3 Symptoms of Major Depression

How does major depression differ from depression? Major depression is classified as a person having 5 or more symptoms of depression in 2 weeks. This is accompanied by changes in sleeping or eating habits. For the three symptoms read further.

If symptoms are exhibited there are screening tests that can be done to further conclude the diagnosis of Major Depression. Nobody is immune from this, but it is reported that women are more prone to get this form of depression compared to men.

Three symptoms to watch for are

1. Fatigue or Lack of Energy.


2. Trouble sleeping or the opposite to much sleep.


3. Withdrawn, remove themselves from social activities they otherwise would attend.

There is no need to expand on these symptoms, they are self explanatory. The causes can be anywhere from a small incident that triggers an extreme response up to a chemical imbalance that triggers extreme emotional behavior. In either case this is a very serious condition that requires attention.

The most extreme way of relief is suicide. As we know many people with depression have taken this route. Pills and drugs can temporarily calm a situation like this down, but long term the drugs can actually be more harmful. To further complicate the matter the health plans of today are trimming back benefits. They are also overloaded and can't always give the individual the care needed for a depressive condition.

If you rule out a chemical imbalance for the cause then you can look at the emotional side. Somewhere HOPE was lost in the persons mind. Depression and hope are opposites. Filling the gap when someone losses hope is depression. The longer this condition is allowed to go on the deeper the roots go.

It is imperative to attack this as early as possible.

Depression - The 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Depression

1. Is depression a mental illness?

Depression is a serious, but treatable, mental problem, not a personal weakness. It is very common, affecting 10 percent of the U.S. population at anytime. All of us can relate to having the "blues". Clinical depression, also called "major depressive disorder" , is a more serious medical illness that needs professional diagnosis and treatment.

2. Do children get depression?

Children are subject to the same factors that cause depression in adults. These factors are changes in physical health, life events, heredity, environment and chemical disturbances in the brain. One amazing statistic is that it is estimated that 2.5 percent of children in the U.S. suffer from depression .

Children who are depressed experience changes in their behavior that are disruptive to their normal lifestyles, thus causing trouble with relationships with friends, schoolwork, special interests, and family life. This may be misdiagnosed by ADD and OPED.

3. Can lack of sleep cause depression?

No. Lack of sleep alone cannot cause depression, but it can definitely make the depression worse. The ongoing inability to sleep also is an important clue that someone may be depressed.

4. Are there any alternatives to the traditional treatments for depression?

The definition of alternative methods is any treatment or technique that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition. Alternative therapy comes in many varieties. Included are everything from diet , exercise, mental conditioning and lifestyle changes. Some of these have been effective for treating depression.

Examples of alternative therapies include acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, light therapy, massage and many others.

5. How can you determine if an illness is causing depression or depression is causing an illness?

Illnesses that can lead to depression are major and chronic, there often is long-term pain or a sudden change of your way of life i.e. being able to take care of yourself. Depression causes illness in a different way. It can weaken the immune system limiting your bodies ability to fight against colds, flu and infection. This may cause an illness to last longer and intensify its symptoms.

6. I've heard lots of warnings about drug interactions with certain depression medicines. What are they?

MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are effective antidepressant medicines that have been used for years. Normally prescribed for people with severe depression, MAOIs improve mood by increasing the number of chemicals in the brain that pass messages between brain cells. MAOIs have been proven to work just as well as other antidepressant drugs, but they have more possible food and drug interactions.

Medicines to avoid when taking MAOIs include Prozac and Paxil and certain pain medicines including Demerol. There also are some cough medicines and blood pressure medicines that must not be taken.

Foods to avoid when taking MAOIs include aged cheeses and meats, avocado, pickled or smoked foods like sauerkraut or meat, and foods that include yeast extracts like beer and wine.

7. Why are women more likely to get depression?

Women develop depression twice as often as men. One reason may be the various changes in hormone levels that women experience. Depression is common premenstrual syndrome (PMS), during pregnancy and menopause, after giving birth, suffering a miscarriage, or having a hysterectomy. These are all times when women experience huge fluctuations in hormones.

8. Do most people with depression commit suicide?

Most people who suffer from depression do not attempt suicide. According to the National Mental Health Association, 30 percent to 70 percent of suicide victims have suffered from some form of depression. These very strong statistics point to how very important it is to seek professional treatment for yourself or someone you love if you suspect depression. Depression is very serious. It is something that should be closely monitored. It is typical for a person suffering from depression to think he is feeling better to think he is "cured". This can lead to very serious consequences.

9. Will someone who has had depression get it again?

Having experienced depression does put a person at greater risk for future episodes, but not everyone who has recovered from depression will experience it again. Sometimes depression is triggered by a major life event or illness or a combination of things particular to a certain place and time. Getting the proper treatment for the correct amount of time is crucial. Don't listen to your head it is your worst enemy.

