Stress And Depression - Youth Problem In Dealing With Mental Health Issues

Once upon a time being young and at the prime of teen life means fun at the diner, lovers holding hands, and hanging out with friends. This time, it seems that being young means stress, stress and more stress. The stories that parents usually tell their kids about "the younger years" has become more than just mere history as recent study found that students are dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues.

The study, which was co authored by Jean Twenge, a San Diego State University Psychology Professor and was released last Monday January 11, says that youth seems to be struggling with anxiety and depression. This was based on a culled response to a psychological questionnaire used as far back as 1938, the era of the Great Depression.

Stress and Depression are real among today's youth and the number who has experienced this is growing. The usual causes of these mental problems are school and life in general. Stress is characterized by feelings of frustration, tension, worry and withdrawal that last for days. Depression on the other hand is characterized by more extreme feelings like hopelessness and sadness lasting more than stress as it stretches to weeks. Experts speculate that the biggest contributor to these mental issues is the influence of popular culture, which largely focuses on external factors like wealth, looks and status. The youth, nowadays, seems to concentrate on the belief that success is associated with having lots of money where in fact this is false. Finishing one's study and finding a good job is more pressuring because of the want to be "successful".

The study analyzed the responses of 77,576 high school and college students. The samples were from 1938 through 2007. Although there was an increase in the number of threshold passers in mental categories, there was also a staggering increase in those who didn't meet it. The current result may even be low considering the antidepressants that they may be taking as well. The number of student who scored high with psychopathic deviation-a trouble with authority-has increased from five percent in 1938 to 24 percent in 2007.

Anxiety is said to contribute to their stress. This may largely depend on overprotective parents who have left their kids with few real-world coping skills. Anxiety, at this point, becomes seemingly normal as they have less confidence in dealing with things.

The result to the study, conducted by Twenge and other mental health expert, will be published in the future issue of Clinical Psychology Review. Psychologists wish that this will gain adults' attention to help youth in dealing with their stress. About 88 percent of juvenile suicide is due to depression. Helping those means giving them the proper guidance that they so truly deserve- away from the influence that causes wrong belief and harm.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression to Watch Out For

Depression is a disorder that can have fatal consequences if not properly diagnosed and treated. Fortunately there are many things that can be done to prevent the worse of consequences of this disorder.

As with almost every disorder, the key to getting the help you need is to know what the symptoms of depression are, so that you can recognize them before it's too late.

Common Depression Symptoms

Before you rush to the doctor for some anti-depressants, you will want to ask yourself if you or someone close to you can say yes to experiencing any of the following:

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  Persistent sadness/melancholy: feeling sad most of the time and it never goes away.


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  Lack of Interest in things that is generally enjoyed: sudden lack of interest in activities that one usually finds enjoyable such as hobbies and/or outings.


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  Loss of appetite: sudden disinterest in eating or overindulging in food is a clear sign of a problem.


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  Fatigue/trouble sleeping: A constant feeling of being tired or sleeping all of time. A general lack of interest in even getting out of bed. Even if you find that you can't sleep at all, all are warning signs.


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  Anxiety/panic attacks: feeling worried all of time about trivial matters. Finding that petty things are causing you to worry all of the time.


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  Self destructive behavior: Drinking and using drugs. Cutting or self harming behavior. Impulsive behavior or acting without thinking of the consequences; or simply not caring about the consequences.


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  Negative/pessimistic thinking: Thinking that your life is not worth living. Having suicidal thoughts.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should talk to a doctor. Failure to do so can have serious affects. Although all of the above signs could be symptoms of other things, you should look to see if you possess 3 or more. Either way, talking to your doctor is a good idea.

Too many cases of serious depression are ignored simply because people didn't know what to look for. Recognizing it in yourself and others is a great way to prevent any major harm or even death to occur in a sufferer.

If you do get diagnosed with depression there is nothing to be ashamed of. Most people will generally suffer from mild depression in their lifetimes at some point.

Depression doesn't have the stigma attached to it that it once had either. More and more people are speaking out about it. Although not all feelings of sadness signify clinical depression, it is best not to assume that you are fine or that it will go away.

If your symptoms are persistent and/or getting worse, talking to a doctor can not only ease your depression symptoms, it can save your life. The sooner you recognize the symptoms, the faster you will get your life back to where it should be.

Bipolar Disorder: A Personal Story of Triumph Over Suicide and Mental Illness

Bipolar Disorder: A Personal Story of Triumph

Like in Alcoholics Anonymous, I sometimes wanted to shout to the world, "I am a Bipolar." Why? Because I was desperate for help when I first contracted Bipolar Disease, but help was not forthcoming. Oh yes, there were the electroshock treatments that in 1991 made me a blithering idiot or in 1995 temporarily lifted my agitated clinical depression for one whole week before submerging me again in drudgery. During this week of freedom, I was so elated that my misery had lifted that I stupidly gave up my long term disability and returned to my professorial duties at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York. When the misery returned, all of a sudden I was gone from the university for a period that lasted five years. I had to reapply and get reapproved for my long term disability. The paperwork should have taken me at most a couple of hours. Instead like my original application, it took me three weeks. That's how hard it was for me to do anything. It would be three years later before the shame of this illness allowed me to once more face my university colleagues through attending my friend and colleague Bill's retirement party.

From 1991 through 1995, I was hospitalized four to five times, each time for several weeks in three different hospitals on Long island. I hated it each time. I couldn't wear my hairpiece and when that door locked me in the psychiatric ward, I knew I was trapped in a world I detested. Oftentimes, I would plan my escape in that I would bolt out the door with visitors after visiting hours, but I never found the courage to do so. Had I tried and failed, I envisioned being placed in a straightjacket like in the movies. I had sunk pretty low from being an intelligent scientist who now accepted his lot that this is the way his lost life would be from here on in. In March of 1995, I planned my suicide. I had spoken to a patient in one of my hospital visits who described her suicide attempt with an overdose of pills. She sighed when she told me that her experience was not a good one, but I wasn't listening. I had been a pill taker all my life, so I believed I finally had found a way out of a world that was telling me that there was no way out. Only through Divine Providence of God coming to my wife Marcia am I alive today. And I'm so sad now that Marcia passed on March 18, 2011. She saved my life but I wasn't able to save hers.

I took drugs for the voices I heard in my head and for the psychosis that accompanied my mania. The side effects of the drugs were involuntary twitching of the lips, brain fog, and tremors to the point that I could not sign my name. The antidepressant drugs that I tried never worked and only months of the passage of time brought me out of my episodes of severe clinical depression. My only respite was the two hours of sleep that I got from sheer exhaustion each night. I've never figured out why sleep was able to provide that relief but in retrospect, the doctors should have heavily sedated me with the most powerful sleeping pills. After all, isn't that what they do, administer drugs? The three different psychiatrists that I had during this time period never really talked to me, never got at what I was feeling. Their role was to provide their patients with pharmaceuticals regardless of drug side effects.

When all else failed, I resorted to suicide by swallowing 200 aspirin and codeine pills that my mother had brought me from Toronto. At the time, my wife Marcia and my youngest daughter Erin were shopping forty-five minutes away from our home. They had no idea about what I had planned. I opened the two bottles of pills and took one or two pills at first, followed by four then six then eight. I was a pro at taking pills and the two hundred pills disappeared into my stomach in just fifteen or twenty minutes. I went to lie down and finally after months of finding it impossible to find a place for myself, I felt at peace. It was too late to reverse the process and I was waiting to see that light that people who have survived near death experiences talk about. Oops, I realized that I hadn't written a suicide note to Marcia and the family. Nor had I recorded the date for posterity. I was certain, however, that I was going to die.

Meanwhile a miraculous intervention was occurring at the diner 45 minutes away by car. Erin and Marcia had just ordered lunch when Marcia said to Erin, "We have to go. Something's wrong with dad." When they showed up back at the house and woke me up, I blurted out what I had done. Marcia immediately called 911 and the Nesconset, Long Island, NY Fire Department responded within minutes. I initially refused to be taken to the emergency room, but Marcia pleaded with them and me. The sadness and desperation on her face changed my mind and all of a sudden I was being lifted off our king-size bed onto a stretcher. With sirens blasting, I found myself in a surreal state. There were no beds at the emergency room, only an uncomfortable short stretcher in an air conditioned room with glaring overhead fluorescent lights. I was freezing and had to pee. An unkind nurse provided a metal urinal and I missed and urine was all over the sheet covering the stretcher. The nurse was less than compassionate. I felt humiliated and embarrassed, and within minutes someone placed a catheter into my penis. The catheter was painful and never should have been inserted.

