Saturday, August 24, 2013

Depression and Procrastination - The Terrible Duo Challenge


Virtually, people have at least dawdled with the procrastination process. Some even made it a way of life. Depression and procrastination appear to be a bothering phenomenon. The link between the two is connected and the lack of action simply correlates with one another.

In a broader view, procrastination and depression has been associated to several organizational and societal issues. Procrastinating is an inertial process where one subsequently do what one has done before and continues the pattern. Unless having the motivation to break from it, procrastination will devour ones self and eventually lead to a feeling of depression.

On the other hand, when one feels depressed, depression may overshadow all interests which leads to slow progression towards a goal. Depression is a common reaction to events that seem overwhelming or negative. The signs and symptoms of depression and the severity of the problem vary and the significance of the precipitating event.

So, the question now is "Which really comes first? Depression or procrastination?"

Some signs and symptoms of procrastination.

A lack of self-control is one bad habit to procrastinate. Finding oneself setting aside important tasks for an insignificant exciting activity might eventually lead to continuous practice on the inertial process.

Lack of organization wherein what needs to be done first would actually land to incomplete tasks. Less productivity may lead to lesser job contribution that would result to low effectivity.

Introducing negative ideas such as "I don't want to. I couldn't do it. I feel tired. I don't feel like it. It's too scary." blunt exertions towards ones achievement.

Signs and symptoms of depression.

Emotional symptoms can include feelings of tiredness, sadness, emptiness, or numbness. Behavioral signs include irritability, inability to concentrate, difficulty making decisions, loss of sexual desire, crying, sleep disturbance, and social withdrawal. Physical signs of depression may include loss of appetite, weigh loss, constipation, headache, and dizziness.

Overcome procrastination.

The first thing to overcome this procrastinating process is to stop and address the problem right away! Consider intelligent ways to respond. If the problem is self-control, learn some disciplinary actions. Regulating this destructive habit is identifying the root cause issue. Practice some time management skills that would help find ways to reach ones goals and tame ones time.

Approach for depression.

Perhaps the best means in dealing with mild to moderate depression might be exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, organizing and focusing, and acceptance of the effects of depression suffered, which reduces how much one can accomplish.

Diet and Depression - Nourish Your Body to Heal Your Mind


How many people do you know who are on a diet? How many people do you know who are on anti-depressants? Is there a link?

Without question there is a link between food and mood which any mother of a 4 year old with a handful of M&M's can tell you. She can also describe her own sugar fueled mood swings. But beyond those daily ups and downs, food has a powerful effect on how we feel emotionally over longer terms and if we consistently eat poorly we will suffer from low energy, lack stamina, have brain fog and just feel awful. So awful that we may be tempted to find a pill for relief.

You are what you eat. Most people understand that if they eat highly processed, sugar filled, nutrient depleted "dead" foods, they will feel dead. However, many health conscious dieters don't realize that in striving for an ideal weight and depriving themselves of fresh, whole foods in favor of imitation "diet foods," they may be setting themselves up for a bout of depression.

Julia Ross, a clinical psychologist and an expert on the treatment of eating disorders and addictions, sees a connection between the skyrocketing rates of depression and the diet obsession in this country. She notes that we are 100 times more depressed than we were in 1900 and that fully 50% of Americans over the age of 14 are experiencing "significant debilitating depression and/or anxiety." You should find that shocking.

At the same time, she says, our diets have deteriorated to the point of "epidemic malnutrition." Processed foods did not become widespread until after World War II in the 1950's. Statistics show that in 1965, after the processed food industry had been going strong for about 10 years, the average U.S. woman was deficient in 3 nutrients, and by 1990 that deficiency had risen to 13 nutrients. Part of the problem can be traced back to the Twiggy phenomenon starting in the 1960's that led women to slash fat and calories from their diets. Compounding the problem was the introduction in the 1970's of high fructose corn syrup and similar sweeteners that are twice as sweet as sucrose and twice as addictive. This combination led to women wanting to starve themselves for the waif look but unable to resist hi-carb processed foods containing addictive high fructose corn syrup that made them fat.

The first sign of malnutrition may not be physical hunger, but what Ross, author of The Mood Cure, calls "false moods." Some people become irritable or quick to anger, sometimes even becoming violent. Other people exhibit signs of depression, becoming apathetic or having no energy, become shaky, teary and unable to deal with stress. Still others are overwhelmed by anxiety.

Diet is essential to correcting mood disorders, especially protein, which is brain food. However, protein has come under attack in recent years particularly protein from animal sources. Many are quick to say "Oh, I don't eat red meat anymore." However, for many people, protein, and especially animal protein, can make them feel strong, alert, confident and powerful. And as people eliminate or cut back on animal protein, many fail to find a replacement vegetarian protein source and end up just increasing carbohydrates, often the processed version. To stabilize mood, Ross recommends that everyone get at least 25 to 30 grams of protein per meal as compared to 18 to 20 recommended by many diets.

How do you avoid falling into the trap of these false moods? Start with a whole foods diet that sustains stable blood sugar for the longest time possible. This means striving for three square meals a day rather than grazing or eating small amounts throughout the day. It also means including saturated fats, high quality protein and lots of fresh vegetables in your diet. After that, some people will be able to add whole grains but others may not, depending on individual sensitivities. It also means avoiding sugar and processed foods, especially carbohydrates.

For people who are already depressed, malnourished and addicted to processed foods and sugar, taking amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and other nutritional supplements to decrease cravings for sugar and high starch foods, may be helpful to maintain a wholesome diet without giving in to cravings.

For those suffering from low moods, depression, anxiety and stress, a natural solution and first line of defense should be a nutrient rich high quality diet, before resorting to anti-depressants and their toxic effects.

Mental Health Insurance


The mental health insurance benefits have changed a lot in the past few years. It is very vital that you understand the mental health care coverage. As you probably know, mental health is a very broad topic and at the time of looking for a mental health insurance, you should make sure that the policy covers a variety of mental disorders. I am sure you are aware that mental health disorders are of different kinds and generally, mind insurance will offer coverage for problems like behavior disorders, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Many people can obtain insurance through their jobs but unfortunate, it may not include mind issues.

The insurance coverage will depend on what the provider or the insurance agency is offering. Generally, the agencies cover issues like depression, anxiety, social phobias and relationship problems. On the other hand, the coverage will not include aromatherapy or weight loss. Depending on the insurance plan that you have taken out, you may be allowed to see the therapist of your preference. When it comes to choosing a mental health insurance policy, it is important for you to first find out whether you will be free to choose your own therapist when you get the policy. It is always advised that you try to check out as many insurance companies as you can, before you decide to opt for one company. This way you will be able to find out which agency is offering you maximum benefits. Just like any other things, it is necessary that you carry out research before getting the insurance.

If truth be told, mind insurance has not been around for a long time because about a decade ago, the insurance companies would pay nothing or little coverage for sanity problems. The best way to ensure that you are getting the best deal is to shop around and look for the various kinds of plans offered by different insurance agencies. You can check out an insurance comparison website and compare the quotes from the leading insurance companies. There are certain points that you should keep in mind when you are looking for an insurance company:

o Does the policy restrict the number of visits to the therapist?
o Does it include a lifetime cap?
o Does it include a separate deductible each year for the mental health services?
o Does the policy mention the names of the hospitals or therapists that you will have to choose from? Will you need to pay the fee yourself if you choose a therapist not listed by the insurance company?

Retirement - What to Write on Retirement Card


Retirement - this is a time to pursue dreams by exploring new dimensions of life. This is again the time for some people to get mentally paralyzed with loads to stress and stressful thoughts about how life's going to be the next phase. Whatever way does retirement come in to one's life, it's true that he or she deserves the best and the choicest wishes, as the person is going to get a transition into an entirely new phase of life. The most meaningful and aesthetic of all are those retirement wishes, where you use some really thoughtful words of inspiration and encouragement. Wish the person a life flooded by the waves of happiness and cool splashes of peace - a healthy life, both mentally and physically.

The evidences of the unfulfilled seniors have been observed to be more prone to health problems followed by severe mental depression - usually compounded as time passed by. A good wish with a thoughtful message works like panacea. What to write on a retirement card is the most talked about topic of debate, when it comes to retirement wishes. Here are some points that works like magic:

Write something that comes from your within - from the core of your heart. Your retirement wishes wordings must make the person feel his energy soared higher and spirits lifted to a great height.

Your retirement wishes wordings should give your wish fervor of inspiration and encouragement to flag on a new voyage in the next phase of life. Your wordings should be such that could sprinkle the grains of inspiration on the retired person to gear up a new journey of life even at the age of 60s.

If you are a co-worker of the person who's retiring from his or her job, it would be really appreciable if your wordings can reflect the memories of the past moments that you spent with him or her in the canteen and conference room.

Retirement quotations and thoughtful sayings on retirement can give your speeches and wishes a special dimension. A beautiful retirement quotes can make your remarks come to bloom and set a distinctive tone for your message that can bring one of life's most significant changes.

Here are some of the really awesome quotes that you can start off your remarks with:

"It has become clear to most of us that we don't want "our father's retirement"; the only thing that needs to be retired is old ideas about retirement.
Our greatest fear and insecurity for our later years should not be about the Social Security system or about being broke but rather about being without purpose and meaningful work." - Mitch Anthony, author of The New Retire mentality

"Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can't retire his experience. He must use it. Experience achieves more with less energy and time." - Bernard Baruch, financier, statesman.

