Depression Affects Learning

Did you know that depression affects your ability to learn?

Inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, lack of drive - all this can be a result of depression disorder. The scientists only now began researching human brain and its intricacies thoroughly. We all know that depressed people lack serotonin, a brain chemical which affects their happiness.

But what we don't know is that there are two origins of depression:

- Predisposition to depression, which can be a depression gene or family history of mental illnesses.

- External triggers like grief, major trauma, stress, extreme tiredness, etc.

The first type of depression is majorly treated by antidepressants, but the second is more complex and requires a combination of depression therapy and antidepressant medication.

When we are depressed, the illness blocks supply of happy, comforting and hopeful images from our brain when we need them to go on. This is how we lose our drive. Instead depression makes us see everything in negative light and also produces anxiety, which can be at times debilitating. It also reduces our creativity.

Some of the antidepressants like Prozac for example will hinder your learning as well as it will level you; stop you from feeling and reacting more deeply. I would imagine that someone studying arts or creative design will have trouble functioning to the best of their abilities on such medications.

There is also a theory that some learning disabilities in children are caused by depression. If you think about it, it fits - lack of interest, loss of energy, mood swings, memory problems, irritability, problems with concentration... This is all textbook signs of depression.

But do not give up your learning whatever you do as the more you persist with learning the more you progress, the happier it will make you. This is like catch 22. Learning new skills especially with jobless depression will give you back your self-respect and confidence which often shrink in depression. But depression itself blocks you from doing it successfully.

What I suggest is to try coping mechanisms in depression first (you learn them in any decent depression therapy), then break your learning process into easy segments which don't make you feel overloaded and desperate.

Just remember an old Chinese proverb:

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Bipolar Disorder Causes And Symptoms

Everyone comes across a time in their lives when they feel downright low and feelings of worthlessness fill them up. With the passing of time, the "bad feelings" also go by and they come back to living their lives. However, sometimes this episode continues for a longer period of time which eventually turns into a psychological illness. One must not get confused between depression and bipolar disorder. While depression only makes you feel low, bipolar disorder, on the other hand, is characterized by extreme mood swings. It affects people from all walks of life. Their ability to fight off different bipolar disorder causes defines their fate for them. Some of its causes are -

Brain structure - Abnormal structure of the limbic region gives rise to bipolar disorder. This region plays a vital role in controlling one's emotions. In addition to that, various hormonal imbalances in the brain like low levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonine trigger depression. On the other hand, when the levels are more than normal, it results in hyper or manic episodes.

Death in family - Sometimes death of a loved one also causes bipolar disorder. During that time, an individual experiences great levels of pain and despair which may result in depression. However, in the recovery stage they may relapse and be affect by the disorder.

Environmental factors - People who had grown up in an abusive household or are currently in such atmosphere are more prone to it. Environmental factors are one of the major bipolar disorder causes. Regular fights, use of foul language and insult can make a person feel high and low in a short span of time.

It is also important to know its symptoms to detect it early.

1. Irritability is one of the top symptoms. Even little things act as catalyst for your anger and one gets irritated very often.


2. They may cut off from everyone. Those affected by bipolar disorder usually seclude themselves irrespective of their former jolly nature. They do not enjoy the things that formerly gave them pleasure.


3. Very little control on their verbal speed. They tend to talk very fast sometimes skipping and mixing up words.


4. They may feel victimized, rejected or criticized. Also they feel bored and empty inside.


5. A significant amount of increase is recorded in one's sexual desires. He/she may approach others with great sexual desires.


6. One may also have grandiose thoughts about oneself.

Many causes may be responsible for an individual's illness. No fixed framework has been prepared by doctors for it. Whatever may be the cause, it needs to be treated soon since it creates rift in personal and professional relationships. Also, it emotionally drains an individual.

Know How to Steer Your Kids Away From Substance Abuse During Their Teenage Years

Substance abuse among youth has become a serious concern for parents these days. The major challenge for them in these situations will be to distract and prevent their kids from getting addicted to illegal drugs or alcohol. Are you one among them worrying about your teen's health? It is obvious and mandatory for you as a parent to educate the teenager on the dangers of drug abuse. Read further to know how to keep your teens away from substance abuse.

Teens vulnerable to depression and substance abuse
Many teenagers get into the harmful habit of consuming illegal drugs or alcohol by seeing their peers or elders. They are very vulnerable to drug abuse in their teen years due to peer pressure. However, some of them are addicted to the drugs because of some psychological problems like depression. Different situations, particularly transition from school to college makes them worried. In order to avoid the stress and depression that arise during teen years, they start using drugs. Whatever the reason might be, you should help them stay away from getting habituated to substance abuse.

Check for substance abuse symptoms
Substance abuse results in many health effects, both short-term and long-term. It is therefore necessary that you keep track of your teens to ensure their safety and good health. In order to check if your teen is abusing illegal drugs, you need to identify certain substance abuse symptoms.

Some physical effects like redness of eyes, puffy face, runny nose, nausea, poor physical coordination, changes in appetite, irregular heartbeat, and tremors are seen among substance abusers. Identifying the needle marks on your teen's body can also indicate illegal drug abuse pattern.

You may also observe some behavioral or psychological effects like depression, mood swings, anger, lack of motivation and nervousness. Substance abused teens mostly skip their school or college regularly. Also check if they are wandering around with new groups of friends who are drug users. They also steal money or other items to buy drugs. They are also not interested in family activities.

Confirm drug abuse using reliable drug testing kits
If you doubt that your teens are using drugs, then conduct a reliable drug test to confirm it. You can get the test done in a laboratory, but it is a time and money consuming. If you want to check in privacy, you can use various types of home drug test kits like urine, saliva, or hair drug test kits at the comforts of your home. Multi-panel drug test kits which can detect different types of drugs are also available in the market. These drug testing kits are generally inexpensive and accurate. Conducting regular drug tests can help you in keeping your teen away from drug abuse.

Timely intervention is key
Stopping any bad habit upfront at an earlier stage is much better. The moment you find that your kid is abusing drugs, take the right time and speak to him or her. Intervening at the right time is very important. This can avoid further damage to their physical and mental health. Provide proper counseling and guide them in a right way.

Don't often protect from bad consequences
It often happens that substance abusing teens get into many conflicts or accidents. Sometimes, they may also be filed for criminal cases. Don't protect them from such bad consequences regularly. If you go on helping them, they get used to it. Once you stop helping them, they realize the difficulties associated with it.

Talk to them personally
Simply shouting at the teens no way stops their habit of substance abuse. It is good to talk to them personally and find the reason for their drug usage. Educate them about the dangerous side effects of substance abuse even if they do or do not get addicted to the drugs. Talk to them in a controlled manner and explain how substance abuse affects their personal as well as professional life.

Help them inculcate healthy habits
Good healthy habits can turn your kid's life to a positive direction. So make your teenager to inculcate healthy habits. Suggest them how to stay away from unhealthy habits like substance abuse. Try to involve them in exercising, sports, and other relaxation techniques to avoid stress or depression. Though they feel difficult initially, they change their bad habits within certain time.

As parents, it is painful to see our children being disturbed and destroyed because of the substance abuse. Steering them away from the use of illegal drug habits is therefore important. Follow the above mentioned tips to prevent your teenager from drug addiction.

Can B Vitamins Help Fight Depression?

Depression is a well-known ailment, but many people don't quite understand what it is; the most commonly-known symptom of depression is a listless, debilitating melancholy mood that lasts for a substantial amount of time, but that is far from the only symptom. Other than "the blues", depression often also consists of sleeplessness, irritability, an inability to focus, mental fogginess and headaches. Often the first response is to treat ongoing depression with prescription medications, but this can get very expensive and may not even be helpful; sometimes all the body needs to fight off depression are certain essential nutrients.

Many of the B vitamins are crucial to normal everyday function. You may not know you have a deficiency in any given vitamin because sometimes the only clues are restlessness, anxiety, fatigue or other such symptoms that may be chalked up to a hectic schedule, added stress at work or similar everyday elements of a busy life. However, if you are consistently having difficulties concentrating, are anxious for no discernible reason or find that you're regularly melancholy, a B-vitamin deficiency may be the cause.

Studies indicate that vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid are essential for proper brain function. Without a good balance of these vitamins you may experience symptoms of depression - and it may be preventable or easily alleviated with the addition of specialized supplements. In certain studies about 30% of elderly depressed patients showed a deficiency of vitamin B12, though the deficiency can and does occur in younger patients as well.

If it goes undiagnosed, a serious B12 deficiency can eventually lead to permanent adverse effects such as brain damage or dementia.On the other hand, there is evidence to suggest that B12 supplementation helps reduce mania in mental patients as well as aids in mental clarity and lowers stress levels. Enough vitamin B12 is stored in the body to last a person 3-5 years, so a deficiency will not be immediately discernible and there is often a large time margin for treatment. Many doctors recommend that all depression patients take additional B12 even if they're not tested as deficient in the vitamin; its beneficial effects don't seem to be limited to those who have less than the healthy amount in their systems.

