washing the car
  • gardening

It is not necessary to dive headlong into a strict exercise routine. It's more important to find activities that suit your circumstances and your interests. For example: If you were out shopping and were faced with the option of taking the elevator or stairs, just take the stairs to incorporate a little more exercise into your day. Perhaps if you were going to the shops, you could park your car a couple of blocks away and walk the rest of the way there. Take the dog for a walk to the park, or if you don't have a dog, borrow the neighbors! They'll love you for such a kind gesture, and so will the dog!

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Treating Depression - 8 Ways to Reduce Symptoms and Overcome Low Moods

Whether it's the lack of mental energy and stamina, self-loathing, or sitting around the house vegetating, most depressed people find themselves falling into a hopeless rut. The good news is that with practice and discipline, you can reduce depression symptoms in just weeks by taking a few simple steps. By following these eight lifestyle adjustments, you can treat depression naturally and soon be on a path towards recovery

Reclaim The 'Old You'

When a person becomes depressed, they tend to fall into a new routine of thoughts and habits, different than during 'more joyful' times in their life. In order to exit your funk and better manage depressive thoughts, this pattern of lifestyle and thinking must be altered. Getting back to the 'old you' is difficult while in a state of depression, but trying to overcome low moods should be attempted. Every effort should be made to reduce depression symptoms and start enjoying and experiencing the life you once knew. To better remind yourself of happier times, start making (and constantly updating) a list of things you once enjoyed doing and save them to a computer or handheld device. When practicing this exercise, many people are surprised how lengthy this list can become. Then print & post them somewhere that they'll be seen every day (for example, next to the refrigerator handle). Read this list each time you see it. By doing so, you are subconsciously invigorating your pattern of thinking. When you feel a need to overcome low moods, force yourself to take part in one of these activities, until everything on the list has been checked off. This exercise can help reclaim the 'old you.'

Take On New Challenges

Breaking out of a rut means incorporating new thoughts, ideas, habits and ways into your life. To help reduce depression symptoms, start listening to a new radio station, take on a new hobby, start going to a different supermarket etc... the possibilities are endless. 99% of the thoughts we have today, we will carry over into tomorrow. Why not replace the old, stale, negative and repetitious thoughts with new positive ones. Slowly, over the course of weeks and months, you'll treat depression naturally by infiltrating your brain with healthy new thoughts and slowly rid yourself of the same old negative thought patterns.

Listen To A Life Coach

Another natural depression remedy is to listen or watch recordings or shows from great life coaches such as Wayne Dyer, or Anthony Robbins. If you're willing to be a little more alternative, ayurvedic mind-body guru Deepak Chopra may help you when you need to overcome low moods. All of these professional speakers may help you reduce depression symptoms and find meaning in life, assist you to seek forgiveness in others, help boost your self-worthiness and help you better manage depressive thoughts. Dyer and Chopra can frequently be seen on PBS television shows teaching spirituality and life motivation. Anthony Robbins is seen less on public TV, but like Chopra and Dyer, has penned many books and videotaped many lectures. He also participates in many live lectures throughout North America.

Stay Busy

It is natural for many depressed individuals to lay around and sulk all day. Staying busy is a great way to overcome low moods and keep your mind occupied and away from negative self-absorbing thinking. Lying around feeling sorry for yourself will not solve anything.Instead, reduce depression symptoms by going outside to do some simple yard work (weather permitting), start a garden, take walks around the block, start a diary -- whatever you can think of to manage depressive thoughts. By utilizing this natural depression remedy, you will feel better about yourself and maybe start looking forward to what the next day brings, rather than loathing about yesterday's problems.

Stop Being So Self-absorbed.

Begin to focus your attention on other people. Self-loathing only helps to remind yourself of how miserable you are. By focusing more on others (or even your pet) you'll treat depression naturally by feeling more 'open' and not as 'closed in.' And best of all this natural depression remedy will get you more love in return (there literally is truth to the saying "if you give, you shall receive"). By keeping your depression a secret (or not wanting to talk about it), it not only hurts yourself but it's also not fair to loved ones or others in your life who may be confused by your behavior.Talking about your feelings is extremely therapeutic and is also a good step towards recovery. In addition, you'll be surprised how understanding others are, and how willing they'll be to help you overcome low moods and depression. Another good way is to join a discussion group or other online forum where you can anonymously discuss ways to manage depressive thoughts with fellow sufferers in the online community.

Lift The Bodily Stagnation

Reduce depression symptoms by getting the blood flowing throughout your brain and body. Yes, I'm talking about the dreaded "e" word, exercise! Consider exercising on a regular basis (or at least 3 times per week, at least 15 minutes per session). Exercise is a natural depression remedy, well documented to decrease bodily stress as it helps the body produce natural chemicals which may promote overall well-being. In addition to creating pure adrenalin, exercising helps the body treat depression naturally by creating mood enhancing chemicals such as serotonin or norepinephrine. Aerobic exercises such as jogging or brisk walks appear to work well, as do strenuous activities such as weight lifting. Studies show simple long walks may be nearly as effective. If you have joint pain, swimming has great physical (and mental) benefits. As always consult with your physician before beginning a serious exercise program.

Don't Be Afraid To Cry

Many depressed people already cry a lot, but surprisingly some depressed patients get very stoic, impassive and unemotional. For these people, crying can be a great way to reduce depression symptoms both emotionally and physically. Some people call this natural depression remedy as 'an orgasm of the emotions.'But how does such a "stoic" person tap into his/her emotions? Confronting your feelings "head-on" is one way manage depressive thoughts -- impassive people frequently avoid delving too deep into their "issues." Instead many pretend these issues don't exist and then become cynical with thoughts such as "it just doesn't matter" or "it'll do no good, what's the point?" To overcome low moods during these times, start writing your thoughts down on paper, one-by-one, as they enter your brain, or start a daily diary. Read (out loud if you can) and review these thoughts every day. By visually seeing what you wrote down, you may treat depression naturally by finding clarity and solutions to your problems that you otherwise could not do.

Learn More About Depression

Education is knowledge and knowing everything there is to know about depression is a great starting point. Do free research on the internet, visit a library or go buy a good book on depression. The more you know about depression, the more you may understand that having this condition is NOT a life sentence. Millions of people in America alone suffer from this disease right now, and many more millions have also completely cured themselves. You're not stuck with depression forever. Other factors to consider include better, more regular and consistent diet and nutrition, and taking the proper herbal and vitamin supplements to combat depression. For long-term relief consider taking 1,000 to 3,000 mg./daily of the herb St. John's Wort (allow 4-8 weeks to see results). To treat depression naturally and quickly, take 5-htp as needed to overcome low moods. Defeating depression does not occur overnight. The causes for your depression may be deeply rooted within your soul. Using your willpower and all of the advice above (on a daily basis) can speed your healing process significantly.

Thursday, 25 August 2011

Finding A Perfect Natural Treatment For Depression

People usually prefer natural treatment for depression, as they are completely safe. Although the synthetically produced anti-depressant drugs work well, they can still cause numerous side effects. Moreover, these drugs also lose their effectiveness after a particular period and therefore, do not guarantee complete cure. Unlike such drugs, natural treatments are more effective. Some people are of the opinion that genetic imbalance is responsible for causing depression. However, this is not at all true. It is not the genetic imbalance, but a disturbed state of mind that leads to depression. Factors that can affect the sate of mind are financial crisis, failure in life, loss of a loved one and many more. All these factors have a negative effect on one’s life.

