The Speaking Bubble Technique: A Creative Way To Get A Face-To-Face Sales Appointment

There is a section on my website that lists over 40 quotes related to cold calling. One of these quotes is the backbone of this article and reads: "Do what others are not doing and you will STANDOUT! This is so true and this quote is also an introduction to my "Speaking Bubble Technique." What is it? How does it work?

This technique incorporates certain aspects of one of my most famous techniques called "The Moviestar Technique." This Hollywood-esque technique allows you to instantly warm up your cold calls by contacting prospects that are either quoted or pictured in a medium such as a newspaper or magazine. When you finally reach your prospect you then open the telephone call saying that they are a "Moviestar" and that you saw them in such and such publication. Then you introduce yourself, company and offer a benefit statement as to why they may want to continue speaking with you!

If you are looking for a clever way to set up a face-to-face sales appointment then keep reading. First look through targeted newspapers or magazines to find a prospect that you want to reach. Find one? Ok, now grab a piece of white paper and draw a picture of a bubble. Like how? Yes, draw an image of a bubble that you could put next to your prospect's mouth. Are you done yet? Now get a scissors, cut out the bubble, glue it next to your prospect's mouth and write: "Hi (First name of prospect), thanks for letting me know I was in (Name of publication), sure go ahead and schedule a visit to my office next (List day, date and time)--Best Regards, (Your full name)." Does this sound crazy so far?

What do you do next? Take your artistic project, put it to the side, call your prospect up and say, "Is this (First name of prospect) the moviestar? Your prospect will most likely laugh, ask who is calling and you then respond by saying your name, company and mention the publication that featured a story about them. I would then offer to send this article to them as a courtesy on behalf of (Your company name). I would also mention that you would like to call them in a week or so to discuss (List your what you sell and how you might be able to help them.) Thank them for their time and send your little creative creation to their office (remember to attach your business card with some information about your company) then follow up with a phone call to set up a face-to-face appointment.

Typically I like to get the appointment on the first call and this technique may seem like a lot of work, but no one said things are easy in life, right? If you are looking for a sure-fire way to "get noticed" then I would highly suggest using this idea for your next hard to reach type of prospect. And once again, remember this quote: "Do what others are not doing and you will STANDOUT!"

Copyright 2006 MR. COLD CALL SEMINARS - All rights reserved.

Fitness, Diet and Rest For Those Over 40 to Combat Depression

Depression can be related to a situation you have experienced, like a job loss, death of a loved on, relationship issues, or simply the stress of trying to balance, work, home and family, and for those over 40 we tend to be at a point in our lives where there is a lot going on. Depression can also be a medical condition that seems to run in your family. Levels of depression can vary greatly. Some people may find themselves slowing down, constantly tired while another may be anxious, agitated and can't sleep much at all. From moments of sadness and feelings of helplessness to severe mood swings and complete withdrawal these are all very real issues. For those who are dealing with a mild depression there are steps that can be taken to help heal the body, mind and spirit including participating in a daily exercise routine. We typically associate being depressed with episodes of intense sadness that feel somewhat overpowering.

Other signs of depression may be a change in sleep patterns where you are sleeping more or not enough. You may find yourself eating mindlessly or are experiencing a loss in appetite. You feel that you can't focus well, and have lost interest, motivation and energy to perform your work, chores or be around family and friends. Perhaps impatient and irritable with a sense of helplessness may exist. Physical signs may include body, back and headaches. Many women over 40 may pass of the symptoms of as changes with hormones and menopause, which could be a contributor for sure but the symptoms should not be ignored. It is wise to consult a doctor when you are experiencing these problems and to aid the process in mild cases of depression the person needs to make some choices and deliberate changes in how they approach their lives. To do this, they need to eat well, limiting heavy starchy foods and carbohydrates. They should find a way to get some daily exercise going and force themselves to engage in the activity without fail. Make sure they are getting adequate rest and clearing their minds of negative thoughts and being more positive with their thinking. This change in the mindset is very hard, and it will be something the person will have to work hard at for a long time before the strength of the positive person inside comes out regularly as a habit.

Don't let someone suffer in a cycle of sadness, be a supportive family member or friend or if this is you ask someone to help you work toward changing the pattern of negative thinking. Certain months of the year it becomes even harder with the cold temperatures and grey skies. Soon the spring will follow and bright skies and green grass and flowers will help our moods. Seeing a doctor is always a good idea when you are concerned with your health and your mental health should be no exception. They will likely agree that good eating habits, a more regular sleep patter and of course, and exercise routine which can all be very effective to help combat the sadness that may be filling our lives. The fitness of your mind is very important!

Understanding The Facts About Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression as some people call it, is a very frightening condition to live with. The symptoms of this disorder can be harsh, they can come and go rapidly and they can lead to mood swings that are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Bipolar depression is the particular swing that can present some of the most problems for those who suffer from the condition.

To understand bipolar depression, it's a very good idea to have a basic grasp on this condition in its entirety. Those who suffer from this condition tend to endure very extreme mood swings. Manic behavior is on one end of the spectrum and depressive the other.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is This the Great Depression Again?

The economy is in the worst shape it has been in since the Great Depression. With no end in sight, many are using the D word when talking about the future of the economy. However, no one knows for certain if the United States is headed in that direction.

The Great Depression was not predicted by economists. The stock crash of 1929 is generally hailed as the beginning of the Depression, although what very few people realize is that the economy rebounded a bit and then slid downward several times during that period. Even at the end of the 1930s, the unemployment rate was in the double digits. During the Great Depression, the unemployment rate was at 25 percent. Today, the unemployment rate is up to 15 percent in some areas of the country and is nationwide just below 10 percent.

The difference between what happened during the Depression and the current recession is the foreclosure element. During the time of the Depression, there was more of a class distinction than there is now. The middle class did not exist. People were either of the working class and on the poor side, or had a great deal of money. The vast majority of those in the country rented their homes. The foreclosure rate has never been as high as it is right now. And this rate is continuing to climb.

During the Depression, no one worried about credit. Credit did not become a concept until the late 1960s. Prior to that, there were no universal charge cards and anyone who wanted to buy something on time went to the store and signed up for an account. Personal references were often used to vouch for character.

Today, all credit appears in a credit report. These reports are used by creditors to determine credit worthiness of an individual. Those with bad credit can restore their credit by using a credit repair service. Credit reversal is possible due to changes in laws protecting consumers. Many people today are looking to credit repair as a way to regain their credit after foreclosures and bankruptcies.

No one knows whether this will be another Great Depression as of yet. There are many differences in government regulations and social services that did not exist in the 1930s. However, the current economic crisis has all of the makings of a financial catastrophe for the country and is also affecting the global economy as well.

Should You Adopt A Child When The Birth Parents Have Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects millions of people worldwide. There are several treatment options available for those suffering bipolar and though this is a serious mental illness, with the proper treatment those afflicted may lead completely normal lives.

It is believed that genetics do play a part in if a person will develop bipolar, though most relatives of a person afflicted with this illness will never develop bipolar disorder. If one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to offspring is approximately five percent. It can be as high as 14 percent if other relatives, such as an aunt or uncle, also are diagnosed. In the unusual case where both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk to offspring is approximately 30 percent, but can increase slightly if other relatives are bipolar too.

Symptoms usually develop around the age of 25, but can develop as early as puberty. Bipolar disorder carries an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Bipolar disorder includes four main mood episodes - Mania, Hypomania, Depression, and Mixed Mood. People who experience at least four of these episodes a year, which last a week or more, may have bipolar disorder.

• Manic Episode (Mania) is a distinct period during which there is an abnormally and constantly elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least one week.

• Hypomanic Episode (Hypomania) is a milder form of mania that lasts at least four days.

• Major Depressive Episode (Depression) is a period during which there is either depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, lasting for at least two weeks.

• Mixed Episode is a period of time during which a person experiences both manic and major depressive symptoms nearly every day for at least one week.

If you are considering adopting a child that has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or may have a possibility of developing bipolar disorder, it is important that you learn as much as you can about the illness. Caring for someone with this disorder can be challenging for parents and it is important that you keep in mind that they will need as much loving support and understanding that you can give them.

Ultimately, the decision to adopt a child where one or both of the birth parents may have bipolar disorder lies exclusively with you. Research is being done to improve treatment. The best person to speak to about bipolar is your pediatrician. Also, you can check with national organizations specializing in bipolar and manic depression. There is no guarantee that your child will also suffer from this disorder. You will have to consider, if your child is diagnosed with being borderline bipolar, can you handle the special issues associated with raising a child who has with this disorder? Will you be able to give them the support, patience and love that they will need?

It is also important to remember that just because the parents have bipolar does not necessarily mean that their child will have the disorder. Many parents have passed on adoption situations because of something that was unfamiliar to them, so do research and ask questions of professionals before saying no to an adoption situation.

