Obtain Disability Tax Credits for Depression

Inability to perform one's own duties or to earn one's own living is called disability. Various types of disabilities fall under the main categories of physical disability and mental disability. Physical disability can occur due to accidents at work places, accidents caused during travel or due to sudden illness such as paralysis. Mental disability can occur due to sudden mental shocks and various diseases such as Alzheimer's disease that affect brain functioning.

Causes of disability can be classified as Perinatal (infections, premature infants, drugs during delivery and labor and oxygen deprivation), Prenatal (environmental causes such as alcohol, drugs, external agents, infections and maternal nutrition; maternal stress, Rh factor, genes, mother's age, maternal diseases and chromosomal) and childhood (childhood diseases, injuries, environmental causes and Rh factor). The known reasons for disabilities include environmental, socio cultural, constitutional, or biomedical factors.

Depression can be caused due to sudden death of a loved one, loss of job and divorce. People return to normal life after some days. If these conditions are prolonged, it may lead to clinical depression. The persons suffering from depression will not be able to perform their daily tasks. Clinical depression includes dysthymia, seasonal depression, major depression, and bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of depression include insomnia, loss of libido, suicidal thoughts, forgetfulness or loss of concentration, lack of stamina, weight loss, tiredness, lack of energy, reduction in appetite, irritability, tension and anxiety, low self esteem, helplessness and guilt, unresponsive to current events, tearfulness and low mood. People suffering from depression show low appetite towards food. Some persons, who suffer from depression, eat lot of food to get relief from stress. Such persons gain more weight. Eating disorder is one of the symptoms of depression.

Complications of major depression include substance abuse, suicidal behavior, and lower self-respect. It can lead to mental illness. Sleep disorders and weight fluctuations come under physical depression. Mental complications include suicidal behavior, lower self-respect, loneliness and self injury. Among these depression complications, suicidal behavior is the most dangerous one. It is serious form of self-injury and cannot be reversed. It is necessary to carefully identify persons suffering from depression and treat them.

People suffering from depression in Canada can approach Canadian Disability Corporation (CDC) to file for disability tax credits. The professionals at CDC examine the symptoms and reasons carefully and recommend for disability tax credits to the eligible persons. It helps persons suffering from depression to pay at least part of their treatment bills.

Amazing How Fish Oil Can Help Those Who Suffer From Anxiety and Other Psychiatric Problems

We know that fish oil supplements can help individuals with various problems, including heart disease, diabetes, psychotic, Parkinson's disease and many others, now; however, research studies now reveal that fish oil my help with chronic anxiety too. Medical students in random controlled tests who received omega-3 supplements for 90 days demonstrated a 20% decrease in anxiety scores. This is quite amazing since we all know how stressed medical students are during their struggle to graduate medical school. The 20% is a considerable and surprising outcome of these random trials.

Omega-3 is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and if we consider that the medical students in the study listed above are younger people, the outcome for older individuals suffering from anxiety, if they too take omega-3 supplements, could have even greater benefits not only for anxiety, but for other conditions as well.

Inflammation is one of the major problems we face within our bodies today. It is the root of so many conditions we deal with on a regular basis. Chronic inflammation is seen in such health problems as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, diabetes, and a myriad of other problems as well. Depression is thought to have roots in chronic inflammation and studies show that eating more fish or ingesting omega-3 or fish oil supplements can have a positive effect on people suffering from depression and help prevent many inflammatory problems.

In other research studies the outcome is that the fatty acids contained in fish oil may help mood disorders and assist with symptoms of clinical depression. Apparently the increase in production of "proinflammatory cytokines" goes along with both anxiety and depression. Omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish and in natural fish oil supplements can combat those cytokines and fight inflammation at the same time and, thus, help with anxiety and depression.

More research is underway to determine exactly what benefits are achieved by ingesting omega-3 either by diet or by dietary supplement, but to date generalized anxiety has been shown to respond to omega-3 therapy positively.

That is not to say that everyone should immediately run out and buy fish oil supplements. However, if you suffer from the symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, it might be a good idea to consult with your primary health care provider. You can determine whether using natural fish oil supplements can be a positive addition to your daily regime, can alleviate your symptoms. and assist in your health care goals.

Signs of Depression in Men

Depression is something that most people face at some time in their lives. We all deal with it differently and it affects different people in different ways. It could be brought on by the loss of a job, a break up, gaining weight or several other different reasons. Oddly enough though, the signs of depression in men are somewhat different in men than women and you have to be aware of exactly what they are if you are concerned that you or a loved one may be falling into a depression.

Men who are depresses will often find themselves in a rut that they just don't seem to be able to get out of. They are hopeless and helpless and feel as though their life has no value whatsoever. They will often feel as though there is simply no way that their life will get better.

As these feelings fester, you will find that they will also lose all interest in their daily life and activities. They may stop working out or hanging out with the guys. Any hobby that they had when life seemed good to them suddenly becomes non-existent to them.

All of this inactivity will usually lead to a sudden gain in weight or even perhaps a weight loss as they many not even get out of bed to feed themselves. They are in bed all the time because they feel as though they have no reason to get out of bed, yet somehow they are also always tired.

As all of this is going on, their opinion of themselves starts to digress and they think that they are just totally useless on the face of the earth. You can see how this emotion can quickly get out of control and can lead to suicidal thoughts and the demise of someone's attitude toward life. This something that absolutely must be treated in the early stages or it can quickly get out of hand and lead them down a very ugly and destructive path.

Parent With Manic-Depression

"Roxanne, hi, umm, it's Ralph, your mother is dead", this was the beginning of the phone conversation from Wyoming. Wyoming, the place where my mother was supposed to be happy for the first time in her life. A new home, a loving partner, a garden grown with love and care by my mother's hands. This call came while I was taking a nap before finals in the middle of the afternoon. I stumbled over my words, "why are you telling me this, my mom is not dead, what are you saying, why are you telling me these lies, my mother is not dead, why would you two pull some kind of joke like this on me?" Yes, those were my first words of reaction to the news that Ralph had just found my mother in her closet. She had found his gun while he was out shopping, and shot herself in her face. Sorry readers, for the graphics. However, that is what happened. My forty eight year old mother had just committed suicide. I was only twenty-nine at the time and for years had dreaded this day. Nine years have gone by since that fateful phone call, nine years of nightmares, fear, and the constant dread that it will happen to me.

The history behind that final day of my mother's life is rife with pain, hurt, loss, abandonment, and loss of childhood. She was diagnosed with Manic Depression Bi-Polar when she was in her early thirties, although her siblings can attest to her strange behavior as a child. Her solitariness, her withdrawal from peer relationships, her impulsive nature which led to the birth of her first child, me. I grew up in a home where the lights were never on. I fondly called my mother the "Vampire Lady". She was either asleep or too drugged out to have any real mother daughter talks. Our relationship was ripe with volatility from the age of about sixteen or so. Her illness had us jumping through hoops as children, us being my younger sister and I. I was my sister's caretaker from way back. Through the many moves, the many men, some abusers that my mother tried to find solace in. She never did.

Her mental illness is what is the driving force behind my quest to help others with mental illness. I grew up with a mother who threatened suicide yearly. She was hospitalized at least five times during my adolescence. I can honestly say though, that she always sought help. I remember many times she would find a new doctor who wanted to try yet another experimental antidepressant. My mother and her medications were the theme of everyday. Did mom take her meds? Did the Doctor call with the new script? After the many stays in the psychiatric hospital, my mother acquired a bizarre crew of confidantes. There was the friend with Turret's, the one with multiple personalities. Some nights our form of entertainment would be playing Monopoly with this mix of folks. You would never know what personality would come out from Paige, or if Mark would start to cuss with no control. Although, this probably was not the ideal way to spend an evening for two young kids, it was a form of humor for us. With my mother, you would take the good times and hold them dearly, because you never knew if you would get "that" call. The one where mom tried to check out again.

My mother's mental illness has changed my life course, how could it not? I am not good at trusting people, or I trust too easily. I question my sanity all the time because at one point when I was sixteen one of my mother's doctor's told me that I would most likely inherit this lovely disease, due to its genetic makeup. Therefore, I never know if I am just crazy from the stresses of the world, or that I am manic-depressive and will commit suicide at some point in my life. I can say I have survived my mother's suicide, and that I have at times put it in perspective. However, there are those days that I cannot get out of bed and I do not want the lights on. Candlelight is the most soothing, thanks to mom. My mother and I had a very volatile relationship, at times, I believed she hated me and wished that I had never been born. I grew up blaming myself for her illness. I have her journal that I inherited after her death; it is rife with ranting of her hatred for me. As an adult, I have had to remind myself that it was not her, that it was her illness. Sometimes for me that is hard to reconcile. Now readers, I do not want you to misunderstand me, my childhood did have its benefits, and people who tried to make a difference. My grandparents tried to bring some semblance of normality to my sister's and my life. I am thirty-eight now, married with no children. My fears of this hereditary disease have stopped me from bringing children into this world. I will say I have some peace about the last moments of my mother's life, she seemed happy finally and at peace. I suppose that should have been a big warning sign that something was amiss. I carry guilt around to this day because I was the last person to speak to my mother before she shot herself. I hung up on her because she had what I used to call her "headache" voice, the voice that could not be reached. I hung up on her and the police believe I interrupted her while she was getting ready to go into that closet. I live with that, and I know that mental illness is the most heinous of diseases.