Those suffering from depression are the ones, who fail to cope up easily with the negative events occurring in their lives and therefore, they may get addicted to alcohol and drugs. Some even take a drastic step of committing suicide. To avoid getting into such a dilemma, one needs to undergo a perfect natural treatment for depression. Physical exercise is one of the most popular treatments that can cure depression naturally. People usually exercise to stay fit or build up an attractive body, but very few are aware of the fact that physical exercises play a key role in treating depression too.

Physical exercises apart from giving you a perfect body also works towards elevating your mood. The process is very simple. When you exercise, the brain starts releasing mood-enhancing endorphins in the blood, As a result, you feel completely confident. This makes you forget all the events in your life that once were the major cause of depression. However, this will take some time and therefore you need to stay dedicated towards your exercise regime regularly to get the desired results.

Jogging early in the morning can increase your energy level thereby making you feel relaxed throughout the day. If possible, you can also get one of your friends along with you to cheer you up while jogging. While jogging or running, maintain a moderate speed. Cover a distance of at least two kilometers. This is enough to keep you energized for the entire day.

For those who hate to jog can opt for some aerobic exercises. You can perform these exercises at a gym or at home. These exercises are a perfect way to fight depression. Weight training too can elevate your mood thereby preventing you from falling into depression.

No matter whichever exercise you choose, make sure you do something that keeps your body relaxed. This will rejuvenate you and make you feel calm. A natural treatment for depression can surely work wonders in one’s life.

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Treatment Resistant Depression - How Do You Get Rid Of It?

According to a study, more than 60% of patients suffering from severe depression rarely benefit from an antidepressant. Even natural therapies turn out to be ineffective and therefore, they fail to overcome depression. This type of a depression is known as treatment resistant depression. One cannot treat this depression even after trying out a combination of two different treatments.

Not all experts have the same opinion regarding treatment resistant depression. In order to fight such depression, you need to follow a couple of strategies under complete guidance of your therapist. Given below are some tips that can help you get rid of treatment resistant depression.

Check out if your depression is a bipolar disorder. However, this may be a bit tricky, but it is crucial to find out. You need to first diagnose and treat anxiety and co-occurring addiction, if any. Get multiple opinions for the diagnosis. Although you have decided to stick with your therapist throughout the entire treatment, it will be wise to get a second opinion from another experienced psychiatrist.

Make sure you take your medicines regularly as prescribed by your doctor. Be patient, as the treatment takes some time to show results. Giving up in the middle of the treatment is definitely not a wise thing to do. Do not skip the doses either. In case you unintentionally do so, get in touch with your physician immediately to seek necessary medical attention.

To get the desired results, one needs to opt for an optimized antidepressant dosage after a particular period. It is therefore important to stay in regular contact with your psychiatrist to know if any change in your current dosage is required or not for curing treatment resistant depression.

There are times when the medications prescribed by your doctor may not work well or give a partial response. In such a case, you doctor will prescribe you an additional medication that is compatible with the current one. The new medication may be either an antidepressant or an ordinary drug that assists other antidepressants.

Complementary treatments such as fish oil, light therapy, physical exercises and SAM-e can play a key role in curing treatment resistant depression. Have a word with your doctor to know about a complementary treatment that can work well for you.

Psychotherapy too plays a crucial role in treating depression. However, psychotherapy does not give quick results, but it surely gives guaranteed results. Most of the therapists these days use therapies involving modern techniques that offer you a peaceful state of mind.

Treatment resistant depression if not treated on time can completely ruin the person’s life. Therefore, it is very important to take necessary steps at the right time. Most of the people are of the opinion that treatment resistant depression is incurable. However, this is nothing more than just a misconception. Just stick to your routine therapies and medications and you will soon see positive results.

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All You Need To Know About Postpartum Depression Treatment

Before knowing the methods of postpartum depression treatment, you must know what exactly it is. Postpartum Depression or PPD is also common as postnatal depression. It is a form of clinical depression, which can affect a woman after childbirth. It occurs in women usually in the first few months after they conceive. It may last for several months or even a year or more. The following are the symptoms of postpartum depression:

  • Lack of interest in the baby
  • Lack of motivation and energy
  • Negative feelings towards the baby
  • Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
  • Worrying about hurting the baby
  • Alterations in appetite or weight
  • Lack of concern for oneself
  • Unusual sleeping habits
  • Loss of libido
  • Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

If you are suffering from postpartum depression, you must not delay in seeking medical attention. A delay may cause adverse effects and complications to your health. Therefore, you must necessarily seek professional postpartum depression treatment, as it can last for even a year or longer. This type of depression responds similar to any other type of depression. Therefore, medication, therapy and support groups all can prove to be helpful.

Hormone therapy: Sometimes postpartum depression can be treated with the help of estrogen replacement therapy. Estrogen commonly comes into its effectiveness if combined with an antidepressant. However, hormone therapy also includes certain risks. Therefore, you must ensure to a doctor regarding the most suitable and the safest treatment for you.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants come into action only in severe cases of postpartum depression, where the mother is unable to care enough for her baby or herself. In addition, when consuming antidepressants, one must ensure to undertake the required therapy. Apart from the therapy, one must also ensure periodical checkups and consultation with the concerned physician or doctor.

Psychotherapy: When treating postpartum depression, group therapy or individual therapy both prove to be very effective. Psychotherapy is the preferred choice over antidepressants because of the known effects of medications that pass on through breastfeeding. Sometimes, interpersonal therapies or ITP that focus on interpersonal issues and relationships also help in curing postpartum depression.

Marriage counseling: Marriage counseling is an effective method for those who feel left alone at home or experience depression due to marital difficulties.

Of the above listed treatments, it depends on your condition as which is the best suitable method for you. However, you can learn more about any postpartum depression treatment by consulting your concerned doctor or just by searching for the related information on Internet. However, ensure that you go through genuine websites while browsing the Internet.

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Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Things You Should Know About Depression Treatment Centers

The number of people suffering from depression is on a rise these days. This is the main reason why there is a sudden rise in the number of depression treatment centers. The treatment centers offer many alternatives for people suffering from depression. Shock treatment is the option for people showing severe depression symptoms. Some doctors even advice natural treatments. There are various levels of treatments available at these centers depending on the condition of the patient.

Patients play an important role during the treatment of depression. They need to take care of various things during the treatment session to get out of the distressing mental condition. The main factors among them are emotional, social, physical and spiritual health. Patients coming to these depression treatment centers leave all their worries aside to get rid of depression effectively. However, most of these centers go for natural treatment to help the patients overcome depression.

The treatment centers for depression even provide a combination of drug and holistic therapies. The quantity of the combination depends on the seriousness of the problem or condition. In addition, the treatment varies depending on the requirements and needs of patients. To begin with, the patient will have to make drastic changes to his/her lifestyle to get over depression effectively. It involves food, exercises and all other activities that he/she practices on a daily basis. This healthy change will have a positive impact on the health as well as the way of thinking in the patient. This will help him/her get over the depression faster.