Reverse Mortgage Information For Seniors

A reverse mortgage used to be considered a last resort option for the so called, "cash strapped" seniors who needed to tap into home equity in order to get financial help during retirement. However, with home prices across the country declining at astonishing rates, and financial assets evaporating in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, more and more retirees are turning to a reverse mortgage as a necessary remedy to the financial crisis. This article will cover general information so that you will have a basic idea of what a reverse mortgage is and what the qualifications are in order to obtain one.

As you might be aware, reverse mortgages are becoming more mainstream by the day. More lenders than ever before, are offering this type of loan and each year the demand grows. It's not just the economic crisis that has fostered this, but it's also the rise in life expectancies, the rise in health care costs for seniors, and the overall increased costs of daily essentials.

SO WHAT EXACTLY IS A REVERSE MORTGAGE?
A reverse mortgage is a unique type of home equity loan that can provide lifetime Tax-Free income to seniors 62 or older. Senior homeowners that have accumulated large amounts of equity over many years of homeownership, now have a way to tap into this asset through a reverse mortgage and never make another monthly mortgage payment as long as they live in the home. Before this financial tool was available the only way to tap into this asset was to sell the home. Most people do not find this an acceptable option at this stage of life.

HOW DOES A REVERSE MORTGAGE WORK?
A Reverse mortgage works in exactly the opposite way that a "forward" or regular mortgage loan works. American Association for Retired Persons suggests, that one way to think about this mortgage is to visualize it as a "rising debt - falling equity" loan. This is very different from the purchase mortgage you used years ago when you first bought your home. That loan was considered a "rising equity - falling debt" loan. Although it was comforting to know you were building up equity over the years and working toward becoming mortgage free, now that you are there, you might be feeling a bit house rich and cash poor. Yes, the home is paid off or nearly so, but you may be having difficulty making ends meet from a cash flow standpoint. Your largest asset might very well be your home. But the only way you can access the cash, other than through a reverse mortgage, is to sell your home. Consequently, now might be the perfect time to consider reversing tapping into your home equity in order to have the financial freedom you deserve.

With a reverse mortgage, the lender pays the homeowner tax-free disbursements based on the amount of equity in the home, the interest rate and the age of the owners. The senior is not required to give up title, sell the home, or make monthly mortgage payments. The payment stream is "reversed" and the lender now makes payments to the homeowner as long as the senior continues living in the home. There are no income, medical or credit requirements to qualify for this type of home loan. The money can be used for any purpose.A Reverse Mortgage is a safe way for seniors to access home equity without making monthly mortgage payments. The HECM Reverse Mortgage Loan, endorsed by HUD and insured by FHA is the most popular reverse mortgage offered today. The purpose of this kind of loan is to allow you to receive cash from your home, without the obligation on your part to make monthly mortgage payments. The true beauty of this loan is that it does not require any repayment for as long as you live in your home.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU GET?
The Loan Amount is Determined By:
The Value Of The Home
The Age of The Youngest Borrower

The Current Interest Rate
Some people are under the misunderstanding that in order to get a reverse mortgage all they need is to own a home, regardless of how much is still owed on the existing mortgage. They think of this loan as a typical conventional refinance transaction where the loan amount can be very close to the value of the home. However, this is not the case with a this type of mortgage. Equity is the key component in determining a borrower's eligibility for a reverse mortgage.

To be eligible, there must be significant equity in the property. Minimally, the amount of equity should be in the area of 50 to 60% of the market value, depending on the ages of the homeowners and the current interest rates. The reason the equity requirement is so high is because the equity must last the expected life-time of the youngest borrower. For example if the youngest homeowner has just turned 62 (which is the minimum age requirement to be eligible) the money being paid out to the seniors from their accumulated equity, could potentially have to last 30+ years.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
All owners on the title to the home must be at least 62 years old There should be a large amount of equity in the home The home must be the primary residence for all borrowers The home must be: Single Family, Condo, Town-home, 2-4 owner occupied home or manufactured on a permanent foundation and built after June of 1976. Criteria that are NOT considered are:

Income
Credit
Health

Although, not right for everyone, this mortgage can be the perfect answer for seniors who wish to remain in their home but are finding it a challenge to make their monthly payments and meet other financial obligations.

It is important to collect as much reverse mortgage information as possible before you decide whether this kind of loan is the right solution for you. Reverse mortgage consumer guides offer some of the best reverse mortgage information available today. Some great sources are: HUD and the National Council on Aging (NCOA.)

Facts About Depression

Depression is a state of behaviour that can have a significant impact on an individual's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well being. Depression is primarily resulted from bad memories or emotional disturbance from tumultuous times. When faced with depression, an individual suffers from mental effects such as feeling sad, empty, anxious, lack of motivation or sometimes even thoughts of contemplated suicide. Besides mental effects, depression might also take a physical toll on its victims. People who suffer from depression are usually in a bad state of health due to their adverse emotional disturbance. Physical effects like insomnia, fatigue and indigestion might also persist to those suffering from depression.

The mental and physical effects of depression might prove to be huge stumbling block to an individual's performance and self evaluation. One major implication of these effects would be the lost in self confidence of a person suffering from depression. Depression victims would normally lose their self esteem and isolate themselves from others, thus creating a social barrier between them and their peers. Depression can also change a person attitude drastically. A jolly cheerful person might change their attitude altogether when facing depression. Victims would usually just sulk alone and be gloomy all day long, with little interaction with others. Individuals suffering from depression might also face irregular sleeping patterns or sleep disturbances due to emotional matters attached to them. All of these might lead to severe deterioration of the victim's health and well being.

Emotional effects of depression might also have an adverse effect on an individual's performance. The negativity would carry over to an individual's handling of daily matters such as professions or other day to day activities. For example, a person suffering from depression would most likely suffer a significant drop in work performance due to hindrance from depression. Besides work performance being affected, they might also lose interest in their hobbies and personal interest matters.

There are several notable types of depression. The primary type of depression would be major depression. This form of depression is one of the most common. Individuals suffering from major depression carry a significant amount of emotional burden upon them. They appear to lose interest in regular activities and will always appear to be in a hopeless state. Atypical depression is a milder form of major depression where the victim is sometimes able to experience moments of happiness and joy. Victims believe that outside events control their mood and this condition might last for several months or in some extreme cases, forever. Besides these primary forms of depression, there are also other forms of specific depressions. Psychotic depression is when victims begin to suffer hallucinations from schizophrenia. These hallucinations are generally overwhelmed with negativity. Dysthymia is a condition when the person is unaware of their depressed state and goes on their daily lives without being aware of their emotional instability. They might go through life feeling dejected, dissatisfied and unimportant. Manic depression is an emotional disorder characterized by shifting moods from depression to mania. Victims who suffer from manic depression are more prone to suicidal tendencies.

Generally, there is no specific cure for depression. People suffering from depression must be dealt with accordingly before they hurt themselves or cause grievance to others. Appropriate medical treatment should be provided to the needy and in some extreme cases; appropriate psychological guidance must be shown to those who seem lost.

Can Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - CBT, Really Help?

In southern Spain, the Marbella / Puerto Banus area was synonymous with cosmetic surgery and private dentistry, available only to those who could afford to pay the price, but now many Brits are joining the celebrities and flying to Malaga, in order to visit a clinic offering free, initial sessions in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. The British-run clinic in Fuengirola (between Malaga and Marbella) was used to seeing Brits flying over for stopping smoking therapy, but now they are arriving with a whole shopping list of problems.

It is estimated that currently one in six adults in the UK are suffering from mental health problems - a sad indictment of today's fast-paced, high-stress society. But there is a way to combat the fallout, in the form of CBT, a science-based, short-term psychological talk therapy, which can provide an almost instant solution.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is structured, goal-focused and time-limited. In fact it is so rapid, effective and cost-efficient that the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) now recommends CBT as the treatment of choice for a wide range of psychological problems, in particular stress, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, fears, phobias, eating disorders and other personality disorders, such as OCD and hypochondria.

CBT is most commonly thought of as a treatment for clinical depression, eating disorders, and obsessive compulsive disorders and is often beneficial for more common "life" problems such as stress. Occasionally people find that worry and self-esteem problems grow to such a level that even performing simple tasks such as giving a presentation at work or even going to the shops can affect their physical health and cause them mental distress.

What is CBT?

CBT tends to deal with the 'here and now' - how your current thoughts and behaviours are affecting you now. It recognises that events in your past have shaped the way that you currently think and behave, in particular, thought patterns and behaviours learned in childhood. However, CBT does not dwell on the past, but aims to find solutions to changing your current thoughts and behaviours so that you can function better in the future.

The therapy is based on the simple idea that the way we think directly affects our behaviour, so when we have irrational or distorted thoughts and perceptions, our behaviour and reaction to situations or events will also be irrational. During CBT sessions the therapist breaks down problems into small sections, which can be quite easily dealt with one at a time. A specific situation or event is the starting point; then the person's immediate, flawed thoughts about that situation are examined. These erroneous, often negative, thoughts lead the person to have certain emotions and physical feelings, which in turn prompts them to react and behave in a negative, unhelpful way. A trained CBT therapist aims to change the patient's thought patterns by demonstrating how when their initial thoughts are correct, realistic and rational, then their emotions and resulting behaviour are also much more helpful, rational and positive.

