Manic Depression Revealed

Bipolar Disorder also known as manic depression is a disorder that falls into the family of depression or mood disorders. Mood disorders effect how a person feels and is totally different to a disorder such as schizophrenia that make it hard for a person to distinguish whats real from what isn't.

Mental disorders or illnesses are not the type of problems that a person can easily overcome, they are not something that they asked for. They can't be overcome by willpower because they are problems that effect the brain. With proper treatment a person suffering with a mental illness such as manic depression can learn to control their symptoms and regain their quality of life.

Manic depression is an illness or disorder that affects a persons mood, one moment they can have a greatly elevated mood ('Manic') followed by a period of feeling low ('Depression'). Its perfectly normal for someone to have high and low moods but someone suffering from manic depression experiences greatly exaggerated highs and lows. Because manic depression is a chronic condition these episodes may come and go but they never truly go away untreated.

Someone in a manic phase of their depression may have a very high self-esteem, they may take risks that they would not normally take such as abusing drugs and alcohol or driving in a reckless manner. They may spend money in a way they wouldn't usually and its not uncommon for them to have a higher than usual sex drive.
Manic depression may also make someone suffer from sleep deprivation making them seem angry or irritable, this is due to them having an increased energy level making them feel high.

A person in the depressive stage of their illness is vastly different from the manic stage in that they suffer from feelings of hopelessness, guilt or even wanting to die. A change in appetite, a decrease in energy and an increase in the ability to make decisions can occur. Stomach aches and headaches is also a common part of the depressive state of Manic Depression.

In the United States more that 15% of all illnesses are mental illnesses. This equates to more that all forms of cancer or problems associated with drug and alcohol addiction. If you know of someone that has been diagnosed with manic depression then they are in good company. It is estimated that around two to 4 percent of the worlds population of 222 million suffer from some form of manic depression.

Treatment of manic depression.

Its not common knowledge but there is no cure for manic depression, but the symptoms can be treated and controlled by the use of medication. Acute symptoms caused by severe episodes of mania or depression are treated with some specific medication whilst other medication is used to prevent future episodes from occurring. These types of medications are referred to as 'maintanance threrapy'.

In addition to medication, people with manic depression can benefit from psychotherapy as part of their treatment process. The therapy process is good because it can make someone come to terms with their illness and see exactly what it means for them. Because of this, someone can better understand how their illness or disorder effects their relationships with their family and friends.

If the person undergoing treatment is having a depressive episode the therapy may help them to adopt some thought processes that are positive instead of the negative ones that they have that make them depressed. They may be able to recognise when a manic or depressive episode is starting and seek out the appropriate help quickly. If other family members attend the therapy too they will better understand the disorder and may too be able to help in the future.

Manic depression is a chronic but treatable mental illness. Getting proper treatment is key to having a good quality of life.

Dave Matthews Band Quotes - And Why They Are So Memorable

A good quote will create a kind of "placeholder" in your mind. It sits there like a seed burying itself deeper into your subconscious, gaining roots. You hear it one day, then, you forget it. But something stays hidden, if only on the cusp of our memories. Then one day you find yourself stuck in a country, awaiting your immigration papers. Not allowed to work and not allowed to leave. It takes you 7 months just to fill out the overly invasive paperwork and then you have to wait another year and a half just to find out if you can even stay. It's only then and without warning do the words "I say my hell is the closet I'm stuck inside", come resonating like a crushing wave into your heart.

This is the power of a great quote. It's a wise man's pandora box that only truly opens when you've faced life's great experiences. Dave Matthews Band has many of these quotes. Some of my favorite quotes are...

1) "I say my hell is the closet I'm stuck inside" - To Much To Say

2) "Take what you can from your dreams, make them as real as anything." - Grey St.

3) "What you get when you give nothing is everything you gave." - DMB

The 1st quote is from their second studio recording entitled Crash. So Much To Say comes crashing in as the first track and first single release from this album. It won a Grammy back in 1997 for Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group and only reached #19 on the Modern Rock Charts. This quote from the song is a fantastic reflection on how the world we live in can box us in creating a kind of emotional torture. We can escape the world we live in but we can't escape ourselves.

