Saturday, June 15, 2013

How to Cheer Up a Depressed Bird


There will be those among you who find the prospect of trying to cheer up a depressed bird amusing. Go ahead - laugh. Just like babies, birds of any particular breed all look pretty much the same. Same feather style, same expression, same beaks, same claws, same teeth... To the untrained eye, that is. However, anyone who has spent years studying birds for a living, observing their every little emotion, knows that birds do indeed suffer from depression.

So, if a depressed bird is abandoned on your doorstep, how do you set about cheering it up? Once the bird realizes it's been saddled with you for a companion, you have your work cut out. Forget antidepressants. Forget St. John's Wort pills or tea bags. Before you get too deeply into the question of treatment, are you certain that the bird is depressed or have you made a misdiagnosis? What aroused your suspicions in the first place?

Depending upon the bird's breed, of course, it may have been able to self-diagnose its problem. Parrots can be excellent at communicating their feelings, often in the most forceful terms. Budgerigars tend to be less specific about their emotions. "Pretty Joey", and "Who's a pretty boy, then?" are common sentiments in the budgie world. Somewhat less than helpful, it has to be said. If your foundling is one of the more talkative breeds, then as long as it's capable of holding a sensible, mature conversation, it may be a good candidate for cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT.

CBT can be particularly helpful in cases of substance abuse or eating disorders. If your bird is showing a particular zeal for sunflower seeds or an unhealthy interest in cuttlefish, then CBT is definitely worth a try. The idea is that the bird should change the way it thinks about its problems and the way it acts in response to the world around it. You must explain to your bird that, although you may not be able to take away its problems, at least you can help it to change the way it thinks about them. Explain that you want to help it alter its thought patterns. Note carefully the bird's reaction to your explanation.

Some birds develop a feeling of low self-esteem, leading to depression. This is sometimes brought on by acts of spitefulness or name-calling. Take the Bald Eagle. Whoever chose to adopt this blatantly non-politically correct name has a lot to answer for. That the national bird of the United States of America should be subjected to such verbal abuse is nothing short of scandalous. Is it any wonder then, that depression is fairly widespread among B*** Eagles?

Owls may be wise, but that very wisdom can be an intolerable burden that leads to severe depression. To put it bluntly, the owl never stops working. We tend to think that they only come out at night and sleep all day. Wrong. They do indeed grab a bite to eat at night and a quick forty winks, but for the biggest part of the day, they're doing paperwork. Severe stress brought on by overwork such as this is a common enough cause of clinical depression, so the bird on your doorstep is as likely as not to be an owl.

A word of caution here. Technically, you are not really allowed to keep an owl (depending where you live, of course), so you must check with the authorities on the legality of your position. You could, of course claim that the owl has actually adopted you but again, check whether owls can adopt people.

Assuming then, that you've done suitable tests, and you've satisfied yourself that you really do have the problem of how to cheer up a depressed bird, how should you tackle it? Jokes might work in some cases, but you need to be sensitive to the bird's feelings. No Chicken Jokes. Repeat, NO CHICKEN JOKES. They may raise a chuckle among Turkeys, but in general, it's best to avoid them altogether.

If you're thinking of sitting them down in front of a TV, it's common knowledge that Robins have an aversion to "The Simpsons". They'll happily watch an entire series of "Friends", but in general they're pretty choosy. In the end, you may find that the bird is so depressed that nothing is going to cheer it up at this stage. Just give it lots of love and attention, lots of patience and understanding and, of course, plenty of rest and in due course, you should find it back to its old self. This treatment works with humans, too.

Why Do So Many Middle-Aged and Elderly People Suffer From Depression and Anxiety?


"Why are adults so cranky" asked the children in a seminar recently?

By the time most people reach middle-age, they are often not the cheerful, hopeful happy beings they once were as children.

Why are so many people suffering from depression and anxiety? So many, that you can actually find traces of anti-depressant/anxiety medications in some of our drinking water?

When we are children, generally we have many positive experiences and so we are cheerful, feel good and are happy a lot of the time.

As life continues, many people begin to experience more contrast or negative events in life and they begin to focus more on whats wrong, rather than on whats right.

Because of the numbers of people suffering, the psychiatric industry has taken to categorizing depression and anxiety. We have labels like dysthmia, suicidal depression, manic depression (bipolar disorder), major depression, atypical depression, psychotic depression. And when we move into the area of anxiety, we have social anxiety disorder, anxiety symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder, shortness of breathe anxiety, social phobia anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety panic disorder.

