Depression - Brief Definition

Depression can be defined as a mental state that is characterized by an attitude that is pessimistic and melancholic with a lack of mental and physical activity. When a person suffers from depression, there is a reduced amount of neurotransmitters located in the parts of the central nervous system of a person.

The depression also implies that the nervous system does not function properly due to this stimulation from neurotransmitters. With the deficiency serotonin and adrenalin, the nerve cells that send impulses to the other nerve cells, there is reduced activity in the brain that causes slowness in certain parts of the brain and this leads to depression.

The depression also relates to the deficiency of gamma amino butyric acid or GABA. When there is a reduced amount or lack of GABA in the brain, there is a slow response of some nerve impulses that result in anxiety and panic response. There are also other different types of depressive mechanisms that are involved in the process. They vary from person to person and they also influence the nature and the severity of depression.

The depression and its effects should be addressed at the earliest when the symptoms are experienced in a person. A depressed person does not have an interest in normal activities and tends to shun all kinds of social interaction. There is loss of sleep and appetite. The person desires to be left alone and isolated. There are negative emotions and an intense pessimism towards life and people.

There is a tendency to feel that the person is hopeless and does not have the desire to live. The depression definition can also induce a person to self injury and suicide. There are both natural and medical cures and remedies for depression and once a person falls prey to it, he/she should resort to them immediately.

Understanding Symptoms of Manic Depression In Children

Until recently, Bipolar disorder, a serious, nevertheless treatable mental illness was rarely diagnosis in young children. The symptoms of this mental illness included extreme changes in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior. Today, doctors can recognize this illness and treat them accordingly in young children.

Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder symptoms can appear as early as infancy stage. The signs and symptoms include an erratic sleep patterns and much difficulty settling a baby who is diagnosed later in life as having bipolar disorder. Separation anxiety or extreme tantrums and rages may have had happened in the toddler's life.

While children with bipolar disorder do not experience the same syndromes that most adults do, children with bipolar disorder still display signs and traits like changes in mood and behavior that is known to be symptoms of the disorder. Children suffering from moods swings are known as episodes and there are generally two types of episodes. Episodes of extreme elation or agitation followed by high energy are known as mania. Persistent states of extreme sadness or irritability followed by low energy are known as depression.

Unlike most adults, manic depression may seem to be different in children. Children more often suffer from an ongoing mood disturbance that is a mix of mania and depression. This rapid and severe cycling between moods produces chronic irritability and few clear periods of wellness between episodes. Rapid cycling is common among children with bipolar disorder and they may well experience several episodes of mania and depression within a single day. They may also experience mixed cycling where the symptoms of both mania and depression occur simultaneously.

It is also common to find other mental disorders to be diagnosed in bipolar children. These other diagnoses may be in addition to the bipolar disorder, or they may be an incorrect diagnosis of symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some of the commonly found mental disorders are Depression, ADHD (Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder), ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome.

Today, it is suspected that numerous children diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) actually have bipolar disorder instead of ADHD. Misdiagnosis on the doctors' part can lead to giving the wrong medication. This can be a serious mistake as it could easily trigger mania or suicidal thoughts within the children.

For some teenagers, it is found that a dearly loss or other traumatic event could trigger a first episode of depression or mania. In later stages, episodes can happen without any obvious stresses, or could even worsen if stress comes along into their life. Puberty is also a time of risk. In girls, the beginning of menstruation may trigger the illness, and symptoms often vary in severity with the monthly cycle.

Early intervention and treatment is the best bet to help young children recover from bipolar disorder. It is also the best chance for them to achieve stability and grow up to enjoy their life thereafter. Effective treatment should be soughed out as fast as possible to control the symptoms and to diminish the negative effects of the illness on their young lives and those who love them so dearly.

5 Steps to Ease Your Depression After Divorce

Beating depression that comes with a divorce is tough, but certainly not impossible. The end of a relationship as important as marriage has a shattering effect on the person who faces it. If you or a close friend has divorced and is having problems coping with it, it may mean that he or she is depressed. If the mourning or grieving continues even after the divorce has been over and done with for months on end, the concerned person may need treatment. Here are 5 steps of treating depression naturally during divorce.

Step #1

It is important that you let off the steam. It is natural that you are going to feel hurt, betrayed and powerless after a divorce. Find an outlet where you can let off steam safely. Remember its okay to cry. Why not buy a punching bag and hit it when you feel angry and frustrated. You can scream into a pillow. When you make a concerted effort to let go of the anger, you will be actually taking a step forward to treating your depression. With time you will find the negative emotions starting to fade.

Step #2

Practice living well. It may sound odd but depressed people often don't want to get out of bed even if it is take a shower. Make sure you do and also change your clothes everyday. Neglecting to take care of one self is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Get adequate sleep at night but don't spend the entire day in bed brooding. Exercising everyday is a natural depression cure. Get some sunshine and fresh air and see your blues disappearing.

Step #3

Don't start bad habits to get over your divorce. It will not only worsen your depressive symptoms, it will also be bad for you in the long run. Starting to smoke, drink and do drugs is the worst thing that could happen to anyone after a divorce. Instead take up a new hobby which you have been never been able to indulge in because your ex did not approve of it. Spend time with friends and family who love and support you.

Step #4

Another way of fighting depression and anxiety is to eat well. Changing dietary habits by choosing tea instead of coffee, brown bread over white bread, chicken and fish over red meat, and eating lots of green vegetables is a natural cure for depression. Drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday. If you think it is necessary, take an herbal supplement everyday.

Step #5

A change of scenery may sound superfluous but is a wonderful way of treating depression. Why not buy new curtains for your home and paint your bedroom in a color which you love but your ex detested? You can also move the furniture around to let in natural sunlight. The therapeutic effect of these small things is going to be tremendous.

Beat depression during divorce using these 5 simple steps and see the change in you!