In addition, depression treatment centers provide the patients an opportunity to indulge in activities like swimming and fitness training as a natural means to treat depression. These will make the patients think that they are cared and will have a positive outlook. Some expensive depression treatment centers provide spa treatments, luxurious rooms and entertainment activities. All these help the patients to recover quickly. In addition, there are sessions of talk therapies with expert psychotherapists. This is an effective way to reach into the mind of the patient and help resolve the issue in a better and effective manner. This helps greatly from preventing the recurrence of depression.

In addition, there are special staffs available to take care of the patients in the best possible manner. You need to know that depression is not a physical illness, instead it is a state of mind. Hence, one has to take enough care to make sure that the condition does not recur and the patient leads a healthy and depression free life. Depression treatment centers are the best places where a patient can get rid of all the worries and start with a new beginning.

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Two Basic Shock Treatments For Severe Depression

Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT is a psychiatric treatment, which electrically induces seizures for therapeutic effect in anesthetized patients. The other formerly used term for ECT is electroshock. As considered today, ECT is the best treatment suggested to patients, who are suffering from severe depression. ECT also proves helpful in treating catatonia and mania. However, ECT differs in terms of uses in three different ways such as frequency of treatments, electrode placements and the electrical waveform of the stimulus. These three different ways of applications possess their own adverse as well as positive results.

Another shock treatment for depression that you may know is TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. This is a noninvasive method used for causing hyperpolarization or depolarization in the neurons of brain. This method uses electromagnetic induction for stimulating weak electric currents by using fast changing magnetic field. This process results into the stimulation and causes activity in general or specific parts of the brain. It also helps study the interconnections and the functioning of the brain. Right from the 20th century, the theory of inductive brain stimulation using eddy currents has come to notice and Anthony Barker along with his colleagues did the first successful study on TMS in 1985 at Sheffield, England. The earliest applications revealed that the conduction of nerve impulses range to the spinal cord from the motor cortex and the stimulation of muscle contractions. In spite of supplying direct electric current to the brain, the appliance magnets reduced the research and procedural discomfort and thus allowed clear mapping of cerebral vortex along with its connections.

However, majority of the experts disagree with ECT as a primary treatment. They first allot the basic treatments and if the condition of the patient remains the same with no improvements, they thus follow up on ECT. Some of the guidelines include and recommend certain psychotherapy treatments or congenital behavioral therapy before commencing with the Electroconvulsive Therapy. ECT does not have a wide range of benefits. Its effects noticeably diminish within the period of six months. It is thus similar to the relapse time when you discontinue any antidepressant medication or drug.

However, in some cases, ECT has proven to provide effective results by treating severe depression. Since TMS is not so powerful as compared to ECT, simultaneous treatments to TMS such as the hypnosis or/and neuro-feedback prove to provide a boost to the healing power of TMS. Although on a detailed comparison, TMS is safer as compared to ECT. This is because TMS does not require sedation.

You surely may have many more questions related to shock treatment for depression. Therefore, the best places to know more about the applications, effectiveness and benefits of shock treatment for depression are Internet and your doctor.

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Benefits From Treatment Centers For Depression

Academic burden often is the cause for millions of teenagers to get into a deep state of depression. They find it hard to cope with failure and most of them get addicted to drug and alcohol. Treatment centers for depression work hard towards teaching teenagers how to handle extreme depressing situation without getting into a deep state of frustration. It is not just the academic pressure responsible for depression in teenagers, because numerous other personal problems such as family issues, a broken relation, obesity and low self-esteem too can lead to depression.

Treatment Centers for depression implement numerous effective teen recovery programs that can help the teens to overcome the depression with ease. Given below are some techniques that greatly benefit teens with immense depression and stress.

A teenager needs to take some crucial decisions in life. In case, one fails to take the right decision, he/she feels that it is the end of the world. This kind of a pessimistic feeling finally forces them to fall prey to alcohol and drug addictions. During a counseling session, the counselor by having a personal chat with the patient tries to find out the exact cause of his/her addiction. Alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous and many such groups offer support to teenagers suffering from severe depression. Presently, stimulus control is a program that is rapidly gaining popularity, as it is highly effective. The program teaches teens about different ways to stay away from triggers and stimulus.

The medication also has a lot of importance in the treatment of depression. They are useful in treatments for boosting one’s immune system and fighting addiction. These are some of the main reasons for depression. For instance, the main reason for depression in the teens is the addiction to drugs and alcohol. There are various medicines available to treat these addictions. However, one has to make sure that a medicine that worked for one patient need not necessarily produce the same results for another patient. Hence, it is better to consult doctors working at any of the treatment centers for depression before using any particular medicine.

In addition, support provided by parents and other family members plays an important part for treating a teenager suffering from depression. There are certain therapies available for families to help them understand the problems that the teen is going through. This will help the family members to help the teenager cure faster. The participation of parents plays an important role during the treatment for depression of a teenager. Parents will have to keep the teenager motivated. In addition, parents must provide the strength that the teens require to stay away from drugs and alcohol. The staff at treatment centers for depression is very helpful for such cases. They also try to keep them motivated and in good spirits during the treatment.

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Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Clinical Depression Treatment Through A Qualified Doctor Is Very Important

Clinical depression is also popular with other names such as unipolar depression (when compared to bipolar disorders) and major depressive disorder. It is a state of severe sadness, despair or melancholia to such an advanced stage where it outlaws the social functioning of an individual’s day-to-day activities. Different people have diverse effects of depression. Some of them may feel low for extended periods, whereas some may suffer from fluctuating depressions (that usually come and go).

Anybody can fall prey to depression at anytime. It is a general ill feeling or a mood disorder, wherein you feel sad or hopeless. However, it is more than just the odd ill feeling and wandering of mind in sad thoughts. These feelings of grief accompanied by low energy levels are common. Majority of you may relate clinical depression as the feeling of sadness without any reason and any motivation to do anything. However, a patient suffering from depression may feel sad, lazy, apathetic, tired, irritable and unmotivated.

Today, technological advancement has facilitated clinical depression treatment to its utmost effectiveness. Well, clinical depression does not just mean grief or sad feeling, but is a much serious and depressed feeling. Depression often is the cause for negative feelings towards every aspect of life, which leads to substantial abuse as well. However, majority of the suicide cases are results of extreme depression. Apart from suicide, people also die due to overdose of antidepressants. Therefore, it is very important to consume the medications as prescribed by the doctor.

To be more specific, there are three different types of depressions namely manic depression (bipolar disorder), major depression (unipolar disorder) and prolonged sadness (dysthymia). Studies show that majority of the major depression cases prevail in individuals ranging between the age groups of 25 and 44. However, there is no particular age for depression, but a majority of the cases range from these age groups.

If you consider the case of major depression, then you will find that in most of the cases they last for around six to nine months. You might possibly know the feeling of such a person. These individuals often feel as indestructible. They may also start experiencing delusions or even start hallucinating. The most common effect is that they speak very fast and one cannot understand what they speak. These factors when combined together make it very important for individuals to undergo clinical depression treatment.