What in heavens name is going on?

The law of attraction is the most powerful law in the universe. It is the law above all laws and it states that what we focus on with emotion, we bring more of it into our lives. And so, as events happen over time, events that we may not like, and we focus on them by worrying about them or fussing about them, we, without realizing it, are attracting more and more experiences that are similar in nature. Eventually the worrying leads to discouragement and then depression, anxiety and other symptoms like headaches, stiffness in the joints, arthritis and even more serious things over time, like cancer, heart problems etc. It is a pile-up effect. The body becomes overwhelmed with symptoms.

The body is naturally calm, balanced and peaceful. Whenever we feel otherwise, we know that, what we are focused on is not healthy. Our negative thoughts and emotions create these symptoms. If sustained these symptoms get worse.

Now the GOOD NEWS is, It does not take long to turn this around. If one were to shift our focus and only think about good feeling things, within a period of only 30 days we can turn things around. We will see enough improvement to realize a huge shift in what comes into our experience. The more good things that come forth, the better we begin to feel, and the better we begin to feel, the more all these symptoms of depression, anxiety etc. clear up.

It is amazing the power of our thoughts and feelings. We create our outer world by our thoughts and emotions. Positive ones create positive results and negative ones create negative ones. Why not become deliberate creators?

Medical doctors, for the most part, do not know about energy. They do not know, that just by showing and teaching people how to shift their own energy, into higher positive emotions, their patients can transform their health, their finances and their overall lives.

For more information about this, my website below has many articles giving you strategies about how to move from depression, anxiety and other unwanted things into feeling better, thus restoring ones self back into the health, wealth and happiness that is wanted.

Team Motivation


Motivation is a force, which drives and encourages a person to overcome conflicts and hurdles. It also refers to a set of forces that leads people to behave in a certain way. It is having the encouragement to do something that a person desires to do. It boosts the will power of the person and enables them attain both long term and short terms goals. It is often seen that motivation helps a lot in boosting efficiency and increasing productivity. Lack of motivation leads to dissatisfaction, develops stress, makes a person short-tempered, and can result in depression. All these affect both the personal and professional life of the person. Teamwork is practically existent in all aspects of a person's life, be it professional or personal. To play a number of sports and games also requires a great deal of teamwork. A good leader is one who motivates and keeps his team focused on achieving pre-determined goals. Team motivation proves to be extremely significant in the success of any teams organized efforts.

Team motivation proves to be more difficult than individual motivation. This is because a leader motivating a team has to deal with a number of emotions. Each person in a team may require different levels of motivation. The capability of a good leader depends on his ability to motivate his team properly. A good team leader understands all his team members' needs and requirements. This understanding proves to be extremely important in motivating the team. Factors used for motivating a team may differ from one situation to another. An organizational team, achieving business targets may require different means of motivation compared to a sporting team planning to compete in a particular event. It is commonly seen that money, fame, and glory tend to be typical motivational factors.

In today's competitive era, team motivation proves to be extremely important. Managers and leaders are required to possess adequate team motivation skills in order to achieve favorable results.

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms


Most people believe anxiety and depression are two separate conditions that do not work together. But the fact is research has shown that the two do actually overlap each other, however the symptoms can be completely separate of each other, this makes it difficult to initially diagnose either condition.

The reason why these two disorders occur at the same time is not fully understood. Research shows that major depression can often accompany an anxiety disorder. Both of these disorders are more than likely caused by a brain chemistry imbalance, however the exact reason these two opposite disorders exist in the same person is still not understood. What is understood is that the flight or fight reaction does not work in anxiety sufferers, it can be triggered by any thing at any time. Anxiety sufferers always feel they are in danger.

When you think about someone suffering from depression you generally associate it with someone that is in despair, angry, tired, overwhelmed by normal life, and unwilling to be part of society. A depressed person will withdraw into themselves and cut off ties with others.

On the other hand an anxiety attack will happen out of the blue for no apparent reason. Without the proper treatment an anxiety sufferer will start to fear the actual attack itself, worrying when and where the next attack will take place. They will go on to have a negative impact on the sufferers life, affecting their jobs, relationships and even going into society.