The worse was yet to come as doctors and nurses stood over me while they pumped my stomach. They kept inserting this stinking tube through my nose. I was wishing it was over and finally for what seemed like forever, it was over, as everyone left. After more time had elapsed, of which I have no account, I remember finally being transferred to a bed that actually accommodated my 6 foot 2 inch height. That was the last thing I remembered as I was in and out and mostly out sleeping for the next 48 to 72 hours. The caring doctor on duty had told Marcia that they didn't know whether I was going to make it. I had fallen down a bottomless pit and finally hit bottom. I was embarrassed and ashamed but didn't know how I would continue to face this agitated clinical depression. Days later, I made a second feeble try at suicide with sixteen pills, still considered an overdose, and had my stomach pumped again. Marcia was fed up and dumped me without a kiss goodbye on the steps of the admissions office of the South Oaks Psychiatric Hospital. I dreaded returning and felt that this was the end of the line and the end of my freedom. This is where I would remain for the end of my days. I had hallucinated and seen my hairdressers with orange and purple hair and seen evil in paintings and people. I had delusions of grandeur thinking I was the Messiah. In my 1991 episode, I played chess with Saddam Hussein as we strategized during the first Gulf War. Ironically, I didn't play chess. I even called the White House to speak to Barbara Bush to give her my advice for ending the war. I had experienced psychosis at the height of my mania and I had crashed to severe depression to the ultimate bottom, suicide.

Several months later when I had recovered from my suicide attempt and agitated depression, I found myself at a mental illness support group. The meeting was attended by parents of children who had the illness and I qualified because in August of 1994 and June of 1995, my twin sons had their first bouts respectively of Bipolar Disorder. I always felt that I was destined to have the illness at age 50 so I could understand what they were and are still going through. I was the first to have Bipolar Disorder in the family. My father suffered from depression but never experienced mania. My psychiatrist felt that the mania probably came from my mother who he suggested was hypomanic. Identical twin studies have shown that Bipolar Disorder, or Manic Depression as the illness used to be called, is genetic in about half the cases. That means that half the time only one identical twin has the illness. Where both twins are sick, you sometimes see one with Bipolar Disorder and the second with Schizoaffective Disorder or Schizophrenia. The "schizo" attachment signifies an additional thought disorder that can accompany the same mania and psychosis as seen in Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar as its name implies is different than the "schizo" disorders in that it is a mood disorder with swings from the high of mania to the low of depression. All types of mental illness are chemical imbalances in the brain and are not the fault of the unfortunate and often surprised recipient who is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

No one knows the cause of Bipolar Disorder and after doing regressive therapy back to my mothers womb, I am not at all convinced that a genetic explanation in families such as mine is the cause for transmission to descendants like my sons. There is so much bioelectric activity occurring in the womb, especially in the birth canal prior to birth, that may change the neurotransmitters' and hormones' amounts and actions to set the stage later for the onset of the disease. Often the disease is not diagnosed for years because it seems that inability to do homework or focus in school can be explained by other problems such as attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactive disorder. The textbooks talk about Bipolar Disorder being diagnosed in children as early as age 8 but my wife Marcia was a special education teacher and she noted the mood swings of the mania and depression of Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression in some of her 4 year olds. Most individuals are diagnosed in their teens or twenties like my sons. There is a smaller group who come down with the disease at about age 40. Rarely does one see anyone like myself at age 50. A young doctor, a pediatrician, in his late forties once stopped by my office at the university just to meet me and know that there was someone else like him who had the illness at such an older age in life. He too was the first in his family and had to give up his medical practice. I hope that I gave him hope. I was out of the university for five years on a long term disability and had just returned to Stony Brook to once again take up my professorial duties when this fine young man stopped by.

It's a shame that mental illness still has the stigma attached to it although with more celebrities talking about the diseases, we are seeing more awareness and understanding from the public. I often think that the mentally ill are part of a group forgotten by society. Young people in particular think that you can just will yourself back to health. You cannot. You won't go into remission from a particular episode of Bipolar Disorder until the chemical imbalance is restored in your brain to some fashion we might call normalcy. After years of taking drugs, that state of normalcy may not be the same as your brain was before you ever acquired the disease. Bipolar Disorder is like a tree stump. It stumps your life. Some people never work again and those that do are hampered. Rare ones like myself are blessed to return to a higher level of occupation. The illness is often the cause of job loss, marital tension and divorce, and addiction to mind altering drugs and alcohol. All the Bipolars I met in the hospital for some reason that I cannot comprehend smoked. Traditional Bipolar is diagnosed by mania followed by depression, but the disease takes on different forms with specific medical terminology. The latter is important but what's more important is to realize that Bipolar Disorder is different for everyone and each individual episode can be different with common patterns. My illness is different from my twin sons, and theirs is different from each other. How would genetics explain their differences unless influenced also by environment?

There are a lot of misconceptions out there, but when people get past their fears and ignorance, they will sometimes ask me what is the difference between hypomania and mania. From my perspective, mania is a more extreme form of brain activity. In hypomania, you may still be able to reach the individual and get him help before he has a full blown episode. In mania, the person hears your voice but he or she is really not listening to you. You can't reach a person in their manic state unless they finally calm down with the assistance of drugs of they somehow realize themselves, like I did, that it's time to seek help or you will lose your mind. People also sheepishly ask me what my suicide attempt was like. Bloody awful and demeaning I answer. I remember at that support group the social worker asking for someone to begin. Immediately, a woman sitting beside me jumped at the chance and said something I had never heard before. "Bipolar Disorder is a terminal illness." No psychiatrist had ever expressed these words and they seemed to be floating in the air as I tried to grasp onto them and internalize them in my brain. The woman, whose husband was sitting solemnly beside her, was somber as she spoke lovingly about her son who blew his brains out with a gun. Thank God I took pills or that could have been me. The woman told of her son's countless cries for help that went unanswered. When the coordinator of the group asked me to speak next, I wanted this woman to understand that I understood, so I described my suicide attempt. This story has always struck a sad chord in me and makes me grateful that I am still here. It brings up such mixed emotions in me.

There is still much to understand about Bipolar Disorder and lest people think I am anti-drug, I am not. You need to take your drugs and build up your spirituality. In the old days without mood stabilizers such as lithium and the neuroleptics (anti-psychotics), they threw you into the loony bin and you never came out. It's still a crapshoot in the case of the antidepressants. However, if you find the right one you will kiss the earth and thank God every day. You can have clinical depression without Bipolar Disorder and it is similar. In my case, the depression was mixed with an unyielding agitation of the mania part of my illness. I was given nothing for the Akithisia as the doctors refer to it and I could sit still for just a few seconds. It was horrific and that's when I decided to finally end it all. Thank God for God coming to Marcia. I would never have known that I would have ever come up had I not survived. I hope that my story gives hope to people who are struggling today that every descent is part of an ascent to follow.

During those five years of long term disability, I was blessed with spiritual experiences of an incredible nature. The psychiatrists speak about 25 % or so of Bipolars going into remission. I have not had an episode in seventeen years. I would like to believe that it's because I have strengthened myself spiritually for the last thirteen years. Usually a person who doesn't get enough sleep will trip into mania. I survive on very little sleep. These days I work hard on helping the Creator but I also want to help the forgotten members of our society, the mentally ill. While I was still a Professor at Stony Brook, I ran an ad in the university paper and offered my help to anyone with Bipolar Disorder. I do so now, so please contact me if you need help. You can email jerrypollock@bellsouth.net Thank you for listening

Jerry Pollock, Ph.D..

Depression - Chemical Imbalance Or Reaction to Life Events?

There has been great debate about such maladies as Depression and Anxiety and whether they represent what some term a 'chemical imbalance' and what others say are simply natural reactions to life's events. The crux of the issue really comes down to a nature vs. nurture argument. In this article I explore both sides of the debate and hopefully shed some light on the issue.

Nature: Chemical Imbalance  

There is no question that our emotions are in effect complex chemical, electrical and neurological processes that occur within our brain. According to those who support the "nurture" argument, depression, it is theorized is due to among other things, low amounts of certain neurotransmitters such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine in the brain. 

The difficulty though lies in figuring out if this should be termed an 'imbalance' or not. Those that believe that this is the case believe that whether through genetics or through long periods of time in unhealthy situations that a person's brain can get 'stuck' in a state where it is simply not making enough of these neurotransmitters to provide for a stable, positive emotional state.  