The 2nd quote is from the rocking tune "Grey St" where Dave Matthews says that the song was originally inspired by the poet Anne Sexton and how her depression eventually led to her taking her life. In addition to that, this quote also to has other meanings such as an encouragement to all who struggle on the day to day. Don't be discouraged with your life, but take from it what you're able to. Dream, and turn those dreams into realities.

The 3rd quote is one of their greatest in my opinion. A true soothsayer's guide to life, if you will. If you live a life of not giving then life will give nothing in return. In other words, you only get what you put in. Kind of like a savings account.

Depression Disorder, Eating

The longer an eating disorder goes untreated, the greater the chance there is of developing a depressive disorder, and yet at the same time, depression and other mental health problems are also known to increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. The fact is there is a relationship between depression and eating disorders and other mental health problems can coexist with both.

Both depression and eating disorders are becoming increasingly common. According to the Mental Health Foundation 10% of the population in the UK will experience some form of depression every year, and 2% of women as well as some men will suffer from an eating disorder. Anorexia is more likely to affect young women whereas bulimia is more likely to affect older women and is more common than anorexia. Compulsive eating affects both women and men equally and approximately 10% of all people with eating disorders are men.

What is a depressive disorder?

A depressive disorder can be defined as a set of symptoms ranging from mild to severe that coexist with overwhelming feelings of sadness and an inability to take pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed to the extent that they interfere with normal daily routines. There are several different types of depressive disorders including clinical depression, bipolar disorder or manic depression, post natal depression, seasonal affective disorder or SAD and post traumatic stress disorder. No one knows why some people become depressed and not others, but low self esteem is known to increase the risk of developing a depressive disorder and is also an underlying factor in eating disorders.

Symptoms of depression

o Feeling tired and lethargic for most of the time

o Persistent low moods and sadness, a feeling of despondency

o Sleep disturbances, either inability to sleep or sleeping too much

o A pessimistic outlook on life

o Feeling anxious and nervous

o Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, low self esteem

o Frightening and irrational thoughts

o Loss of pleasure in activities and lack of interest in sex

o Avoidance of social contact and social situations

o Changes in appetite involving either loss of appetite or an increased appetite and associated weight loss or weight gain

o Emotional outbursts for no apparent reason

o Irritability

Eating disorders

There are three main types of eating disorders and these include:

o Anorexia Nervosa - characterised by a fear of putting on weight to such an extent that the person doesn't eat or eats very little, sometimes to the extent that they can starve themselves to death. By controlling what, when, and if they eat, they feel safe, secure and in control. Feelings behind anorexia include a low self esteem, a distorted self image and fear of rejection. It is a potentially life threatening condition.

o Bulimia Nervosa - someone with bulimia eats copious amounts of food and then feel guilty and out of control so try to purge themselves by vomiting, starving themselves or taking laxatives. It is harder to detect than anorexia because the weight remains relatively stable and the sufferer keeps their behaviour hidden, it is also more common than anorexia.

o Compulsive eating - involves eating for comfort or for emotional security and is characterised by nibbling all day without being able to stop. People who eat compulsively are usually overweight. It can be a way of denying or avoiding problems and is often associated with low self esteem, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness and emptiness.

Possible triggers of depression and eating disorders

There is not a single cause that will trigger either depression or an eating disorder as combinations of factors are involved. For example:

o Stressful events and experiences such as problems at home, bullying, abuse, loss of someone close, rejection, failing at school or work, coping with puberty, worries about sexuality, etc. can all result in a extreme stress which can act as a trigger.

o Either physical or mental health problems can trigger an eating disorder or depression. For example, someone struggling with a physical illness or disability can become depressed. Depression or anxiety related disorders can trigger an eating disorder, and someone with an eating disorder can develop depression - both are linked.

o Low self esteem and feelings of insecurity or feeling out of control of ones life can increase the risk of developing depression or an eating disorder or both.

Some other psychological disorders that can accompany eating disorders include:

o Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

o Manic depression

o Panic disorders

o Anxiety disorders

o Post traumatic stress disorder

o Attention Deficit Disorder

At the root of eating disorders are negative feelings including low self esteem, guilt, shame, sadness, anger, stress, feeling deserving of pain and punishment, all of which can be symptoms of depression too.

