Health - Depression & Broken Heart

You don't have to suffer in silence. In most cases of panic attack, it usually starts with depression. A female reporter in Hong Kong who successfully juggled the demands of writing for publications around the world suddenly suffered panic attack. She often had panic attacks as she was overwhelmed by feelings of isolation, hopelessness, inadequacy and failure. She would always excuse herself and pretended to have urgent private calls to make so that she could get out and calm down.

A cartoonist for a famous Japanese magazines; suddenly hit a dry spell in 1986 and she was afraid to get out of bed in the morning. She stopped eating and lost seven kilos within a few days. She was left without getting any assignments for a month and spent her time lying in bed, smoking and drinking and was overwhelmed with thoughts of dying. Both the female reporter and cartoonist were suffering from clinical depression.

There are millions of people like them and they kept the illness to themselves. In Japan alone there are more than six millions people suffering from depression according to Dr Takahashi Toru of the Toru Clinic in Tokyo. It is estimated that one in 13 people aged 24 to 64 suffered from depression according to a study done by Singapore National Mental Health survey.

We seldom hear about depression just thirty years ago but the world is different now. People were different then, but presently many human beings have lost their value of life. Many have lost their conscience and killing is everywhere. People live in fear from many kinds of threats and even in the comfort of their homes, danger is there. There is no peace even to just go marketing for fresh vegetables. A bomb may explode anytime, anyplace.

Financial security is one of the main causes for depression. Jobless people or those hardly can make end meet, are usually victims of depression which can after some time of suffering start to have panic attacks. Depressive disorders range from dysthymia - low grade, chronic depression - to bipolar disorder, or manic depression, which causes extreme swings between depressive lows and manic high. Depression remains widely misunderstood and sufferers lead a double life. One minute full of confidence and another minute worse than a little mouse when panic attack. Depression is a taboo among Chinese and if people know that you are depressed, they will avoid you.

I should say broken heart is the worst mental blues and almost everyone gets the blues once in a lifetime. Those who have not experience it are lucky or maybe they have never fallen in love before. They will not be able to grasp the anguish depression brings. It's so emotionally intense that it paralyses you and says one sufferer, "You never know when it will end, the pain is so overwhelming that you want to end it all."

People will sometimes give advice with the best intentions for broken heart but says Siti Mohammad, a young female accountant who has lived with depression for much of her life: "Sometimes my relatives will tell me to look at the positive side of things. They say, 'You have to be strong and believe in God.' They make it sound as if I could just snap out of it. If it was that simple, I wouldn't be like this."

Depression is often inadequately treated or not treated at all because the truth of broken heart may not be admitted by the sufferers. For instance, many Malays believe the emotions lie in the liver and will complain about stomach soreness rather than admit to depression. Among the Chinese, the heart is often seen as the source of emotions, so they complain about chest discomfort. Singapore National University's Kua says these cultural factors lead to misdiagnosis or no diagnosis at all in as many as one-third of cases.

For the elderly, physical ailments can mask symptoms of depression (it is often confused with Alzheimer's disease), and there is a belief, even in the medical community, that depression is simply a fact of an older person's life. According to a study conducted in the 1980s by Dr Lee Aik Hoe, president of the Malaysian Mental Health Association, showed that three-quarters of people who had attempted suicide also suffered from depression.

Rose Lee's depression nearly killed her. As a teenager, she tumbled into a black pit and said, "I was severely depressed - the pain was terrible. It seemed logical to kill myself." Richard Ng of Kuala Lumpur said he lost his father to suicide. "He displayed signs of depression - being withdrawn and losing his appetite - signs that I recognized but did nothing about, but when he committed suicide, I was shattered."

The road to recovery is a tough one but it can be treated. If it is not because of broken heart, then the chances of recovery is good with medication. If it is because of broken heart, then there is no medicine that can cure a broken heart. There are many drugs that physicians can prescribe and certain antidepressants really work effectively so as to allow the sufferers to get on with life. But drug may have side effects like insomnia and sexual dysfunction, professional help is advised in such a case to take the right type and also avoid the risk of taking an overdose.

One of the best rescues is interpersonal and cognitive counselling. Therapy can help to change a patient's thinking and reappraise their external circumstances. Interpersonal therapy focuses on specific-related problems, while cognitive therapy tries to counter the feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness that plague those who are depressed. In Malaysia the "Befrienders" is doing an excellent voluntarily job to make life worth living. The 24-hour helpline, modelled on the Samaritans in the United Kingdom, is one of the oldest services in Asia. It has more than 200 volunteers and fielded 24,000 calls a year.

Suicide is a grave sin according to spiritual teachings in almost every religion. Certain religion says that if a person commits suicide, he will also commit suicide for his next seven future lives. I had a relative who committed suicide many years ago. She was one of the most beautiful women in my hometown and married to one of the richest men there. Very fortunate during her younger days because of her beauty, but when her husband passed away early in life, she was cheated of everything she possessed by a conman who only wanted her properties. Unable to take the pain of her broken heart and loss of all her possessions, she took her life.

Author: T.A Chew

Tips to Overcome Depression

An event can create doubt, feelings of loneliness, and a lack of self worth. Many of the thoughts we have are self defeating. To no fault of our own, we have been conditioned to assume the worst, imagine something bad will happen, and create fearful thoughts that appear real. It took me a long while to get over my depression and self doubt.

So what caused my depression? Well, one day at football practice, I was playing corner back defending against my little brother. The pass was thrown in my direction. While in the process of running towards the ball, I stepped in a pot hole with my right leg and continued to jump up to knock the ball down. Subsequently, I came down on my right leg and heard a snap, crackle, and pop, and my football career was over. I had several surgeries on my knee, and it was never the same again.

I was 17 when I threw out my knee. It took a lot out of me. I was going into my freshman year in college. My entire life, I considered football as a way to a better lifestyle. I remember telling my coach that "I wanted to die." My self esteem was crushed. I did not believe in myself anymore. The least little bit of pressure or challenge was too much for me. My support system was gone. Everyone, across the board, stopped encouraging me. I had no purpose, no drive, no mission, no goals.

However, you can overcome depression. I finally decided to rebuild my confidence ten years later. I started having self talks. I made the mirror my very best friend. While standing in front of the mirror, I stated affirmation after affirmation. "I am a winner or something better." "I am abundant or something better." "I am smart or something better." "I am kind or something better." I remembered in Jack Canfield's best selling book, The Success Principles, he stated that you should end affirmations with the phrase "or something or someone better." In the total scheme of things, the universe may have something or someone better in store for you, and this is a way of keeping all the good coming into your life.

Whatever characteristics I wanted to have, I said it to myself in the mirror. I would visualize what success looks like to me. I would visualize what being healthy, confident, handsome, brave, abundantly wealthy, prosperous, and a best selling author looked like to me. I would imagine what my perfect weight and my perfect body looked like to me.

Instead of spending my time mulling over all the bad, I made a choice to spend my time giving thanks for what I have and all the good I have in my life, so I would receive more of it. I gave thanks in advance for things that I didn't have yet. Giving thanks in advance super charges the receiving of what you want because you are emitting the thoughts and actions of having it already. I began to give thanks for items, trips, constant checks, intimacy, wealth, love, prosperity, relationships, friends, partnerships, and corporations not yet in my possession, but on faith would come to me. I began to act as if what I wanted was already in my possession.

My smile reflected all the wonderful things of and about my life. My thoughts took on a different tone, a symbol of joy and appreciation. I began reading books about the law of attraction, about asking for what you want and getting it, and about the power of gratitude. I studied books about discovering one's purpose, and how to make a living doing what you are passionate about.

My entire life changed. I learned that I like to teach, empower, and inspire others to follow their dreams and goals. I began to see the world through different eyes. I began to see all the possibilities as opposed to all the negatives. My focus was on receiving all the good in my life. That's it.

I continue to spend time thinking about what I want. I made writing and reciting positive affirmations apart of my daily life. I decided to bombard my subconscious mind with positive thought provoking books and affirmations. I set aside time to create the best me. Ultimately, we all want to be happy. So take the time to think about being happy in every aspect. Find a mentor, read a book, ask a question of someone who can help you attain your goals. Follow the steps to success provided by someone that's already doing what you want to do.

Teenage Depression - Types of Depression

Depression is a clinical condition categorised by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as being short-lasting and severe known as a Major Depression Disorder (MDD) or long-lasting but less severe known as Dysthymia Disorder (DD).

The onset of a Major Depressive Disorder in teens usually manifests through the teen displaying irritability, low mood or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities for at least 2 weeks continuously. Because Major Depression occurs in short bouts with periods of feeling fine in between, this could easily be mistaken for typical teenage behaviour. However, it is important to note that the signs and symptoms associated with a Major Depressive episode are very severe, even by the standards of common teenage behaviour. Therefore it is important not to be misdirected when the teen appears to be okay for periods in between.

Dysthymia Disorder on the other hand does not occur in bouts, but is experienced by the teen for a continuous period of time. However, unlike Major Depression, Dysthymia is characterised by a low level of depressed mood. Teenagers who experience this type of depression are often labelled as 'moody' as a characteristic of their personalities. While this may be typical of most teenagers, it is important to look out for other signs and symptoms associated with depression, such as a pervasive sense of hopelessness. While the severity of depressed mood is not as bad as Major Depression, the pervasiveness of low mood can aggravate feelings of helplessness and hopelessness typically experienced in depression.

Another type depression that is directly associated with stressful life changes is know as Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. Change is a major characteristic of the teenager's life stage, which is why this form of depression is so common in teenagers. It is important to recognise the high value placed on certain occupations in a teenager's life. Even changing schools can be highly stressful to a teenager. A resilient teenager will find adaptive ways to cope with the stress of major change, whereas a maladaptive reaction to change results can result in an adjustment disorder.

Statistics show that teenagers who experience depression or depressed mood have an increased risk of developing another mental condition with depressive elements known as Bipolar Disorder. This disorder is also commonly known as Manic-Depressive Disorder because it is characterised by sudden swings between intense depression and bursts of extreme activity and energy.

