I Knew S/he Was Crazy! Telltale Signs of Depression and Suicide in the African American Community

As a research scientist, I am asked what The Telltale Signs of Depression and Suicide are and befuddled, I say the usual, "search the web"! Since, I deal with diverse populations, many of the top search engines, especially health websites, are NOT always people of color's "BFF's". When explaining to diverse groups about the symptoms of depression and suicide, there are plenty of "yes, buts" or "what ifs" that countermand adherence to medical directives. These actions still occur even when a Nobel Laureate physician wrote the major symptom section for the DSM-IV revised!

I have personally witnessed on numerous diverse social media websites the grossly inaccurate information posted on them. I myself has been subject to ridicule and harassment. As a result, I am relaying and translating the societal and cultural nuances so that diverse laypeople all understand the key symptoms of depression and suicide. I am translating these symptoms for the African American community because I am African American and many people have come to me wondering if there is a way to identify these symptoms. Disturbingly, they may have lost a loved one to suicide and they wonder if there was anything more they could do to stop it. While reviewing top health websites for depression symptoms, I found there was a lack of cultural competency in explaining these symptoms. While it is clear that not ALL of these symptoms are seen in every case of depression or suicide, the key symptoms outlined in major online health websites do NOT translate with "any culturally nuanced depression symptoms".

At this time, I will not be listing what to do on how to manage these symptoms. I organized this "Translation Navigator" so that everyone is "on same page". I mean no disrespect to those who understand this information, but seriously, looking at the mental health disparities, something MUST be done for the lack of cultural competence described in my symptom review. Anyone using this information is for entertainment purposes only and cannot be used as a diagnostic. Moreover, it can complement a professionally licensed health care provider's directive, but it does not supplant or supersede any treatment plan by a licensed provider. Nor does it counteract against the written referenced material.

The Translator/Navigator

Culturally Competent Telltale Signs for Depression in the African Americans

• 
  The inability to concentrate often resembles forgetfulness This symptom occurs almost everyday and people who are depressed often forget important tasks, like missing due dates for bills, or forgetting to call key people like doctors. It is not the casual forgetfulness of losing keys or dementia like getting lost, or even Alzheimer's, which is VERY different! This forgetfulness is after a profound conversation/argument with the depressed person, and s/he STILL forgets to pay the cable bill!



• 
  Being fatigued or decreased energy If the depressed person goes to church Sunday at 11:00 AM, and then stops suddenly, to which s/he complains of fatigue or "I'm tired", when they did nothing physically strenuous, then it probably a depression. It is the dramatic shift in routine over a month.



• 
  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness These symptoms lack articulation by diverse depressed individuals. Moreover men do not discuss these feeling freely. If men say anything, it resembles blame on any perceivable target-usually the caregiver! Depressed women complain, whine, and then blame. Shortly, I will explain later how that resembles in diverse communities.



• 
  Hopelessness and/or pessimism Depressed individuals often have "sarcastic commentary" that teenagers are more than happy to provide whenever anybody makes comments. For example, when the caregiver says, "Let's go to the Beach, it is a nice sunny day!", a depressed individual would retort, "Why? To get burned by the sun!!!"



• 
  Insomnia or excessive sleeping: I have not noticed diverse depressed individuals to be unable to sleep unless they have an anxiety/PTSD or a mania, but I have seen sleeping all day for several days without being sick, or having that dark room, because light hurts. Depressed individuals often choose that darkened room during a sunny day rather than enjoying the outdoors--an active choice that is made.



• 
  Irritability or restlessness: Irritability often looks like whining and snapping at whatever is said. A caregiver could just say "BOO" and the depressed person combined with the feeling of guilt would bite the caregiver's head off for saying it. The restlessness is often combined with the forgetfulness. Watch when they cook. Request the depressed person to make lemonade from powder and s/he will get flustered by making a simple recipe. And remember, the behavior is not random; it is consistent over a month or two.



• 
  Lost of interest in activities once pleasurable, includes sex: This symptom is combined with the forgetfulness, fatigue, guilt, pessimism and excessive sleepiness symptoms. It could be any activity that the depressed person enjoys often as a tradition or ritual, and for some unknown reasons it is suddenly dropped! An example is, with the "holidays approaching" the depressed loved one for no reason, refuses to participate in an activity once thoroughly enjoyed. It is not because s/he has a new life situation, but the excuse is that s/he does not want to do it and is likely to berates it. Remember, the behavior is consistent over a few weeks and is not completely random!



• 
  Changes in eating behavior: What a depressed individual does is overeat a lot of carbohydrates (carbs, sugars, etc.): breads, cakes, chocolates, candies and sugar! Apparently, the medical aspects of depression feeds off of glucose in the brain, the full mechanism is unknown. Moreover, the meal is one time of day--all day and does not stop until sleep! Alternatively, what a depressed person looks like when his/her appetite is lost, s/he has failed to shop for grocery and all that is left is something indistinguishable, often the depressed person is living off of something bizarre like gum or rationalizes vitamin supplements as nutrition. Most of the symptoms mesh with each other, so this one is combined with forgetfulness, inability making decisions, helplessness and hopelessness. Moreover starvation through dieting can cause the insomnia...



• 
  Persistent malaise: A depressed person complains all the time about physical issues and when s/he chooses to see a primary care physician, only the immediate aches and pains are treated with drugs rather than the psychotropic medications due to health treatment limitations and standards of care. Meaning, if there is no adherence to these drugs, why force the patient to take them? Laboratory tests and manifestations cannot convince the depressed person of his/her ailment is depression. Remember this is another symptom that meshes itself with other symptoms, so if this one symptom is seen, then it is likely that others will be seen...



• 
  Persistent negative thoughts: A depressed person says as a complaint or whine that "nobody likes them" or any absolute statements: NEVER, ALWAYS, and NOBODY. Often seen as a judgment with accusations: i.e. "You should's" and "You must's" and "everybody's". The empty feelings look like a comatose person-especially when asked a simple question like "How are you going today"? The depressed person will respond with a shrug or say "I don't know" on a consistent basis. Remember, this type of symptom is meshed with the other ones. This symptom is a "trigger" symptom or a "red flag" symptom, meaning when you start hearing them frequently, more than 3 times overall, this is the time when the caregiver's antenna needs to be raised and attempt to get professionally licensed help!!!