There are different methods for treating clinical depression. The best way to know more about clinical depression treatment is to consult a well-experienced and qualified doctor. You can also take help of Internet to find the best doctor in your locality, who will help you get rid of your problem.

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Therapies Used For Major Depression Treatment

To know more about major depression treatment, one needs to know about various other things first. The most important thing among them is the causes for depression. After this, one must know about the various treatments available. The next step is to do a research on the treatment options to find out the best.

Now let us take a look at what depression exactly is. Depression is a resultant of both biological and psychological activities in your body. Stress triggers depression. If not taken care in the beginning, stress can take you deeper into depression. The later stages of depression can be very serious. Depression that does not affect a person’s daily life is not a serious condition. In addition, there are people who suffer from depression cycles that last for a couple of days.

However, if the cycle continues for prolonged time, then one needs to opt for treatment as soon as possible. If you fail to take proper care at the right time, it can become a serious issue leading to much more complications in the future. Since you have got a basic idea about depression and its major causes, let us take a look at the major depression treatments that you can opt.

All the major depression treatments fall under two basic categories namely psychosocial and medical therapies. Psychoanalytically Oriented Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy are the major therapies that fall under psychosocial therapies. In medical therapies, hospitalization and medications form the major part of the treatment.

Given below are the details regarding the various psychosocial therapies used for treating depression.

Psychoanalytically oriented therapy: This therapy is a bit expensive and takes a bit of time to start showing the results. However, the major advantage of this therapy is that you will be able to reach the root cause of depression. Thus, it is most preferred therapy when it comes to treating depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: With the help of this therapy, one can treat the pessimistic attitude of the patient. Rejection and self-criticism are the major reasons that may lead to a pessimistic attitude in a person, which in turn may lead to depression. With the help of this therapy, you will be able to remove the negative thoughts from the mind of the patient and help him/her get back to normal state of mind.

Interpersonal therapy: A major depression treatment, Interpersonal Therapy is one of the most sought after techniques by psychologists while treating depression related cases. This therapy helps people to get better in their social relationships and thus, will have a better outlook towards society after the treatment.

Thus, these are some of the most used therapies for major depression treatment.

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The Depression Information News Clips

February 26, 2006

More evidence is discovered for a genetic link to depression.

A group of Australian researchers have found that a specific gene, called the serotonin transporter gene, is related to the development of depression. Results of their study will be published this week in British Journal of Psychiatry.

Serotonin is one of several brain chemicals that carry nerve signals from one nerve cell to another. It is involved in regulating one's mood and has been called the "feel good" brain chemical.

About 43 percent of people have a short serotonin transporter gene; others have a long serotonin transporter gene. Those with the short gene are more likely to development depression than those with the long version.

It is very important to remember that having a short serotonin transporter gene does not guarantee that you will develop depression. But it does seem to predispose you to depression. Nevertheless, there is still a great deal that you can do to help yourself if you experience depression.

February 25, 2006

The Internet can help you overcome depression.

Recently, a group of researchers found that Internet-based interventions can help reduce depression symptoms.

One study lasted 16 weeks and involved 255 people who were experiencing depression. One hundred were placed in a control group that received "treatment as usual." The other 155 were in the Internet-based treatment groups.

Those in the Internet groups used a self-help Website to learn how to better manage their depression. The Internet-based treatment was found to reduce depressions symptoms better than the "treatment as usual."

In a second study, two different Internet-based treatments were compared.

This study involved 525 individuals with depression. One hundred and sixty-six of these used a psychoeducational Website to learn information about depression. One hundred and eighty-two learned cognitive-behavioral coping skills. The remaining 178 were in a control group that received an "attention placebo." Both treatments were found to be effective in reducing depression better than the control group.

It is interesting that in this second study, those individuals with more severe depression received greater benefits.

These studies again show that there is a great deal that a depressed person can do to help himself or herself.

Sources: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/519712_3

February 24, 2006

Researchers at Yale University bring hope to teenagers with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar is a mood disorder that causes severe mood swings. It is often called manic-depressive illness. To read more about this disorder click here.

People with the disorder often begin having symptoms during their teenage years. The disorder, then, progressively gets worse into the adult years.

Recent research at Yale has shown that there are brain changes that occur as the disorder progresses. These changes happen in the ventral prefrontal cortext.

The ventral prefrontal cortext is located above the eyes. It is involved in regulating emotions.

The Yale scientists also learned that mood-stabilizing medication taken during the teenage years can diminish these changes. It is speculated that this research may, someday, lead to treatments that can stop the disorder from progressing.

For information about medication for mood disorders click here.

Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060131092059.htm

August 24, 2005

The real tragedy...

Many of our high school students are not being adequately prepared for college.

A report issued by the college testing company, ACT, Inc., indicated that many college-bound high school graduates do not have the academic skills needed to be successful in college. The ACT is a test taken by students as a part of the entrance requirements for most colleges and universities.

Results of tests taken during the past year found about half of high school graduates deficient in reading comprehension. Many other students were deficient in the social science, algebra, biology, and English composition.

This is sad, but this is not the real tragedy. The real tragedy is that many of our high school graduates are not being adequately prepared for life.

A survey recently conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that 10% of college students have considered suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students -- 1,100 in the United States.

A 2003 study done at Kansas State University found that the number of mental health problems reported by college students doubled between 1988 and 2001.

In addition to academic skills, students need to learn coping skills. They need to know how to handle the ups, downs and stresses of life. Not teaching students these vital life skills is our real failure -- and the real tragedy.

Sources: http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id

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Monday, 22 August 2011

Depression Diet -- Why Does A Depression Diet Affect Mood?

A depression diet can cause or contribute to depression problems. For example a diet that is too low in the amino acid tryptophan has been found to increase depression. (15)

Another example is consuming inadequate amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, folate, and vitamin B-12. Such diets have also been found to relate to depression. (13)

You can learn more about the impact of fatty acids on mood by clicking here.

But why does a depression diet contribute to depression?

Gabriel Cousens, MD, in his very informative and helpful book, Depression-Free For Life: An All-Natural, 5-Step Plan to Reclaim Your Zest For Living, explained that chemicals called neurotransmitters relay nerve impulses throughout your body. These nerve impulses make up the communication system that your brain and nerves use to carry out many functions. (6)

The neurotransmitters that seem to have the most impact on your moods are...

>serotonin
> dopamine
> noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine)
> glutamine
> gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
> endorphins

Your body produces these important chemicals from the nutrients that you consume. Amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, fatty acids, proteins, and carbohydrates are all needed.

When your diet is insufficient (a depression diet) your body doesn't have what is needed to produce neurotransmitters. The result can be depression and other psychological symptoms.

Not consuming enough of the right nutrients is not the only depression diet problem, however. A depression diet can also be taking harmful substances into your body.

Catherine Carrigan, in Healing Depression: A Holistic Guide, listed ten common dietary substances that are most likely to contribute to depression. These depression diet substances include..."1. Anything moldy, malted, or fermented.

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Is An Antidepressant Drug Enough?

Depressed patients frequently tell me, "I take the antidepressant drug and it helps, but I still feel depressed." or "The meds help for awhile but then they stop working. The doctor changes me to another medication. It works for awhile and then it stops working."

What is the answer? A new study may give us part of the answer -- cognitive therapy.

