Depression is a very common condition. Approximately 15 percent of doctor’s office visits are depression related. This is also the most prevalent serious illness primary care physicians treat. One out of 10 American adults is afflicted with major depression and more than 15 million Americans are diagnosed every year as clinically depressed. The World Health Organization predicts that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, and its researchers estimate that 121 million people currently suffer from it.

Some of the symptoms of depression are the following:

1. Feeling hopeless

2. Difficulty making decisions

3. Sometimes numb (no emotion at all )

4. Easily agitated, irritable or angry

5. Easily tired

6. Feeling guilty and terrible

7. Unable to sleep at night or excessive sleeping

8. Disturbing thoughts

9. Crying

10. Excessive weight gain or excessive weight loss

11. Abuse of children or violent towards loved ones

12. Inflicting self-injury

13. Negative self esteem

14. And the list goes on…

Many of the illustrated symptoms of depression can actually be symptoms of loneliness as well. Depression is a condition which many people are too embarrased to talk about.

Due to the historical stigma associated with the disorder, it remains a silent topic.

Depression can be caused by a number of things. It can be caused by a sudden, life-changing event such as loss of a beloved one or an illness. The condition can also gradually develop over a long period of time due to a number of factors, such as poor living conditions, poverty, environment, relationship problems or unemployment. Depression is also linked with personality traits, genetics or abnormal levels of certain hormones such as low thyroid hormone levels.

Whether it be physical, environmental or genetic, there are many ways depression can be defeated. Depending on the person and the condition, one or more of the below treatment methods are more or less preferred.

1. Suitable and recommended medication

2. Proper nutrition

3. Appropriate herbal treatment or other natural treatments

4. Hormone treatments

5. Exercise

6. Cognitive behavior therapy (thought-behavior connection)

7. Change of situation wherever possible (e.g. bad relationship, job, etc)

8. Counseling or forms of psychological treatment

9. Relaxation therapies

10. Mindset and thinking patterns

The key is a holistic approach and the use of more than one of the above listed methods to beat depression.

Depression and Loneliness

Depressed people tend to suffer in silence and isolate themselves from the outside world. When you are depressed, you feel less motivated to go out, make contact, socialize or participate in activities, or doing anything at all. Days, even weeks can go by without wanting to see anyone or talk to anyone and this aggravates feelings of isolation. Often depressed people do not want to talk about their problem or simply feel misunderstood.

Similarly, prolonged and intense feelings of loneliness can lead to depression. Treating the symptoms of depression is likely to resolve the problem of loneliness. If the reasons of loneliness are well understood (this requires some soul-searching and questioning oneself) and if methods of overcoming loneliness are applied, it is very likely that symptoms of depression will become less or disappear.

Beating depression or loneliness does not start with having more friends, or a relationship, although it can help. It really starts from within and is a process that takes time and care. Asking the right questions and doing the right things as part of this process is one of the keys to healing. Humans go through life in patterns by doing the same thing over and over again. Even in different situations, these patterns will be repeated and simply generate the same results. A pattern is a repeated response to a situation in life or a series of activities that are repeated over and over again. They are formed by what we have learned from the past, what we know now, what we feel comfortable with and what our beliefs and values are. If any of these remain unchanged we become “fixed” in our ways. That’s why many of us have a hard time making lasting changes. The challenge is to break a pattern and gain new, life-changing insights.

So begin with yourself, ask yourself the questions to help you understand where your depression and loneliness is coming from and start interrupting your patterns that have been limiting you now and in the past.

by Sommer Watts-23690 This article has been written by Sommer Watts, Qualified Practitioner in Naturopathy, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine and Counseling. She runs a busy clinic in Brisbane, Australia and is the author of the book “Overcoming Loneliness”- based on her experience of people she treats suffering from loneliness and depression. The book can be downloaded from www.OvercomeLoneliness.com

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Irritable or angry: this quite often is the most common result of depression and might play out as being grumpy, hostile, easily frustrated or experiencing frequent outbursts of anger.

Vague aches and pains: headaches, stomach aches and other such complaints that do not seem to have a physical or medical cause can indicate that your teen is depressed.

Sensitive to criticism: While some sensitivity to criticism can be normal, a teen who appears overly upset is likely suffering from depression. Depressed teens often have low self esteem and self worth, making them more sensitive to rejection and failure.