Additional B12 is available in injectable form for severe cases, but those who suffer from mild or moderate depression - who are not at immediate risk for some of the more severe results of B12 deficiency - generally do not need to go through the expense or inconvenience of vitamin injections. A good multivitamin is a good place to start, but it is recommended that an additional specialized B12-containing supplement be added to your regime as well in order to help alleviate depression symptoms.

Whenever an internal imbalance occurs, the body reacts with a huge variety of symptoms ranging from a mild headache to debilitating anxiety or hyposomnia. The best way to isolate and possibly eliminate your body's complaints is to make sure you have sufficient exercise, a healthy diet and all the necessary nutrients. You may find that the proper supplementation will make you feel better and alleviate symptoms without having to result to prescription drugs.

Getting Pleasure From Funny Life Quotes

There are so many worries and misery around us that we could not find some little moments to be happy. Not just young and aged people but children have their own anxieties as well. There may several reasons behind this situation i.e. some people are sad because they have not enough resources to live their life well, some are depressing because they are not satisfied with their jobs and salaries, some have their personal issues and some may look distressing just because they don't want to work more with their colleagues. But it is life and you have to live it at any state. You can't just leave it on its way. You have to sometimes make laugh others even if you don't want to smile at that moment. What to do now to deal with the on hand condition?

Funny Text Messages and Quotes:

Funny SMS and quotes come in this way and make the things as you want them to be. Funny life quotes tend to bring pleasure in a light way and simply spread happiness all around you in few minutes. They sometimes reveal so much fun that keeps you laughing for a long time. This really helps you come out the gloomy feelings and to avoid depression for a long time. Funny text messages and quotes enliven your inner and let you enable to breathe vivaciously once again.

Sense of Humor:

Naturally every person possesses some sort of sense of humor that he needs to stumble on at the time when he is in trouble or sorrow. Funny life quotes help you find out this sense and take out your worries in a while. When you go through these quotes, they simply bring lots of humor and fun and do away with stress on your soul.

How you would deal with the situation like this?

At times, you may come upon a situation when all people around you making laugh by sharing the funny quotes they have. Do you have any quote for this situation? Can you make others laugh especially at the moment when they need it? If the answer is no, then don't worry as there are thousands of resources that have the basic intent to provide you with such humorous and funny life quotes. In this way, you can get to numerous websites that offer funny stuff which can easily make you laugh for a long time.

So don't wait and get prepared you to deal with such situations when you are demanded to say something that is funny. It will not just keep your fresh but will also let others know that how much lively and vigorous person you are!!!

Recognizing If You Have Depression

Millions of people suffer from Depression each year. Depression is made up of different emotions, most people get feelings of loss, frustration, sadness, and disappointment, just to name a few. Someone who has depression doesn't have a lot of interest in life and has a hard time focusing on tasks at hand. Sometimes they may not want to get out of bed and they don't want to partake in normal daily activities like going to work or participating in a hobby of theirs.

Two main categories of depression are situational and clinical. Clinical depression symptoms are having thoughts of suicide, uncontrollable negative thoughts, very easily becomes irritated or angry, feelings of hopelessness, sleeping to much or not at all, and loss of appetite, or overeating. Situational depression is pretty normal feelings of sadness that occur when someone goes though a major loss, or the not so lucky things that just happen in life that nothing can change. So you can see here that there is a huge difference between the two.

Every case of depression is going to vary from case to case, every person is different . Some people who have depression say that they don't feel sad, they feel worthless, blank, empty, almost like the living dead just lifeless. They are incapable of feeling happiness and enjoying anything.

Suicide is a major factor in Depression. Many people that are depressed end up committing or attempting to commit suicide. Depressed people think that sometimes it's the only way to end the pain and get rid of the feelings they are experiencing. Suicide is a symptom of severe clinical depression and you can not take it seriously enough if someone you know is talking about suicide. There are many hotlines available for help you or someone you know wants to hurt themselves. Most often suicidal persons will give a clue or warning to theirs feelings and theirs intentions. So if you notice any signs that someone you know might be suicidal speak up! Helping them cope with there depression or even just showing that you care may just save their lives.

Some other types of depression involve Dysthymia, maniac depression, postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Dysthymia's symptoms are not as strong as major clinical depression, however, the may last as long as 2 years or more. It has small ups and downs to it. For a few days you may be mildly depressed and then the next few days you may feel better and happier. However, the may last as long as 2 years or more. It has small ups and downs to it. For a few days you may be mildly depressed and then the next few days you may feel better and happier. Maniac depression is another name for bipolar.

A Person with maniac depression usually will have the same symptoms as someone who has severe clinical depression except they have other major mood swings that can last days to weeks and can switch in a matter of days or hours even. Postpartum depression is a very normal depression that happens after a woman has given childbirth. New mothers tend to be very sleep deprived, going through a major lifestyle change and that might be a major cause of it. It can happen up to a year after child birth and sometimes it can get so extreme that a mother may want to hurt her new child or want to ignore and neglect it. Seasonal affective disorder happens in the winter months when the weather is cloudy and gloomy. It is a very normal depression as well.

Depression can actually be very hard to treat. Sometimes, what seems like symptoms of depression are often the same symptoms of something else. It can be hard to tell if the depression is situational or if it really is clinical. In a situational case the treatment can be as easy as changing the situation, but with clinical depression it can be a number of things. Things like a childhood trauma, a social problem loneliness, substance abuse, genetics, a health problems that is very troublesome or a more recent traumatic happening.

But no matter how depressed one person should get, there is always a way to recover. There is so many different treatments and therapies for depression patients the amount of help is endless. There a prescription medications to help, hotlines, therapies, and lots of natural ways to overcome depression. Alternative health supplements some safe and natural products that will help with depression and changing ones mood. The best way to overcome depression is to use a couple methods of treatment together. Talk to a professional to see whether making a life style change would be the answer or try taking a natural herbal supplement. Which ever method may be right for you the first step is to ask for help and know that it is out there and its everywhere.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Workplace

Is it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and go to work? Perhaps you can't pinpoint why you feel the way you do, but something just does not feel right. You are not yourself and can't understand why your mood has recently drastically changed. Dark winter months can cause a common disorder called Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), otherwise known as seasonal depression that occurs at the same time every year.

SAD is a type of depression that occurs in those between the ages of 20 and 40 with the main sufferers being women in their twenties and thirties. Symptoms start in the fall and may continue through the winter months which can make it difficult for you to do your job.

You might think that there is nothing you can do about your symptoms, but there is. The FABULOUS Principle suggests 8 self-care strategies to cope with SAD:

1. Flexibility;
2. Adapting;
3. Boundaries;
4. Understanding;
5. Laughter;
6. Optimism;
7. United; and
8. Self-compassion.

SAD sign 1: If you have difficulty concentrating, processing information, and completing tasks, this may be a sign that you are experiencing Seasonal affective disorder. The best way to combat these symptoms is to rethink the way you think about the dark days of winter. With a flexible mindset you will be able to solve the problems you are facing. Let's look at the first self-care strategy of the FABULOUS Principle: Flexibility

Your mind is flexible. Keep your thinking patterns in check. A subtle clue to look for is an inability to think clearly and complete daily tasks. When you think about this time of year be alert to your own critical inner voice. Challenge any irrational thoughts with reality. Brainstorm positive behaviors and think about bundling up and taking a walk in the winter sunlight, which one study found was just as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light.

Also consider the way you use self-talk and the manner in which you utilize your body language, says The Master Negotiator and Body Language Expert Greg Williams, author of Negotiate: Afraid, 'Know' More: How To Negotiate Your Way To Success.The way you project yourself through your body language plays a big part in the way your subconscious mind responds to the way you feel (e.g. walk with sloop shoulders, head low, you feel down, which is what your body language is conveying). In order to feel uplifted, use your body to convey such sentiments (i.e. happy, invigorating, etc.).

Using data collected as part of the 2011 Generations of Talent Study on Flexible Thinking, the researchers reported that flexible thinkers find it easy to reorder their priorities when the need arises. Focus on flexible thinking and flexible practices. Start with a to-do list to help you think about what you need to accomplish this fall and winter as well as a journal to shed light on your feelings when your thoughts get in the way of accomplishing your tasks.

Recognize that there is less daylight during the fall and winter and the neurochemicals in your brain know it. These neurochemicals are involved in the regulation of your mood and functioning. Melatonin is a hormone in your brain that is produced during the hours of darkness. Too much of this hormone causes depressive symptoms.

SAD sign 2: One of the most common symptoms of SAD is unexplained depressed mood and hopelessness, something we struggle with from time to time. However, if it lingers, it could be something more serious. Metaphorically, to adapt is to find your feet. Before you place them on the floor in the morning, modify and adjust your morning routine. This brings us to the second FABULOUS self-care strategy, Adapting

If you have unexplained depressed mood and feelings of hopelessness, speak with a mental health professional to rule out clinical depression. An emotional clue of suicide is a sense of hopelessness. If you are thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Help is available 24/7 for anyone in a suicidal crisis.

Familiarize yourself with ways to keep a check on your mental health and winter blues that may occur as the seasons change and the amount of available natural daylight diminishes. Although more research is needed, a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry focused on the efficacy of light therapy and found that certain types of light therapy are effective in the treatment of Seasonal affective disorder and other forms of depression.