What the majority of people suffering from theses two disorders don't realize is that one can often lead to the other. Depression can weigh heavily on the mind, this can lead to the depressed person going through a number of different emotions. This can lead to anxiety and eventually lead to panic attacks. Suffering a panic attack causes a loss of control, the more this happens the more the sufferer will become depressed, thus forming a vicious circle.

Research shows that having depression and anxiety together is much worse than having just one of these conditions. Someone suffering from both disorders will take a lot longer to resolve their depression which will make it much harder to treat them. Also those that suffer from both disorders
have a much higher suicide rate.

Although this does not sound good for people suffering from both conditions help is at hand. Anti-depressant drugs can be used for treating both disorders. If used with behavioral therapy there is a high success rate in treating depression accompanied by anxiety.

Creativity and Depression


"I only know that summer sang in me a little while, that in me sings no more."

That excerpt from one of her sonnets expresses how much poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) probably knew of depression.

Marie Osmond has described her experiences suffering from postpartum depression in her book Behind the Smile: "I'm collapsed in a pile of shoes on my closet floor. I have no memory of what it feels like to be happy. I sit with my knees pulled up to my chest. It's not that I want to be still. I am numb."

That kind of numbness, that sense of endless hopelessness and erosion of spiritual vitality are some of the reasons depression can have such a devastating impact on creative inspiration and expression.

There are reports that as many as a quarter of American women have a history of depression. According to an article on the Allhealth.com website, "The risk of depression among teen girls is high, and this risk lasts into early adulthood." A study of young women living in Los Angeles found that almost half had at least one episode of major depression within five years after high school graduation.

Psychiatrist Kay Redfield Jamison, herself a person with bipolar disorder or manic depression, notes in her book "Touched with Fire" that the majority of people suffering from mood disorder "do not possess extraordinary imagination, and most accomplished artists do not suffer from recurring mood swings."

She writes, "To assume, then, that such diseases usually promote artistic talent wrongly reinforces simplistic notions of the 'mad genius.' But, it seems that these diseases can sometimes enhance or otherwise contribute to creativity in some people. Biographical studies of earlier generations of artists and writers also show consistently high rates of suicide, depression and manic-depression."

According to the website Famous (Living) People Who Have Experienced Depression, women in the arts who have declared publicly they have had some form of the mood disorder include Sheryl Crow; Ellen DeGeneres; Patty Duke; Connie Francis; Mariette Hartley; Margot Kidder; Kristy McNichol; Kate Millett; Sinead O'Connor; Marie Osmond; Dolly Parton; Bonnie Raitt; Jeannie C. Riley; Roseanne and Lili Taylor.

Development of a mood disorder may start early in life. C. Diane Ealy, Ph.D., in her book "The Woman's Book of Creativity" writes: "Many studies have shown us that a young girl's ideas are frequently discounted by her peers and teachers. In response, she stifles her creativity. The adult who isn't expressing her creativity is falling short of her potential.

"Repressed creativity can express itself in unhealthy relationships, overwhelming stress, severe neurotic or even psychotic behavior, and addictive behaviors such as alcoholism. But perhaps the most insidious and common manifestation of repressed creativity in women is depression."

Marie Osmond also wrote about another aspect, the impact on her esteem and sense of self: "My mother has always been my role model, and I believe my survival in the entertainment business is in large part due to my desire to be a strong woman like my mother. She is my hero.

"I can vividly recall what it felt like to be alone and in a crumpled heap on the closet floor. I remember thinking that my mother would never have fallen apart like that. I was sure no one would understand what I was going through. I could have managed the pain. It was the shame that was destroying me."

Fortunately, depression can be effectively managed for most people, through medication, cognitive behavioral therapy or other approaches.

According to an issue of the Blues Buster newsletter, formerly published by Psychology Today magazine, research studies have shown significant reductions in depression through engaging in aerobic activities such as walking and jogging, and resistance exercise, such as weight training.

In a press release, Rosie O'Donnell has commented about her own experience, "the dark cloud that arrived in my childhood did not leave until I was 37 and started taking medication. My depression slowly faded away. I have been on medication for two years now. I may be on it forever. The pills did not make me a zombie, they did not change the reality of my past, they did not take away my curiosity.

"What the pills did was to allow me to deal with all of those issues when and where I wish. My life is once again manageable. The gray has gone away, I am living in bright Technicolor.''

In her book "Life After Manic Depression" actress Patty Duke also affirms that getting the right diagnosis and treatment allowed recovery of her life and spirit: "The rate of growth in my mind and my heart in the last seven years is beyond measuring."