How Depression Can Impact Your Elderly Parent

Depression effects lots of people, and the elderly suffer from it too. Elderly parents suffer from it for numerous reasons that differ from one person to anther. You can recognize its many varied and numerous symptoms in your parent if you pay attention, and depression can be treated with self help or professional medically based intervention. It is important to know what kind of help is available and when to seek help so that it doesn't cause too much harm. This article will help you learn what causes depression, how to identify it in your elderly parent, when to get treatment and what kind of treatment is available.

The causes of depression are many and varied and change from person to person depending on circumstances. A partial list of its causes can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Loss of a spouse


• Moving to an apartment or a nursing home


• Loss of independence because of diminished mobility or no longer able to drive


• Health problems


• Stop taking a medication


• Isolation from friends and family

This is only a partial list of the things that can cause an elderly person to be depressed, however the items listed above include some major triggers. If your elderly parent has experienced any of these circumstances he or she may begin to exhibit symptoms.

If an ageing person suffers from depression that will manifest itself in some symptom or symptoms that you may be able to identify. If you see your aged parent having problems with memory or concentration this can be depression even though it is sometimes mistaken for the onset of Alzheimer's. Maybe you notice a loss of energy in your elderly parent and he or she doesn't take care of herself and/or her place the same way as in the past. Other symptoms include feelings of worthlessness or helplessness and crying for no reason. If you notice any of these symptoms or a combination of these symptoms in your aged mother or father understand that it is not normal and could be the sign of depression.

There are many treatments available, but don't expect someone to "just snap out of it" because it doesn't work that way. Sometimes an elderly parent can resort to self help, that is non-medical treatment, especially if that is in conjunction with an adult child or other person who has frequent contact with the older person. Often times just moving around helps, especially getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air. Another effective strategy includes being among people by just visiting, possibly volunteering, or even learning a new skill. Ensuring your mom or dad eats a healthy diet daily can also help fight depression.

If non-medical treatment doesn't work well enough an elderly person can seek professional medical help. Often times medical professionals treat depression with medication. Usually doctors will change medications or the dosage to find what works. For people who don't want to take medication many health care professionals will use counseling, either group, one-on-one, or a combination of both with good results. Very frequently employing all the strategies, both medical and non medical, used in conjunction with each other works best.

Don't be afraid to help if you think your parent suffers from this condition because it's easier to treat it before it gets too bad. The sooner treatment begins the less harmful the impact of the disease will be. Above all, if you think your elderly parent is suicidal go to the emergency room for immediate treatment, and begin an intervention program to prevent or minimize any harm.

To reiterate, you found about depression in older people. This article covered the causes of depression in aging people, what its symptoms are and how to recognize them, and different ways to treat it including both non-medical and medical intervention. This is a fairly extensive topic and you can learn a lot more about this and other topics that impact your elderly parent by reading the resources box below.

Copyright 2011 Jeffrey B. Kent. You may reuse this article only if you use it unedited in its entirety and you provide a link back to my website.

Male Depression - How to Spot the Tell Tale Signs of Depressed Men

Depression is one of those "modern" diseases that is often misunderstood or just written off by those who aren't suffering from it as a disease that was invented to get people time off work.

But depression is very real and is estimated to affect around one in ten women and about one in twenty men. The problem with male depression is that our macho culture means that it often goes unrecognized and untreated.

Whilst the symptoms of male and female depression are often similar, the way they manifest themselves varies between the sexes.

Depressed men can become more dominant and aggressive. This shows up as flares of temper, anger attacks and irritability. Although this latter trait may be difficult to spot as many men come across as being irritable even if they're not suffering from the affects of depression.

Another way that male depression shows itself is with increased risk taking. This could take the form of aggressive driving and road rage or it could show at work with the choice of strategies that don't have a reasonable chance of success or are even designed to provoke other people. The increase in risk taking that is often seen in depressed men can also show itself with a loss of self-control, so if a man close to you "flies off the handle" keep in mind that the anger could have a deeper meaning and may not be particularly related to what has just happened.

One of the biggest problems associated with male depression is the man's tendency to clam up rather than admit and talk about the problem. From an early age, men learn to bottle up their feelings and this skill is definitely a harmful one when depression is involved. The bottling up of feelings and emotions can also be another trigger for outbursts of anger as the feelings eventually have to be released. Anger is a double edged sword in this instance as it usually helps the person who has the anger outburst but can leave a mental scar on people close by.

A further sign of depression in men is the use of alcohol to attempt to hide the problem. Since alcohol is a depressant drug anyway, this tends to compound the problem rather than help it.

Depression Pills - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

The depression pills known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most widely prescribed medication for depression. SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of a chemical transmitter called serotonin into the nerve cell endings. This action maintains a higher level of serotonin in the brain, which in theory reduces symptoms of depression.

The first drug in this category to find its way to the market was Prozac in 1988 followed by Paxil and a few others. From day one they have been the most popular and some would argue most overprescribed prescription antidepressant medication. Perhaps on reason for their popularity is that their side effects are less severe than older antidepressants (MAO inhibitors) and the consequences of overdose are also much less severe. 

An SSRI is often a doctor's first choice in treating cases of depression. These drugs are also used in cases involving dysthymia and seasonal affective disorder. They usually take from one to four weeks to become effective. While their side effects are not as severe as older antidepressants the list is still very long. Side effects include increased anxiety, fatigue, upset stomach, insomnia, apathy, lack of sexual interest, dizziness, sweating, tremors, dry mouth, weight loss, weight gain and headache.

Additional complications:

*Drug interactions: Taking SSRIs with another type of antidepressant called MAO inhibitors can trigger dangerous even life threatening interactions.

*Suicide in children: The popular SSRI Paxil has been linked to an increase in self harm in children which could possibly lead to suicidal attempts.

*Withdrawal: Abrupt discontinuation of any antidepressant including SSRIs can produce flu like symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, sweating and headache. Sudden withdrawal has also been linked to sleep problems and vivid dreams.