Self Help For Depression

The best self help for depression advice I can give you is to avoid negative and small minded people. Negative people are everywhere and you have to make sure to stay away from them at any expense. Being around negative people can take it's toll. You have to be very careful who you associate with. You have to make it your business to stay away from negative people. Right now, you are the average of the top five people you associate with most. If you hang out with negative, fruitless people, this is what your life will be like. If you hang around with downers, you'll end up a loser. Stay with positive people. Go out to spots where progressive individuals hang out. Begin changing up your daily routine.

Another good way to get out of depression is to put positive quotes in strategic places around the house. Leave them up in the bedroom and in the living room. Get very specific with your affirmations like - In one year I'll make five hundred thousand dollars. Really believe in your affirmations. Make affirmations a part of your day-to-day regimen and watch how your life changes.

Get a clear picture of what you will get if you attain your goals. Goal setting doesn't have to be a tedious process. Write down your major life goals. Write down your goals for each day and do them in order. Writing goals on paper is very key. Depression doesn't have to stop you from getting what you want in life!

Life Insurance: Its Benefits and Quotes

In today's times of economic uncertainties, it has become vitally important to protect our family financially as well as emotionally. Buying a life insurance is a crucial step to ensure that our family is protected in that manner.

Getting this type of insurance is a process, a series of steps that involves important decision-making. Before one commits on buying a life insurance in Australia, one must first learn and understand its basics - what it is really all about, its benefits, its purpose and getting the right quote.

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is a contract between the insured or insurance policy holder and the insurer, where the insurer agrees to pay a previously decided lump sum of money (the "benefits") to the insured person's designated beneficiary upon the death of the insured person. Depending on the contract, the policy generally covers death by accident or physical disability due to some trauma and other events such as terminal illness or critical illness.

The policy holder typically agrees to pay a stipulated amount of money called a premium, either regularly for a stipulated period according to the insurance policy or as a lump sum.

What is the Purpose of Life Insurance?

The main purpose of life insurance is basically to provide security to your beneficiaries in the event of your death. Like all insurance, it provides protection for your family from the risk of financial ruin when you die. It also provides your beneficiaries with the necessary funds to settle your financial obligations and to cover the loss of income created by your death. In some cases, the insurance money also covers the funeral costs.

But if you are interested in estate planning, cash accumulation, wealth transfer, and estate tax liquidity, life insurance can also help you achieve these goals.

What are the Benefits of Life Insurance?

• For the policy owner, the benefit is "peace of mind" in knowing that the death of the insured person will not result in financial hardship for loved ones


• Provide financial security to families in the event of a spouse or parent dying as a good insurance policy should cover your family's two biggest expenses: mortgage and education


• For the policy owner, he/she can use the policy as collateral for a loan so one can access additional funds. This is especially beneficial to the policy owner who no longer has a need for coverage but the policy is still in force. He will be able to take out a loan while he is still alive to supplement retirement, take a vacation, or pay unexpected bills.


• For the policy owner, one can also designate his life insurance proceeds as money to settle his estate, though settling of one's estate always happens after one dies. In this way, one can plan for it while one is still alive.


• The policy could also be used as a tool to keep valuable property from being sold in order to pay taxes as the policy could be used to pay taxes.

How is life insurance quote priced or calculated?

Its rates are based on:

• The insured's life expectancy


• The face amount you request (protection or death benefit)


• The length of the policy, whether it's the duration of your life (permanent life) or a specific period (term life)

One's current and past health conditions can greatly impact life expectancy, so insurers want to know as much as possible about one's health condition. So buy as early as you can - buy when you're healthy - but don't buy until you have dependents.

Common conditions that raise your premiums or even result in your being declined are high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cancer, and depression. Insurance buyers with severe health conditions or a combination of conditions would find it hard to find this insurance.

Based on a person's medical history, the insured people are grouped into categories such as "preferred plus," "preferred," "standard" and "substandard." The premiums are ultimately determined by the category.

The "death benefit" is the amount of money your family or beneficiary receives after your death. This is the amount for which you are insured. This is calculated to cover your specific financial circumstances - your dependents, debts, and standard of living should all be taken into account. Of course, the more the death benefit is, the more expensive the policy will be.

Depression Recovery Differences Between Men And Women

Depression affects far less men than females yet it is nonetheless a figure of six percent on a global scale. Although the medications and treatment offered to women dealing with depression is like that offered to men, the symptoms are different. So male depression recovery has to be approached differently.

According to the majority of physicians and therapists, men react differently compared to females in terms of dealing with depression. Men are more inclined to anger, bad temper and violence. It is more usual for males to lose their self-control whereas women experience greater levels of feelings of insignificance and hopelessness.

Nonetheless, many of the signs are common to both men and women. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:

-- feelings of sorrow
-- feelings of worthlessness for no evident reason
-- sudden weight loss
-- appetite changes
-- putting on weight
-- eating too much
-- not being able to sleep
-- feeling irritated
-- decreased energy levels
-- frequently feeling drained and sleepy
-- often feeling guilty for no apparent reason
-- unexplained aches and pains
-- lack of ability to focus on things

Males who are depressed tend to cover their feelings and control their emotions to hidden. While females find it easier to verbalize their grief and are more likely to shed tears. They are as well more likely to increase their amount of hours asleep and sometimes eat too much although men more frequently still go to work, visit the gym and continue their every day engagements.

Males also tend to keep their thoughts to themselves rather than tell their family and friends how they are feeling. When this happens, they habitually detach themselves from their normal social life which tends to make matters worse and is one of the numerous reasons why depression amongst males can be difficult to discover.

Even though there are numerous treatments and medications readily accessible to help men with recovering from depression, it is frequently rather challenging to encourage them to ask for such remedies or even simply to see a physician. This is when their condition gets worst.

If you know someone who's going through depression try to talk them around to see a professional so they can get the appropriate medication for them.

Make sure you give them extra care and support. If you spot that they are experiencing frustration and other signs and symptoms associated with depression in men, try to reach out to them and lend a helping hand. You could give them some books or extra materials to help them understand their condition better. These resources may even convince them to search for professional assistance.

Remember that this condition is easier to handle at an early phase plus the fact that the sooner they can be supported the sooner their recovery from depression can be started.

Lyme Disease - Medical and Alternative Treatments

Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that can cause serious illness. Named after the Connecticut town where a cluster of cases were diagnosed in the mid 1970s, the disorder has now been reported throughout much of the United States, with the highest levels of infection on the East Coast, from Maine to Maryland, in the Upper Mid­west, and in California. The cause is a type of screw shaped bacteria, known as a spirochete, that is transmitted by several species of tiny ticks. Although these ticks are most often found on deer, rodents, and other wild animals, they also bite humans. The first sign of Lyme disease usually is a painless, donut-shaped red rash that develops at the site of the tick bite within a few weeks, although in some cases it shows up sooner. It is often Many people do not know that they have been infected with Lyme disease because they are unaware of having been bitten by a tick. (Up to half of those who are bitten fail to develop the warning rash.) Without treatment, weeks or even months after the bite, arthritic, cardiac, and/or neurological complications may occur. The most common manifestations are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness. Less common complications include cardiac arrhythmias, meningitis, neurological disorders including paralysis, and depression and other psychological problems. Infection in pregnant women may lead to fetal death and miscarriage.

Diagnostic Studies And Procedures

There are blood tests for Lyme disease, but they have limitations. For example, it may take months for an infection to produce a positive result using anti body tests. This situation is expected to change if experimental tests fulfill their initial promise. In the meantime, a diagnosis can often be made on the basis of symptoms and the likelihood of exposure to a tick bite.

Medical Treatments

Lyme disease usually can be cured with antibiotics, especially if treated in its earliest stages, before complications occur. In the past, penicillin or tetracy cline were the drugs of choice, but cur­rent therapy favors doxycycline, a more readily absorbed tetracycline, or amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative that has increased potency. Doxycycline is most commonly used because it has to be taken only twice a day and causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects than amoxicillin, which must be taken three times a day. More serious infections, especially those involving the central nervous system, may be treated with ceftriaxone (Rocephin); this is a new antibiotic that is given by injection or intravenously. Approaches for later and more severe manifestations of Lyme disease remain controversial. Generally, treatment at this stage is longer and more intensive. It may be necessary to undergo two to four weeks of intravenous therapy with ceftriaxone or penicillin G, especially for central nervous system complications such as meningitis. Intravenous therapy may be given in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, or at home by a visiting nurse or IV therapist. If symptoms persist despite a course of IV antibiotics, some doctors recom­mend long-term intravenous therapy. Others feel this approach is futile. Other medical treatments depend upon symptoms. For example, Lyme arthritis generally responds to aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti­inflammatory drugs. People with certain types of cardiac arrhythmias may be treated with antiarrhythmia drugs; others may benefit from implantation of a pacemaker. Eye inflammation can be treated with antibiotic eye drops. Medication may also be prescribed to treat depression. Vaccines against Lyme disease are being tested in areas of Connecticut where the disease is widespread. If these prove effective, Lyme disease will become a preventable disorder.