How effective is CBT?

Clinical trials suggest that CBT has been successful in addressing various emotional problems. For example, research studies have shown that a course of CBT is just as effective as medication in treating depression and certain anxiety disorders. It is also possible that, longer term, the effects of CBT will continue to protect the client from further illness. People who finish medication may be at greater risk of relapse compared to CBT clients, who have learned principles and strategies to sustain their recovery, so, for example, problems such as depression or anxiety are less likely to recur in the future. There is also good research evidence to show that CBT can help to improve symptoms of some physical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Before You Join a Grief Support Group, Consider These Points

Grief is exhausting. That's bad enough, but painful emotions are confusing and may keep you from functioning. Churches, hospitals, national and local organizations all have grief support groups. Though they may look the same from the outside, these groups can be very different on the inside.

In 2007 four of my family members died, my elder daughter, father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and my twin grandchildren's father. So I understand grief and especially the grief of multiple losses. Getting help is a proactive step. How can a support group help you?

The Hello Grief website cites some pluses in its article, "Benefits of Grief Support Groups," including a non-judgmental environment, understanding, learning new coping steps, new traditions, and companionship. I think one of the best is "permission to grieve and permission to live a happy productive life."

If you're going to join a support group, you need to time it right. Personally, I wouldn't join anything until you can tell your story without sobbing. As much as people want to help you, it's hard for them to do so when you're sobbing. Your wrenching sobs are justified to be sure, but they may change group dynamics. At this time in our journey, it may be best to talk with a grief counselor or someone with similar experience.

Learn about the organization and its services before you make a commitment. Here are some questions to answer:

• Who is the facilitator?


• What are his or her qualifications?


• When and where does the group meet?


• How often does it meet?


• On average, how many people come?


• What are the rules?


• Is this a specialized gathering (suicide,sudden loss, traumatic loss, disease-specific)


• Does the group have a good reputation?

Ask around before you commit to anything. I asked a friend of mine about hospice-run aftercare sessions that he attended. His wife had been ill for a long time and died in hospice. He wasn't very enthusiastic about aftercare. "I went, but I didn't get anything out of it," he admitted.

Rules are really important. The facilitator should give everyone a chance to speak. One person shouldn't be allowed to dominate others. Confidentiality is para mount and what is said in the room stays in the room. Today, support comes in many forms: telephone networks, daily emails, self-help organizations, bulletin boards, and Internet communities.

Deborah Gray, who runs an online depression forum, cautions people about joining these communities in her Health Central website article, "What You Need to Know Before Joining an Online Support Group." Privacy can be a big issue, according to Gray, because the information is out there for anyone to access, especially employers and potential employers. Lack of verbal and visual clues may also be barriers.

"Don't jump to any conclusions about someone's intended meaning if you are offended," Gray advises.

Bob Deits, in his book Life After Loss: A Practical guide to Renewing Your Life After Experiencing Major Loss, says we need to believe our grief has a purpose and an end. Joining a support group may help you find both.

Copyright 2013 by Harriet Hodgson

Dealing with Depressed People

Depressed people are not the life of the party. They're often extremely difficult to be around. They're moody, non-communicative, grumpy and generally dismal. Although they are not fun to be around, they are suffering. So, if you can recognize that a loved one isn't acting normal, you should try to do what you can for them, even if it's an extremely tortuous endeavor.

How Do You Know Someone's Depressed?

The illness manifests itself in many different ways however, there are many different ways to tell if a person is suffering from depression. They tend to remove themselves socially. For example, if you have a friend who continually declines social invitations, that might be a red flag. They may also be busy, so make sure to have a conversation with them before unilaterally diagnosing them.

They may also change their eating or drinking habits. They may forget to eat. They may also eat too much. The same goes for drinking alcohol. A person may turn to alcohol to cope with their feelings of hopelessness. If you have a friend who starts drinking more than usual, that may be another signal.

Depressed people have a hard time sleeping. They may sleep too much, but they also may not sleep enough. This is an indicator that you might not notice unless you live with the person.

People who are deep in a depression might start calling in sick to work. This is because the thought of getting dressed, leaving the house and going through their daily routine is simply too much effort. Their feelings of despair are so deep that they can't even function. Extremely cases may start talking about suicide. If you hear someone make reference to ending their life, it's absolutely critical that you get them help.

Why Should I Spend Any Time with a Depressed Person?

If you know someone like this, you should spend as much time with them as you can. They tend to remove themselves socially. They think isolating themselves will make them feel better, but it actually makes them feel worse. Getting depressed people out of the house will help get them to start thinking about something other than their feelings.

Understanding Depression Symptoms Will Save Your Life

The reason a majority of us suffer from depression in the first place is due to the fact that we are not able to pick up on certain depression symptoms. Picking up on depression symptoms early on can help an individual work on their problems at an early stage. Getting rid of any medical problem when it is in its early stages is much easier than trying to deal with it once it gets serious. For this reason, there has been a lot of urgency to spread the word on some of the most common symptoms that an individual may suffer from if they are experiencing depression. With a recent medical researching showing that nearly 87% of the world population is known to suffer from some form of depression, such knowledge would be useful to the majority.

One of the most common depression symptoms that many are known to suffer from is feeling helpless. Feeling helpless is quite common due to the life styles that we have chosen to live in today. You might find your self feeling as though it is the end of the world and that a particular situation could only get worse. Even though you might think that this is an odd feeling to go through from time to time, in actual fact it is has been known to fall under the depression symptoms category.

Other depression symptoms are known to include a lost of interest in happiness and enjoyment. In such cases, a person is known to lose interest in former hobbies, sports, past times and social activities. In some extreme cases, individuals are also known to lose an interest in sex. This is seen as another popular symptom that many go through without realizing.

Experiencing a change in body weight of 5% either way is known to be classified as depression symptoms. Sudden weight loss or weight gain of 5% in a period of one month is seen to be hinting towards suffering from depression unless you are suffering from some other medical problem. In such a case it is advised to contact your local GP immediately.

Having irregular patterns of sleep is also seen to fall under depression symptoms. Irregular patterns of sleep can consist of over sleeping, waking up in the early hours or having trouble sleeping altogether. All are classed as being depression symptoms, which one should take seriously. Suffering from an occasional irregular pattern of sleep is normal. However, suffering from the problem on a regular basis is when you should think about visiting your local GP.

There are many other depression symptoms that a person can suffer from as well. The depression symptoms mentioned above are some of the most common and unnoticed symptoms that are known to lead onto serious concerns. Spotting these symptoms in their early stages and acting accordingly can really help prevent a person suffering from long term depression. If you suffer from any of the above on a regular basis, make sure you consult a doctor.

Why Practising Yoga Can Help Beat Depression and Enhance Your Mood

The local children are out of control, your career is a headache and to top it all off, you have little time for your self. If anybody shared with you that you could achieve a condition of actual physical and emotional happiness, you would call them crazy. Believe it or not, you can overcome the doldrums with many kinds of yoga!

Yoga is a terrific spirit booster that involves no drug treatments or medicines. Like all varieties of physical exercise, yoga produces bodily hormones that assist with overcoming, feelings of stress and tension that often lead to feelings of depression and hopelessness.

Being energetic and active helps to keep your thoughts away from detrimental feelings, and enables you to gain an increased and more clear point of view on the issues you are facing.

Men and women who are depressed, or feeling "down", frequently don't have the enthusiasm to work out. That's why yoga can be such an excellent choice. It usually takes less energy to complete a specific yoga routine compared to other types of exercise..

When you're experiencing negativity, it's hard to consider things positively. People today who are despondent typically don't have the attentiveness to remove the negativity from their thought processes. Yoga is classed as a "moving meditation", so it is much simpler to not think the negative feelings.

Our vital inner dynamics can be obstructed by negative thoughts. Doubt, apathy, despair, hopelessness can hamper our energy flow. Yoga is intended to deliver you nearer to your inner truth, of course helping with some of the indicators or symptoms of depression. Yoga can help to restore mental stability. This is achieved by the concentration on balance and yoga posture.

There is a distinct relationship between mind, body and soul that suggests individuals can overcome the blues and feelings of depression with yoga. No other kind of physical exercise can accomplish these similar positive aspects. Certain yoga postures (asana) can have an impact on your feelings and aid with relieve of depression. Yoga poses can help enhance reduced vitality levels and alleviate lethargy.

These yoga moves are also beneficial in opening up lung total capacity, which makes it feasible for more oxygen to get to all organs of your body, and even your mood and feelings can be improved. Ask a yoga guide or teacher to support you, so you can learn the postures that will bring you harmony and aid with enhancing your mood.