Depression in Teens is Unfortunately a Common Occurrence

The depth of the depression is what needs to be addressed. It's very normal for a teenager to feel down every so often as that is something all humans feel and is completely normal. If the teen is showing other more serious signs of depression though, help should be sought as soon as possible by a professional counselor, physician or both.

One of the signs that a teenager is suffering from depression is that he or she may start isolating themselves they may show a lack of interest in friends that they've always otherwise enjoyed spending time with. They may retreat further away from family activities. These signs, if they continue for any length of time are indicators that the teen is suffering from depression and needs help. If the teen has always enjoyed doing a specific hobby but loses interest in it, or begins to make lower grades in school then usual they may be depressed. The parents or guardians may notice that the teenager sleeps more and more keeps their room dark and can't seem to feel happiness or excitement about anything that goes on around them.

If these symptoms are observed there is help available. Learning about the signs of teen depression can save lives and is one of the first steps in getting the appropriate treatment. Although many people use the term "depressed" for all sorts of situations, true depression needs to be acted upon as quickly as possible. Due to the technology we now have available many forms of depression in teens can be treated with a wide variety of medications, counseling and learning about the disease itself.

Unfortunately many teens that are suffering from depression don't, for any number of reasons, get the professional help they need and may get so depressed that they consider committing suicide. Because the teen feels such a deep despair and hopelessness, they can't see that there is anything good in store for them in the future. Persons that have never suffered from depression may have a hard time truly understanding how a teen can feel so helpless, but keep in mind it is part of the disease itself and not a shortcoming in the child. They can't control it without proper medical attention. Seeking immediate help for the depressed teen may help save their life. There are many counselors available and the teen's physician can help steer the parent or guardian in the right direction to make sure the teenager gets the proper help.

Natural Cures For Depression and Anxieties

Anxiety attacks are common reactions to conditions or situations that makes a person nervous or uncomfortable. It is borne out of several stress factors like pressures from home or work, financial troubles, relationship issues. Anxiety may be evident in various trigger points the one common factor that characterizes them is the feeling of fear or worry. It is normal for people to be anxious, however, at certain levels, anxiety can be debilitating and distressful that it is considered as a disorder.

Many people who suffer from anxiety also experiences depression at one point.They feel so hopeless and develop irrational fear of dying.

To relieve the symptoms of anxiety some people use prescription medications without realizing that it can be habit-forming to a point of addiction.

There are, however, natural cures for anxiety depression. Scientific research prove these methods to be effective during the early stages of anxiety.

Instead of prescription drug, opt for herbal medications instead. Those made of natural ingredients like valerian, passionflower or kava help in calming the nerves. Herbal medications also come in tincture and essential oils or cream that can be applied directly to the skin or pressure points.

Another natural cure for depression anxiety is exercise. By taking 30 minutes to an hour a day exercise encourages good blood circulation. Meditation an yoga enhances proper breathing and relaxation. Sometimes, hypnosis is also used to calm the nerves.

But psychotherapy is the best natural cure for depression anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are the most popular and effective types of therapies. Through these methods, the person learn to recognize, control and manage the causes of his anxieties. It has a more permanent cure to anxiety by targeting the cause, and not only in relieving the symptoms.

Always consult first with a mental health specialist before undergoing any treatments for anxiety. Every individual has different ways of coping with anxiety and the guidance of a licensed professional will always be helpful.

The Significance of Comedy and Laughter in Depression

Here is another alternative to antidepressant drugs in light and mild depression, - comedy and laughter. Can it be that easy?

Well, judge for yourself. An average child laughs about 300 times a day, and adult - only 17. Someone said that we grow old because we stop laughing.

When we laugh, there is a surge of serotonin (happy chemical) release into our brain. There are at least four hormones related to stress, reduced by laughter - adrenaline, dopamine, cortisol and growth hormone.

Laughter has been used as medicine for long time but not professionally, not as depression help. In the 1970's the articles about medicinal qualities of laughter appeared in medical journal, and the research started.

Nowadays they often show comedies in cancer wards and to people with grave injuries. Apparently, laughter can reduce physical pain greatly, which to me feels nothing short of miraculous.

Laughter also produces exercise for our heart and fills our body with oxygen. If you experience anxiety problems, there is no better and cheaper alternative to relieve the constant tension in your body, than few hours of comedy.

But now there are laughter groups you can join, there is even laughter yoga (hey, you kill two birds in one go - have depression therapy which combines laughter and exercise. What can be better?)

It's important that you also participate in events or activities which include laughter. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, watch sitcoms, go to comedy clubs, or just simply smile - even this reduces your stress and strengthens your immune system.

A lot of people in depression have black sense of humour. Don't be afraid to use it! I read about a girl who laughed when she was feeling suicidal, called suicide prevention line, and it was engaged!

In a way, laughter works like a lot of other alternative medicines, for example like singing or art therapy. It releases pent-up emotions, diminish our fears, grief and anger and make us to re-evaluate what's happening around us.

If I were you chaps, I would start laughing right about now to test my observation. Go grab yourself few old well-loved comedies and start a routine of at least few minutes of laughter a day.

And please, share! Tell us about your experiences, spread the word.

Nisargadatta Maharaj and Being Who You Are

The fear of being yourself.

It's a very common thing. People so often believe they need to be someone else to become who they want and achieve what they desire. They think they need to be like this person or that person in order to be accepted. They believe that their selves aren't good enough, not likable enough, not enough at all.

And so they change.

Not for the better. Not an improvement upon their best self, but instead into something else entirely - or more likely....someone else.

They wear the clothes they do not feel comfortable in, and crack the jokes they don't find funny, and participate in the activities they don't enjoy, hoping beyond desperation that it will help them feel better finally - feel like someone liked, someone included, one of them.

But it doesn't of course.

They just feel worse instead. Because try though they may, and want though they do, that person is not them. Nor is it meant to be.

They have their own skills. Their own talents. Their own desires. And they have surrendered them all to be like this person or that person - to be like them - as if that person were any better or more deserving of what they fear to take themselves, of their own choice and power and ability.

The 20th century spiritual teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj once said:

"Don't be afraid. Don't resist. Don't delay. Be what you are. There is nothing to be afraid of. Trust and try. Experiment honestly. Give your real being a chance to shape your life. You will not regret it."

When one surrenders themselves to be someone else, they submit to the idea that they are not good enough, that these other people are better and more able than they.

Screw that.

If only you'd try. If only you'd believe. If only you'd give your own self the chance to prove you wrong - that you can do it, that you are able, that you are better - you'd see finally how wrong you were.

This does not mean, of course, that you are perfectly suitable right now, as you are now. We must always strive for improvement and growth. We are always able to be made better. But we must do so AS ourselves, as our truest and most honest selves, not as who we emulate or wish to become. Because anything else is simply impersonation, and your impersonation may become more exact, but beneath it all you remain unchanged - the same weak, and hopeless person; made paralyzed by your disbelief in yourself and your unwillingness to be you.

How To Help a Friend With Depression

When most think of depression, they think about a family member with depression or someone that they know of who is suspected of being depressed in school or the workplace, but few will think about what to do with a depressed friend. What can one do for their friend who appears to be suffering from depression? Many will be unsure of what to do for their friend. Some will try and ignore the problem and think that it will just go away; others will distance themselves from that person so that they don't have to deal with it. What doesn't seem to cross the minds of most is that getting their friend into counseling would have been the best idea and the best thing they could have done as a true friend.

Few, whether they are young or old, seem to take depression seriously. Most will dismiss it as whining or a weakness that the person has, but depression is neither of these things. Depression is a mental illness that needs to be dealt with properly, or the person could continue to fall deeper into depression until they are completely lost and left in the dark. A common excuse for people to ignore the problem or to distance themselves from their friend is that they can't help them, but there are things that friends can do. They can not treat the person themselves, but there are things that they can do that can help encourage their friend to get the help that they need. Someone who suspects that their friend might be suffering depression should learn what they can about depression, perhaps even go so far as to ask questions of a counselor online. Finding out what some of the signs of depression are can also help one to figure out if their friend may actually be depressed. Some of the signs would include a decline in socializing, lack of enthusiasm, loss of interest in activities that would normally be of interest to them, increased procrastination, inability to concentrate and a lack of concern for time. These are only a few of the many signs that could indicate that a person may be depressed. If a few of these are seen in the friend, then the person should show their support and talk to their friend.

Sometimes, a person could really use a friend to talk to and having an understanding friend that is willing to listen can go a long way to making them feel better, but the ultimate goal should be to encourage them to seek help from a counselor. This is not always an easy task, especially if the friend is worried about what other would think of them if someone found out that they were going to counseling. One could suggest online counseling, which is becoming a popular way for people to get the help they need for their depression. They could easily get in touch with an online counselor from their home and from there get the counseling that they need. The counselor will work with the person to find out what is making them depressed, and then help the person to learn how to deal with their depression so that they can find their way out of it.

How Can I Beat Depression - 3 Positive Steps For Curing Depression - 5 Side-Effects From Medication

Thousands if not millions of people throughout the world suffer from bouts of depression at some stage in their life whether it be mild or severe. These sufferers are constantly asking the question "how can I beat depression". Unfortunately this is easier said than done particularly for the more severe sufferer's who will require professional help.

The key is to recognise the symptoms of depression for what they are and do something about them. If you are constantly irritable, feeling down, depressed or hopeless, preferring to be a loner, feeling sad and miserable most days then you are probably showing the first signs of depression.

Recognise these signs for what they are and seek professional help. Don't shrug them off as nothing because they can and will get worse if you don't do anything about them. Get yourself diagnosed, play it safe let the doctor tell you what he or she thinks is going on. They are the qualified experts and can definitely help you out with your depression once they do an assessment and have a better understanding of what may be happening to you.

You may or may not be aware but there are many types of depression and all require various types of treatments, including different medications that your doctor can prescribe. Fortunately most types of depressions that people suffer from can now be cured through therapy and medication especially when diagnosed early.

3 Positive Steps To Answering Your Question: "How Can I Beat Depression"

1.Behavior therapists can offer patients some great one on one sessions that are incredibly beneficial. This is just one treatment that has proven extremely helpful producing positive results. These sessions have been known to get patients slowly but surely back on the road to a full recovery within a very short time frame.