Alternative Therapies

Physical Therapy. A physical therapist can suggest exercises that will help inflamed joints retain function and maintain mobility, but at the same time will not damage them. An occupational therapist can teach new ways to perform daily tasks with minimal pain.

Tai Chi

The gentle movements of this ancient exercise routine can help maintain flexibility and may also promote healing and a sense of well being.

Self Treatment

The ideal self treatment is to prevent Lyme disease by avoiding tick bites. When walking in tick infested areas, wear light colored clothes on which ticks will be more visible, and spray them with peregrine. Apply an insect repellant that contains DEET preferably in a concentration of less than 35 percent-to exposed skin. (Check with your doctor before using DEET on a young child; it may cause seizures.) Also, try to avoid brush and leaf litter. Shower as soon as possible after any outing into an area known to be populated by ticks, and then examine your­self carefully. If you find a tick attached to your body, remove it promptly by grasping it with a pair of tweezers as close to the skin as possible and tugging gently. The sooner it is removed, the lower the risk that it will transmit infection. Place the tick in a closed container so that it can be examined if you develop any symptoms. Make sure that all cats and dogs wear tick collars, and comb pets regularly to remove any ticks.

Other Causes of Lyme Symptoms

Arthritis symptoms similar to those of Lynne disease may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Remitter's syndrome, a type of infectious arthritis. Neurological symptoms may be due to encephalitis and other central nervous system infections. Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome may also be mistaken for Lynne disease.

How Post-It Notes With Quotes About Success Can Get You To The Top

Quotes about success when heard somewhere, gets a person thinking. There are many quotes that even make us forget what we were previously thinking. Going through motivational quotes written on Post-it notes may help us in picking ourselves back up in times of distress. At times we may not even know that they are there and are lost in our own world of gloom or distress, staring off into space. Sometimes that place we are looking is exactly where the post-it note is. And it may just prove to be the push we needed to get back on the track.

American Psychologist and Philosopher, William James said, "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

At other times we may be tense or depressed about something completely different and that is when a post-it note with a quote may catch our eye. It diverts our attention, changes the focus and alters our thinking. Sometimes a great quote just moves us and boosts our whole being. It is as if the words and their meaning speak directly to our heart and soul, encouraging us and egging us on in several different ways to be better as we could be.

Henry Ford, Founder of Ford Motor Company, said, "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right."

Sometimes we may be stuck at a difficult problem and may have decided that it is a dead end with no way out, when a solution may present itself in the form of a quote on a post-it note. Even at times when we are just sitting idle and doing nothing productive, a quote or a saying can get us thinking and results in creative thinking or even just a healthy exercise for our brain. There are some quotes about success that are like riddles and are fun to read as they sometimes result in us thinking over it for hours!

"To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.- Goethe, German writer

Great quotes on success are not just a mere selection of words or sentences arranged together. It is a mixture of ingenuity, insight and sentiment. I have read quotes that instantly changed my condition and lifted me up from the depression. It can change depression to determination in a matter of seconds. They can change sadness into happiness within no time and renew our hopes. When faced by a difficult problem and feeling tense they can relax us in an instant. Such quotes speak with wisdom, show creativity, and create emotions in a rather effective and remarkable manner. Such an example is of Paulo Coelho's words in his book 'The Alchemist',

From observation we can tell that diverse people are motivated by different quotes originating from several renowned corners. There is no one method that makes a useful quote on success. Instead, each quote is distinctive and it affects everyone in a different manner.

How Medical Assistants Can Cope With Stress And Work Related Demands

Stress at work is inevitable. Encountering a person who has a severe disease, dealing with different kinds of people and the boss flooding demanding work loads are the common scenarios that medical assistants are experiencing at work.

Medical assistants' tasks are obviously coupled with uneasy challenges and that is the reason why they are also prone to stress. We all know that stress is not good. It can cause symptoms to arise both physical and emotional. To cope with stress and work related demands, here are excellent tips:

Stay Positive
A change of mind can help you turn things around positive. Positive thoughts plus positive action is equals to positive results. Never panic. Take every load as an opportunity for you to show that you can kick off challenges and make things happen extraordinarily. Who knows, you may be promoted because of that task.

Get Comfort From Pals
Yes, we need someone, our pals. An old saying, "No man is an island" is indeed true. Being positive can be more effective when someone is helping us down the road. An encouraging word from your mom, sister, co-worker or a friend can certainly help eliminate stress. Find time to talk or hang out with them and release the stress within you. Ask help when you need to, do not keep it inside. People need someone to lean on. But of course, make sure that you will call someone who is a genuine positive thinker who will lift you up and not someone who will just add to your stress levels.

Discover What Makes You Happy
Many studies showed that hobbies can eliminate stress. It is found that those who keep in physical time-off activities for at least 20 minutes a week are less prone to fatigue. Leisure activities are also linked to greater levels of positive psychosocial states and reduced depression. Hobbies like playing badminton, singing, drawing, and playing mind games can help battle depression. Another simple way to lessen the effects of stress is to do something fun and enjoyable.

Be Organized
Planning is important in any work setting. Psychologists believe that one main reason why people becomes frustrated and stressed out is because they cannot accomplish anything from their lists. Sadly, even the "to do list" is not organized. The right way to organize your engagements is to prioritize. Do the important things first. Review your schedule at the end of the day and check what you have accomplished. This can help you in organizing your plans and endeavors.

Meditation Fights Irritation
That's right! Meditation fights irritation. Meditating in inspirational words and phrases can keep you stay positive. There are so many inspirational and spiritual resources online that you can browse. Inspirational and spiritual books can teach us how to be a positive person. Learn something from it and it will not just make you a better medical assistant but also a better person. Meditation is like chewing and enjoying a meal. You get the nutrition from positive words. Putting bible verses or positive quotes in a piece of paper and then posting it to the place where you can see it always can help you fight any pressure from work.

Now, if you are a medical assistant you must realized that no one is excused from challenges. It boils down to how a person handles every situation. Follow the tips mentioned above on how to overcome stress and surely you will be able to enjoy being a medical assistant. No one is perfect so stop acting like one.

Cushing's Syndrome: Abnormal Levels of Cortisol

Cushing's syndrome is a disorder caused by elevated levels of cortisol in blood and the normal level of cortisol may rise either by the intake of glucocorticoid drugs or by tumors that result in excessive secretion of cortisol or adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Truly speaking Cushing's disease is the result of a tumor in the pituitary gland that causes excessive secretion of ACTH which in turn elevates the level of cortisol. About 70% of the patients suffering from this disease get affected due to the tumors and rest 30% suffer from the disease because of the intake of glucocorticod drugs. The pathology of the disease was first studied in detail by Harvey Cushing in 1932. The syndrome is also known as Itsenko-Cushing syndrome or hypercorticism. This syndrome is not only confined to humans only but has also been identified in domestic dogs, horses and rarely in cats. The syndrome should not be confused with a clinical condition identified as Cushing's triad where the intracranial pressure increases enormously. The disease is known to affect the individuals of the age group 20-50. According to a report about 10-15 million individuals suffer from Cushing's syndrome every year.

Individuals suffering from Cushing's syndrome may develop moon-like faces, facial plethora, supraclavicular fat pads, buffalo hump, truncal obesity and purple striae. They often complain of proximal muscle weakness, easy bruising, weight gain, hirsutism and growth retardation in children. Hypertension, osteopenia, diabetes mellitus and impairment of the immune system are other common symptoms. Excessive intake of exogenous glucocorticoids is also responsible for this syndrome. Exogenous steroids results in suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. An individual with suppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may not be able to increase steroid production appropriately during a medical illness or stress so requires exogenous doses of steroids to avoid adrenal crisis.

The most frequently observed symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include rapid weight gain particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs. A very common sign is the development of fat pads around the collar bone, on the back of the neck and a round face also known as moon face. Other symptoms include excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis, dilation of capillaries (telangiectasia), thinning of skin and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness, hirsutism, baldness or brittle hairs. The rare symptoms include hypercalcemia that causes skin necrosis. Excessive secretion of cortisol also affects other endocrine systems and causes insomnia, inhibited aromatase, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhea and infertility due to elevations in androgens. Patients also suffer from psychological disturbances that may range from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety are other common symptoms. The most striking and remarkable skin changes include facial acne, susceptibility to superficial dermatophyte and malassezia infections and characteristic purplish striae on abdomen.