~ ~ ~

How to Encourage Someone Who Is Depressed


Countless people experience some kind of depression and after a short period of time, they are able to get over those feelings and thoughts and move on. However, there are those who go through what is known as clinical depression and the negative feelings they experience seem to take much longer to get through. Anyone in contact with a depressed individual may feel at a loss on how to handle their situation.

Learning how to encourage someone who is depressed should begin with realizing that they are not just in some sort of funk or bad mood that they can simply snap out of anytime they want. What they are experiencing can often feel as if they have lost all hope and that their future is bleak. Depression can even lead to feelings of self-hate and might even lead one to entertain thoughts of self-mutilation or suicide. Family and friends who distance themselves from depression sufferers do not help alleviate those negative feelings so forms of encouragement and a reassuring presence are important.

Taking the time to actually get together with the person who is depressed and be the ear that is willing to listen to them and that shoulder need to lean on. More often than not, people going through depression feel as if no one cares and no one has the time or patience to listen to them. Giving advice is important but listening to someone's woes and anxieties is just as vital. It is essential to know how to encourage someone who is depressed and provide them with the support system they need.

One of the best things someone wanting to help a friend or family member experiencing clinical depression is to arm themselves with the right kind of knowledge and information. Reading through books, doing some research on the internet and/or asking people who have undergone depression on how they were able to cope. Going to a professional who can give advice on how to encourage someone who is depressed may also be extremely helpful. All these can help one be better prepared to provide support for someone diagnosed with depression but do not try to play the part of a professional therapist.

Handing the reins over to someone who is better prepared and suited to give medical advice to a depressed individual begins with encouraging them to either find a professional or continue seeing the one they already have. If there are any support groups in the area then help them get the necessary information and give them the confidence to join and participate so that they will see that they are not alone and that others have suffered and are suffering through depression as well. The most important thing is to be there for them every step of the way.

Grad School Burnout: A Letter From a Psychologist to a Depressed and Anxious PhD Student


Dear burnt out grad student,

It seems to me, admittedly without really knowing you at all, that a lot of your identity through high school and undergrad may have been based on a vision of yourself as one who excels...and this means particularly that you have been judging yourself by the easy-to-understand, nationally and internationally recognized standard of "high marks" and praise from others.

Now you are in grad school... finally in the program that you have worked all these years to get into and you are not feeling so great. You are struggling and there are a bunch of reasons why this might be so.

You may be, for example, telling yourself that you are not now and probably never really were smart enough or driven enough to make it "all the way". The PhD suddenly feels like a sort of trial by fire and you feel you are failing the test miserable. That is even more peculiar because suddenly there are no tests... and no exams... or at any rate not the kind you have been used to "aceing" up to now. Even more perversely, those around you may still seem to be treating you like you are doing all right... leaving you with a strong sense of being an imposter.

It is highly unlikely that these self-recriminations about your intelligence or your drive are really true, but one of the reasons why the PhD is a watershed in your education is because the standards change from "what you can learn" to "what you can create or contribute". The emphasis shifts from what you can cite back speaking as a student, to what you have to say as an "expert".

Becoming an "expert" essentially means developing a sense of "personal authority", developing a feeling that what you have to say about a subject is valid and important. This is a developmental process. It does not emerge instantly when you get accepted into a program, start teaching a class, publish a paper or present at a conference. Instead it evolves slowly out of doing all these things and getting used to doing them. Often I find that for someone like you there is a long-standing ambivalence about one's right to an opinion, perspective or point of view which can be traced back to earlier experiences in life.

And what is this business of control and perfection? When did you develop the belief that you couldn't just cope with things as they happened but that they had to be controlled in advance? Was there a chaotic or demanding family in your past that proved to you that things could easily go wrong if things were not controlled?

Paradoxically, the perfectionism which torments you and gets in your way is almost always a "defense" because this kind of perfectionism stems from a wish for total control of the situation. It is an attempt to defeat anxiety-causing chaos, uncertainty and randomness.

It is worth struggling to lay aside unhealthy perfectionism because the benefits of putting down that burden are real and important. Tackling perfectionism and increasing your capacity to calmly tolerate ordinary uncertainty and imperfection can result in better physical health, less psychological distress and warmer, richer personal and professional relationships. Putting it aside can actually lead to higher and more genuine self-esteem and more flexibility, curiosity and creativity which can be applied to your thesis project.