It's also feasible to beat depression with yoga due to the fact of the relaxing effects yoga has on the central nervous system. Correct inhaling and exhaling techniques are essential components to practising yoga, as these can assist and suppress your anxiety and quiet your feelings, making it possible for you to focus on beneficial rather than detrimental energies.

As you discover more about yoga, you'll understand the relationship concerning your mind and your emotions, and you'll find that they can support each other.

If you believe you may be battling with serious depression, seek expert assistance. Yoga is a drug-free option that can be safely and securely employed in combination with any treatment or treatments your medical professional offers. Some yoga exercises are especially developed to reduce depression and are taught by teachers who have been thoroughly qualified to have an understanding of the most therapeutic yoga positions.

Executing the most simple yoga routines can help raise your spirits and feelings. Even though yoga is not physically strenuous like other types of physical exercise, yoga will make you feel considerably better at the end of a session. Try it and you'll find that you can also beat the blues and depression with yoga!

Depression Hurts Body and Mind

When depression hurts it affects the body and mind. Depression appears as symptoms that can be very debilitating. A change of appetite is a symptom that occurs often in some cases it will inhibit appetite and such as in Atypical depression it can have the opposite effect and increase appetite. This is just one example where depression hurts.

The bodies need for sleep can also be disturbed and almost all depressed individuals experience a loss of sleep. As a matter of fact 80 percent of individuals suffering from depression experience insomnia while 15 percent sleep excessively. Fatigue is another complaint many depressed individuals experience. It can be so severe that physical movement can be difficult and actually come to a halt. This being another example of where depression hurts.

It has been shown that depression hurts by affecting the bodies system. Depression can affect the heart a place an individual at risk for heart disease. It also can raise the risk for those who may already have heart disease. It is not known why but researchers have discovered that depression alters blood platelets, who's functions are responsible for clotting. This example shows how depression hurts and can be dangerous.

Depression can even changes in bone mass leading to osteoporosis. But nothing is more insistent than the physical pain depression can cause. For nearly half of the individuals suffering from depression, body pain is one way depression hurts and can exhibit itself.

The pain is usually unexplained by injury and shows up as headaches, abdominal pain, or musculoskeletal pains in the lower back, joints and neck. They can appear alone or in any combination.

The depression can go untreated for the doctor or health professional nor the sufferer are aware of the true source of the problem. The pain is not in the head and is very real but it drives the sufferer to seek help from a primary physician or orthopedist in belief there is something wrong with their body.

Treating the physical symptoms caused by depression is as important as recognizing it. Depression hurts and to ensure a full recovery it is important to eliminate the pain. Persistent pain can keep people from functioning properly in their professional and personal live increasing the risk for suicide.

Nerve pathways which are presided over by the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine are where emotional symptoms arise, the painful symptoms of depression also arise on these specific nerve pathways. These pathways travel up into the brains frontal cortex where they help with thinking and mood. They also travel up to the brain's hypothalamus where they assist in eating, sleeping and sex drive.

But these pathways travel down into the spinal cord as well and this is where the problem lies and why depression hurts. Normally functions such as the stomach digesting and muskuloskelotal functions are fed through the central nervous system. However, these sensations are normally suppressed from consciousness that allows us to pay attention to the world outside our bodies.

That suppression is normally regulated by serotonin and norepineprhine dependent nerve fibers that travel from the brain to the spinal cord. In depression they become dysfunctional and normal sensory inputs escape into the brain where it is interpreted as painful when really there is nothing wrong. Depression can hurt even when there really is nothing wrong.

What Is Manic Depression And How To Recognise It

Manic depression is characterised as extreme mood changes which can happen gradually or have rapid onset, a person suffering with manic depression can therefore be fine one minute and feeling extremely low the next or they could have an ok day and feel good about themselves and then wake the next morning with a completely different outlook on life, feeling very gloomy and wondering "what's the point in getting up today". This at first glance may not sound like a serious disorder but it is a recognised depressive disorder and if left untreated can quite easily lead to something much more serious including life threatening issues.

As with most depressive disorders the exact cause of manic depression is not known but extensive research points to it being a chemical imbalance in the brain.

The symptoms and severity of manic depression can vary widely from person to person and is therefore a difficult condition to correctly diagnose. It is very important to see a doctor for diagnosis if you think you or someone you know may be suffering from manic depression, it is not a condition which can be self diagnosed or self treated.

Listed here are some symptoms which may be common to a majority of sufferers, not everyone will have all of these symptoms of course, some people will only get one or two of the symptoms listed but may have different symptoms too which are unique to their condition.

• Unusual tiredness - no energy, lethargy not caused by lack of sleep.


• Hopelessness - feeling there is no point in doing even simple tasks


• Pessimistic - always seeing the worst of any situations


• Inability to sleep - insomnia with no recognisable reasons, i.e. a recent bereavement or loss


• Anxiety - feeling anxious with no apparent reason


• Emotionless - lack of any kind of feelings


• Weight loss - caused by lack of appetite or weight gain due to comfort eating

Symptoms of manic depression can begin to show in teenage years, is more common between the age of eighteen and twenty four and tends to develop less in the over thirties but can occur at any age in both men and women. Symptoms lasting two weeks or more should be treated as serious and medical help sought.

Manic depression is treatable, usually requiring a person to be prescribed an anti-depressant thought to be most suited to their individual symptoms and condition. A sufferer will also be offered psychological intervention in the form of talking therapy if their doctor believes they will benefit from this. If the symptoms are not too severe and don't interfere with day to day activities in a big way then therapy may be all that is needed and will be tried before medication. In all cases the advice of the doctor should be taken seriously to ensure a more serious disorder doesn't develop.

穢 Andrew Tudor Jones

Signs And Symptoms Of Depression

One of the classic signs of depression is a dramatic change in eating patterns. Some people lose all desire to eat; others develop voracious appetites, especially for carbohydrates. People with depression typically have little energy. Other common signs of depression include an unshakable feeling of sadness, inability to experience pleasure, early awakening or multiple awakenings throughout the night, insomnia, excessive sleepiness, other sleep disorders, inability to concentrate, and indecisiveness. Feeling of worthlessness or guilt may be accompanied by recurrent thoughts of death. Anyone who has some or all of these symptoms nearly every day for more than 2 weeks may be suffering from major depression.

Unfortunately, people over the age of 65 are four times more likely to suffer from depression than younger people. However, elderly sufferers do not always exhibit the classic signs. Instead, they may show signs of dementia, complain of aches and pains, and appear agitated, anxious, or irritable. Researchers estimate that almost one-third of widows and widowers meet the criteria for depression in the first 4 weeks after the death of a spouse. Half of these people are still clinically depressed after a year. If you notice symptoms of depression in someone, try to persuade the person to see a doctor.

People with Parkinson's disease, stroke, arthritis, thyroid disorders, and cancer often suffer from depression. But the person may feel depressed because he has a serious illness or because the underlying disease has triggered a chemical change in the brain. Depression also can be a side effect of many medications taken for other existing conditions. These include beta-blockers for hypertension, digoxin and other drugs for heart disease, indomethacin and other painkillers, corticosteroids (including prednisone), antiparkinsonism drugs, antihistamines, and oral contraceptives and other hormonal agents.

Test For Candida - Can Yeast Still Be a Significant Problem If Stool Samples Are Clean?

A friend in an online group suspects the her 4-year-old son has yeast overgrowth, but from the test for candida, three stool samples have come back with no yeast present, which has pretty much assured her son's doctor that yeast is not a problem. She has heard that there are types of cell wall-less yeast which would not appear on a stool sample. The problem is since a clean stool sample means no yeast. Can yeast still be a significant problem?

There are actually several reasons that explain why you should suspect yeast. They are episodes of hyperactivity, constipation, hypoglycemia, occasional rear-end rash, episodes of depression, multiple food allergies, and, on several organic acid tests, extremely elevated citric acid and high arabinose.

However, to determine whether the yeast will still pose significant impact or not pretty much depend on the characteristics of the boy. Is he on diet, is he free of soy etc. His eating habits also play important role towards the yeast infection. Another factor is bacterial overgrowth whether the son is having it or not. If the son has, what treatment he takes.

One alternative that can be taken is to use Uva Ursi to tackle some of the bad bacteria. However, several people reported that after every course of the Uva Ursi, their son act very aggressively and negatively for a week or more. So, you should better consult your doctor for this one.

The best advice for this condition is to take live blood analysis. Sometimes the worst cases of yeast overgrowth happens which is when the stool tests come back negative. Therefore, a live blood analysis is very useful, it will show just how much yeast is still in the system.

Can Pain Cause Fear, Anxiety and Depression?

Fear and anxiety are a normal part of life, even adaptive in many conditions. Mental health professionals say that pain cause fear, anxiety and depression. Such problems eliminates productivity and significantly intrudes on an individual's quality of life, and for which friends, family and even the patient can find no obvious cause. Studies have shown that stressful life events both positive and negative like marriage, graduation and birth of a baby may have a part in influencing anxiety, fear and even depression. Anyone at any age could experience these and as experts say, heit gourlay pain seems to play a part in its development. Women are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as men, researchers are continuing to study why this happens.