*If you are bipolar just say no: If you have bipolar disorder SSRIs can activate manic states which can involve dangerous behaviors. 

Naming names 

There are currently six selective serotonin uptake inhibitors on the market. They are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
 
In summary, if you have severe depression you should consult with your doctor to find the best treatment option for your unique situation. On the other hand many people with mild to moderate depression have found help in the form of herbal remedies for depression containing ingredients such as St. John's wort and Passionflower. These all natural alternatives are very safe and have been shown to be effective as a stand alone treatment or in combination with behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy. Herbs should not be mixed prescription antidepressant medications and you should consult your doctor before changing your treatment plan.

What Depression Is And What It Is Not

Inevitably you will experience disappointments and loss in your life. That's part of the fine print on the contract you signed when you joined the human race. But like a wave, emotions come and go. You will at some point in your life experience down days and hurt. What causes the imbalance in your life is when the emotions you feel stop moving like a wave and becomes a point stuck in time, keeping you in a constant state of low energy, negative feelings and despair. Here are some ways to find out if the emotional valley you're in is actually depression.

Sadness, Heartache & Despair

You will encounter setbacks and possibly failure in your life. Sadness, heartache, and despair are normal emotions to feel when reacting to bad news. These are realistic and valid ways to feel when life hands you a tragedy. However what keeps these emotions from being depression is that they are transient, and with time (a few hours, a few days, or even a week or two) you will return to your normal emotional set point.

These "negative" feelings are part of the body's natural emotional wave and should be expected when the circumstances are appropriate. These feelings are not fun but they don't interfere with the flow of your life or your self-esteem and are a healthy way of experiencing difficult times. Like an inconvenient rain that only lasts a short while then blows away, these emotions don't keep you from living your life.

The Grieving Process

Grief is also a very normal emotion but can be devastating. Losing a loved one or experiencing a significant loss hurts. There is no way around it. There is no "usual" time period for the grieving process. Grief can last months and in extreme cases years, particularly if the loss has been traumatic and unexpected. Mending a broken heart takes time.

Normally, the loss you are grieving does not affect your self-esteem and this is why grief is also not depression. But say that the grief experienced is a divorce or job loss, or something else that might have been tied to your self-worth, then depression could rise. Finding that your partner doesn't want you anymore or that the job you loved is now gone can affect your self-esteem.

Studies have shown that 25% of people experiencing considerable grief will develop depression.1 Depression, and the feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, may actually interfere with the ability to grieve. When dealing with this double curse the depression will need to be resolved first in order to get to a point where the grieving process can flow and eventually resolve.

Depression

You can distinguish depression from sadness and grief by the intensity, endurance, and persistence of the hurt and sadness. Despair and unhappiness has become your set point. There is often long-term, unresolved anger and emotional trauma, as well as, the feelings of hopelessness and loss of self-esteem that come along for the ride. Plus, there is the ever-present tendency of the depressed to blame themselves for feeling that way.

Depression interferes with daily life in a major way. Concentration, eating, sex, and sleeping might be affected. It also might bring with it intense rage, extremely negative thoughts, persistent worrying, restlessness, feelings of being overwhelmed, fatigue and low energy, chronic pain, headaches, or stomach aches. There is also a general boredom in all aspects of life and withdrawal from friends and family. The major problem is that this feels "normal" so there is a tendency to do nothing about it.

Symptoms of Depression

From the National Institute of Mental Health

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings


• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism


• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness


• Irritability, restlessness


• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex


• Fatigue and decreased energy


• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions


• Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping


• Overeating, or appetite loss


• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts


• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

Suicide

The elephant on the table of depression is suicide. 30% of clinically depressed people will attempt suicide. 15% will succeed.2 If you have suicidal thoughts or you know someone who seems suicidal you need to take them very seriously.

Suicidal Warning Signs

From the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself


• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means


• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person


• Feeling hopeless


• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge


• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking


• Feeling trapped - like there's no way out


• Increasing alcohol or drug use


• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society


• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time


• Experiencing dramatic mood changes


• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

If You Are In Crisis:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call toll-free

1-800-273-TALK

1-800-273-8255

www.SuicidePreventionLifeLine.org

**Open 24 Hours A Day, Everyday

This service available to anyone.

You may call for yourself or for someone you care about.

All calls are confidential.

Also

Hope Community Crisis Centers

1-800-SUICIDE

1-800-784-2433

www.HopeLine.com

Root Causes And General Symptoms Of Depression

About 7% of the US population is suffering from depression that needs medical attention. The number of people who have suffered at one time or another in their life from depression is about three times as high. According to the World Health Organization women are two to three times as likely to develop a depression than are men.

Medical scientists believe that the tendency for depression is at least in part caused by hereditary factors. People who have gone through a bout of depression once have a higher risk of falling ill again.

Depression can me treated successfully with a combination of drugs and psychotherapy.

Doctors suspect that certain neurotransmitters (chemical agents that carry nerve signals) like serotonin and noradrenalin aren't working as efficiently in a sick person as in a healthy person. The reasons for this deficiency aren't known, but it is believed than genes and hereditary factors play an important role. Drugs that combat depression do it by 'helping' serotonin and noradrenalin to do their job more effectively in the brain.

It is usually, but not always, very difficult and painful events in a person's life that trigger depressive episodes. With the use of psychotherapy the doctor tries to help the patient to work through those events or help him or her to avoid them altogether.

Types of Depressions

1. Unipolar Depression. This is the most common form of depression. It's called unipolar because the patient is 'only' depressed, but not manic-depressive. Main symptoms are feeling very low in the morning, waking up very early, insomniac tendencies and feeling depressed.

2. Bipolar Affective Depression. As opposed to the unipolar depression the bipolar depression is marked by depressive and maniacal phases. Patients suffering from it are delusional about their own capacities and may, for example, work day and nights for weeks on end without feeling exhausted.