Withdrawal from friends: Teens are likely to maintain some friendships while staying actively involved with others when they are depressed. Adults, on the other hand, tend to withdraw completely from family, friends and acquaintances. One sign to watch is when your teen drops old friendships and starts up with an entirely new crowd, especially if the crowd has different views than your teen.

It is crucial that teen depression be treated early to prevent serious and perhaps permanent problems. Left untreated, depression can lead to these 10 outcomes.

1. Low self esteem, triggered by feelings of worthlessness, failure, and inferiority.

2. Eating disorders including bulimia, anorexia and binge eating.

3. Problems at school resulting from low energy and difficulty concentrating. Watch for low grades, poor attendance, and lack of patience to complete schoolwork.

4. Running away is one cry for help by teens who are depressed.

5. Substance abuse (alcohol and drugs)

6. Self injury including various kinds of self-mutilation such as burning, cutting, hair pulling are sure signs of depression.

7. Other addictions including computer games and Internet surfing as an escape mechanism.

8. Violence becomes predominant in some depressed teens, which is based in self-hatred and hatred of others that can lead to homicide.

9. Dangerous or reckless behavior covers such things as binge drinking, unsafe sex, reckless driving and other careless behaviors.

10. Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are exceptional cries for help. Depressed teens who think of suicide will make death-related comments and talk of killing themselves. It is imperative to get immediate help for any teen or talks of suicide or death wishes.

by Sylvia Dickens Discover the underlying causes that trigger teen depression. Sylvia’s new ebook, “Understanding Adolescence: A Guide to Teenage Depression & Suicide” fills in the details, including the biological changes teens experience as they transition between childhood and adulthood.

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The cases of Depression increase every year and with all the Anti- depressant medicines available in the market, who would have given a thought to a simple swimming animal? Beats me, but the best part is that you don’t have to consume a kilo of oily fish a day to get the Fish Oil Health Benefit. Thanks to technology and pharmacology you can now purchase them in drug stores, encased in soft gel capsules, easy to shallow and very much beneficial to your health. Now, that’s much better!

The reason behind the mass production of this oil is because of its many health benefits, including the prevention and reduction of cases of depression. In the United States alone, 1 in 18 individuals are considered to be depressed that’s about 14.4 million people. Imagine all of them taking anti-depressant drug therapies, group sessions and other anti-depressant activities but never really finding the right solution. Although Fish Oil is very beneficial, there are still limitations to what it can offer specially to a person with known allergic reactions to fish, which is too bad. But the incidence of having fish allergy is much lower compared to how much Fish oil can benefit a lot of people just by its inclusion in the diet. Fish Oil basically increases the serotonin, which is responsible for regulation of depression and impulsivity. Medicine would tell us that DHA is concentrated in the brain. This fatty acid is the one responsible for all the brain activities and impulses that’s going inside however, the sad truth is, we cannot manufacture DHA and that’s why we have to get it through another source. So it is just right to say that once DHA level in the brain goes down so does our mental health. And we have to supplement it in order to fully function. Depression is and can be a sign that your DHA level is going down, so don’t wait for it to occur.

In conclusion, Fish Oil Health Benefits does not only help reduce the occurrence of Depression. It is also a good treatment for other mental health like Bi-polar disorders, Schizophrenia, Manic-depressive Disorders and even Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. These, of course, are all proven through research and study. Plus a wide array of different health benefits from fish oil, so this doesn’t stop here.

By Raymond J King

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Antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft have been prescribed regularly to help ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. While they have had positive results in addressing symptoms, they also carry serious side effects including nausea, headaches, sexual dysfunction and even suicidal feelings. Antidepressants can also be very addictive, making it difficult for patients to stop taking them once they have started.

Treating depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders is all about restoring proper brain chemistry. When the hormones, neurotransmitters and other chemicals in the brain become imbalanced, this is when you begin to feel anxious and depressed. In order to effectively treat depression, then, it is necessary to restore the proper balance of brain chemistry. While traditional medications can help in this regard, they are by no means the only answer.

One of the most effective methods for treating anxiety and depression is through the use of natural remedies. Based on ancient healing principles, these remedies use a special blend of herbs and other 100% natural ingredients to improve mental equilibrium, foster a sense of well being and improve self esteem. And because they are completely natural, they carry no serious side effects and are not at all addictive, making them safe for people of any age.