Conclusion

The biggest step to combating both depression and any eating disorder is to admit there is a problem in the first place as many people will deny there is anything wrong and without appropriate treatment, these mental health problems can continue indefinitely, and can even be life threatening. It is absolutely essential to seek help from a qualified medical professional in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment, support and guidance to ensure a full recovery.

What Are Common Symptoms of Adult ADHD

What are common symptoms of adult ADHD, and how do these differ from symptoms in kids? ADHD is a disorder more commonly discovered in childhood. To meet diagnostic criteria, according to the DSM- IV- TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV- Text Revision), symptoms of the disorder must be present by age 7. Even though symptoms or even a mild form of the disorder may be present in childhood, it is not uncommon for it to be discovered or seek treatment for it only in adulthood. Presently, there is not a separate symptom criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults. Criteria for ADHD in childhood is often used and adapted to better account for the difference in life and developmental stages of adults. Symptoms in both children and adults largely stem from the hypo-functioning of certain areas of the brain that control executive functioning. The presentation of these symptoms in adulthood is often seen in the workplace and in the family and social arena. The main symptom clusters for both children and adults are in attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. However, the disorder can look very different from child to adult and even person to person. Symptom Criteria from the DSM-IV-TR:

a) Symptoms of inattention:

1) Fails to pay close attention to details- tends to rush and often makes careless mistakes

2) Difficulty sustaining attention-tends to have poor concentration, difficulty initiating and completing tasks, tendency to get off task easily

3) Does not appear to listen- can "zone out" during conversations with others and may not realize it, thus losing important bits of information

4) Struggles to follow through on instructions- poor listening skills and memory contribute to difficulty following directions

5) Difficulty with organization- often has poor time management and is often late, often has a messy, disorganized or cluttered area in home/work place/car.

6) Avoids or dislikes tasks that require mental effort- tends to procrastinate

7) Easily distracted

8) Forgetful in daily activities- often misses deadlines, commitments and other important events or dates. Often losing or misplacing things such as keys, phones, bills, work

b) Symptoms of Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity:

1) Fidgets with hands, feet/legs, objects- may appear to have nervous energy, restless or anxious

2) Difficulty remaining seated- tends to get bored easily

3) Runs/climbs excessively- The highly energetic, "climbing-up-the-walls" energy commonly seen in childhood settles down by the mid teenage years. In late teens and adults 'hyperactivity' is more subtle

4) Difficulty in engaging in activities quietly- tends to crave excitement

5) Acts as if driven by a motor- tends to have more risk-taking behavior, acts reckless

6) Talks excessively- tends to have racing thoughts, states mind doesn't shut off, hyperactivity of the mind

7) Blurts out answers before questions have been completed-difficulty inhibiting ones actions

8) Has difficulty waiting or taking turns- poor patience

9) Interrupts or intrudes upon others- poor self-control, makes inappropriate comments

A certain number of symptoms need to be present in 2 or more settings- work, home, school, etc. The symptoms must also cause a functional impairment in those setting.

Is adult ADHD on the rise, and if so, why?

Adult ADHD is becoming more widely recognized and more people are been diagnosed than before, however, this is likely a function of more acceptance and consensus that the disorder can occur in adulthood. As well as better screening techniques with improved detection and treatment options. Adult ADHD is still largely under-reported and under-diagnosed.

If an adult thinks he might have ADHD, who should he see for a diagnosis/treatment?

Where a child can see a pediatrician or a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment, an adult should see a mental health professional / Psychiatrist. Psychiatrist are specially trained and likely have more experience in recognizing symptoms of ADHD, diagnosing ADHD, and are more familiar with available treatments for Adult ADHD. Additionally, an adult who suspects ADHD, may want to find a Psychiatrist who has training or experience in working with children and adolescents- as these subspecialist have the most training and experience with the disorder. Once diagnosed, the treatment is multifactorial and best conducted through a team approach with professionals such as Psychiatrists to prescribe medications and Psychologists or other trained counselors/therapists to provide cognitive-behavioral therapy and skills training to learn practical solutions to everyday problems.

What are the treatment options for adult ADHD? Do all adults diagnosed with ADHD need medication? Will they need to take medication for life?