3. Winter Depression. It's also called the seasonal depression, since it occurs usually at the onset of autumn or winter and disappears with the coming of spring. This form of depression therefore only lasts up to 5 or 6 months. The most common symptom is the lack of physical energy, not the feeling of being depressed per se.

4. Some prescription drugs may cause depression, like those with a high element of cortisone, contraceptive products like the pill and drugs combating heart disease (beta blockers).

It's natural to feel low sometimes, but it is different from a depression. In most cases it is easy to distinguish between simple mood changes, even if they come in rapid succession and a disease like depression.

There is not always an outside event that triggers the onset of a depression. That's why it is so difficult to understand not only for the patient but for his or her relatives as well. They definitely suffer through and with the sick person. Since there is no apparent identifiable catastrophe that can explain the mood swings of the patient, he or she very often stretches the patience of those around him or her to the limit.

The most common symptoms are: feeling generally very low, a pronounced lack of interest in normal activities like sports or socializing, loss of appetite and loss of weight (in some cases increased appetite and weight gain), the inability to sleep well (insomnia), loss of concentration, indecisiveness, diminished sexual desire, general exhaustion and lack of energy, obsessive thinking about death, suicidal tendencies and suicide attempts.

Treating EBV - Dealing With Depression

Depression is an important condition that must be addressed when treating EBV, particularly when the illness is in the chronic stage.

Everyone has days when they feel a bit low or sad - especially when battling a debilitating condition like Epstein Barr. True depression is a feeling of sadness or loss of interest in life that lasts a couple of weeks or more. Depression is a serious illness that causes both physical and psychological symptoms.

So how do you recognise if you have depression? Firstly check out the physical symptoms below to see if they are familiar to you. Physical signs (which are similar to those seen when treating EBV) include lethargy and fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, insomnia and poor appetite.

Psychological symptoms can include feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated, guilty, irritable and being a failure. There may be behavioral changes like withdrawing from family and friends, poor concentration and reliance on stimulants like coffee, alcohol or drugs.

If you feel that you may be suffering from depression it is important to seek advice from your doctor or health professional. Support and understanding from your family, friends and work colleagues is also essential.

Many cases of depression are caused by low serotonin levels in the brain which can be rectified. The natural approach to treating EBV and depression includes supporting the nerves of the body and brain with nutrients like zinc, the B complex and fish oils. Herbs like St Johns Wort can also help in relieving symptoms.

Many of my patients get good results with treating EBV and depression from a graded exercise program. It can be as simple as a daily walk and a bout in the sunshine. Research also supports the fact that exercise and sunshine can help depression. Other lifestyle habits which are important are eating a healthy diet, managing stress, resting the body and drinking plenty of water.

Antidepressant Foods, and Their Help With Depression

Eating foods you like can improve your mood, at least for a short period of time.

So why not try out some foods that are useful in dealing with depression? According to a study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, there are some foods that are closely associated with offsetting depression symptoms. Here are some of the best foods to improve your mood:

1. Carbohydrates

Both whole grains and fruits have serotonin, which induces a state of wellness and relaxation.

2. Bananas

They contain a substance called tryptophan which has the ability to stimulate the release of serotonin, which improves your mood.

3. Raw sunflower seeds

They are very rich in folic acid and magnesium, both with significant effects in changing bad moods that you may face. Due to the high content of vitamins and minerals, sunflower seeds helps relieve stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression.

4. Raw Nuts

They contain two essential ingredients (omega-3 fatty acids and uridine) which together provide the most powerful antidepressant medicine, according to a study by Harvard University and published in Biological Psychology.

5. Dark chocolate

The requirement is that the chocolate you eat has more than 70% cocoa -- many of the less expensive chocolates don't have this high of a percentage. However almost all the ingredients of a chocolate bar will provide a little help in improving your mood: sugar, fats, caffeine, phenylethylamine, theobromine and tryptophan.

Overweight and obesity are fast becoming an epidemic and a major health problem worldwide - these conditions may also contribute to bad moods and depression. The increase in obesity is associated with many problems related to food, of which the most serious are: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and some forms of cancer, draws attention the World Health Organization.

Our body needs some essential elements in order to function within normal parameters: protein, carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals, Omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, water sports and relaxation, lists.

To operate at maximum capacity, and thereby helping avoid depression, your body needs:

1. Proteins. They are necessary for forming and maintaining muscle mass.

2. Carbs. Main source of energy.

3. Unsaturated fats. Make your heart healthy.

4. Vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and harmonious development.

5. Omega 3 fatty acids are important for heart health, brain, eyes, skin, joints, hair and the immune system.

6. The fibers are recommended for easy digestion.

Also, the body needs water for hydration and exercise and relaxation.

To help combat depression, while also staying away from the negative things that an overweight condition can bring, the right balance of healthy foods and the antidepressant foods discussed above is needed.

Vitamins for Depression

Depression is a disabling condition that is described by unhappy feelings of hopelessness, which can be a result from stressful events, hormonal imbalances, or many other causes. Those people with depression tend to withdraw themselves from the world, get angry easily, and lose the interests once enjoyed doing - exactly changes in mood! Didn't you ever wish that you can just take vitamins to treat your depression? Well, it may work for some people, but definitely not for everybody. There are actually several vitamin deficiencies that may lead to depression.

There are a lot of ways to overcome depression, such as change in lifestyle on top of medication and counseling and taking vitamins for depression. A change in lifestyle includes keeping healthy eating habit, proper exercise, and taking vitamins for depression. If these things are being followed, you're treatment will be as effective as you want it to be.

Deficiency of certain vitamins has been shown to have some effect in someone's mood, with which should be taken care of immediately by taking supplementation. Let us see what possible vitamins for depression are available that you can use to avoid both deficiency and depression. Here are some of the vitamins for depression that you might want to start taking to combat your condition:

Vitamin B-complex is important to keep us emotionally and mentally balanced. And since they cannot be stored in our body, we simply depend on our daily food and vitamin intake to replenish them. Unfortunately, B vitamins can easily be destroyed by alcohol, refined sugars, caffeine, and nicotine. Therefore, it is not surprising to know that many of us may be deficient in B-complex vitamins.