"When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so that I cannot remember any but the things that never happened." - Mark Twain, author.

Depression Can Hurt - Learn How to Test For Depression


Bill had everything that he could ever ask for in his life. A dream job, his own house, a car and an absolutely beautiful girlfriend the he has been going out for years. Secured in all aspects of life, what more could he ask for? Then, his world came crashing down. When he popped the question to his girlfriend, her response was she wanted to be alone. Time flew with him losing interest in his social life. He isolated himself from his family and friends. Suddenly, he was found dead by a neighbor with a note saying that he was worthless and a burden to everyone. Upon learning the situation, his family was enveloped with darkness to the point that liveliness was took away from them. It has always been a hot topic to friends of the family increasing frustration and that dark cloud enveloping them.

Depression hurts. It can affect you emotionally, mentally and physically. Emotionally in a sense that you always feel worse than sad even if there was nothing to be sad about. You cannot possibly get yourself to liven up try as you may. Physically, since depression has clung to you, your normal routines skewed affecting your eating habits from 3 times a week to sometimes none. Other symptoms of this disorder are not being able to get a night's rest or sufficient sleep for the day; Lack of vigor for social interaction; feeling of burden to everyone; tendency to be suicidal; have a hard time to concentrate; and finally that feeling of being tired all the time but you have not done a thing for the day. If these symptoms arise, immediately consult your friendly psychiatrist to assess your situation. He knows what is the best for you whether rehabilitation, self-medication or anti-depressants. Remember, depression is a serious issue that needs attention. Be aware of its symptoms and consult if need be.

A person undergoing a state of depression may not even know it. He may blame stress and a sleeping disorder for his lack of energy for day to day tasks which can be the common reason, but if the symptoms persist and even though having enough sleep and rest, then he should accept that it is depression and actually find out what may have caused it. There are test for depression that are given in order to help you find out for yourself. The tests involve you mainly observing yourself and even answering a few questions. Some test would be to observe your weight and watching daily routines.

You may say the since you gain weight it would only mean that you ate too much since you tempted by good food, but if you eat too much than what you usually eat then it may mean that you are undergoing depression. There are people you tend to eat so much since their mind works overtime thinking of a lot of things and end up having to eat food at night since they can't sleep. It can even be cause by you using to food to satisfy yourself since you feel that emptiness so much that you want to fill it up in some way.

Another would be to watch your daily routines especially those that you love to do at either a daily basis or weekly basis. There are things that you may end up forgetting but would be normal, but if you feel that you don't feel like doing something like the weekly laundry, even though you really have to, it can be depression taking over. If it would be something that you just enjoy doing, let's say a hobby of yours, but you end up having to energy or not up for it then it is a sign that you are undergoing depression.

These are just some of the free test depression, do make sure to observe yourself and try to understand more about yourself. No one else can tell you things about yourself especially if you are a silent type, so to know you are depressed is up to you and you should take the necessary measures to overcome it.

Are Internet Term Life Insurance Quotes Useful and Are They Accurate?


This type of question I get quite frequently. My solution is very simple. Internet quotes can be effective in giving you a rough estimate of price. That's all! So be very careful!

The main problem is that a lot of these websites don't ask you for essential health information, medical information, prescribed medicine information, family history, hobbies and interests etc. This can be a huge issue and could very well give you a offer that is far from the actual price. This can potentially be highly aggravating and is certainly a substantial problem for insurance purchasers.

I recommend that you talk to an experienced, licensed, insurance specialist who represents a multitude of insurance carriers. These agents are best-known as independent or wholesale agents. They can easily run rates from major insurance companies all around the world to get you great policies at the lowest price.

An experienced wholesale insurance agent will fully grasp:

-Which insurance carrier has the cheapest smokers rates
-Who has the most generous Height and weight ratings
-Who is the Cheapest for hazardous careers
-What insurer has the lowest Diabetic coverage or previous cancer diagnosis plans
-Which insurance carrier will give non-smoking premiums for Chewing tobacco users or pipe smokers.

And much much more...

A high quality, experienced insurance adviser will also ask you important health and background questions which play a major role in calculating your cost. A good quality life insurance agent has seen it all and is aware of which questions to ask and more notably where to get you the lowest price. This practical knowledge and ability may well save you a ton of time and a ton of money on your life insurance. Life insurance is a product you pay for for many years, so even a a small savings per month can add up to a large amount of money over 20-30 years.

Another reason to use a reputable wholesale insurance professional is that not all Life insurance carriers grade your health or underwrite your policy the same. This is incredibly important and this insider knowledge is essential to getting the best price. So remember a great insurance agent can be extremely helpful in finding the right insurance plan for you.

So once again, be wise with internet life insurance rates. They do not tell the entire story. Do yourself a favor, contact a knowledgeable, independent insurance agent and you'll be glad you did.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Managing Depression With Food and Nutrition


While many health care workers are aware that there is a link between some physical illnesses and nutritional deficiencies, not many people are aware that mental disorders also have a nutrition link. Most believe that mental illnesses are strictly emotional and have no metabolic or biochemical association. Nutrition, however, may play a greater role in depression than is widely known. Some researchers believe that nutrition can play a key role, both in the onset, severity, and duration of depression, including daily mood swings.

Many of the same food patterns that come before depression are the same food patterns that occur during depression. These patterns may include skipping meals, poor appetite, and a desire for sweets. People who are rigid in their eating and follow very low carbohydrate diets also may be at risk for developing symptoms of depression, because the brain neurotransmitters (tryptophan and serotonin), that are involved in modulating depression are obtained from carbohydrate rich foods. Almost all anti-depressant drugs work by increasing the levels of these brain neurotransmitters.

Which foods affect mood and cause depression is not fully known but some individuals are more sensitive than others. In general, foods such as refined carbohydrates (simple sugars, chocolates) provide an immediate but temporary mood improvement. These foods have to be eaten continuously to sustain the mood elevation. This may not be practical and safe in the long run as one can easily gain weight and develop heart disease. Other options are to eat complex carbohydrates such as cereals, pasta, fruits and vegetables. Although, not as appetizing as chocolates, they are more likely to have a more prolonged mood elevating benefit.

Depression has long been known to be associated with deficiencies in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. The amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine and methionine are often helpful in treating depression. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin and is usually converted to serotonin, inducing sleep and tranquility and in some cases restoring serotonin levels to diminish depression. Tyrosine is not an essential amino acid since tyrosine can be made from the amino acid phenylalanine. Tyrosine and possibly its precursor phenylalanine are converted into dopamine and norepinephrine. Methionine combines with ATP to make S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which facilitates the manufacture of brain neurotransmitters.

As consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and other sources has declined in most populations, the incidence of major depression has increased. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids containing 1.5 to 4 g of EPA per day should be sufficient for mood elevation in depressed patients. Though, high doses of omega-3 supplements may not be suitable for some patients such as those on anti-clotting drugs.

Other nutritional deficiencies can contribute to depression. Notably, vitamin B, folate and magnesium deficiencies have been linked to depression. It has been reported that rapid recovery from major depression is possible in less than 7 days by treating patients with 125-300 mg of magnesium (as glycinate and taurinate) with each meal and at bedtime.

Note: Statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be considered as professional medical advice.

Revealed - What is Manic Depressive Disorder-Bipolar Disorder?


Manic depressive disorder, more properly called bipolar disorder, is one of several conditions referred to as depressive disorders. These affect the functioning of the brain, and can cause emotional and mental distress. They're extremely common, and more than seventeen million adults in the United States - or about one in seven people - has one of these disorders. Fortunately, manic depressive illness can be treated effectively, with and without drugs. While many people use drugs to help them cope with their manic periods and their depression, there are many side effects to these drugs, and other people choose to manage their symptoms through other means.

There are multiple different types of bipolar disorder - bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia and a type of bipolar disorder that doesn't fall into those categories. This kind of categorization helps mental health professionals see which way the symptoms are manifesting in a particular person and help them get the treatment that's right for them. This kind of disorder affects just about everyone, men and women alike, and usually turns up in adolescents, though children can also suffer from it. The first diagnosis is usually in people in their early twenties, however.

The reason that manic depressive kids and teenagers aren't always successfully diagnosed is that they respond to the disorder differently. They may have extremely rapid mood changes, anxiety, and irritability, but they don't always have the other symptoms. Thinking, feeling, and behavior are all affected, making it hard for sufferers to understand their condition. Other people may believe that sufferers are behaving the way they do on purpose and can stop it easily. However, this is a legitimate illness, not a character flaw or a sign of immaturity or weakness. Just like any other disorder, it needs to be treated carefully.

Symptoms of manic depressive illness include episodes of depression and mania, often called highs and lows. These are intense, and can be severe mood swings. People with mania may speak and think very quickly, feel energetic, need less sleep, be extremely happy or overly optimistic, and have greater levels of physical activity. They can also have poor judgment, be irritable or aggressive, suffer from impatience or concentration programs, be overly self important and engage in reckless behavior.

In a phase of depression, people often lose interest in their usual activities, be irritable or sad, feel tired, guilty, worthless or unable to be happy, sleep too much or be insomniac, have concentration programs, lose their appetite or overeat, and suffer from high levels of anxiety and regular thoughts of death. Generally in adults, these episodes last weeks to months, and are shorter in children and teenagers. Oscillations throughout the day are not uncommon. Some episodes are also seasonal. Normal or near normal functioning between episodes occurs for some people, but not for others.