Other noticeable symptoms include polyuria, persistent hypertension and insulin resistance that cause hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is accompanied by skin changes like acanthosis nigricans in axilla and around the neck as well as skin tangs in axilla. If left untreated Cushing's syndrome results in the development of heart disease and chances of death increase. Excessive secretion of ACTH causes hyper-pigmentation. Hyper-pigmentation is the due to the activity of Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) which is produced as a byproduct from ACTH synthesis. This hormone is formed from Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Cortisol also participates in the exhibition of activity of the mineralocorticoids in high concentrations and causing hypertension and hyperkalemia. Gastrointestinal disturbances, infections and impaired wound healing are the other symptoms of this syndrome. Osteoporosis is also a symptom associated with Cushing's syndrome. Bone loss also occurs and bones of lower back, hip and shoulders also start paining. Cortisol level can also increase due to intake of estrogen in the contraceptive pills that contain a blend of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is responsible for the increase of cortisol-binding globulin that is responsible for the elevated level of cortisol.

When body tissues are exposed to elevated levels of cortisol for prolonged period of time then Cushing's syndrome occurs. Many individuals suffer from this syndrome as they consume exogenous glucocorticoid hormones namely prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases. Rest of the individuals develops this syndrome due to overproduction of cortisol by the body. A chain of events generally occur inside the body that finally results in the formation of cortisol. Hypothalamus is a very important part of brain which is about the size of a sugar cube sends corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. This CRH stimulates pituitary gland which in turn releases the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) that finally acts on the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands are small glands located just above the kidneys and when they are stimulated by the action of ACTH they release cortisol in the bloodstream. Cortisol has a number of important functions to perform inside the body. It maintains blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduces immune system's inflammatory response and regulates the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Cortisol also helps the body to respond to stress. For this reason, women in last 3 months of pregnancy and the highly trained athletes normally have high levels of cortisol. People suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic disorders also have elevated levels of this hormone. When the level of this hormone is adequate in blood then, the hypothalamus and pituitary release less CRH and ACTH. This confirms that cortisol released by the adrenal glands is precisely balanced to meet body's requirements. However, if something wrong happens either with adrenal glands, hypothalamus or pituitary glands then this balance may experience fluctuations. Pituitary adenomas are responsible for most of the cases of Cushing's syndrome. These adenomas are benign, non-cancerous, tumors of pituitary glands that result in excessive secretion of ACTH. Most patients have a single adenoma. This type of Cushing's syndrome is five times more frequent in women as compared to that in men. Some benign or malignant tumors that arise outside the pituitary gland can also produce ACTH and this condition is identified as ectopic ACTH syndrome. Lung tumors are associated with 50% of such cases and men are affected three times more than women. The most common forms of ACTH-producing tumors are oat cell, small cell lung cancer or carcinoid tumors and they account for 25% of lung cancer cases. Other types of tumors that also result in the production of ACTH are pancreatic islet cell tumors, medullary carcinomas of thyroid and thymomas.

Sometimes abnormalities may also take place in the adrenal glands and Cushing's syndrome may occur. This condition generally crops up in the individuals of 40 years of age. Most of these cases involve non-cancerous tumors of adrenal tissues known as adrenal adenomas that are responsible for excessive secretion of cortisol in the bloodstream. Adrenal cancers rarely result in the development of Cushing's syndrome. Cancer cells result in excessive secretion of cortisol and adrenal androgens. Most of the cases of this syndrome are not inherited at all. In very rare cases of Cushing's syndrome individuals have inherited tendency of developing tumors of one or more endocrine glands. In Primary Pigmented Micronodular Adrenal Disease children or young individuals develop small cortisol-producing tumors of the adrenal glands. In Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I (MEN I) hormone secreting tumors of parathyroid glands, pancreas and pituitary occur. Cushing's syndrome in MEN I may occur due to pituitary, ectopic or adrenal tumors.

Pituitary gland is located just beneath the hypothalamus and both these essential structures are finally present in the brain. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus is responsible for the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). ACTH travels via blood and reaches the adrenal glands which get activated and release cortisol. The zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal gland respond to ACTH and finally release cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol exhibit a negative feedback on the pituitary which finally decreases the secretion of ACTH. Adenoma in the cortex of the adrenal glands is also responsible for the excessive secretion of cortisol which is one of the causes responsible for Cushing's syndrome. Adenoma causes the cortisol level to become very high and the levels of ACTH are also very low. This syndrome only refers to hypercortisolism where the ACTH levels become very high along with elevated levels of cortisol in the blood. The levels of ACTH are very high because a tumor in the pituitary gland makes it unresponsive to the negative feedback against the elevated levels of cortisol. This disease was the first autoimmune disease discovered in humans.

Diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome is based on the patient's medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. Tumors of the adrenal and pituitary gland can be detected by using X-rays. These tests can help a medical expert to identify if the blood cortisol levels are high and why this is so. The 24-hour urinary level free cortisol level test is the most appropriate diagnostic test. In this test as the name indicates urine of the patient is collected after an interval of 24 hours and then levels of cortisol are checked. If the amount of cortisol is higher than 50-100 micrograms within an interval of 24 hour then the individual is at the risk of suffering from this syndrome. The level of cortisol may vary depending upon the techniques utilized. Once Cushing's syndrome is diagnosed other tests are required to locate the exact regions that are associated with the abnormality that results in excessive cortisol production. These tests are based on the choice of the endocrinologist. Dexamethasone suppression test is another test that can be performed. This test helps to distinguish patients with excessive production of ACTH due to pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic-ACTH producing tumors. Here the patients are given a synthetic glucocorticoid known as dexamethasone orally for every 6 hours for 4 days. For the first two days the dose of this compound are kept low while it is increased to higher ones on the last two days. 24-hour urine samples are also collected before the administration of this compound.

Cortisol and other glucocorticoids signal the pituitary gland for lowering the secretion of ACTH in blood so the normal response after taking dexamethasone is a drop in blood and urine of cortisol levels. Different responses of cortisol to dexamethasone are noticed depending upon the cause of Cushing's syndrome either by pituitary adenoma or ectopic ACTH-producing tumor. The dexamethasone suppression test can give false results for the patients suffering from depression, high estrogen levels, alcohol abuse, stress and acute illness. Drugs namely phenytoin and phenobarbital may also give false results in response to this compound. So the physicians advise the patients to stop the usage of these drugs one week before undergoing dexamethasone suppression test. CRH stimulation test helps to distinguish between patients with pituitary adenomas or those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumor and cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors. Patients are given injections of cortiocotropin releasing hormone which in turn is responsible for the secretion of ACTH from the pituitary glands in blood. Patients with pituitary adenomas generally experience very high levels of ACTH and cortisol in blood. This response is generally rarely seen in the patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome and never in patients with cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors.

Direct visualization of endocrine glands or radiologic imaging helps in the identification of shape and size of pituitary and adrenal glands. These techniques help to detect if any tumor is present. The most common techniques used are computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Computerized tomography actually produces a series of X-ray images that imparts a cross-sectional image of any part of body. Magnetic resonance imaging also generates images of body parts but no ionizing radiation is used. The imaging techniques are generally used for the detection of tumor once Cushing's syndrome is finally diagnosed. These techniques are not used for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Petrosal sinus sampling is another test that is not always used but can be used for the separation of pituitary from the ectopic causes of Cushing's syndrome. Petrosal sinuses are actually the veins that drain blood to the pituitary glands so blood samples are taken from them by the introduction of catheters by using local anesthesia and mild sedation. X-rays are often used for the detection of the correct position of the catheters. To improve the diagnostic accuracy injections of CRH are often given. The levels of ACTH in the petrosal sinuses are measured and then they are compared with the ACTH levels in a forearm vein. Higher levels of ACTH in the petrosal sinuses than in the forearm vein is indicative of the presence of pituitary adenoma and if the levels are similar then ectopic ACTH-syndrome is present.

Some individuals have elevated cortisol levels but do not show progressive effects of Cushing's syndrome like muscle weakness, fractures and thinning of skin. These individuals may be suffering from pseudo-Cushing's syndrome which was originally described in people who were depressed or alcohol addict. These individuals do not show long term effects shown by individuals with Cushing's syndrome so they do not require direct treatment of the endocrine glands. Generally dexamethasone-CRH test is performed to distinguish patients of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome from those with Cushing's syndrome. This test combines dexamethasone suppression and CRH stimulation tests. Elevated levels of cortisol suggest the presence of this disease. Some individuals may have substantially high levels of cortisol but they do not show effects of this syndrome. The high cortisol levels may be compensating for body's resistance for cortisol effects. This rare syndrome of cortisol resistance is a genetic state that results in hypertension and chronic androgen excess. Sometimes other conditions may be associated with this disease like the polycystic ovarian syndrome that causes menstrual disturbances, weight gain from adolescence, excessive hair growth and sometimes diabetes. Generally weight gain, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with resistance to insulin action and diabetes often described as Metabolic Syndrome X. Patients with this disorder generally do not have elevated levels of cortisol.

The common treatments available for Cushing's syndrome include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or use of cortisol-inhibiting drugs. A number of therapies are available to treat the ACTH-secreting adenomas of Cushing's syndrome. The most commonly used treatment is the surgical removal of the tumor known as transsphenoidal adenomectomy. In this process the surgeon approaches the pituitary gland either through the nostril or through an opening made below the upper lip. Very fine instruments and special kind of microscope required for this purpose. As this surgery is very complicated so the patients are advised to consult the specialized centers only. The success rate of the surgery is 80% if carried out by an experienced surgeon. If surgery fails or only temporary cure is achieved then it can be repeated in order to obtain good results. After the successful pituitary surgery the elevated levels of ACTH drop two times lower as compared to the normal level. This is a natural but temporary drop in the level of ACTH and the patients are given synthetic form of cortisol. This replacement therapy can be stopped in most of the patients within an interval of one year.

