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5 Reasons To Not Let Depression Control You Anymore!
Family - It can be very vexing to loved one's when you are depressed. On one hand they want nothing but the best for you, but on the other they sometimes get frustrated and wonder why you can't simply snap out of it. It can be particularly hard...
Avoiding Depression
Can you really avoid depression? Is there a way that you can get rid of this awful disease that seems to be taking over your life? For many, the only way to rid their bodies of depression is by taking medications and getting therapy. Both of these...
How To Beat Depression
How To Beat Depression By ElmerFizz http://www.elmerfizz.com Depression can come on us at any time of the year. Sometimes, holidays are the worst times for those that feel this down-in-the-dumps fear and worry and things just seem...
How to Spot Potential Depression or Bipolar Disorder
Is it Moodiness or a Mood Disorder? How to Spot Potential Depression or Bipolar Disorder Step aside, ADD and anxiety—mood disorders are fast becoming the most talked-about illness of the decade. From sitcom characters and celebrities to everyday...
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEPRESSION
What does depression mean to you? Depression is a very serious mood disorder that can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, social status or ethnicity. Depression is an illness that affects your body, mind, disposition, sleep and...
 
Depression: Nothing to Sneeze At

How common is depression? So common that it is thought of as the common cold of mental illnesses. However, this is not to understate the severity of depression which is one of the leading indicators of suicide. By some estimates depression costs the country a staggering $43 billion dollars a year in costs resulting from medicine, hospitalization, lost work days and reduced productivity. One in six of us will experience a major depressive episode in our lives and 15 million Americans are suffering from depression at any given time.

What causes depression? There are a great many possible causes for depression. Frequently, depression is caused by an organic (chemical) or physiological cause. Possible organic causes include food allergies, heavy metals, prescription drugs, illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Depression can also be caused by preexisting physical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies.

How do you know if you have depression? Depression can be broken into at least two categories major depression also called unipolar depression or mild depression, which is also referred to as dysthmia.

Major depression is determined by therapists to be present when a person has five of the following symptoms: Poor appetite accompanied by weight loss, or increased appetite accompanies by weight gain; insomnia or excessive sleep; hyperactivity; loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities or decrease in sexual drive; loss of energy including feelings of fatigue; feelings of worthlessness; reduction in one’s ability to think or concentrate; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Some symptoms of mild depression can be similar to those of major depression. Therapists will diagnose a person as having mild depression if at least three of the following symptoms for at least two years: low self-esteem or lack of self-confidence; pessimism; hopelessness or despair; lack of interest in ordinary pleasures and activities; withdrawal from social activities; fatigue or lethargy; guilt or ruminating about the past; irritability or excessive anger; lessened productivity; difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

How does western medicine treat depression? A number of drugs have been developed by western medicine for the purpose of treating depression. These drugs include tricyclic antidepressants (Amoxapine, Amitriptyline, Trazodone and Mirtazapine), polycyclic antidepressants (Imiparamine, Desipramine or Protriptyline), or most commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Fluoxetine, Nefazodone, Sertraline or Parozetine). Other drugs such as Venlafaxine which increases serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and Bupropion which increases catecholamine reuptake are also used for depression. Most drugs are prescribed to increase chemicals in the brain that are low in people who are depressed.

What are the natural remedies for depression? Natural medicine


practitioners frequently prescribe botanical medicines for depression. The best researched of the botanical medicine for treating depression is St. John’s Wort. The studies done to date have shown that St. John’s Wort is just as effective as anti-depressants for treating mild depression and that patients report greater satisfaction and fewer side effects then with anti-depressants. Ginkgo bilboa has also proven effective for treating depression in both human and animal studies. Exactly how Ginkgo bilboa works to treat depression is not known; however, the most likely reasons are that it impacts serotonin levels and that it is a powerful antioxidant.

Homeopathic medication that is frequently used for depression includes Anacardium, Arsenicum album, Aurum metallicum, Calcarea carbonica, Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla, Staphysagria, and Sulfur. The exact remedy is chosen by matching a person’s individual symptoms with the remedy.

Counseling is frequently employed in the treatment of depression. Of the counseling techniques available, one of the most useful for treating depression is Cognitive therapy. In this type of counseling the counselor works with the patient to restructure the thought patterns of the individual. Important in treating depression are how the person thinks about such issues as failure, mistakes, and personal deficiencies.