Treatments for manic depressive symptoms that are not medication based include reduction in stress, a good diet, and a good sleep schedule. Regular exercise and a support network can also really help, as can counseling and behavioral changes. It is possible to live happily with bipolar disorder, but it's not easy, and anyone suffering from this problem should get help as quickly as possible.

Negative Food Allergy Testing Is Not The Same As Food Intolerance And Food Sensitivity Testing


You can be intolerant to a food to which you are not "allergic". Food intolerance or sensitivity is much more common that food allergy. It estimated that somewhere between 6-10% of people are allergic to a food or foods but between 30-60% of people are intolerant to one or more foods or the additives or chemicals in food.

Food allergy testing will be negative if you are not allergic even though you are intolerant or sensitive to a food, additive or chemical. Food allergy is an abnormal immune response or reaction to a food protein. It is due to the same response to inhaled pollens or allergens. It results when the body makes a specific type antibody or immunoglobulin, known as IgE, to a food. When the food is eaten the IgE antibody recognizes the food protein as foreign and triggers the release of chemicals, especially histamine, from allergy cells in the body. This results in characteristic symptoms of swelling, itching, rash or hives, wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure and rarely death when the food is eaten.

Testing for food allergy consists of blood tests for the IgE antibodies (RAST) or the presence of a hive like reactions produced from histamine released at the site of skin prick, injection or patch contact with the food. The many food reactions that are not due to an allergic immune response involving IgE or histamine will have normal RAST IgE antibody levels and negative skin testing. Some of these food sensitivity or intolerance reactions are due to other antibodies such as IgA, IgM, or IgG. These antibodies may be detected in the blood, stool or saliva though such tests are not as well validated, accepted or available, especially in the U.S.

Diet treatments involving elimination of foods based on elevated IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies in the blood, evacuated stool samples, saliva or intestinal fluid retrieved from the body have shown mixed or to moderate success in people with rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. The most well understood but still under recognized autoimmune food sensitivity with a genetic basis is gluten sensitivity, also known as Celiac disease. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is much more common than Celiac disease but even less well recognized. Lactose intolerance is the most common food intolerance and often confused with the second most common food sensitivity, cow's milk protein or casein sensitivity. Gluten free casein free diet is now commonly employed as a treatment for autism. The medical community has generally been slow to accept gluten free casein free diet for autism, considering it unproven, though there is substantial scientific and experiential data to support this safe and often dramatically effective treatment.

Testing for IgG antibodies to foods in the blood is available from a few commercial laboratories. Saliva IgA antibody testing for foods is also available through several laboratories. These tests are generally not universally by health insurance and are often rejected as not valid or reliable by many doctors. Stool testing for IgA antibodies to gluten, tissue transglutaminase, dietary yeast, cow's milk protein (casein), soy, and chicken egg is available from Enterolab. This laboratory does not contract with any health insurance and most will not reimburse for the cost of testing. Most doctors either are unaware of this testing and either don't accept the tests as valid or don't know how to interpret the results.

Testing for mediator release (MRT) testing looks for an evidence of release of chemical mediators from immune blood cells triggered by foods, additives or chemicals. The presence of such a reaction is presumed to indicate sensitivity to such foods, additives or chemicals that can produce various symptoms and when substances producing such reactions are avoided or eliminated symptoms are suppose to improve significantly or resolve. MRT is available commercially through Signet Diagnostic Corporation (www.nowleap.com). Several insurance carriers pay for at least a portion of the cost of this testing however because it is considered "out of network" for most plans patients are usually responsible for payment of the service. Some carriers consider the testing "experimental" or not validated and therefore do not cover the testing.

The principle of MRT testing is that certain foods, additives and chemicals are capable of triggering non-allergy immune-based reactions. These reactions release various immune chemical mediators into the blood. If an immune reaction is triggered and these mediators are released, changes occur in the ratio of solids (cells) to liquid (blood serum) that can be measured. The white blood cells and platelets shrink and the volume of the liquid increases. The degree of change can be measured and reported as mild or moderate to severe corresponding with the degree of sensitivity to that particular food, additive or chemical.

Signet claims success with reducing or eliminating a myriad of symptoms or conditions including migraines, headaches, autistic behavior, anxiety, depression, ADD, sinus and ear, nose and throat problems, irritable bowel syndrome, vomiting syndromes, Celiac, chronic stomach aches, bladder problems, fibromyalgia, arthritis, eczema, hives, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The testing includes a comprehensive color report booklet containing a results specific diet plan with detailed information supplemented with several hours of personalized counseling from a dietician.

Of all the food intolerance or sensitivity testing MRT is the most broad and comprehensive. It looks for actual reaction produced by the body in response to foods or chemicals. Signet provides testing for 150 foods or chemicals (123 foods and 27 chemicals) including nitrates, nitrites, MSG and various food dyes. The limitation of all these tests is lack of universal acceptance by physicians and coverage by insurance. However, for those with suspected intolerance to foods or chemicals in whom available testing is negative or indeterminate, such testing can be quite helpful.

Depression and Anxiety II: Overcoming Anxiety


Signs and Symptoms
Everyone has felt anxious one time or another. Your heart racing at the prospect of giving a presentation in front of a room full of people, feeling shaky asking someone on a date, or the feeling of dread due to financial problems.

These are all anxiety provoking situations dealt with as everyday problems. Usually we become scared or tense when faced with a stressful situation. But when it becomes constant and we feel overwhelmed to the point of it interfering with our work, our relationships and our daily activities, we have reached the area of anxiety disorder.

What are the symptoms indicating an anxiety disorder? If you have several of the following symptoms, you may have an anxiety disorder.
• Are you continuously feeling up tight, worried or on edge?
• Does your worry interfere with your work, relationships, or daily activities?
• Do you have fears which are irrational, but don't go away?
• Do you have to repeatedly perform certain behaviors or something bad will happen to you?
• Does anxiety cause you to miss activities and to avoid situations?
• Do you always expect the worse is going to happen to you?
• Do you have heart pounding attacks with no warning?

Emotional and Physical Symptoms Along with the worry and fear anxiety symptoms can be divided into emotional and physical reactions. The physical symptoms can be mistaken for medical illness and result in trips to the doctor's office and emergency room before being identified as an anxiety disorder.

Emotional Symptoms
• Anticipating something bad is going to happen
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty relaxing
• Having a sense of dread
• Easily angered
• Hyper-vigilant
• Thought blocking

Physical Symptoms
• Racing heart
• Perspiring
• Sick to your stomach and dizziness
• Frequent urination and diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Tremors and twitches
• Muscle tension

Panic Attacks
A panic attack is frightening and disabling. The attacks occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there is a precipitating event, such as giving a speech in front of a group of people, but most of the time it comes out of the blue. The attacks can last between ten to thirty minutes. The physical symptoms are so severe that people feel they are having a heart attack. Following an attack, many people develop a fear of having another attack causing them to stay close to home or avoid certain situations.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack
• Surge of overwhelming panic
• Losing control and going crazy
• Sharp pains in your chest and heart palpitations
• Feeling you are going to lose consciousness
• Difficulty breathing or sensation of choking
• Hyperventilating
• Hot flashes or cold sweats
• Trembling
• Upset stomach
• Sense of unreality

Anxiety and Depression
It should be noted that many times when someone suffers from an anxiety disorder they also suffer from depression. It is believed that anxiety and depression have same the biological vulnerability. There is a tendency for anxiety to make depression worse and on the other hand, for depression to make anxiety worse.

What Action Can You Take to Reduce Your Anxiety?
Take a look at your lifestyle ask yourself the following questions:
• Do you give yourself time for fun and relaxation?
• Do you get the necessary emotional support from friends and family?
• Do you take care of your body?
• Do you overwork yourself?
• Do you ask for help when you need it?

The answers to these questions are important because they recognize how well you are taking of yourself. If you find your lifestyle out of balance, it is time to make some adjustments. You can make the following adjustments:

• Reduce your workload. Recognize that you are not super human, reduce the number of hours you work or the amount of responsibility you take on.

• Learn relaxation techniques. Practice daily relaxation techniques such as mindful meditation, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation to increase your sense of well being.

• Eat healthy, stop either missing meals or overeating and going to fast food places. Eat well balance meals; don't let your blood sugar fall, this well increase your anxiety.

• Reduce your intake of alcohol and nicotine which can affect your anxiety.

• Exercise on a regular basis at least 30 minutes three to four times a week for maximum anxiety reduction effect.

• Get enough sleep go to bed regularly to give yourself 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

Seeking Professional Help
If after you have tried the lifestyle changes, and you continue to have anxiety to the point it is causing you extreme distress in your life, it is time to seek professional help. Anxiety disorders respond well to treatment. Your therapist will discuss with you the course of treatment best suited to you.

Depression Symptoms - Symptoms of Depression Revealed


It's common to feel down from time to time, but it's less common to suffer feelings of despair and emptiness that won't go away, even if you change your circumstances. Depression is more than just a case of the blues. It's a low feeling that makes it hard to enjoy life or even to function on a day to day basis. When friends and hobbies are no longer interesting, you feel exhausted on a regular basis, and it's hard to get through your day, you may be suffering from the signs of depression. Let's take a closer look at them.