Nurture: Reaction To Life's Events  

The opposing side doesn't dispute that our emotions are chemically, electrically and neurologically based but believes that all emotions are simply the brain's reaction to outside events regardless of the severity or consistency of the depression/anxiety. If a person tells a joke and the other person 'laughs', technically a 'chemical imbalance' occurs in that person to cause the person to laugh. This is the same with depression. If you are in an unhappy/uncomfortable situation in your life for long enough, you will simply become depressed until that time when the situation is resolved.  The Nurture side does not believe that genetics causes one to be depressed and that it is strictly a result of your life's experiences or a situation you are in that is causing it.  

Both and Neither  

The truth probably lies somewhere in between. If you read over enough of the literature you tend to see that there are two camps to this issue. The vast majority of people that suffer depression or anxiety are going through an episode that is transitory in nature and that is usually caused by an obviously identifiable situation or occurrence in their life. By fixing the issue involved, this transitory emotional 'effect' as it were, is resolved and the person goes on with their life.  

There is a subgroup however that genetically probably has a tendency towards depression or anxiety more than others. While certain conditions need to be present and the environment that one is brought up in can certainly exacerbate or minimize the condition, it is 'easier' to become depressed/anxious than in someone without the propensity to trigger anxious or depressive states. 

The question then becomes; Is this really an imbalance?   Well, to be honest the word 'imbalance' is not really the correct word. What we are talking about is a situation where the brain, whether due to genetic/developmental propensity, or through the effect of outside events, is not producing enough serotonin and other neurotransmitters to make the person feel good. Since scientists and doctors are not really sure what the correct amounts/ratios etc are and have not clearly what the vast majority of neurotransmitters actually do, it is hard to make the argument that there is an 'imbalance'. The word 'imbalance' itself implies that there is a correct 'balance' and this is simply unknown and not provable. Try asking your doctor to give you a test to see if your Serotonin is 'balanced' or not and he'll look at you cockeyed because no such test exists.  

The Solution  

The honest solution is that for most people the first course of action should be to sit down with someone that can help delve into the person's life issues and figure out if there is anything causing the depressive or anxious feelings. Often there are 'long-term' or 'big-picture' situations such as a dysfunctional family unit, abusive or emotionally removed parents, etc that might not be obvious causes of a person's emotional problems and that caused underlying development of a person to go askew for years. Identifying the cause of anxiety or depression isn't always as obvious as a person being in a bad job or a bad relationship.   

Once identified, however, with the right therapy, education and introspection, it is possible to take control of your emotions instead of letting your emotions control you. This is what self-awareness is all about. There is a place for medication but only in the most extreme cases, such as suicidal behavior, and even then only as a short-term way of getting someone into therapy. Studies have shown that long term, drugs alone are rarely effective and much of it is the placebo effect. For more great insight and articles and how to become Self Aware please visit SelfAwareness101.com

It's a Mad, Mad World! Mental Health - An Ayurvedic Perspective

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental, neurological or behavioral problems. However, determining that someone has a mental illness, and which one it could be, is one of the greatest challenges psychiatrists and psychologists face today. To date, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the psychiatrists bible), lists over 400 disorders.

It's quite normal to sometimes feel happy or sad, anxious or fearful, forgetful or confused. These are the hills and valleys of emotion in our daily lives. But when a person's emotions, thoughts or behavior frequently trouble them, or disrupt their lives and those around them, they may be suffering from mental illness. Even though as many as one in five people are thought to suffer from a form of mental illness, it still carries with it stigma and discrimination. Because of this people are reluctant to admit they have a problem and seek help and treatment. Unfortunately, when mental illness goes untreated the result can be suicide, which claims 873,000 lives a year. The economic costs of these conditions are also enormous and growing. According to the WHO, depression is expected to account for more lost years of healthy life than any other disease by 2030, except for HIV/AIDS.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Western scientists can tell us what happens as a result of certain mental health issues, but they cannot give us the underlying cause. For instance, brain scans have directly linked depression with changes in levels of neurotransmitters - chemicals that convey messages across neurons - people suffering from depression often display lowered levels of neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin's main effects include improving mood and giving you that "satisfied" feeling from food. It's also thought to help promote sleep and relaxation. Alzheimer's disease, a major source of dementia and memory loss in the elderly, is a result of an accumulation of protein plaques, which choke neurons in the brain. Untreated HIV infection, syphilis, Lyme disease and malaria are also thought capable of triggering a variety of mental illnesses. Modern medicine does not recognize a link between the body, mind and emotions. They look at the body as a machine, working independently of the mind.

The 5,000-year-old holistic science of Ayurvedic medicine, on the other hand, views the human being as body, mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It incorporates longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies utilizing herbs, diet, yoga; breathing and physical exercises and meditation, massage, aromas and mantras. Ayurveda uses the concept of three biological humors; vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth) that if become unbalanced can affect us mentally, with disturbed emotions and thoughts, this will usually be reflected on a physical level also and visa versa. Through recent scientific research Dr. Candace Pert has come to a similar conclusion in her book Molecules of Emotion. Pert refers to the mind-body connection or a network of emotions linking the mind to the body. She demonstrates that cells throughout the body secrete 'emotional' hormones; these are then picked up by nerve impulses to produce the corresponding changes in mood and behavior. The immune system is linked with the brain (pituitary gland) and the endocrine system. Endorphins are the body's natural 'opiates' or pleasure hormones and are known to be increased by pranayama (yogic breathing) and yoga asana. Stress affects the body by releasing hormones, adrenaline and corticosterone from the brain and the immune system. Once in a stressed state the body itself can continue the stress cycle by the continuous activation of corticosterone. Depressed and traumatized people have high levels of corticosterone and often have a decreased level of immunity. This physiological state can be deactivated when the trauma and stress are released. In Ayurveda this means transforming the negative emotions, like fear, pain, anger and grief into positive ones.

The Function of the Astral Body

In Ayurveda and many other natural healing methods a subtle astral or emotional body is recognized to exist simultaneously with the physical body. It is linked to the physical body by energy centers or chakras. Subtle channels known as nadis transport prana or the essence of life energy and thought to corresponding glands around the body. Disruption in the flow of these energies causes psychological disease. As mentioned yogic breathing can keep these energies circulating, as can certain herbs such as calamus, basil, turmeric, guggul, myrrh, frankincense and cedar.

There is a shield between the astral and physical bodies, which protect us from negative thoughts or energies that are within the astral atmosphere. For instance, there is so much accumulated fear within the world projected from wars, the slaughter of billions of animals, pain and suffering of women and children that exists in the astral plane that if the link becomes weak we can no longer discriminate the physical from the astral. The fear, pain and anger "out there", affects our thoughts, fantasies and emotions, and we lose control. A physical trauma such as a severe blow to the head, sexual or physical abuse, excessive alcohol and mind-altering drugs such as LSD, ecstasy, cannabis and heroine can weaken this shield. Persons who are channelers open themselves up the astral plane also. One striking example of this is schizophrenia. This is a distorted view of reality, which may include hallucinations, hearing voices, delusions, and paranoia. Ayurveda recognizes this to be a symptom of a destructive astral force or entity entering the physical body commonly known as possession. Many Hindu priests, as well as Catholic priests, are taught a certain practice through prayer and sanctified water to rid the sufferer of the negative energy. Calamus, Holy basil and Gotu kola are then administered with perhaps some time being spent in a 'sattvic' or loving monastic environment.

Allopathic Psychiatric Treatments

Psychiatric treatment for mental illness can take many forms. The patient is encouraged to recognize their problems, understand what may trigger undesirable behavior, and develop coping strategies. Mood-stabilizing aim to moderate manic episodes of bipolar disorder and may also reduce recurrences of depression. Recently, however, some experts think there has been a rush to medicate and have questioned the effectiveness of many drugs. There is also controversy about using these drugs - such as Ritalin or amphetamines to treat children.

Various Mental Disorders and Ayurvedic Treatments

Depression

Among the most common mental illnesses is clinical depression. It is described as a prolonged, debilitating sadness, and feelings of hopelessness that is often accompanied by no highs or lows, just a bland existence which will ultimately lead to thoughts of suicide. The numbers of adolescents suffering from clinical depression have risen alarmingly in the last 10 years. Statistics show that suicide is the third leading cause of death in youths between 10 and 19 years old.

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is an affective disorder that causes periodic mood swings in which they cycle from depression to mania. Depression may be characterized by having a lack of motivation, difficulty doing tasks, short attention span, decreased appetite, crying spells, difficulty in getting to sleep or sleeping too much, and in the more severe cases thoughts of self harm. Mania is separated into two types: Full mania and hypomania. Mania may be characterized by a decreased need for sleep, decreased self-control, overspending, increased sexual activity, irritability, rage, risk-taking behaviors, and in the more severe cases psychotic states. Hypomania is described as having the same behaviors, to a less extreme level.