Treatment options are often the same for adults as in children, and typically consist of a combination of therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and medications. Therapies include behavioral modifications and skills training to manage the core deficiencies of ADHD including- organization, planning, time management, memory and impulsivity. Important lifestyle issues that need to be addressed and modified are adequate sleep, healthy diet, and regular physical activity. Medications target these symptoms chemically and can be very effective. According to the DSM-IV, to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, symptoms should cause "social, occupational or functional impairment", therefore medications may be indicated especially if the therapy and lifestyle changes don't effect much improvement. Adults on medications may be able to be more successful at work and with their family/social life, and be better able to use their ADHD management skills to create a better routine and structure for their life. Depending on the severity of symptoms and the success of incorporating the skills training into ones daily life, it is possible to come off medications. Medications are just one piece of the treatment puzzle. Since there is no "cure" for ADHD, some form of treatment will always be needed, however, it may be as simple as keeping organized and getting enough sleep.

Some adults might say that they've made it this far w/o needing treatment. Why start now? How might untreated ADHD affect a person's life?

It is possible not to need "treatment" consisting of medications; however, it is unlikely that no component of treatment will be needed. Some adults with ADHD may be managing their symptoms and not really know it. How many times have we heard, "if I don't get enough sleep, I can't think straight", or "if it doesn't go in my planner, it doesn't exist", or "I need my double shot espresso in the morning to get me focused" (caffeine is a weak stimulant)- not saying that everyone who says and does these things has ADHD, but some who are aware of their issues maybe managing symptoms in various fashions. Also certain environments may be more conducive to managing the disorder than others. I have encountered many young adult patients who were valedictorians of their small highly structured high school class, however, upon entering a big university with less structure and guidance, they start having more problems with organization, meeting deadlines and academic performance. It is not that they suddenly "caught" ADHD; the disorder was likely present to some degree since childhood, however a change in the environment caused symptoms to be problematic enough to cause functional impairment. I've heard similar situations occur in work settings as well. If functional impairment exists, it is best to discuss treatment options with mental health professionals and your physician. Studies have shown that people with untreated ADHD are more likely to experiment/ "self-medicate" with substances, more likely to be unemployed, more likely to divorce and have relational issues and more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents.

I've read that people with ADHD often have other mental health problems like depression or anxiety. Please tell me more about the connection.

People diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to have other mental health diagnosis as well, in some reports 6x as likely. Reasons for this are multi-factorial. They can be due to chemical pathways and "wiring" in the brain- ADHD often seen with learning disabilities in children, esp. for reading. Other disorders can occur because the untreated ADHD symptoms put them at risk for other disorders- i.e. a child with ADHD who is extremely hyperactive, may be more likely to be abused and subsequently develop anxiety from the trauma.

I often see problems like depression and anxiety to be the primary reason one may seek treatment- esp. in adults and older teens. It is the untreated ADHD symptoms that can lead to repeated failures, poor performance (at home, school, work), and strained relationships which, depending on how longstanding, can lead to frustration, irritability and a low self-worth. Over time this stress and thought patterns can lead to serious depression.

At times, it appears that untreated ADHD can mimic symptoms of depression and by treating the ADHD, one starts to do better, accomplish more, get praise and improve self-esteem the depression is also treated. If depressive symptoms or disorder is co-occurring, it may be necessary to treat both issues.

Is there a genetic link to ADHD? If your child has it, does that mean you might have it and not recognize it?

There is a strong genetic link to ADHD as well as other mental health disorders. Accd. to Dr. Biederman and research from Massachusetts General Hospital, if a child has ADHD there is a five-fold increase in the risk to other family members (1). Genetic links are also discovered by doing twin (identical vsfraternal) studies. Identical twins have the same DNA, fraternal twins have DNA like any other sibling would share. In one such study, Dr. Florence Levy and her colleagues studied 1,938 families with twins and siblings in Australia. They found that ADHD has an exceptionally high heritability as compared to other behavioral disorders. They reported an 82 percent concordance rate for ADHD in identical twins as compared to a 38 percent concordance rate for ADHD in non-identical twins. (2)

If you or no one around you is recognizing it as a problem causing functional impairment, then the disorder may not be present or meet sufficient criteria for ADHD.

(1) Biederman, J., Faraone, S. V., Keenan, K., Knee, E., et al. (1990). Family-genetic and psychosocial risk factors in DSM-III attention deficit disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29, 526-533.