10. How long does depression last?

Various types of depressive disorders can last for years. A major depressive episode is a set of symptoms that last for more than two weeks and may last for months. Seasonal depression, or SAD, usually extends throughout the winter months and continues to improve during spring and summer. This form of depression is helped with light therapy in which I will go into in depth in the up coming series.

Bipolar disorder is characterized as "ups" (periods of mania) and "downs" (periods of extreme depression). Although these phases may change rapidly or slowly, bipolar depression may last until an effective treatment is found. What that means in a nutshell is everyone I know suffering with Bipolar disorder is on medication for the rest of their life trying to cope with this disease.

This means always monitoring the results of the combination of medications you are taking because you build up an immunity to them. This means taking a "new" medication suggested by your doctor. A doctor once explained it to me "If you had diabetes or a heart condition would you take your medication everyday?-- Yes! Well you are in the same boat. You are suffering from a chemical imbalance and you need to take your medication or you may slip into a depression that me or medical science can not bring you back from. We would lose you and you would lose any concept with reality."

Clinical Depression - A Quick Guide

The term clinical depression, also called major depression refers to a medical term for any type of depression that needs some sort of treatment in order to alleviate it. Doctors also tend to use it as an umbrella term to cover various forms of depression. Clinical depression is a rather serious medical condition that can affect anybody. It can affect not only a person's mood and thoughts, but also the person's physical being. In other words it can affect the total person. The symptoms of this disorder include loss of appetite, insomnia, guilt, feeling extremely sad and thoughts of suicide. Other signs sometimes include the inability to concentrate and finding it difficult to make decisions. There are some instances when a degree of depression is to be expected, for example when a person has been diagnosed with cancer, which is of course, understandable.

So, of course it follows that when a diagnosis is carried out, any underlying causes must be thoroughly investigated. In the case of children with clinical depression it is essential that they are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, as it can have a detrimental effect on a child's schooling, home life and interaction with their peers. There are a variety of ways to deal with clinical depression and the expert opinion is that the best form of treatment is by using antidepressant drugs in conjunction with a course of psychotherapy. The encouraging news is that with the correct diagnosis and course of treatment, clinical depression can be alleviated, with even the most serious cases usually responding to the correct treatment. As always if you have any concerns about yourself or anybody close to you, please consult a qualified professional.

Quizzes As Diagnostic Tools - Am I Stressed Out?

We have seen that stress is at the root of all troubles, particularly in triggering anxiety and depression. The following quiz would help you find out whether stress has become part of your life style yet. Answer the quiz with 'YES' or 'NO'.

1. Do you see the negative side first or exclusively in everything you do?

2. Do you often feel completely overwhelmed by seemingly insignificant incidents or tasks?

3. Do you find yourself experiencing sudden mood changes over which you have no control?

4. Do you feel the compulsion of eating something all the time, though you are not hungry? Alternatively, do you feel repulsed by the sight of food? (answer the question that applies to you)

5. Do you find that in spite of your best efforts there is nothing that you find motivating enough to make you get up from the bed in the mornings?

6. Do you find that you are mentally and physically crippled until you have a cup of coffee in the morning?

7. Do you experience back, neck or joints pain?

8. Do you find yourself suffering from persistent cold and flu often?

9. Do you find that sex does not excite you anymore no matter what?

10. Do you suffer from digestive disorders such as bloating, absence of hunger or voracious appetite, gas and the like?

11. Have you developed of late high or low blood pressure?

12. Do you find that all the weight seems to accumulate around your waist while your hands, legs, neck and face remain thin?

13. Do you experience sudden lower back pain?

14. Is cholesterol present in your blood?

15. Do you often feel the urge to drop everything and run away?

16. Do you systematically cut yourself from those who love and care for you, and prefer to live in isolation?

17. Do you feel suicide is a good way out from the present situation?

18. Do you find that your memory is playing tricks on your once too often?

19. Do you feel guilty about everything that goes wrong around you?

20. Do you find that you are unable to think clearly on any particular (and loved) topic or situation? Everything seems surreal?

If you answered 'Yes' to 2-5 questions - you are okay, leading a very balanced life

If you answered 'Yes' to 6-12 questions - you are experiencing the first signs of stress, which unless checked, would lead to health problems.

If you answered 'Yes' to 13 -20 questions - you are definitely stressed out and need to take a careful look at your present life style and take concrete steps towards reducing stress.

Remember, the root cause of almost all health problems today can be traced back to stress. It is very important that you find ways to release tension and stress else you would be walking on a path of sure self-destruction. As mentioned earlier, stress can cause serious health problems including autoimmune diseases, infertility, heart problems, circulatory problems, mental disorders and respiratory and skin allergies.

Very often the first signs that you are exposed to more stress than you can handle are flashed through feelings of anxiety. This should act as an alarm for you; this is a time when you need to identify the stress inducing factors and introduce measures to minimize their effect on you. The following quiz would help you recognize anxiety even in the earliest stages.

Short And Long Term Effects Of Depression - Get The Facts

1 in 20 Americans suffer from depression, so it's important to know the short and long term effects of depression. Read on to find out more about how the short and long term effects of depression may be affecting YOU.