Cognitive therapy helps the depressed person identify and change attitudes that contribute to his or her depression. Participants in cognitive therapy also learn coping skills.

In a recent study a group of 158 patients with major depression were treated using either medication alone or medication plus cognitive therapy. Guess which group showed the most improvement?

If you guessed the medication plus cognitive therapy group, you were right.

The patients that were treated using medication plus cognitive therapy experienced more improvement in overall severity of their depression, in specific psychological symptoms including guilt, self-esteem and hopelessness and in social functioning including dependency on other people, interpersonal behavior and social friction.

If you are struggling with depression you owe it to yourself to learn how to change the depressive thinking and behaviors that may be adding to your symptoms. Cognitive therapy may just what you need to get the improvement you desire.

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Depression and Exercise: What Kind of Exercise Helps Depression?

The Official Training Manual states, "...not only does Taekwondo encompass physical movements--it is also a system that trains the mind... As a result, in addition to providing good health and physical fitness, Taekwondo improves concentration, self-confidence, discipline, and patience." (5, p. 13)

Another depression and exercise research project found yoga to help depression. In the study participants practiced yoga exercises for ten months. They experienced improvement in depression, anxiety, and mental functions. (6)

In Yoga for Dummies, it is explained that yoga "can help you become or stay fit and trim, control your weight, and reduce your stress level. Yoga also offers a whole range of meditation practices, including breathing techniques that exercise your lungs and calm your nervous system or charge your brain and the rest of your body with delicious energy." (3, p. 12)

So, it does not really seem to manner what kind of exercise you engage in. As we have learned form the depression and exercise research, the important thing is that you exercise.

Nevertheless, as Kate Hays, Ph.D., author of Move Your Body, Tone Your Mood: The Workout Therapy Workbook , recommends that whatever exercise you choose, it should be one you enjoy. If you are using an exercise that you enjoy, you are more likely to follow through with your depression and exercise program. (4)

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Sunday, 21 August 2011

Depression And Job Burnout: You Can Work-up A Depression

The old saying is, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

It turns out that all work and no play also makes Jack a depressed, stressed out, sick boy.The Families and

Work Institute in New York surveyed more than 1000 families concerning work and the impact work has on their well-being. The results indicated that too much work and not enough play results in increased depression, stress, and health problems.

Forty-four percent of those surveyed felt over-worked.

Situations that increased the probability of feeling over-worked included having too many work related tasks to do in a short time and believing one's work is unimportant or of low value.

If a person enjoys their work they were less likely to feel over-worked.

Also, not taking vacations contributes to feeling over-worked.

If you are feeling depressed and burnout, taking some time off and playing can help. So have some fun!

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Depression Guilt

This Website and others like it can help you reduce the stigma and personal shame associated with depression.

A group of Australian researchers had depressed patients read depression related and cognitive training Websites. They then assessed the impact that the Websites had on feelings of shame and stigma associated with being depressed.

Results showed that the Websites significantly reduced these negative feelings.

Do you struggle with feelings of shame because of depression? If so, using this Website to educate yourself about depression can help.

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Depression The Mood Disease

In this book depression is presented as a truly complex mood disease. Depression: The Mood Disease is comprehensive. By reading the book, you will learn about many of the biochemical aspects of the disease. You will also discover how other medical problems can often be mistaken for depression.

The book is a good source of information if you are seeking treatment for a depressive disorder. The types of treatment which are helpful, who is qualified to provide different aspects of treatment, and what community resources can be utilized for support is presented.

Depression: The Mood Disease is a must for anyone experiencing depression, for anyone in a relationship with someone who is depressed, or for anyone trying to help someone who is depressed.

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Saturday, 20 August 2011

Finding Professional Depression Therapy

How can you find a qualified professional to provide you with depression therapy?

To answer this question you need to first answer another question; What is a qualified professional? There is not one simple answer to these questions.

Depression is a complex disorder that has both psychological and physical aspects. Thus, professional therapy will need to include both psychological therapy and medical therapy to truly help your depression.

For psychological depression therapy, you need to find a therapist that is trained in psychotherapy. The psychotherapist may be a psychologist, social worker, or counselor.

Of the psychotherapists who provide depression therapy, psychologists are the best trained. Although requirements differ from place to place, most psychologists have earned a Ph.D. degree and have completed one or two years of internship (supervised on-the-job training).

Generally speaking, social workers have less training than psychologists but more than counselors. Social workers usually have a masters degree. To be licensed they often are required to have supervised work experience.

Counselors typically have the least training, but nevertheless, can be very helpful when providing depression therapy.

Another consideration in finding a psychotherapist to provide depression therapy is experience. It helps to have a therapist that has gained an understanding of how to assist in depression recovery by providing psychotherapy to depressed people. Education is important but nothing takes the place of experience. The more experience the better.

To get experience in providing depression therapy, the therapist needs to have worked in an outpatient counseling office or clinic or in a psychiatric unit at a hospital.

A third consideration is personality. When seeking professional depression therapy, you need to find a therapist with whom you are comfortable. If you are going to be open and tell your therapist everything, you must be relaxed enough to talk.

You will not be comfortable with every therapist. Sometimes people's personalities clash. If you find that you cannot talk openly with a therapist, you need to find another therapist to provide you with depression therapy.

Sometimes, factors such as gender, race, and religion are important. If you have problems which you would not feel comfortable talking about with the opposite gender, find a therapist that is the same gender. Or you may find that you can talk more openly with the opposite gender.

Often people feel like a doctor or therapist that has the same cultural and racial background can best help them. If this is important to you, find a therapist that is the same race or is from the same culture to provide you with depression help.

Religion or faith may also be a factor you will want to consider when seeking someone to provide depression therapy. You may believe that only a therapist that shares your faith can really understand your conflicts and problems. You may also find that you don't trust someone that is a different religion. You fear receiving guidance which violates your beliefs. If this is true for you, try to find a doctor or therapist that is of like faith.

In addition to a psychotherapist, you need help from a physician trained in the biological and medical sciences. As has already been stated, depression is a complex disease. It involves both psychological processes and biological processes.

A therapist can help you deal with the psychological aspects of the disease. A physician is needed to help you deal with the biological aspects of the disease.

It is very important that you get help from a physician that is open minded and willing to consider new and innovative approaches to medical depression therapy. Psychiatry is a young science. There is much that we do not know about how disorders such as depression develop. Likewise, there is much that we don't know concerning how to treat psychiatric disorders.

As you select a physician to treat your depression, try to pick a doctor that is willing to consider new approaches. Find one that is willing to read concerning a new treatment and discuss with you whether or not the treatment is right for you. Depression and the effectiveness of antidepressant medication is influenced by many different biological factors.

Robert J. Hedaya, MD, in his book, The Antidepressant Survival Guide, points out that treating the medical aspects of depression comprehensively involves several medical specialties including nutrition, exercise, psychopharmacology, endocrinology, immunology, and gastroenterology. (p. 168)

It is very unlikely that you will find a doctor that is an expert in all of these areas. Therefore, it is important for your doctor to have an open mind and be willing to learn.

When trying to find a doctor to provide medical depression therapy, ask any doctor that you are considering if he or she is willing to read about new developments in the medical treatment of depression and help you evaluate the treatment implications for you.