Also worth consideration is a sunrise/sunset simulator such as a Dawn simulator or a Sleep and Wake System. A dim light goes on in the morning while fast asleep and slowly gets brighter. The clock is like the sunrise that helps align your circadian rhythms like the natural rhythm of the sunrise and sunset. It can also be programmed with a relaxing soundscape (lapping waves, babbling brook, and rainfall).

To help beat the winter blues and the effects of seasonal change, the Rise and Shine簧 process can be reversed at night. The bedroom is filled with bright light and over a small period (perhaps 15 minutes) of time it slowly gets dimmer, which tricks the circadian rhythm. The National Institutes of Health notes that circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in your environment.

Researcher, Isaac Edery, suggested in a review of the American Physiological Society that SAD may be like jet-lag, a disturbance of the circadian rhythm caused by the seasonal shifting of the length of the day. Basically, your body expects to go to sleep when it is dark and wake up when it is light. Light products can possibly help that happen in a consistent pattern.

Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., author of Winter Blues: Everything you need to know to beat seasonal affective disorder notes, "Thousands of people across the country are sitting in front of light boxes, specially made fixtures that emit far more light that is ordinarily available to treat their symptoms of SAD or its milder variant, the winter blues."

The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association notes that Light therapy exposure for up to four hours per day (average 1-2 hours) to very bright light, at least ten times the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting, has been shown to be effective in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. Visit sunbox for more information on light boxes. For a list of studies related to the science of light, winter blues, and the effects of seasonal change, and product information visit verilux.

SAD sign 3: Something to look out for and one of the most common signs of SAD ischanges in sleeping due to a loss of energy, sluggishness, and extreme tiredness. This can become a major problem for working parents who have to juggle many responsibilities. The solution to the problem is to focus on setting limits for you, especially limits on the types of food you eat. Let's look at the third self-care strategy of the FABULOUS principle is Boundaries

If you are having difficulty waking up in the morning and oversleeping, think about what you ate the night before. Those with SAD often overeat, crave carbs, and gain weight which causes excess exhaustion. Put limits on fattening and unhealthy foods. Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal recommends including protein bars or protein based shakes in to your diet and limiting carbs. Don't eat late at night and restrict your time in the darkness. Pull the drapes back and take a break outside during the early afternoon.

The Mayo Clinic staff recommends that sufferers exercise regularly as a physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Simply stated, consider all that you can do to deal with your symptoms by creating boundaries in your life that maintain your wellbeing.

SAD sign 4: We are constantly dealing with stressful circumstances. However, the winter doldrums makes it harder to deal with and process stress in a healthy and effective way. Stress is the tension you feel in your body when responding to a stressor, which in this case is the season. Some people get physically sick when stressed out. The best way to cope with stress due to the effects of seasonal change is Understanding

Fifty years ago Hans Selye, a pioneer in stress-related disorders and medicine, coined the phrase, "stress." His ideas actually forged an entirely new medical field-research on the effects of biological stress. Selye recognized that the stress response might be provoked by emotional, physical, distressing and positive events. Selye defined stress as the nonspecific biological response or reaction of the body to an environmental demand.

Stress is the tension you experience due to the effects of the season that throws your body out of balance. Stress is so powerful that it can actually shrink the brain, which inevitably deteriorates your health. Bodies need to heal themselves, and stress can stop that from happening. Actually, the stress response is more damaging to your body than stress itself.

The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association notes that most sufferers show signs of a weakened immune system during the winter, and are more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.This can be quite stressful. Therefore, restrict your time around people who are sick. Understand that you will need to identify treatment options for things that help you to cope with stress. Learn how psychotherapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture can help.

Get a feel for what works for you and speak to your doctor about possible medications you can take. Thomas Jefferson said, "To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind must be strengthened by education," which makes understanding a powerful self-care strategy.

SAD sign 5: A sign you might be experiencing SAD is a recent lost interest in activities you normally enjoy. Otherwise known as anhedonia, there is no pleasure in hobbies, interests, or sex during the fall and winter season. The most important thing to do is try to keep your sense of humor, which brings us to the 5th FABULOUS self-care strategy, Laughter

Extreme unhappiness is physiologically overwhelming. If you are experiencing SAD, you may have a decreased sex drive nor find your usual fun pastimes enjoyable. Openly communicate with your partner that your lack of interest in sex isn't about not wanting a relationship. Communicate with your friends and family that you are finding it difficult to enjoy your usual interests.

Although the winter doldrums can bring you down, you can always find something to laugh about. Try to find something that makes you laugh, as laughter can bring about feelings of happiness. Being that our bodies change when we laugh, work at maintaining your smile. You started laughing when you were four months old. Don't give it up now. Try to find something humorous that tickles your funny bone. There is a therapeutic value of laughter.

A review of the literature found that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that laughter has some positive, measurable effects on certain aspects of health.Being that laughter increases your immunity, appreciate joyful moments.

Comedian Red Skelton said, "Have a little laugh and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter has always brought me out of unhappy situations. Even in your darkest moment, you usually can find something to laugh about if you try hard enough." When you are feeling really down, reflect on moments in your life that brought you joy. For me, it is when my triplets were young and the sounds of three little boys laughing in unison.

SAD sign 6: One of the effects of seasonal change is experiencing pessimism. The problem with pessimism is that it makes you cynical, gloomy and an all-round negative person. The goal is to remain optimistic while struggling with your symptoms. Keep your mental attitude hopeful, which moves our focus to the sixth self-care strategy, Optimism

C.S. Carver and Jennifer Connor-Smith found in their study on personality and coping, that optimism involves expectation of good outcomes, an engaged approach to life and that good outcomes require some effort. Try to remain hopeful and positive as you struggle with negative effects of seasonal change. Optimism brings about confidence. Become confident in your own ability to learn as much as you can about SAD.

Stephen Lurie, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center reviewed the literature and found that SAD, like major depression, is under-diagnosed in the typical doctor's office setting. Although there is no medical test for SAD, your physician can rule out other causes. Educate your physician about the possibility that you have SAD and assure yourself that you will come out of the funk. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." Remain hopeful as you figure out ways to light your candle to deal with the darkness the season brings and expect the best possible outcome.

SAD sign 7: One of the most difficult symptoms of SAD is withdrawing from family and friends. Being connected with others is important to your happiness. The problem of withdrawal must be addressed, so let's look at the seventh self-care strategy, being United

Surround yourself with people who understand that SAD is a real disorder. Talk about SAD with friends, family members, co-workers, and faith community. Being that SAD affects the way you function, let people know that SAD symptoms are short-lived and will pass. Prepare those in your life as they get used to the new "seasonal" you.

When you feel overwhelmed by the winter blues, create an image in your mind of your own personal routing section-those people in your life that truly care about you. Create a strong social network.

In his book, Living a Life That Matters, the author and Rabbi Harold S. Kusher, said, "We matter, not because of our achievements but because we are loved by God and loved by the people around us. That love may not shield us from pain, death, and loss, but it will make them more bearable, and that will be enough." As love makes all things bearable, we must also recognize the importance of loving ourselves.

SAD sign 8: If you are currently experiencing irritability and anxiety, it may be due to the effects of seasonal change. This can become a huge problem as it can change the meaning of your life and how you see yourself in relation to the world around you. This brings us to the last FABULOUS strategy, Self-compassion

You are not alone as you suffer with your symptoms. Millions of people have to find ways to be kind to themselves or show themselves love as they effectively find ways to cope. The Yale School of Medicine notes that research suggests that SAD may affect as many as 11 million people in the United States. To find ways to extend kindness to yourself as you cope with feelings of irritability and anxiety, begin with being compassionate to yourself.

Focus on your Winter MAP: Meaning, Authenticity, and Perception. Let's look at what that means.

First, meaning helps you to focus on the significance of the internal struggle you are facing and the meaning you have attached to your winter blues. Symptoms are not easy to deal with.

Then authenticity focuses on remaining true to yourself as you feel like someone else. Don't be harsh on yourself.

Lastly, perception focuses on what character strengths you are aware of that help you to cope with the winter blues. For instance, three strengths are being practical, wise, and creative. If these are your strengths, you would focus on real-word strategies to cope with SAD. You would be perceptive, astute to your needs, and resourceful. Get inspired as you realize the power you have to cope with this challenging situation.

SAD ain't SADness

As a bereavement specialist, I have supported those who mourn after sudden traumatic losses. In my book, But I Didn't Say Goodbye: Helping children and families after a suicide, I ask the same question at the end of each chapter, "What kind of thoughts are going through your mind right now?" As you explore the topic of SAD, take the time to focus on your thoughts as well as your feelings. And remember that feelings of sadness are related to grief where SAD is related to a kind of depression.

SAD is about four times more common in women than men, and the average age of people when they first develop this illness is 23 years of age. According to the American Association of suicidology, annually, there are 3 female suicide attempts for each male attempt and 4,371 people between the ages of 15 and 24 killed themselves; because these stats are so alarming, the problem of SAD must be addressed.

Don't allow your symptoms to get in the way of your happiness. Remain resilient! In his book, The Resiliency Advantage, the author Al Siebert defines resiliency as the ability to cope with high levels of ongoing disruptive change while sustaining good health and energy when under constant pressure. Resilient people easily bounce back from their setbacks and overcome adversities.