Ayurvedic Treatment

A need to arouse the sufferer's interest and enthusiasm in life is introduced to the sense of taste. Spices like ginger, cardamon and basil are used to open the heart and mind. Calamus teas are given with a little ginger and honey. Mints and sages of all types are useful. Triphala is given to alleviate constipation. Color therapy is used with warm tones of yellow and gold. Long walks are encourages in nature at her best; sunshine, river, lakes and forests. All these places are filled with pranic energy.

Cutting or Self-Injury

Self-injury involves self-inflicted bodily harm that is severe enough to either cause tissue damage or to leave marks that last several hours. Cutting is the most common form of SI, but burning, head banging and scratching are also common. Other forms include biting, skin-picking, hair pulling, hitting the body with objects or hitting objects with the body. Although suicidal feelings may accompany SI, it does not necessarily indicate a suicide attempt. Most often it is simply a mechanism for coping with emotional distress. People who select this emotional outlet may use it to express feelings, to deal with feelings of unreality or numbness, to stop flashbacks, to punish themselves, or to relieve tension. Although SI is recognized as a common problem among the teenage population, it is not limited to adolescents. People of all sexes, nationalities, socioeconomic groups and ages can be self-injurers.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Often, the sufferer feels the need to stimulate themselves by pain. Ayurveda uses nervine herbs like Trikatu, cayenne, cardamom, cloves and calamus. Warming and nourishing these feed the emotional heart. Pippali is good also, 1/4 teaspoon with honey every few hours. Avoid sleeping during the day.

Anxiety Disorders

These include post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anger disorders, hypochondria, and phobias such as agoraphobia (open spaces), claustrophobia (small places), acrophobia (heights), arachnophobia (spiders) and social phobia (being around people). These are all characterized by powerful feelings of panic and physical signs of fear, sweating, and a racing heart - due to some cue in the environment, or for no obvious reason at all. Many sufferers believe they are either going insane or going to die.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Anxiety is mainly a Vata disorder and Ashwaganda is generally given am and pm in warm milk. Aromatherapy, using rose and jasmine is used. Warm massage and gentle, slow yogic techniques. Maha Mantra and Shrim mantra should be spoken.

Eating Disorders

There are three common eating disorders; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Each disorder has different affects on the human body. A disease that used to be associated with young women is now appearing in young men. Anorexia is characterized by a significant weight loss, which is usually resulting from excessive dieting. Sufferers see themselves to be overweight, or fat, no matter what their actual weight may be. Anorexics may also use compulsive exercise to control their weight. Anorexics commonly strive for perfection in all the things they do. They set extremely high standards for themselves, and feel that they always have to prove themselves. They may also feel that the only thing they have control over in their lives is their weight. People with bulimia engage in cycles of gorging or binging themselves on large quantities of food and then purging through vomiting or use of laxatives. This can have a disastrous effect as with repeated purging the sufferer will lose their teeth from stomach acid and the use of laxatives will eventually render the bowel muscles useless.

Ayurvedic Treatment

To begin with the patients should fast on orange juice and water for first three to five days. After the juice diet the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for a further five days, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges, pineapple, peaches at five hourly intervals. Thereafter they may adopt a restricted diet of easily digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy fruits, and buttermilk for about ten days. During the first three to five days of the juice fast, the bowels should be cleansed with a warm water enema each day. Teas of cardamom, fennel, and fresh ginger to help regulate digestion and stop vomiting; valerian, nutmeg, herb ashwagandha. Massage with sesame oil, and sandalwood.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

ADHD, sometimes known as ADD, is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it's not yet understood why. Children with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They can't sit still, pay attention, or attend to details. Recent research links smoking during pregnancy to later ADHD in a child. Some studies have even suggested a link between excessive early television watching and future attention problems. It has been advised that children under 2 years old should not have any "screen time" (TV, DVDs or videotapes, computers, or video games) and that kids 2 years and older should be limited to 1 to 2 hours per day, or less, of quality television programming.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Child's diet should consist of fruit, grains and vegetables full of natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Eliminate caffeine, sugar and other sweets, processed food, MSG, aspartame (NutraSweet) and other sugar substitutes, and any foods that contain preservatives, food dyes or other chemicals and eating at fast food chains. Drink water, fresh homemade vegetable and fruit juices. Eliminate sodas and caffeinated beverages. No white bread. No processed peanut butter: It contains aflatoxin, a fungus that causes cancer. Instead use almond butter from your health food store. Children need a lot of rest and should go to bed early. Proper exercise daily- outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Play with your children!

Note: Ritalin closely resembles an amphetamine. It is a cocaine-like drug that induces zombie-like behavior in children. The public school system's idea of ADHD treatments is prescribing Ritalin which, like all toxins, come with a long list of side effects including nervousness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, joint pains, headaches, increased blood pressure, fever, rapid heartbeat, abdominal pain, and psychosis.

Knowledge is Empowering

Many people take medication to help control or manage the symptoms of their mental illness. A clear knowledge and understanding of medication and possible side effects combined with knowledge and understanding of both oneself and one's illness is often important in achieving a sense of personal control over the symptoms of the illness. Knowledge enhances your ability to self manage your medication to get the maximum benefits from it while reducing the potential for side effects and the risk of relapse. Acquiring knowledge also enhances your ability to negotiate effectively with the treating doctor about dose, frequency and the types of medication choices. Keeping up with current advances in medication research and the new drugs as they become available also increases your medication and treatment options. Remember it is your body and mind, and your decision what treatment you are going to choose.

Bipolar Disorder - A New Approach

The problem is with the ego. If you do not deal with the ego, you will never get to the real cause of bipolar problems. The ego is a compulsive thinker; about 98% of the thoughts in your head come from the ego. The only way for a thought to come from you is, if you make an effort to think, like when you plan, try to solve a problem, study or create something. You should be skeptical of the thoughts that come into your head.

There are 3 basic types of egos as each will tend to be dominated by one of three types of nervous systems, motor, sensory or autonomic. When the sensory nervous system is dominate, the ego has a lot of 'mental' energy. The sensory nervous system consist of incoming stimuli like sound, light, smells, touch and taste, that have impinged upon the senses, and travel from the external peripheral nervous system bringing information and moving inward towards the central nervous system. An ego with a strong sensory nervous system is very sensitive and can be easily overwhelmed by excessive noise, light, sound, hot spicy foods, and usually has a low threshold for pain. A cat has a sensory nervous system that clearly dominate the other two, and like a cat, the sensitive ego is going to be very curious or even nosy.

The sensitive ego can be so overwhelmed that it is constantly looking ahead to protect itself, to try to avoid being overcome with apprehension or fear. Imagining what could happen, the sensitive ego tends to worry and fret about what might occur in the future. Its mantra is 'What if?' Anxiety and fear become its problem. When the sensitive ego is in control, its thoughts will fill your head with worry, anxiety or fear about what can happen in the future.

When the motor nervous system is dominate, the ego has a lot of 'physical' energy. The energy is projected outward, moving from the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system. They like to throw, punch, kick, run, speak, express and act. They tend to have a good memory because they are pulling data out from the central nervous system, and make good spellers. When 'memories' are pulled out from the past by the ego, it can bring feelings of regret, resentment, hurt, anger, guilt or hate. It relives the harm or hurt of an emotional nature. This can get the ego fuming with anger which can overwhelm you with ideas of vengeance. Anybody who spends a lot of time with thoughts about the past, is going to have to deal with a lot of anger.

When the autonomic nervous system (the viscera or internal organs) is dominate, it provides a lot of emotional energy. The social ego prefers to be with others than to be alone. It can party all night long as compared to the sensitive ego who could be exhausted after half an hour. The social ego tends to be good with people and good at managing people. It wants the power to influence and control others.

Herding animals like cows, pigs, sheep, elephants, and so on have a dominant autonomic nervous system. Herding animals have a lot of bickering and infighting among themselves to establish a social hierarchy. In the same manner, the social egos relationship with people and the self is judged and rated along a hierarchy. The ego ranks the self and others on this vertical, status scale, as being above or below the self, rarely on the same level, as better or worst, worthy or unworthy, etc.

When you are aware of the judgmental criticisms about others or the self, welling up in the dark abyss of the social ego's mind, do not go along with these critical attacks or be influenced by these critical judgments, especially when you understand the ego's lack of maturity and ability to discern the nuances of the complexity of life and people.

Rather than being concern with fear and anger, the social ego, more than any other type tends to be on an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs and highs and lows when dealing with life and people.