(2) Levy, F., Hay, D.A., McStephen, M., Wood, C., & Waldman, I. (1997). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a category or a continuum? Genetic analysis of a large-scale twin study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36, 737-744.

Depression Solutions - The Twelve Top Physical Causes

Searches for solutions to depression are all too often assumed to lie in the emotional realm. That's because depression was considered to be an emotionally-generated symptom, so the assumption was that it would be resolved through the emotional realm. That's why it was addressed with counseling or therapy - often years of it, and that's why physical issues were typically overlooked or put aside.

Then it was considered to be 'all in your head' due to a chemical imbalance in your brain such as a serotonin deficiency, or a disturbance in serotonin metabolism. That's why it was addressed with anti-depressant medications that affected serotonin levels in your brain.

But that can be a big mistake, because sometimes it's not just 'all in your head.' Here are twelve physical conditions that can give rise to depression symptoms. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, be sure to check out all of these conditions in looking for a solution.

What is depression?

Depression is an emotional symptom, often seen in a negative attitude, low mood and loss of interest in people and things that are normally of interest. It may even involve feelings of guilt, low self-worth, having low energy, poor concentration, disturbances in ability to sleep, disordered appetite. The feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement can be profound.

All these emotional symptoms are the main reason depression is usually approached as having emotional origins that require emotional approaches - psychotherapy, counseling and/ or treatment with anti-depressive drugs.

But here's the thing: contrary to what we usually assume, depression, more often than not, has its origins in physical problems. This means that these emotional symptoms are resolved by

addressing the physical issue(s). Below is a summary of the prevalence of this symptom along with a list of the most common sources of what can only appears to be an emotional issue. If you or someone you know gets depressed, be sure to get these physical conditions checked out!

Who gets depressed?

Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide. In the United States, it's estimated that in any given year depressive disorders are estimated to affect approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older.

In terms of gender, depression affects both sexes. Unfortunately, depression has had a reputation of being a women's condition, but this is incorrect. Actually more than 6 million men in the U.S. have depression each year. The symptoms of depression in men are similar to the symptoms of depression in women. But men tend to express those symptoms differently.

How do men and women express depression differently?

In women, depression may be more likely to cause feelings of sadness and worthlessness. Depression in men, on the other hand, may be more likely to cause them to be irritable, aggressive, or hostile.

Either way, the depressed person is suffering, and those around them suffer as well. Therefore, adopting an immediate, problem-solving attitude is essential. Everyone - the depressed person, family, friends, co-workers - benefits by this 'let's get this resolved' approach. Be sure to check out every one of these physically-generated causes of depression:

1. Low thyroid (T1 or T4):

Revealed by a blood test or muscle testing, this symptom can often turn around by increasing dietary intake or even supplementing with iodine along with removing all sources of exposure to fluoride, including fluoridated drinking water, toothpaste and dental sealants. Fluoride knocks iodine out of the thyroid, causing low thyroid functioning and thus leads directly to depression.

2. Low adrenals.

In the go-go modern world where people are stretched to capacity and beyond, adrenal glands get overworked constantly. Like anything else, they can only take so much, and then they start to give out. The result is low energy, low motivation and, guess what - depression!

Various stress-reduction and stress-management techniques in combination with direct support of adrenal glands with herbs often reverse this. Two of the herbs adrenal glands 'like' the most are Ashwaganda and Licorice. (However, don't take Licorice long term if you have high blood pressure.)

3. Sex hormone imbalances.

Whether in men or women, sex hormones that are out of balance are major contributors to symptoms of depression. Therefore it's always worth it to get the levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (for both men and women) checked. If any are too high

or too low, they can cause depression.

4. Food intolerances.

Time and time again, I've seen this as a top physical cause of depression in my clients. And the biggest food intolerance of them all is wheat, followed only by lactose and then gluten. In fact, various experts estimate that 30-50% of people are gluten intolerant, while the incidence of lactose intolerance varies by race from about 5% of the population in far Northern Europeans to 95% in native African ones.

The solution is to omit these from the diet and allow the body to detox what remains - a process that takes some time. Various authors have noted that the symptoms of manic depression (bipolar disorder) and the symptoms of gluten intolerance are exactly the same, making this a crucial factor to check when depression symptoms occur.