The acronym, FABULOUS, suggests 8 self-care strategies based in resiliency and solutions to overcome the problems of SAD. The key to successfully coping is to understand that you must recognize the problem, learn ways to redesign your day, repair the damage, and restore your strength. Call your EAP and schedule a visit with a counselor to discuss your symptoms of SAD today.

Depression - Who is Most at Risk of Depression and Anxiety?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depression is a common mental disorder that is the leading cause of disability and the leading contributor to the global burden of disease. By 2020 WHO predicts that depression will rise to the number two contributor to global burden of disease. Who would have known?

WHO Depression Facts (from WHO):

• Depression is common, affecting about 121 million people worldwide.


• Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide.


• Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated in primary care.


• Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.

So what is Depression?

Depression is a common mental disorder that manifests itself in the form of depressed mood, a loss of enjoyment of living, low self esteem, inability to sleep properly, loss of appetite, low levels of energy, and poor concentration. It affects people of all ages and from all backgrounds. Some experience severe symptoms and are unable to function day to day and fatalities account for about eight hundred and fifty thousand lives yearly.

So who is most at risk?

The statistics suggest that women are more susceptible to depression than men. Approximately one in six women will experience depression at some stage in their lives while men have a one in four chance. Whilst there are factors that affect women more so than men, the numbers mask a real issue for men...

There are factors that impact on women that contribute to depression such as child birth (post natal depression), hormone changes and the multiple roles women have in day to day life (like raising children, running a home and holding down a job, all at the same time).

One of the known issues with the statistics is that men are known to be less likely to seek support for their depression. The social stigma placed on men prevents them from seeking help and consequently the numbers may be skewed. Many men consider depression as a weakness, or at least they perceive others to do so and therefore they are reluctant to step forward and admit their illness. Although this is improving today, there are still an unknown number of men who do not present for support.

Children who experience depression are more likely to have a family history of the disorder. Often one of the parents will have experienced depression at some stage in their lives. Adolescence is a period when depression seems to affect a greater number of people, particularly girls. They too have a higher than normal likelihood to have a family history of depression although not to the same extent as children.

What are the Risk Factors?

A number of factors have been recognized as increasing the risk of contracting depression. These include such things as stress, marriage breakup, relationship break down, a loss of a loved one, onset of chronic illness such as diabetes, abuse or neglect or some other traumatic event.

Summary

Depression is a major mental disorder that is prevalent everywhere, in all ages, races and genders. There seems to be a higher incidence in women but the numbers could be somewhat misleading. There are several known contributing factors, including family history of the disease.

According to WHO, depression will be a growing problem for many years to come.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe and Thinking Well of Yourself

There are a lot of bad things that could happen to us in our lifetimes. An infinite number of things even. More than we could ever imagine, and more than we would ever care to recognize.

We spend a great deal of our lives worrying and fearing these things - of what today may bring; of what new problem will burden us or obstacle will obstruct us.

But none of these things are so ruinous to our lives really. Whether hurt, or lost, or left, we have the same opportunity to live happily and confidently. Only one problem could truly prevent it. Only one evil could ever prevent us from being our best selves.

Write and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said that no worse thing could happen to someone than he should begin to think less of himself.

It's so true.

What worse COULD happen? What other fate can so easily affect and ruin so totally every aspect of our lives? What else could TRULY kill our happiness?

Nothing. Nothing like thinking we're nothing.

Our self esteem is the only part of ourselves that protects us from the world around us. It is all that saves us from the evils of the world and the problems of the world - of people who leave, of health that's fleeting, of a world so challenging.

Between the problems life presents you and the solutions you are capable of lies your self esteem. It is the difference between the worst problem and the greatest solutions. It is the anchor in an otherwise treacherous sea. It is all that holds you together.

Without it, what remains? What is possible? What are you but sad and sorry and weak?

There is nothing worse, then, than that someone should think ill of themself; that they should be unconvinced of their power or ability, of their potential and worth, of what they can do in life, and can overcome in life. No problem equals this, and yet so many choose this problem. They allow the withering of their self esteem through the many other problems which they encounter, rather than strengthen it in the face of these problems.

They spend their life worried of these other problems, ignorant or oblivious to their greatest problem of all - the one that slowly grows in their self and slowly decays their self.

But there is nothing worse than that someone thinks ill of themself. All else is made worse by it. All else is ruined by it.

What to Do When You're Depressed

The question "What to do when depressed"? is one that rises in your mind when you are down in the doldrums. It is often very hard to take a proper decision or even think clearly when you are depressed. This psychological condition prevents you from doing anything to help yourself or feel better.

A better understanding of this condition will help you follow the right direction whenever you recognize symptoms of depression. Being aware about depression as a temporary condition, thinking positively about the future, engaging in some mind boosting activities, and telling yourself that you are close to your loved ones, friends, and family members are helpful steps. These steps are ideal for those patients who are in the beginning stages. If you are suffering from serious depression, you have to consult a physician as soon as possible. Meeting your physician is very important for a complete physical examination and deciding what treatment is required. If you are very far from a physician, immediately contact a mental health organization for recommendation. If you feel hopeless or worthless, or are plagued by thoughts to end your life, ask your friend or family member to stay with you until your appointment with the physician. Your physicians and loved ones must be aware of your medical history, prescriptions including health care preparations or medications that you use.

Doing exercise, spending half-an-hour every day for outdoor activities, eating healthy food, relaxing, keeping away from strenuous activities and negative people, trying to keep your life simple, educating yourself about depression, becoming a successful advocate yourself, writing plans to keep the mind well and creating a support network system of at least five supporters are among the things you can do to keep away from depression. Guidance from health care providers, friends, and family members are crucial for developing these plans.

How To Recognize Clinical Depression

At some point, everyone experiences temporary bouts of sadness or unhappiness. This is perfectly normal and for most people these feelings are typically short lived with no lasting effects. In some cases, however, these feelings of sadness or unhappiness cultivate into a serious, psychiatric illness called clinical depression, which can be debilitating and dangerous if left untreated.

Clinical depression can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, age, religion or income status. It does appear that it affects more women than men although this may be due to the fact that women are more likely to seek treatment than men. There are many different causes for it. A person can inherit it. It can be caused by traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, a messy divorce, or serious financial difficulties. Being consistently angry, having poor self-esteem, or having feelings of complete hopelessness can be major contributing factors. A combination of any of the above can also trigger a clinically depressed state.

The symptoms of clinical depression range from mild to very severe. They can affect the way a person thinks and acts or they can appear in the form of debilitating physical disorders or illnesses. One person may suffer from a lack of concentration, fatigue, loss of appetite, and/or insomnia. Another person could be inflicted with suicidal thoughts or tendencies. Each person is different although in many cases there are uncontrollable feelings of guilt, anxiety, or sadness. Clinical depression can also lead to other serious problems such as alcoholism or eating disorders.

Treating clinical depression can be a challenge, depending on the underlying cause of it. Most physicians are quick to write a prescription for anti-depressant prescription drugs that can have some very serious side effects. Often times, cognitive therapy is very helpful in overcoming this illness. It teaches an individual how to approach challenging situations from a different angle. Interpersonal therapy is also beneficial because it helps the patient change negative behaviors that may be causing the depression. Many are turning to alternative therapies, such as exercise, vitamins, and herbal remedies as research has shown that it can also be beneficial in the treatment of clinical depression.

If you think you may be suffering from clinical depression, contact a medical professional immediately. It is a real illness that can be treated. Left untreated, it can become very serious, if not deadly. Also, don't assume that you have clinical depression and don't try to treat it yourself. Before trying any form of treatment you should have a confirmed diagnosis from a medical professional.

Raw Food Helps in Depression

I've heard a lot of positive feedback about raw food, that it cures all sorts of illnesses including mental health problems like depression disorder.

So now I'm trying to look into it.

You are considered a raw foodist when you eat at least 75% of your food uncooked and unprocessed. And if you imagine that this means you graze on salad leaves all day long, you can scrape this image off your mind straight away.

Raw food cuisine can be extremely rich and intense but let's face it - it's hard work and requires pre-planning and preparation. There are pizzas and pastas and cakes and chocolate goodies as well, but it's all raw.

Raw foodists say that our body acidic, and to balance it and keep it healthy we need alkaline environment. Raw food is alkaline, cooked food is acidic. The more acid builds up in our bodies, the more bodies struggle with processing it until it get's to the point when they can not do it anymore and slowly fall apart and degenerate.

There are talks that even cancer is essentially an acid build up, and with proper detox program and raw food diet, the process can be reversed.

So far, so good.

However, supermodel Carol Alt who's been on the raw food diet for years, wrote a book about it and launched her own products says that we are individual and have to bear in mind our heritage. Where did we come from? What our ancestors were eating? For some people going completely vegan makes sense, for others - they need slightly seared fish or a plate of Carpaccio as well.

The point I'm trying to make is that before you decide to try raw food as a miracle cure, find a specialist who will test you and determine what you need exactly.

A lot of points telling us why raw food can help with depression and anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, etc. make perfect sense. You body gets healthier, receives all these necessary enzymes, vitamins and minerals, detoxifies itself and balances the chemicals in your brain responsible for your depression.