• 
  Thoughts of suicide: I cannot emphasize this statement any stronger: when this comment is made, it needs to be taken seriously! Whether or not there is a plan: DO NOT TAKE THIS COMMENT LIGHTLY! DO NOT DISCOUNT IT! By the time, the depressed person vocalizes it, s/he has actually intensely rationalized it and has given serious thoughts about it, and now they are beginning to venture out really to get help on it! PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND THIS SYMPTOM OR TALK THEM OUT OF IT! PLEASE GET THEM TO PSYCHIATRIC CARE!!! This key symptom is the neurophysiological course of the depression disease. Literally, the brain is damaging itself due to the aforementioned symptoms. It is thought that all the symptoms meshed together overload the system and crashes the "logic centers" of the brain--somewhat like a computer hard drive crashing. But in this case the other organs actually attempting to save the body at the same time: such as the heart, the muscles, the stomach, the liver and the kidneys, plus many more. The organs try to override this "cerebral self-destruct" button. Remember, this behavior is not always night and day, or random, but it does not lessen the impact, please watch this behavior closely.

So please permit me to use some creative license and combine some of the warning signs to suicide that I have translated into culturally competent text from major online health websites:

There are some key symptoms that caregivers MUST watch and be vigilant with someone suffering from depression, especially as it relates to suicide! I cannot stress this enough the depressed individual is NOT about him/her being crazy or funny, this is about him/her suffering from a major medical neurophysiological disease like any other illness and requires professionally licensed care and treatment. Moreover, these are the telltale signs: These are the signs used when one does NOT want to say "if I could have done anything differently..." The way to think about this is the splinter in the tiger. The tiger by itself is a man eating animal, but when there is a splinter in the paw, the tiger writhes in pain and while you might think "it is not a big deal", because it is a man-eating tiger and usually it will kill itself or gnaw off its paw off to minimize the pain. If someone removes the splinter, it is thought the tiger is grateful and remembers that person always. Loving a depressed individual, like that splintered tiger, is perilous and as a caregiver it takes a team to support that individual, which a licensed provider must be consulted. Unfortunately, hospitalization cannot be enforced upon any unwilling mentally ill person who has not committed a crime or threat. However, a caregiver, can learn about the basic suicide symptoms described below:

• 
  Suddenly switching from very sad (depressed) to calm/appearing happy or tranquil: While obviously stated, this symptom often this looks like the depressed person has found "resolution" to his/her problem. Unfortunately it is committing suicide... Like a wrong answer game show buzzer--EHHHN--this inaccurate conclusion erroneously looks like a calm in the suicidal ideation depressed individual. One way to confirm one's thoughts are to ASK what his/her wants are. This is a question of autonomy, because it determines if a definitive decision has been made. If s/he has a formal plan with times and dates, get professionally licensed help immediately or call 9-1-1!



• 
  Always talking and writing about death: Listed as dressing in "Gothic paraphernalia", like always wearing black like a vampire... Seriously, this is probably the most egregious example of culturally incompetence I have seen in regards to understanding suicidal ideation and symptoms. To make this symptom culturally competent for African Americans, this often resembles when young people attempt to look like or live like "gangsters" or "thugs", with the guns, paraphernalia, and listening to "profane gangsta rap" or "thuggish" music and actually believing the lyrics are real. And the discussion looks like dark and dreary kinds of lifestyle, such as robbing people, misogyny, prostitution, and prison life, etc. This symptom meshes with another symptom as described later.



• 
  Having a "death wish"--taking unnecessary risks: such as running red lights... This symptom is another egregious example of missing the social determinants of health and the mental health disparity in diverse communities. In the African American community, especially for young men, running red lights is deadly in the United States, so that would not be something we would see often. The risk factors taken would probably be carrying a gun into a club as to protect oneself as an "unnecessary risk". The death wishes we have is getting involved in very dangerous activities known to ruin one's life and are self-destructive--which leads us to our next symptom



• 
  Substance abuse: Alcohol is a depressant, and some illegal substances, like marijuana and methamphetamine make irrational thoughts worse. Many people in our community abuse substances to self-medicate for their depression. It is a self-destructive habit. This is probably one of the single elements that is seen more in the African American community than others. The symptom looks over and beyond the normal consumption of these substances--a functional alcoholic or smoker, etc. And substance abuse treatment differs from depression treatment, while the two are intertwined inexplicably, first the addiction is treated then the mental health issue. More often than not most substance abusers RARELY get treated for their mental health issues.



• 
  Acting impulsively: Acting impulsively is doing something without thinking about it and letting the chips fall where they land--meaning if the depressed person dies, that will be where the chips landed... The depression symptoms are meshed with this suicide warning sign, such as guilt and hopelessness. It is reckless. One possibility is once they get that gun, what more will they do--such as robbery, going along with the violent crowd, rioting, killing people. The mentality is the suicidal person with erroneously thing that they have to see the end of this bad course of action.



• 
  Poor performance in school and work: Young people often have failing grades and it is known they are able to do the work. For adults, it accounts for massive sick days and absenteeism from work, lack of follow through on projects and missed deadlines. There may be some hostilities between the depressed loved one and co-workers. The depression symptoms seen meshed with this suicide warning sign are lack of concentration, fatigue and excessive sleeping.There may be others.



• 
  Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, writing/changing a will, giving away prized possessions: So many depressed African Americans feel they do not have anything, so changing wills is infrequent occurrence. This suicide warning sign resembles vandalism or destruction of property. The depressed person's thinking is "Since I have nothing to lose (hopelessness) and everyone thinks I am worthless (guilt, worthlessness), I will vandalize this property by graffiti or I will destroy this property by stealing/thievery of key items". What makes this illogical thinking occur in a depressed person is putting the affairs in order or tying up loose ends... This a suicidal warning sign shows the welcomed risk of arrest! As usual, this symptom travels with other depression symptoms as well as other suicidal warning signs like substance abuse or a death wish.



• 
  Feeling strong anger or rage: It has been told to me that depression is anger turned in on one's self. The anger people have is due to unresolved hurts and pains or experiencing what is perceived as a traumatic event. Some people casually say, "This is what is called life, deal with it"! Saying this statement to a depressed person is an abusive, insensitive, destructive and harmful comment, because it will tip them over from thinking about suicide to actually committing suicide. The heartless comment often is misconstrued by a depressed person who is already having inaccurate absolute conclusions and this comment causes the person who cannot articulate in his/her feelings to verify his/her self-worth through the "depression and suicidal lenses". What is seen is either the first suicidal warning sign of "listlessness" or "empty" feelings or an anger/rage unloading, often with crying. What causes this anger? I have a blog on anger as it is written from my bipolar POV at Crazy Black Woman

Remember, it should be noted that some people who commit suicide do not show ANY warning signs. So, loved ones may still feel, "I knew s/he was crazy, but..." And if caregiver's actively see these symptoms and want to help him/her, judgment does not help them either! What is optimal is professionally licensed care and treatment! A few pastors have qualifications for mental health care treatment. If a pastor says that ONLY prayer or telling one to just be saved cures mental health, that is HOLY UNETHICAL!