Learning about the signs of depression and what you can do about them is the first step to overcoming your problem. Depression may make you feel extremely sad, or just listless and numb. It takes over your life, makes it hard to have fun, sleep, eat, study, or do just about anything. Intense, unrelenting feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and other negative emotions are extremely common. These are just some of the signs of depression.

When you're depressed, your sleep will be disrupted. Some people can't sleep, while others sleep all the time. Easy tasks become hard and concentration becomes more difficult. You may feel helpless or without hope, and unable to control your negative thoughts. Food is affected by depression, as well. Some people lose their appetites, while others distract themselves with food or feel hungry frequently. Irritability and short temperateness are common, and you may think your life's not worth living. You could feel either keyed up and agitated or sluggish and listless.

Depression is a major risk for suicide, but just because you're depressed doesn't mean that you are suicidal. The two things are connected, but not the same condition. If you've experienced suicidal thoughts or impulses, it's important to get help of some kind, but it can be extremely hard. Make sure that people take you seriously, even though it's difficult to talk about openly. Remember that seeking treatment doesn't mean you're weak, and it doesn't mean you have to be medicated or institutionalized. There are lots of ways to help get over the symptoms of depression that don't require drugs.

Simple changes in your lifestyle, talking with others, getting a support group, and learning to deal with your illness are all ways that you can help with the symptoms of depression without having to get into medication and its side effects. Just taking care of yourself by getting regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and a good diet can really make a difference. Of course, it won't fix everything, and you will still have to fight the signs of depression, but these things can help. If you feel like you may have depression, you need to do something about it as soon as possible.

Three Ways To Survive Grief And Move On With Life


In one way or another, everyone is bound to face grief. Anyone can lose someone dear like a relative, a close friend or a pet because death is part of life. To better understand grief, one must look at is as a multifaceted response. It affects the emotion and other areas as well. In psychology, besides the effect or emotional response, grief can also bring about social, philosophical and physical reactions.

Just say that someone in the family accidentally died. The lamenting family may show signs of strong emotions like anger and sadness. Physically, they may become dumbfounded or speechless. Inability to sleep and nausea can also be apparent. Socially, the bereaved can withdraw themselves from the crowd. Philosophical reactions on the other hand have something to do with the individual beliefs or religion of the bereaved. It can either be a religious conviction or a stronger and renewed faith.

Grieving can happen to a friend, to a big time celebrity, to your neighbor and to you. To survive grief and move on with life, here are recommended tips:

Understand The Normal Process Of Grief

Kubler-Ross named the five stages of grief. Surely, people go through serious and significant loss. However, there are times when they get stuck in one of the first four stages. Of course, life can be painful after a loss. But after the last stage, which is acceptance, one can move on with life. The five stages of grief are as follows:

First stage: Denial and Isolation; Second stage: Anger; Third Stage: Bargaining; Fourth stage: Depression; Fifth stage: Acceptance.

It is a must to learn that loss and death can affect people differently. Though it is hard, it is important to move on and to accept that death is a fact of life. To accept loss, release the pain. If there's anything that you should keep, keep the good memories.

Find Support Groups And Friends Who Can Help You

True friends will stick to you through thick and thick. Rely on true friends. Find comfort and solace in their kind words and deeds. Some will try to uplift your spirit by sending you consoling words and quotes that can inspire you and help pull you through. However be careful and keep away from people who disguised themselves as friends. They are the ones who will entice you to try drugs and alcohol. These people are bad influence. You should not run to them for comfort, instead these are the people you should get away from. Keep in mind that drugs and alcohol are not the best solutions to what is happening to you. They can only provide temporary relief and they can only delay your grieving. And you wouldn't want that.

Engage In Healthy Activities

They say that the devil's playground is found in the idler's mind. Do not just bum around the house, doing nothing. Yes, for the first days, it is understandable to withdraw yourself away from people. However it is not the end of the world. Find and engage in healthy activities that can preoccupy you like gardening at home and going to church. These activities can also help you realize that life is a gift and that everything happens for a reason. Try to find meaning and purpose in your life.

Grieving is difficult but people have survived. If you are experiencing grief at the moment and you wish to get back to life, you can. Be positive and stay strong. Hold on to your faith and consider the tips above. Remember that life is too short. Your decision today can change what will happen to you in your future.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Understanding Depression Symptoms Will Save Your Life


The reason a majority of us suffer from depression in the first place is due to the fact that we are not able to pick up on certain depression symptoms. Picking up on depression symptoms early on can help an individual work on their problems at an early stage. Getting rid of any medical problem when it is in its early stages is much easier than trying to deal with it once it gets serious. For this reason, there has been a lot of urgency to spread the word on some of the most common symptoms that an individual may suffer from if they are experiencing depression. With a recent medical researching showing that nearly 87% of the world population is known to suffer from some form of depression, such knowledge would be useful to the majority.

One of the most common depression symptoms that many are known to suffer from is feeling helpless. Feeling helpless is quite common due to the life styles that we have chosen to live in today. You might find your self feeling as though it is the end of the world and that a particular situation could only get worse. Even though you might think that this is an odd feeling to go through from time to time, in actual fact it is has been known to fall under the depression symptoms category.

Other depression symptoms are known to include a lost of interest in happiness and enjoyment. In such cases, a person is known to lose interest in former hobbies, sports, past times and social activities. In some extreme cases, individuals are also known to lose an interest in sex. This is seen as another popular symptom that many go through without realizing.

Experiencing a change in body weight of 5% either way is known to be classified as depression symptoms. Sudden weight loss or weight gain of 5% in a period of one month is seen to be hinting towards suffering from depression unless you are suffering from some other medical problem. In such a case it is advised to contact your local GP immediately.

Having irregular patterns of sleep is also seen to fall under depression symptoms. Irregular patterns of sleep can consist of over sleeping, waking up in the early hours or having trouble sleeping altogether. All are classed as being depression symptoms, which one should take seriously. Suffering from an occasional irregular pattern of sleep is normal. However, suffering from the problem on a regular basis is when you should think about visiting your local GP.

There are many other depression symptoms that a person can suffer from as well. The depression symptoms mentioned above are some of the most common and unnoticed symptoms that are known to lead onto serious concerns. Spotting these symptoms in their early stages and acting accordingly can really help prevent a person suffering from long term depression. If you suffer from any of the above on a regular basis, make sure you consult a doctor.

5 Hot Tips on How to Fight Depression and Win!


Learning how to fight depression can be complicated if you don't have the right guidance and resources. This article will discuss several methods that can be implemented to beat depression once and for all.

Depression is a fight, make no mistake about it. It can cause you to feel a great deal less than alive and actively prevent you from living your life to the fullest potential. Depression may come on without warning and simply make you feel that what you have is worth less, what you do is somewhat devalued, and that your life overall is simply not that great.

The reality is that there are ways to overcome those feelings and combat the symptoms in many cases. You can learn how to fight depression, and how to win the battle once and for all.

1. Find Trusting, Objective Support

One of the worst ways to approach your depression is to keep quiet about it and pretend that you're fine. Discussion and treatment are the best way to work through your depression and to find ways to combat the effects of depression on your life.
Finding some means of support, whether that support is a group that you join, or a good friend who listens well, is something that you simply can't live without when you are fighting depression or any other kind of an illness or condition.

2. Consider Professional Help Through Therapy and/or Medications

In depression, one of the best ways to fight it is to spend some time working through the problems that may have led to your depression as well as the medications and other treatments that you may be prescribed. Very often in our lives, anger and upset over things can lead us to think negatively. You can encourage your own depression by focusing on those things that are or have been negative about your life.

3. Forgive Others, Forgive Yourself

Learn to forgive yourself for mistakes and learn to forgive others. Holding on to the things that others have done which have hurt or offended you is a real problem for many people who suffer depression. It's not always possible to forget, but it is possible to see it more dispassionately and to forgive the injuries and move on.

4. Consider Volunteering

If you can, spend some time volunteering for others. Soup kitchens, support groups, clothing stores, anything that you can do that will help you to help someone else tends to remove your focus from yourself. While it is needful to be concerned with your own well-being, sometimes you need to step away and focus on the problems that others are facing too in order to see your own in a new light.

5. Get Some Exercise

Exercise is a well-known method of releasing endorphins in the body. The endorphin is a natural method of elevating the mood. If you do nothing else over the course of the day, do at least ten minutes of physical activity. The feeling of well being that you can take away from a little exercise even when you are simply not motivated to accomplish it will amaze you. When you are exercising, you are releasing into your body a natural way to combat your depression. Spend some time with physical activity every day.

Using simple techniques such as biofeedback, exercise, yoga, and other methods, you can learn how to fight depression and win!

SAD in Alaska: Thinking Outside the Box


In today's high-tech society, it's easy to forget the unbreakable biological bonds between human beings and the natural world. Failing to tend to these connections may cause problems. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a case in point.