On the other hand there are still situational causes for depression (like some traumatic experience, a stressful job or dealing with people who you can't stand) that can not be helped with just changing your diet. That's where relaxation techniques and depression therapy changing your attitude to your environment come handy.

Overall, raw food diet can fix a lot of things that went wrong with your body, but don't forget to use every other aspect of treatment to deal with all the causes of your depression.

What do you think? Share your thoughts and experience here.

Anti-Depression Tips

In today's busy lifestyle, stress and tension at work and home can very easily lead you to a state of depression. Lack of energy and the lack of motivation to achieve anything in life are some of the obvious signs that you are depressed. Anything and everything in life tends to become difficult to carry out.

Depression is often classified as a mental health illness however, from a purely medical science point of view; depression is rather a state of mind than an illness. Severe depression can give you a feeling of being worthless, mentally exhausted and leave you feeling hopeless. These feelings, in most cases, force people give up on their ambitions and stop them from reaching out for their goals and ambitions.

However, what people fail to recognize is that the above are well too common responses to depression. In fact, these feelings are not limited to depression but often encountered by people when they have an adrenaline rush. Self-help for depression exists which can help individuals get rid of this mental illness and lead a happy fulfilling life. There are no quick fixes, but these practices overtime can help individuals in the long run.

Firstly, and probably the most effective method to overcome depression is to avoid isolating yourself and get out and about to intermingle with people, friends and family. Begin an exercise regime and if possible, have a session at the local gym once a week. This will carry a twofold benefit. Whilst maintaining your health, you will also get a chance to meet other people and share stories and jokes. After a while, socializing will help you forget your tensions and worries and help you greatly in overcoming your depression.

Secondly, eating healthy has been found out as one of the major anti-depression methods. Including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, and avoid unhealthy foods, such as sugar, refined food and fat and oils.

Relaxed chat with family and friends can make you feel better and forget the worries and tension of your daily life. A nice long walk on the beach or even a playful session with your pet can help you.

All of the above approaches will empower your inner self-confidence and leave your feeling satisfied with a sense of purpose in life. Gradually you will find your depression going away and you get back in the daily routine with increased vigor and enthusiasm.

Genius and Madness, Let's Take a Second Look

Lucidity came to me when at last I succumbed to the vertigo of the modern.
Louis Aragon

Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide.
John Dryden

Yes, there is the "rumor" if not solid truth that madness may more or less be an exhibition of genius in its most grand scale. Many poets, painters, writers, and not so shockingly, poets were creative masters, and they also were mentally ill. The areas of artistic achievement in which these writers made terrific accomplishments in are vast and diverse. Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh is a horrific view of the world through the eyes of someone in the throes of a schizo affective disorder psychosis, arguably. Some say that it was bi-polar that he was inflicted with. Virginia Woolf captures the inner consciousness of the human experience in To The Lighthouse. She suffered with inner emotional conflicts from her jarring bi-polar disorder. The pain of the rubbing tectonic plates within her mind may very well have been the source of such penetrating insight into the intricacies of the human experience. Dickinson wrote massive amounts of poetry under the influence of manic depression. Beethoven, also bi-polar, wrote symphony after symphony in the inexhaustible state of mania associated with bi-polar or manic depression.

You see in the paragraph above, I've mentioned a few artists,that were unarguably geniuses, and they were also mad. But, their madness was of the affective spectrum: bi-polar disorder or schizo affective. "Affective" essentially means "emotion" or in this case "mood." In the state of a bi-polar mania, one is able to create and create and create because of their unlimited emotional energy. If you've noticed I've yet to mention any great creative artists with schizophrenia. (With the exception of John Nash, there have been very few great schizophrenics) It seems as though the fiery fluctuations of mood in the affective spectrum tend to have a particularly amount of influence for the artist, who, at least in my case, is using writing fiction, painting and even cooking; anything to keep the demons from chewing at your neural fibers. So why is it that schizophrenics, who display the most 'original' characteristics not be known to be famous artists, Why is this? Schizophrenics do create art, but they seem so far away, too unreachable and perplexing to an average person, and so distant from the norm, that their work is frowned upon as being irrelevant. These individuals have created beautiful art. Look at the paintings below for instance.

These are cats in the way the artist saw them as he progressed into the depths of the disease. People should really take a look at the art of the schizophrenic. They are accused of being overly abstract, when in reality; their work may very well represent the inner lives of all of us. Perhaps the schizophrenic lives in the subconscious state that we all reside in, only we are not fully aware of it. It is worth thinking about at least.

Cause Of Depression - What You Must Know

People suffer from depression for different reasons. Basically, it is a result of having some unresolved issues in their lives. It is a normal thing to be depressed. Just that you need to make sure that you're getting the help you need to overcome the depression. You need to be making the right decisions to get through the problems facing you. Find out the cause of depression and deal with it.

Having a personal problem is one cause of depression. Family life or any personal relationship can give rise to such problems. If you're facing difficulties in dealing with an issue and it is stressing you quite badly, you'll need to find a way out of it. If you ignore it totally and do not take any action or seek any help or treatment that is necessary, you may end up with more problems that can cause harm to both your mind and body.

Another common cause of depression is found in your career. Problems can arise in your job or in the relationships with your co-workers. These problem can cause you to feel depressed and, in more severe cases, you may need help to resolve these issues. Together with feelings of depression, you may also experience feelings of stress and unhappiness. When you're unsure of how to handle problems at work, you may need to work through the issues with a professional to get yourself back on track again.

Sometimes a depression can be caused by some illness. They may be having an illness that cause a chemical imbalance in their bodies which give rise to feelings of depression in them. Such people will need to consult their doctors for treatment in order to help them overcome their depression. They should discuss these issues seriously with their doctors so that the right treatment can be prescribed.

Some cases of depression do not seem to have any reasons for their existence. They don't seem to have any causes that can be identified to be the problem. There are some issues in their mind that they find it hard to work through. You need to get help to resolve these issues or to have them removed from your mind. You do not need to have a real reason for depression. You just need to get help as the first step in solving the problem.

What ever is the cause of depression for you, getting help is the most important thing to do. Be willing to take up responsibility for yourself and get the necessary help. Find out the cause of your depression and get the treatment required to make you feel better. After treatment is started, you can expect to feel better with a sense of relief in your body.

How To Prevent Depression When It Strongly Runs In The Family

Genetics remains a big factor in the development of depression. This is why clients who seek medical attention for depression are usually asked if they have any one in their family diagnosed and treated for depression or any mood disorder, for that matter. If the clients, to the best of their knowledge, reply in the affirmative, the doctor next tries to determine the treatments given and which worked best for them. The information can prove to be very useful to find the right treatment program for the depressed individuals.

Needless to say, even if depression strongly runs in the family, it doesn't mean that you will simply resign to your fate. Chances of depression developing are high, yes, but depression is not necessarily imminent for such individuals. Moreover, genetic predisposition to depression may also serve as a warning to take the necessary precautions.

How To Prevent Depression:

For people with a family history of depression, there is hope. Preventing the disorder is possible by:

• Taking essential vitamins, especially those of the B family.
  
  • Vitamin B1 or Thiamine improves memory and helps in controlling anxiety and depression. Depressed individuals suffering from fatigue, loss of appetite, and insomnia, may find an improvement in these symptoms by taking Vitamin B1.
  
  
  • Vitamin B3 or Niacin also works as an antidepressant. It's been used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Aside from boosting body metabolism, Vitamin B3 also reduces symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and memory loss.
  
  
  • Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid lowers stress levels and helps relieve fatigue and depression.
  
  
  • Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is known for its role in the regulation of enzymes, but aside from that this B-vitamin is also found to improve mood and decrease anxiety and nervousness.
  
  
  • Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid is also an antidepressant.
  
  
  • Vitamin C stabilizes mood and reduces anxiety.
  
  
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential fatty acids that are critical in brain development and brain health. Regular intake of Omega 3 Fatty Acids can prevent depression.
  
  
  • Iron is another element that needs to be in sufficient amounts to prevent depression.
  
  
  • Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc also help control some symptoms


• Employ stress management techniques. As stress can trigger depression, employing stress management techniques is going to be beneficial especially to people who have a familial history of depression. Among these techniques one has to learn are:
  
  
  • Proper management of time, money, and resources. A cluttered lifestyle adds to stress which triggers anxiety and depression. Fix your things, sort your wardrobe, get rid of stuff you no longer need. Even if multi-tasking these days is a must, you need to learn how to manage your time so that you will be able to do more things in less time without stressing yourself out. If money is the cause of your depression, learn to budget your money. You may need to make a few sacrifices which eventually will make you realize the value of money as well as the value of having peace of mind.
  
  
  • Exercise. Exercise comes with many benefits. Not only does it help one achieve physical well being but it also promotes a healthy mind. Exercising is one of the best ways to cope with stress. Try leisure walks after a hard day's work at the office to experience what I mean.
  
  
  • Meditation/Yoga. Yoga relaxes the mind and helps one deal with stress better. Yoga trains the mind such that one eventually works towards a healthier lifestyle which can prevent depression.

As you can see, you don't have to resign to the fact that depression runs in your family. If you take action now, you can keep depression from crippling you for the rest of your life.