2.Get yourself to a reputable doctor to give you a diagnosis on which type of depression you may be suffering from. You need to be sure what you're actually dealing with because there are so many different types of medications available. Make sure that you get prescribed the medication most appropriate to the condition you are suffering from.

3. Anti-depressant medications are now widely available on the market today to help treat those suffering from depressive disorders. Your doctor may prescribe medications that may have various side affects, you will need to monitor these side affects very carefully and keep him informed. If they are having a negative effect let him know immediately.

If you do put the question to your doctor, how can I beat depression? no doubt depending on your needs, he or she may prescribe a variety of depression medications as a more effective means to helping cure your depression. There may be some trialing of different medications under strict observation before you get the right mix.

Your trialing and observations may lead to an increase or decrease in medication use depending on the doctors assessment. However, when it comes to taking these medications, patients are advised to adhere strictly to the doctors recommendations. Doctor's will also advise never to mix medications or change the dosages without consulting them first.

5 Most on side-effects from prescribed medications

1. Sleeplessness: This side-effect maybe experienced by the user usually within the first few weeks of taking medication. Lowering the dosage or changing the time taken may help reduce this side-effect. The introduction of new drugs into your system may definitely cause you to have sleepless nights but this should only be temporary.

2. Nausea, Dizziness & Headaches are quite common also with new drugs initially, monitor these and if they persist contact your doctor.

3. Dryness of the mouth and throat: Keep some fresh drinking water in a bottle with you at all times so you can have something to drink whenever your mouth feels dry. Chewing gum may also help.

4. Double vision: this again is only a temporary side-effect, as mentioned the body may take to adjust to new drugs but again if the problem persists consult your doctor.

5. Irregular bowel motions: try eating and taking in a lot of fiber to help aid your digestion together with regular exercise

Sedatives or anti-anxiety prescriptions should never be taken as a substitute for depression medications even though these drugs are often prescribed along with depression medications. They may help calm your nerves and that's it, they will not cure your depression and is the reason you will still need to take your depression medication.

What is Manic Depression?

Manic depression is related with high mood swings from an overly high to an overly low or the depressed state. It is medically termed as bipolar disorder which identifies the mood swings of a person. It is considered to be a brain disorder which is responsible for the unusual changes that take place in the body. It can affect both men and women at any age. There is more probability of getting this when you have a family history of having bipolar disorder.

The extreme mood swings put them in a very depressed state often. They have the sensation of frustration, anger, sadness, feeling of guilt, and hopeless. They tend to be hyper active and grandiose at times. They have a mixed state where the symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression occur at the same time.

• The mood swings occur in cycles. It is during this interval, people are able to do their works properly and lead a normal life.


• manic depression can affect the personal relationships in family and results in a chaos. It can make the individuals to lose money, job, confidence and all that they have in life.


• Extreme conditions of manic depression might lead to unacceptable aggressive behavior. The near and dear ones might find it extremely difficult to cope up with the problems.


• When it persists, this might become a life threatening problem. It can very well kindle the thoughts of suicidal attempts and also to acts of homicide in rare cases.


• They try to become drug addicts to escape from the ill effects from mania which is highly dangerous.
  This problem might start at the late teen age and should be treated earlier. There are various effective treatment methods available in most of the leading rehabilitation centers. Any disease is curable when treated with effective medication and care.

Red Light Errors to Avoid During the Driving Test

Traffic lights come in many shapes and forms, but they all have one purpose: to regulate traffic flow in intersections. Without them, some intersections would turn into complete chaos and disorder. Any traffic light has three lights, and the boldest one is the red. It is also the light which causes many traffic law violations. During a driving test, it's important to know what can and can't be done on red lights to avoid trouble. However, not all driving students know how to handle several red light situations, which causes them to make many mistakes on their test.

The worst mistake that can be made on a red light is not stopping for it. This mistake is so serious that the driving student should not even hope for mercy from the examiner. Normally, traffic lights give plenty of time to stop. There is a yellow light in all of them, and some places even have flashing green light before the yellow, so there is no reason at all to run a red light. If it does happen, it's a critical error and a sure failure.

Another mistake on the driving test is entering the intersection when someone else runs a red light. Since the student has green light it is not illegal, but if someone else runs a red light it can be extremely dangerous. Many accidents happened because drivers did not notice red light runners. Entering the intersection on this situations can be a critical error, but that is up to the examiner's view.

Right turns also threaten licenses for examinees. On some intersections it is legal to turn right on red. However, the law requires to stop before proceeding. Some student drivers don't stop for the light and just turn. This is not only illegal, but also a critical error and a score sheet that says "fail".

Limit lines mark the stopping place for drivers. Some driving students don't realize that and stop wherever they want. A limit line violation is usually not a critical error, but that depends on how far the student proceeded into the intersection. If the student is too much in the intersection, it could count as a red light violation. Even if it's a minor error, it can make the difference between passing and failing.

Red light problems have an easy solution: a guide that shows driving students how to behave when seeing a red light, what to do on several occasions, and how to avoid those costly mistakes that cause nothing but depression and a new driving test.

Types of Mood Disorders

There are two categories of mood disorders recognized by the psychiatric community: unipolar and bipolar disorder. Both are a type of depression with the difference being those who suffer bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, also experience extreme mood swings between depression and episodes of extreme mania or high energy.

The unipolar, or depression, type of mood disorder can further be broken down into the different types of depression which include:

1. Major depression.

2. Dysthymia.

3. Seasonal affective disorder.

4. Postpartum depression.

Mood disorders are characterized by continued feelings of sadness, despair, guilt, irritability, loss of appetite, constant fatigue and suicidal thoughts. Different people will have different combinations of these thoughts and feelings, making it important for sufferers to seek professional help to help sort through the various symptoms. While some of these feelings are normal in daily life, when they become an on going problem that last for weeks, months and even years it is considered a mood disorder that needs some sort of medical or psychiatric treatment.

The exact cause of mood disorders is not known. It does appear that many combinations of outside events can trigger an episode. It is known that many people who suffer mood disorders also have a chemical imbalance of the brain that makes them more susceptible to these depressed feelings. Research has also shown that the different types of mood disorders can run in families are thought to be a genetic trait.

Treatment of mood disorders varies depending on the disorder itself and any outside influences that may contribute to the disorder. These outside influences include illness, drug or alcohol abuse or a major life changing event. Normally these need to be dealt with along with the mood disorder for treatment to be successful.

The mood disorder itself can be treated with anti-depressant medication, therapy or a combination of the two. The different types of mood disorder can be treated successfully if its sufferers seek help. Unfortunately nearly half of the people who suffer from mood disorders never seek the help they need.

Before Taking That Depression Test

Many people all over the world are becoming more and more guarded when thinking about the whole concept of depression, and this is really what you need to be able to know about when trying to figure out some of the psychological problems that you might be affected with. Now, before taking that depression test, there are some things that you might want to know about the whole concept of depression and what you need to do to be able to control and curb it from becoming a problem in your life in the first place. This editorial will talk a little on the concept of depression and how it can help you.

For one thing, you need to know that depression is a mood that happens on all people and tat it is completely natural. You need to understand that when in the search for information, the popular belief is that normal levels of depression that actually come out on the onset of trauma or loss, is actually the body's way of coping with the problem in the first place, and this prevents people from jumping of root tops or blowing themselves away with hand gun. If you notice the mechanics of depression, you would really be able to understand this.

As a person who is depressed, they are normally incapacitated in some ways, they lose some strength, and sometimes they over eat or do not eat much as a way to cope with the whole problem. They actually hibernate in the conscious sense and this is the main way that the body actually protects itself from the effects of depression. So when trying to understand why there is depression in the first place, you really need to know that nothing happens in the body without a good reason, and most of the time, even the most negative of elements have a good reason for being there in the first place.

Also, there is another theory that says that depression is actually the body's method of actually asking for external help, as it is unable to cope with the whole issue of depression on its own. As emotional healing goes, no one really knows the body's capacity to heal wounds and scars within the emotional cortex, and this is why some people and psychologists actually say that the whole concept of depression is derived from the body's need for some sort of emotional support from external parties.

These are some of the things that you need to know about when you are thinking about taking that depression test. Of course, finding someone to do the test for you is actually quite easy, and all you need to do is to approach the local hospital or even a psychology practice that would then be able to help you out in getting yourself checked out. Depression si something that has to be nipped at the bud before it gets out of control and this is one thing that you need to be aware of in the long run.

How Do I Recognize the Signs of Depression After a Break Up?

Many people suffer from depression after the loss of something. But how do you know if you are depressed or just experiencing the normal emotions following the loss of a relationship? Afterall, it's normal to cry, lose sleep, lose your appetite, feel guilty and sad after a break up, isn't it? So if these feelings are all normal how do you recognize the signs of depression after a break up?

Everyone will experience feelings of sadness and anger after a relationship breakup. It's when these feelings last for an extended period of time that they become more concerning. The timeframe may vary depending on who you talk to but typically if you have had these sad feelings or changes in behaviour, appetite, sleep patterns or lifestyle for more than a month then you may be experiencing depression.

Common signs of depression after a relationship break up are these: loss of interest in daily activities, loss of pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed, feelings of sadness, helplessness, or hopelessness, crying spells, sleeping too much or too little, trouble concentrating, difficulty making decisions, memory problems, increased or decreased appetite, unexplained weight gain or loss, restlessness, becoming easily annoyed, lack of energy on a daily basis, speaking in a slow, monotonous tone, feelings of guilt, less interest in sex, thoughts of death, and physical problems such as headaches or stomach problems.

As you can see the signs of depression are very similar to what most people would consider normal feelings and emotions that you would experience after breaking up with someone. It's really the time frame that defines depression after a break up. The longer these feelings last the more likely it is that you are suffering from depression. Because the signs and symptoms are similar you may not recognize them. If you do recognize them you may just figure they will go away on their own.

Once you have recognized the signs of depression after a break up there are simple steps you can take on your own to help overcome it. If these things don't work then it is advised that you seek the help of your medical doctor for advice in how to treat depression.