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is being utilized by our brain to convert glucose or blood sugar into fuel for the brain to function properly. Insufficient supply of this vitamin can lead to fatigue, depression, irritability, anxiety, or worse, negative thoughts of suicide. Also, deficiencies can result to memory problems, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and constipation. Just by simply consuming refined carbohydrates, like simple sugar eats away the supply of vitamin B1.

Vitamin B3 or Niacin deficient can result to pellagra, which produces psychosis and dementia, and many other symptoms. At present, many commercial foods already contain niacin, keeping pellagra out of the scene. But, sub-clinical deficiencies in vitamin B3 may produce agitation and anxiety, and mental and physical slowness.

Vitamin B5 or Pyridoxine helps in the processing of amino acids, which is considered to be the building blocks of all proteins and other hormones. It is an essential element in manufacturing serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. Although deficiencies in vitamin B6 are rare, it can result to impaired immunity, skin wounds, and mental confusion.

Vitamin B12 is essential to red blood cell formation. Therefore, deficiency on this will lead to an oxygen-transport problem, most commonly known as pernicious anemia. This condition can possibly cause mood swings, paranoia, dementia, hallucination, irritability, confusion, or mania and eventually followed by loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, shortage of breath, palpitation, and more.

Folic acid is needed for DNA synthesis and for the production of Sadenosyl Methionine. Usually this is taken together with vitamin B12.

Vitamin C is needed, especially if you are pregnant or lactating, or under a lot of stress.

Deficiencies in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese can also lead to depression. So, make sure to take not only vitamins for depression, but also certain minerals.

Menopause Depression Symptoms - Understanding And Overcoming Menopause Depression

Menopause can cause depression because of a hormonal imbalance in the system which causes a chemical reaction in the brain. Many menopausal women complain of merely going through the motions of living, and having lost their enthusiasm for anything they used to do. All of us experience sadness or depressed feelings once in a while, but if you become constantly mired in the symptoms, it's time to do something about it.

The hormonal imbalance causing your depression during menopause is absolutely a physical occurrence and can be controlled by providing your body with what it needs to restore balance and end the feelings of sadness. Menopause depression is often diagnosed as clinical depression and treated with antidepressants. This type of medication does help lessen menopause depression symptoms, but it isn't getting to the root cause of the depression - hormonal imbalance.

To restore balance to your system naturally, you can begin a regimen of essential nutrients and vitamin supplements based on your symptoms. Diet and exercise are very important ingredients in this formula to success when dealing with menopause depression symptoms. Exercise helps support healthy neurotransmitter and mental functions and a healthy diet is vital to your overall health and well-being.

A program that deals with natural supplements can help restore your body with estrogen and progesterone without having to resort to the possibly harmful side effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy. A great, tailored program to fit your needs would include endocrine support based on balancing estrogen and progesterone.

During menopause, it's a good idea to factor in mental support to help fight depression. Learn how to reduce stress and anxiety in your life and support yourself by taking time to do something just for you. slow down a bit from your normal pace and meditate by listening to music you love, reading that book that you never seem to get around to - or anything that helps you relax.

It's also a good time to face those unresolved problems that keep you agitated. Is there a relationship in your life that you're not pleased with? Develop a plan to deal with it. Are you unhappy in your job or chosen career path? Make plans now to change it. Dealing with niggling problems in your life in a positive way will help you feel good about yourself.

Menopause is a time in your life when dealing with "toxic stress" becomes mandatory. Toxic stress can cause menopause depression symptoms and occurs in women who have excess demands place on them at a time when they should be slowing down. This type of stress could include difficulties at work, running a home efficiently and sometimes the added factor of dealing with aging parents.

Depression - Reasons, Symptoms - What Can You Do?

Depression is a state of mind in which a person goes into extreme sadness for longer time and becomes very unstable. The person suffering from depression may feel really low and depressed all the time. There are many reasons due to which a person develops such a state of mind. Anyone suffering from depression need to have very warm any loving atmosphere around. It is a serious illness that can have affects for a longer time. Such an illness can affect the daily life of the sufferer. Depression is a common illness found in our country. The number of women suffering from depression is more than the number of men suffering from this disease. Depression can affect people of any age, including children. It is also considered as hereditary illness. It is very important to cope up with this illness. The family and friends of the sufferer has to provide with good and loving atmosphere around so that the patient is free to express his feeling with others. Psychiatrist should be consulted and proper medication should be given to the patient so that he/she can cope up with depression.

There are different stages of depression such as mild depression, moderate depression and severe depression. It is good to cure the illness at early stage. Mild depression is a stage in which the sufferer can cure himself without any outside help by reading good book. In the second stage i.e moderate depression one can talk about it with friends and family and can be cured. Severe depression is the worst kind of all, as it takes longer to get cured. Special effort are made to get a patient out of severe depression. At times the patient tries to commit suicide in this stage. The person suffering from severe depression should consult a psychiatrist as soon as possible. When the number of symptoms are more it means that a person is suffering from severe depression.

DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS-The symptoms of depression are when a person feel tiredness, loss of appetite, depressed, lack of energy, etc. A person suffering from depression lose interest in the things that he used to enjoy. Through these symptoms depression can be diagnosed. The patient should consult a psychiatrist should be consulted. There are no tests that can diagnose depression but questionnaire are used for diagnose. The signs of depression are when a person starts feeling helpless, low self-esteem, feeling of guilt. In women when changes to the menstrual cycle starts taking place, it also symbolizes illness.