When they are on the emotional 'down' side, they can be extremely passive, apathetic, helpless, or depressed. Nothing excites or motivates them. They may not want to do anything but lay about. This may lead to emotional, physical or financial poverty, where they could easily wind up on welfare. This type is most vulnerable to becoming a hobo or a homeless beggar.

Their nonchalance insulates them from future fears and past anger issues, so they can easily get stuck in a rut and stop learning or growing. Since they think their life is just fine, they're unlikely to examine or explore new, exciting or beneficial areas of life. The social ego more than any other type of ego needs you to make more of an effort to compensate for its lethargy. Your responsibility is not to control the ego's anger or fear so much, as to endeavor to improve yourself by putting a spur under the ego's saddle to develop your knowledge base, your ability to be more loving, etc.

The emotional, excited, up swing, side of the social ego, finds them displaying a superior, haughty, conceited attitude, that I'm better than you, and be snobbish, exclusive, bossy, authoritarian, domineering or tyrannical.

The social ego's pathological problems will be emotional, namely of a manic/depressive bipolar nature. When taken to the extremes, when the ego is in control of the self close to 100% of the time, the ego can go from the grandiosity of an egomania, to the misery and despair of a deep depression.

During the hot blooded manic phase, the egos are in almost total control, making all the foolish decisions by which they are so plagued. Unfortunately the seductive euphoria created by these egos, who feel superior and godlike, are so enticing, that without understanding what is happening, they gladly surrender to these feelings of elation. And therefore surrender or go along with all the ideas coming into their head from the ego.

To overcome these problems, you need to be in charge of the self instead of the ego. You do that by learning how to censor the thoughts that come into your head and realize these thoughts are coming from the ego and not you. Learn to be skeptical of your thoughts, especially those that are critical of others, the self and the present situation.

Discover Four Reasons Why Inspirational Poems Are Just Irresistible

It was just after noon when the young President's limousine made its way into a depository. He had stopped twice to shake hands with some nuns and school children. Suddenly, shots were fired; and at 1 p.m. President Kennedy was proclaimed dead.

Overnight, the number of inspirational poetry written about the president and the assassination that were received by the press could make up a few volumes of books. The question is, why poetry? Why not other forms of writing? What do you gain from writing or even reading one?

Let's discover why poems are just irresistible during time of confusion and hardships.

It makes you feel better inside.

When we experience difficult time in our lives, sometimes we say that words just couldn't express our feeling. That's exactly right - if we're trying to write a sentence or article. But not poems. It gives you freedom to write in fragments. It let your emotions out, freely and easily.

If you look at some of the most famous poets, inspirational verses that they write are almost related to their personal grief or difficult situation they experience.

Let's take Helen Rice. Well known as the "poet laureate of inspirational verses" and famous for her motivational words, Helen Rice was writing those word of strength for her own self as well as for her readers. Those verses were written during the Great Depression when her rich young husband lost all his fortune in the stock market crash. Mounting debts forced Helen to work while her jobless and depressed husband lived in isolation and later committed suicide.

Her motivational and inspiring verses are words written not only to sooth the hearts of her readers but also to let go off the hardship that she felt inside. It was only through poems that she could channeled her voice during the hard time. Those poems actually made her feel good inside.

Inspirational poems give you hope and faith If you know any ex-soldiers who had been to war, I'd like to ask you a favor. Go and talk to any one of them. And ask them if they knew any poems. You'd be surprised if they tell you that they memorize several and had written a few.

Prisoners of wars (POW) are known to memorized poems or write one during their hard time in war camps. Apart from religious verses, poetry is another form of written words that could give them hope. It keeps their faith and more importantly their sanity!

US prisoner of war at Vietnam was known to pass along a poem called Invictus by Earnest Henley for morale boost. Meaning "unconquerable", the poem begins like this,

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

When you're deprived from the freedom of outside world and contact with your fellow colleague is limited, you need motivational words to strengthen your wills. Poems like Invictus are just what the doctor ordered.

It Heals Aching Hearts Nowadays, poems are being used in a few hospitals around the world as a form of therapy. Similar to art therapy, the aim is to make patients feel more open in expressing their feelings. "Difficult" patients were said to be more approachable and showed improved attitude when they were enrolled in such programs.

Poetry therapy is a form of therapy to help heals aching hearts. It helps you get rid off burden from your chest. Overall, it makes you feel better!

Poems Touches Your Heart Can you tell me how many essays touch your heart? Yes, there might be a few that makes you wept but they are hardly memorable! But it's a different thing with poems. It's easily memorable and makes you want top pass it along to friends.

I give you an example. Have you heard the poem called "An Interview With God"? This classic poem had touched the hearts of millions of people. The owner of a website that created a presentation of the poem had been able to distribute this poem to millions of people around the world just by word of mouth. The reason is simple - it touches people's heart. The impact of the poem is so incredible that the site owner made multimillion dollars from products derived from the poem.

Okay, I understand your problem. Some poems may make you dizzy, left you mentally tired and leaves nothing but a confused brain and tied tongue. But not all poems are like that. Most inspirational poems by poets like Edgar Guest, Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Helen Rice are easily readable but still carry strong impact and have deep message embedded in them.

Unlike an essay where you have to be concern about your grammar and paragraph, you can just express yourself freely with poems because it's just like your heart's intimate diary. If you can't write one, just read one. At this internet age, a quick search and a click of a button at the search engine is all you need to get an inspirational poem in a snap. So, tarry no more. Let's go and read one right now!

A Prediction for 2011 and Beyond

For this installment, I will be examining the state of the world in 2011 and what we can expect to happen in the subsequent years to follow. Given the nature of predicting the future, this article will have fewer citations simply because these are estimated guesses; nothing is set in stone until it happens. In addition to that, there will not be any wild accusations such as the complete collapse of the American economy in less than ten months, or green technology obtaining over 30% of the energy market. So sit back and enjoy reading my analysis of what the future holds for 2011.

One of the main questions my readers have is what will the state of the American economy be next year? Most economists agree that there will be growth of around 3.5% which is decent coming out of this recession, however it will only chip at the nations 9.8% unemployment. At best it'll come down to 9%, however, history tells us that the unemployment number is the most stubborn and sluggish aspect for seeing a recovery, compared to a standard company's recovery in terms of revenue. The recent tax cut compromise will also come into play here, which may potentially aid in the recovery with low taxes, though at the cost of a massive increase to the federal deficit. What will be certain is that both political parties will take responsibility for the increased growth, considering the 2012 presidential elections will be right around the corner at this time.

For Congress next year, President Obama will most likely be playing defense, as he will attempt to halt the new coming freshmen Republicans from dismantling his legislative victories over the past year, most notably the health care bill. However, this will cause friction in Congress considering the Democrats will still maintain a majority in the Senate, though reduced, and of course Mr. Obama has the veto power which he'll use to prevent any major changes. Most likely the Republicans will be able to change minor things via amendments, but hardly anything significant as the more popular provisions in the bill begin to take affect. However, the recently passed legislation during the lame duck session of Congress may predict that Mr. Obama may be able to broker more bipartisan deals in the future, pulling moderates away from the right side of the aisle.

Speaking of which, by the summer of 2011 well have a good picture of which GOP contender will be running for presidential elections for 2012. At the top of everyone's list is of course the former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney who was a frontrunner in 2008 but eventually backed out due to financial reasons. Mr. Romney has the experience and the money to once again be in the limelight for this election however in the age of the Tea Party he may be seen as too moderate. Most likely he'll face tough questions on his own health care reform bill in Massachusetts which gave pseudo-universal health care to its citizens via private insurance. Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, is also a favorite among political analysts, having previously run in 2008 but failed to secure the nomination from John McCain due to his insurmountable delegate lead after Mr. Romney backed out. His main strength is his charisma and passion: he's a truly likeable guy which can aid him in persuading moderates to back the former governor.

Continuing on, I believe that Tim Pawlenty, the outgoing governor of Minnesota, will not throw his hat into the ring, due to his low popularity in his own home state, and his name is quite unheard of throughout much of the United States. On the contrary the always controversial Sarah Palin will be the one that everyone will have their eye on. Her decision to either enter the presidential election or remain on the sidelines (and most likely endorse and finance a candidate) will effect every single other GOP contender's strategy. It would most likely be wise for Mrs. Palin to sit this one out, due to consistent polls finding her polling below President Obama for the nomination, losing most of the moderate support that the Republicans have recently obtained. Finally, for the wild card I believe the former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will finally run for the presidency, considering he's been contemplating a run for the past decade, waiting for the right time. However I believe he will do poorly due to his past history with his family issues, especially with his previous marriages, and of course his hyper-partisanship. Mr. Gingrich has repeatedly called Mr. Obama a socialist, Marxist, Muslim, and Hitler, of which during a presidential election will seem as vulgar and turn away many moderates due to his muckraking style of politics.