Student Success - Minus Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia

In a recent study, the National Mental Health Association reported that 10 percent of college students and 13 percent of college women have been diagnosed with depression. A University of California at Los Angeles survey found that more than 30 percent of college freshmen report feeling overwhelmed a great deal of the time, and that 38 percent of college women report feeling frequently overwhelmed.

According to the 2005-2006 "State of Our Nation's Youth" report findings that were released by the Horatio Alger Association in the summer 2005, 41 percent of high school students said that the pressure to get good grades was a major concern. These numbers have increased by 15 percent since 2001.

For whatever reason -- the need to impress future employers, the pressure of keeping up with peers or simply meeting self-imposed but unrealistically high standards - an increasing number of high school and college students are literally making themselves sick in the pursuit of perfection.

My battle with perfectionism

Unfortunately, I understand all too well the price students pay for measuring self worth through a number on a test. A perfectionist through my college years, I'd rather skip an assignment than risk turning in a less-than-perfect paper. I fantasized about the day I would walk across the stage at my graduation ceremony and hear my name announced along with "summa cum laude" -- with highest honors. My family would be in the audience snapping pictures and beaming with pride. By my senior year, that goal had become an obsession.

When I finally did walk across that stage in 2001, I held back tears with everything I had in me. They weren't tears of joy, as my professors and family might have imagined, but of a sick sorrow. The speaker announced, "Maria L. Pascucci, summa cum laude." I did it -- I graduated with the highest honors possible, but at much too high a psychological cost.

I had dreamt of being a writer ever since I was old enough to pick up a pencil and scribble my name, but after I graduated from college, I didn't write a thing for months. I told my college career counselor that I would never write again, and I believed that I wouldn't. I was burnt out and depressed, battling with anxiety-induced stomach problems and certain that writing had almost destroyed me. Five years later, I understand that it was perfectionism that almost destroyed me and that my love of writing helped me to rebuild my life.

When I was a little girl, I'd always tell people, "Someday, when I grow up, I'll be a writer." When the cap and gown came off, I realized that society considered me a grown-up whether I felt like one or not, and that it was the time to make or break my dreams. I didn't think I could measure up to what that little girl envisioned while sitting on a porch stoop with her favorite red notebook in hand. It's so much easier to dream of the end product than to actually see it through.

Anxiety, depression, insomnia

I've suffered stomachaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression from the unrealistic expectations I'd placed on myself to be the best. Can any of you relate? At what price should success come? Should we have to sacrifice our health to be successful? In a word: NO. Once I learned to start defining success on my own terms and ditched my need to be perfect, I'm more successful today than ever before. And if I can do it, so can you!

Do you:

• Ever stress about grades?
  


• Ever find yourself up at night worrying over school?
  


• Get stomachaches before a big test or paper is due?
  

How do you deal with the pressure? Do you exercise, spend time with friends, visit your campus counseling center, talk with your teacher or parents? Drop me a line -- I'd love to hear from you!

Why Do I Always Feel Cold? 3 Major Reasons Why You're Feeling This Way All the Time

Are you always wondering why do I always feel cold and nothing you do provides relief? If so then today you will get the 3 major reasons for feeling this way. I assure you that if you suffer from constantly cold hands & feet that one of these 3 and possibly all 3 could be the cause for your problems.

The Top 3 Reasons for Always Feeling Cold!

Hypothyroidism (Slow Thyroid) - A large majority of women suffer from weakened thyroid function. Quite often this can result in many symptoms which can include an overall cold body temperature, difficulty losing weight with weight gain in addition to chronic fatigue. Although Men are also at risk, women are the most common to suffer from this. I suggest increasing iodine in the diet to help easily counteract this, the best sources for iodine will come from sea vegetables (seaweed) such as wakame, kombu and dulse.

Low Blood Iron - A very common cause of cold hands and feet in addition to dark circles under the eyes as well as fatigue. Again women are at the greatest risk for suffering from this condition due to their monthly blood loss. Athletes are also vulnerable, and vegetarians are constantly suffering from this condition unless they are constantly on top of eating great vegetarian sources of iron. The quickest solution is an iron supplement. Liquid forms are far better, however if iron isn't your problem, then the last thing you want to do is over consume it especially because excess iron feeds the next cause of always feeling cold.

Candida Overgrowth - Lastly and most importantly is a candida overgrowth. What is candida you ask? It's a yeast that lives within all of us. In many of us it will actually change form into an aggressive fungal form. The trigger for this mutation is many things, but most commonly its caused by anti-biotic/prescription drug use in addition to a diet high in refined foods, specifically sugar. This fungus affects an estimated 80% of the population in varying levels and has a symptom list longer than just about any other condition.

Some people experience severe digestive problems, fatigue, poor circulation which includes cold hands and feet, dizzy spells, a weakened immune system, chronic allergies & infections, depression, anxiety, brain fog and the list goes on and on.

My suggestion is that if you feel cold all the time and don't know why, take a quick online candida test or survey to help determine if candida appears to be the cause of your health problems.

Long and Short Term Affects of Depression

Depression may be the biggest enemy of human beings. It affects you in so many ways. It disturbs your almost all daily activities. Depression has so many types; each type has different associated affects. Affects of depression may be mild to severe depending upon the types of depression. Depression affects you in so many ways such as physically, emotionally, socially etc. So many long term and short term affects of depression disturb you in your daily routine. Short term affects of depression may turn into long term affects if not cured at the right time.

Long term affects: Long term depression is characterized by persistent depressive symptoms that may last for years depending upon the severity and the age of the patient. Long term depression may last for more than two years or more in adults and almost one year or more in children and adolescents. Affects of long term depression are:

1. The biggest affect of long term depression is unrelenting sadness, anxiety and other mood problems such as empty mood etc.

2. Long term feelings of hopelessness and negative thoughts that may last for years, in few cases might last for entire life as well.

3. Long term affects result in persistent feelings of helplessness and worthlessness, due to which sufferers often do not realize their skills, they underestimate their selves and may choose a wrong direction for their future.

4. Patients suffering from long term affects of depression often found facing sleeping problems such as, Insomnia and hypomania disorders. These two disorders cause sleeplessness and excessive amount of sleep, patients might sleep for more than 20 hours a day.

5. The affects of long term depression causes less amount of Interest in those enjoyable activities that a person suffering from depression loved to cherish in the past.

6. Problems in concentrating which may threat your position at your work place or those other places that require plenty of concentration.

7. Physical problems such as headache, abdominal pain etc may become part of your daily life that may cause inability to perform daily duties as effectively as a normal person.

8. Fatigue, long lasting affect of fatigue may cost you inability to perform various tasks efficiently and energetically.

9. The long term affects of depression may also result in suicide as well; so many cases of suicides have been noticed due to depression.

Short term affects: Short term affects of depression may not harm you persistently for years or life time. However if you do not seek a proper treatment then the affects may become very dangerous. Some of the common affects of short term depression are:

1. Fatigue or loss of energy

2. The room for enjoyment decreases and sometimes may become negligible.

3. You might become less energetic for a short period of time.

4. Less interest in social activities is also one of the short term affects of depression

5. Sexual problems are also associated with short term affects of depression such as impotence in men, erectile problems, period problems in women.

Brighten Up Your Mood With Funny Life Quotes

It has been proved by several researches that laughter is best cure for all diseases. If you are feeling blue and your life is surrounded by problems, just the mere act of laughing out loud can instantly boost your mood up and give you the needed energy to get back to life.

In simple words, a good belly laugh is all you need to lighten up your mood. But I can almost hear you saying, "How can I laugh when my problems are besetting me?"

Perhaps it's was difficult to laugh in such a time but there are plenty of ways that are able to elicit laughter even in such a tough time. One of such a way to make yourself laugh is funny life quotes.

Reading them instantly make you smile genuinely. This smile will not be false. It comes from your heart. The more you read them, more you smile out loud and more your mood is brighten up. They help you keep you attitude cheerful, happy and optimistic.

For example, read out loud the following funny life quotes:

"Enjoy life. There's plenty of time to be dead." --Anonymous

"Do not take life too seriously; you will never get out of it alive." --Elbert Hubbard

How are you feeling after reading them? Does your perspective change? Are you smiling? Are you feeling better? And most importantly, how is your mood now? I am certainly sure after reading them your perspective is changed. You are smiling. You are feeling better then before and your mood is happy and energetic.

You know usually what happened is that we let our blue overtake us instead of overtaking it. We let our problem fill the important space of our life instead of kicking them out of life. We should fill our life's space with happiness, laughter, fun, humor, love and success. And Funny Life Quotes help us in doing so. They put smile on our face which in turn gives us necessary courage and energy to tackle life problems.

So next time, whenever your mood is down, immerse yourself in fun and humor by reading some funny quotes about life and burst yourself with stomach-aching laughter and brighten up your mood.

What Factors Affect The Prices Of Precious Metals?

The prices on silver and gold are affected by various factors like economic downturns and upturns, demand policy decisions by governments and turmoil's in war torn countries.

It is a known fact during an economic depression, investors look towards precious metals as a safe haven for investments, due to which prices tend to rise. Inversely, when the economic and social situation is going strong, predictions are made of a positive future, as a result prices of precious metals tend to drop. Researchers who work on predicting the prices of metal refer to the historic pricing data as how metals perform during certain economic, social and war situations. The graph followed over a certain era gives them an estimate on the nature of the metal's reaction to given conditions.

Various metals do not necessarily follow each other's path. While behavior of gold and silver prices is likely to depend on each other, palladium and platinum respond to demand and manufacturing. Although values of all these four metals are quotes along each other on market charts, they behave differently because palladium and platinum are industrial commodities whilst silver and gold are used more into investments.

Where gold and silver price is concerned, the economy of United States and the decisions made by its government have a major impact on their future predictions. If the US economy is ailing and the dollar is weak, prices fall and vice versa. As prices on silver are dependent on gold, gold prices get affected first while silver prices follows them.

Investors are also concerned about the changes in the exchange rate, as a downward trend will result in rising prices and vice versa. When exchange rates freeze in a certain zone, the prices of precious metals also float around a small pricing zone.