Depression is a kind of illness that can be cured. Person suffering from should share his/her feelings with others. Consulting a psychiatrist is the best way to deal with depression. There are various therapy treatment through which one can overcome his/her depression counseling can also help the patient. There are certain medicines, which can be consumed by the patients under the guidance of the doctor, through which one can overcome depression. Some of the medicines are cipramil, cipralex, anafranil, etc. There are some side affects of these medicines that can overcome with passage of time.

There are different kinds of depression such as bipolar depression, manic depression, etc. Bipolar depression is a condition that affects one's mood and results in swinging of mood. If one is suffering from bipolar depression than he/she can have episodes of feeling very high and very low.
Manic depression is a kind of depression whish is quite similar to bipolar depression. In this kind of illness the patient feels very high at times and gets very excited or the patients becomes really low and sad.

Therefore depression is an illness in which a person goes in extreme sadness and its curable.

List of Foods That Fight Depression Symptoms

Feeling sad and blue for a moment is part of life. However when it is always what you feel and would not go away which then affects your daily life, it may be already called depression. The causes of depression not only include biological reasons but it is also linked to the psychological, physical and social happenings in your life. These reasons can lead to further problems.

If you feel helpless and hopeless that it seems that the world has turned against you and you can never do anything to make the situation better, then you are experiencing one of the symptoms of depression. Aside from that you might be experiencing loss of weight and lack of appetite. Your activities of daily living can be affected and even sleeping problems are experienced.

If ever this happens to you or to someone you know, you must know how to fight it. You can get rid of depression to a lot of natural ways and one of that is through the choice of foods. There are certain types of food groups that will help you get rid of depression. Through this, you can go back to your normal life or help a friend fight the depressing moments of life.

First of all, you need to include in your diet foods which contain Vitamin B and iron. Lack of these contents in food can lead to depression especially on the different types of Vitamin B which is for mental health and balance. Eat foods rich with Vitamin B and iron like sweet potatoes, chicken, avocado, black beans and meat, green leafy vegetables and cereals.

Next on the list are foods that are rich in Vitamin E and zinc. Vitamin is known for its antioxidant effects and strengthens the red blood cells of the boy while zinc is the food that increases energy and fights the weakness felt. They are contained in foods like wheat, whole grains, nuts, pumpkin seeds and of course in vegetables and fruits. They are said to fight the symptoms of depression.

Calcium and selenium helps get rid of depression. Calcium is thought to induce sleep wherein a depressed person finds difficulty in doing. Moreover, selenium boosts the energy and thus creates an uplifting mood to a person. Calcium is found in milk, dairy products, cheese and broccoli while selenium is commonly found in mushrooms, wheat and sea foods and poultry products.

Lastly, carbohydrates and omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to fight depression symptoms. Carbohydrates in particular provide you with a happy mood with the increased level of tryptophan that leads to the production of serotonin. They can be found in wheat products and bread. Omega 3 essential fatty acids which are good for the heart and relieve depression are found in fishes like tuna and salmon and canola oil.

Depression can be relieved with the help of these vitamins and minerals that you can include in your diet. To be able to get rid of this suicidal deviated condition, make sure that you have the right choice of food in your diet.

Clinical Depression in Men

Studies have shown that, although there are more women who get treated for clinical depression, there are actually about the same number of men who suffer the condition, but they do not admit it or seek treatment for it. Society often mistakenly labels men who get clinically depressed as 'weaklings.' This causes men to hide their conditions rather than come forward and seek medical attention.

Figures

About six million men in the United States suffer from depression every year. Men seem to manifest depression differently from women. In general, men are more disposed to recognize exhaustion, petulance, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances' not 'emotions,' such as sadness, guilt, or worthlessness.

Because of this, men also have a different way of coping with depression. Denial is common. When clinical depression starts conflicting with a man?s pride and self-image, it is almost impossible for him to come clean and admit that he is suffering from this debilitating mental state. Clinical depression slows down the male libido, causing the man?s sexual energy to suffer. Instead of seeking professional help, a man usually find other sources such as alcohol or drugs to vent their frustration. Unknowingly, the intake of prohibited drugs can actually cause permanent damage to sexual performance.

In severe cases, men who do not seek help for their depression commit suicide. Women make more suicide attempts in the United States, but four times as many men actually commit suicide.

Further research must be conducted to understand all aspects of depression in men. The most pressing need is to make men more comfortable in acknowledging depression and getting treatment. Family members, friends, and co-workers have vital roles in identifying depressive symptoms in men and helping them get help.

A Story About Candida Die Off Symptoms - Difficulties at Work and Depression

My friend shares her experience to me, and this article is about her. I hope you can get the positive value from this experience. Today is a rough one, die-off symptoms run rampant and she is having difficulties in the work realm as well. And she is afraid she is just making mountains of molehills anyway. But the fact remains, that she has received her final warning at the workplace: the quality of her work must approve or she will be terminated!

Now, how does a woman who speaks six languages, graduated in the top her class and got accepted (and dropped out of) to a top 20 law school become unable to keep a simple customer service job answering telephones?

She has been diagnosed with depression, and used that and a traumatic childhood as excuses for her poor success. She is barely able to function, and fall on the couch after a day of sitting down in the office. She cries a lot, and feels like she is caught up in a nightmare with no way out. Even the smallest of an obstacle makes her want to crawl up in a ball in her desperation.

Her loving and supportive boyfriend is at his wits end when she shared his understanding "all will be okay" to pieces demanding him to explain how it will be accomplished. The good thing is that these darkest moments only last a brief while, but she would rather not have them at all. Her home that was previously perfect is a mess and she just does not have the energy to get it straightened out.

She has been sugar (carbs) free and on an anti-yeast supplement for 5 days now, and all she can do is to hope these feelings are related to candida, that she is not crazy, and that all this agony will correct itself once those pesky little creatures leave her body.