The world economy will be a dichotomy with onlookers seeing Western Europe and America continue to tangle with deficits and unemployment, while in the East there will be growth. However, India may supersede China for the first time in nearly a decade. This is mainly due to China's growing internal inflation problem and the rise of consumer prices by nearly 5% in one year, which is greatly affecting their currency. In Europe, all eyes will be on Britain's austerity gamble to see if the bond markets stabilize and control the deficit they have accumulated in the past several decades. As you may know, Britain and Germany's approach to the recent recession has been retrenchment, a policy seen in the 1930???s during the Great Depression. Budgets have been slashed to the bone and services cut for numerous social programs sparking outrage to trade unions and other government groups. In 2011 we may see Germany finally call it quits on the bailout packages the Euro Zone has given to nations in trouble such as Greece and most recently Ireland. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has become weary of being Europe's bank if there's a crisis and may finally call it quits due to domestic pressure.

In other worldly matters, July 2011 will see President Obama's plan to reduce combat troops in Afghanistan begin to take effect, though most likely that will be delayed by the request of General Petraeus, the commander of all U.S. Forces in the region. As of now, Mr. Obama reports that the war is on track, especially in the south which was the target of the 30,000 reinforcement surge earlier in the year. However, the biggest test will be whether the newly trained Afghan military can pick up the slack after American and NATO forces leave. With the widespread corruption in President Hamid Karzai's administration told by Wikileaks documents I doubt any progress will be sustained without some American military presence for the years to come, hence the predicted delay withdrawal.

2011 will also mark the dominance of new media technology such as the iPad, E-Books, and Apps belonging to a variety of companies. Smart-phones and other related devices will become the mainstream and 3G wireless and wifi will become a standard in most local hotspots. Contributing to this boom in electronic sales will be the reduction of these devices, already the Amazon Kindle is $139 and will probably be an even $100 by the middle of next year. Publishers will find it easier to work with digital distribution instead of hard copies due to price and revenue controls. Amazon, for example will begin to regularly sell more digital books than hard copies, which will be a worldwide trend for other companies and devices.

All of this is just a glimpse of what 2011 may bring to the United States and the international community, which will be a mixed bag for everyone. Bottom line though is that the economy will improve, though the question is how much? And will it be able to put a dent in the high unemployment numbers? As this year comes to a close we should reflect what occurred this year; the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the infamous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, riots in Greece after the partial collapse of the economy, Wikileaks, the Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup, and plague of partisan politics just to name a few. The Boston Globe's.The Big Picture section has an excellent section of photos which you can view here as well, capturing the moment of 2010's most dramatic events. I'd also like to thank Jacob Cohen Donnelly for the privilege of writing for We the People Politics and my amazing editor Jessica McAdams for her assistance in revising all of my articles. I wish all of my readers the best for 2011 and hope you'll come back for more insight into today's issues and events.

Is Extreme Early Retirement The Right Choice For You?

Have you ever been so fed up with the grind of the daily rat race that you thought about tossing in the towel - wishing that you could just retire even though 65 is a long ways off? If you have, then you may be a candidate for extreme early retirement.

More and more people are considering retirement before 50 - some even retire in their 30s. Many people consider extreme early retirement because they are burned out on their current careers. Others just want to drop out to pursue their true life's calling. Whatever the reason though, the appeal of extreme retirement can be great - but it may not be for everyone.

One of the very first things that you should consider is the other people in your family and how extreme retirement would affect them. Though it isn't impossible to retire very early with children, it certainly does complicate the picture. You will have to give some careful thought to the sacrifices they may need to make because of your decision. Is your partner on board with the idea? How will your decision affect all your other family members? If your plan is to generate an income from some other source rather than a regular day job, it may take time to build your business up. Depending upon your choices and dedication to your new ventures you may make a significantly less amount of money for a very long time. You may never match your old income - or - you may wildly exceed your expectations and make a lot of money. This brings me to a second consideration - uncertainty.

If you can deal with uncertainty, then extreme retirement may be for you. However, many people do not like uncertainty and should avoid it if it generates too much emotional stress. Will you be able to deal with the uncertainty of an unstable income? Can you deal with the uncertainty of how you will spend each day or will the days just drift by you aimlessly? One of the biggest adjustments that an extreme retiree will need to make is the sudden lack of structure to each day. Although most people hold the fantasy that this will be a wonderful thing, many find it tough to deal with because they end up doing nothing day in, day out and then rapidly fall into a funk, leading to depression.

A third factor to consider is how to deal with family and friends when you retire early. Will you be ready for their criticisms and worries? Well-meaning family (especially moms and dads) can really wear you out about a decision that they cannot understand and think is financial suicide. If you can show them that you have thought things out, have a plan and understand their worry you will be better able to deflect a lot of their concerns. Friends may be overly critical because they are actually jealous of your bold decision to take an extreme early retirement. Think about ways to deal with all the naysayers that you will encounter before you reveal your plans.

Once you've given some careful thought to these issues you will have made the very first steps to deciding what is right for you and living the life that you want. Cutting back on expenses and learning to live frugally will be part of your plan too, so be sure to check out the links in my Bio box below.

Overcoming Sadness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Characteristics of Manic Depression

Manic depression is also commonly known as bipolar disease. It involves alternating mood swings that range from a high point known as mania, down to a low point known as depression. The reason that it is also known as bipolar disease is due to the mood swings from the high pole to the low pole. At times a person with bipolar disease will experience dramatic switches in their mood very rapidly. It is more common that a person will manic depression will experience these mood swings in a gradual manner. One of the problems that people with this disease have to contend with is that this disease can affect their ability to think clearly, also it can affect their judgment. A more serious affect is when their social behavior is altered by bipolar disease. It can cause embarrassing and serious problems in a social setting. Manic depression is a chronic condition that is reoccurring, but with proper treatment, it can be a manageable disease.

Some characteristics of the more severe episodes that a person with manic depression may encounter are psychotic symptoms. Some of the more common of these symptoms include hallucinations, such as hearing things or seeing things that are actually not there. Another severe characteristic of a person with this disease is delusions. Delusions can cause a person with bipolar disease to believe in certain things that normal logical reasoning would otherwise not believe in. Psychotic symptoms may involve that person believing that someone has special hero like powers, or someone is a president or king from another place. Normally these types of symptoms happen during the high point of their mood swing. Some characteristics of a person that has bipolar disease can also involve a delusion of worthlessness, guilt or believing that someone is in terrible trouble. These symptoms normally occur during the low point in their mood swing. Not all characteristics are severe. In fact, most characteristics can include irritability, trouble sleeping and not being able to sit still. On the depression side of milder characteristics of manic depression can include not wanting to socialize, not wanting to talk and feeling sad and blue.

Manic depression does have some characteristics that are nothing more than a myth. Many people think that a person can not have a normal life with it or that they can not get better. The truth is that many people that have bipolar disease have a successful career and a happy family. Another myth is that manic depression only affects their mood. It can also affect their sleeping habits, ability to concentrate, energy and appetite. While medicine is a popular treatment for manic depression, there are self help things that can be done. Manic depression symptoms can be controlled by regular exercise, plenty of sleep and eating right, just to name a few. Living with bipolar disease can be challenging. With the right treatment, coping skills and an excellent support system, a person with manic depression can lead a normal and happy life.

Most Important Depression and Anxiety Physical Symptoms

We all feel anxious to an extent from time to time. Let it be a board meeting presentation, public speaking or just waiting for your lover on your first date. But if this regular anxiety gets overwhelming and start attacking frequently, it may lead to a serious mental and emotional situation called anxiety or panic attack.

There are literally millions of people across the world suffering with anxiety and panic problems in their day to day lives. But the sign of relieve is that anxiety disorders are completely curable. The key is to identify and diagnose it at its beginning stages and get it treated properly.

Different biological changes in the body reflect several physical symptoms of anxiety disorders. Common anxiety physical symptoms are easy to identify if you are aware of them. Educating yourself about anxiety physical symptoms not only helps you to identify them for yourself but you can also help people around you to discover this disorder in early stages.

Following are some of the common anxiety physical symptoms:

• Racing heartbeat called as palpitations.


• Severe chest pain, often people mistaken this pain as heart attack which adds to the trauma of patients.


• Shortness of breath.


• Excessive sweating which exhausts the sufferer.


• Limbs trembling and shaking.