Economic depression and recession have turned out to be a major reason for the rising and falling prices of precious metals, since speculation have a tendency to affect the volatile nature of prices on metals. Investors want to fall back on dependable investments like silver and gold during crisis as they view the metals as a store of value and hedge against fixed assets. As economies improve, investors start selling the metals leading to drop in prices because the market is swamped with metals.

Natural disasters, major political events, change in currency values cause variations in the prices of precious metals though they are not directly responsible for it. Wrong speculation also results in premature buying or selling of the metal that causes unnecessary volatile fluctuation on the market graph.

Grains in the Spotlight

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? You've been to a number of doctors, had many tests, and nothing has shown up. Maybe there are answers to your feelings of ill health after all! The answer may just lie in something you are eating every single day. A food group that is the staple of the Western world! A group of grains that unknowingly results in a myriad of symptoms, the cause of which most of the population are completely unaware.

Could your ill health be caused by the gluten grains of wheat, rye, oats, and barley? You may just be suffering from gluten sensitivity or the more serious disorder called coeliac disease!

So what is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley. What damage can it do? In persons sensitive to it, a process of an autoimmune reaction causes flattening and shrinkage of the microscopic finger-like projections in the small intestine called villi. The purpose of the villi is to absorb nutrients from food and by a process of enzyme activity, digest, and break down food particles to a soft consistency. When the villi are flattened, digestion of food is impaired, and the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, enzymes, fats, and water are not absorbed properly.

What is meant by Autoimmunity? Autoimmune reactions occur when certain white blood cells or lymphocytes, called T-cells, attack healthy bodily tissue in error. These T-cells are like "soldier" cells in our body. They protect our body from invading allergens that they recognize may be harmful to us. In the presence of the protein gluten, in many people (one in a hundred and thirty three), they see it as an "invader" that will harm the body. They then become very active to try and destroy this "enemy". In so doing, they over-multiply. They then not only attack the protein that is gluten, but they also attack our own bodily tissue which is also protein. It is a case of mistaken identity. An autoimmune attack can affect any bodily tissue: red or white blood cells, connective tissue, the myelin sheath on the nerve endings, the synovial membrane in the joints, the heart muscle, islet cells in the pancreas, the liver, gall bladder, lining of the b ladder, the kidneys, the adrenal glands, the thyroid gland, amongst other tissue or organs.

According to research done both in USA and UK in the last 10 to 15 years, gluten sensitivity, an hereditary complaint, could be at the root of any of the following GROUPS of symptoms.

• Upper and lower respiratory tract problems like sinusitis, allergies, and "glue ear" in babies, asthma, bronchitis, post nasal drip.

• Headaches and migraine.

• Symptoms related to malabsorption of nutrients like anaemia and fatigue (lack of iron or folic acid), osteoporosis, insomnia (lack of calcium), skin complaints like eczema, Urticaria, psoriasis, Dermatitis Herpetiformis (lack of vitamin A), mouth ulcers, irritability, nervous system complaints,(lack of B vitamins), underweight or overweight (imbalance of utilization of carbohydrates), poor growth in children and babies, (lack of absorption of all nutrients, and impairment of growth hormone), infertility (hormone production impaired because of malabsorption of other nutrients), thyroid imbalance, pancreatic problems, diabetes.

• Bowel or digestive system complaints:- diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and distention, nausea, spastic colon, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, stomach cramps, stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, IBS, (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), eating disorders like anorexia, lactose intolerance, gall bladder problems, bowel cancer, stomach cancer, lymphoma.

• Autoimmune system problems:- rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis (muscles are affected), muscular dystrophy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Sj繹gren's syndrome(when the lymphocytes attack the body's moisture producing glands), Addison's disease (adrenal glands are affected), pernicious anaemia (the lymphocytes attack the lining of the stomach where a substance called intrinsic factor is produced, which is needed for the production of vitamin B 12).

• Diseases of the nervous system: - Motor neuron disease, some of the epilepsies, tingling and numbness in the extremities, stammering and stuttering in children and adults (the myelin sheath on nerve endings is impaired)

• Problems that affect the mind:- depression, including bi-polar depression, behavioral problems in children, autism, dyslexia, ME., ADD, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia (A Japanese Professor has discovered that there are no less than 13 opioid reactions that can occur from just 1 molecule of gluten - that is, mind-bending addictive-type reactions that upset brain chemicals).

• Genetic problems like Down's syndrome, Diabetes Type 1 (Mellitus), amongst others.

• Cancer and lymphoma: Particularly cancers of the digestive tract, from the mouth, oesophagus, duodenum, stomach and small bowel to the large bowel, the colon.

What are the tests for this condition? They are the IgA and IgG antibody tests for gluten or gliadin, which is the fraction of the gluten molecule which causes the problem. Then, the IgA-AEA (anti-endomysial antibody test), and, the most important of all, the TtG - Tissue Transglutaminase AUTO antibody test for gluten.

Nobody should eliminate gluten before the tests otherwise the results will be inconclusive. Other tests of huge merit are the Delayed Food Allergy Type III (IgG) tests. If the gluten grains showed up on these food screening tests, one would be advised to have further tests for coeliac disease, and possibly the small bowel biopsy to check the state of the intestinal villi.

What is the GOOD news about this condition? The good news is that the damage is reversible. The sufferer changes to a strict gluten free diet, after which the villi in the small intestine start to regrow and can then start digesting food and absorbing nutrients again. The autoimmune reaction of the T-cells also dies down so that autoimmune disorders are reversible.

Now, what of the diet itself? First of all, one has to change from wheat, rye, oats and barley based products to corn, potato, and rice based items. Lots of salads and vegetables and fruit form a large portion of the diet. Pasta must be avoided, although one can buy rice, corn and millet pasta from health shops. There are also other flours one can use like chick pea flour, millet flour and gram flour (made from lentils). One has to scrutinize all ingredients in supermarket products. One can bake homemade bread, muffins, cakes, and pastries.

It is actually a very healthy diet, as one avoids a lot of the processed foods and uses fresh whole foods.

Netherlands' Research Indicates 5HTP Benefits Anxiety Symptoms

5htp benefits those suffering from a host of problems, including depression, fibromyalgia, and insomnia. Now anxiety symptoms can also be tackled with this natural supplement, according to research studies conducted in the Netherlands.

What It Is
A naturally occurring amino acid used by the body to manufacture the neurotransmitter serotonin, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5htp, is essential for normal nerve and brain function to occur. Serotonin is responsible for regulating sleep, mood, and the perception of pain. Low serotonin levels have been linked to the symptoms of depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and anxiety.

Where It Comes From
5htp is typically extracted from the seeds of the West African Griffonia simplicifolia plant. A similar amino acid, tryptophan, is more difficult for the body to use efficiently, and is many times less effective as a supplement than 5htp. Small amounts of 5htp can be found naturally occurring in foods such as eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds, but in order to experience maximum 5htp benefits, taking a supplement is recommended.

What It Does
Anti-depressant medications such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, effect serotonin levels by slowing the pace at which the brain uses available serotonin. These medications artificially manipulate of the brain's physiological regulatory system, and do not cause an actual increase in serotonin production. They are also associated with numerous unwanted side effects, including nausea and vomiting, inability to orgasm, weight gain, dry mouth, diarrhea, insomnia, heart palpitations, tremors, and agitation.

By comparison, 5htp provides the brain with more of the necessary material to manufacture serotonin, without disruption to normal metabolic processes and without the serious side effects of SSRIs. 5htp allows the brain to naturally increases serotonin levels, with minimal side effects. When side effects do occur, they are usually limited to mild gastrointestinal complaints.

5htp For Anxiety
A study conducted in the Netherlands made a strong case for the use of 5htp supplements to treat the symptoms of anxiety. The subjects in the study suffered from two types of anxiety, panic attacks and generalized anxiety. Panic attacks often include feelings of intense fear, rapid breathing (known as hyperventilation), increased heart rate, tingling sensations, sweating and nausea. Generalized anxiety is frequently characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worrying, muscle aches, restlessness, insomnia, and irritability, among other symptoms.

During the study, the subjects each took 300 mg of 5htp daily over the course of 12 weeks, during which their anxiety levels were repeatedly tested and recorded. By the end of the study, the vast majority of the subjects showed significant improvement in anxiety symptoms, and those who had been previously experiencing panic attacks reported their occurrence to have decreased dramatically while taking 5htp supplements.

Some research has shown that people with anxiety disorders may have very sensitive serotonin receptors which hyper-react to bursts of serotonin production which would not normally result in feelings of anxiety. Therefore, when a person experiencing an anxiety disorder takes 5htp or an SSRI, the extra serotonin produced may initially aggravate the anxiety. However, with continued stimulation, these receptors eventually become less sensitive, and anxiety levels start to decline.

Most people using 5htp for anxiety take between 50 and 300 mg daily. Some people obtain more favorable results while taking a lower dose, so it's advisable to start with 50 mg and add more over time if necessary. For maximum absorption, 5htp should be taken with or shortly before a meal, with a full glass of water. Avoid taking more than 200 mg of 5htp at a time. 5htp may not be medically appropriate for everyone, and should not be taken by those using anti-Parkinson's or prescription antidepressant medications. Consulting a health care professional before beginning a 5htp regimen is advised.

The Importance of Identifying Manic Depression Symptoms

Manic depression or bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that affects many people around the world. This condition affects not just the life of the person suffering from such a condition, but the lives of the people that surrounds him/her as well. An individual with bipolar disorder loses interest in the things he/she gets joy from and are often unable to do his/her daily activities. The good news is that, today, this condition can be controlled through treatments or medications. The success of treatments for such disorders, however, depends largely on early diagnosis of this condition. This process involves identifying manic depression symptoms exhibited by the individual thought to be suffering from such disorder.