• 1. Common short term effects. In most cases sufferers will experience the following symptoms - loss of energy, loss of enjoyment and enthusiasm in life, loss of short term memory, listlessness and lethargy, find concentrating difficult, inability to show affection. In extreme cases people have suffered decreased sexual drive, which has resulted in male impotence and cessation of periods in women.
  


• 2. Long term effects on your health. If you don't get help, both short and long term effects of depression can have devastating effects on your health. In the worst cases sufferers have experienced the following... worsening of short term depression symptoms, chronic fatigued, constant aches and pains (psychosomatic), increased susceptibility to illnesses, weakened immune system, agoraphobia and panic attacks (anxiety).
  


• 3. The short and long term effects of depression on your emotional state. If untreated your emotional state will almost certainly suffer. In the worst cases sufferers have experienced the following... not wanting to leave the house, no longer wanting to take part in social activities or seeing friends, lack of sexual drive and affection, which can cause strain on relationships, no longer taking pride in appearance, self harm and suicide attempts.
  


• 4. How to lead a healthy normal life. It is easier than ever to live with depression. There are so many options available, all you need to do is find the right one for you. Medication has helped changed some suffers lives, allowing them to avoid the short and long term effects of depression and to live normal healthy lives. Medication is not always the answer but it can be a great way to regain control over your life. Counselling and therapy will help you to come to terms with your depression and give you greater understand and control.

I hope I have helped you better understand the short and long term effects of depression and realise that you don't have to suffer from these effects. There is a lot of support available, so you no longer deal with depression alone. For more information, help and guidance on the short and long term effects of depression click on the links below.

Bipolar Test for Children

If your child has been displaying signs of Bipolar you may want to see if your doctor will perform a bipolar test that will confirm the diagnosis so you can begin treatment immediately. Bipolar is a form of depression that can make it difficult for a child to predict and control their attitude and bursts of anger. Everyone who suffers from depression may not have bipolar disorder and the symptoms for bipolar are similar to other conditions. How will you know if your child does have bipolar?

Is your child having uncontrollable mood swings that they tend to have no control over or may demonstrate high irritability and intense excitement? Your child may also display an excessive amounts of energy or low levels of energy, unable to concentrate or focus on anything, and behavior that can turn violent.

The bipolar test is something that you don't want to put off if you suspect your child has bipolar. Beck depression test is one test. Is a test to help evaluate the state of mind of an individual. It also measures the severity of the condition of depression. This test has twenty-one multiple choice questions that the individual must fill out. This test is best for ages thirteen and up due to understanding the questions. Each question will have four answers and will be rated from zero to three. This bipolar test is not the most accurate test and does have several disadvantages to it.

There are other bipolar tests your child can take in order to rule out or to diagnose bipolar disorder. Before choosing the right bipolar test for your child his or her doctor will want to study their background to see if there were any signs of bipolar from previous behaviors. Your child's doctor will look for signs such as a sudden withdrawal from certain programs or behaviors, any depression symptoms, chronic fatigue or low energy levels, or any change in eating habit. The doctor will then take the information they gather and form a professional opinion and order further bipolar tests to determine what may be wrong and where to go from here.

Once a bipolar test or a series of bipolar tests have been cleared and confirmed, the doctor will then begin treating your child's bipolar disorder. Treatment will be determined based on the severity of the depression. Treatment may include new socialization skills, medication, therapy and counseling, and more.

Psychosocial therapy may address the social dysfunction one may experience when suffering from bipolar. Learning how to socialize again is vital to learning to live with this condition. It may also include cognitive behavioral therapy which defines why someone suffers from bipolar. It addresses feelings of rejection and learning to deal with self-criticism which can and will cause depression that leads to bipolar.

Medical therapy includes certain anti-depressant medications that can make feelings of bipolar more manageable.

Dyslexia and Depression

I can certainly see the possible link between dyslexia and depression.

Samuel T. Orton, M.D. was one of the first researchers who talked about emotional problems connected to dyslexia, including depression disorder, especially among children and teenagers.

What usually happens is that before school and before learning to read these children have relatively happy life. As soon as the learning starts and they realize that they can't read as well as other children and the distance between them and their friends is getting bigger, the stress, depression and anxieties build up and their self-esteem plummets.

Interestingly enough, girls tend to succumb to depression more, while boys practice aggression and denial.

It's very important to recognize very early that your child or pupil is dyslexic and to treat them differently. A lot of parents and teachers would think that the child is very bright but call him or her lazy and inattentive not even realizing how hard the child is trying.

I've got a friend who is suffering from bipolar disorder, and who's been getting depression therapy for quite a long time. His therapist came to a conclusion looking back at his childhood that a lot of his mental problems started in dyslexia.