5. Toxic metals.

Modern people are exposed to toxic metals from the dental substances in their mouths, from drinking water, food, air and more. A toxic metal body burden can produce very deep-seated and profound depression - absolute hopelessness and despair.

This is also true during a metals detoxification process, which is why it's always essential to undertake even the diagnosis of toxic metals under the guidance of a skilled and experienced

professional. The good news is that the depression flushes right out with the metals.

6. Toxic chemicals.

These are everywhere now in the modern world. Estimates say that each individual is exposed to some 100,000 with more added daily.

A quiet study was conducted in which surgeons were asked to remove a small piece of fat from each patient while conducting the operation. These were then sent in to a central laboratory and tested for chemicals. The fat sample with the lowest number listed well over 200 toxic chemicals! For some reason the results of this study never made the headlines.

Many of these cause depression by mimicking sex hormones, where they get into the cell receptors the body's own sex hormones should be regulating.

Just as with toxic chemicals, the services of a competent and skilled practitioner are required to detox these chemicals safely and effectively, and again, any depressive symptoms they cause disappear right along with the chemicals.

7. Infectious agents.

A great variety of infectious agents exist in the world, Among the most common forms are bacteria, viruses, yeast, molds, worms, parasites and spirochetes.

We all know what it feels like to be under the effect of these in acute situations like getting the flu for example - a depressing enough circumstance. But we can also be affected by chronic,

low-grade infections our bodies continue to fight without our ever realizing it. These wear us down, use up our resources, make us chronically tired, vulnerable to other bugs besides the ones we've been fighting.

The ways to discover their presence can be as varied as the bugs themselves, ranging from blood tests to stool samples to muscle tests. For anyone with chronic depression symptoms, thinking "chronic low-grade infection (or infections)" can be a productive route to address.

8. Anemia.

This is a condition of low red blood cells. No matter what the reason, the body cells, including the brain, don't get enough oxygen when there are too few red blood cells (RBC's) This can produce depression.

Anemia can result from loss of blood, from lack of iron in the diet, from lack of absorption of iron, from stomach ulcers, medications, colon cancer, trauma or B vitamin deficiency (see #9).

9. B vitamin deficiency.

There are many B vitamins we need for proper brain and nervous system functioning. Some of the more prominent ones in this regard include vitamin B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 and especially B 12 and folate. Since we don't manufacture them, we require daily dietary intake to maintain healthy levels and stay out of depression.

And we also need to diminish or entirely avoid substances that strip our bodies of these essential nutrients, including refined sugars, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.

In many instances, what has appeared to be intractable depression is completely turned around by adequate intake of natural sources of vitamin B such as those in nutritional yeast, for example.

But don't take synthetic B vitamins - these damage the peripheral nerve plates - those tiny little nerves at the far edges of our bodies that feed back information about what's going on there to our brains so they can make adjustments.

10.Low blood sugar.

This condition causes depression in a manner similar to that of anemia, only in this instance the problem is not getting enough oxygen to the brain, but getting enough blood sugar to the brain. Physical problems such as diabetes, syndrome X (also called metabolic syndrome) can produce this symptom if not properly managed. Many people report their depression entirely resolved by supplementing with Inositol - another B vitamin.

11. Poor blood circulation.

Blockages, weaknesses or cramping in arteries negatively affect blood circulation and can result in depression for the same reason anemia does - not enough oxygen to the brain.

Where blockages exist, they can often be cleared by taking a proteolytic enzyme such as bromelain (from pineapples) on an empty stomach.

Blood vessel weaknesses are often strengthened by bioflavonoids. A rich food source of some kinds is found in the white membrane inside citrus peels, while the blue and purple range of fruits - blueberries, raspberries, grapes, bilberries - provides others.

12. Prescription drugs.

Last, these are becoming a greater and greater contributor to the incidence of depression, even as more and more drugs are created to treat depression.

Therefore a careful review of any and all prescription drugs is called for when anyone suffers from depression.

And that review should include not just the drug, but all ingredients the product contains, including fillers and excipients. Two of the most common ones found in modern drugs - especially generic ones - are wheat and lactose... and these are two of the major contributors to food intolerance-generated depression.

It's always worth it to ask your pharmacist if any of the prescriptions you've filled can cause depression. For an online list of such drugs, search under 'medications that cause depression.'