While early detection of the condition plays a major role in keeping the condition from getting worse and in helping the person who is suffering from the illness have a normal life, it is crucial to know the signs and symptoms of manic disorder. Although the degree of depression symptoms exhibited by the person depend largely on his/her personality, the common symptoms include mood swings and shifts in activity levels. These mood swings usually last for months, causing trouble to the lives of the people that surround the person with manic disorder as well. These mood swings or alternating pattern of level of emotions vary depending on the stage of his/her condition and his mental phase. Although there is no single cause of this condition has been identified yet, studies suggest this illness can be triggered by external or environmental factors, such as career, family or work issues or problems; or internal or genetic factors.

When the person suffering from such condition experiences the manic phase, among the symptoms he/she would exhibit include high self-esteem, rapid thoughts and speech, poor judgment, optimism, euphoria, aggressiveness, high energy levels, and difficulty in sleeping. At the other end of the mood spectrum, the person exhibits anxiety, guilt, sadness, helplessness, fatigue, hopelessness, lack of energy and interest in the activities he normally enjoys, suicidal tendencies, and chronic pain. These are among the manic depression symptoms the person exhibits when he/she is in the depressive state.

The symptoms of this condition also affect the appearance of the individual suffering from this condition. And depending on the individual's personality and the stage of his/her depression, the period of time he/she exhibits these symptoms could last months. The intervals between depression episodes also vary. Some people suffering from such condition exhibit a predictable pattern of manic depression symptoms, while others show no indications. Treatments or medications to administer also depend largely on the type of symptoms and the level or intensity of the symptoms exhibited by the individual.

It is important to take note that having manic depression is actually not a hindrance to a productive and happy life. Anyone with this condition can still live a normal life especially if it is diagnosed at the early stage. It is, thus, important for anyone experiencing manic depression symptoms to consult a physician to determine whether he/she is already suffering from the condition. This should help prevent the condition from getting worse.

Chronic Back Pain Limitations

Thousands and thousands of people annually seek medical care for back pain. For some, the pain is gone within 6 weeks. For others, it becomes chronic back pain.

Chronic back pain affects individuals in various ways. Most make repeated visits to physicians, seeking relief. They want to know what causes their chronic back pain. They want new tests. They want to try whatever treatment may be available.

Chronic back pain sufferers may report difficulty in performing normal daily activities. They may believe the pain is increasing. They may simply want someone to sympathize, and agree that it is not "all in your head" at all.

Although back pain is the main reason people visit orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, and the second main reason they visit primary care physicians, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of those visitors will receive no cure. They will go from low back pain to chronic back pain.

Patients are frustrated because physicians do not cure back pain. Physicians are frustrated because they cannot cure low back pain. Many think they can do little to prevent occasional severe back pain from becoming chronic back pain.

If nothing is done, however, chronic back pain limitations can seriously impinge on daily activity.

Possible Limitations

A look at possible chronic back pain limitations reveals a long list. There are limitations placed by a physician, but there are many more limitations that patients place on themselves. They may include physical limitations, emotional limitations, or mental limitations. Of the many chronic back pain limitations we can discuss only 7 here.

1. Depression: One of the most common limitations of chronic back pain, depression affects everyone involved in the daily life of the sufferer. The type of depression experienced by sufferers of chronic back pain is not simply a matter of feeling sad or "down at the heels" for a day or so. "Major depression" and "clinical depression" are the terms used for this kind of depression.

When chronic back pain limitations include a major depression, the person feels emotionally miserable everyday for at least two weeks. He or she also may have unexplained crying spells; major appetite changes; fatigue, sleep problems; agitation; and thoughts of death or suicide. There may be little interest in activities that were normally enjoyable.

2. Social Activity: A second of the chronic back pain limitations reported is that of social activity. People suffering chronic back pain become reluctant to attend parties and other social functions. They may curtail recreational activities or outings with the family.

3. Work Time: Those who suffer chronic back pain are also more likely to take off more work time. Statistics show that back pain causes the loss of more than 83 million days of work time each year due to back pain.

4. Job Loss: Since it often means lost work time, another of chronic back pain limitations is job loss. Too many lost days, or poor performance due to chronic back pain, can result in replacement.

5. Work Ability: Chronic back pain is a leading cause of work limitations. Back pain limits workers' ability to lift, carry, and perform other duties that are required. It places restrictions on workers, and narrows the job field for many people.

6. Low Pay: Chronic back pain limitations include financial limits for some. Those who are limited in work by chronic back pain earn, on average, only two-thirds the amount of those without back pain.

7. Housework: One of the largest limitations of chronic back pain appears to hit normal activities associated with housework, gardening, and lawn work. Patients with back pain that lasted more than 60 days often report they are no longer able to do any gardening, lawn work, or normal cleaning activities such as vacuuming, mopping floors, etc.

Clinically Proven Limitations

For the patient, it is difficult to believe that chronic back pain limitations are often unnecessary. They continue to believe that the pain has a cause that can be readily diagnosed, despite their physician's repeated assurances to the contrary. They believe the physician can find a medical sure for their back pain if pressed often enough and hard enough. As for treatment, patients often believe that until the cure is found, the best treatment is bed rest and limited activity.

The result of such beliefs is that back pain that could initially be resolved with exercise becomes chronic back pain. Chronic back pain that might still be resolved if the patient were to exercise regularly gradually develops and produces chronic back pain limitations.

TIP: Back pain is very, very common in our society. Rather than let it lead to complications and limitations, you may want to ask your physician for gentle exercises that may resolve your back pain before it becomes chronic.

Commercial Vehicle Quotes

Transportation plays a key role in our day to day life. Speaking of any business venture, healthy transportation facility can really help you bring your business in a leading position. Exports and imports of commercial vehicles are in full tempo these days and owing to the recent boom in the commercial sector after the commercial depression, which affected the economy of the world, various companies are stepping in the field of financing the commercial vehicles because they are seeing it as potential market for their money investment.

Commercial vehicles are generally categorized in two ways

1. Light Commercial Vehicles
2. Heavy Commercial vehicles

For small businesses generally vans (Light commercial vehicle) are required and they are quite popular these days. You can get van insurance quotes from various companies and then can decide which one you need and what will be best suited for you. Usually a van insurance company takes into account the following things into account before giving you van insurance quotes

1. Manufacturer of the van
2. Model of the van
3. Year of manufacture
4. Engine size and type of the van

Besides all these major things some small things are also asked from you before providing you van insurance quotes - number of seats in the van, date of purchase, type of fuel used, approximate value of the van, security measures installed in the van (alarm system, immobilizer, tracking device, etc.), any modification done in the van, etc. So, it is recommended that if you want van insurance you must be having these details with you ready in hand, so that you don't have to be embarrassed in front of the insurance guys. Usually you can get insurance quotes from two sources - directly from an insurance company or from a broker.Anyway it is advised to have some good idea about the policies and all regarding the insurance before you are applying for a insurance.

Early Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in Children is a Boon

Bipolar disorder can occur in children even at the young age of six. Although the percentage of children having the disorder is much lower than adults, adolescents tend to be more prone to it. Some mania-specified symptoms can be seen in children who show that they are suffering from bipolar disorder.

Children often have elated moods, grandiose behaviors, flight of ideas, decreased need for sleep and hyper sexuality. These symptoms occur mainly in mania and are common in bipolar disorders. Children sometimes laugh hysterically and behave as if they are infectiously happy with much reason. These symptoms could occur at home, in the school or anywhere.

Grandiose behaviors of children can be explained when they believe that they are very smart and no rules pertain to them. They are convinced that they can perform superhuman acts without anything happening to them. Children have flight of ideas when they move from one subject to another in quick succession. Sometimes it has no relevance to their surroundings.

Some children can sleep for just four to eight hours and still not be tired the next day. Playing on the computer or just rearranging furniture could be their activities when they stay up late. Hyper sexuality occurs often in adolescents who use explicit sexual language or act flirtatious beyond their years.

There are several drugs which are prescribed by doctors for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children. But there are many side effects which are particularly evident and troublesome for children. Children put on a lot of weight due to some drugs and weight gain could always lead to further glucose problems like diabetes or heart problems.

Some medication in children may cause infertility and even abnormalities. The medications are effective to prevent future episodes of mania and depression which would have led to suicide. But they can affect the thyroid and even the kidneys.

Hence it is important to monitor the development of serious side effects in children. The side effects and the dangers of the manic-depressive illness itself have to be weighed against each other, and the medication can be changed if any drastic changes are seen.

Unfortunately children take much longer to recover from bipolar disorder than adults. Children sometimes suffer from this illness for months or years. Often it can have an impact on their educational achievement, and hence the teachers should be made aware of the diagnosis, so that they can give special treatment to such children in school.

Suicide is a big risk with children, especially adolescents. All talk about not wanting to live or feeling neglected should be taken seriously. In a moment of depression a child can hang himself in the shower, shoot himself or complete suicide by some other means.

An early diagnosis and treatment can offer the best chance for children with bipolar disorder to achieve stability in life and gain the best possible level of wellness. Only then can they grow up and enjoy life and build up their strengths. Proper treatment can definitely reduce the effects of the illness on the patients and the people who surround them.

Neurotransmitter Testing - How Detecting Neurotransmitter Imbalance Can Help You to Feel Better Fast

Neurotransmitters, chemicals in our brains that work as messengers between brain cells, are responsible for most of what goes on in our bodies. They regulate our behavior, our emotions, our ability to learn, and the way we sleep. When these chemicals are not present in the proper balance, it can affect everything from our energy levels to our ability to focus to how we feel.

Studies have shown that neurotransmitters have a tremendous influence on our mood, and insufficient levels of certain neurotransmitters have been identified in patients with emotional disorders and mental illness.

* What, exactly, are neurotransmitters, and how do they work?

Our brain contains specialized nerve cells, called neurons, which are responsible for receiving information, processing it, and transmitting it to other cells. Neurons are not in direct contact with one another; in order for neurons to pass messages to each other, they rely on highly specialized chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are made out of amino acids, which come from proteins - you will see why this is important further on. The neurotransmitters essentially bridge the "gaps" (called synapses) between neurons to relay their messages. When these neurotransmitters exist at insufficient levels, important information may not be passed along correctly.

Some of the important neurotransmitters that affect our moods are described here.

- Acetylcholine -regulates voluntary movement, sleep, memory, and learning. Too much acetylcholine is present with depression, and too little is present in patients with dementia.