Other natural therapies may treat hormonal imbalances including hypothyroidism, and adrenal functions. Treating these and other hormonal imbalances can clear up depression. More information on these conditions can be found on other pages of this site.

Can you prevent depression? Self-care is highly important in warding off and preventing reoccurrence of depression. Important factors include diet, lifestyle and nutritional supplements.

Lifestyle changes may be in order. People suffering from depression should decrease, or better yet discontinue, alcohol consumption as alcohol is a depressant drug. They should begin or increase exercise to increase levels of endorphins. And, they may want to discontinue or reduce intake of caffeine.

Diet changes should include an increase in fruits, vegetables, grains and raw nuts and seeds all of which are fiber-rich. Avoid any foods which are triggering allergies.

Some supplements to consider include folic acid and vitamin B12 (800 mg /day each) which are frequently deficient in people with depression; vitamin B6 (50 - 100 mg / day) which is essential for the brain to make serotonin, and omega-3 oils which are important in the composition of nerve cell membranes.

Natural medicine offers many ways to deal with the possible underlying organic and physiological conditions of depression. Consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended as they can assess your condition and create an individualized treatment plan.


About the Author

David Westbrook writes for such fine websites as http://www.healthcraz.com and http://www.automedicine.com

 

Welcome to Depression.com
Facts about depression, including how to manage it and how to live with this medical condition.
www.depression.com
 
NIMH: Depression
Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more ... Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women. ...
www.nimh.nih.gov
 
NIMH: Depression
National Institute of Mental Health presents a comprehensive series of articles on symptoms and management. Includes booklets of personal accounts and ...
www.nimh.nih.gov
 
Clinical depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder) is a state of intense ... By definition the symptoms are not as severe as with Major Depression, ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Great Depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Great Depression was an economic downturn which started in 1929 (although its ... The Great Depression ended at different times in different countries; ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Dr. Ivan's Depression Central
This site is Internet's central clearinghouse for information on all types of depressive disorders and on the most effective treatments for individuals ...
www.psycom.net
 
Depression Screening Test
Answer a few simple questions to determine if you are experiencing depressive symptoms. Provides a referral list and information on depression.
www.med.nyu.edu
 
MedlinePlus: Depression
From the National Institutes of Health; Depression (National Institute of Mental Health) ... Select services and providers for Depression in your area. ...
www.nlm.nih.gov
 
Welcome to depression-screening.org
Most people with depression, however, do not seek the professional help they ... The depression-screening.org web site is sponsored by the National Mental ...
www.depression-screening.org
 
iFred - International Foundation for Research and Education on ...
"This book can help those directly and indirectly touched by depression. ... iFred Brings New Hope to Depression with Thousands of Sunflowers ...
www.ifred.org
 
Depression information and treatment
Information about depression, depression treatment, and facts about depression.
www.psychologyinfo.com
 
Depression
Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer.
www.kidshealth.org
 
Depression Alliance web site with information about depression ...
Information about the symptoms and treatment of depression from Depression Alliance, a UK charity for people with clinical depression and anxiety.
www.depressionalliance.org
 
WebMD Depression Health Center - Learn the symptoms of depression ...
Articles, links, and resources for sufferers of depression.
www.webmd.com
 
Depression - Information and Support
THE starting place for exploring Depression. Support forums, links, articles and more.
depression.about.com
 
beyondblue: the national depression initiative
Australian organisation provides information about depression to consumers, carers and health professionals.
www.beyondblue.org.au
 
Using EFT for Depression, Teen Depression & Clinical Depression
EFT's results for all forms of depression are often astonishing. In most cases the depressed feelings vanish or are materially reduced within a few minutes ...
www.emofree.com
 
Depression
The website for Depression. ... Please note that Depression is comprised of backfile volumes. Volume 4, Issue 2 (1996). Articles in this Issue: ...
www3.interscience.wiley.com
 
Depression - MayoClinic.com
Depression is more than just a bout of the blues. Fortunately, treatments are available.
www.mayoclinic.com
 
Mental Help Net - Depression (Unipolar)
Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health ... Fortunately, there are many highly effective treatments for depression today that ...
mentalhelp.net
 
 

 
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