Many professionally licensed providers lack cultural sensitivity and could look "crazy" to you! Finding the what works for you is a personal choice. The key is to ask MANY DIRECT QUESTIONS, learn to navigate the mental health care system, and implement mental health and wellness goals! If that is of interest to you as a "diverse woman", please feel free to join us at SistahMentalHealth dot com and start your PQ Interest Questionnaire TODAY!

Depression Warning Signs You Should Know About

you ever experience feeling sad and lonely most of the time even without a reason? Chances are you are having a depression attack. You may not realize it, but it does occur. At times, it even mixes with situations, aggravating your feelings of depression. Stressing situations such as driving a car through traffic, failing to meet a deadline, missing an important opportunity at work can all be depression warning signs.

Feeling Sad and Lonely?

You may not be aware but lingering feelings of sadness may actually be a sign that you are afflicted with depression. For worse conditions of depression, stressful conditions may not be required to trigger a depressive mood. In this case, feeling depressed may be as regular as brushing your teeth throughout the day. The major problem is that it will surely have a negative effect on your day, in your work and even relationships with your family and friends.

Usual Causes Of Depression

To be able to identify the signs if you are indeed having depression attacks, you must first understand the causes behind such attacks and learn to relate them with the symptoms of depression. No one really knows the specific cause of a depression attack at any given time. But experts were able to pinpoint depression warning signs due to years of studies and observation.

Genetics

The genetic make-up of a person is said to be one of the depression warning signs and is the cause of about 80% of all depression cases. If depression lies deep in the roots of the family tree, chances are, one or more of the descendants will experience and be diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives.

In this case, the physiological relation of depression seems to have gained a foothold as the cause of depression. Other physical causes identified to be depression warning signs are hormonal changes in the body, especially in women during pregnancy and every menstrual cycle.

Aside from this, there is the so-called mental state of the person involved. There are many factors that can be identified that molds the mental state of an individual as he grows up to maturity.

Environmental Factors

Other factors that were found to have influence on the mental development of an individual are the environment, his life experiences especially the traumatic events, his relationships with his family and peers, and a low self-worth or self-esteem because of poor education and low income status.

Another depression warning sign is the family income and the level of education reached. Some experts claim that the poorer a family is, the more prone they are to experience depression. The same goes to a person with poor education. Generally, all the factors outlined that have an impact on the mental development of an individual are understood to happen simultaneously and together leaving impressions on one another like intertwined vines.

For example, a child from a low income family may be picked on at school, damaging his concept of peer relationships, which in turn, can lead to more serious bullying, and making the experience as a traumatic event and the list of events goes on and on.

Any one of these factors, which includes genetics, holds a key for the development of an individual. Both the physiological and mental development of a person seem to have a bearing as to the chances of him developing a depression attack in his lifetime.

Warning Signs

The causes presented above are actually depression warning signs. Every situation can only be defined as a trigger but they are not the root cause of a depression attack. Depression, when it is clinically diagnosed is a condition deeply rooted in the personal history of a person, his views and development are all part of the signs to watch out for in experiencing depression.

Of course, these are all based on statistics and they do not mean that an individual will necessarily develop depression just because he belongs to one or more of the groupings described above.

Bipolar Disorder - Mania, Depression Or Moody?

When we come across people who behave abnormal and indifferent, we generally call them mentally unstable or maniacs. Such condition is clinically diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder or manic depressions. Bipolar Disorder is most commonly seen in people who suffer from depression and loneliness. They express varied mood swings very often. In such conditions, they are either too mild refraining to talk to any one (feeling depressed) or get extremely wild (symptoms of mania) by inflicting an injury to oneself or harming others as well.

While reasons for Bipolar Disorders can be related to failures, losing a loved one, job loss etc., psychiatrists also affirm that it is hereditary as well. Patients suffering from Bipolar Disorder often express irritable moods, anger, wanting to stay aloof etc. If there is a history of such mania running in the family, preventing the person from getting into such a situation helps a lot. Assuring the person of full support from family and friends, helping him to come to terms with any failure or loss, can minimize the damage.

Bipolar Disorder can be cured with proper treatment - both medically and with alternative forms. However, family members should play a major role in helping the patient lead a normal life. He should be cared well and never be ignored. When the condition remains unchanged with mere medication, hospitalization is advised where the patient is observed day and night for 10 days for various psychiatric disorders. Doctors record the behavior pattern of the patient to start the next course of treatment.

In addition to constant medical attention, the behavior of people attending to the patient and the environment he is in plays a major role. Hence, hospitals treating such patients are located away from the city in a calm and serene locality. According to psychiatrists, Bipolar Disorder is a mania which can be cured slowly with proper care and attention.

Suicide Causes and Effects Are Linked to Depression - Depression Kills But it Doesn't Have to Be You

Suicide causes and effects are linked to clinical depression. In fact, the most recent data shows that depression is the number one cause of suicide. As a survivor of a parent who committed suicide I can at least empathize with other survivors. I know however, that obviously no one has the "same exact" feelings, but it is comforting to know you are not alone.

I did a search on Google today to know many times the search phrase "suicide causes" was searched. "Suicide causes" was searched a little over 10,000 times on a month or roughly 335 times a day. I was shocked to see other words being search about the subject (I will not reveal the keywords, a little disturbing, to me at least). So I decided to do some more research and here is some what I found...

Facts about suicide:

o 90% of all cases involving suicide mental illness is a factor.
o Over 65% of all suicides are males.
o Over half of "successful" suicides are done by firearms.

Here are some suicide signs and warnings that you are at risk (There is a link below for a more complete list)...

o Giving away prized possessions.
o Writing a will.
o No sense of humor.
o Dealing with an apparent "degrading" situation.
o Excessive guilt or shame.
o Acting irrationally and/or behaving extremely irritable.
o Being preoccupied with death or dying.
o Overly complaining of illnesses
o A dramatic change in personal appearance or neglected it. A
o Dramatic change in personality.
o Performing poorly at work or in school.
o Abusing alcohol or drugs.
o Inability to concentrate.

I am going to wrap up and relate what my counselor said to me years ago, while I was intensely struggling with my dad's death. "Francis" she said, "there is no need to make a permanent solution to a temporary problem." What truth that statement holds.