Dr. Hedaya writes that your doctor should be "a medical partner who takes your problems seriously and is committed to working with you toward a solution....The important thing to keep in mind is that your doctor works for you. You are fully entitled to terminate the relationship whenever you like, or accept the help he offers and go elsewhere for the additional help you need. Just be sure that you don't terminate your relationship until you have a new doctor who can continue to prescribe your antidepressant medication." (p. 172)

To learn more about Dr. Hedaya and his book, The Antidepressant Survival Guide, visit his Web site, www.wholepsych.com. Psychopharmacologists are physicians who have specialized in the use of psychoactive medications. These are often the best physicians to provide you with medical depression therapy.

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Postpartum Depression

Dr. Huysman, a Clinical Psychologist, is the director of the mood disorders program at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

There are three levels of postpartum depression. All three levels cause the person to experience the same symptoms which characterize other depressive disorders...sadness, emptiness, loss of interest and pleasure, irritability and anger, changes in appetite, sleep problems, restlessness, slow movement and thinking, fatigue, worthlessness and guilt, poor concentration, thoughts about death and suicide.

With the mildest form of --called the postpartum blues--these symptoms begin three or four days after giving birth. The symptoms increase over the next few days, but are gone within about two weeks.

The second level of , called postpartum major depression, causes more severe symptoms which last longer.

At times the symptoms can become so serious that the person looses the ability to distinguish between what is and what is not reality. This is the third level of , called postpartum psychosis.

The person experiencing this condition often has delusions or beliefs which are not consistent with reality. They also may have hallucinations where they see things or hear voices which are not real.

Postpartum psychosis is a rare condition only occurring once in every 1000 cases of according to Dr. Huysman.

The disorder is believed to be caused by the stressors which accompany pregnancy. These include endocrine changes. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone are at very high level levels. These hormones decrease rapidly following giving birth. It is possible that the drop in levels of hormones is what causes the symptoms.

Other stressors may include the major changes in life style, responsibilities, living expenses, and family composition which accompany being a new parent. There are also the changes in body image which occur during pregnancy.

Treatment for needs to include both medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressant medication can be used to reduce the symptoms of the disorder.

Psychotherapy is beneficial in helping the new mother adjust to her new life situation. Psychotherapy can also help Mom learn to better manage stress, overcome emotional conflicts, resolve stressful conflict with other people, solve situational problems, and can provide her with emotional support.

Valerie Davis Raskin, author of, This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming , explains that overcoming must include changing self-defeating thoughts and improving self-esteem.

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Friday, 19 August 2011

Ways To Be Mentally Healthy?

Most of us believe that becoming fit and healthy needs us to have sound physical health. Nevertheless, little do we notice that health and fitness isn’t constrained to the physical aspect alone. For an overall sound health, it is imperative for all to be mentally healthy as well. Here are some easy tips to help you enhance your mental health making your brain active and sharper like never before.

Stay physically active. This is the first and the foremost thing that you ought to do if you wish to remain mentally healthy. Recent studies have shown that for a healthy brain, an individual requires to walk a minimum of 12 miles a day or be involved in identical physical activity. Studies also state that increased bodily activity could stimulate the production of brain cells.

No wonder, health care centers reiterate the importance of maintaining sound physical health. While a regular physical exercise routine can enhance your mental health, it could also keep a tab on obesity problems as well. If you are too overweight and looking for faster weight loss, using slimming products such as Dietrine Carb Blocker is the greatest choice for you.

Another basic tip to enhance your mental health is to socialize more. Well, humans are wired as social beings by birth. It’s because of this, every person needs social support in varied forms like friends and family. In case you’re not socially active, you are likely to undergo a general downfall in your health and well being. While it is important to indulge in little ‘me time’, it’s similarly critical to mingle with people around and foster deep and strong ties with them.

Eating healthy too plays a great role in improving psychological fitness. Don’t confuse a nutritious diet with eating dull, bland food and saying no to all your favorite foods. A healthy diet essentially comprises of well balanced and nutritious ingredients. It is in your interest to add varied food groups to your meals like green vegetables, fibers, fruits and many others.

Luxuriate in some self introspection. This is the perfect means to gauge your feelings and the varied emotions that you tend to undergo in your daily span of life. As you introspect and contemplate, you get clarity of thoughts and better understanding of yourself leads to a sound mental health.

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A Look At Ideas About What Produces Anxiety

Anxiety is a tough, aggravating, and even overwhelming issue that can affect different people in different ways. It is essentially impossible to predict it’s effects on a day to day basis, making it especially tough to deal with. Ultimately, figuring out what causes anxiety in a particular person can help that individual to move one step closer in conquering it.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the potential symptoms and speak with a doctor about the way that this issue manifests specifically with you. Understanding the symptoms may be beneficial in pinpointing exactly what may trigger these emotions. Take a look at a bit of info that can help you understand your problem.

Generally, this issue manifests as constant and nagging feelings of worry, tension, dread, and anxious thoughts. Although these things should be expected in our lives from time to time, they can occur during inopportune moments and during times that simply should not cause this reaction. Some will become irritated and may have difficulty concentrating. Others may experience headaches, muscle tension, sweating, and an upset stomach. Keep these symptoms in mind as you speak with a doctor.

Although there is no medically proven cause of this problem, there are many factors that could be contributing to the problem, or may be the source of the emotions. Often, these contributors go unnoticed. Genetics is said to play a part in this issue. An individual who has a family history of the problem tends to be a more likely candidate to inherit the problem themselves.

Issues in brain chemistry can also be a problem for a sufferer. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transport information from one nerve cell to another. When these chemical levels become imbalanced, there can be many emotional reactions, one of them being anxious and worrisome thoughts. Certain medications may be able to help with this problem.

A variety of environmental factors and situations may also impact the way this problem affects an individual. Serious instances of trauma can cause long term problems. Generally, other stressful problems like moving from a job or school can elicit the issue. Physical or emotional abuse may also cause problems, as well as divorce and being around a large group of strangers. Also understand that different substances can have an impact. These include illegal or prescribed drugs, tobacco use, and alcohol.

Figuring out the cause of this emotion can be difficult, and sometimes even impossible. Although the universal root cause of this problem is unknown, there are a variety of issues, both long term and day to day, that can cause an anxiety disorder to manifest. Be sure to take stock of all the symptoms and any potential cause of the issue and discuss them with your doctor.

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All You Need To Know Regarding Panic Attacks Treatment

A panic attack is an incident that will happen quite suddenly for no obvious reason, when you will feel an intense fear. This will activate many intense physical responses. You may well think that you are going to die or have a heart attack. There are panic attacks treatment options that can help if you suffer from this condition

You may have experienced one or two attacks in your lifetime. However, if you have experienced several and live in fear of the next attack, you may be suffering from a condition called panic disorder.

The symptoms connected to panic attacks vary and will be different for each person. It might make your heart beat louder and faster and you may experience shortness of breath as well as dizziness. You may also get hot flashes and feel nauseous. Some of the other symptoms that are common to this condition are trembling, sweating, abdominal cramping, chills and hyperventilation. You may also feel faint, have a constricted feeling in your throat and may not be able to swallow normally.