Some of the herbs used in these natural remedies, chosen specifically for their ability to help individuals with chronic negative or fearful feelings, are St. John’s Wort and Passion Flower. St. John’s Wort is widely used to control mood swings and is considered the primary natural tool in helping people who feel anxious and depressed. It can help to reduce feelings of sadness and anxiety and promote a sense of well being. Passion flower works as a natural nerve tonic, producing a sense of relaxation and calm necessary to counter feelings of anxiety.

Of course, you should never start any treatment plan without first talking to your doctor. Together you can work out the treatment that will be right for you. As with any illness, a natural approach to maintaining good emotional health should also include a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and the proper amount of sleep.

If you feel anxious and depressed you’ll also want to consider taking steps to relieve stress, as stress can be a major contributor to emotional illness. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can help to balance mind and body and allow you to feel calm and peaceful.

Anxiety and depression can seem devastating, but there are steps you can take to control them without exposing yourself to the dangers of traditional medication. Talk to your doctor today and consider taking the natural approach to healing and wellness. Your whole body will thank you for it.

By Laura Ramirez Laura Ramirez is a health writer, advocate and advisor. Learn more about dealing with feelings of anxiousness or depression by going to her web site at www.holistic-natural-remedies.com.

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All right, maybe it does last for a few days, but perhaps you’ve just lost a loved one, so you’re bound to feel miserable. But it isn’t just the way you feel. Let’s have a closer look at the symptoms of depression. They’re common enough emotions and feelings and because of this, there can be a lot of confusion regarding diagnosis. So the question; ‘Am I stressed or depressed?’ becomes valid.

• Exhaustion On Waking
• Sleep Disrupted
• Unpleasant Dreams
• Waking Early, Can’t Sleep Again
• Hobbies Less Interesting
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Energy Improves Throughout The Day
• Anxious, Worrying, Intrusive Thoughts
• Become Emotional For No Reason
• Short Tempered, Irritable

A good example would be someone suffering from Bipolar Disorder, or Manic Depression. They may become anxious and irritable, show a lack of interest in their hobbies and have trouble sleeping. All of these symptoms are the same as depression.

Now, if this person’s mis-diagnosed as having depression, when in fact they have bipolar disorder, and they’re prescribed anti-depressants in the category of SSRIs, then they could easily flip into mania.

Stress is another condition that on the surface could be mistaken for depression. People suffering from stress find it difficult to concentrate, they can be irritable, have varying degrees of anxiety and become emotional for no reason. Again, all these symptoms fit depression.

One of the main things to remember is that depression isn’t just another mental condition mixed in with a whole plethora of other mental illnesses which affect people to a greater of lesser extent.

Clinical depression is the world’s number one mental disorder and the second most disabling condition in the world after heart disease. And the problem’s growing.

This is one of the reasons why it’s so vital to write about it, to bring it out into the open, so that people come to understand exactly what it is… and not to be afraid of coming forward and seeking treatment if they think it’s a condition from which they’re suffering.

It’s necessary, too, to explode all the myths and half-truths that are perpetrated, knowingly or unknowingly, upon the public as a whole.

One quick and singularly alarming example. The FDA has recently approved yet another treatment for depression. It’s called ‘Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation,’ and consists of powerful magnets used to stimulate the parts of the brain that affect mood.

Dear God, dear old Mesmer was playing around with magnets two and a half centuries ago!

By Mike Bond I do hope you’ve found some value in this article, and I respectfully urge you to visit my website, where you’ll find a whole lot more information. Grab two excellent downloads, too, simply by clicking on The Hypnosis Attraction

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Release the pent up thoughts and emotions that come with depression: Often with depression comes anxiety. Anger and negative thoughts bombard your mind minute by minute, you feel trapped in thoughts that no one will understand. Some of the thoughts maybe to personal to discuss. A journal is generally kept private it is the perfect place to vent and release any pent up emotions you have.

Try it you’ll feel better.

Take a look In the mirror: Write about yourself, who you are, what you think, what you have done and why. This gives you a good look at yourself, exposes places you can improve, uncovers those places where the negative thoughts hide, and the ones that darken your mood.

More importantly, learn about your good points. When you’re depressed you feel worthless, and don’t see your good points. Find your good points, look deeply and congratulate yourself daily for being good. Look for accomplishments and learn to pat yourself on the back.

Safe place to hang out: Your journal is a safe place to hang out. Draw, sketch, draw funny cartoons and make funny observations of the world around you, let it all hang out. Escape the realities of life for a few moments, enjoy. have fun.