Second Chakra Balancing - Symptoms and Benefits

The second chakra is the one located on the sacral just below the navel, and it represents our emotions and sexuality with others. The flow of energy in this chakra can be described as something like the cohesive forces of attraction that governs chemical bonding. The sacral chakra, therefore, is concerned with our concept of attraction and the development of our relationships with ourselves and with other people.

It is where we develop flexibility and fluidity as the second chakra is generally responsible for the fluids in the body, most especially the fluids of the lymphatic system and the synovial fluids of the joints. The color of the rainbow that is associated with the second chakra is the color orange and the traditional symbol is the crescent moon, both of which represent our emotions and the relationships we build with others. The moon reflects the light that comes from the sun just as people often reflect and share each other's energies and experiences.

The chakra system is the energy center of our body that regulates our overall wellbeing. It acts as one entity and as a result, even if only one chakra gets blocked or becomes imbalanced, the whole chakra system is affected. This signifies the importance of keeping each chakra open and balanced. An open chakra leads to a balanced life and an overall sense of wellbeing.

When the second chakra is not open or when the energy that flows from it is not in balance with that of the other chakras, one can feel a huge burst of emotions and an obsession with sexual thoughts. A blocked sacral chakra can also lead to the lack of creativity, detachment from others, jealousy, guilt, oversensitivity, emotional dependency, and a poor concept of boundaries and limits.

When our second chakra is not kept open, we usually lose our attachment to our relatives and friends and we revert back to keeping everything to ourselves. However, the second chakra is also related to our feeling of self-worth and, therefore, a great imbalance and blockage of the second chakra could further lead to self-denial and self-deprivation of anything that makes us feel good.

Physical manifestations of an imbalanced second chakra also include chronic lower back pain, adrenal exhaustion, sexually transmitted diseases, and infertility. In worst-case scenarios, a blocked second chakra leads to the development of eating disorders, such as anorexia, and even manic depression.

To keep the second chakra open and balanced, we can rely on certain yoga exercises, color therapy, sound therapy, and energy healing among others. One of the easiest ways to keep the second chakra healthy is by using orange-colored clothes and having orange ornaments and decorations at home and at work.

One of the greatest benefits of having an open second chakra is having a great sense of physical gratification, emotional fulfillment, and creative expression. Having an open chakra allows for open and honest relationships with the people we love. It generally inspires a great passion for life, love, sex, and good food.

Bipolar Disorder and Relationships - Everything You Should Know

Bipolar disorder's symptoms, effects and complications can be quite varied. Fortunately, there are some ways in which you can learn how to cope with the highs and the lows of this disorder. However, for these things to work you need to be both consistent and conscientious. There are also some things that the people who care about you can do to help you keep this disorder in check as well.

Taking Bipolar Treatment Plans Seriously

One of the keys to navigating a relationship with someone who is bipolar is to focus on what you can control. This means that you will need to recognize that this disorder exists, making and adhering to treatment plans and minimize any trigger-associated reactions. All of these things are important because whenever bipolar is undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or untreated it can wreak havoc on everyone's well being.

Conscientiousness - Surviving Bipolar Ups and Downs

It is important to recognize the unpredictability of human emotions. Whenever left untreated or trying to self-treat bipolar disorder things can get even more unpredictable. Some people may turn to drugs and alcohol when the best thing that they could do for themselves is to abstain. At the same time, it is important to become educated about this disorder and the variables that affect it so that you will be able to take conscientious action.

Man vs. Manic Depression

You can easily become preoccupied with and anxious about the bipolar patient's every move if your thoughts and actions always revolve around them. While the patient may feel as though their feelings are beyond their control your self-respect and self worth shouldn't be battered by their uncaring acts and words. It will require some effort but a person with bipolar disorder can minimize the unpredictability of their moods by:

• Abstain from drugs and alcohol


• Take your medications as prescribed


• Meet with your doctor on a regular basis


• Maintain a stable schedule

It is also important to separate the person from their disorder. This can be difficult to do at times because a lot of patients will either over-identify or under-identify with their illness. In order to avoid doing either of these things you should:

• Bipolar disorder can be treated


• You can use your skills and strengths to minimize its effects on your life


• Your circumstances will pass


• Medication is only one of the possible solutions

Optimism - How To Find It, Keep It And Grow It, Despite All The Bad News

Heard any good news lately? With the release last week of preliminary findings of the Reuters/University of Michigan index showing consumer confidence at a 26-year low in April, it's lowest point since 1982, oil prices at all time highs, and even Federal Reserve Chairmen, Ben Bernanke telling Capital Hill that, "It now appears likely that gross domestic product (GDP) will not grow much, if at all over the first half of 2008, and, could even contract slightly", it's hard to find something positive about the economy. And, along with a flagging economy, this has been another year of a long costly and tragic war with an incredible toll of casualties and personal losses. Add this to the unusually extreme weather conditions, with flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, and the increasing reports of general violence and road rage, well, it can feel like there is not much reason to wake up in the morning.

It struck me as no surprise when I read in yesterday's newspaper that the most widely prescribed drugs in America are not for pain, cholesterol management, heartburn or hypertension, but instead for depression. According to the article, doctors last year in the U.S. wrote 232.7 million prescriptions for antidepressants, more that for any other therapeutic class of medications. This represents an increase of 25 million prescriptions since 2003 and translates into an estimated 30 million patients in the United States who spent $12 billion on anti-depressants in 2007.

Although the article goes on to site a number of studies which indicate that anti-depressants, while highly useful in cases of severe clinical depression, are far less effective for mild to moderate depression, even if we set aside the debate about inappropriate prescribing and over-prescribing, one thing is still very clear. A lot of people are feeling bad and they want to feel better. The trick is how to do it, despite the daily bombardment of negative information.

How can you build and retain your sense of optimism, both personally, and in your critical role as a leader and role model for others? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Go on a news "diet." No, I'm not suggesting that you bury your head in the sand, or stay out of touch with the world. At the same time, there is no reason why you have to repeatedly subject yourself to the same (usually bad) news throughout the day, Set limits on your exposure, change the station or the channel, set your computer and other electronic devices so that they don't present the news in your face every time you check in. If you don't already, consider not watching or not listening to the evening news last thing before you go to bed in the evening, or first thing in the morning. These are the times when your brain is most likely to integrate it into your dreams and your subconscious mind and to set the tone for the day.

2. Take the "long" view. Remember the economy, the weather, and many day-to- day problems tend to cycle. Remind yourself that this is expected and temporary and look for the learning and possible opportunities in the current situation

3. Get "smart" about the science. Note the references below to "Your Brain on Optimism" and "Learned Optimism". Read up on what happens in your brain when you think optimistic thoughts, learn about the concept of "attribution style", the dramatic advantages in health, productivity and performance that optimism creates in your life, and identify what specific steps you can take to change in this direction.