A big part of the United States, especially Alaska, may be afflicted with SAD throughout the winter months. "Over 25 percent of the populations in mid to higher latitudes suffer from what is called Seasonal Disorder or SAD," claims Dr. Michael Terman of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University. He goes on to say, "In fact one in every five persons who lives in Alaska may be affected by SAD." This alarming statistic, from a report by The Alaska Journal of Commerce, is supported by the Alaska Mental Health Association which estimates that 20 percent of Alaska population suffers from the disorder. The prevalence of SAD in Alaska is not surprising giving the lack of sunlight, short days, and low temperatures that tend to significantly limit sunlight exposure.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often referred to as seasonal depression or the winter blues. Individuals tend to experience the symptoms each year around the same time usually during the fall or winter. SAD has many of the signs of depression. The American Medial Association and the American Psychiatric Association attribute the following possible symptoms to SAD: feeling sad, extreme fatigue, low energy levels, difficulty concentrating, carbohydrate or sugar carvings, weight gain, difficulty waking up, sleep disturbance, social isolation, reduced productivity, and irritability.

Many SAD symptoms are the same for depression. This makes it difficult to assess the difference. Consequently, it's important to seek diagnosis and treatment from a reputable physician. That being said, there is some interesting information that everyone can learn from this disorder. This includes exploring the possibility of elevating one's overall wellbeing with natural lighting.

Lesson 1: The Absence of Natural Light Can Significantly Disrupt Biological Functions

In 1980 the National institute of Mental Health conducted a study that revealed that high-intensity light affects the natural release of melatonin by the pineal gland in the brain. This evidence proved to the scientific world that sunlight does in fact impact human biological functions.

Causes for Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms are not completely known. However, one theory suggests sunlight is necessary for our biological clock. Getting sufficient sunlight may contribute to the proper regulation of hormones, sleep, and moods. Without proper sunlight "signals", biological clocks might not work correctly. Another SAD theory proposes that sunlight has a role in how brain chemicals transmit information between nerves called neurotransmitters (serotonin). The theory suggests that chemicals are released when sunlight hits the retina in our eyes.

In short, when day light is shortened or absent, biological chemical processes can get knocked off kilter. Conversely, when exposed to similar lighting, such as full spectrum natural lighting, balance can be reestablished. If you are feeling "out of sorts" it might just be a matter of getting more natural lighting.

Lesson 2: Natural Light Plays a Vital Role in Overall Health and Wellbeing

The most common and effective treatment for SAD is light therapy, sometimes called phototherapy. This form of therapy usually involves sitting near a light box that emits a bright light, at a close distance, for at least 30 minutes. In general, studies indicate that most patients show some improvement within 2-4 days and realize full benefits within 2 to 4 weeks. If sitting near a light box can have these results, imagine the results of replacing traditional lighting with full spectrum lighting!

Lesson 3: Don't Just Depend on Natural Light from a Box

Why not think outside the box? Full spectrum lighting, such as OttLite technology, mimics sunlight but is not as intense or bright as what is used for most SAD light therapy boxes. However, sufficient evidence suggests that full spectrum light lamps and bulbs do have related benefits. Dr. John Ott pioneered the research and worked for the company that developed the first light therapy units with physicians at John Hopkins School of Medicine to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. From this has come a unique product line of natural lighting systems that offer great benefits. OttLites help people see better and more clearly with less strain. Also, OttLites carries a line of lamps and bulbs that even allows for growing plants indoors without a drop of sunlight, try that with a SAD light therapy box!

Lesson 4: You Do Not Need SAD to Experience the Benefits of Natural Lighting

For those people living in mid to high latitudes, including Alaska, using OttLite as part of your home lighting system is a sensible idea regardless if someone has been diagnosed with SAD or not. Research suggests that many people unknowingly suffer symptoms from a lack of exposure to natural lighting. In some cases, people have been very surprised by the difference natural lighting can make to their overall sense of wellbeing. Don't believe it, try it for yourself!

Enthusiasm, Pure Divine Energy!


Enthusiasm is one of the most divine feelings we can experience. Enthusiasm is energy vibrating at the highest level, energy vibrating in tune with creation. When we are feeling enthusiasm, we are on the cruise ship of divinity. This divine feeling of excitement is your reward for heading towards your true soul purpose. You will never feel enthusiasm when you are doing the "wrong" thing with the "wrong" people at the "wrong" time. When you are off track, you will feel emptiness, fatigue, depression, frustration and anger. Enthusiasm is what lets you know that you are right on track with your life.

The word « Enthusiasm » has its roots in the Greek language; it literally means « the God within ». The etymology of the word reminds us of the divine source of the feeling called enthusiasm. An enthusiastic person is someone who is positively possessed, in an extraordinary fashion, by the spirit of God.

Enthusiasm equals passion.

It is the thrill and tremble you feel when you take the risk of being yourself!
Enthusiasm is a wave emanating from the soul, lifting you up and taking you along.
It is the very Life Energy that freely flows through you when you dare to be yourself!

Enthusiasm can be seen in the twinkling of your eyes, the determination in your step, the strength in your hands, the irresistible energetic pull of what you have decided to create.

When you feel enthusiastic, nothing can stop you! You must and will go on, no matter what others are pulling out of their hat to try to stop you. When you are working towards your goal with enthusiasm, nothing can hold you back. You jump out of bed early in the morning because your goal, your dream, is calling you. The entire day you are working for the achievement of your goal, losing track of time without feeling hungry. You live in another dimension, carried along and aloft by a divine energy. The material details of life seem small and insignificant and they can no longer distract you, for you have more important things to do. You have a veritable Life Goal, something that entails your whole being and your whole doing.

When you are one with your Life Goal, you feel a divine energy carrying you; it is called enthusiasm. You are still in this world, but you are no longer of this world. You are able to accomplish large amounts of work that others may consider humanly impossible. It is this very divine energy flowing through you that enables you to accomplish the impossible.

Enthusiasm is the elevating force that lifts your dreams up to the stars.
The world evolves by grace of the powerful thrust of highly motivated, enthusiastic people.
Enthusiasm is the wondrous engine of life!

Enthusiasm is directly linked to passion. You have to find your passion in order to feel enthusiasm. You won't be able to generate enthusiasm by endlessly repeating a lousy job you hate. You have to stop doing the things you hate, the things you don't like, the things that drag your energy vibration down. You have to start doing what you like doing, what you have always liked doing since you were a kid, things that boost your energy, things you can lose yourself in while doing them, things that totally absorb you and make you lose track of time, make you forget about the details of daily routine.

This passion is your birthright - go look for it. I can help you find your passion if you want to find and claim it. Visit my website and find out how to discover your passion in life!

In closing I present to you a few quotes from celebrities:

A man dies for the first time, the day he loses his enthusiasm. - Honoré de Balzac
All great moments in world history are due to the triumph of enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
A person incapable of enthusiasm is a mediocre person. - Honoré de Balzac
Enthusiasm surfaces when you strive with dedication towards worthy goals. And it is enthusiasm that frees the energy and the power. - Woodrow Wilson
Enthusiasm carries the spirit towards sublime thoughts, surprising and true. - De Piles

Fibromyalgia Alternatives


Have you been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and you're not feeling better or were not informed of the cause of your condition? Were you just put on antidepressants or anti-inflammatory drugs? Fibromyalgia did not emerge in the medical literature until the late 20th century and to this day does not have clear diagnostic criteria. Those of us practicing alternative medicine offer a much clearer picture of the causes and treatment options for Fibromyalgia. In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology published their criteria for the classification of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. These criteria consist of only two parts: (1) chronic, widespread pain that has been present for three months, and (2) pain elicited by palpation of specific tender points, more specifically 11 of 18 predetermined sites. Many authors began to report many more symptoms by the early 1990s. These included fatigue, irritable bowel, headache, cold sensitivity, atypical patterns of sensation, exercise intolerance, anxiety, depression, irritable bladder, dysmenorrhea, bruxism, and other symptoms associated with increased nervous system activity.

Muscle biopsies of FMS patients revealed no changes in muscle tissue, which exploded the theory of Fibromyalgia being an inflammatory disorder of soft tissues. It was also found that antidepressants did help to reduce patient symptoms by lowering nervous system hyperactivity. No underlying cause of Fibromyalgia was ever found and thus the cluster of symptoms became Fibromyalgia Syndrome

To clump all these symptoms together into one is fatally flawed and has left many patients with no answers, no help and more medications. Schneider and Brady have elegantly classified Fibromyalgia into "Classic FMS" and "Pseudo FMS." Classic FMS consists of the following criteria: sleep disorders, anxiety syndrome, depression, alterations of brain and central nervous system chemistry, and brain injury/trauma. Classic FMS patients have low serotonin levels which is our "feel good" neurotransmitter. Serotonin is the target of many antidepressant medications but it can be boosted without drugs. 5-HTP and vitamin B6 can support serotonin levels as well as meditation and psychotherapy. Serotonin can become depleted after a major traumatic event or chronic stress. 

Pseudo FMS is broken down into three categories:


  1. Organic diseases: anemia, Lyme's disease, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and multiple sclerosis

  2. Functional disorders: improper diets, functional nutritional deficiencies, intestinal dysbiosis, dysfunction of liver detoxification.

  3. Musculoskeletal disorders: Multiple trigger points, joint dysfunction, muscle imbalances, postural distortion, undiagnosed disk/facet lesions.

Have you had a thorough examination and the necessary testing to rule-out any of these possible causes? Were you tested for dysbiosis (abnormal ratios of bacterial flora in the intestines)? What about your liver's ability to detoxify or a thorough thyroid evaluation? I routinely test for these types of metabolic disorders and find the underlying cause of FMS patients. You don't have to live with fatigue, depression, chronic pain, anxiety etc., there are answers for you.