As long as she can remember, she has had a sweet tooth. Her mother used to hide sweets and pastries from her, but she would find them anyway, she finally stopped baking and buying sweets altogether and put her on a "carrots and fruit for snacks" diet. There has been times when she has been fairly healthy (sugar-free) but that was accomplished due to wanting to be thin. Her sugar and carbs cravings have been horrible, but they subsided fairly soon after she stopped eating sugar containing foods.

When Depression and Anxiety Coexist

While the condition of anxiety and depression are two different medical conditions, it is extremely common for individuals who suffer from depression to also have some form of an anxiety disorder. It is also very common for individuals who have an anxiety disorder to develop depression.

When an individual has both depression and an anxiety, this can be very challenging to treat as the symptoms are typically more severe than when they occur independently. While there are certain lifestyle changes which can be made to alleviate the symptoms of these illnesses, it is essential that a medical assessment is obtained in order to make a proper diagnosis.

The Links between Depression and Anxiety

While the reasons are unknown, individuals who suffer from depression commonly have an anxiety disorder as well. One study that was conducted showed that eighty five percent of individuals who had major depression also suffered from "general anxiety disorder" or "GAD".

Studies conducted also show that the number one risk factor when it comes to developing depression is having an anxiety disorder. When anxiety disorders and depression coexist, the process of recovery is much longer and the potential for relapsing is much greater than in individuals who have only one of these illnesses.

The diagnosis of having both of these conditions can also be very difficult to make as the symptoms of these disorders are very similar and often times the symptoms of an anxiety disorder will over shadow the symptoms of depression, therefore, a diagnosis of depression will sometimes be missed.

Other medical conditions also frequently pose a problem with the diagnosis of anxiety and depression as medical experts have concluded that approximately only one out of every five individuals with anxiety and depression receive the proper treatment for their mental illness.

Symptoms and Treatment when Depression and an Anxiety Disorder Coexist

Individuals who suffer from depression have a deep feeling of sadness and most of the time can not enjoy or get any pleasure out of life while individuals with an anxiety disorder feel constant or persistent fear and worry. When these two conditions are combined, an individual not only has the symptoms of depression, but also feels nervous and agitated.

These symptoms often cause the individual to have trouble sleeping with the inability to get to sleep or stay asleep. Treatment for these co-existing illnesses is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. While the "Food and Drug Administration" has not yet approved any drug specifically for the treatment of these dual disorders, anti-depressants - typically "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" or "SSRIs" are prescribed for the treatment of these co-existing disorders.

SSRIs have been proven to be effective in all types of anxiety disorders as well as the treatment of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also the most commonly used therapy in the treatment of both depression and anxiety.

When following the proper medical treatment plan, along with monitoring diet and nutrition as well as learning relaxation and exercising techniques, it is possible for individuals who suffer from the combination of these disorders to recover and live full and productive lives.

Major Depression - Symptoms, Causes and Management

Major depression is a type of a mental disorder that is characterized by low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of pleasure or interest in activities that were normally enjoyable. Other terms for this form of depression are clinical depression, major depressive disorder, unipolar disorder and unipolar depression.

Depression is considered as a disabling condition that affects an individual's general health, eating and sleeping habits, school or work, family, and friends. In the United States alone, sixty percent of those who died of suicide have depression, and three to four percent of people who are suffering from major depression commit suicide.

The Signs and Symptoms
People who are suffering from this type of depression generally show a loss of pleasure that were once enjoyed and a low mood that encompasses all aspects of life. These people may be preoccupied with inappropriate regret or guilt, self-hatred, and feelings and thoughts or hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness. Other symptoms include difficulty in sleeping, withdrawal from social activities and situations, poor memory and concentration, suicide attempts, and thoughts of death. In severe cases, people who are depressed may experience the symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Causes of Major Depression
Psychological, social, and biological factors are said to play a role in causing depression. Psychological factors refer to the person's coping ability in response to problems and stress. Also, a distorted way of thinking and low self esteem has been linked with depression. Persons who are suffering from other psychological conditions such as schizophrenia and anxiety are also likely to suffer from depression.

Social factors include social isolation and poverty. A study has shown that those people who had experienced child abuse (emotional, sexual, physical, neglect) when they were young are more likely to develop major depression later in life. Other social factors that can contribute to the development of depression include death of a loved one, divorce or marital conflict, parental depression, financial problems, and family problems.

Biological factors refer to those imbalances in the brain chemicals that can alter the brain activities. People with depression usually show a disturbed pattern of the relationship between the different parts of the brain, which means to say that the brain activities are altered.

Management of the Condition
The most commonly used treatments for depression are medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. Medication for depression is called antidepressants. These medications are effective, however, they have numerous side effects and they can only relieve the symptoms and not cure the condition itself. Psychotherapy is best for those who are 18 years old and below. Psychotherapy, however, may not work for some especially to those people who are not comfortable talking about their personal life. Electroconvulsive therapy on the other hand, should be used as the last resort as it makes use of electricity and may impose harm to patients if not done in the right manner. These are the reasons why some people opt for natural cures, which are 100% safe, fast acting and with permanent effects.

Major depression is really a serious disorder and can be hard to live with. But with proper management it can easily be treated.

Manic Depression Symptoms and Natural Remedies

Manic depression is also known as bipolar affective disorder, or simply bipolar. It is a form of mood disorder in which the subject suffers wide mood swings between extreme elation (mania) and extremely low depression. It is a serious condition that first occurs in either gender at the age of 18-24. The condition can be triggered by medical illness or stress.

What are the symptoms of manic depression, and how can it be distinguished from general depression? The first sign is that the depression involved is more than just feeling temporarily down, but is deeper and more serious than that. The subject is unable to cope with normal everyday problems and the depressive state lasts longer.

Symptoms of the Depressive State

Here are a few other symptoms that you can expect to be exhibited by a manic depressive:

• The depression and feeling of unhappiness remains and can't be shrugged off.


• The subject will lose interest in what is going on around, and will feel no enjoyment about anything.


• A feeling of guilt and excessive worthlessness.


• Unable to make decisions.