Patients who fail to give promising results to transsphenoidal adenomectomy or candidates who are not suitable candidates for surgery, radiotherapy is a promising treatment. Radiation to the pituitary gland is generally given at an interval of 6 weeks. The chances of success range from 50-80% in both adults and children. A combination of radiotherapy and a drug known as mitotane helps in faster recovery. Mitotane suppresses cortisol production and thereby brings a decline in the plasma and urine hormone levels. Mitotane has shown 30-40% better results in the patients with Cushing's syndrome. To cure the overproduction of cortiol due to ectopic ACTH syndrome, it is always beneficial to remove all the cancerous tissue that produces ACTH. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination of these therapies can help in removal of cancerous tissue. The ACTH-secreting tumors may be very small or widespread at the time of diagnosis so mititane is a promising drug that can be administered for better results. In some cases if the pituitary surgery is not successful then surgical removal of the adrenal glands may replace the drug therapy. Surgery is the only treatment available for the benign and cancerous tumors of adrenal glands. Primary Pigmented Micronodular Adrenal Disease and the familial Carney's complex require surgical removal of adrenal glands.

Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome is the most common form of Cushing's syndrome which is generally caused by treatment with corticosteroids. The incidence of the pituitary tumors may be relatively high but only a minute fraction of them are active and result in excessive hormone secretion. Adults with this disease may show symptoms like extreme weight gain, excessive hair growth in women, high blood pressure and skin problems. Additional symptoms may include muscle and bone weakness, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep disturbances, moodiness, irritability and depression followed by amenorrhea in women, decreased fertility in men, baldness and hypercholesterolemia. Most of the cases of Cushing's syndrome are due to the action of exogenous glucocorticoids. About 13 cases per million individuals are diagnosed every year that are due to the endogenous reasons. Of these 70% of cases are due to ACTH-producing tumor, 15% due to ectopic-ACTH and 15% due to primary adrenal tumor.

Mortality and morbidity associated with Cushing's syndrome are primarily due to the effects caused by excessive levels of glucocorticoids. A very large pituitary tumor may cause panhypopituitarism and visual loss. Rare adrenocortical adenomas are also associated with a survival rate of only 5 years. Excess glucocorticoids also cause perforated viscera and increased susceptibility to fungal infections. Other additional problems that crop up due to excessive glucocorticoids include hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, fractures, impaired immune function, impaired woun healing, glucose intolerance and psychosis. The female-to-male ratio of Cushing's syndrome is 5:1 which may be either due to pituitary or adrenal tumor. Ectopic ACTH production is more frequent in men than women due to increased incidence of lung tumors in them. The peak period of occurrence of Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal or pituitary adenoma is 25-40 years. Ectopic production due to lung cancer may occur in later phase of life. For keeping a regular check on Cushing's syndrome patients should be educated about adrenal crisis. Instruction for the intake f specific drug for treatment should be given.

How to Regain Your Happiness by Breaking the Cycle of Self Inflicted Suffering

While some people manage to retain their happiness, most of us become more unhappy than happy by the time we enter high school. What happened? We were taught three "facts" that set the stage for a lifetime of unhappiness: "Life is scary," "Life is less scary if you accumulate stuff." and "You and everyone else must follow the rules." Those who accept those "facts" without question embark on a lifetime of what I call "The Cycle of Self-Inflicted Suffering."

The Cycle of Self-Inflicted Suffering has four stages: a. Fear, Neediness, and a sense of Obligation. b. Demands. c. Disappointment. and d. Anger, Resentment and Blame. The Cycle then loops back to Fear/Neediness/Obligation and continues throughout an unhappy person's life unless the Cycle is broken.

Break the Cycle of Self-Inflicted Suffering and you regain your happiness. But how to break the cycle? The only way to break the cycle is to consciously reject one or more of the three false "facts" we were taught.

Here are four paths for breaking the Cycle of Self-Inflicted Suffering...

1. Question your Needs. It is human nature to want more "stuff" and to hoard for a "rainy day," but happiness doesn't come from houses, cars, electronic gadgets, or a bank account or retirement fund. Make a list of everything you don't have that you think you need. Make a list of everything that you do have that you think you couldn't live without. Now cross out everything on the first list and at least half the items on the second list. Not only do you not need those things, most of them create more unhappiness than happiness. Feeling needy is a big source of unhappiness that can be eliminated through conscious choice and a continued commitment to simplicity. Question your non-material needs as well. Joyful relationships are wonderful, but you don't need to be in relationship. If you are single, eliminate the thought that something is lacking, and just live each day joyfully.

2. Confront Fear of the Unknown. Our greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. It could also be called fear of the future because the future is unknown. The way to begin to reduce fear of the unknown is to confront that fear. Acknowledge that you don't know what tomorrow may bring and that that causes fear. Once you have shown a light on fear of the unknown, you can address that fear with courage and, if you believe in a Higher Power, a faith and trust in ultimate goodness.

3. Grant yourself Freedom. Most of us have spent a lifetime believing that we bear huge obligations. Our parents heaped obligations upon us, then our schools, our church, our community, our friends and family. Stop! There is almost nothing you actually need to do. You truly do have choices about what you do and what you don't do. Each time you begin a thought with "I need to..." or "I have to...," pause and ask yourself who is demanding that you do that thing and what the consequences would be if you did something else instead. Make the choices YOU want to make. Take actions from conscious choice and not from fear or unthinking habit.

4. Grant Freedom to others. This is the flip-side of #3. The sky never opened up with a great voice pronouncing how others should dress, speak, vote, worship, spend their leisure time, manage their money, or raise their kids. Your opinions of how others should behave are merely your opinions and having the expectation that others should conform to those opinions is a major cause of unhappiness. Live and let live - you will be much happier for it.

Top 5 Psychological Anxiety Symptoms in Women

You can find anxiety symptoms in women commonly at late teenage because that's the time a lot of hormone alterations takes place within their body. There are millions of women who suffer from anxiety symptoms. Women experience physical, emotional, psychological, and social changes during anxiety. Among all these symptoms, psychological symptoms can cause more effects as it affects the individual mental status.

Anxiety symptoms in women are more common in women than in men. Women are prone to anxiety due to the various alternations in sex hormones. Here you can find the top 5 psychological anxiety symptoms in women.

Obsession

This is one of the common psychological symptoms faced by women who suffer from anxiety. They worry about anything and everything starting from futile things to big problems. This habit may seem to be a simple issue but it is very difficult to handle. One will worry even for unnecessary problems.

Depression

Most of the women experiencing anxiety will suffer from depression. Depression can make them feel dejected, hopeless and can make them detached from the surroundings. Though depression and anxiety are considered as two opposites, they often come together. Depression leaves the individual with deep sadness and helplessness and does not allow them to perform their day to day activities.

Restlessness

Feeling anxious can change you restless. Restlessness will not allow the individual to sit or relax. You will always be indulging in something without knowing what it is. People with this symptom will find difficult to complete any given task.

Concentration problem

This is one of the anxiety symptoms in women which prevent one from focusing on what they are doing. The person cannot do anything like reading, working or even watching television. For example, if you plan to do a household activity, you will be easily diverted from that and will fail to focus on work.

Isolation

Anxiety can also lead to isolation or agoraphobia. You will feel safe and secure at home and would not go out anywhere. The world may seem to be a dangerous place to live in and you will get isolated from your friends and the outside world.

Psychological anxiety symptoms in women need to be attended immediately else will lead to threatening anxiety disorders. Women can stick to many natural techniques to reduce and to get rid of anxiety. Deep breathing methods, regular exercising, yoga, meditation and proper food habits are helpful to overcome this medical condition.

How to Cope With Depression And Come Out Strongly

Adversities hit all of us at some point in our lives. It is common for people to feel low and down when an adversity strikes or when they are faced with tough situation. But you should be able to adapt quickly and deal with whatever has happened in a positive, constructive sort of way. If the negative feelings and depressed mood doesn't go away and remains constant, then this is something to worry about and get treated as early as possible.

There are various symptoms of depression like feeling helpless, hopelessness, feeling lonely, sad, lack of interest in anything, getting irritated easily etc. You might notice changes in appetite and sleep related problems as well. So how do you cope with depression? How do you treat it?

Whenever you notice these symptoms you should take immediate action. You should not delay in treating this disorder. Many people just ignore and try to keep living with these symptoms. But they will not be happy and sooner or later will get frustrated with such a kind of life. They may start avoiding company of others. Some people take medication to treat depression. But this is not a healthy way of treatment. Medicines come with a lot of side effects.

One of the dangerous side effects of anti-depressants is that you might get addicted to them. Once you stop taking the medicine, your depression is likely to come back again. You might also suffer from other ailments.