You should visit your doctor if you have experienced any of the symptoms regularly. It is extremely difficult to manage these attacks yourself and if not treated, they may worsen. An important reason for seeking medical help is that the symptoms of panic attacks resemble those of more serious health conditions and it is therefore better for you to be assessed by a health professional in order that you find out the cause of the attacks.

The two common treatment options for panic attacks are medication and psychotherapy. Both these treatment methods are quite effective. Your doctor will usually begin treatment with one method only. If you suffer from intense panic disorder or from any other illness for example depression or post traumatic stress disorder, your doctor may prescribe a combination of the two treatments. A combination of the treatments may also be used if you have tried one but there has been no improvement in your condition.

Psychotherapy will help you understand the condition and help you learn how to cope with it. The usual type of psychotherapy that you will undergo is cognitive behavioral therapy. This will help you change the thought patterns that might be the trigger to the attacks. It will also help you change the way you react to the situation. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is another option. This will help you become more aware of your unconscious behaviors and thoughts.

Other than therapy there are medications that can be used as a part of panic attacks treatment. There are also alternative methods that you can use. Meditation, yoga and deep breathing have been found to be very effective for some people.

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Depression and Exercise

Isn’t it strange that exercise and depression have been so neglected? It is almost like the Cinderella of any depression treatment regime. It is arguably the best natural depression remedy there is. All the research out there shows very clearly that moving and getting the heart beat up, can actually release the feel good endorphins so the effect is immediate. It may not cure us completely of depression but it is going to have so many benefits that we are bound to improve overall.

By taking regular exercise you can control the amount of adrenaline in your body. Adrenaline is also important in helping you stay in a good mood. Get out in the Sun – By getting your self out into the sunlight a few minutes a day it can help you to beat the depression. Sleep properly – Always try to get the correct amount of sleep per night. Sleep can help to refresh your brain and give you more energy. Lack of sleep makes you lethargic and can make trivial matters ten times worse.

Let us look at all the benefits. First we get distracted which is great for taking our mind off ourselves and thinking of something else, for a change. That leads in turn to an increase of self control and self esteem. The fact that we are not moping, drinking or smoking and sinking deeper into depression is so important. That is why this is the best natural depression remedy, in my opinion.

Doing something is being active, rather than passive. It can be as little as a ten minute walk around the block or some simple gardening tasks, or just boring housework. Achieving something is important and also the social contacts we make when doing outdoor activities can also help to lift our mood. If we are on antidepressants, it may well be that the side effects are troubling us and could also lead to more lethargy. Then it is very difficult to get enough motivation.

Often, wars, natural calamities, sexual and physical abuse builds up uneasiness and trepidation which add up to increases the intensity of anxiety. This kind of disorder is also called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. What can be done to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety? Well, regardless of the cause, there ARE things that can be done to help bring relief to the painful symptoms of anxiety and the more advanced anxiety disorder. Remember, that you and your symptoms are unique. How can uniqueness be treated with a prescription? You do not come out of a bottle and neither can your cure. Since the problem so often lies in our lifestyle, our thought patterns and our reactions to our circumstances, then it just stands to reason that they hold the key to your relief as well.

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Thursday, 18 August 2011

Health Insurance Coverage - Mental Health that can truly save you money

Within the past decade or so, there have been many more insurers jumping on the bandwagon to provide mental health coverage to patients in need. Before this, it was very rare to find insurance that would cover such issues. States have changed their laws regarding the availability of this type of coverage and many states mandate that insurance coverage is made available specifically for mental health issues. There are a variety of services and conditions that are covered by health insurance, so it should not be difficult to find the coverage that you need.

If they aren’t included and the cost is reasonable, go ahead and sign up for them. Of course, you will have to be sure to check out waiting periods and exclusions so that you can get the treatment that you need. Start your search by taking the time to figure out which companies are going to be best to work with. If you already have health insurance, you need to determine if you have mental health benefits or if they are offered under a separate coverage that you have to pay extra for.

Many people know how expensive mental health services can be, which is why it is nice to learn that there are affordable options for mental health coverage. If mental health insurance is not already incorporated in your existing insurance policy, you can expect to pay just a little more each month for coverage. What’s more is that the coverage that you get will offer you effective treatment options because it will include plenty of room to get your expenses paid for by the insurance company. Mental health insurance is available to be used for problems like depression, anxiety, social phobias, relationship issues, and other mental disorders.

Some people prefer to use counseling and medical services that can help their mental health issues on a sliding scale, but this is not always the most affordable or even the best route to choose. It is important that you take the time to weigh your options and figure out exactly what health insurance coverage you need to get the affordable treatment that you deserve. Usually, this type of coverage will allow between 20 and 30 sessions annually for counseling or other professional treatment. Additionally, they will cover 50-80% of the cost of those sessions, allowing your co-payments to be much smaller than what you would spend out of pocket.

Find a reputable insurance company that has good coverage and affordable rates. You can do this online or by talking to a health insurance agent, who offers free consulting and quotes with no obligation to buy. With the availability of mental coverage, you have no reason not to check it out.

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Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Treatment Of Depression - The Various Options Available

One has to keep in mind various things while opting for a treatment for depression. Without complete cooperation from the patient, the treatment will not be effective. The first thing that the patient has to make sure is that he/she must have good and healthy food to stay fresh. Exercising can also help keep the body fresh and active. Also by controlling the sugar and caffeine intake, one can automatically have a positive impact. Giving up alcohol completely will also help get over depression faster. In addition, you should have sound sleep.

There are various causes of depression. The treatment for depression becomes easier after knowing the root cause. This is why counseling and talk therapies form the initial stages of the treatment. This way, the psychologist gets a chance to talk and know the inner thoughts of the patient. In addition, these therapies provide cognitive behavioral therapy and various stress management techniques for the patients to cope with depression. Through these therapies, the therapists can help the patients change their thinking pattern slowly and help them get back to normal life

There are various groups to help people, who suffer from depression. These groups provide therapies for people, who show symptoms of depression. This is one of the newest and one of the best options available for the treatment of depression. In addition, there are various depression treatment centers out there for people who would like to treat their condition. This is one good option available for people, as they can forget about all their worries and concentrate completely on the treatment. This will surely fasten the treatment process.

The options for treatment of depression provided to a patient depend on the severity of the depression that he/she is suffering from. One will require medication, therapy or a combination of both depending on the type of depression. Most people opt for medications as the first choice. However, it will take some time to figure out which medicine suits the patient. In addition, there are side effects associated with medications. Hence, one must be very careful while starting with medications for treatment of depression. In addition, the results will not be visible fast.

In addition, there are some natural ways to cure depression. However, doctors do not normally prescribe these methods. Still one must consult his/her doctor. Gingko, St. John’s Wort and kava are the most famous natural means for curing depression. Gingko is an herb, which helps control depression. St. John’s Wort is also an herb, which is helpful for treating people with mild depression. Kava is a plant that has no side effects and has soothing effects on brain. The treatment of depression varies from person to person. In addition, the results will take some time. However, one will be able to get over it eventually.

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Are You Experiencing Clinical Depression Or Are You Just Sad?

In order to overcome clinical depression you must know what you are dealing with.