Panic cause fear, anxiety & depression and even clouds one's thinking and makes everything looks negative. It breaks one's world that it seems feel like nothing is exciting anymore. Fear, anxiety and depression can change one's thoughts and feelings. In the same way that the negative thoughts can create anxiety about different situations.

Severe anxiety and fear can lead to depression. Most common forms of anxiety are not serious and can even be helpful. It can improve your physical abilities and make you more focused on the task of facing the particular challenge in your life. However, severe anxiety is something which can affect your life in many negative ways and can cause a lot of pain. Severe anxiety can even change the person's behaviour and can actually stop you from doing things you need to do on a daily basis.

While others say pain cause fear anxiety depression, there can also be other factors that may contribute such as stress at work or from school, stress in a personal relationships, financial stress, emotional trauma, serious medical illness, side effect of medication, use of an illicit drug like cocaine, lack of oxygen or a symptom of a medical illness. The doctor has the often-difficult task to determining which symptoms come from which causes.

Fear, anxiety and depression can be something you thought you have no control of. It may feel so physical and finding ways to overcome it feels hard. Scientists and researchers are learning more about the factors that cause the development of the problems. Scientists have three potential causes, have broke them down into three parts, brain chemistry, heredity and life experiences. There is no exact evidence for these causes but others point that pain can cause all of these problems.

Hidden Depression Symptoms and Their Impact on The Treatment of Various Chronic Illnesses

Several studies performed on patients with chronic health conditions have revealed a significant prevalence of clinical depression in most of them. In most of these studies, about a quarter of the chronically ill patients personally admitted to have experienced various depression symptoms subsequent to the onset of their illness.

An illness is termed chronic when it either keeps recurring or persisting for a long time, mostly due to lack of reliable treatment technique. Some of these 'untreatable' medical conditions can last for durations that range from a few months to a lifetime. Such illnesses include high blood pressure, HIV/Aids, heart conditions, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), arthritis, epilepsy, kidney disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Chronic illness complications and symptoms management is mostly done through medication, physiotherapy or exercise, restricted diet among other techniques. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the majority of chronic illnesses patients complain about similar complications that revolve around their social, psychological and physical wellbeing.

Psychological problems such as depression often stem from the incessant physical pain, social isolation and neglect, emotional anguish, false beliefs about the illness, symptom overwhelm, diminished physical capabilities and energy, medication side effects among other factors. Apart from that, depressive illnesses can be caused directly by illnesses and medications which affect the brain, the central nervous system or endocrine system.

Ailments such as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy have direct biological effects that alter the structure and functionality of the neurological and endocrine systems. These changes frequently contribute towards the development of depression.

Clinical depression is a serious medical condition whose symptoms include pervasively low mood, motivation and energy levels, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, irritability, tearfulness, mysterious bodily aches and pains, sleeping problems and appetite changes. Other important symptoms of depression include social withdrawal, reduced mental abilities and lack of interest in seeking rewarding or pleasurable activities.

Unfortunately, most of these chronically ill patients rarely receive treatment nor tested for depression as should be the case. Possible reasons for this anomaly include a lack of awareness about depression and its symptoms or the mistaken assumption that the experienced depression symptoms are actually part of the chronic illness.

Untreated depression considerably weighs down on the effectiveness of any chronic ailment management method. Depression sufferers who also have an underlying chronic health problem respond very poorly to treatment for both ailments. However both physical and mental health specialists agree that proper psychological health is essential for a quick and problem free recovery process of most illnesses let alone chronic ones. Therefore, as part of their recovery strategy, such individuals should ensure that they undergo diagnosis and treatment for depression as a way of enhancing their healing process as well as improving their health overall status.

Depression - Treating Depression Naturally

There are days when all of us feel down and out, like we would rather stay in bed with the covers over our heads then get up and deal with the world. Having these days on occasion is one thing, but when you feel this way day in and day out, you are suffering from something more serious. You are dealing with depression. They tell you to talk to your doctor, you have... and they prescribe more medications. What if there was a way for you to not just treat symptoms, but to actually get rid of depression. Imagine feeling better each and every day without prescriptions and their side effects.

That is what you are going to learn about today. A way to take care of yourself naturally. What many people fail to realize is that we have the power within ourselves to stop being depressed. Society however wants us to believe we need harmful medication that can aggravate symptoms or make us numb to the world around us. What type of life is that? The answer is, it isn't a life at all.

I wanted to take a moment and talk about some of the natural ways available to treat depression. One popular method is psychotherapy. What psychotherapy does is allow you a way to stop feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A session typically requires a trained therapist, and it also requires that you talk about your feelings. While psychotherapy is popular and it has helped a number of people, it can be difficult to talk about the way you are feeling, especially when you don't know why you are feeling that way.

There are also natural supplements that you can take that will help you feel better. For years medical professionals, as well as alternative medicine specialists have raved about the positive effects that natural supplements like St. John's Wart has on people that suffer from depression. The only downside other then the fact you are taking a "pill" is that you do need to consult your doctor before you start taking St. John's Wart due to the fact that it can interact with other medications you may be taking.

A third natural way to not only treat but possible rid yourself of depression is exercise. Exercise is a natural mood booster and it has been scientifically shown to be as effective as any medication that you can take, without the side effects. Exercise gets the endorphins in the brain firing, which make us feel better. Plus when you are exercising your mind tends to focus on what you are doing and not really what you are feeling. So it is a great way to change your focus from the blue feeling that you have to other things, like the overall feeling of accomplishment from taking that mile long walk down the beach, or the 20 minute jog on the treadmill.

Meditation is also an effective natural treatment for depression. Meditation allows you to be at peace with your mind and body. There are many different types of meditation that you can be done, such as guided meditations that take you on a journey as you listen to the person on the audio and you focus on your breathing, or you can simply do your own meditation.

If you are interested in finally ridding yourself of depression and the effects of prescription medication take a closer look at natural treatment options for depression.

Natural Alternative To Balancing Your Brain Chemistry To Treat Depression, Anxiety And ADD

What are Neurotransmitters?

Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals within the brain that relay signals between the nerve cells and are required for proper brain and body function.

A proper balance of neurotransmitter levels helps achieve optimal health.

Neurotransmitter imbalances have been linked to:

• 
  Attention issues (lack of focus and motivation, poor concentration, and ADD)


• 
  Learning difficulties and development delays (young children)


• 
  Hyperactivity and ADHD for both children and adults


• 
  Sleeping problems (fatigue, problems falling asleep, tossing and turning, etc.)


• 
  Menopause related issues (hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats)


• 
  PMS and birth control related issues (mood swings, aggressiveness, irritability, sadness, lack of libido)


• 
  Weight issues and appetite control (cravings, overwhelming hunger, etc.)


• 
  Depression (sadness, lack of motivation, mood swings, etc.)


• 
  Migraine Headaches


• 
  Anxiety (irritability, nervousness, obsessive-compulsive, insecurity, racing thoughts, restlessness)


• 
  Libido (lack of sex drive for women and men, orgasm issues, erectile dysfunction, etc.)

The approach is based on a baseline measurement of your neurotransmitter and/or hormone levels. The initial testing of your levels from a urine or saliva sample constitutes your baseline.

We can test the greatest number of neurotransmitters and hormones for the most complete assessment of your health. We can measure 13 different neurotransmitters and 11 different hormones. The baseline sample will help us determine if your condition is neurotransmitter related and what the optimal treatment is for addressing your condition(s).

Targeted Amino Acid Therapy (TAAT)

The process of balancing neurotransmitters is called Targeted Amino Acid Therapy (TAAT). The program follows the principle that optimizing neurotransmitters requires that not only must appropriate levels be attained, but neurotransmitters must be addressed in the proper order.

Address Multiple Neurotransmitters

Through laboratory testing, it has been found that very few patients have a neurotransmitter imbalance that is limited to a single neurotransmitter. The vast majority of patients have imbalances involving multiple neurotransmitters and, therefore, require therapies that address multiple neurotransmitters. For this reason, therapies that address serotonin and the catecholamines as well as other neurotransmitters must be used to achieve a balance.

Neurotransmitter Interaction

Some antidepressant drugs, like Lexapro, only prevent the reuptake of serotonin, while others, like Wellbutrin, only prevent the reuptake of norepinephrine. It is common for a patient to require more than one of these medications to achieve symptom relief due to the balanced serotonin and norepinephrine effect a combination of therapies provides. The need for this combination is well understood and other reuptake inhibitors, like Effexor, affect both serotonin and norepinephrine. There is a complex interaction between all the neurotransmitters and we can help you understands how to address this interaction with TAAT.