Are Anti-Depression Lights Really Effective Against Depression?


Are you one of those people who become depressed as the winter months approach and we have less daylight hours to look forward to? If so, you may be suffering from SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Essentially, this is a condition in which prolonged exposure to an environment with few hours of light leads to feelings of depression. However, SAD is a specialized form of depression. Many who show no signs of depression during the spring and summer months when the number of sunlight hours is at its peak, suddenly find themselves feeling depressed as winter approaches.

But, the really interesting thing about this type of depression is the discovery of one of the most effective treatments that researchers have discovered to combat it - light therapy. The theory behind light therapy is simple. It is that the moods of a certain percentage of the population is inordinately affected by the amount of daylight that they receive each day. This phenomenon of light having an impact on mood has been firmly established during multiple research studies since the nineteen eighties.

The reason for this is found in a hormone called melatonin. Most people know melatonin as the hormone that helps to regulate the sleep cycle. When it gets dark, the body naturally produces more of this hormone which helps the person sleep better. However, melatonin can also directly affect mood. And, in certain people, when the levels of this hormone in the body rise over a certain threshold - it causes them to become depressed. Many people experience this as "cabin fever". Others refer to it as winter depression. And the effect on the body is real.

Studies seem to show that sunlight cause melatonin in the body to be produced at a lower rate. So, as spring rolls around, and the person is receiving more sunlight, his melatonin reserves are reduced and the depression seems to magically go away.

Having proven the connection between daylight and depression, the next step, of course, was to see if the effect of natural daylight could be simulated to produce the same effect. And, much to the researchers delight, it could be. It was found that if a patient spent a certain amount of time in the presence of the anti-depression lights, the body was fooled into slowing its production of melatonin and the depression disappeared.

This is a godsend for those suffering from SAD and looking for a natural way to treat their depression. Even though it is natural, however, it is best to receive this treatment from a medical professional who can work with you to determine the precise levels of light that you need to help control your moods.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

When is Fatigue a Problem?


Today we tend to live life at a faster pace than our ancestors did. This killer pace is often accompanied by tiredness. Sometimes the fatigue lasts for more than two weeks and maybe longer.

There are many reasons for fatigue such as overwork, too many personal demands, the inability to say no, the inability to manage one's time efficiently, and the stress that accompanies all of these. However fatigue can be a symptom of a more serious health problem that requires medical attention.

Some health problems, which cause fatigue, are:
depression, diabetes, hepatitis, iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid disease and sleep deprivation.

Depression is often mis-diagnosed. Also, people often try to hide or deny depression due to shame. Depression is characterized by a feeling of hopelessness, the inability to follow your usual routine, being hyperemotional, tired upon awakening and overwhelmed by tiredness. Depression may be caused by grief, relationship problems, financial problems or many other problems. People with symptoms of depression should not hesitate to seek medical help, as there are many medications available.

Fatigue is a red flag for diabetes but is also accompanied by other symptoms such as more frequent urination, thirst and changes in vision. Physicians can detect diabetes through a blood sugar test. Glucose levels are normal between 70 and 120 mg of glucose per 100 ml of blood. Glucose levels in excess of 300 indicate extreme risk. Although fourteen million Americans have Type II diabetes, fifty percent of them are not aware of this.

Hepatitis also causes fatigue. It is accompanied by loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints, and fever. Hepatitis is often mistaken for flu and while the other symptoms disappear, the fatigue continues.

Iron-deficiency anemia patients are usually pale and often report a craving to chew on ice. Iron-deficiency anemia is easily diagnosed by a simple blood test and easily cured by ingesting daily iron supplements. Iron-deficiency anemia is far more common in women than in men due to the female menstrual cycle.

Sleep deprivation often occurs in people who work rotating shifts. Our bodies have a circadian rhythm with certain times the best for certain activities. Sleep time between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM is most advantageous for most people. The body needs sleep and will be less efficient if denied proper sleep.

The thyroid gland regulates the body's metabolic system and muscle strength. If the thyroid produces too little hormone, a person has hypothyroidism. Too much hormone production results in hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the most common of the two and many people are unaware that they have it. Women, especially those over forty years of age, are much more likely to have hypothyroidism than men. A blood test which measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) will immediately identify thyroid problems even if no symptoms are present.

Sleep deprivation, particularly if due to rotating shifts, can often be solved by installing room darkening drapes, reducing noise factors, and arranging for at least seven hours of sleep.

The other medical problems require testing and diagnosis by a health care provider. All are curable by medication.

Manipulation in Relationships - The Seven Psychological Buttons on Our Backs


Are you particularly vulnerable to manipulation? Or, are you stressed by feeling constantly like you are dancing to someone's strings. Maybe at work, at home, or amongst your 'friends'. Chronically manipulated people tend to have a range of related personality styles that are both identified and used by manipulators. These are like buttons of control for the manipulator. The first step to reducing manipulation in your life is to recognize the buttons in you.

What are the main psychological buttons?

1 Having a very strong need for approval and acceptance

Nearly everyone wants to be liked and accepted. That is healthy and normal. But, many people, perhaps because of their genetic background and/or life circumstances, have a much higher need for approval than others. The higher your need, the more prone you are to manipulation.

A manipulator may keep those with a strong need for approval in a constant state of anxiety by never paying you compliments or finding anything good in what you do. Think of yourself as working hard all day to get a perfunctory pat on the head, or to get a disparaging remark about one minor fault after a whole heap of great work.

2 Fearing negative emotions

Some people are very sensitive to strong negative emotions, conflict, or confrontation. This means they modify their behaviour to avoid the anger or conflict. Nearly always at a cost to themselves or someone they are representing.

Some manipulators purposefully put on an angry look, or start to raise their voice, simply to cause confusion or stress in their victim. Think of the whipped dog, that cringes when a hand is slightly raised. It makes itself small and low, adjusting its behaviour in an attempt to reduce the perceived threat.

3 Being a people pleaser and hung up on being nice

There is nothing wrong with being nice. But, there is a problem when you constantly ignore your own needs for the sake of others. How do you know if you are a people pleaser?

Do you burst into a frenzy of activity to help someone just because they mentioned a need, then curse under your breath about how little time you have to get your own things done? Do you give much more to others than is given to you? Then you may be a people pleaser.

There is usually a strong element of "if I am nice to others- then they wont hurt me" in chronic people pleasers.

What about Mother Theresa? She gave a great deal of herself for others.

Mother Theresa was not a people pleaser (just ask those she negotiated with to get support for her efforts). People like Mother Theresa help others on their own terms and are in control of their share of any relationships.

4 Lacking assertiveness

If you find it difficult to say no, you may suffer from a lack of assertiveness. People who are poorly assertive are also likely to be people pleasers. You are in double trouble when you also have strong aversion to negative feelings as well.

Often, a lack of assertiveness is linked with sensitivity, and a fear of negative responses to your needs or wants. Saying no may make you feel anxious, nervous or uncomfortable. Also, you may feel exasperated and angry with yourself for being taken advantage of each time.

Many people have these feelings to some degree, but they say no anyway, when it is appropriate for them.

5 Having low self-reliance

People with low self reliance are very uncertain about their own judgment and abilities. Often, they have very little self direction in their lives. In previous generations, many married and highly capable women had reduced self reliance as they had not been raised to expect to be a master of their own destiny, especially outside of the home.

People with low self-reliance can usually be spotted by the way they constantly seek input into most of their pending decisions, often even simple ones.

Low self reliance makes you an easy mark for a manipulator as they will be there to control and direct you.

You can expect a manipulator to denigrate your areas of expertise and any decisions you make. Manipulators will often quickly steer you to areas of their own competence where they can demonstrate their vastly superior 'mastery' and add to your feelings of inadequacy.

6 Feeling like you have little control over your destiny

This is related to low-self reliance but differs in that the person feels the external world has much more control over how their life turns out than they do. In contrast, people with a more internal focus have a greater belief that they have a large degree of control over what happens to them.

Having an external control view of the world makes you both vulnerable to manipulation and depression.

A major factor in depression is feeling that you have little or no control over an ongoing unpleasant or dangerous situation. Being with a manipulator and believing that you have little control over life is a recipe for depression. Their manipulations and your beliefs will lead you onto a path of learned helplessness.

7 Having an under-developed sense of identity

Do you feel like you are somewhat insubstantial and that your character is small and insignificant compared with those around you? Are you uncertain about who you really are and what you stand for. Do you live your life more through others (including those on television) than yourself?

Many people have had a childhood in which their worth was continually denigrated. Or, in their sensitive teens, received continual negative feedback and comments. Such a background can stunt a person's development and weaken their sense of identity.

To a manipulator, such people are a wonderful amorphous lump of clay, upon which they can craft their own designs. Usually, to make you more compliant to their will and to get you to live your life more through them.

Summary

No doubt many of you reading this article will recognize that you have several of these buttons, These buttons tend to be interlinked around a lack of self confidence and related states. Most people have these traits to varying degree and this makes them vulnerable to manipulation. Being aware of these traits is the start to increased resistance to manipulation. The real problem for people occurs when these buttons are dominant parts of their personality. It is especially important for the victims of manipulators to realize that they can and should change.

It is much easier to change yourself than a manipulator.