An Integrated Approach to Treat Depression

Depression, anxiety, phobias and mental health feature almost daily in the media and it appears that depression is fast becoming one of the biggest problems experienced within society. These conditions increasingly affect people living in the modern world and research has led to estimates that at least 17% of the adult population have had, or will have, an episode of depression of sufficient clinical severity to warrant treatment. A special national Institute of Mental Health report on Depressive Disorders in 1973 stated that depression accounts for 75% of all psychiatric hospitalisations and that during any given year 15% of all adults between 18 and 74 may suffer significant depressive symptoms. Current studies indicate that the lifetime risk of depression in an adult population could be as high as 30%.

Along with the increased incidence of depression has been an explosion in the use of prescription drugs to treat the condition, but recent reports have questioned whether these are effective or indeed simply create more problems for the patient. Accordingly there is a growing interest in finding a fresh approach to the treatment of these conditions. Having trained in clinical psychology and psychotherapy I am able to incorporate a lot of the accepted practices. However, the more I worked with individuals and with groups I found that by integrating the eastern inspired approaches that I learnt in India, I was able to achieve far more effective and lasting results within a shorter period of time.

Understanding Depression

In Psychiatry depression is referred to as a mood disorder. Mood disorders have been known to man since antiquity; the old Testament describes King Saul as suffering from severe depressive episodes. However, the term encompasses a wide spectrum of emotions ranging from deep depression to unbounded elation and mania and so understanding the behaviour of individuals suffering from depression can be very challenging.

All people experience a range of emotions and in general they are a healthy part of life and feeling appropriate emotions contributes positively to our well being. However, emotions are of two main types; firstly affective emotions, in other words a short lived emotional response to an event, and secondly mood, which is a lasting and dominant emotional response which colours the whole psychic life.

More than 90% of depressed people experience prolonged moods of sadness, discouragement or a sense of not caring any more. However, to classify someone with a major depressive episode clinicians look for five or more of the following symptoms to have been present during the preceding two weeks. There should also be a noticeable change in previous functioning with at least one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.

Symptoms:
1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day.
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain eg. A change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. Or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
4. Insomnia (sleeplessness) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) nearly everyday.
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness
9. Recurrent thoughts of death

No single casual factor as to why people get depressed has been identified. Research points to many factors that seem to contribute to its development, including genetics, biochemical changes and personality theories. Several research papers have reported findings which suggest that relatives of patients with major depressive disorders have a higher prevalence of depression than people in the general population. Other research has focussed on biochemical correlates of depression and studied the role of chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another in the brain. Whilst several theories related to depression have been developed regarding personality types.

My experience as a Doctor has led me to view each client as an individual whose requirements need personalised attention. Human beings are a complex creation whose health and wellbeing depends on a balance in all dimensions of their lives, from physical health to behavioural, energy and even environmental aspects.

Treating Depression

Conventional western medicine generally treats depression using medication eg. Tricyclic, heterocyclic anti-depressants and the new SSRT drugs. The commonly used psychological therapies for the treatment of depression are individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Eastern Psychotherapy integrates eastern methods, such as meditation, yoga, pranic, or energy, healing, mantra and sound healing, with elements of the traditional psychotherapy developed in the West. When treating depression and other mental health conditions it is vital to look for the causative factors and explore the issues using ayurvedic principles as well as acknowledging the spiritual component. It may sometimes also be appropriate to study the astrological chart of the person being treated to seek a better understanding of the influences affecting the individual and gem therapy, which is a commonly accepted practice in many parts of Asia, may be recommended.

The treatment of conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety is undoubtedly enhanced by the use of complementary techniques. The value of seeking help from professionals who have worked with both approaches is they can select the right choice of treatment for each individual. Orthodox techniques often deal effectively with the symptoms, however eastern practices can be more helpful with the underlying causes. A therapist who understands the personal needs of each individual is more able to provide them with an empowering approach to their illness. For some the focus may be on the traditional Western methods, but for others accelerated and positive results can be achieved by blending the best of East and West in an integrated treatment programme.

With an integrated approach to depression most individuals are able to benefit within 3 or 4 sessions, sometimes even less, depending on the nature of their condition. It is important with any therapeutic approach to ensure clients do not develop a dependency on the treatment or only enjoy a temporary respite because the underlying causes have not been addressed.

CASE STUDY

Miss K, a 35 year old female failed to respond to conventional treatment. An holistic approach included energy and environmental assessments as well as her medical background. She had a five year history of depression which had been particularly severe in the preceding six months. She was using anti-depressants and had undergone several sessions of counseling which she did not like.

The assessment on the energetic level revealed some blockages in the heart and solar plexus chakras. The environment at home was dark and sombre with black and grey being her main choice of colours; there was no flow of energy.

She was recommended to try a combination of energy therapies including Reiki and music/mantra treatment along with some suggestions of changes to the home environment. She also used a herbal remedy (St John's Wort), massage and acupuncture and embarked on six sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy. Her programme lasted six months, but she responded very well and has been free of depression for more than a year reporting that she feels generally well, is taking an active interest in her life and in her personal development.

TEXT ENDS

November 2008

Depression and Anxiety - How to Recognize it Before It's Too Late

Does any of this sound familiar?

"There is so much that needs doing around the house, but I'm just not up to it today. Maybe tomorrow"

"I've been doing mediocre work on the job. It's just a matter of time before they fire me."

"My wife is going to leave me because I'm such a loser."

These are typical beliefs of clinically (sometimes called chronic) depressed individuals and they are very real and natural to them - never realizing that the thoughts are abnormal. Clinical depression can also affect your body, behavior and your ability to work or study. Other typical symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, apathy and worthlessness. You lose interest in activities that were once enjoyable and get no satisfaction from what was once exciting. You end up dwelling on these negative thoughts and your mood spirals down deeper and deeper. Sleep patterns change. Appetite changes. Making decisions become difficult. You may become angry or anxious for no apparent reason.Even suicide is considered.

In a nutshell, you beat yourself up and blame yourself and feel guilty for everything. Clinical depression is not a sign of weakness, as so many people believe. Individuals cannot simply "pull themselves out of it," In fact, the sickness actually interferes with wanting or asking for help.There are different levels and types of clinical depression and every year it affects over 17 million men and women in the United States. Some believe it's caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, while others think the biological changes are a result of the depression. Either way, it's not import how you got it - what is important is that you seek help as soon as possible.

I know because last year it happened to me. But I made the mistake of not finding help soon enough. In fact I'm still in recovery. Remember those three examples above? Those were mine. For over three months I developed clinical depression and didn't know it, I just thought that my life had taken a turn for the worse and that was why I was feeling so down; why I couldn't fall asleep for hours because I'd be worrying about this or that; why my appetite dropped drastically; and why I felt so alone, hopeless and pessimistic.Then one day I got a rather nasty letter from the IRS and it was more than I could handle. I ended up on the bed in a fetal position, crying for over 4 hours. I experienced my first of many full-blown anxiety attacks (also known as panic attacks). It was then that my wife and I decided I needed help so I started seeing a therapist.

After six weeks and a dozen or so sessions, my therapist diagnosed severe clinical depression, which was beyond her training. She suggested that I check myself into a psychiatric hospital. I was assured that it would be a five-day stay and I would be treated with a combination of psychiatric care and medications.Well, the five days turned into forty-four. During that time I was put on heavy medications (seven ones in all); I went to group therapy twice a day; I had thirteen ECT (electric shock therapy) treatments; and because I was so anxious and nervous, I took up smoking again, a lot. But even with all that, I was so depressed that suicide seemed like a pretty good idea.

Needless to say, I was in a seriously bad state of mental health.But I eventually did improve (Xanax became my best friend), and finally I graduated from inpatient status to outpatient status for another ten weeks. This consisted of gong to the hospital three days a week for further therapy and continuing with all the medications. For a while there was under the care of two psychologists and four therapists simultaneously. Between my sessions with them and my medication schedules, my calendar was a crowded mess. But after those seventeen intense weeks,I'm feeling much better. My anxiety is almost nonexistent and I have only a few days of depressed feelings per month.

What can you do to avoid what I went through?If I had only known at the beginning of those first three month what I know now, I might have been able to avoid the whole hospital thing altogether. You see, there are other tools and options available that can stop the depression-downward-spiral before it becomes too deep. Some involve self-cognitive programs, some use over-the-counter natural anti-depressants, and others combine the two. They have proven to be effective and tens of thousands of people have overcome their depression or anxiety in only a few short weeks. They avoided hundreds of therapy sessions, long stays in hospitals, weeks of missing work, long lists of prescriptions medications. And they save a lot of money.

So take it from someone who knows: If you think you see the beginning signs of anxiety or depression, take affirmative action right away before it's too late. If I had, I could have saved months of needless heartache and suffering (for both my wife and myself), the loss of my job, and an awful lot of money.

PS: I'm still in recovery but as I mentioned earlier, I'm doing much muchbetter. I'm down to visiting only one therapist once a week and a nurse practitioner (for prescription medications) once a month. But I'll be on anti-depressants for at least a year. Oh, and the letter from the IRS..don't ask.