• Difficulty in swallowing, feelings of choking in throat.


• Feeling of being smothered.


• Patients also suffer with nausea and indigestion.


• Numbness in the limbs.


• Facial numbness.


• Patient fears that he is going crazy.


• Hot and cold flashes, this is more common among female patients.


• Headaches and migraines.


• Fatigue and anemia.


• Sleeplessness.


• Just moments before anxiety attack patient feel dizzy and lightheaded.


• In some severe cases anxiety attacks can also lead depression.


• Due to all the tension in the chest and heart ribs also start paining and result in tender breasts in female patients.

Please note that above anxiety physical symptoms do not dictate the degree of severity of anxiety attacks. Some people suffer with several of the above symptoms while others suffer with just a few of them. There are few people who do not show any anxiety physical symptoms but still experience anxiety attacks.

One best way to deal with anxiety physical symptoms is practising deep-slow-breaths therapy. Due to anxiety we tend to breathe quicker therefore our breath becomes shorter. By taking deep breaths you can calm down the mind and control breathing more effectively.

Do Not Suffer in Silence, Depression is Treatable

Many people experience depression at some point in life. On the whole, women are about 50% more likely to have symptoms than men. This is most likely due in part to the significant hormonal changes women experience. Men do get this illness, but they often do not seek out treatment. Instead, they show their state of mind through anger and hostility. Men are 25% more likely to commit suicide than are women. The elderly are another population that often become despondent and who are, as a group, less likely to get help for it.

This is a real illness, not just a state of mind or something that someone can think themselves out of. There are several causes, including genetics, trauma history, physical illness (such as not making enough thyroid hormone), certain medications, chronic pain and grief.

Depression is a mood disorder in which signals are not passed between neurons normally. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that are in charge of passing the signals between neurons. Neurotransmitter signals may be too weak or there may not be enough of a particular neurotransmitter, similar to a phone line with a bad connection.

Symptoms include lack of energy, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, restlessness, weight loss or weight gain of more than 5% in one month, intrusive thoughts of suicide and death, guilt and feeling worthless and hopeless, general irritability, inability to concentrate, loss of enjoyment of favorite activities, self-imposed isolation, physical pain, headaches or even digestive upset that does not respond to any treatment. Any of these symptoms lasting more than two weeks is cause to see a doctor.

Some common forms of the illness include childhood and postpartum depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Children can be depressed and may not be able to tell you in words what they are feeling. Children most often express what they are feeling through their behavior. Be attentive to any changes in the behavior or your children. Postpartum depression occurs in the first year after giving birth. This manifestation of the illness can be very debilitating and guilt producing. The woman may feel that because she just had this wonderful child she should not be feeling the way she does. This is just not true. She needs to get help. Bipolar is characterized by extreme periods of extremely sad, hopeless moods and mania. It tends to run in families. Seasonal affective disorder most often occurs in people living in northern latitudes with short winter days and long nights.

Depression is treatable. Cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy in combination with medications is a more successful treatment than therapy or medication alone. Eating well and exercising, taking time to relax and regenerate and listening to your body can help ease symptoms and possibly even prevent the illness. Stress management and reduction techniques, such as visualization, meditation and yoga practice are other ways to help manage symptoms. Light therapy is often the treatment method of choice for seasonal affective disorder.

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from this illness and it has been going on for more than two weeks, seek the attention of a doctor. Depression is a real illness that can sometimes be fatal. Remember that it is not your fault. It is a chemical malfunction in the brain that you have no more control over than a diabetic has control over their own insulin production. Remember that depression is a very treatable illness and that there is no reason to suffer in silence.

When Depression is More Than a Bad Day

Blue, down, bummed out, sad, regretful, lost...

These are some of the words that come to mind when we talk about 'depression.' We've all experienced periods in our lives when we have felt saddened by events we've had no control over, disappointed by the outcome of something important to us, or deeply saddened by a loss. Usually this form of 'depression' has a fairly short life. We are able to find support and shift our view of the 'problem' enough that we eventually feel better. In the meantime we are generally functioning pretty well. We go to school, work, maintain our responsibilities, and our relationships are relatively unaffected by our "feelings." This form of depression is typically referred to as 'situational depression,' and like the name implies, is generally a short term, mild form of depression associated with a particular situation in our lives. However, there are some forms of depression that aren't easily understood or managed.

Bipolar I & Bipolar II: Also known as Manic Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I is typically characterized by episodes of extreme shifts in mood alternating from very high to very low. Alternations in mood can have a general pattern (e.g. 2 months depressed, 2 weeks manic), a seasonal pattern (e.g. depression worsens in winter months), or can be rapid cycling (e.g. mood changes daily, weekly, or monthly in rapid succession). High or elevated moods are referred to as Mania. Manic symptoms generally include an abnormally elevated mood, which may also include, feelings of elation, increased irritability, insomnia, grandiosity, rapid speech, racing thoughts, heightened sexual desires, increased energy, poor judgment, and at times inappropriate social behaviors. Depression can be mild to severe and include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusional thinking. Bipolar II includes alternating moods between Depression and symptoms of Hypomania. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Someone with Hypomania may experience elevations in mood without the same intensity as seen with Mania. Onset for Bipolar disorders is typically late adolescents/young adult hood (average age is 21 years old) with increases in occurrences over time. Bipolar disorders affect both men and women, and occur across all ethnicities. Family history of depression, bipolar disorders, and other mental health diagnoses is common among people with the disorder, however, there is no conclusive link between family history and the disorder. People with Bipolar disorder have an increased rate of substance abuse, which generally occurs in an effort to control or manage symptoms.

Cyclothymia: Similar to Bipolar Disorders, Cyclothymia is a chronic mood disorder characterized by numerous periods of depression and hypomanic symptoms. Cyclothymia differs from Bipolar in that symptoms are typically experienced without reprieve for at least two years.

Dysthymia: A person with Dysthymia will experience a low mood for more days than not for a period of at least two years. Low mood may include feelings of hopelessness, impaired cognitive functioning.( e.g. hard time concentrating, hard time in making decisions ), loss of appetite or overeating, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, and problems with sleep. (too much or too little sleep).

Major Depression: The severe form of Dysthymia, Major Depression can become disabling if not treated properly. Major depression is typically characterized by the same symptoms as Dysthymia with the added intensity as well as loss of motivation, loss of pleasure in things, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Contributing Factors: Although there are no conclusive causes of Depression there are many contributing factors that play a role in the severity, duration, and frequency of the symptoms of depression. Contributing factors can also play a large role in overall treatment approach. A common factor in symptoms of depression is loss. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a job, a beloved pet, moving to a new home, getting married, getting divorced; any major change/loss/transition can trigger symptoms of depression or worsen existing symptoms or disorders. The use of substances (drugs and alcohol) can affect mood significantly. Some people with childhood depression may begin using substances early on in an effort to control their moods/feelings. Conversely, some people who use substances may experience symptoms of depression as a result of the drugs natural effects on the brain and bodies functioning. It is very common for people who experience symptoms of depression to have a known family history of mental health issues. However, not all people who experience depression will have a family member with the same symptoms. Sometimes a person with depression may have a family history of anxiety or substance abuse. Typically people who experience symptoms of depression have poor coping skills; meaning that when events occur that trigger feelings of depression the person is often unable to access resources that support them. For example a person who experiences a negative event may withdraw from others and isolate. The more they isolate the more the symptoms of depression increase. Without support that helps the person cope with their feelings, over time the person may become reclusive and have difficulty leaving their homes. Sleep problems are a significant issue in all types of depression. Both in that lack of sleep can be a trigger for depression and symptoms of depression can lead to excessive sleepiness or general poor sleep hygiene. If you have problems with sleep it's important to rule out medical causes such as sleep apnea or mild seizure disorders. Poor nutrition is another important factor in mental health. Again working both as a result and a possible contributing factor to depression. People who are depressed tend to either overeat or under-eat. Typically eating comfort foods or imbalanced meals, or conversely not getting enough nutrients to support a healthy mind and body. Medical conditions including hormone irregularities (also postpartum), certain autoimmune disorders, certain neurological disorders, chronic pain disorders, and any other chronic health issues can contribute to symptoms of depression.

Ages & Stages: For certain disorders there are typical ages of onset. However it's important to note that general types of depression can present in A-typical ways at different age levels. In the most general terms for example, childhood depression may present as an overanxious child, a child who is clingy, has problems sleeping, seems hyperactive, or has more irritability than one might expect. Children with depression may not seem 'sad' but might have problems with concentration at school. They may be easily distracted and have difficulty following tasks. These symptoms can be similar ADHD. In adolescents depression may present with increased irritability, agitation, defiance, withdrawal/isolation, substance use, lack of motivation, lack of focus, loss of interest in things, frequent headaches, body aches, or general reports of not feeling well. In adulthood symptoms present in the most typical manner as described in the above definitions. In the elderly, depression is very common. In addition to the possibility of numerous medical conditions and treatments the elderly are often faced with loss and isolation. The elderly will typically present with depression that reflects great sadness and grief.