4. Seek out the positive. Offset the negative with positive. Look for and take specific note of the beauty around you, the kindness and integrity you see in others, the wonders of nature, music, art, stunning design. Play more, with puppies and kids is you can find them, with friends, co-workers, and partners. Laugh and savor all the positive aspects of your daily life. Practice gratitude.

5. Stay connected with your purpose. Make sure you regularly check-in with your most basic reason for being here and that every day you can find ways that your life is aligned with your values and purpose.. If this is not clear to you now, do some introspection, prayer, journaling or meditation, and get help if you need it, for not having this alignment is one of the greatest sources of distress and stress in our lives.

COACHING TIP:

Remember, how you respond to or interpret any situation or news has everything to do with how you feel and what kind of energy you send out to others. Your actions and internal dialog are largely within you control, and with practice, you can get better at mastering the art of optimism and at modeling it for others.

What is one action you can take today to move you toward optimism?

Favorite related quotes:

An optimist if the human personification of spring. Susan J. Bissonette

Setting an example is not the main means for influencing another, it is the only way. Albert Einstein.

Why Not Try a Natural Remedy For Depression?

Do you know why people commit suicide? Usually depression is the main cause and that means that the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are so strong and so pervasive that suicide is the only option. Depression needs to be taken seriously and not ignored. Very often, it is underestimated as a debilitating mental condition. Depression spares no one and it is found at every level of society. The Army, college students, housewives and the elderly fighting increasing disability and aging are all at risk and many are seeking a natural remedy for depression because of the worrying side effects of conventional medication.

It is interesting to note in a recent survey that college students suffer from depression as much as the normal adult population. The good news is that about 85% of students interviewed said that they would seek treatment if they were depressed or if they were about to inflict self-injury or that they would turn to loved ones if that were the case.

A natural remedy for depression is often sought by patients who have been on anti-depressant medication for years because they feel that they can no longer take the side effects and also that they feel a little numbed by the effects of these medications.

Did you know that the St. John's Wort herb as a natural remedy for depression is a best seller in Germany? I know that the licensing of certain herbal remedies and vitamin supplements is quite strict there so it seems that St. John's Wort has passed the test with flying colors. Other natural remedies for depression used with success are :- Kava and Gingko. As regards Gingko, there have been tests on elderly patients. There was a drop in the Hamilton Depression Scale from 14 to 7 which showed that it was very effective in reducing some depression symptoms.

To complement a natural remedy for depression, a well balanced diet which has all the recommended daily intake of vitamins has been found to be a great help. I am thinking here especially about the Vitamin B and C groups. In depression, the level of serotonin falls and it has been found that Vitamin C is the catalyst which transfers tryptophan into serotonin, thereby increasing the levels and enhancing mood.

Why not try a natural remedy for depression ? The company who makes this particular product has an excellent reputation and offers a guarantee of one year on all its products. In addition, the facility is approved by the FDA and also there are qualified homeopaths and herbalists who work in the company. This product is second to none as one of the best selling natural remedies for depression.

Benefits of Using Herbs To Fight Depression

Depression is a serious illness which affects the overall health and wellbeing of a person. It affects them mentally and physically. Mental depression symptoms can cause them to feel sad, lonely, and be unable to cope with daily events. It can affect them physically in that it can cause them to overeat, be unable to concentrate, be angry, have a lack of energy and experience mood swings.

Herbs have been used successfully for thousands of years to treat depression and a host of other problems. Many people want alternatives to prescribed antidepressants either because they don't respond well to the drugs or drugs they are taking are not effective for their condition. Some experience very unpleasant side effects or they fail to get any benefit of the drugs. Some herbs can work wonders for depression. One of the primary benefits of using herbs for depression as opposed to prescription drugs is that they are cheaper, safer and rarely cause side effects.

Camu Camu is a very unique tropical rainforest plant which helps depression as well as many other things. It is an adaptogenic plant which means it provides a variety of benefits to the body. Camu Camu bears small red/purple berries which are naturally tangy and somewhat sweet. Camu Camu provides so many benefits for the body that it is often referred to as a superfood. It is known for having the highest amount of vitamin C than any other plant. One of the benefits of vitamin C is that it protects the nervous system. The nervous system includes all the nerves running throughout your body which control multiple functions. The significant amount of vitamin C plus the other compounds of this berry nourishes and protects the brain providing help for those dealing with depression.

Rhodiola Rosea Root is a herb native to Asia, Europe and other area of the Northern Hemisphere. It is an adaptogenic plant which has been safely used for centuries to treat stress, anxiety and depression among other things. Rhodiola Rosea Root is very effective in treating mild to moderate depression. It has been shown to improve mood and help one be able to effectively deal with challenging circumstances. It also helps the body become more resistant to stress.

St. John's Wort is a powerful herb which is often used for treating mild to moderate depression. Multiple studies have confirmed that St. John's Wort is often more successful than prescription drugs. It helps to promote relaxation and improve overall mental health. Many people get fast results once they begin using it.

Herbs are readily available and are very inexpensive compared to the cost of prescription drugs. They can be taken safely and effectively by most people. However, each person is different. Some people may experience unpleasant side effects. Be sure to check with your health practitioner to make sure the herbs you desire to take are safe for you do to so. They will need to make sure that the herbs don't negatively affect any health condition you may have and to make sure they don't interfere with any other medications you might be taking.

Is There A Link Between ADHD and Depression in Adults?

ADHD adults struggle with self-regulation. Individuals with ADHD find it difficult to focus their attention on one thing at a time. This is especially true when the subject of their focus seems trivial, meaningless, or boring. On the other hand if a person with ADHD finds a subject interesting they may become overly fixated to a point where they may appear obsessed.

Let's look at nine common ADHD symptoms:

Inability to focus attention; makes careless mistakes; tends to be very forgetful; becomes distracted easily; fails to listen when spoken to; often losses items needed to complete projects and tasks; ignores instructions; is known for starting projects but not finishing them; and shies away from projects that require a higher level of mental effort.

It should be pointed out that just because a person has one or two of the symptoms above doesn't necessarily mean they have ADHD. In fact, most ADHD professionals will only prescribe medication if six of the nine symptoms listed above have been present for more than three months. That said, this generalized rule is not necessarily written in stone especially when inattention is obvious.

But while ADHD seems miles away from depression it really isn't since the life of an ADHD adult can be filled with failure. This is backed by numerous studies showing those attention deficit hyperactivity disorder make substantially less money, have a higher divorce rate, struggle in social settings, are more prone to drug abuse, and tend to change jobs more often than the general population. Put simply they have a tendency to struggle with life created a fertile ground for depression to flourish.