Of course, there's every reason to combine the positive effects of eliminating these dirty dozen physical depression-makers with the benefits of counseling or therapy.

As many of my colleagues emphasize, in this modern world, everybody deserves therapy!

What Is Bipolar Disorder? A Definition Based on Recent Scientific Discovery

The discovery of the existence of the anti-conscience puts an end to a big mystery, giving a clear explanation for the abrupt mood swings that characterize the behavior of individuals who suffer from manic depression or bipolar disorder. The anti-conscience is a true demon because it is the result of the disorganized formation of the first live conscience in its first stages. Unfortunately, it occupies the biggest part of the human brain.

Whenever you are controlled by your anti-conscience you act like a violent, immoral, cruel, and absurd animal. The anti-conscience is crazy and this is why it has self-destructive tendencies. It tries to destroy the human side of your conscience and control your behavior.

The anti-conscience is a part of your personality. However, it is not conscious, and this is why you have no control over it. This is your animal side, which remains in a primitive condition because it refuses learning and changing its behavior.

You can have a clear vision of what is happening in your brain and psyche through dream analysis. The unconscious mind that produces your dreams works like a natural doctor, who protects you from your evil and absurd anti-conscience. All dream images work like psychotherapy.

If you suffer from bipolar disorder you must be very careful and write down all your dreams everyday. Then, you must translate their meaning according to the scientific method of dream interpretation discovered by Carl Jung and simplified by me, who continued his research. You will understand the hidden unconscious messages and find sound mental health forever.

Jung gave us a scientific explanation for the meaning of dreams and their healing power. Without his work we would never be able to understand the complex dream language. I had to translate numerous dreams for two decades in order to simplify all the complication I found when I precisely followed Carl Jung's steps.

Only I could continue his research and discover the evil anti-conscience because the continuation of his research was too dangerous. I could bear it because I was too strong and I had to fight schizophrenia, which is the worst existent mental illness. I was almost as schizophrenic as my father. I had to discover the anti-conscience in order to resist its attacks and preserve my sanity.

I saw that our wild conscience is too powerful. It is our animal personality, which is still alive inside us. The anti-conscience is our other self, our animal and evil self, which is totally selfish, absurd, cruel, indifferent, and superficial. The anti-conscience is everyone's second personality, but it can also be multiplied into numerous different personalities.

Some people are more influenced or controlled by their anti-conscience, and this is why they suffer from bipolar disorder or from another mental disorder.

We usually enter into contact with our wild conscience when we have traumatic experiences because we are depressed and angry. Our primitive conscience has the chance to speak in our conscious mind and impose its absurd ideas whenever we are revolted for some reason.

Cases of multiple personality disorder can be clearly explained now that we know that we have inherited an absurd wild conscience, which is very powerful and tries to destroy our human conscience. The anti-conscience creates different personalities, dividing the parts that compose an individual's personality.

Our wild conscience provokes numerous behavioral abnormalities when it invades the human side of our conscience because it tries to destroy our capacity to think logically. Bipolar disorder is the domination of an individual's conscience by the anti-conscience for a certain period of time, which varies depending on the severity of each case.

The unconscious treatment through dream messages is based on eliminating your anti-conscience through consciousness. This means that you will analyze the content of your mind and your behavior. You will understand when you are controlled by your anti-conscience and what you have to do in order to transform your dangerous wild conscience into a positive component of your personality.

This is how you'll stop having abrupt mood swings and completely control your behavior.

I can translate your dreams for you and provide you with psychotherapy in case you have no courage to study the dream language. However, I have simplified Carl Jung's method of dream interpretation so much that you will surely understand the meaning of dreams by studying my lessons. You can submit a few dreams for translation and then continue translating your dreams alone, when you'll get used with the dream language and the dream logic.

You'll see that whenever you are too euphoric or extremely depressed, you are controlled by your anti-conscience. It takes the place of your ego, pretending to be you.

The unconscious mind gives you a clear image of what is happening to you in the dream messages, teaching you how to control your behavior and stop being a slave of your anti-conscience. This is how you will find salvation, instead of being an eternal victim of your wild side.

You'll build a self-confident, balanced and uniform personality. Your unique personality will be characterized by sincerity and wisdom. Your harmonic, always calm, and sensitive behavior will help you find permanent peace and happiness.