As is pointed out in The "How To Transform Your Life" E-Workshop, understanding is necessary for successful coping. When a problem is understood, it is much easier to change.

It is hard to win a war when you don't know the enemy. And depression can be a strong enemy indeed--An enemy that defeats many men, women, and children.

Have you been struggling with the enemy depression? If so you are not alone.

In fact, as Richard O'Connor tells us in his book, Undoing Depression: What Therapy Doesn't Teach You and Medication Can't Give You, Twenty percent of the population experiences depression at one time or another.. Twenty million Americans -- or one in ten -- experience at lease one episode of major depression.

The rate of clinical depression is increasing all over the world. Depressive disorders affect all ages, races and religions

According to Paul A. Wider, author of Overcoming Depression And Manic Depression (Bipolar Depression): The Non-Drug Approach, several of the great men of history struggled with depression. These included Saint Francis of Assisi, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Theodore Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill.

Depression is described as an implacable, unpredictable Beast by Tracy Thompson. Ms. Thompson has suffered with depression since childhood. Often her depression was so severe that she, in her own words, "thought how nice it would be to kill myself." (The Beast: A Journey Through Depression, p. 5).

For years she didn't understand the disease of depression. She writes in her book that it was only after she came to terms with the disease that she was able to develop a new and better life -- a life described as one of "work, love, and ordinary happiness." (back cover)

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Depression Self Help by Changing Depressive Thinking

Effective depression self help must involve changing depressive thinking

Successful depression self help requires changing one's way of thinking.

It has long been recognized by those who research and treat depression that depressed people think differently than nondepressed people. Aaron Beck, one of the developers of cognitive therapy, observed that his patients had a unique depressive way of thinking.

He called this depressive thinking the "cognitive triad." (Beck, 1970) The cognitive triad involves how those who are depressed view themselves, their world, and their future.

Firstly, the depressed person thinks that there is something wrong with him or her that makes happiness impossible. He or she has a self depreciating attitude.

For example, a depressed person thinks, "I am a loser" or "I am stupid."

Secondly, because of this personal inadequacy the depressed person notices negative, misfortunate circumstances but ignores positive, fortunate circumstances.

In our example, the depressed person may frequently receive positive feedback concerning his or her performance at work. One day a customer -- who is obviously in a bad mood -- complains. The depressed worker can only think about the complaint and sees it as confirming what a loser he or she is. The many positive comments that have been made are not even remembered.

Thirdly, because of the belief that he or she is inadequate, and his or her tendency to only notice negative experiences, the future is viewed as certain to be gloomy, dismal, and painful.

Back to our example. The depressed person thinks, "See there, Mr. Jones noticed how stupid I am and complained. That just confirms what I have known all along. I am stupid. Therefore, things will never be any better for me."

It is important to understand that this depressive thinking is "automatic." It is not the result of thinking the situation through objectively. It just happens rapidly without any reflection.

The negative attitude is learned from early life experiences. Because it is so automatic, it seems perfectly logical to the depressed person. He or she thinks, "That's just the way it is. Its obvious."

Someone else, however, can easily see how irrational the thinking is.

They may say, "I see you do good work almost all of the time. I have heard customers compliment you repeatedly. Mr. Jones was just having a bad day."

The depressed person responds, "I just can"

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Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Signs of Depression in Me

Often doctors do not look for depression in men because it once was considered just about exclusively a woman’s disease. Today, most consultants, psychoanalysts and psychological consultants know better. In the US alone, it’s computed that over 6,000,000 men suffer from depression every year. But not every man is willing to find help because of bias towards the illness.

Men don’t suffer depression as often as women do because ladies have more hormonal changes that can cause depression. However , men also have changes in their hormone levels later along in life. Today, many people call this manopause or male menopause. The n are dissimilar. Many men still are under the idea that they must hide their feelings or that it’s cowardly to cry. If a man finds himself depressed, he is less certain to chat about his symptoms than a lady is. This implies that those around him have small clue based on what he is saying and instead must watch his actions closely to identify depression.

Loss of Interest in Outside Activities

If a man was once an ardent fisherman, golfer, bowler or participated in other activities and all of a sudden drops all activities, he might be depressed. It doesn’t need to pertain solely to enjoyable activities; it could also refer to the daily grind or work. Some men love working or are reliable employees and suddenly just fail to show up, become lazy on the job or miss a lot of work for reasons that would not have kept them home before that time. This is also an indicator of depression.

Loss of Interest in Sex

Blokes who always readily participated in sensual practices but now linger in front of the television when it’s bedtime or turn down advances from their spouse may be depressed or can have a problem they are not sharing with a better half. As men age, their hormone levels change as does their capability to maintain an erection. While both these are depressing, the lack of interest may come from their humiliation of the inability to perform as always. Either way, a partner should question a change in attitude towards sex. Mostly, it isn’t a change in approach toward the better half that precipitates it.

Grumpiness and Aggression

If the man is far more crabby than usual, he might be depressed. Unlike some girls that feel comfy crying, many men don’t feel they have that right. Instead , their feelings come out as anger or aggression. If a person appears more antagonistic than he ought to be over simple things, he could be depressed.

Changes in Appetite

If a man all of a sudden begins eating everything steadily or stops eating and has no appetite, it’s a sign of depression. This sign also goes along with weight gain or unexpected weightloss.

Changes in Bedtime Routine

When a man all of a sudden sleeps all of the time or doesn’t sleep at all, he might be depressed. Anxiety about a situation can keep a person up all night, but the sort of uneasiness about life generally is normally a sign of depression. If a man selects to sleep his life away, it might mean that his sense of depression is so great when he’s awake that sleeping through it seems like a better road to take.
Apathy

When a man no longer cares about anything, including his personal appearance, job or home, he may be depressed. It’s just one of the signs obvious to family and friends.

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How to Deal with Overwhelming Feelings in Life

In general, some people do not have any problem with their overwhelming feelings. On the other hand, some people can face many dilemmas due to overwhelming feelings in job organization or in relationships.

Feeling overwhelmed could possibly increase the stress, depression, anxiety level, fatigue, apathy and fear. May be you have noticed that these emotions do not emerge instantly but you could easily get frustrated by these emotions at once. If you feel overwhelmed at different situations in your life, then think of it as an alarm to reduce these overpowering feelings.

In practical life, you basically search for the things and moments that can give you a true happiness and satisfaction with life. It is just your feelings and thoughts that really connect to your secret of happiness. For once you have decide to have a good life that is free from negative and overwhelming feelings, emotions and thoughts then you will notice that they will decrease gradually in natural way.
The moment you release your overpowering feelings and emotions, you life turns out to be calm, peaceful and an easygoing. The Sedona Method is a best way to get rid of your overwhelming feelings. Look for Sedona Method to purchase it and try to explore the uses of this method.

Sometimes you are insisted to do some work, that makes you depressed and irritated if you have not an adequate time for it, or sometimes you get stressed and panic regarding your relationship or your work, then you should make an attempt to liberate your intense feelings and emotions. You will see that it will not take your effort, interest, and a time a lot.

You can transform your feeling of depression and anxiety into sense of confidence as well as liveliness. As a result, your life can get free of overpowering feelings. We must say that it is actually the secret of spending a life in peaceful manner.

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