Note: It should not be ignored that depression can be a side effect of adult ADHD stimulant medication. These popular medications have been shown to aggravate depression and increase mania.

Depression is different from feeling bummed out from time to time which some refer to as the 'Blues". As bad as the 'Blues' may seem they are normal and nothing more than a transitory feeling of sadness or demoralization during challenging times. Depression on the other hand is an illness and is only deemed to be present when a person cannot snap out of, or get over, such feelings within a reasonable period of time, say, two or three weeks. Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness that refuses to disappear even when a conscious effort to vanquish it is made.

Some of the major symptoms of depression are changes in sleep patterns; insomnia; feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness; chances in appetite leading to significant weight loss or weight gain; fatigue; feelings of guilt; loss of interest in activities which formally seemed enjoyable; and the worst symptom of all linked to depression is suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

In conclusion, when you compare the symptoms of depression listed above to the secondary symptoms of ADHD such as worry, boredom, loss of motivation, frustration, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and hopelessness it is easy to see how ADHD and depression could be more closely related than what one might first think. In fact, these two conditions co-exist quite often making arriving at a correct diagnosis for either very challenging.

Early Pregnancy Signs - How To Detect Before A Pregnancy Test

Most women wonder what will be the first early pregnancy sign that she will notice after conceiving. As opinions and experiences related to primary signs of pregnancy being extremely varying, most of the women seem to get confused how to check for those symptoms. Though many assume a missed period is the announcement of their pregnancy, but doctors contradict this assumption. A missed period can be an outcome of excessive stress, exhaustion, binging on work, improper diet and other health problems. As per medical professionals, expecting mothers must wait for and rely on other possible signs of pregnancy as well besides waiting for an overdue period. Moreover, a missed period is expected to surface after a month of conceiving. Nonetheless, your body starts sending signals from a few days onwards after fertilization, therefore, look for those symptoms to detect your pregnancy as soon as possible.

Signs That Give You Indicators Of Your Pregnancy

Pregnancy consists of a chain of reactions in response to the drastic hormonal changes occur in your body. The reactions include both mental and physical changes and discomforts. Hence, check out what possible pregnancy symptoms, you are about to experience in the early months of pregnancy and how to cope up with those discomforting symptoms -

Mood Swings and depression - If you feel like weeping at times or getting into a war with your partner for no reason, blame on your hormonal changes instead of your spouse. Expecting mothers may, now and then feel blue, depressed due to increased level of estrogen.

Nausea or Morning Sickness - Feeling nausea or rushing to loo frequently for vomiting is one of the surest indications of pregnancy. Since this tendency of feeling nausea in the morning or often throughout the day is quite different from normal queasy feeling, so it is a prominent early pregnancy sign. Expecting mothers can manage discomforts of nausea by managing their diets by eating less spicy food and taking small meals instead of larger meals.

Bleeding Or Vaginal Spotting - After the fertilized egg travels to uterus and gets implanted to the inner walls of uterus, you will notice slight bleeding secreted from your vagina. This is a primary early pregnancy sign you will receive. Unlike regular menstruation bleeding, this implantation bleeding [as it is known due to its time of occurrence] is likely to be pinkish in color and quite normal and harmless. However, heavy bleeding is a warning sign of pregnancy complications including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages etc.

Gas Or Flatulene - Suffering from gas is a common scenario during pregnancy, hence, it is a noteworthy early pregnancy sign. The digestive system of pregnant women slows down and gives rise to various symptoms of indigestion such as generation of gas, constipation etc.

Feeling of Increased Fatigue - You may tend to feel an extreme level of exhaustion in the first couple of months of your pregnancy. In the earliest trimester, your body undergoes drastic changes in hormones to support development of fetus inside your body and this is how your body reacts to the hormonal changes. Moreover, due to feeling of nausea you may reduce your normal level of eating which may leave you feeling immensely tired and weak.

Besides all these symptoms, you may also experience other pregnancy symptoms like frequent urinating, increased level of body temperature, abdominal cramping etc. If you are expecting childbirth, you must include each and every early pregnancy sign in a pregnancy journal and consult your doctor to be confirmed through check ups and tests.

Postpartum Depression Treatment - Different Treatment Options

A mother who is experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of postpartum depression should definitely obtain professional treatment. If left untreated, postpartum depression can go on for a very long time, even up to a year or more. Most of the time, postpartum depression or anxiety will respond to the same types of treatments that are used for regular depression.

Therapy, support groups and medication can be a great help.

Psychotherapy. Known to be extremely effective in treating postpartum depression, psychotherapy can consist of either group or individual therapy. Many mothers do not want to take medication because they are breastfeeding, and psychotherapy is a popular option.

Interpersonal therapy, or IPT, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on interpersonal relationships and issues. It is thought to be very effective in treating postpartum depression.

Hormone Replacement Therapy. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy using estrogen can be an effective way to treat postpartum depression. Estrogen is used in combination with an antidepressant drug. It is recommended that you discuss hormone replacement therapy with your physician to determine the type of treatment that would be safest and most effective for you.

Antidepressant Medications. Antidepressant medication should be an option whenever a mother has a severe case of postpartum depression and is not able to care for herself or her baby. This type of treatment should be used in combination with therapy and should always be closely monitored by a physician.

Medications can easily be passed onto a nursing infant through breast milk, but research shows that levels of tricyclic antidepressants reaching a baby through breast milk are undetectable or extremely low. Even so, some nursing babies have been reported to have adverse reactions.

Treatment Through Self Help. Relaxation, a healthy diet and sufficient sleep are always excellent. The best way a woman can help herself is by finding people to talk with about her feelings and emotions. Finding people to assist with child care, running errands and doing housework will help a mother get the rest she needs. It has also been shown that keeping a diary or record of your thoughts, emotions and feelings can make you feel better and help track any progress you make.

Postpartum depression can be dealt with in several ways, including changing ones' lifestyle and alternative treatment options. It is important that you learn as much as you can about your depression and determine whether your symptoms might be due to some other medical condition. If that is the case, that condition should be treated first.

You should realize that the more acute and severe your depression is, the more intensive the treatment will be. At first, it might take some time to find the type of treatment that will be best for you. You might need to go through some trial and error to find the best therapist. The key is to be patient and open to change and experimentation. A woman should never solely rely on medication.

Although medication is effective in the treatment of postpartum depression, side effects are possible and in the end, using therapy along with medication offers advantages.