Treatments: In treating depression it is important to know what type of depression one is dealing with; as well as taking into account possible contributing factors, the age and typical developmental stage a person might be before taking the next step. Licensed counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists are all qualified to make a mental health diagnosis. If the patient is a child or elderly person the evaluation should be completed by a person who specializes in those developmental stages. Counselors are typically equipped to provide therapeutic guidance for people with depression. In counseling one may learn new ways of seeing their problems, may develop improved coping skills, and may find relief in having some outside supports. Psychologists generally provide testing and assessments that can more accurately determine types and severity of mental health problems. In some states Psychologists may prescribe medications and provide counseling. Psychiatrists rarely provide counseling. Their role is to treat mental health symptoms medically - usually with psychotropic medications. A general rule of thumb in treating all forms of mental health issues include an increase in physical activity and improvement in nutritional health. There are also numerous alternative treatments; including acupuncture, amino acid/nutritional therapies, mediation, energy work such as Reiki, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), body work, and N.E. T. (Neuro-Emotional Technique).

If you, or someone you know is experiencing persistent or serious symptoms of depression there is help. Please consider getting a mental health evaluation and rule out any possible medical causes. Untreated depression can lead to long term health problems, substance abuse issues, and a life of pain. There is help and it is possible to heal from depression.

Lisa K. Jackson, MA, LPCC, NCC, CEP, CWK

Psoriasis Causes And Treatments - What Might Bring On Psoriasis And What Might Stop Them

The exact cause of Psoriasis is currently unknown. According to scientists, at least 10% of the general population may have a predisposition to psoriasis because they inherited the genes from their families. Scientists believe that only 2-3% of the population actually develops this disease. According to their studies, a person will only develop psoriasis if he or she has the genes that cause it and if he or she is exposed to certain psoriasis triggers. What are these triggers and what might end an attack of psoriasis? This article discusses these things.

Specific external factors or, the "triggers" that cause psoriasis are not universal. This means that the trigger that caused you to develop psoriasis may not affect another person.

Known Triggers of Psoriasis Are

• Stress


• Skin Injury


• Medications

Let's take a quick look at each of these individual triggers:

Stress

Stress is one of the known triggers of psoriasis. Studies have shown that stress causes psoriasis to flare up and also aggravate existing psoriasis. To prevent stress, do some meditation and relaxation. Regular aerobic exercise also helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation.

Skin Injury

Skin injury can also trigger psoriasis. Traumatized or injured areas of the skin are common areas where psoriasis occurs. This phenomenon is called the Koebner phenomenon. Scratches, sunburns, and vaccinations are some of the triggers that cause the Koebner phenomenon. If caught early, a Koebner response can be treated easily.

Medications

Certain medications can also trigger a psoriasis attack. Some of these medications are:

• Lithium - used to treat psychiatric disorders such as manic depression. Those who take lithium medications report that it aggravates their psoriasis.


• Antimalarials - hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, quinacrine, and plaquenil are antimalarials that can cause psoriasis to flare up. The flare ups usually occur two to three weeks after taking the drug. Hydroxychloroquine is believed to be the safest of them all because it has a lower incidence of causing these side effects.


• Inderal - this is a medication for blood pressure that aggravates psoriasis in about 25% to 35% of psoriasis patients who take it. It is unknown if every medications for high blood pressure can worsen psoriasis, but they could have that potential.


• Quinidine - Many have reported that this heart medication worsens some psoriasis cases.


• Indomethacin - this is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat arthritis. There are reports that it can worsen some cases of psoriasis. Other anti-inflammatory drugs can be substituted if it worsens your psoriasis symptoms. The negatives effects of Indomethacin can be minimized if it is taken properly. The benefits you get from taking this drug usually outweigh the side effects.

There are other, scientifically unproven things that can trigger psoriasis attacks such as weather, diet, and allergies. Though not yet approved by the medical community, there are also other natural treatments for them that are becoming increasingly popular. Maybe someday will know how to get rid of psoriasis and prevent them from reoccurring without using medicine of any kind.

A Diet For Depression

If you are chronically depressed, tired, forgetful, or just plain bad tempered, chances are you deserve a break today. If you suffer depression, the break you need and deserve, however, may be a break from too much food rather than a break for fast food. Minimal mental problems can be caused by the brain's not getting enough, or getting too much, of its essential macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

In my early childhood, I was a fan of the television show Gilligan's Island. (I may as well admit that I occasionally watch reruns of the show once in a great while still.) A ship's captain, his first mate, an actress, a professor, a farm girl, a millionaire and his wife, all stranded on an uncharted desert island in the South Pacific, are the central characters of this once-popular sitcom.

In one of my favorite episodes, the castaways become convinced that their lives depend on the vitamin C in Gilligan's last orange and argue over how to divide it among them, as they ignore the bowl of vitamin C-rich pineapples on the table in front of them.

From a nutritional perspective, the irony of the comedy is that if the castaways had just divided the orange into seven slices and eaten, maybe the temporary boost to their brainpower would have helped them to recognize the value of the pineapples sitting in front of them. Fruits and vegetables, the professor did not know, protect against hysteria and aggressive behavior. Here's how:

Everyone has periods of stress that are outside his or her control. Uncontrollable stress commonly results in increased feelings of depression, anger, tension, and fatigue.

Most of us can control our impulses, but recent science suggests that people who "lose it" but who otherwise do not suffer a mental illness have a shortage of the brain chemical tryptophan. In a clinical experiment conducted at Oxford University, eighteen mentally healthy volunteers consumed an amino-acid drink containing tryptophan. An equal number of mentally healthy volunteers consumed an amino-acid drink without tryptophan.

Participants in the study were then presented with choices between simultaneously presented gambles. The bets differed in the magnitude of expected gains (that is, the reward), the magnitude of expected losses (that is, punishment), and the probabilities with which these outcomes were delivered. In other words, the purpose of the test was to determine whether tryptophan in the brain somehow provides the ability to make choices that are mindful of consequences. When volunteers were "depleted" of tryptophan, they tended to make wild choices without regard to outcomes.

When volunteers were "repleted" of tryptophan (when their tryptophan levels were restored), they still tended to show emotions, but they avoided "flying off the handle" when the consequences were large.

The reason the researchers tested the amino-acid drink is that the brain turns tryptophan into the mood regulator serotonin. The Oxford researchers believe that serotonin mediates decision-making in healthy volunteers by modulating the processing of estimates of outcomes of reward and punishment, perhaps within the part of the brain known as the orbitofrontal cortex.

Tryptophan connects aggression to diet. Eating large quantities of refined carbohydrates produces a "sugar surge." When the sugar concentration of the bloodstream increases, the amino acid tryptophan more readily enters the brain. The brain converts tryptophan into serotonin, which overstimulates the orbitofrontal cortex. This is why eating enough-but not binging on-carbohydrate is essential to keeping your cool.

Chocolate cravings, especially in women and more particularly in overweight women, are strongly correlated to the need to establish emotional control. Eating enough fat, measured as the proportion of fat in your diet, is also essential to maintaining emotional control. Clinical study has found, as many dieters will attest, that reducing the percentage of calories from fat from 40 percent to 25 percent is associated with elevated anger and hostility.

Controlling tryptophan is not the entire answer to controlling your emotions. People who never exercise at all are given to emotional extremes. The key to using food to control your temper is to combine eating with exercise. Vigorous exercise is not necessary for regaining emotional control. Weight loss is not necessary for regaining emotional control.

Even regular exercise is not needed to emotional control. Clinical study finds the exercise you need to help you keep from "losing it" is a few (2-3) minutes of the most minimal exercise, just enough that your primary mental focus in on physical activity-but you do need that much. Losing weight by eating less food, rather than by taking in a smaller proportion of calories in the form of fat, however, helps with emotional control. Dieting will make you more irritable-but it will also give you greater self-control. Research even shows that the more irritable and nervous you are when you diet, provided you maintain an internal locus of emotional control, the more weight you will lose!

So the general nutritional advice for controlling bad temper is exercise a little, eat just a little. Don't omit carbohydrates and fat (that is, stay away from Atkins and "Paleolithic" diets), but make a point of eating less. And don't forget your veggies.