Proper Ratios of Amino Acids

The ratios of inhibitory neurotransmitter precursors, excitatory neurotransmitter precursors, and the amount of GABA support in the specific formulas are based on this principle. NeuroScience formulas are more effective than general amino acid supplements because general amino acid supplements do not contain the proper ratios of amino acids or address multiple neurotransmitters. Additionally, the modulatory nature and GABA potentiating actions of serotonin dictates that it must be addressed prior to increasing catecholamine levels. While this is a simplified explanation, it covers the basic theory behind the amino acid therapies used.

Puzzle with many Pieces

Many other neurotransmitters are involved in the regulation of neurotransmission. Some, like PEA, can be tested and are known to cause a predictable change in the clinical presentation and, along with the catecholamines, affect excitatory activity. Others, like histamine, glutamine, and glutamate, have roles that are clearly defined but were not measured until recently. Others still wait to be discovered.

Trytophan - The Biochemical Depression Cure

When a person suffers from biochemically-induced depression, counseling and psychotherapy treatments from even the greatest doctors are doomed to fail. That's because words have no power to cure the biochemical disruption in the brain, which causes the affliction. For many, depression is known as a direct result of tragic external events. However, research studies have also proven a relationship between biochemistry and depression. For instance, depression may stem from the damaging effects of alcohol on the brain's chemistry.

To be sure of the best possible cure for this illness, one has to first determine the cause for depression. Biochemical depression has specific symptoms that separate it from the kind that stems from negative life events. You might be biochemically depressed if any of the following describes your depression:

* Despite changes and improvements in your life, you have been depressed for a long time
* Good news do not elicit any reaction from you
* Talk therapy produces little or no effect at all. When asked questions like "Why do you hate your parents?" you get confused and clueless for an answer
* You wake up very early in the morning and can't get back to sleep
* You do not remember when you started being depressed and cannot associate the onset of your depression to any event in your life
* Your experience severe mood swings, ranging from elation to depression over a period of months (this suggests bipolar, or manic-depressive, disorder)
* Heavy drinking makes your depression worse

One cause for biochemical depression is the depletion of two major neurotransmitters that prevent depression from kicking in: serotonin (converted from the amino acid L-tryptophan) and norepinephrine (converted from the amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine). These chemical substances control our memory, sleep, behavior, moods, emotions and learning abilities. When these neurotransmitters are depleted because of damaging substances such as alcohol, depression set in. This can be cured by taking daily amino acid supplements.

The kind of supplement a patient needs to take depends on the symptoms that he feels. For people who experience insomnia, depression and anxiety, taking tryptophan is the closest you could get to a wonder pill. Fortunately, trytophan doesn't have to come in the form of a capsule. It is an amino acid found in large quantities in turkey and milk. Trytohpan is the nutrient required to form serotonin, which in turn controls mood, sex drive, appetite, sleep, and pain threshold.

Here are the guidelines for taking trytophan:

* Taking tryptophan alone does not automatically convert into to serotonin. It must be taken with vitamin C and vitamin B6

* Tryptophan first turns into niacin before it gets converted into serotonin. If your body lacks niacin, tryptophan will supply the deficiency, and not turn into serotonin. Hence, it is best to also take a B-complex vitamin daily. This will give you both vitamin B6 and niacin and allow the tryptophan to be converted to serotonin.

* Inositol changes into a substance that regulates serotonin's effectiveness within nerve cells.Studies confirm its effectiveness with depression. Inositol should be included in this formula.

Of all the amino acids, tryptophan is the least capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. It has to surpass this biological hindrance before it could turn into serotonin. You can give it an extra push by taking it with fruit juice. This increases insulin release, which will assist the tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier. Lastly, always take your tryptophan on an empty stomach.

Brain Waves and Depression

People suffering from depression disorder, especially chronic depression, have certain pattern of their brain waves.

There are only five different brain waves which we have:

- Beta is the one for the wide awake state of mind. Usually people with not enough beta waves suffer from depression. Beta waves control emotional stability, our levels of concentration and awareness of our surroundings.

- Alpha is a state of light relaxation, which your brain switches to automatically when you close your eyes. It's that state in between when you just woke up or are ready to go to sleep.

- Theta is a state coveted by those who meditate, it's either light sleeps with dreaming or deep meditation. In this state hypnotists can plant suggestions; you can also listen to audio language lessons or different personal development programs.

- Delta is a state of deep sleep, where we do not dream but rather our body takes time to recharge and heal itself.

- Gamma waves process the information from different parts of brain. The higher their activity, the more intelligent is the person. Generally, people like this are sharper, have excellent memory and all five senses perfect. On the contrary, people with learning difficulties produce less gamma waves.

Brain waves were first discovered in 1934, but only through the 1990s the researchers started trying to manipulate the brain waves to cure certain mental disorders: SAD (seasonal affective disorder), depression and anxiety, chronic fatigue, pain or hypertension.

What I'm particularly interested in is beta waves.

If you have too many of them, you experience anxiety, tension and worry as you become extremely alert and over-concentrate or over-analyze stuff. Vice versa, you become depressed or feeling blue if there is not enough beta waves activity to interest or motivate you.

So, by altering your brain waves with certain sounds, frequency and tones on audio recordings you can improve and stabilize your emotional state. There are plenty of products out there that you can try.

The latest I heard is that you also can determine how successful some antidepressant medications will be for you by examining your brain waves changes from the onset of your depression treatment instead of waiting for 6-8 weeks to see if the drugs started working.

Just a caution though. Whatever depression help I'm suggesting to you, do not discount conventional help first. Go to your doctor, wait for the diagnosis and discuss all the possible ways of fighting your mental disorder with them first.

Washington DC Sightseeing - The FDR Memorial

When visiting Washington DC, one must-see destination is the FDR Memorial. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, is an icon of hope and optimism, and greatly impacted the course of this country in the 20th century. The memorial is located in the Tidal Basin area of Washington DC nestled amongst the famous cherry trees.

The FDR Memorial, dedicated in 1997, is a tribute not just to an incredible man but also his accomplishments and everything he has come to represent in the idea of perseverance. FDR is the only American president to spend twelve years in office so the design of the memorial consists of four separate rooms, one for each four year term. His inspiring words are etched upon the walls of each room, 21 quotes in all.

Statues contained within the rooms are representative of various things that have become, in essence, the signatures of FDR and all he dealt with as a public servant to the American people. Each sculpture was inspired by a photograph, and includes reference to the famous fireside chats, scenes from the Great Depression and also a bronze statue of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, an honor not given to a first lady until now.

The symbolic nature of many things contains in the memorial is noteworthy. Water is a widespread component in all the areas of the memorial, and in its many forms is representative of events ranging from World War II to Roosevelt's death.

Due to the fact that FDR suffered disability from polio, the design of the memorial takes into account the needs of those with disabilities, and even goes as far as having Braille etched on the walls. There was much controversy initially about precisely how to include reference to FDR's use of a wheelchair, as it was not something that was widely publicized in his life. The debate centered mostly on the portrayal of disability in general, and if it should be emphasized that he was a hero due to the fact that he achieved so much while living with a disability. There were arguments for either side, but in the end it was decided to depict him as the public would have seen him, his wheelchair somewhat obscured, and also to show him at the entrance of the memorial clearly seated in a wheelchair.

This memorial differs from other presidential memorials, in that it does not have one focal point statue, and also that it covers a more expansive area of ground. The memorial stands as a reminder of the difficulties that Americans survived with FDR leading the way in encouragement, hope and perseverance. If you're visiting Washington DC then absolutely make time to visit the FDR Memorial. It's worth remembering the man and all he represents.

How to Get Relief From Depression Naturally With a Simple, 3-Step Program

Hundreds of thousands of people are looking for a way to get relief from depression naturally because they can't tolerate prescription drugs or because they believe that drugging themselves into a fake-happy state is not the answer. Read this article to learn a simple 3 step program for getting your life back on track without using drugs.

Before we get into the program, let's recount the reasons to seek a natural solution. First and foremost, natural remedies have stood the test of time. They have been used for countless generations to get relief from depression naturally. Compare this with prescription antidepressants which have only been available for the past 50 years or so. Compared with drugs, natural remedies have few if any side effects. Although side effects are particular to the drug, all drugs have side effects.

The anxiety that comes from taking a drug that has side effects and possible long term implications cannot be underestimated. It's important to consider that the long term effects of most of these drugs is not yet known because they simply haven't been around long enough. When you add this to side effects like weight gain and suicidal thinking, you may come to the conclusion that taking drugs is have not the solution, at least not for you.

So armed with all this information, how do you find relief from depression naturally? The first thing to do is find a good supplement. There are many available on the market, but they are not all equivalent, so it pays to know what to look for. What you want is a supplement that works the first time, so you don't go from supplement to supplement or end up giving up on the natural route altogether.

The ingredients to look for are St. John's Wort and Passion Flower. You may have heard of St. John's Wort and even tried it before, but a formulation with Passion Flower makes it much more effective. Also, be sure to look for a product that delivers the same dose of ingredients every time. A good quality supplement that gives relief from depression naturally will proudly advertise this in their literature and will also offer a one-year guarantee which means they will refund your money if the product doesn't work for you for any reason. What this shows is a company that believes in their product because they've done the work to create an effective, quality formulation.