- Serotonin - helps to regulate appetite, sleep, impulsive behavior, aggression, and mood. Too little serotonin is present in cases of depression and anxiety disorder, in particular obsessive-compulsive disorder.

- Dopamine - helps to regulate learning, focus and movement. Excessive levels of dopamine are present in patients with schizophrenia; too little dopamine is associated with depression, as well as the tremors exhibited by patients with Parkinson's disease.

- Epinephrine (adrenaline) - this neurotransmitter regulates glucose metabolism and energy levels; low levels are linked to depression.

- Norepinephrine (noradrenalin) - helps to regulate appetite and alertness; low levels are found in patients with depression, while excessive norepinephrine has been found in patients with schizophrenia.

- GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) - GABA is known to inhibit anxiety and excitation. Too little GABA is associated with anxiety disorders.

- Endorphins - These are the "happy" neurotransmitters that promote feelings of contentment and pleasure; they are also involved in pain relief.

* What conditions are caused by neurotransmitter imbalance?

Low levels of neurotransmitters are known to cause many emotional and physiological disorders:

- Depression;
- ADD/ADHD;
- Anxiety disorder, including panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- Fibromyalgia/chronic pain disorders;
- Eating disorders;
- Sleep disorders (insomnia);
- Obesity;
- Migraines;
- Premenstrual syndrome and PMDS;
- Adrenal dysfunction;
- Psychosis.

* What causes neurotransmitter imbalance?

Neurotransmitter imbalance can be caused by high levels of stress. Diet also plays an important part in maintaining neurotransmitter levels. The formation of neurotransmitters requires sufficient levels of dietary protein, in addition to certain vitamins and minerals. Medications, drugs and alcohol, hormone imbalances, genetics, and heavy metal toxicity can all play a role in neurotransmitter depletion, as well.

* Neurotransmitter Testing

Typically, treatment for any of the disorders described here involves medication, which is prescribed to treat the symptoms without any real evidence of what is causing the condition. In many cases, several different medications are tried before coming across one that works.

Neurotransmitter testing provides a simple tool for determining the precise cause of the symptoms by pinpointing exactly which neurotransmitters are in imbalance.

Neurotransmitter testing enables medical professionals to guide treatment toward the cause of the condition, rather than tossing medications at it until one of them finally works. In many cases, therapeutic drugs may not be necessary at all. Changes in dietary and lifestyle habits and the use of natural remedies and neurotransmitter supplements can correct neurotransmitter imbalances without the use of prescription medications that may have negative side effects.

Testing for neurotransmitter imbalances consists of taking a simple blood or urine sample. Neurotransmitter tests are covered by most insurance plans, making them easily affordable. By identifying the neurotransmitter imbalance that is causing your health issues, you can ensure that you are receiving the proper treatment and that you will begin to feel better as soon as possible.

Overcoming Depression and the Pain Body

Depression affects as much as 16% of the population in some shape or form. Depression is different from bouts of misery in that it is often described as a lingering cloud of negativity that affects almost every aspect of your life. Those that have or are suffering from depression frequently speak of being constantly surrounded by a black cloud or curtain. Any sort of zest for life is virtually non-existent underneath the over-bearing feeling of pessimism and negativity. Energy levels are usually low and everyday tasks can feel like arduous and mundane chores.

Grave and suicidal thoughts, intense emotions such as anger and resentment, and self punishment such as addictions can all manifest as a result of being depressed. The effect on loved ones can often strain relationships and even break up marriages. It takes a strong person indeed to be constantly around those suffering the effects of depression.

The typical western approach to treating the symptoms of depression can involve any number of therapies, from drugs to counselling, to cognitive or behavioural therapy. All have their place and in certain individuals they have indeed proved successful. However, there are drawbacks to these approaches; drugs can often have side effects and counselling can take a considerable amount of time. Both can be a massive drain on personal resources. This begs the question - is there an alternative? There is if we are willing to look at it from a different perspective.

Depression - an alternative view

Depression is, in its essence, a mesh of negative thoughts. These negative thoughts invoke vibrations in our body that manifest in negative emotions, such as anger, blame, resentment, pessimism, unhappiness, sadness, loneliness etc. When these negative emotions remain unchecked and are in constant flow, depression can set in. Consequently, the body vibrates at a less than optimal level leaving it vulnerable to illness, mental disorders and further negativity. If the body is now vibrating with a constant stream of negative emotions, what then is going to be projected to the universe? - negativity! Negativity breeds more negativity and negative situations, events and people will be attracted as this is all that can now be seen by those who are depressed. It plays into a vicious circle of seemingly endless misery and depression.

The sufferer may try to put on a brave face but underneath there is still a festering ball of negativity. What many depression sufferers are however aware of is one thing: that all the constant negativity, the blame, the anger, the resentment, the loneliness, the misery is not them. They recognise that it is not who they really are. In the few days the sun does shine through the dark clouds of the mind, in their hearts, they know they are not the accumulation of the negativity in their lives, they are more than that. If they know that they are not 'that' person, what then is it their mind is at the mercy of? Why are they having the negative thoughts and emotions and endless chatter in their minds? What they are actually experiencing is the effects of the pain body.

The pain body is a phrase made famous by Eckhart Tolle, in his book "A New Earth". It essentially describes the pain body as an energetic parasite; an energetic ball of negativity that is inherited from our parents. It has its own innate intelligence - much like a virus, and like a virus, its primal instinct is survival. In order to survive the pain body must have fuel and its fuel just happens to be the energy from negative thoughts and emotions.

In those who have dense pain bodies, it will try its best to flood the mind with negative chatter and then feed on the ensuing reaction. A typical example is road rage. A seemingly mild mannered man turns into a foul mouthed and aggressive jerk when he is cut up in the flow of traffic. The pain body will feed on the surge of negative energy from this event.

Where the depression is severe or clinical, the pain body virtually takes control of the mind. The more it can flood the mind with negativity, the more it can feed and endeavour to survive. Before long an addiction to unhappiness sets in as the pain body literally pretends to be the person. This is why when asked "what does it feel like to be depressed?" the sufferer will usually respond "not me!" They are sub-consciously recognising the presence of the pain body.

How a pain body is formed

The pain body is formed from the traumatic events in our life that we have not resolved and kept suppressed over time. These are the events we feel are too difficult to deal with so we block them from our mind. The energy of the event is still within us, and if not dealt with, gets locked into the energetic psyche of the body. Eventually, the energetic imprint of the trauma evolves and detaches itself from the body but still remains in our energetic self. Only now it has primitive intelligence and will do what it can to survive.

The pain body is passed down from parent to child at birth. How active it is will depend on its density and how much drama and trauma the child has to endure while growing up. It can be a shock to the system to learn there is something inside us that feeds in such a way but this information is not something that was brought into mass conscious awareness until recently.

What can we do to dissolve the pain body and overcome depression?

This is where a pain body release session can help. A pain body release is the energetic dissolving of the pain body. By applying an energy so pure and powerful to your being, the pain body can be reduced or dissolved. As a result, the effect it has on the mind and emotions is significantly diminished.

How does this help me overcome depression you may ask? If we view depression as the accumulation of negative thoughts and emotions, causing the body to vibrate at less than optimum level, and the pain body as a significant source for these negative thoughts and emotions; how then can they plague the mind if the pain body is dissolved?

People who have experienced a pain body release report a freedom and inner peace they have never before had in their lives. Many often discover an inner sense of who they really are as their true essence starts to emerge.

Public Speaking Tips - Lessons From Former US President Ronald Reagan

If you want public speaking tips, what are the ten insights you can learn from former US President Ronald Reagan who was known as 'The Great Communicator'.

The news of the death of former US President Ronald Reagan at 93 in June 2004, has again focussed the world's attention on both his achievements and great communication skills.

So what can we learn about life, business and success from Reagan?

Well, after reading the tributes that have poured in for the man they called 'The Great Communicator', here are my 10 insights.

1. YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD

While most people are enjoying retirement, others are just reaching the height of their power and influence. At the age of 69, Reagan was the oldest person ever to become president of the United States.

What do you plan to do at that age?

2. THE 'NANCY FACTOR'

There's a saying that behind every great man, there's an even better women. Reagan knew his strengths and importantly his weaknesses, such as a lack of attention to detail. His wife Nancy made up for this and they became an 'unshakeable and unbreakable couple'.

This highlights the power of a good relationship with a life partner.

3. A RICH AND VARIED LIFE

Reagan had a rich and deep well of life experiences on which to draw from. The shoe salesman father, the economic reality of the 1930s Depression and at 25, the excitement and drama of being a slick sports broadcaster.

All these experiences helped shape his values, beliefs and ability to communicate with audiences.

4. HUMOUR AND HUMILITY

Despite the early success and attraction to Hollywood as a B-grade actor, Reagan never forgot his roots.

On the assassination attempt on his life in March 1981, he turned to his wife in the emergency room afterwards and said, "Honey, I forgot to duck."

5. INSTANT LIKEABILITY

Like many people with charisma and charm, Reagan had that rare ability to build instant rapport with people he met. He connected with people on a personal level and people liked him for that.

How can you use charisma to build your personal brand?

6. SIMPLE CONCEPTS

While many have criticised his lack of detail and intellectual rigour, Reagan's great gift as a communicator was to take the complex, like a solution to the Cold War, and make it appear simple to the masses.

Like Clinton's often quoted comment, "It's the economy, stupid', Reagan was a master at delivering simple concepts that everyone could understand.

7. HOLLYWOOD STYLE

Reagan know how to dress, network with the right people and manage his image. Skills learnt early in the cut-throat world of the Hollywood movie industry.

8. ATTENTION TO DETAIL

There are reports that Reagan's reign as President was tightly managed and scripted. So what if there were chalk marks on stage outlining where to stand and his use of cue cards as memory joggers prior to important meetings. His background had taught him the importance of attention to detail. Sports broadcasters around the world are meticulous to their approach to big matches. Reagan approached presidential duties no differently.

These are the little things that can make a big difference to the impact of your message.