People don't exactly realize how many problems and insecurities you can develop at an early age if you are dyslexic. Let's see:

- Problems with social interactions as other children think you are not smart enough;

- Fear of making a mistake. You are likely to become a perfectionist and feel unhappy unless everything is up to your very high standards;

- Problems with oral language which doesn't help your self-esteem especially in your teenage years;

- Difficulties with remembering right sequence of events or words in a sentence, consequently when such children remember what happened and talk about it, they may tell the story differently every time and are called pathological liars.

- Dyslexic performance varies from good days to bad days, some tasks they will do perfectly well and some they can not accomplish.

These are just some of the "perks" of this condition.

It is with a certainty you can say that depression, anxiety and anger are constant features in life of a dyslexic.

That's why it is very important from an early age:

1. To detect the dyslexia.

2. To help your child to understand the condition and what they are good or not good at.

3. To help them to achieve real goals not perfection that they are striving for.

4. If they are good at something, encourage them to teach it to other youngsters. It does marvels for their self-esteem.

5. And keep listening and encouraging them to express their feelings.

As usual I'm very interested to learn of your experiences, so please, share and take care, guys!

Depression and Religion

Religion is a big part of our life, so it's inevitable that researchers would link it to depression disorder.

As far as I can tell religion works both ways as a trigger for depression and as depression help or even as depression deterrent.

As usual it all depends on the circumstances of an individual person.

For example, research from Ohio State University indicates that teenagers who follow some sort of religion and attend religious services are more likely to feel depressed than their non-religious counterparts. They feel more guilty, disconnected and anxious. The scientists explain the reason for this easily enough. Religious teenagers feel torn between how they are supposed to behave according to their faith and what they need to do to fit into modern culture.

This is especially true for sexually active girls, who are more likely to feel guilt about their behavior than boys.

A research from Temple University suggests that people who are already depressed may try to find their religion to use it as coping mechanism. Religion for them can act as depression therapy.

Religion brings comfort, support and feeling of security; it invites you to be a part of a strong community at a time when constant human contact is vital for your recovery.

Those people who already have their own strong beliefs feel spiritually centered and less likely to become depressed. I think faith can do you a lot of good if you came to it by yourself, not decided to be part of certain religion because of some cultural and societal pressures.

Great thing about religion is that it provides the feeling of acceptance and forgiveness no matter what happened. If you learn to accept what you can't change and to forgive others and most importantly yourself for some past mistakes this will go a long way towards preventing your depression.

Of course, most of the research I've come up with was centered on Christianity, but I think it's safe to say that Buddhism might be a great depression deterrent as well.

As a matter of fact, MBCT (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) which is used to prevent a relapse in patients recovering from depression came from Buddhist meditation. Recent study in Exeter University in UK shows that among people who use MBCT 47% relapse into depression comparing to 60% of those who are on antidepressants.

This sort of meditation teaches you to detach yourself from thoughts which make you feel sad; after meditation you receive a cognitive therapy session of subtle questions and answers.

So, the conclusion is what I said in the beginning. It all depends on the individual. Some can find help through religion; others can experience a major trauma, question their faith and see their whole system of beliefs fall apart.

I would love to hear from anyone who had some sort of positive or negative experience of religion affecting their depression. So, please share your story with us!

How to Survive Depression - Anxiety

If you feel yourself sinking into a depression after your life has been turned upside down, you're not alone. Approximately 20 million American adults suffer with some form of depression every year. The good news is that depression and its symptoms are treatable.

Educate yourself about the signs so you can help yourself or be ready to help a friend. The most common symptoms are feeling sad, hopeless or helpless, a disruption of sleep, constant fatigue and an inability to concentrate, losing interest in everyday activities and having suicidal thoughts.

Here are some things to know and do if you're feeling anxious, sad or completely overwhelmed and unable to move forward. If your friend or loved one is struggling with depression, these things can empower you in helping them take the next step.

1. Try not to label yourself. Words like depressed, terrified, overwhelmed carry a huge load on them. They then create a slippery slope of behaviors and emotions. Just tell yourself you are human and you are feeling a lot of hard stuff right now, but it's not permanent and it's not who you are. Yes, you can feel all of this-sad, hurt, angry or fearful...let the emotions come and go, just don't let yourself think they've found a comfortable home.

2. Find the right therapist or medical professional to talk to. If you think you can benefit from therapy or a doctor's opinion, get a referral, make an appointment and be honest about how you're feeling. Find out if your insurance will cover the expense and ask if fees can be charged on a sliding scale to fit your budget. If you can't afford what's offered research other options, like speaking with a social worker affiliated with a local hospital, finding out what help might be offered at your job or even a through a religious organization in your community. Find someone who might have already been through the situation you are in. When it comes to dealing with depression, getting help sooner is always better than later.

3. Assemble your support team. Doctors and therapists aside, the most valuable support you can get right now is from your friends, family and the people you interact with daily. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'd be surprised how many people are ready to do whatever it takes to stand by your side; they just need to know what to do. Also, don't be shy about calling your friends or partner out about a change in their behavior-it's the right thing to do when you care about someone. Though they may shut down, keep the lines of communication open. They need to know you're there to listen when they're ready to talk.