Symptoms of Depression - Recognizing Them


It's almost certainly a reality that everyone has at a moment or two felt depressed like being gloomy or upset. Even those who constantly seem to be happy and smiling do get these signs. Bu this does not necessarily mean that they are afflicted with the actual clinical malady. The real indications of depression have to be understood properly, diagnosed and treated properly.

The warning signs of depression are somewhat similar to other forms of emotional suffering. The disparity is that the other forms can be pinned down to a specific problem, like the grieving over someone's passing away, which may cause one to be upset or sad and be depressed for a long time. These signs tend to go away and can not be considered to be the real signs of depression unless they last for more than a year or so and does severely hamper their everyday work. Grieving over the loss of a near and dear one is only normal and can be expected and can last even a lifetime as long as it does not get so crushing that it affects their work and their relationship with others as time goes by. If so it is serious.

The symptoms of depression can be gauged by the intensity of one's sadness and the constancy of it. Even a bad day can cause a severe case of blues for just about any and everyone, but a good night's sleep or quality time spent with family or friends can dispel it away the next morning. Even inclement weather effects some people sometimes, but once the bad weather is over the person gingers up and is back to his own self. But when this "blue" feeling gets bad and the apparent symptoms of depression last for an uncommon length of time, then they become the true symptoms of depression. Clear clinical depression can be identified with a feeling of emptiness, a loss of purpose in life, even hobbies and other activities once enjoyed seem dull, and also in finding it difficult to relate with friends and family. It does not always lead to suicide but to a lack of self respect. The indications of depression differ from one person to another but in common they are apt to dislocate normal life. While "Monday Blues" is a common occurrence, for these depressed people, it is always the blues, even getting out of bed.

You should realize that it is time to consult your physician the moment you find out that your symptoms of depression are getting out off hand so far as to interfere with your work or life or if you are falling back in your responsibilities to your family. If left untreated, the signs of depression become worse and will come to a head at such time that it will be extremely difficult for even medical help to be of any use. If you feel that you are having symptoms of depression, talk it over with your family physician and get the help you richly deserve.

Sex, Love, and Bipolar Disorder


Bipolar disorder affects approximately 93,000 adults in the United States alone. Naturally, many of those adults are married or in a committed relationship. Bipolar disorder (what used to be called "manic depression") is a severe mood disorder in which the individual experiences mood swings from energized to depressed. When a person with bipolar disorder (BPD) is energized, they feel great but can have behaviors that are destructive to themselves and their relationship, such as:

繚 Spending large amounts of money without concern for the consequences

繚 Having bigger-than-life ideas that they try to carry out despite a large risk for failure

繚 Pressured, rapid speech and quickly changing ideas that can leave the listener exhausted

繚 Elevated mood, feeling too good for the situation they are in

繚 Being hypersexual or sexually promiscuous and engaging in risky sexual behaviors

繚 Having a severely depressed mood after a hypomanic or manic episode

It's enough to make anyone with bipolar disorder and his or her partner distressed. Even after the diagnosis is made and the partner with bipolar disorder is medicated, there can be lingering emotional pain. For example:

繚 The person with bipolar disorder may be ashamed of their behavior, particular sexual acting out

繚 The partner may doubt the relationship because of sexual acting out and have difficulty with trust

繚 The couple may be unable to sort out what can be attributed to the disorder and what to the sufferer's character

繚 The couple may feel unable to share their sexual struggles with a therapist or psychiatrist

繚 Medications can have sexual side effects, which many people are unaware of, making sex confusing instead of comforting

These are complicated issues that don't have easy answers, but opening up and communicating about them is the first step. Sometimes, though, there is so much anger and misunderstanding that couples cannot sort things out alone. Finding a sex therapist that is also a licensed psychotherapist can be a tremendous help for couples in which one partner has bipolar disorder. Even if the disorder hasn't been diagnosed but is suspected, a psychotherapist can help the couple sort out symptoms and an appropriate treatment plan.

To find a sex therapist in your area, visit the website for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Be sure to ask the therapist whether or not he or she is licensed and if they have experience diagnosing mental illnesses. When a couple is in crisis due to a psychological problem like bipolar disorder, the treatment plan can be quite complex, so be prepared to spend more than a session or two discussing symptoms and history, and multiple sessions not only learning how to cope as a couple, but how to address concerns around intimacy and sexuality.

Clinical Depression - The Darkest Shade of Blue


As I lay down, I feel the cold breath of despair wash heavily over me. Sleep invites me towards it--a welcome escape from the noisy crowd in my head and the heavy weight pressing down on my chest and stomach. My body involuntarily curls up, taking on the characteristics of an unborn child, totally dependent on someone else to provide its every need. But I can feel my umbilical cord twisting and tangling. Life itself is draining from me. Perhaps I am already asleep and this is a dream. I desperately try to wake up, but the more I try the more I realise this is my reality. Now I must sleep to escape its cold, hard stare. My soul--shrivelling, dry, lifeless. My essence--vanishing. Disappearing inside myself. All that remains is a broken shell.

My first encounter with clinical depression was the most terrifying experience of my life. The term 'depression' is misleading to many, after all, we've all felt down, sad or 'depressed' at some stage and managed to get over it. How bad can it really be? In fact, mild depression bears very little resemblance to severe, clinical depression. In its most virulent form, depression is dark, terrifying, paralysing and potentially deadly. It's more than just feeling sad or blue. Clinical depression is the darkest possible shade of blue--the shade that teeters on the edge of total blackness. 

According to the World Health Organisation, depression may soon be a major disabling illness worldwide. Around one in five women and one in eight men will personally experience depression at some stage in their lives. Even more disturbing is the fact that children are now increasingly diagnosed with depression. And it's estimated that up to one half of sufferers don't seek help.

Despite what is known about this condition, there is still a huge stigma attached. Not only is the sufferer ashamed of their condition, their shame is perpetuated by society's profound lack of understanding. Along with their shame, they often feel they are sinking into the quicksand of madness. And the fear of madness can be worse than the fear of death.

So where does this severe form of depression come from? There are no definite answers but there seem to be countless influences on depression, ranging from religious beliefs to weather changes. Some of us are genetically predisposed to depression with evidence showing that more than one half of a person's vulnerability is in their genes. A person with a sibling or parent with severe depression is more than twice at risk, with that risk increasing to about five times if that relative fell victim before the age of twenty.

There are certain life events that trigger around two thirds of depressive episodes. The other one third of episodes appear to come from nowhere.  No matter the risks or causes, no-one is immune.

It is, without doubt, an illness inconceivable by anyone who has not found themselves in its terrifying grip--a frightening and paralysing despair, bordering on madness. To many, suicide is the only escape; ultimate victory comes at a supreme price and a tragic loss to loved ones.

What is it like to find oneself in the depths of severe depression? Many, in their efforts to describe it in words, have found even their best attempts to be lacking. Throughout history, philosophers, writers and poets have attempted to portray the dark terrors of the most severe form of depression. They have found that the 'indescribable' can only be depicted through the metaphor. It was Winston Churchill's 'black dog'',Julia Kristeva's 'black sun', William Styron's 'darkness visible', and John Milton's 'cascading darkness'. Emily Dickinson's eloquent description of a depressive breakdown in I Felt a Funeral in my Brain is packed with metaphors. Marie Cardinal in her autobiographical novel, The Words to Say it, gives a poignantly honest and descriptive portrayal of her long struggle with clinical depression which she calls the 'Thing'. Then between the metaphors, writers carefully place the subtle gaps and silences, containing that which is ultimately inconceivable. There are no words to describe it, only concepts that come together to give the reader a glimpse of what it might be like.

The depressed desperately need to be understood, but to have personally experienced the suffering of depression is the only way to truly know and understand. The support of family and close friends is also vital but how do they help someone whose illness is inconceivable and whose behaviour is misunderstood?

The depressed person is already carrying an unimaginable weight of shame, guilt and self-condemnation. Their illness is neither of their choosing, nor is it their fault. It is a serious and almost inexplicable illness, often more frightening than death itself. Sufferers of depression need as much love and support as does a cancer sufferer. Please don't be hard on them. Avoid telling them to pick themselves up and get over it. To do that is paramount to telling an epileptic to take control during a fit.

The depressed need their loved ones to love them unconditionally and forgive them for their mistakes. The world of the depressed is dark and unimaginably terrifying, but even the tiniest flicker of light can guide them out of their world of darkness.

Coping With Everyday Depression: The Basics


COPING WITH THE BLUES: The Basics.

When someone comes for counseling and tells me that they are depressed, it is important for me to discern how serious their problem is. So I ask them to describe what they are going through. If their problem sounds like deep, ongoing, clinical depression, I refer them to someone more competent than myself. If their problem is perceived as temporary mild depression, I prepare myself to work with them.

In either case, my first duty is to ask them, "Do you want to get better?" They might be startled and respond, "What?" So I ask again, "Do you really want to get better, to get completely rid of your depression?" I hope they say, "Yes, that's why I am here." But they may hesitate to answer my question. Why would anyone hesitate? Depression is not fun. And, whether mild or serious, most people would want to get rid of depression, right? Not necessarily.

Believe it or not, there are some people who feel good about feeling bad. They might not be conscious of it, but they find some pleasure in feeling down. First of all, depression gets them attention. People around them say, "Oh, you look so down. You poor dear. I feel so sorry for you. It must be awful what you are going through. Tell me all about how difficult your life is." Secondly, depression gets them out of work and relieves them of a lot of responsibility. When they are down and out, other people will not turn to them for assistance. Instead, others say, "Oh, I'll do this task. I can see you aren't up to doing anything right now."