There are better alternatives to cope with depression. You might try meditation and relaxation techniques. Cognitive behavior therapy and NLP are also options you can explore for coping with depression. Love and support of your family and friends is very essential as it is difficult to fight this battle on your own.

If you are unable to cope with depression on your own, then you may even approach a psychiatrist for help. However, most of the psychiatrists might charge big fees that may scare away a of people. So, your first attempt should be to treat depression on your own. This is called as depression self help.

What is the advantage of depression self help? Firstly, you will save money by not having to pay the expensive fees of psychiatrists. Secondly, you can avoid side effects of anti-depression medicines. Thirdly, you will feel more in control of your emotions as you learn how to cope with depression.

Botox Treatments Improve Mood And Symptoms of Clinical Depression!

Did you know that your facial expressions alone can alter things like your heart rate, or even your skin temperature? There is a growing large body of psychological research supporting the "Facial Feedback Theory" - the hypothesis that facial expressions can affect and influence brain function every bit as much as does the brain in the way it directs and controls facial movements. The seemingly simple act of smiling apparently induces the releasing of certain chemicals in the brain that makes people feel better. And when people frown, increased levels of the chemicals leading to a depressed mood are circulating around. So did you frown because you were sad, or were you feeling sad because you frowned?

In the 1870's it was Charles Darwin himself who proposed that it was possible that "you feel the way you look" just as much as "you look the way you feel" because of a feedback loop that supplies facial expression information back to the brain to tell it how it should be feeling. The brain then responds with the appropriate neurochemical releases - generating happy or sad feelings - as the face has suggested. A 1989 study had people watch a cartoon, then rate how funny they thought it was. Some of the study participants were asked to smile while watching whether the cartoon struck them funny or not. Those asked to smile consistently rated the cartoon funnier than those who were not asked to smile. Were the "smilers" more likely to be amused because they were in a happier state of mind? A 1991 study concluded that frown muscle activity was a reliable predictor of depression as well as depression therapy outcome. So even if you can't muster up a fake smile, would those simply frowning less be less unhappy? What would happen if you could get someone to frown less?

Researchers realized that there was a tool that they could utilize to test that interesting question. The gold standard for definitively limiting the ability to frown and make other types of "negative" facial expressions- Botox簧! Botox簧 - the great eliminator of the frowning, tired and stressed-out look for millions of people every year - long known to simultaneously boost the spirit and mood as well.

A 2006 study took patients in treatment for clinical depression and gave them all some Botox簧. Almost all of the patients showed clear signs of improvement in their depression, independent of other factors, within the weeks following their Botox簧 session! Their symptom improvements paralleled the improvements in their appearance. Amazing! Still not convinced?

In March, 2012, at the 20th European Congress of Psychiatry, a similar study was presented which further supports the "Facial Feedback Theory" that facial musculature and expressions can both reflect and influence mood. Patients suffering from clinical depression and undergoing treatment were also treated with a single session of Botox簧. An incredible 80% of the patients showed strong and sustained improvements in their depression, by both depression level testing scores and psychiatric interview scores. This included those patients who had responded poorly to their prior conventional treatments! 30% of the studied patients showed a full remission of all depression symptoms! The onset of alleviation of symptoms and the duration correlated with the onset (1 - 2 weeks) and duration (3 - 6 months) of the effects of Botox簧 in minimizing the frowning and wrinkling we associate with expressions of sadness, fear, anger, or stress. Positive effects on mood elevation were seen in nearly all the Botox簧 treated patients, including those with even modest softening of frown lines and wrinkles.

There is also the social feedback loop component to the "Facial Feedback Theory". The "misery loves company" versus the "laugh and the whole world laughs with you" sort of thing. If you look happier, you "attract" happier people around you, which then makes you feel happier. The opposite certainly happens if you look sad or mad. And if you have too dark and too gloomy a look, it can really get bad as others tend to withdraw from you. You will likely end up alone and isolated, thereafter feeling even more dejected and sad. But clinical depression is an entirely different situation, where the chemical balances in the brain are off, and are biased in the "unhappy" direction. It seems incredible that a "forced change" in facial expression could affect those balances so significantly by a direct and somewhat mysterious connection between the face and the brain.

So, it is clearly not as simple as the concept that anything that makes us look better, such as any type of cosmetic surgery or procedure, will also be likely to make us feel better and happier. Apparently, we all have within us the ability to trick our very own brains into a better mood with our face, even if our face is "lying" to it. Then when our brain feels happier, we really are happier, and now the "lie" has becomes the truth. Wow! The brain has the face under constant surveillance, so it can figure out how it is supposed to feel. That means you can tell yourself how to feel. "Put on a happy face" has a whole new meaning, doesn't it? And if you just don't have it in you to smile more, at least try not frowning quite so much. A little Botox簧 sounds like a pretty good idea, too!

Depression and Emotions Anonymous

Depression can have both biological and circumstantial causes. Physiological causes my include:

• Thyroid disorders - Thyroid deficiency can cause depression. A simple blood test can determine levels of thyroid hormones.


• Iodine deficiency - An iodine deficiency can cause depression. A urine test called an iodine loading test can determine levels of iodine in the body.


• Vitamin deficiencies - Vitamin deficiencies, particularly a lack of B vitamins can cause both depression and psychosis. A blood test can determine levels of vitamins in the body.


• Neurotransmitter deficiencies: A lack of serotonin, norepephrenine, and epephrenine can cause depression. A test called a neurotransmitter test can determine levels of these important elements in the brain.

Depression can be triggered by:

• Chronic trauma, which has a long term basis of six months or more.


• Acute trauma, which lasts two weeks or less.

Disorders connected with trauma may include:

• Anxiety disorders, involving both both generalized and specific anxieties.


• Panic disorders,characterized by rapid breathing, heart palpitations, profuse perspiration, and feelings of unreality.


• Dissociative Disorders including fugue disorder, depersonalization, and multiple personality disorder.

Sufferers need a safe place to find acceptance, guidance, and direction.

Emotions Anonymous provides such an atmosphere. Often held in hospital settings, these groups offer safe venues for the expression of deep seated feelings.

Sufferers, such as myself, may feel the gap between us and people who have never had mental health challenges. Therefore find acceptance in a well facilitated group can be an essential part of learning to cope with our special circumstances.

Blessings to all who have experienced mental health challenges. It isn't easy, but it's not impossible to cope with these situations with good support from both the medical and the alternative healing communities

Farmers Auto Insurance Company Review

Farmers Auto Insurance Company is worth considering when you are in the market for auto insurance coverage. Of course, no one auto insurance company is the right choice for every single person so it can pay to compare quotes from Farmers Car Insurance Company with quotes from other top companies. Here is a review of Farmers Auto Insurance Company so that you can learn a little bit more about Farmers Insurance and hopefully find the best auto insurance coverage for your specific needs.

Auto insurance is a necessity for every person that has the will of driving a car in the United States. Although all of the states in this nation have a minimum in liability and motorist coverage, insurance companies allow customers to purchase more than the required amounts if they so desire. Farmers Automobile Insurance Company was started in the year 1928 in order to provide the regular automobile driver and they have been striving ever since to excelled in their services in order to satisfy the customer. Not long after their founding year the insurance company decided to expand not only across the country, but by providing more services to the consumer.

Due to the high demands by people around the nation, Farmers Automobile Insurance instituted other companies to provide for life and homeowners insurance. An incredible progress by the company was made during the Great Depression. When many insurance companies and stock companies closed doors, Farmers Insurance only grew stronger. Today Farmer Auto Insurance is based in Los Angeles, California and they are operating in 41 out of the 50 states of this great nation. Within those 41 states they have an estimated 15 million members and providing support to these customers are approximately 18,000 employees.

Farmers Automobile Insurance Company might have one of the most informative websites known to consumers. They don't only allow customers to manage and make change to their policies, but they allow the regular consumer to know information about the car insurance business. Sections that help customers in understanding the insurance terminology and the types of insurance coverage can be found easily without needing to use the site map.

Also, the company is one of the only ones to use a "Risk Assessment Indicator" which allows them to predict how much a potential customer would be worth. This is solely based on credit history and late payments the person trying to enroll possesses. Based on this information the company will determine the risk a person is worth and along with other factors such as place of residence, vehicle information and driving history they will determine how much to charge a potential customer yearly.

The company offers the standard coverage that most other companies offer (liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, property damage, and bodily injury) and it gives its customers options of emergency road assistant, towing service, windshield glass repair and car reimbursement policies for those who are willing to pay a little bit more per month. They are also very well known across the country for their awesome discounts. It is important to know that rate discounts vary by state and therefore a potential customer or a former member must call their insurance agent or their local insurance office for the list of possible discounts.

Some of the most well known discounts offered by Farmers Automobile Insurance Company include anti-theft, anti-lock brakes, driver training, good student, passive restraint equipment (air bag), senior defensive driving course, good driver discount, more than one automobile in the policy and bundle of insurances under Farmers Insurance Company (when you have auto/life or auto/homeowners insurance, both with Farmers).