Research has also shown that lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, social support and plenty of sleep are some of the most effective ways a woman can reduce her stress.

Love Test - What's the Real Cause and Cure of a Man's Mid-Life Crisis?

A middle-age man often blames his wife for his own unhappiness and negative feelings. He may look outside the marriage to feel young again. His new love usually doesn't make him happy. This common scenario was described by Dr. Daniel Amen, a world-renowned psychiatrist, best-selling author and TV producer.

Who or what is the real culprit behind a man's mid-life crisis?

Usually it is not his wife. Dr. Amen says the significant cause of mid-life crises and divorce is low testosterone levels, which decline with age and bring on feelings of negativity.

Likewise, low testosterone levels have been associated with low libido, depression, memory problems. Dr. Amen suggests these are symptoms of male menopause, which we are only beginning to talk about. Yet it is a real issue that needs to be treated for many men.

Is there a cure for male-menopause and a man's mid-life crisis?

In Dr. Amen's Brain Health Report, he suggests that taking testosterone under a Doctor's supervision can make a big difference for a man's manhood, memory, mood and marriage.

Dr. Amen warns against taking anti-depressants as a one-size fits all treatment for depression because it doesn't work and often comes with dangerous side effects. Along with testosterone supplementation to relieve depression, he also recommends talk therapy and trying natural therapies like SAMe and St. John's wort, exercise, correcting negative thinking patterns and supplementation with fish oil.

How does this health news affect women?

A similar program can be used by mid-life women under supervision by a health practitioner to boost her libido, improve mood and relieve menopause symptoms.

Since hormones are heavily involved in making us who we are, these hormonal shifts often cause seismic problems in relationships. Dr. Amen says that carefully testing and treating hormonal issues for men and women is critical to brain health and the health of your relationships.

I suggest you use these smart health tips to bullet-proof your relationship against a mid-life crisis that often leads to break ups and divorce court.

Finding The Cloud In Front Of Every Silver Lining

I have a family member who can find the cloud in front of every silver lining. She is a good person, and means well. For her, though, the fear of running up against obstacles overwhelms her, and she can find even the most obscure reason to be pessimistic. Before she begins a new task, she can cite the reasons why it will not go well! Some would brand her as being insecure.

Many people live their lives that way. To them, negativity is a constant companion. We would not think of telling a cancer patient to "get over it." We are told, therefore, that we should not expect a person who is suffering from clinical depression to just "get over it." Yet, we find it difficult to endure those people who see the world, not through rose-coloured glasses, but foggy grey ones.

Clinical psychologist Dr. S. K. Sharma comes close to saying "get over it." But Dr. Sharma takes a different perspective. This lifestyle advisor says that, before you can become a positive person, you must have the desire to be positive. You can only do that if you are convinced that becoming positive will enhance your quality of life.

That is not the issue with many people who endure their own negativity. They believe. They just don't believe that the option is available to them. Those people need to begin the process gradually, placing themselves in controlled situations where the outcome is most likely to be beneficial. Positivity breeds positivity, and the person can build on small successes.

Similarly, once the "gloomy Gus" experiences a series of uplifting events, he or she should begin placing himself in situations where the outcome is less certain, but the negative consequences are minimal. In these environments, the person can control the outcomes, and recover. Again, success feeds success, and overcoming negative consequences often will stimulate confidence - an essential ingredient lacking in many naysayers.

Many times, the negative outcomes are fed by our own inputs. If we have lower expectations, we broadcast those expectations, subtly, in our posture, our mannerisms and our words. Develop a habit of using positive words, of showing confidence and positivity in our posture and movements. Those cues will be picked up by others, and, often, negative situations will be averted.

Take an interest in the world around you; particularly, in other people. Letting others know you find them interesting is a sure-fire way for them to reciprocate with positive actions and words toward you. Few people enjoy commiserating with someone who perpetually espouses negative opinions, or who talks incessantly about their own issues.

As a child, I read an anecdote that remains with me five decades later. Two young women are talking, and the first says to the other, "I'm so happy. I'm marrying Bill."

"Bill?" says the second. "I thought you told me a few months ago that Jim was the most wonderful person in the world."

"That's true," replied the first. "But when I'm with Bill, he makes me feel like I am the most wonderful person."

Keep the company of positive, uplifting people, and you will develop the endurance to enjoy occasional interactions with those less enthusiastic about life. After all, birds of a feather...

Be realistic about your expectations. Die-hard Cleveland Brown and Toronto Maple Leaf fans start each yesar with the unwavering belief that their team will win the championship that year, even when the team finished last the prior year, and no personnel changes have been made. That optimism is admirable. But, certainly, even those pessimistic fans are sure to be disappointed when their team fails, once again. Set goals that are reasonable, but not too low. Be realistic, too, about your own successful conversion to optimism.

One of the hallmarks of someone who is depressed is lethargy. Similarly, those who think negatively often decline to become engaged with life. By not participating in potentially negative events, one cannot be disappointed, right? Wrong. Inactivity leads to more feelings of failure. Get up. Get going. Try. Share a joke. Read uplifting plots and novels. Watch uplifting shows. Get involved with others. It is difficult to brood about failure when you are engaged wholeheartedly in an activity.

Most of all, be appreciative. You have life. You have relative health, relative security, if you compare your situation to others world wide. Enjoy what you have, instead of being morose about what you do not.
As you move slowly from feelings of negativity to a more uplifting outlook, your attitude, like a locomotive rolling downhill, will pick up steam, become unstoppable. See? Even going downhill can be a positive experience!

How to Deal With Depression and Anxiety in Your Work

Dealing with depression and anxiety in your work is not easy. The very first thing one should do to deal it depression is to get a professional help. Often times, a lot of companies recently are offering numerous programs and activities for their employees. It is always advisable to contact and be in touch with Human Resources Representative confidentially and ask offer such programs. If in any case your company does not have any program to offer then you may want to ask your physician or the nearest mental health institution.

Evaluate the root of your anxiety through the help of a doctor or professional. Discovering the cause or causes of your depression could take a while but once you know the cause, it will be a bit easy to figure out and deal with your depression.

Being positive in many aspect of your life is one way to battle and win over depression. Challenge fearful and anxious thoughts with positive statements. Minimize fear behind by thinking something constructive.

People then to exaggerate assumptions most of the time when they worry. And most of the time they worry more by exaggerating things. Always remember to collect all the facts of current situations. Gathering all the facts, this way you can distinguish reality from what is not. Always remember to never assume anything.

As the old saying goes, take one thing at the time. Never worry for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care for itself.