Where you were, where you are: By continuing to write in a journal, you’ will be able to identify behaviors, thoughts and feelings that bring you down and those that bring you closer to recovery.

By Greg R Johnson Greg Johnson was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder 15 years ago and suffered the consequences for his entire adult life. After years of failures, Greg finally achieved stability, happiness and a positive outlook on life. Read more about his journey to stability and tips and advice at: http://www.depressionhelpandinformation.info/

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Sounds unfair right? Well, men have the reverse situation in what comes to the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is dopamine that gives us pleasure and energy in a sense of keeping us interested, excited, motivated, and focused on something.

This biochemical realities can start to explain some common scenarios within a relationship. For example, often after a stressful day of work, men want to just lie on the coach and watch TV, while women continue to work around the house. The men has run out of all of their dopamine, but they have plenty of serotonin. They are happy, but feel completely tired, unfocused, unmotivated, and uninterested. The women who can’t stop working have plenty of dopamine, but no serotonin. They are completely unhappy, but they still have energy and feel focused enough to get tasks done.

But the point is this. The key to a woman’s happiness is by helping her to produce more serotonin. So if you are a man (or a woman), here is what can you do to help stimulate and produce more serotonin in a woman’s body.

First, cook her a healthy natural meal. Some foods that help produce serotonin are high in B-vitamins (like brown rice, chicken, corn, eggs, green leafs, legumes, meat, nuts, peas, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast), Calcium (almonds, brewer’s yeast, green leafs and cruciferous vegetables, fish with bones, sesame seeds, tofu), magnesium (green leafs, brown rice, sesame seeds, shrimp, salmon) and tryptophan (turkey, soy foods, peanuts, almonds).

Essential fatty acids necessary for serotonin production are the omega 3′s (fish oils found in mackerel, salmon, sardine, tuna; walnut oil, flax oil) and 6′s (canola oil, chicken, eggs, flax, grape seed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, turkey, wheat germ oil) as well as Gamma-Linolenic Acid (black current oil, bluegreen algae, borage oil, evening primrose oil).

However, what might be a good idea also is to involve her in to the cooking process, especially if she enjoys it. There are not many things that produce serotonin more powerfully for women than men actually physically working and toiling for her in her direct presence. By cooperating with her as you two make the meal for her (make sure she feels that you are doing all of this for her) her brain will immediately start rewarding her with more serotonin. Also talking and sharing while you are cooking together will also produce more serotonin in her brain. So as you two are cooking together, ask her questions about her day and draw her out and get her to talk. This will further boost her serotonin levels.

Make sure she feels comfortable to snack in the process as you are cooking. You want to help her raise her blood sugar levels as soon as possible. The sooner her blood sugar levels rise, the sooner her serotonin levels will rise. There is no point in asking her to wait until the food is ready, especially if she is hungry. So feed her as soon as possible.

By the end of your meal together, she should be glowing with happiness, especially if you have been listening and been happy to help her:)! And by the end of the night if you have played your cards right, you should be too:).

By Mikko Kemppe Mikko Kemppe has personally studied health, nutrition and relationship from his mentor Dr. John Gray. To learn more about how to produce serotonin naturally, visit: http://www.serotoninnaturally.com

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The brain chemistry of depression and anxiety is not fully understood. However, evidence suggests that people with these disorders have an imbalance of neurotransmitters, the chemicals in the brain that enable nerve cells to communicate. One of these neurotransmitters is serotonin. An imbalance in serotonin may be an important factor in the development of depression and anxiety.

SSRIs work as follows:

•Serotonin is released from one nerve cell and passed to the next. In the process, some of the serotonin released is reabsorbed by the first nerve cell

•SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin into the first nerve cell

•It is this blocking action that causes an increased amount of serotonin to become available at the next nerve cell

Lexapro has been proven to be an effective treatment for depression. In controlled studies, it significantly improved the symptoms of depression for many patients.

In clinical trials in depression, the number of people who stopped taking their medicine due to side effects was about the same for people taking Lexapro at 10 mg per day as it was for those taking a placebo (sugar pill).

Lexapro is generally prescribed for the acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depression Disorder (MDD) in adults as well as adolescents aged 12-17. It is also used for the acute treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults.

Lexapro should not be taken by patients that are already monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs are a class of powerful antidepressants that are typically only prescribed when other classes of antidepressant drugs have failed. This is to their potentially lethal interaction with certain diets as well as other medications the patient might be taking. Lexapro shoud not be used in combination with an MAOI or within 14 days of discontinuing one. Nor should any MAOIs be taken within 14 days of discontinuing Lexapro.