After about three weeks of taking the supplement, you should notice that you are starting to feel more positive and energetic. This is the perfect time to take the next step and make small dietary changes that support the action of the supplement and will accelerate your full recovery. Start by adding more fresh green vegetables to your diet. The phytonutrients that come from vegetables in season will help you feel even more focused and energized. Try cooking with healthy oils like coconut oil (which is rich in medium chain fatty acids) and taking a tablespoon of flax seed oil daily (you can sprinkle it on your salad or mix it in a protein shake.) Fatty acids are healthy for the heart and brain. Also make sure to drink lots of water. If you drink alcohol, try drinking it only for special occasions.

Although a daily supplement and healthy diet are part of a relief from depression naturally program, there is one more step: exercise. As you feel better, you will naturally be motivated to move more. Since the body is designed for motion, regular exercise is a part of any healthy lifestyle. Since most people dread exercise, especially those who have been sedentary, take my advice and make it fun. You can turn the music up and dance around your house for 30 minutes every day, sign up for a beginning belly dance class or just take your kids or dog for a walk in the great outdoors. Whatever you do, try to be present while you're exercising and allow yourself to feel the joy of motion which will release more endorphins and speed your recovery.

You deserve to have a life of joy and meaning. Get started on a good supplement today.

Using Herbs and Amino Acids As Depression Supplements

There are medications that can be prescribed to fight against depression but many people are unwilling to go to a doctor, for whatever reason. The risk level of dependence on prescription medication is too great for some individuals and they begin seeking other methods to fight this disorder. There are amino acid and herbal depression supplements in pill form that can also be used in these cases.

Depression has many causes, some external (such as the death of a loved one) and some internal (such as chemical imbalances). Various studies have shown that low levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain can cause debilitating mood swings and severe depression.

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat depression and anxiety. One popular herb is St. John's Wort. These little yellow flowers produce a calm sensation, easing nervous tension and stress. Also effective for insomnia, St. John's Wort is one of the most commonly known herbs to be used for this purpose.

Another natural supplement used is tryptophan, an amino acid essential to the proper functioning of the brain and body. Tryptophan is found in foods high in protein such as turkey. It is what makes the body feel tired after a big Thanksgiving dinner. It is natural to the human body and can be used to level out the mood and calm the nerves. This has been specifically used in cases of severe PMS and related depression. Tryptophan is used because it has the ability to convert to serotonin. Serotonin is one of the natural body chemicals that control mood and stability. A common side effect of this supplement is drowsiness.

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid natural to the body that converts into dopamine, which is another of the major chemicals that control depression and mood. One of the less commonly used depression supplements, tyrosine also encourages healthy hair growth and improves thyroid function. There have been no side effects reported from using this supplement.

SAMe, discovered in 1953, is another natural supplement that has been known to effectively fight depression. It increases the amount of neurotransmitters available for the transference of dopamine and serotonin to the brain. This is also used for bone pain. SAMe has some side effects that should be noted whenever a person begins a regimen that includes this supplement. Things such as nausea, skin rash and dry mouth are some side effects. People with Parkinson's should not use SAMe and studies have not proven the safety of it for pregnant or nursing women. People with established anxiety or mental disorders should only use this under the direction of their practitioner.

Natural depression supplements are common these days, even with the influx of prescription medications for depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Mood disorders can be treated with natural supplements and talk therapy for the greatest chance of successful recovery.

Babe Didrikson: Best Woman Athlete From Texas

Babe Didrikson: Humble beginnings

Mildred Ella Didrikson was born 26 June 1911 in Port Arthur, Texas. She was the sixth of seven children born to Norwegian immigrants. Her mother was an accomplished skater in Norway prior to immigrating to the United States. Her father was a seaman and a carpenter. She displayed athletic ability at an early age. Together her parents supported her athletic development. Her family was not wealthy, so they provided what they could. Her father made wooden rustic gymnastic equipment for her in the backyard, which she used during childhood. A hurricane forced the family to move from Port Arthur to Beaumont.

From Beaumont to the Olympics

She attended Beaumont High School, where she excelled at a number of sports, including volleyball, tennis, baseball, basketball, and swimming. Although she was athletic, she was not popular with her peers. Didrikson studied enough to pass her courses and to remain eligible for athletic competition. She devoted her time and attention to her athletic endeavors. Didrikson's best sport was basketball. During her time at Beaumont High School, the girls basketball team never lost a game. She excelled enough to gain the attention of an employer her drafted her on graduating in 1930.

The company's semiprofessional basketball team went on to make to the finals twice and win the championship once during her time with them. Her performance inspired the company to expand the women's athletic program to include track and field. Babe excelled at the track and field competitions as well. She managed to break several world records and made the 1932 United States Olympic team.

At the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, she broke three world records. Her performances resulted in her receiving two gold medals and one silver medal in the competition. Her superior performance incited questions about her gender and her femininity from her critics. When she returned to Texas, she was given a heroine's welcome in Dallas. She began preparing for another season with her basketball team. Prior to the season beginning, she was disqualified from amateur athletics due to her name appearing in a automobile commercial. Her disqualification was a setback. With her family in financial hard times related to the depression, she decided to enter professional sports.

Babe Zaharias Quotes

She was named "Top Woman Athlete of the Century" by the Associated Press in 1999, she excelled at every sport she tried and proved that women could play the same games as men.

"My main idea in any kind of competition always has been to go out there and cut loose with everything I've got," she explained. "I've always had the confidence that I was capable of winning out."

"Winning has always meant much to me," Didrikson said, "but winning friends has meant the most."

Enter George Zaharias

Babe tried her hand at various sports and other venues. She tried vaudeville, barnstorming, billard playing and other activities. Along the way, she became accomplished with the harmonica. She was eventually introduced to golf, which was a sport that accommodated women at that time. She was determined to excel at the sport. She was known to hit balls while practicing until her hands were bleeding. She excelled at golf and managed winning several tournaments. It was while golfing she met George Zaharias, a professional wrestler and sports promoter. The two of them married, and he began managing her career. The two never had any children, although they attempted adopting, but were denied.Together they made their home in Tampa, Florida.?

Babe turned professional in 1947, and became a founder of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association). She became a leading money winner prior to her initial bout with cancer. After surgery for her cancer, physicians commented that she would not be able to golf again. She maintained a determined attitude. "When you get a big setback like that, there's no use crying about it," she said about her diagnosis. "You just have to face your problem and figure out what to do next." Not only was she determined, she had integrity. On one occasion she penalized herself two strokes when she accidentally played the wrong ball. "Why did you do it?" asked a friend. "No one saw you. No one would have known the difference." "I would have known," replied Babe Zacharias, a champion of integrity.

She recovered from her initial bout with colon cancer and was golfing again fourteen weeks later. As her strength improved, she went on to win several tournaments. She won 17 tournaments in a row, which is a record that no one has surpassed. By 1950, she had won all the available golf titles open to women. Eventually her cancer spread and she died at the age of 45 in 1956.Among her accomplishments was winning 82 golf tournaments,which includes professional and amateur venues.

She was buried in Beaumont, Texas. The Babe Didrkson Zaharias museum is located there which contains memorabilia concerning her life and accomplishments. The museum opened in 1976. She wrote an autobiography and there was also a movie (The CBS movie, Babe) made about her life (1975).

Tools and Bounderies For Coaching the Depressed Client

Recent statistics regarding clinical depression are staggering. Fifteen million people in the US suffer from some form of depression, 10% of the US population; depression affects women twice as often as men. With statistics such as these, we as coaches are bound to work with depressed clients on a regular basis. The good news is, if they are seeking out our help, they are working toward treating their symptoms in a healthy manner. However, our abilities are limited in treating depression, it is important the client be under a doctors care. Here are some tips regarding working with our clients who are suffering from clinical depression.

1. Encourage a healthy diet. Research has proven time and time again, there is definitely a link between healthy eating, regular exercise and mood. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes all contain tryptophan (a non-essential amino acid) which synthesizes serotonin, the body''s mood regulator. Less caffeine can also be of help with keeping moods consistent, especially if the client is over consuming caffeine containing products. Increasing intake of omega 3 oils has also been proven helpful; these can be found in walnuts and flaxseeds.

2. Consistent exercise is overwhelmingly successful in treating depression. The endorphins released during and immediately following exercise boost mood naturally. Healthy habits such as exercising also greatly increase self esteem.

3. Advise them to get sunlight on a daily basis. Vitamin D has been proven to also affect our moods. Our bodies produce vitamin D naturally, but 1-3 hours of sunlight a week are typically necessary to maintain healthy levels. As we age, our ability to produce vitamin D may decrease; in that case a supplement would be beneficial.