Also, it is important to know that Farmers stays focused on the youth and improving their driving experience since they first get in the driver seat of a vehicle. The company offers the Y.E.S. (You're Essential to Safety) program for teenage drivers across the United States. In some states, teenagers that complete the course will qualify for discounts and rates will go down a considerable amount. The program focuses on certain things that might affect teenagers and their driving skills. Included are sections on seatbelts, speeding, tailgating, excessive driving, road rage, cell phones and the consequences of a DUI.

Another great utility that can be found on the Farmers Automobile Insurance Company website is calculators that aid customers if they have any questions regarding anything to do with car insurance. Those utility calculator cover things such as how much your deductible should be when purchasing automobile insurance and how much your next car should cost depending on the car insurance rate that you are willing to pay.

A thing of note about Farmers Automobile Insurance is that they have been an active contributor with the community around them ever since they were founded. According to their website they have been "proud, active partners" in improving the lives of people around them. They found programs to enhance safety, increase educational opportunity and increase participation in cities and towns across the United States.

Farmers Automobile Insurance Company takes pride in their excellent customer service skills and the way in which they satisfy their current customers. The company continues to grow and it won't be uncommon for us to see them expanding into the entire continental United States and maybe even out of the country.

Overtime - One Of The Risk Factors Of Depression

Long hours have become the new normal in this faltering economy, leaving the worker (as usual) to pay the price. A recent study suggests what many people working these long hours could tell you... routinely putting in 11 hour days is one of the risk factors of depression - doubles the risk in fact - compared to those who work the more traditional eight hours each day.

Long days at work take a toll on your body, but there's also evidence of impacts within the brain as well. Overtime and depression have not been studied to any great extent so the team examined over 2,000 British workers (average age 47) who didn't have mental health issues at the start of the research in 1991.

Almost six years passed before nearly 70 incidences of serious depression were identified by mental health screenings given to the workers. Those whose working hours topped more than 11 hours a day had a two times greater risk of being diagnosed with depression compared to those who spent under eight hours at work each day.

Now there are lots of things that put you at risk for depression - genetic factors, physical or emotional issues and prolonged stress. All those hours at work give you fewer opportunities to relax and likely less sleep as well. You don't have time to exercise and your own self-care slips. The long workdays can also cause problems in close relationships with friends and family, and this itself can also bring on depression.

The most likely candidates for depression were younger women who were in the lower job grades, used alcohol in moderation and had also been diagnosed with a chronic condition. Should you be worried? Here are some warning signs to watch for:

- Trouble sleeping

- Changes in appetite

- Fatigue or loss of energy

- Feeling stressed or worthless

- Being irritable and impossible to satisfy

- Not taking pleasure in activities that usually bring you joy

- More mistakes at work

- Trouble organizing things, concentrating or making decisions

- Suicidal thoughts or acts

If you, or someone you love, has three or more of these symptoms and they last for at least two weeks, depression is most likely the cause. Recognizing you're in trouble, and in need of help is important - the first step toward getting better.

Even if you love what you do, the long hours you're on the job can still trigger a depressive episode, but it may well take longer to show up. Eventually however, researchers believe that workaholics too will show signs of depression.

It's hard to know if these results would hold for workers doing other jobs, but it certainly points out the fact that working long hours can play a part in depression. Since you usually can't cut back on working hours, here are some simple ways you might cope...

- Try to alternate periods of high stress with times of less pressure or with shorter hours.

- Listen to your favorite music as this boosts levels of dopamine, the feel good chemical in the brain.

- Don't skip vacation time or days off.

- Try a random act of kindness to your boss, co-worker, a vendor.

- Look for humor in daily goings on, circumstances beyond your control.

- Make time for sleep and don't skimp on exercise.

The research on long working hours as one of the risk factors of depression appears online.

Biological Factors That Contribute to Depression

Many people are pre-disposed to depression because of their own biological makeup making their risk of suffering from this condition much greater then those who do not share these risk factors. There are four main biological factors that can increase a persons risk for depression and these include (1) genetic factors, (2) biochemical factors, (3) alterations in hormonal regulation and, (4) sleep abnormalities.

Genetic Factors

Studies done with twins have shown that genetic factors play a role in the development of depressive disorders. There have been a number of studies done that show that the average rate of shared mood disorders among identical twins is 45% to 60%. This means if one twin suffers from depression, or any other mood disorder, there is a 45% to 60% chance that the other twin will also be affected. Contrast this with fraternal twins where the percentage falls of drastically to only 12%.

Moods disorders are inheritable for some people. This also means that those who are genetically susceptible to mood disorders can have an earlier age of onset, a greater rate of suffering other disorders in addition to depression and an increased risk of recurrent illnesses. However, any genetic factors that are present must interact with environmental factors for depression to develop.

Biochemical Factors

The brain contains billions of neurons and is a highly complex organ. There is a lot of evidence that points to the idea that depression is a biological or chemical disorder where central nervous system neurotransmitter abnormalities are a probable cause of clinical depression. These neurotransmitter abnormalities may be the result of inherited or environmental factors, or even of other medical conditions, such as cerebral infarction, hypothyroidism, AIDS, or substance abuse.

Specific neurotransmitters in the brain are believed to be related to mood altered states. It was initially believed that the two main neurotransmitters involved were serotonin and norepinephrine. With new research though it is now thought that depression results from the dysregulation of a number of neurotransmitter systems in addition to serotonin and norepinephrine. The dopamine, acetylcholine, and GABA systems are also believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of major depression.

Alterations in Hormonal Regulation

Although there is still inconclusive evidence that hormones can play a role in depression. The most studied neuroendocrine characteristic that relates to depression has been hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis. Evidence of increased cortisol secretion is apparent in 20% to 40% of depressed outpatients and 40% to 60% of depressed inpatients. Results of a dexamethasone suppression test are abnormal in about 50% of patients with depression, which indicates hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis. However, the findings of this test may also be abnormal in people with obsessive-compulsive disorders and other medical conditions. Significantly, patients with psychotic major depression are among those with the highest rates of nonsuppression of cortisol on the dexamethasone suppression test.

Sleep Abnormalities

Sleep electroencephalogram abnormalities may be evident in 40% to 60% of outpatients and up to 90% of inpatients during a major depressive episode. People prone to depression tend to have a pre-mature loss of sleep, slow delta wave sleep and altered rapid eye movement (REM) latency. The phase of REM sleep associated with dreaming occurs earlier in two thirds of people with bipolar and major depressive illnesses. This sign is referred to as reduced REM latency and is consistent with the expected manifestation of an inherited trait. Reduced REM latency and deficits in slow-wave sleep typical persist following recovery from a depressed episode. Data also suggests that depressed patients without this sign are not likely to respond to treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, which suppress early REM sleep.

There are many factors that contribute to depression, many of which are biochemical in nature. Those that are biologically induced can be treated with different prescription drugs but as with anything relating to human emotion and chemical makeup answering one question as to why brings up more questions that remain unanswered.

Holiday Blues: Depression in the Elderly

We who are involved in Elder Law have to be vigilant about recognizing the symptoms of depression in our older clients. For one thing, it can affect the care we put in place. This concern becomes even more acute during the holiday season, when the symptoms of depression can become heightened. This is often referred to as the "Holiday Blues".

As we spend time with the older people in our families and communities, we should all be on the look out for signs of depression. It is, it turns out, more common than generally believed. According to the National Institutes of Health, of the 35 million Americans age 65 years or older, about 2 million suffer from full-blown depression, and another 5 million suffer from less severe forms of the illness. This represents about 20% of the senior population.

Exacerbating the problem is that depression in the elderly is frequently misdiagnosed and often goes untreated. The symptoms may be confused with a medical illness, dementia, or malnutrition due to a poor diet. Another factor is that many older people will not accept the idea that they have depression and refuse to seek treatment.

What causes depression in the elderly?

The holidays tend to bring memories of earlier, perhaps happier, times. Additional contributing factors that bring on depression may be the loss of a spouse or close friend, or a move from a home to an assisted living facility, or a change in an older person's routine.

Depression may also be a sign of a medical problem. Chronic pain or complications of an illness or memory loss can also cause depression. In addition, diet can also be a factor when proper nutrition and vitamins are lacking. Often, there are both mental and physical reasons for depression.

Symptoms to look for in depression might include:

• Depressed or irritable mood


• Feelings of worthlessness or sadness


• Expressions of helplessness


• Anxiety


• Loss of interest in daily activities


• Loss of appetite


• Weight loss


• Fatigue


• Lack of attending to personal care and hygiene


• Difficulty concentrating


• Irresponsible behavior


• Obsessive thoughts about death


• Talk about suicide

How do you know if it is depression or dementia?

Depression and dementia share similar symptoms, but here is a guide to some differences that might help to distinguish between the two:

In depression there is a rapid mental decline, but memory of time, date and awareness of the environment remains. Motor skills are slow but normal in depression. Concern with concentration and worry about impaired memory may occur.

On the other hand, dementia symptoms reveal a slow mental decline with confusion and loss of recognizing familiar locations. Writing, speaking and motor skills are impaired, and memory loss is not acknowledged as being a problem by the person suffering dementia.