Lexapro should be used with caution on patients with severe renal impairment and/or diseases that alter metabolism or hemodynamic responses. For pregnant women or nursing mothers, it should only be used if the potential benefits justify the risk to the fetus or child.

The most frequent side effects reported with Lexapro are nausea, insomnia, problems with ejaculation, drowsiness increased sweating, fatigue, decreased libido, and anorgasmia(difficulty achieving orgasm during sexual intercourse).

Patients taking Lexapro typically have mild to moderate side effects which tend to go away with continued treatment. One study of patients taking 10-mg of Lexapro showed that these side effects usually do not cause patients to stop taking Lexapro. In that study, only 4% of patients stopped taking Lexapro due to the side effects, as compared with 3% of the patients taking a placebo.

The symptoms of depression are varied and the severity changes with time. And, according to experts depression can be an inherited disorder, or caused by life threatening illnesses, or stress. Other causes are certain diseases, medicines, drugs, alcohol, or mental illnesses. Women are seen to experience depression more than men and this is attributed to hormonal swings, menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, pre-menopause, and post-menopause.

Common symptoms are:

1. An unshakeable sadness, anxiety, or emptiness.

2. Overwhelming hopelessness accompanied by pessimistic feelings.

3. Extreme guilt, feelings of helplessness, and no sense of self worth.

4. Loss of energy, a slowing down of metabolism, and activity levels. Being plagued by constant fatigue.

5. A sense of helplessness along with an increasing inability to focus and indecisiveness.

6. Loss of sound sleep and development of extreme insomnia.

7. Inexplicable weight loss or weight gain. Triggered by loss of appetite or eating binges.

8. Brooding and suicidal inclinations.

9. Irritability, short temper, as well as restlessness.

10. Physical afflictions like headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain for no particular reason.

If you experience any of the above along with a marked change in behavior do consult your doctor. He will give you a thorough examination to rule out physical causes for depression as well as any underlying medical problems. Then if required he will recommend that you consult a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Take matters in hand and try and erase negativity from your mind. Cut out from you life terms like exhaustion, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Change your life by setting yourself a few goals. Try and relax, meditate, and enjoy music. Start new activities that absorb your time as well as interests. Go out and meet people and participate in group activities. Avoid the company of negative people. Make up your mind to enjoy a movie, ballgame, family outing, picnic, or trek. Be positive, self confident, and have faith in yourself. Faith is itself a great healer. Decide to change your world for the better. However do follow the doctor’s advice. Treatment can include: anti-depressant medicines, psychotherapy, as well as lifestyle changes. In extreme cases electroconvulsive therapy or light therapy are prescribed.

If your depression escalates or you are suicidal seek help from your family physician or health care provider. Do call a local health department, a community mental health center, or hospital or clinic. Someone will extend a helping hand and talk you through the crisis.

2. A regular fitness regimen may help to treat depression, including walking or a leisurely jog. Experts believe that walking for 30 minutes each day may help to ease stress and anxiety, which often lead to depression, and may also improve cardiovascular health.

3. Find a hobby that you enjoy. If you have too much time on your hands, consider volunteering at a local hospital or becoming involved in some type of community activity that offers you personal satisfaction and enjoyment. After all, busy hands are happy hands.

4. The loss of sleep is one of the leading causes of stress and anxiety, which are directly related to depression. In order to improve the quality of your sleep, make sure that your mattress is comfortable, along with your pillow. It may also help to keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature so that you can sleep soundly through the night without being disrupted by hot or cold temperatures. And finally, the use of portable air filters will help to remove allergens in the air and will leave your room with a feeling of cleanliness. This may help to ease allergies, which often disrupt sleep and can lead to anxiety throughout the day.

5. Consider the cause of your depression and try to remove it from your life. Whether it be a job or a relationship, you may be able to effectively eliminate the depression by getting away from the cause. If your work is stressful because of the amount of hours spent on the job, consider cutting back on overtime in exchange for more enjoyment at home and with family. If your schoolwork is too demanding, consider evaluating your courses and which are most important for your education. If a relationship is what has you in a rut, consider a counseling session for couples or talk with your partner about whatever it is that’s troubling you. If the problem is too great to work through, consider some time apart to reevaluate your relationship and see if the depression eases after a trial separation.