4. Take care of the basics. In stressful times people often overlook their most basic needs. Remember SEED: sleep, eat right, exercise and drink plenty of water to help keep your body strong as you face depression head on. Research has shown patients with depression tend to have low levels of folic acid, a vitamin found most abundantly in leafy green vegetables. Plus, boosting your intake of vitamin B6 and omega-3 fatty acids may also improve your mood. Foods rich in omega-3, like salmon, flaxseed and omega-3-fortified eggs may increase the neurotransmitter activity in your brain, thus brightening your day.

5. Express yourself. When you're experiencing such a broad range of emotions it's important not to keep them bottled up. Getting each feeling off your chest in a constructive way will help you and those around you better understand what you're going through. Consider keeping track of your thoughts and reactions to daily events in a journal. This might be something you want to share with a partner, friend or therapist at some point, but for now it's just for you. You can also make note of the things you are grateful for each day. Over time, a journal can help you see how far you've come and that you can move through feelings of depression into healthier thoughts and emotions.

6. Give yourself a boost. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. If you haven't exercised in a while, just try a 10 or 15 minute "workout." This can be as simple as a walk around your block or playing with your pet or child. Gradually work your way up to 30 minutes a day for three or more days a week. According to a Duke University study, depressed patients who exercised regularly experienced mood-lifting effects similar to patients who were taking Zoloft, a popular antidepressant.

7. Practice positive thinking. Deepak Chopra says we have something like 50-60,000 thoughts a day and that 90% of them are negative. Practice replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Tell yourself "you can" and then really believe it. If you stay focused on what you believe you can become, you'll slowly notice your feelings and emotions changing for the better. Embrace hope and realize it's possible for you get through this.

8. Turn down the volume on stress. Experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest that chronic stress can put people at a substantially increased risk of depression, anxiety and many other emotional difficulties. Reducing stress in your life by avoiding stressful situations or using relaxation techniques can help you deal with depression. Experiment with different relaxation techniques like guided imagery, listening to music, meditating or taking a long walk in nature. Yoga, massage and deep breathing can also be helpful.

9. Do good. Volunteerism has been shown to improve health. By diverting your brainpower from your own thoughts to those in need, you're avoiding that constant self-examination that often occurs with depression. Plus, the sense of gratitude and goodwill you feel when you help someone is priceless. You might even find yourself laughing more, so go with it! A daily dose of laughter can boost your immune system, ease your depression and increase the production of the hormone serotonin, your body's natural antidepressant. But that's not all: it provides tension release, cognitive stimulation and distraction from anxiety and worry.

10. Live your life in the present. Depression can make you dwell in the past or obsess about your future. Do your best to remain grounded and focus only on what's happening today. No matter what, reassure yourself that you're doing the best you can. If you suddenly feel blue after a week of feeling better, have patience and realize that it's just a temporary setback that you will get past.

For more information about Dealing with Depression, read our article, visit with our experts or sign up for 30 days of email tips.

*The information here is not intended to replace that of medical professionals.

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Marijuana and Depression - Is it Time to Quit Smoking Marijuana?

There is much controversy surrounding marijuana and depression. Some people say it helps the depressed to get rid of the symptoms if they smoke weed, other people claim that marijuana just adds to their illness. I wanted to write this article to let you know what happened in my case as I used to be a depressed marijuana smoker.

It seems like it helps.

When you're depressed, you really don't care about much. You don't even want to do anything or see anyone. I remember there were times in my life when I didn't even want to leave my bed. I know, it sounds scary and strange but it's true. You really lose the drive for life.

As you probably know, weed makes some people very happy, and to be honest with you, when you first start smoking it, you actually feel that it's helping you a bit. You start to regain the desire to go out and actually do something productive. You start looking at the world in a more positive way...

Then the dreadful day comes...

Unfortunately, after using weed for a long time you start to feel that marijuana and depression build on top off each other. The more you smoke, the more depressed you get, which obviously causes you to smoke even more. It becomes a vicious circle.

What's more, if you smoke enough, you can't really perform all that well. All you do requires a lot of effort and it just seems like your general ability to do things is much lower than it used to be before you started smoking. I know this sounds wild, but again, it's true.

You can regain your ability to function properly!

So, speaking of marijuana and depression, I don't think weed is a very effective way to fight depression. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It might seem like you're doing better at first if you smoke, but then after some time things get much worse than they were before you first started.

Of course, I can't make you to do anything. After all, it's your life and you're responsible for it, but I would like you to at least consider becoming clean. When you do, it will be a great achievement that will definitely make you feel great about yourself and might even serve as a basis to getting rid of your depression all together. This was my path, and I am enjoying my first winter, without the winter blues!

Dealing With Depression

Most individuals wage a silent war against depression without the knowledge of the rest of the world. Classified as a burgeoning problem that has crippled a chunk of the world population in the new age, depression is a mental disorder that should not be taken lightly. As debilitating and heart-breaking as this disorder is, it can be overcome by making a few simple - albeit radical - changes to one's lifestyle.