9. THE RARE ABILITY TO MOVE PEOPLE TO ACTION THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD

Out of the millions of presentations given every day, few achieve this goal. Yet, I believe it should be the outcome of every speech.

Reagan had it. An online biography from 'The New Book of Knowledge' takes a deeper look at this rare skill.

"As a freshman, Reagan took part in a student strike that resulted in the resignation of the college president, who had proposed cutting back the curriculum and the teaching staff because of a shortage of funds. Reagan made the main speech at a rally that won support for the strike from nearly all the students. He later said that he learned then what it was like to succeed with an audience. His skill with audiences was to be a major factor in his successes in later life." (Source: http://www.grolier.com [http://ap.grolier.com] )

10. UNFALTERING OPTIMISM

Research shows that optimism is a learned skill and optimistic people achieve more from life.

This is the one quality I admire most in Reagan. He had it until the very end, as this quote delivered on November 5th, 1994, announcing he had Alzheimer's disease, demonstrates.

"In closing let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

Feeling Lethargic, Moody, Tired or Fat? It Could Be Your Thyroid!

We all have hormones and if they are not in 'balance' you can find yourself experiencing symptoms such as depression, headaches, insomnia, fatigue & weight gain, to list a few. Thyroid Disease is one of the most common hormone disorders, after Insulin Resistance and Diabetes. The majority of individuals with thyroid imbalance have hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) a small minority has hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). The problem is that symptoms of low thyroid function are often mistaken for depression, signs of aging, or are not identified.

Your Thyroid

Your thyroid - a small butterfly shaped gland located in the front of your neck, controls the functioning of every cell, organ and gland in your body.

In addition your thyroid regulates:

o the use of oxygen in all tissues,
o the rate of repair of damaged or diseased tissues,
o your blood sugar levels by controlling the release of glucose (sugar) from the liver to the bloodstream,
o electrolyte and water balance in the cells and body,
o your circulatory system,
o the energy and strength of the muscles,
o the speed of the impulses going to the nerves, your libido, and last but not least your fat metabolism.

Four main hormones produced by your thyroid gland directly affect your metabolism and body fat. They are thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine/levo-thyroxin (T4), and calcitonin (used in calcium metabolism).

Although your thyroid gland secretes and regulates these hormones, about 80% of the body's T3 is produced outside the thyroid gland, in the liver, by chemical modification of Thyroxine or T4.

One of the main reasons why hypothyroid people gain weight is because their T4 is not being converted by the liver to the metabolically active form of T3 or the converted T3 hormone is not getting to the cellular level of the body - meaning you are producing it, but your body can't use it.

Although most conventional practitioners only test for the inactive T4 hormone level, it is important to remember that active T3 thyroid hormone doesn't work only in the blood - it works inside every cell of the body.

If T3 isn't available at the cellular level, then those cells can't function properly. The T4 blood test does not test for this, but taking your body temperature does! I personally feel that your body temperature is the single best test of your thyroid function.

Symptoms

Every cell and tissue in your body is affected by hypothyroidism and deficient levels of the active T3 thyroid hormone can produce one or more of the following symptoms:

o Weight Gain
o Fatigue
o Weakness
o Constipation
o Shortness of breath
o Depression
o Irritability
o Poor memory
o Difficulty concentrating
o Intolerance to cold
o Low body temperature
o Dry, coarse hair/dry skin
o Hair loss
o Muscle or joint pain and stiffness
o Headaches
o Decreased Libido
o Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides

Sadly, many hypothyroid symptoms are frequently dismissed by physicians as a normal part of aging, a psychological problem, overwork, or some other condition. As a result, thyroid tests are never performed and the patient never receives the proper medical treatment they require.

What interferes with Thyroid Function

o Insulin Resistance/Metabolic Syndrome
o Chronic stress/Adrenal depletion - there is a strong interplay between the thyroid and the adrenals.

One is usually weak first and then weakens the other.

o Prescription drugs - (including Dilantin, Lithium, Beta Blockers, Premarin, Birth Control Pills and some anti depressants
o Frequent X-rays - from dental or medical exams or radiation treatment to the head, neck or chest
o Thyroid inhibiting foods - Over-consumption of soy & raw thyroid-inhibiting foods, such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale
o Hormones - Synthetic and genetically engineered hormones (estrogen and other hormones) in meat, dairy, poultry and eggs. Also conditions such as Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder, Fibroids, IVF treatment & Menopause.
o Exercise - The receptors for the thyroid hormones are found deep within the cells and exercise stimulates the thyroid by increasing oxygen to the cells. When you exercise and breathe more oxygen into your body, you speed up your metabolism and the heat in your body rises. So, to pump up your metabolism, you need to pump some iron to heat up your cells "fat burners" by giving them more oxygen.

o Dieting - During a restrictive diet that is either too low calorie or deficient in essential nutrients, the body produces less of the liver enzymes, therefore converting less T4 and producing less T3. Perhaps the biggest problem with diets is that most diets leave you with less muscle and more fat than when you started. Researchers have found that low calorie and low carbohydrate diets eventually suppress T3 hormone levels in the body by providing insufficient fuel for the thyroid and body to function properly.

o Heavy Metal Exposure - Mercury is a toxic heavy metal, which comprises over 50% of "silver" dental fillings & is found in cigarettes. Mercury interferes with the livers production of 5-deodinase an enzyme that is critical in converting thyroid hormones
o Chlorine - (added to most municipal water supplies as a disinfectant)
o Fluoride - (primary sources include toothpaste, dental products, municipal water supplies, pesticide, and residues on commercially grown foods).

These last two elements, fluoride and chlorine, block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland. In fact, fluoride is such a potent thyroid suppressor, that it was once prescribed medically for people with overactive thyroid glands (hyperthyroidism) to slow down their thyroid activity.

Tests for thyroid function

If you are doing everything right and still feeling unwell, there is definitely something going on that needs to be addressed. Perhaps you are suffering from clinical hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) or sub-clinical hypothyroidism (you have symptoms but the blood tests are normal).

Let's assume you are overweight and think you have hypothyroidism. You've been to the doctor with complaints of weight gain, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and "brain fog". The doctor examines you and performs some blood tests, including thyroid tests. And all the tests come back normal. But you are sure you must have an under-active thyroid. You have all the symptoms including a low body temperature, but doctor decides to not prescribe any treatment. You go home, sentenced to a life of weight gain and feeling plain unwell. This scenario is played out again and again until one day you finally fall below the 'reference' ranges.

The Barnes Temperature Test

If you feel your thyroid is sluggish and you think you may be hypothyroid, testing your thyroid is important. You can take the do it yourself Barnes Thyroid Temperature Test (see below), as an inexpensive, yet surprisingly accurate, initial test. Before the advent of the blood test, the Barnes basal temperature test and patients symptoms were all physicians had available to them to test thyroid function.
Doing the Barnes self temperature test, will give you a starting point to determine if you may have hypothyroidism and need to have further confirmatory tests.

Instructions

1. Place a thermometer (preferably digital) within easy reach on the bedside table.
2. Place the thermometer in your armpit for five minutes try to move as little as possible because movement will raise your body temperature
3. Record your temperature each morning for five days. (For women, additional consideration is needed during ovulation, since ovulation somewhat elevates temperature. Because of this, women who menstruate should start recording their temperature on the second or third day of menstruation.)
4. A reading of 36.4 degrees or lower may indicate low thyroid function.
Serum (Blood) Test for Hypothyroidism

If your temperature is low, you may want to request further testing. If you want to go the conventional medical test route you need to request that your physician perform the T3, free T3, sensitive TSH, Reverse T3, and anti-thyroid antibody tests. Remember that the Standard T4 blood test for thyroid function only measures T4 (the inactive form of the hormone) function and is rarely sensitive enough to determine hypothyroidism. That is why I recommend that you ask your doctor to perform the other blood tests.

In my clinical experience, I have found most thyroid blood tests will come back within a 'normal range', but the patient still shows signs of (sub-clinical) hypothyroidism such as a low body (basal) temperature etc. There is research indicating that the reference ranges are too broad & do not cater for the individual - I guess we are not all the same after all!

The good news is that new and more accurate salivary and urine thyroid tests have become available.

The Salivary Thyroid Test

Salivary and urine thyroid testing to the rescue! That's right although not readily available Salivary thyroid testing can be an alternative solution. Your saliva and urine now holds the key to determining whether or not you have an under-active thyroid. This brand new technology promises to change the lives of the millions of individuals suffering with an undiagnosed under-active thyroid. Because it tests thyroid function at the cellular level, the salivary/and or urine thyroid panel has been found to be
more accurate than the blood tests in identifying an under-active thyroid.

The thyroid salivary test measures T3, T4 and free TSH. The salivary or urine thyroid test also measures antibodies against thyroperoxidase, an important enzyme involved in the production of thyroid hormone. Positive antibodies are a sign of an autoimmune process (the immune system attacking the body's own thyroid tissue).

Reviving Your Thyroid

If your thyroid gland is found to be sluggish, through any of the various tests, you may first try the natural non-drug approach to reviving your thyroid.
o Identify what is causing it to be sluggish - eg stress, chemical exposure etc
o Check your basal body temperature
o Consult your GP if necessary & request specific blood tests & discuss any possible need for medication changes
o Change your diet - different foods do interfere with thyroid function. You may wish to consult a naturopath for help with this
o Consult an herbalist - herbs such as Withania, Coleus, Rehmania, Kelp etc are helpful if used in the correct dosages.
o Improve your liver function

Avoiding the toxins I mentioned earlier and increasing your intake of iodine-rich foods such as seafood, asparagus, sea vegetables (kelp), garlic, lima beans, sesame seeds, spinach, Swiss chard and sea salt can be helpful.

The bottom line is most of the above symptoms may sound familiar - it's not unusual for a 30, 40, or 50 something woman to feel tired, burnt out, and a little bit overweight and this makes hypothyroidism that much harder to diagnose. However there are few things more frustrating than feeling unwell & it can take a while to get the right diagnosis. Remember though, if you are feeling unwell - there is most likely something triggering it. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away.

Getting a correct diagnosis is crucial when you realize that being treated can be a life-affirming event. So explore your options & strive for a better, healthy life!