• Unable to focus or concentrate on anything.


• Sleeping excessively or an inability to sleep.


• General tiredness.


• A disinterest in sex.


• An inability to handle crows of people.


• Unable to function at work.


• Unable to see any future.


• Restlessness and fidgeting.

There are others, and most of the above are also symptoms of general depression. However, what distinguished someone suffering clinical depression and somebody with bipolar affective disorder is the rapid swing from the depressed state to elation, otherwise known as mania. So what are the symptoms of the manic state that distinguished between general depression and manic depression?

Symptoms of the Manic State

Having been depressed, the patient can then spend a week or so in a hyper manic state. Sometimes the subject will behave strangely and lose any sense of reality. They will be unable to make proper decisions, and in fact behave in strange ways that are both embarrassing and dangerous. Some of the outward signs of the manic state are:

• An apparent lack of sleep.


• An exceptionally good mood - a euphoric state where they have a profound sense of well-being within themselves.


• They will talk quicker and louder than normal, and try to keep up with their racing thoughts.


• They may come out with unattainable grandiose ideas that are unrealistic to achieve.


• A lack of inhibitions that may lead them to very inappropriate behaviour well outside their normal character.


• Euphoric delusions and sometimes even hallucinations that underline their excessive believe in themselves.


• Increased sexual drive, and an increased need to spend money quickly.


• Very dogmatic, provocative and aggressive, particularly when people disagree with them.

In fact, the manic state is practically the diametric opposite of their character in the depressed state. It is a form of Jekyll and Hyde situation, though not in the sense of schizophrenia where mood changes are not associated with the accompanying depressive or manic states. Also, manic depressives can go long periods between bouts of depression and mania. Nevertheless, the two have occasionally been misdiagnosed as the other.

Treatment for Manic Depression

The traditional treatment for the depressive aspect of manic depression is by antidepressant drugs, while manic episodes are treated using antipsychotic medication. Medication that helps to stabilize mood may also be used, examples of these being Valium and Tegretol. However, the treatment most commonly given in this respect is lithium.

Each of the various drugs have side effects, and it makes sense to use one or more of the natural herbal treatments that have been shown to be at least as effective as the drugs above with a minimum of half of the adverse side effects. Here are some herbal treatments that have been successfully used in treating manic depression, or bipolar disorder.

Herbal Treatment for Manic Depression

Herbs are used by many people to treat their manic depression, often because they could not tolerate the side effects of the regular drugs or perhaps because of a distrust of artificial drugs. Whatever their reason, they do take them, even though most are not as effective a regular drugs and take longer to be absorbed into the body and to have an effect.

Here are some typical; herbs that are used for manic depression. Keep in mind that there are two aspects of dipolar affective disorder: the depressive and the manic stages, and any remedy or treatment must deal with each of these. A herb that can help with depression (there are several of these) may not be able to handle the manic behavior of the subject.

It has been reported by the University Of Maryland Medical Center that herbs are effective treatment for depression and have fewer side effects, but not much mention of the manic condition.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort is one of the most powerful herbal treatments available for depression, and is at least as good as the best prescription drugs, if not better. With significantly fewer side effects it is an excellent treatment for the depression part of manic depression. However, this is a serious condition, and while it is very effective with mild to medium depression, the severe form of depression brought about by bipolar disorder is a challenge and you must take the herbal treatment every day without fail. It might not cure the condition but it should be able to contain and stabilize it.

Amoryn

Amoryn is a good herbal treatment for anxiety and sadness. It contains hyperforin, also present in St. John's wort, and so has a similar effect. The main effect of hyperforin is to increase the availability of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. These are neurotransmitters than help you to feel good about yourself rather than depressed.

Valerian and Passion Flower

Valerian is a strong herbal treatment for insomnia, and helps those suffering stress, anxiety and depression to get to relax and get to sleep. It also works to reduce your anxiety, but should be taken every day, and at the same each day. Because it is calming valerian is good to take during the manic stage of bipolar affective disorder. Passion flower is another possible herbal treatment during this stage since it too is calming and relaxing.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These constituents of fish oil may not strictly be herbal, but they are natural and while not a rapid solution to manic depression, it does reduce your depressive feelings over time if taken regularly.

There is no magic pill for manic depression - if there was everybody would take it and the disorder would no longer be a problem. However, there are natural remedies, most of them herbal, which can help you too feel a lot better with the potentially nasty side effects of pharmaceutical treatments.

Depressed? How You Can Use Choline and Inositol to Help Ease Depression Symptoms

Choline and inositol are members of the B-complex family valued for their ability to break down fat and improve memory and brain function. Inositol is not a true vitamin because our bodies can make small amounts of it, but it is normally found in B-complex supplements because it works with choline.

Both vitamin helps to form lecithin, which helps to break fats into smaller particles that can be used in your body and controls cholesterol build-up. They also help to maintain cell membranes and are important in nourishing brain cells.

Choline is used in the production of accetylCholine, a chemical that transmits messages between the nerves and muscles, and is thought to improve memory, mood and athletic performance.

It also helps to cleanse your system by enabling the liver to eliminate toxins more effectively.

Both help keep your body and mind in good shape by breaking down fat and boosting brain power.

Deficiency Symptoms

* Eczema

* Memory problems

* Nervousness

* High blood pressure

* Frequent coughs and colds

Beneficial Effects

Weight control - By breaking down fat and preventing it from forming deposits, both vitamin are considered valuable slimming aids.

Stress - Because of their positive effect on the nervous system, they can reduce stress levels make you feel calmer.

How to take the supplement

Although there is no RDA, most B-complex supplements contain 100mg each vitamin. Nutritionist considers a daily intake of between and 1000mg to be beneficial. Heavy drinkers and women taking the contraceptive pill may need higher amounts of both of them; coffee drinkers need extra inositol.

Precautions

These two vitamins are considered safe supplements, but high doses have thought to worsen depression.