For starters, most people suffering from depression tend to exhibit low levels of serotonin in their brain. This unbalance of 'happy-hormones' triggers waves of mood swings or solemnity that is not easily cured by traditional medication. However, eating and sleeping right has proven to alleviate the symptoms of depression according to miscellaneous research resources. Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining the core body's function and processes. Consumption of food and drinks rich in vitamins and minerals, especially B12 (cobalamin) such as shellfish, beef liver, fortified soy products, fish oil and even spinach on a daily basis has proven to exert positive effects on the brain and central nervous system, which is often afflicted in severe depressive cases.

Acquiring a restful day's worth of sleep with a minimum of eight hours per day also helps the body repair and regenerate itself, and essentially allows the brain to attain some much needed rest and relaxation. Insomnia or aberrant sleep patterns scrambles the levels of 'good' and 'happy' hormones in the brain, and more often than not, can lead to severe bouts of depression in the long run. Therefore, attaining some much needed rest and sleep is critical in making sure the body is kept at an optimal condition.

Of course, acquisition of proper nutrition and sleep might stave off certain symptoms of depression, but will not be the ultimatum in combating the disorder itself. More often than not, proper medication and therapy is required to resolve depression in the long term. Enlisting the help of a trained psychologist or psychiatrist to aid in the treatment of depression is probably the most crucial course of action. With the bevy of breakthroughs in the medical field occurring almost daily, clinical disorders such as depression can now be treated more effectively and efficiently with the utilization of specific drugs.

Common drugs that are used to treat depression include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, also dubbed as SSRIs. Since Serotonin is the main chemical compound responsible for the feelings of euphoria and overall happiness in the human body, these drugs selectively block the reuptake of these hormones in the brain, thus allowing them to circulate for a longer period in the body. This in turn allows a depressive individual to feel 'happier' and be less prone to feelings of despair and sadness.

Although drugs might provide a quick biological fix in the brain, most depressive individuals harbor underlying psychological issues that can only be corrected with intense therapy coupled with rigorous counseling sessions. In this case, only a trained psychologist or psychiatrist must step in to render their services. Probably the most effective mode of therapeutic treatment for depression is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which helps depressive individuals correct their perceptivity and way of thinking, thus reducing the chances of a depressive relapse.

Besides this, strong emotional support is also appreciated as well. Friends and family play a key role in ensuring that they stand as sturdy pillars of emotional support for their depressive brethren. Individuals with depression may also seek out support groups both online and in the local vicinity. It is always helpful to have a shoulder to lean on, and with proper support, guidance, nutrition, sleep, therapy and medication, these radical lifestyle changes can aid in conquering depression once and for all.

Emotional Breakdown - Depression and Bipolar Disorder

What is emotional breakdown?

Diverse life difficulties lead to changes in behavior and mood of people. It is important not to confuse changes in behavior caused by such difficulties, and signs of more serious problems. Changes in behavior and mood are causes for serious concern when they are lasting, radical and hinder coping with everyday life.

Emotional breakdown (disorders) is too strong emotional states that a person cannot control and that lead to problems in school, work and family life.

Emotional disorders are treatable. It is very important time to seek assistance in the early stage, not only in order to not suffer in vain, but because without treatment, many emotional disorders are renewed and strengthened with time. The two most common types of emotional disorders ( emotional breakdown - commonly used term) are depression and manic-depressive illness (Bipolar Disorder).

What Are Signs of Depression?

People with depression almost constantly have depressed mood. They can experience the following symptoms:

• Permanent sad or anxious mood or feeling of inner emptiness


• Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism


• Feelings of guilt, low self and the feeling of inability to change anything in their life


• Loss of interest in what previously enjoyed, including loss of interest in sex


• Loss of energy and motivation, a sense of "slowness"


• Problems with concentration, memory and decision-making


• Insomnia, waking up too early or too long sleep


• Significant changes in appetite and weight


• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts


• Increased anxiety or irritability


• Physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems and chronic muscle pain

What are the symptoms of manic-depressive illness (Bipolar Disorder)?

The exact cause of most mental illnesses are not fully investigated. In general, mental disorders are the result of a combination of genetic and other biological factors and factors as education and environment. The interaction between biological factors affecting human behavior, and the environment is extremely difficult. The brain affects human behavior and interaction with the environment affects brain development. The serious life difficulties, such as immigration or the death of a loved one, can contribute to the development of emotional disorders.

How is Emotional Breakdown (Mood Disorders) Treated?

Effective treatment begins with a correct diagnosis. In most cases, in addition to psychiatric consultation is necessary to consult with a physician in order to prevent physical diseases that can cause similar symptoms.

Treatment usually consists of psychotherapy or drugs. Often a combination of medication with psychotherapy is most effective. In combination with medication, psychotherapy helps people to focus on violations in interpersonal relations and the negative way of thinking, often associated with depression.

Where can I get help?

If you or your family member develops symptoms of emotional disorder, consult your physician and ask for referral to psychiatric consultation and treatment.