Major Depression & Disability - The Problem, The Solution

I am a 53-year old man who has been declared officially disabled for almost a decade now. I never really cared much for labels, but if our society deems it important for governmental reasons to put one on me, then, indeed, that's me.

I had worked for about two decades in a myriad of jobs such as sales, marketing, public relations, media production and the like. It was difficult for me to keep a job as I had depression, at least that is what I was "labeled" to have. I had been treated with antidepressants and talk therapy for many years but was not getting better. Finally, I was told I could not work, that "I was too depressed".

Now I had a lot of time on my hands so I began studying depression. It did not take me long to discover a disease called "TRD" or labeled by the psychiatric community, "treatment resistant depression". I was one of the few lucky ones who received the only treatment for it, a vagus nerve implant. You see, TRD is actually not a mental illness, in and of itself, but a faulty vagus nerve, of which I had, will mimic the signs of depression, lethargy, etc. After I received the treatment, my life took dramatic changes.

Though I am still labeled "disabled" by many, I have found that the Internet has leveled the playing field. I say that a bit facetiously and with a bit of sarcasm, because, during my "depressed state", I was keenly aware of the discrimination targeted my way, though those who were being discriminating were not aware of my awareness. I guess they thought people with depression or any disability don't have awareness or intelligence. We do.

So I thought it was the end of the world when my work days in corporate America came to an end.

How would I ever survive on disability? I did. One learns to adjust. But there are some painful growth moments in that adjustment. But it was all worth it.

With extra time on my hands, I learned to "nearly master" the Internet. I started a cartoon project with no money, Londons Times Cartoons which in less than a decade became the most visited offbeat cartoon site on the Internet (and still is). It's rankings keep growing and by the end of this month we will have had 9 million visitors within the past two years. That may not sound like much but for a cartoon site it is. Most cartoons on the Internet last from 3-6 months and the others are gone within a year.

I opened two cartoon gift mega-stores and six niche funny gift shops. Sales remain brisk. I have affiliates through my manufacturer 3drose, many of them on Amazon and they sell plenty as well.

I create all sorts of products with my cartoons on them; greeting cards, t-shirts, jogging suits, mouse pads, coffee mugs, beer steins, wall and desk clock, baseball caps, and, you name it, we make it.

All this is due to research on the Internet and making phone calls. Oddly enough, a disabled person, and that person is me, can write a lucid, professional email, talk on the phone professionally, create a social network and blog professionally, and write articles, hopefully professionally. The old boy network, who was once so involved in keeping a stigma attached to depression and/or disability is out of the picture now. I have no excuses anymore not to succeed. I deal with people who want me to succeed, and it helps them succeed.

When I create a new cartoon product, I generally create at least ten new jobs from artistry, to manufacturing, to drop-shipping, to heat press digital reproduction, to courier, etc. And I do it all
from my home.

Oh, and this disabled person (that is, me) finished three years of business college online, at an accredited university at age 52. I am 53 now and plan to return next year to finish and go for an MBA.

Again, on the Internet. Why waste time with people who are more concerned with "labeling" me so as to put parameters on my limitations, than those who know me just as a person and helping me succeed.

I am not saying a depressed or disabled person should hide behind his or her computer all day, I spend plenty of time interacting with people, handing out business cards, going on talk shows, and doing as much as I can in the public.

Labeling is a bad thing. Have you ever noticed that a person with a mental illness or physical disability is the only person labeled by his illness or disease? If a person has cancer, we don't say "He's cancerous", or if a person has diabetes, I've yet to hear, "There goes Mr. High Blood Sugar!". But if a person has depression, 100% of the time "He/she's depressed" or "has depression" or "mental illness". That usually puts an end to the conversation as the stigma remains and many don't want to know much more. That is ashamed.

It might do them good to go to some of the famous people with depression websites such as
[http://www.geocities.com/coverbridge2k/artsci/famous_people_depression.html] , or http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/illstandbyyou/famous.html . I am always surprised to see my name on each of the pages. There are hundreds of them; simply Google "famous people with depression". My name sits right there usually next to Abraham Lincoln or Elton John.

So you see, depression is considered a disability. But when you read the names on these websites and see who is or was depressed, it truly makes you wonder, first, why there is such a negative connotation attached to the label, and secondly, why the label even exists.