Do not hesitate to get and ask help from a councilor and do not give up in finding solutions that will eventually get rid of your depression. Remember there is always hope and you will eventually get better if you will be persistent in dealing with your depression.

Marriage Problems - Recognize the Common Signs of Male Depression

You were very happily married but now you have marriage problems. Not only were you happy with your wife but you are also happy with yourself. You feel happy, calm, and ready to take on the world. This is all a thing of the past, though.

You lost your job, a death happened in the family, or you had to move away from your familiar neighborhood and EVERYTHING changed. You are no longer happy, you are irritable, you begin to pick fights, you start to go on-line all night long, and you begin to drink.

What has happened? Simple, you suffer from depression and, before it is too late, you better do something about it and get help fast before it is too late.

In this article I will point out to you some of the common signs of depression in men so you will know to get help.

Typical THOUGHTS and emotions of a depressed person.

*Anger.

*Wary of other people; very not trusting

*Fear of failure.

The world looks black to you so you interpret everything that is going around you very grimly and negatively. The universe is against you, people are out to get you, and you will fail at anything you try. You looked at these same things in a completely opposite light before you suffered from depression, but now that you a under the claws of depression this is the way your perceive everything that is going on around you.

Common ACTIONS that are telltale signs of male depression

Blame others or picks fights. This is a sign of depression only if you weren't like this until now. For a person who has always blamed others for their mistakes or picked fights then this is not a sign of depression (it is a sign that you should change but it is not depression).

Sleeps much less than before. He goes to bed late, wakes up in the middle of the night, or wakes up real early in the morning (without an alarm clock)

Controlling. AT first glance this symptom is really counter intuitive. How can it be that a person who feels so low and powerless try to control others? However after giving it a little thought it DOES make sense. It is because of his feeling of such hopelessness and lack of control over himself that he tries to control others as if to say to himself, "Yes, Charlie, you are still capable of controlling."

Overuse of internet,, TV, video games or, sometimes, even substance abuse. To escape the horrendous feeling of depression a lot of men engage in addictive behaviors. Like this, they forget themselves and have some temporary relief from the black feeling of depression.

Even happily married people can end up having marriage problems if you or your spouse suffers from depression. The good news, though, is that it is treatable. If you have experienced a few of these symptoms for more than two weeks than get help as fast as you can. Do it before it is too late.

Depression - What Are the Signs?

Depression can consists of mood swings, being down in the dumps, sadness, not so much of the feelings of happiness, and feeling miserable. The actual clinical meaning behind depression is a type of disorder within the mood of a person, where the feelings of loss, sadness, frustrations and anger have an impact on your everyday life for a long time.

The causes and risks of depression can sometime run in families. It could be inherited in their genes or by associating it with behavior or even both. Genes could be what causes and develops the depression, but it is likely someone with an unhappy or stressful event in their life which can usually start off a depressive episode.

The form of depression may be caused with the use of alcohol, or drugs, events that have happened in the childhood, such as abuse or a form of neglect, disappointment from home, or work, or even school. It can be due to many negative feelings about themselves, not being able to problem solve, not being able to sleep and being isolated in society.

There are test and diagnostics that can determine if you have depression, as their are guidelines to follow. In the interview, a scale may be used to look at the patients mental state and see what the actual depressive symptoms are off if there are any. These test include a Geriatric Depression scale and many others. These type of test will occur at a hospital, with a social worker, psychologist or a psychiatrist.

There are treatment options available for someone who has been depressed for a while, which they can try to help themselves with at home. The self- care steps to take are, trying to get the right amount of sleep, having a good diet, having regular exercise, and many others. If you are experiencing depression in the winter months try a form of light therapy. A form of herbal remedy can help reduce the symptoms but only if they are moderate. However, you should still consult a doctor if you have any of depression symptoms. If you do have any depression symptoms whether it will be moderate or a severe depression, the best effective method would be both counseling and a form of medication.

Prevention can also slow the rate of depression if you are starting to experience some symptoms. Having a good healthy habits can stop the chances of depression happening again. These type of habits would include the type of food you eat, adjusting your sleep habits, learning skills to know how to relax and not drinking to much alcohol. If you feel like you are being isolated socially, try getting involved in group activities.

Depression can come in a range of forms, and can be extreme or moderate. Symptoms can include a change in mood or being down all the time. If you do experience a form of depression or you think you have depression it is best to go seek some counseling as it will help you to move forward. As they do have test that will determine what kind of depression you have, so treatment can be undertaken.

What You Should Know About Depression Medications

Are you depressed? If so, don't feel alone. It happens to millions of Americans and others around the world. The thing that really stinks about depression is that, with all of our technology and medical "know how", we still haven't come up with a sure fire cure for depression. There's a reason behind this too. Read on.

The biggest issue that doctor's are having with finding a cure are that there are several different types of depression to deal with and of these, some have their own unique symptoms that must be dealt with. This is why some doctor's will give you more than one medication to try to help you. You could be suffering from a few different symptoms and they would have to give you a different medicine for each individual symptom. Example, you could be suffering from depression, anxiety and insomnia (loss of sleep). In this case, the doctor might give you an antidepressant drug like Zoloft, something to help your anxiety symptoms like Busbar and possibly Trazadone in order to help you sleep. This is all hypothetical, but comes from personal experience.

The only problem with antidepressant medications is that, in many instances, they only relieve the symptoms of depression about 70% of the time and of that, only partially. There are some people that must "try" several different medicines before they either find something that helps or choose to try something completely different, such as professional therapy. The problem with these medicines is that it takes three to four weeks for them to get fully integrated into your system. Only after this time has passed will you know if they are helping you, not helping you or making things worse. After this time frame has passed you may choose to try another medication and the process begins all over again. Whatever you do, never stop taking your medications without consulting your doctor first. This can be extremely dangerous in some cases.

Another issue with antidepressants are the side effects. These are always such a joy to deal with. Nervousness, diarrhea, constipation, insomnia, fatigue and more. Isn't it ironic that some of the side effects are things that you may have gone to the doctor to get help for in the first place?

There are other types of depression that are very serious such as Clinical depression or Manic (Bipolar) depression. People that suffer from these forms of depression suffer from an entire array of symptoms such as mood swings, sometimes violent, inability to have or maintain healthy relationships with friends or family, suicidal thoughts and more. Manic depressives have also been known to perform self mutilation, cutting themselves all over their arms and legs. Not deep enough to be life threatening normally, but enough to leave terrible scarring and cause themselves awful pain.

Depression is a terrible disorder that has become more and more common in this day and age. If you or some one you know suffer from symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, you need to seek medical help and find out what your options are. Good luck.