The fact of contacting a specialist in mental disorders do not have any negative social impacts, since the rights of patients is strictly protected by law, and treatment is confidential.

You or a family member may be eligible for psychological assistance from the City Plan for Mental Health. The city has free hour phone on which experts can answer your questions in your own language. List of available services and their phone numbers can be found on the pages of your local phone book, set aside for public services.

Depression and Toxic Relationships - 6 Signs Your Relationship May Be Causing Your Depression

Depression is common and may be caused by a multitude of factors. These can include unresolved past trauma, grief, current life stresses, and/or brain chemistry issues. One factor, however, that is often overlooked is the impact of toxic, emotionally and psychological abusive relationships on depression. Being subject to a hurtful partner day in and day out destroys confidence, self esteem, and joy. Here are 6 signs that your relationship may be causing your depression:

1. Your partner insults or puts you down, in public or in private. This may be blatant name calling, or it may be more subtle criticisms of what you do, who you are, and even your mental state or capacity.

2. Your partner attempts to control your daily activities. You may feel obligated to report all your doings to your partner, and feel as if you must defend or justify your choices. You may even get to the point of choosing activities specifically because you know that you will encounter less retribution from your partner.

3. Your partner tries to limit your access to work and to educational opportunities. This is a tactic that is designed to keep you dependent on your partner.

4. Your partner discourages or prohibits you from seeing friends and family. This may be a direct order not to go see someone, or it may be a more manipulative effort such as, "I can't believe you would choose to spend time with him/her/them over me." This strategy serves a couple of different purposes for the emotional abuser. It isolates you and affirms your partner's control over you, and it also reduces the opportunities for your loved ones to give you accurate and positive messages about you. You are also less likely to hear messages that criticize your partner.

5. Your partner implies non-physical threats for not complying with his or her demands. Once in awhile, your partner may commit a kind and generous act toward you, but this is not a sincere display of love, but a tactic designed to draw you back into the relationship. Once you are back under control, the emotional abuse begins again.

6. Your partner uses sex as a tool of control, manipulation, or domination. This may manifest as a demand for sex regardless of your wants and preferences, or it may be enacted in the opposite way, where sex is deliberately withheld from you in order to demoralize you and leave you feel vulnerable.

Post-Sex Depression - Are You Sometimes Sad After Sex?

Sadness, especially such deep sadness as depression, are definitely not known to increase sexual desire, arousal or satisfaction. In fact, depressed people often refrain from sexual activity. Men may find they are unable to become aroused and women may just avoid physical contact.

Some men and women have also admitted to feeling sad after a self-pleasuring sexual experience. Sometimes, for religious reasons, they may feel guilty. At other times, they feel inadequate and unloved if they don't have a partner to share those intimate moments.

However, most of us think that once we do get involved with a partner and engage in a sexual connection that we will feel good, feel satisfied., and feel emotionally uplifted. It turns out that 10% of women regularly feel sad after having engaged in sexual activity with a partner. This "condition" has even been given a name, "post-coital dysphoria."

A new Australian study, described in the International Journal of Sexual Health, found that 1/3 of the women claim to have felt depressed even aftet reasonably satisfying sexual activity. This study focused on college-age women but could apply equally to women and even men, of any age.

What could be some of the reasons for feeling sad after what is supposed to be a wonderful and earth shattering experience? What might cause someone to actually feel worse after having an orgasmic release?

• The researchers cited hormonal changes as the possible culprit, perhaps somewhat like postpartum depression, the depression that some women feel after giving birth.


• Many men and women have been raised with strict religious beliefs that sex is wrong, dirty, only for procreation,or only allowable wihin marriage.


• Couples may engage in sex to overcome deep seated emotional and communication problems.


• Some men or women are secretly involved in a private affair and have not revealed this to their partner.


• Sometimes the sexual encounter has been rushed, not taking time for adequate foreplay, sensual touching and full arousal.


• At times, one partner may stop the sexual connection before the other person has reached completion, leaving a sense of emptiness, longing or sadness.


• Some partners turn over immediately after sex to fall asleep, leaving the partner longing for contact, affection and after-sex communication.


• Some partners will just have sex to placate the other person, without actually having felt that original desire or arousal.

Feeling sad after a sexual experience is not the way it ought to be. If you are feeling unhappy after sex, talk it over with your partner. Explore what is going on between you that might be triggering these feelings. If you can't figure it out and your partner is unwilling to discuss it, then seek help. There may be a medical condition requiring treatment or you may have some unresolved self-esteem, body issues or relationship problems that might best be handled by seeking support from a certified sex therapist.

Depression and Intelligence

Sometimes managing depression can be a difficult task, and it's easy for someone battling depression to let their fears get the best of them. This is an illness that can cause someone to feel very alone, and beating it is not nearly as simple as some people may think. For years there have been a lot of speculation about the correlation depression has to intelligence. There are several books on depression and extensive research studies performed on this topic. In this article I will discuss more in-depth information I have found related to this study.