Health Benefits of Motorcycle Riding

Motorcycle enthusiasts will tell you, the thrill and adrenaline rush you get when riding a motor bike down the road is amazing. The exhilarating feeling will get you out of any low points in your life, as least momentarily. Whether you just have time to go for a quick run, or actually plan a road trip with your buddies, there's no comparison. Some people love the sound and feel of a powerful engine's vibration as they ride down the road. Driving a car just doesn't give the same thrill it seems. With this said, even though there is great risk involved in riding a motorcycle, can it actually improve your health and general well being? Read on to find out!

Some people will swear that motorcycle riding promotes healthy brain development. Furthermore, some people in their 50's and 60's credit their love for bike riding and other activities with their bike for helping them keep their brains functioning at a peak level. Riding a motorcycle pushes you to stay alert at all times and to multi-task. This helps people develop their cognitive skills at peak performance. For example, since motorcycle riders must watch out for many other dangers and to avoid potential hazards around them, they must process information quickly and respond accordingly.

In a research environment, motorcycle riders scored higher on the tests than the non-riding participants. Also it was shown that people who had their motorcycle licenses for longer periods of time, at least ten years, also performed the best in terms of cognitive ability. The health benefit of motorcycle riding doesn't end there though. It's no surprise that riding a bike takes a lot of effort and energy in comparison to driving a four passenger car. Controlling the bike takes almost every muscle in your body to balance, steer, and avoid obstacles in the road. Muscle tone and definition is something that frequent riders will tell you - motorcycle riding allows them to get their daily dose of exercise. You can even cut down on so many trips to the gym.

People value companionship these days, and sometimes you can't really do that in a four passenger car. Whether you ride a Harley or a Yamaha, almost all bikers will wave to each other when passing, and you can join many groups of people and organizations who get together to ride like a family. This creates a tight network of long lasting friendships, if you let it. Most other bikers are friendly and want to join you along the way if you are traveling in the same direction as they are. Companionship can raise your morale and mental wellbeing, which definitely plays a large part in your health.

Along that same note, riding improves your mood. Without a doubt, any motorcycle junkie and owner will tell you that they feel happier when riding. Happiness takes down our stress levels and prolongs our life span. It even helps us counter anxiety, depression, and general illnesses. If something lifts your mood, your health will definitely improve. So a joy ride with your bike could actually give you a healthier lifestyle.

Another way to make sure you are safe at all times is to get a comprehensive motorcycle insurance plan. You'll have greater peace in mind when riding. Safety concerns may be slightly curbed knowing you have full insurance coverage.

Drinking Too Much Alcohol Affects Your Life Insurance Rate

Does the amount of alcohol you drink affect your life insurance rates? While insurance companies may not be primarily concerned with how much alcohol you drink, they are definitely concerned about any adverse effects your drinking may have on your health. Heavy drinking as a lifestyle may lead to chronic health concerns such as heart disease, stroke, depression, dementia, liver and gastrointestinal problems.

Because the amount of alcohol you consume may have bearing on your health and longevity, life insurance companies are interested in this aspect of your life. Most companies would not hesitate to increase your insurance rates if you are a heavy drinker. In fact, according to the underwriting practices of some insurance companies, drinking two drinks a day may disqualify you from the "preferred" category. Drinking four or more drinks a day may disqualify you from "standard" insurance rates.

If you already have a history of alcohol abuse, and you have attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings or have had a DUI on your driving record, this could lead to much higher life insurance rates. Depending on how severe your alcohol condition is, some insurance underwriters may decline your application for life insurance or put you in a class which is very expensive.

Most insurance companies require you to undergo a life insurance medical exam. Your blood and urine tests will reveal whether you are a heavy drinker or a moderate drinker. Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) is a test that checks liver functions. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate that you are a heavy drinker even if alcohol use is not noted on your medical history or on your application. Abnormal liver functions are normally assumed by insurance companies to be related to excessive alcohol consumption. If doubts exist, an insurance company may ask you to do an "alcohol marker" test to verify your liver abnormalities are alcohol-related. But even if it is not alcohol-related, you may still be put into an expensive life insurance rate category because abnormal liver functions are considered a health risk.

If you have ever received a DUI, you can expect a heavy insurance rate if you apply within the first three years after you have been charged. After that, depending on your medical history and current health condition, you may be charged standard rates. If you have complied with drug rehabilitation programs ordered by the court, your chances for better insurance rates may start looking good only after you've completed the drug program. Multiple alcohol or drug-related traffic violations could put you under the "non-insurable" category.

The bottom line? If you have any history of a drinking problem, mention this on your application. Any kind of misinformation on your application is considered to be fraud and may render your policy null and void.

There are several life insurance companies whose underwriters look upon alcohol-related conditions in a much better light. Screening hundreds of insurance companies to find one that suits your needs would take time, effort and a lot of comparative study. Using online life insurance providers who have access to hundreds of reliable insurance companies may be your best option for finding the best insurance rates, whether you do or do not have a drinking problem.

My Child Is Sad

Everyone gets sad. Every single person has had sad feelings once in a while. It is normal to feel blue, isolated, down or out of sorts occasionally. More than half of teenagers go through a sad period at least once a month and younger children do too.

What makes kids sad?

Hurt feelings, anxiety over school, home and family issues or worrying about things in the news. One of the major reasons for sadness in children is feeling that they are not understood and accepted. Sometimes with sadness, there are other feelings mixed in like guilt, anger or resentment. Unfortunately, children may feel that events like death, illness or divorce is their fault. They may feel shame over something that happened and they are afraid to tell parents for fear they will be blamed and lose their love and support.

Why would they feel that way?

Because they are children and their minds are not able to make the distinction between cause and effect. They need to be reassured that your love is unconditional and that sometimes in life bad things happen to good people.

When is sadness a problem?

When it goes on for too long, hurts too deeply and interferes with daily life it goes from sadness into depression. It is thought by many professionals that while events may be a trigger for depression, it is not what happens to us in life, rather how we respond and make sense of the events.

What should caring parents watch for?

Prior to puberty the equivalent of depression in children is anxiety. Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, founder and director of the New York University Child Study Center says, "When kids are anxious they most probably have similar biochemical issues to teenagers. About half of depressed teens had a childhood anxiety disorder." Most kids will bounce back from a disappointment or adverse situation in a few days. Depressed children are still sad after a couple of weeks.

How do we help our children overcome sadness and depression?

Much of clinical depression is about how we interpret reality and when we fall into thought patterns that are negative or unrealistic, they may take time to reframe. Sometimes treatment involves talking to someone who knows about depression. I recommend cognitive therapy which is short term and result oriented. It is sometimes necessary to take medications which can give a brain a jump start on reframing our thoughts.

Little bouts of bruised feelings, disappointments and the blues are part of our lives, but deep sadness, anxiety and unhappiness is not what anybody deserves. Depression will not go away by itself. We need to be encouraging, supportive and responsive to our children's moods and emotions.

This is a wonderful world, filled with good opportunities, people and experiences, and we want to help our children and ourselves enjoy it to its fullest.

Post Partum Depression - Fact, Fiction Or Theory?

Postpartum depression is a much more common problem than once thought with as many as 15% of new mothers suffering from symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder (also known as "Manic" Depression) to schizophrenia. Most cases of Postpartum depression are from new mothers, but it can affect a woman after any pregnancy, usually within three months after child birth.

Doctors don't really know what causes this type of disorder. There have have been many studies done and there are a few theories as to possible causes, but no hard facts, as of yet. Below are some of the theories resulting from many different studies done on this condition.

Some studies show that it could be caused by a sudden, dramatic change in the level of a woman's hormones. This is a distinct possibility considering that the body is taken from having such a large amount of hormones to literally being "brought back to reality" with her hormones returning to a normal level. This occurs very suddenly over the twenty four hour period following childbirth. This is similar to the mood changes a woman experiences when suffering from Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Other studies disagree. They tend to believe that it has something to do with the dramatic changes in the person's life by the stress of suddenly entering into motherhood. This is another possibility to consider as each person will react differently to different situations and different forms of stress.

Another study done shows that there are changes in thyroid hormones that bring about changes in women such as mood swings, anger, sadness and insomnia. This can be detected with blood tests and resolved by giving the patient medication to help get their hormone level back to normal.

Others say that the condition is brought on by the sudden shock of having all of the enormous responsibility that goes with having a child. Suddenly being responsible for the life of another human being is difficult for some women to grasp.

Another part of the difficulty is lack of sleep brought on by late night feedings and irregular sleep patterns, long periods of the baby crying and trying everything that they can think of to get the child to stop, without any results. This can bring on terrible feelings of guilt and thoughts of themselves as being a bad mother. This can lead to the mother feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

Another potential "trigger" to postpartum depression could be the amount of weight gain. This is a very sensitive topic for many women. Their self esteem could suffer from this, especially if they have a spouse or significant other that is not very supportive. They may have had high hopes of their body immediately returning to normal after giving birth, but may be faced with the reality that, for some, they're overweight for the first time in their life.

These are all just theories of course and will be until medical science can establish the truth, based on facts.

If you or anyone that you know is suffering from what you think may be postpartum depression, please seek medical attention as soon as possible. There may be treatments that your doctor can offer that will be helpful to get you or your loved one through this rough time in your life.