In order to get well, a person must want to get well. I mean really want to get well. They must be determined and be fully committed to do whatever it takes to get well. That means they must be willing to spend whatever time it will take, make whatever effort is necessary, call upon whatever resources are available to them, outlay whatever cash is required and, if they are a person of faith, do constant prayer work in order to get well.

If a hypochondriac comes to a doctor for a cure, but doesn't really want to get well, nothing the doctor advises will work. As a counselor I am willing to do all I can for a counselee. But if the counselee is not totally committed to getting rid of their depression, I ask them not to waste my time. Nothing I do will work for them.

When a person with everyday mild depression says they are committed to getting well, we are off and running. I go into my five starting questions.

1) Do you get enough sleep?
2) Do you eat balanced meals?
3) How much exercise do you do each week?
4) How much do you play?
5) Are you getting enough light?

These questions are so obvious that I am almost embarrassed to ask them. But dealing with these fundamental issues up front often alleviates much of the problem.

1) As long as I can remember, "Doctors say..." that the average person requires eight hours of sleep to be healthy and function properly. Nevertheless, many of us are so busy that we tend to cut back on sleep whenever we can. We try to sneak by with less than eight hours. We justify cutting back on sleep because we have so much work to do.

To motivate ourselves to get enough sleep, it helps to remember that sleep deprivation eventually diminishes the effectiveness of our actions. Our reflexes are not as sharp. We tend to make stupid decisions. We are less alert when driving. We may say dumb things that we would not say if we more alert. And sleep deprivation eventually affects our mood. We get cranky and crabby. We feel drained, drowsy and all done in. Guess what the solution is? "Doctors say..." eight hours, or close to it. That's the first step in combating depression.

2) Eating balanced meals is more in the category of "Mother says..." In my case, it was my mother, grandmother and older sister. When I was growing up I was a fun-loving kid who just wanted to go outside and play. I didn't want to lose playtime by stopping to eat. Fortunately, my dear mother "forced" me to sit down and eat. And since she was from the farm, she knew what a balanced meal consisted of. I grew up healthy and, with good eating habits, have remained healthy. Thanks, Mom.

I have a popular knowledge about nutrition, but am not qualified to give any in-depth advice. Books on good nutrition fill local libraries and bookstores, plus there is a plethora of information available in magazines and on the internet. All of us need to read and keep abreast with the latest discoveries about how to stay healthy. A firm commitment to our physical well-being begins with a firm commitment to be informed.

For a rule of thumb: No one puts cheap fuel in a Mercedes. Our body is much more precious than a luxury car. We need to threat our body with utmost loving care. We need to provide it with the highest quality and right amount of nutrition. Our body will give us many years of loving service in return.

3) Doctors, mothers, and just about everyone nowadays will tell you about the importance of exercise. It is good not only for physical health, but also for mood elevation, mental alertness, improved digestion, better sleep, greater energy and a sense of accomplishment. Exercise also contributes to longevity.

My mother was physically healthy and mentally alert well into her eighties, in part because she never drove a car! She walked - to the store, to the bank, to church, to the bus stop and, when she wanted to go to downtown Chicago, she walked six blocks to the train. Did I say Chicago? For fifty years she lived in a suburb of Chicago, so that means she often walked in rain, sleet, snow, and wind. What a lady!

"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."
-- Dr. Paul Dudley White

Getting motivated for exercise is a challenge for many people. They know exercise is important. But they tell themselves, "I'll do it next week." My advice: find exercise that you enjoy doing. Many people enjoy walking. Others prefer jogging, biking, swimming, golf, etc. One of my earlier forms of exercise was roller-skating. Accompanied by good music, I could skate for hours. Gardening does it for others.

Many people live in cold climates where it is difficult to spend time outdoors much of the year. With no access to a gym, indoor health club, or skating rink, what can they do? Walking around a Mall is a possibility, if a Mall is accessible. Calisthenics is usually possible at home, but for some this is not enjoyable. I recommend music. Play a favorite selection and then dance or "dancercise" to the music.

Another strategy is to pretend you are directing an orchestra. This can be a great upper-body workout. If I were rich enough and had the space I would buy a drum set. Have you ever seen an over-weight drummer? What a happy way to stay fit! The trick is to be creative and find an enjoyable way to work out. Any brisk, rhythmic exercise for at least thirty minutes releases molecules in the brain called endorphins, which quickly work to wipe out anxiety and depression and boost self esteem.

"Above all do not lose your desire to walk. Everyday I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."
-- Soren Kierkegaard

4) One of the first rules of thumb that we were taught as kids was: "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy." Without play, Jack is not only dull but also depressed. Play has the power to resurrect the child within us and thereby reduce the size of adult problems. Play is a great equalizer, bringing together people of all ages, colors and creeds. Play diminishes our possessiveness of material things, encouraging us to share so that others may join in our play. Play helps us gain perspective. Play is an act of freedom.

"Your mental health will be better if you have lots of fun outside of that office."
-- Dr. William Menninger

"People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner of later to find time for illness."
-- John Wanamaker

Most Americans don't feel valuable unless they are useful and productive. So we work and work in order to produce and produce. We need to balance work with play. Putting fun and relaxation into our day refreshes our spirits and renews our energy. Play is ultimately productive, for it leads to a healthier and more creative life.

The rules are simple:

1. Grab your hat.
2. Grab your coat.
3. Leave your worries on our doorstep.
4. Just direct your feet to the playful side of the street.

"The life without festival is a long road without an inn."
- Democritus (400 B.C.)

5) Finally, light. Growing up in Chicago, I know how crabby people can get by the time the month of March rolls around. The result of a long, cold winter is called "cabin fever" or "winter blues". It is estimated that 10% to 20% of our population goes through some form of this. A more serious illness afflicting 4% to 6% of Americans is called Seasonal Affective disorder, SAD. This is the result of having to spend so much time indoors.

Natural light deprivation leads to depression. Darkness contributes to depression. Because sunlight appears to stimulate the production of melatonin, which influences our mood, proper emotional maintenance involves going outdoors every day. Also, all rooms except our bedroom during sleeping hours should be well lit, with bright colors, cheerful pictures and window curtains opened wide. Full spectrum lighting, which produces light similar to that of the sun, is recommended.

To sum up: In order to progress from blues to smiles to joy, the first step is:
Commitment

Then we need to take stock and see if we are getting enough:

1. Sleep.
2. Nutrition.
3. Exercise.
4. Play.
5. Light.

In Matthew 19:19, Jesus tells us, "You are to love your neighbor as yourself." Implied in this statement is the obligation to love ourselves. Getting a good night's sleep, eating balanced meals, making time for physical exercise, and enjoying play and light are all part of caring for ourselves.

These strategies are not only an opening plan for dealing with depression. They are part of the basic foundation for a healthy spiritual life. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that "grace builds upon nature." If we neglect the legitimate needs of our human nature, our spiritual efforts will have no foundation to build upon. We will be building on air.

Should I Take the Bipolar Test?


Do you suffer from bipolar? Do you know if you have it or not? Bipolar disorder affects many people and may easily be misdiagnosed at first. Bipolar is a mental illness that is most characterized by the extreme changes in the mood. Bipolar can be so extreme, it may make you feel out of control of your emotions, breaking up friendships and relationships. It may even cause you to consider suicide. You won't know if you have bipolar for sure unless you take the bipolar test first.

Bipolar disorder affects teenagers through young adults but it can affect children from the age of six years old and up, although this is rare. Women who are diagnosed as bipolar may feel more of the depression than any other symptom. Women are capable of having four or more extreme mood swings per year.

The cause of bipolar disorder cannot be distinguished for certain. It is well know that it runs in families and may be genetically passed on. Both men and woman have equal chances of developing bipolar. There are no particular races or ethnic groups more prone to this disorder than the other. Anyone can get it if they are susceptible.

To diagnose bipolar disorder, you will need to undergo the bipolar test which may vary from doctor to doctor however most doctors use the same test that was created in order to understand the different type of moods associated with this disorder. A bipolar test can help doctors determine the diagnoses and give you the right prescription to get back on track.

A bipolar test can be done before you go to the doctor to see if you may suffer from this disorder. Questions on this self bipolar test include,

- Do you shout at others or try to start a fight or argument without no apparent reason?

- Do you take spells of feeling so hyper that people around you think that you are not acting like you normally do? Or have you ever gotten in trouble with feeling good or hyper?

- Do you no longer feel confident about yourself?

- Does it matter how much sleep you actually get? You feel fine whether you have 8 hours or 4.

- Do you sometimes find yourself speaking way too fast or unusually loud?

The test like this can help you decide if you should see a doctor about bipolar disorder or if something else may be wrong.

You can also take a bipolar test at the doctor's office or clinic. These tests are tried and proven to determine if you have bipolar disorder or not.

When it comes to bipolar everyone is affected; family, friends, children, co-workers, store owners, everyone. You owe it to yourself and to others to take the bipolar test to find out if you do indeed have bipolar and then see a doctor to determine what your next move will be. Once you are diagnosed with bipolar you can manage your condition by taking medication and learn of different ways to live with it.