4. Surround them with helpful professionals. A psychologist or therapist can help work through the issues from the past that may be a significant part of their depression. A professional coach can help set goals for a happy, focused future and put emphasis on living in the present. And the client's physician can oversee any meds they may need to treat the physical portion of their depression. Open communication between these professionals is ideal, but not always an option. Take care not to cross boundaries as this might confuse the client, professional coaches focus on the present and future of our clients, not the past.

5. Encourage your clients to avoid self medicating with drugs, alcohol or even food. This differs tremendously from taking prescribed medication given to a client by his/her physician. Overindulging in alcohol consumption, overeating or using non prescribed drugs can create short term relief from some depressive symptoms, but are not a long term treatment and can actually make things much worse in the long run. Suggest your client be in regular contact with their physician regarding medications and never recommend any changes in dosage or use.

6. Make sure the client knows that if at any time you feel they are a danger to themselves or others, you are bound to report such to the appropriate authority. This fact should be included in your intake paperwork.

Natural Treatment Solutions For Hypoglycemia and Hypothyroidism

Many people with hypothyroidism have blood sugar imbalances. This frequently is related to poor dietary habits, as someone who eats a lot of refined foods and sugars, or someone who frequently skips meals, is more likely to have blood sugar issues. Hypoglycemia is a condition that involves low glucose levels. The "official" diagnosis comes when the levels are less than 70 mg/dl. But often times the person is symptomatic before the blood sugar levels become depressed.

Some of the common symptoms of hypoglycemia include double vision, headaches, fatigue, shaking, an excessive appetite, rapid heartbeat, and other symptoms. With hypothyroidism some of the common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, memory and concentration problems, constipation, low libido, etc. This doesn't mean that people with these conditions will have all of these symptoms, but if someone has a combination of some of these symptoms then one needs to be suspicious of having one or both of these conditions.

Testing Is Important... But Not Completely Accurate

It really is a good idea to get a blood panel on an annual basis that does a fasting glucose, and also looks at the TSH and thyroid hormone levels. But it's important to understand that someone can have negative blood tests but still have blood sugar issues and/or a problem with their thyroid gland. One also has to consider the "functional" reference ranges. So for example, the true reference range of glucose is 70 to 99 mg/dl. However, the "functional" reference range is 85 to 99 mg/dl. It's important to look at the functional reference range because if someone's blood sugar levels are below 85 mg/dl, but above 70 mg/dl, then they don't officially have hypoglycemia, but they probably have some blood sugar issues.

Similarly, if the TSH is within normal range but on the high side, and/or the T3 and T4 levels are within normal range but are on the low side, then this is an important finding. And of course the thyroid antibodies should be looked at as well, as these are frequently positive when the thyroid hormone levels are within normal range. Most doctors would simply wait until the blood tests are out of range and then give synthetic or natural thyroid hormone to their patients. But the goal really should be to detect and correct these problems before someone is officially diagnosed with "hypoglycemia" or "hypothyroidism". So one should test regularly, but just remember that you shouldn't rely on the typical lab reference ranges.

Why Is Hypoglycemia More Common In Hypothyroidism?

There are a few different reasons why hypoglycemia is more common in hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. One of the reason has to do with the adrenal glands. When someone eats a lot of refined foods and sugars and/or skips meals, this will affect the adrenal glands. Over a period of months and years these poor dietary habits can lead to weakened adrenal glands. Weak adrenal glands can slow down the thyroid gland, thus resulting in a hypothyroid condition.

In addition, thyroid hormone plays an important role in liver health, and the liver is the site for excess glucose storage. So in a hypothyroid condition, the liver might not be able to store or release glucose like it normally should. This in turn can lead to hypoglycemia.

Certain nutritional deficiencies can also play a role in hypoglycemia. For example, chromium plays a very important role in the utilization of insulin. And so if someone has a chromium deficiency, then this can affect the hormone insulin, which in turn can lead to a hypoglycemic state. If this is the case then one will need to correct this deficiency through the use of chromium-rich foods and often times supplementation is necessary as well.

Eating Well Is Essential To Restoring One's Health

When trying to use natural treatment methods to cure hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism, diet is one of the most important factors. In fact, often times eating well will correct hypoglycemia, although not always. With a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition, eating well is also essential, although there usually are other factors involved as well. So usually one needs to do more than eat well to restore one's thyroid health. This is especially true when dealing with a condition such as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, as eating well is very important, but other factors are necessary in order to suppress the autoimmune response.

Other compromised areas of the body may need to be addressed. So if someone has compromised adrenal glands, then this will need to be addressed in order to successfully help someone with hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism. If someone has digestive problems, such as leaky gut, then this will need to be addressed too.

In summary, many people have both hypothyroidism and hypoglycemia. When trying to correct these conditions through a natural treatment regime, diet is usually the most important factor. However, it is common for other areas to be compromised as well, and these areas will need to be addressed for someone with these conditions to receive optimal results.

Depression and Brooding - Emotionally Arousing Introspection

An aspect of Depression I used to hate was this business of waking up early.

While you're asleep, at least you're 'out of it,' as it were. Yes, you're dreaming, but at least you're not suffering the pangs of Depression. Now let's be clear about this. From the point of view of your general health, your body's doing you a favour by waking up before you think you should. For the life of you, you can't go back to sleep, can you? Try as you might, you lie there like a lump, watching those darned numbers on your digital clock click away.

However, this is probably the body's way of cutting down on over-dreaming, thereby lessening the Depression. The poor old body's trying its best for us, so we shouldn't become too upset by waking up like this.

As the day wears on, our hormones replenish themselves and our energy level, such as it is, increases. We become better able to motivate ourselves, but I must admit that in deep Depression, motivation is a word in a foreign language!

What's sometimes called the Stress Hormone, Cortisol, is far higher in depressed people. Just a word about this hormone.

It's secreted by the adrenal glands, and is involved in proper glucose metabolism, the regulation of blood pressure, Insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, Immune function and Inflammatory responses. Under normal circumstances, the levels are higher in the morning than at night.

All right. Believe it or not, we've taken an important step forward. We are able now to see with certainty what maintains the symptoms of clinical depression. It's the emotionally arousing introspection. Brooding, by any other name. Okay. We know the cause, we know what to do about it, don't we? Cut down drastically on the emotional arousal.

Before going any further, though, I want to explain the purpose of these articles on Depression. I hope you'll agree that the more you know about something, the better able you are to deal with it. This is just as important with any mental condition as it is with any other matter. Knowledge is power. Equally, it's a little difficult to put a roof on a house when there aren't any walls!

So yes, this will be an extended learning curve. I feel strongly that I'd be selling you short were I to simply say; "Suffer from Depression? Well, take this pill, have a spot of therapy and you'll be fine." Wouldn't be terribly helpful, would it?

So this will be a fairly extended series of articles and of course there'll be in depth explanations of how to deal with the condition. What I'm striving for is that when you do rid yourself of the miserable condition, it stays away permanently.

How to Beat Depression - The Foolproof, Guaranteed Method

You might already know someone in your family or in your circle of friends who have experienced some type of depression at one point or another. As a matter of fact, you may even have also wondered whether the feeling of being down and low that you have been experiencing lately is depression. What exactly is depression - more specifically, clinical depression?

Clinical depression is actually a serious illness which affects millions of people yearly. It would be best that you understand how clinical depression is diagnosed and what symptoms it has. This would be the first steps towards proper treatment.

Feeling sad or low from time to time is normal. All people feel his way every now and then, depending on the situations they are in. However, when these feelings of sadness start to become the only emotions that you are capable of having or experiencing or when a phase of being blue transforms into a black cloud that constantly hovers above your head, then you may already be suffering from depression.

Depression is essentially an illness, specifically, a type of mental disorder which could take over your mind and your body. It is normally not a mood which passes after a short period of time. People who experience depression are usually unable to get rid of their feelings of sadness easily. Depression could greatly influence the way an individual thinks and feels. It could also alter that individual's personality and his or her way of interacting with other people.

However, how can you distinguish clinical depression from normal feelings of sadness? It is all about the intensity of the feelings of sadness and how long the feelings have been experienced by the individual. Generally, the feelings which are associated with depression are a lot more intense compared to the regular moments of sadness that everyone feels every now and then. Depression can easily alter your character as well as your ability to handle reality. It could make it impossible for you to function properly.

The period of time which could determine that it is depression that is being experienced by an individual would be two weeks. Usually, normal feelings of sadness and being withdrawn would go away after a couple of days or around a week's time. However, if these feelings linger for longer than two weeks and progress to something much worse, then it could already be depression. Without proper treatment, depression could easily last for weeks, months and even years.

Fortunately, though, depression can be treated. With the use of the proper medication and therapy, almost 80 percent or more of those who experience depression get better. However, treatment could take time and usually involves some amount of trial and error, and so, patience is a must.

Everyone has a tendency to experience depression, to a point. Remember, though, that depression is not a sign of failure or weakness. If you think that you or possibly someone you know might be suffering from depression, then it would be very important to seek professional help at the soonest possible time.