Whether it is depression or dementia, prompt treatment is recommended. A physical examination will help determine if there is a medical cause for depression. A geriatric medical practitioner is skilled in diagnosing depression and illnesses in the elderly. If you are the caregiver of an elderly person it may be beneficial for you to seek out a geriatric health care specialist.

Treating depression in older people

Once the cause of the depression is identified, a treatment program can be implemented. Treatment may be as simple as relieving loneliness through visitations, outings and involvement in family activities. In more severe cases antidepressant drugs have been known to improve the quality of life in depressed elderly people. Cognitive therapy sessions with a counselor may also be effective.

As a caregiver or family member of a depressed elderly person, it is important to take the initiative. The elderly person will generally deny any problems; they may fear being labelled as mentally ill. Your intervention can make the difference and alleviate the depression and Holiday Blues of a senior in your family or community.
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Disclaimer: The foregoing is not medical advice, and no action or refraining from action should be based on it. Anyone who is dealing with the issues discussed above should immediately consult their physician or other health care provider.

Serotonin and Depression - The Natural Connection and a Way to Restore Emotional Wellness

Serotonin and depression have been directly linked in numerous medical studies. The symptoms of depression are triggered by an imbalance in brain chemistry when neurotransmitters such as serotonin and hormones and other chemicals are unevenly distributed. Fortunately, there are now 100% natural treatment options available which can help balance brain chemistry and relieve symptoms.

So how do serotonin levels affect brain function? As a key neurotransmitter, serotonin helps to establish emotional well being and maintain proper sleep, sex and energy levels as well as maintain a healthy appetite. When serotonin begins to be depleted, it can lead to emotional instability, irritability, mood swings and various physical symptoms.

Serotonin can also affect concentration, memory and mental alertness. Because of its profound effect on brain function, there is a direct connection between serotonin and depression. Individuals lacking in serotonin and other brain chemicals can easily spin into serious depression. That's why ensuring that you maintain the proper levels of these substances is so very important.

While traditional medications can treat the symptoms of depression, they do nothing when it comes to stabilizing serotonin levels. This is why so many people are now turning to natural remedies for depression treatment. Made from herbs and other plant based ingredients which contain serotonin and other substances crucial to proper brain function, these remedies can help restore mental equilibrium and control mood swings.

St. John's Wort, along with Passion Flower, are among the most effective herbs when it comes to treating the connection between serotonin and depression. This plant has been used for centuries to control mood swings by stabilizing the levels of various brain chemicals. Passion flower is also known to relieve depression symptoms by acting as a nerve tonic, producing a sense of calm and relaxation.

These natural remedies are just one step toward restoring serotonin levels. There are other things you can do to improve your brain chemistry, including getting the proper amount of sleep and exercise, getting moderate sun exposure, and eating a well balanced diet. Particularly important is including serotonin rich foods like turkey and bananas in your daily diet to help improve brain function.

As we've come to understand the connection between serotonin and depression, we have also come to recognize the importance of maintaining a sense of calm and emotional stability. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and aroma therapy can be quite helpful in reaching a state of peace.

A diagnosis of depression can be devastating, but it doesn't have to be. The more we understand about this complex condition and the underlying causes of it, the greater the options for treatment. Restoring the balance of your brain chemistry by using natural remedies and healthy lifestyle choices can make all the difference. If depression is weighing on you, take the natural route and get on the path to emotional well being starting today.

Depression Treatment Options: A Brief Overview

Depression can be clinical depression or seasonally affected depression. Moreover, the typical therapy for depression can be approached in a two way phase. We will come across many agencies claiming to cure depression quite immediately but you need to assess which are genuine. The patient is treated through medications and counseling sessions with a psychotherapist.

In this topic of "depression treatment options-what to consider and what to ignore," we need to know that people will be exposed to medications as well as their side-effects. If depression is quite negligible and has been detected as just a personality disorder rather than clinical depression, we need to just consider psychotherapy as the most effective option. This is because the functioning of the person's brain is normal but the person is not able to cope with certain situations and responsibilities. This is the leading factor causing depression symptoms in the person's body.

There are cases where patients have been prescribed a combination therapy of medications and psychotherapy. No case is handled with medications alone. Research studies have proved that depression can be controlled provided the person is taught effective interpersonal and confidence building techniques.

So, now in this topic "depression treatment options- what to consider and what to ignore" we discuss the pathway of medications used in this treatment. The most typical medications used for treating depression are segregated into three categories: tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

But, we need to cautiously select the most appropriate medication for depression. It has been found that the effective treatment through antidepressants may work for some while some people may not show remarkable signs of improvement. In this case, proper selection of antidepressant will depend on the case and will vary from one individual to the next. The FDA in US issued a statutory warning on all the antidepressants suggesting that antidepressants may cause an increasing suicidal tendency in children.

We now explore the use of lithium and thyroid supplements. It has been associated with improving the use of antidepressants. Antipsychotic medications will be prescribed to people suffering from depression related with psychotic disorders such as delusions and hallucinations. One of the last measures of treating immensely depressed individuals is through electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In this method, a seizure will be triggered into the patient by means of electrical current.

Preliminary research is being conducted on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This works in a way quite similar to ECT: but the advantage of using this is associated with the fact that it triggers fewer side effects in the person as compared with ECT.

The effective treatment for people suffering from depression in months of winter is through the use of light therapy. This will help them in regaining their normal sleep cycle, having a marked impact on bringing about a relief in depression.

Alternative forms of treating depression include herbal medications and yoga. Yoga has shown quite promising results in containing the symptoms of depression. The efficacy of treating depression with herbal medication has not been fully substantiated with research. You could consider St. John's Wort as research studies in Germany have proved the efficacy of this herbal medication.

What Constitutes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to teach a person new skills on how to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic approach. This title is used in many ways to differentiate behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and therapy that is based on both behavioral and cognitive therapies. There is empirical evidence that shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is quite effective in treating several conditions, including personality, anxiety, mood, eating, substance abuse, and psychotic disorders. Treatment is often manualized, as specific psychological orders are treated with specific technique-driven brief, direct, and time-limited treatments.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be used both with individuals and in groups. The techniques are often adapted for self-help sessions as well. It is up to the individual clinician or researcher on whether he/she is more cognitive oriented, more behavioral oriented, or a combination of both, as all three methods are used today. Cognitive behavioral therapy was born out of a combination of behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy. These two therapies have many differences, but found common ground on focusing on the "here and now" and on alleviating symptoms.

Evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy has led to many believing that it is more effective over psychodynamic treatments and other methods. The United Kingdom advocates the use of cognitive behavioral therapy over other methods for many mental health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, clinical depression, and the neurological condition chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. The precursors of cognitive behavioral therapy base their roots in various ancient philosophical traditions, especially Stoicism. The modern roots of CBT can be traced to the development of behavioral therapy in the 1920s, the development of cognitive therapy in the 1960s, and the subsequent merging of the two therapies. The first behavioral therapeutic approaches were published in 1924 by Mary Cover Jones, whose work dealt with the unlearning of fears in children.

The early behavioral approaches worked well with many of the neurotic disorders, but not so much with depression. Behavioral therapy was also losing in popularity due to the "cognitive revolution." This eventually led to cognitive therapy being founded by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s. The first form of cognitive behavioral therapy was developed by Arnold A. Lazarus during the time period of the late 1950s through the 1970s. During the 1980s and 1990s, cognitive and behavioral therapies were combined by work done by David M. Clark in the United Kingdom and David H. Barlow in the United States. Cognitive behavioral therapy includes the following systems: cognitive therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, and multimodal therapy. One of the greatest challenges is defining exactly what a cognitive-behavioral therapy is. The particular therapeutic techniques vary within the different approaches of CBT depending upon what kind of problem issues are being dealt with, but the techniques usually center around the following:

• Keeping a diary of significant events and associated feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.


• Questioning and testing cognitions, evaluations, assumptions, and beliefs that might be unrealistic and unhelpful.


• Gradually facing activities that may have been avoided.


• Trying out new ways of behaving and reacting.

In addition, distraction techniques, mindfulness, and relaxation are also commonly used in cognitive behavioral therapy. Mood-stabilizing medications are also often combined with therapies to treat conditions like bipolar disorder. The NICE guidelines within the British NHS recognize cognitive behavioral therapy's application in treating schizophrenia in combination with medication and therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy usually takes time for patients to effectively implement it into their lives. It usually takes concentrated effort for them to replace a dysfunctional cognitive-affective-behavioral process or habit with a more reasonable and adaptive one, even when they recognize when and where their mental processes go awry. Cognitive behavioral therapy is applied to many different situations, including the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia or social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder)


• Mood disorders (clinical depression, major depressive disorder, psychiatric symptoms)


• Insomnia (including being more effective than the drug Zopiclone)


• Severe mental disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression)


• Children and adolescents (major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms)


• Stuttering (to help them overcome anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and negative thoughts about themselves)

Cognitive behavioral therapy involves teaching a person new skills to overcome dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic approach. There is empirical evidence showing that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating many conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and negative thoughts about oneself). With the vast amount of success shown by the use of this therapy, it is one of the most important tools that researchers and therapists have to treat mental disorders today.