Based on the information I have gathered it is more a correlation between depression and creativity than it is between intelligence and depression. Creative people have a heightened emotional connection to the people and things that surround them, some of the greatest works were created in the midst of deep emotional turmoil. Research has proven that creative people are at a higher risk for depression because of their elevated emotional abilities, there are books on depression that explain this more elaborately.

Some researchers believe that depression and emotional maturity are linked. As individuals who have the ability to confront emotional issues with knowledge and maturity are less likely to become depressed. For a long time depression was known as melancholia, and it is the most well-known psychiatric disorder that goes back to the beginning of psychiatry. Learning how to battle depression will be essential to understanding it including medication, exercise, and counseling if necessary. There are books on depression that can aid you throughout this process, you just have to keep an open mind.

Often times statistical data is used to carry out this research which makes the findings more reliable, the larger the sample the more accurate the results will be. Intelligent individuals have a more complex mind so their focuses are more intense, and more inclined to become overwhelmed. There are many treatment options for depression and in most cases these treatments require a minimum of six months. Depending on the severity of your condition medication may or may not be needed, but most of the time these medications are not addictive.

In my opinion there is definitely a link between depression and intelligence, however being intelligent doesn't guarantee that you will suffer from depression. I am extremely creative and with this gift there comes great blessings, but it definitely comes at cost. It is important to stay grounded in the things that matter most to you, it will make all the difference. The more you understand this illness, the greater the chance you have at fighting it. One of the best books on depression I have ever read was an E-Book, and I continue to use it as a reference.

Fear and Causes of Depression

Causes of Depression

Have you ever wondered what causes depression? Perhaps you've received a diagnosis of depression and it made you wonder why some people get depressed while others do not.

Depression is a very complex disease and occurs for many different reasons. Some people get depressed as a result of a serious physical illness. Others may get depressed due to major life changes such as moving and leaving friends or death of a loved one, and some people have a family history of depression and may be obtained without any particular reason.

Cause of depression

What are the main causes of depression?

Abuse. Physical, sexual or emotional abuse in the past, resulting in depression later in life.

Certain drugs. Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta - blockers or reserpine, can increase the risk for depression.

Conflict. Depression can occur as a result of conflicts or disagreements with family members or friends.

Death or loss of a beloved. Grief and sorrow over the death or loss of a loved one, even though a normal part of life, can contribute to depression.

Genetics. It is believed that the tendency to depression partly genetically transmitted to the next generation, but the way in which this happens is still unknown.

Major changes and events in their lives. Even positive changes such as the completion of their education, getting a job or entering into a marriage can cause depression, and it can do and bad events such as job loss or divorce.

Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation or izbaÄ enje from a group in which you want to be.

Serious illness. Many serious physical illness can take away energy and make you depressed.

Addiction to alcohol or other harmful substances. Around 30 % of people with this problem and has severe or clinical depression.

Does biology to do with depression?

Scientists have found differences in the brains of people who are depressed and those who did not. For example, the hippocampus, a tiny part of the brain vital to preserving the memory is often lower in people with a history of depression. A smaller hippocampus has fewer receptors for serotonin ( a neurotransmitter that gives us a sense of calm and contentment ). In a game that many other neurotransmitters such as dopamine or norepenefrin.

Although it is not yet clear why depressed people have a smaller hippocampus ( there are several theories ), one thing is clear - Depression is a complex disease that is affected by many factors, and the study of biological and chemical processes behind the state of depression will come to more effective ways to combat this disease.

Depression - Checklists of Symptoms of Clinical Depression

The more common and easily identifiable symptoms of depression are:

deep feeling of sadness,

emptiness, and

hopelessness.

The other way to determin if you have depression is by how long these feelings last. If they hang on for longer that

a couple of weeks, then chances are you don't have "the blues" you have been afflicted with depression and what you

really need to do is go and discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

When we think about depression we have the habit of associating depression with the emotional symptoms of how we feel,

however, along with the emotional symptoms we do have physical symptoms as well, which can be equally debilitaiting.

Here are checklists of symptoms of clinical depression, both on the emotional and physical side:

1. Emotional

- feelings of sadness throughout the day and consistently every day

- lack of interest or no interest at all in your favorite activities

- feelings of hopelessness and/or feeling empty inside

- feeling stressed, nervousness, or entirely overwhelmed

- having a hard time concentrating and/or making decisions

- feeling worthless

- feelings of excessive guilt

- feeling restless and irritable

- thoughts of suicide or death

2. Physical

- no energy and feeling fatigue

- either not enough sleep or sleeping all the time

- changes in appetite and/or weight

- suffering from aches and pains

- suffering from headaches

- experiencing back pain

- problems with your digestive systems

- dizziness

This checklists of symptoms of clinical depression is meant for you to take notice and if you have these symptoms and go speak with

your family doctor. Once your doctor is aware of these symptoms he or she can help you understand

what depression is and from there talk

to you about the best treatments of

clinical depression for you.