Gluten Intolerance, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Liver Damage

You may not know you have gluten intolerance - but you should be highly suspect if you have elevated liver enzymes.

Gluten intolerance, largely a genetic disorder can cause many health challenges. People who suffer with bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea, fatigue, weight gain, bone or joint pain, dental enamel defects, depression, infertility, anemia, alopecia areata (hair loss), migraines, multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any of the dozens of other symptoms should suspect their malady to be connected to gluten intolerance.

Elevated liver enzymes may indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including the enzymes made in the liver, into the bloodstream, which can result in elevated liver enzymes on blood tests. Two common liver enzymes regularly tested in most blood chemistries include AST (aspartate transaminase) and ALT (Alanine transaminase).

AST (aspartate aminotransferase), which was previously called SGOT, can also be elevated in heart and muscle diseases and is not liver specific. The normal range of AST is 0 to 45 U/L

ALT (alanine aminotransferase), which previously was called SGPT, is more specific for liver damage. The normal range of ALT is 0 to 45 U/L

Besides these two enzymes, the liver produces other enzymes, which are special protein based molecules that help necessary chemical reactions to take place. Liver enzymes trigger activity in the body's cells, speeding up and facilitating naturally occurring biochemical reactions, and maintaining various metabolic processes within the liver.

I regularly see patients who have high liver enzymes of "unknown etiology", which simply means the cause has not been discovered. One common sign of gluten intolerance is elevation in liver enzymes. Elevated liver related enzymes can lead to additional damage to other parts of the body outside the liver if the cause of the elevated enzymes is not discovered.

I challenged a patient of mine who has had elevated liver enzymes as long as she can remember to get properly tested for gluten intolerance. You probably guessed right - she was gluten intolerant. This patient agreed she should eat gluten free the rest of her life. In one month on a proprietary specialized dietary healing plan, her liver enzymes came down into the normal range, the first time since her liver enzymes have been tested many, many years ago!

Unfortunately most doctors still use tests that are outdated and inaccurate for gluten sensitivity testing. At Johnson Chiropractic Neurology and Nutrition we use the most advanced, state-of-the-art testing gluten intolerance. The tests we use include testing for genes that predispose one to celiac sprue and gluten intolerance (I found I have one of each), as well as a special test that measures ones sensitivity to several components (epitopes) of wheat. Until very recently (January, 2011) testing for Gluten Sensitivity has only been against one component of wheat; alpha gliadin. Through extensive research Cyrex Labs, pinpointed the twelve components of wheat that most often provoke an immune response. You will want to learn more about this specialized testing, especially if you have unexplained elevated liver enzymes.

Depression and Pain in Endometriosis

Depression and pain in Endometriosis are two symptoms that often go together. It is quite common for women with Endometriosis Symptoms to either ignore the pain they were feeling or to minimize it.

Guilt can often be found in people with chronic illnesses such as Endometriosis. The diagnosis of a disease coupled with being unable to cope with the physical and emotional pain of having Endometriosis leads to way to depression. There are many theories about why depression and pain in Endometriosis are so common together.

It is common for an Endometriosis sufferer to seek medical therapy to ease the symptoms that come with it, especially pain. Usually contraceptives high in progestins are prescribed to counter balance the excess estrogen in your system.

This kind of contraceptive slows down and in some cases stops you from having your period and even prevents endometrial tissue from growing anywhere other than the uterus. The side effects of these medications are mild however do include depression, nausea and headaches.

In some women theses side effects are severe, which is one of the reasons why depression and pain in endometriosis tend to be more pronounced with some of the treatment options given for Endometriosis.

Not only do pills high in progestin cause depression, it can also cause bloating as well. In today's society looks and appearances rank extremely highly and bloating can provide yet another area of frustration, anger and sadness, which combined together with other life situations, can cause depression.

Birth Control Pills are not considered a long term solution because they tend to weaken your bone density. As such, some experts believe that the insertion of an IUD containing progestin is a better solution. However, IUDs tend to aggravate Endometriosis and further enhance depression and pain in Endometriosis.

If depression is the side effect of a drug you are taking then you should ask your doctor to prescribe it at a lower dosage or change it to something else.

You should never force yourself to take something that causes depression as it is not a long term solution. When depression and pain in Endometriosis becomes severe and medication is not solving the problem then you and your doctor should agree on another option of treatment.

This may include surgery and even psychotherapy to ease the effects of depression and pain. Group therapy is also another option that helps relieve depression and pain in Endometriosis.

Another great source of relief from depression and pain in Endometriosis is alternative therapies. These may include aromatherapy treatments that are healing to the body and also encourage mental relaxation. There is a feeling of well being produced by aromatherapy that is helpful in the control of depression and pain in Endometriosis.

Homeopathy is another alternative that works on healing the whole person and not just the condition you are suffering from. It is quite effective as well and may assist you if you are trying not to take drugs for the problem you are facing.

It is important for women suffering depression and pain in Endometriosis to not stay isolated but to create a network of support made up of friends and family. Isolation in itself could exacerbate depression and do more harm than good.

In order to effectively treat depression and pain in Endometriosis the emotional effects of this condition must be addressed and counseling given to help cope with chronic pain.

It is important to know that there is hope for you if you are in this situation. Keep looking for what works for you and do not despair.

Why Anti-Depressants Can Cause More Harm Than Good

Life for you may have been difficult lately. Perhaps you've lost your job, or have been ill, or someone you love has been ill or even passed on. You might not even know exactly why you are feeling down. You just know that it is difficult to get out of bed and get moving in the morning. You may even be wondering if life is worth living.

Most people who feel this way go to their doctor. They related to their primary care physician what they are feeling. A good doctor will do an exam and run some tests to be sure you're not having any physical issues, such as low thyroid, which may be the underlying cause of your symptoms. If you check out physically, or if your doctor sees no need for the tests, you will most likely be prescribed an anti-depressant.

Would you believe that around 30 million people in the United States have had anti-depressants prescribed to cope with anything ranging from the blues to clinical depression? You or a loved one might even be one of them.

There are a number of debilitating side effects of these medications:

• Can interfere with depression resulting in nausea, constipation, diarrhea


• Can interfere with sleep causing both insomnia and sleepiness as well as fatigue


• Loss of sex drive


• Increased anxiety and depression


• Suicidal thoughts, despair or acts

There is a saying, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you will keep getting what you're getting." One of my concerns is that there are now drugs being advertised that say if your antidepressant isn't working, take this new drug. Won't these new drugs just continue to add more side effects?

The prescribing of antidepressants results in issues not contained in the side effect information.

1. Many people enter into the abuse of other prescription drugs. There seems to be the thought that if the antidepressant isn't working, maybe an anti-anxiety medication will work. This is the pathway to addiction to prescription drugs.

2. The underlying cause of depression is not addressed. It is cheaper for insurance companies to have you on medication rather than pay a therapist to assist you in sorting through what is causing your emotional down-turn.

3. When you don't confront the underlying issue, you are prevented from growing as an individual. The underlying pain that could be resolved through means other than medication can be preventing you from having the energy to enjoying life to the fullest.

The instinct to pop a pill to feel better can cause more problems than you can know.

The Pros and Cons of PSA Test For Prostate Cancer

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is made possible through different kind of exams. Certain exams are made on the prospective patient to be able to fully diagnose someone to have this type of cancer. A blood test is usually done to check the levels of prostate-specific antigen. Any rise of this component in the blood indicates that there is something wrong with the prostate gland of the person. PSA test can pose a lot of advantages on the screening of the patient however it can also have some disadvantages. That is why some doctors talk it over to the patient so that there will be knowledge as to how significant this test can be.

One of the advantages of prostate cancer screening by checking out the levels of prostate-specific antigen is the earliest possible time that the condition can be detected. It allows the medical experts to track what is wrong with your prostate and of course do what is necessary immediately. However, some tumors of the prostate may grow and develop slowly that is why sometimes it is not noticeable at an earlier stage and there is no evident increase of PSA in the blood.

Checking your PSA levels allows prompt treatment if ever you have prostate cancer. But not all of these types of cancer require treatment. Doctors would usually orient you about the side effects of the different treatment modalities. Sometimes, it would do you more harm than good that is why treatment may not be necessary. It is your sole decision as to what you would prefer and the doctor must tell you on what your options are when it comes to whether or not to go for a certain kind of treatment.

This procedure is a simple and short procedure because a blood sample will just be taken from you. From there, they will be able to see any abnormalities on the PSA levels. However, there are some instances where it can indicate a false result. Elevation does not only indicate prostate cancer but it also shows other problems on this part of the body. There are also some results which show no increase but then in reality you really have cancer. This means that it does not give a definite result.

Having the test can assure males whether they have or do not have prostate cancer. It gives them an answer to their questions. Although it may provoke depression and anxiety at least there is a chance to do something about it because of the earlier time that this type of cancer was noted. Submitting yourself into a test may also tell you that you do not have cancer at all. At least, you have tried your best in monitoring your condition most especially if you have just realized that you are prone to getting it because of certain factors.

The earlier prostate cancer screening has brought about a great contribution to the decrease in the death rates of patients who are suffering from this type of cancer. Through the tests, detection and prevention from any complications become a possibility.