But maybe you should not be going through this all alone. If you are suffering, anxious or depressed it is likely that your ability to see your situation clearly is impaired. It may be a good idea to seek out a supportive counselor to assess your levels of anxiety or depression and perhaps to help you work through various emotional or cognitive blocks which stand in the way of your enjoying your creative academic project.

I recognize that you are suffering and you are worried and you wonder whether you should continue...whether it is really worth it.

Yes it is!!!

In a psychological survey by well-known psychologists studying the development of positive human qualities the question is asked, "Have you ever carried a multi-year project to completion?"

This is an important question because embarking on and seeing through a long involved project like a PhD is a genuine human challenge which contributes, not just to the sum of knowledge in a given domain, but to the development of "character" in the candidate.

If you ask me, it is worth doing for that reason alone.

All the best,
Susan Meindl

Friday, June 14, 2013

Questions to Ask Mental Health Professionals About Depressive Illness


If you or someone you love visits a therapist, there are questions you need to ask to avoid problems. Some therapists are more advanced than others are. I can tell you that some are not qualified to diagnose anything that is more complex. If you suspect you have a disorder, the best thing you can do is get accuracy on those symptoms, research your behaviors, and write them down.

If you go to the therapist you will be ahead of the game, and by learning more about your own behaviors, symptoms, and so on can save you from a diagnose you may or may not have. Therapists as a rule base their treatment on the thought patterns, which includes hearing and talking. If the patient shows a disturbance in their thinking patterns, the therapist will consider psychosis, since this is a symptom related to the diagnosis.

They will search for signs that the patient may demonstrate, including vague thoughts, fleeting ideas, peripheral thought patterns, blocking thoughts, disassociation and so forth. Counselors often search for evidence of schizophrenia or psychosis when there is a break in reality, paranoia etc.

Paranoid and Paranoia are separate from the other, and must not be misconstrued. Professionals could make a mistake in diagnosis if they are not aware of the difference of paranoia and paranoid. Schizophrenias are often paranoid, while patients that suffer posttraumatic stress in the early stages may illustrate paranoia.

When a patient answers out of content, or else the ideas delivered are unrelated to the conversation then there is a potential mental illness. For example, we are discussing society, and the patient says, "I never go there. After I get back from Australia next week we can do that."

An area of concern is when the patient is talking fragments. The patient will start with one idea and jump to several other ideas. This pattern is known as fleeting thought processing. When the patient is illustrating thoughts that are sidetracked, the therapist may show a degree of concern.

Language is important when evaluating a patient, since some patients may not have sufficient skills in communication it could very well mean a lack of education rather than a diagnosis. If you have been talking individually to a therapist, and this is the only symptom, make sure that the patient is not on medications he or she may not need.

It is important to pay attention to symptoms and signs that link mental health problems and other issues. Ask the therapist questions any time there is a diagnosis, what the symptoms include, and what medicines can do to treat the disorder. When a person is suddenly, losing a train of thought during a session this may be a possible diagnosis.

If a person is telling you about a dream related to his or her parent, and all of a sudden claims they cannot remember what they were talking about, this is an evident sign of some disorder. Most likely, this patient has suffered trauma. The symptoms are in front of you and it is important to continue treatment to find which diagnosis the patient may have.

Unfortunately, most therapists are not trained to treat patients with Multiple Personality Disorders, and often these people pay a steep price. The sign or symptom is known as disassociation or blocking memories and this is a definite sign or Multiple Personality Disorder. Multiple Personality Disorder is often exclusive in blocking memories to avoid pain.

It is always wise to ask questions when you are visiting any therapists since anyone can make mistakes without the complete medical picture and your mental health is important and should not be taken lightly.

Common Symptoms of Real Depression


Millions of people every year deal with symptoms of depression and many are not even aware that they are suffering from real depressive problems. In order to get help, it is necessary to come to terms with the reality of depressive symptoms and that the symptoms may not just go away in time without some outside help. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with clinical or a major depressive disorder.

1. Insomnia - It is common for everyone to go through times that it is hard to sleep, but when insomnia becomes a routine for weeks on end, it's time to determine what is the cause. Many times, insomnia is the result of clinical depression.

2. Loss of Weight - Those who suffer oftentimes lose their appetites and begin to loose weight before they even notice it. Family and friends are sometimes the first to take notice and to comment on the fact.

3. Extreme Sadness - While everyone faces normal times of sadness over some loss or disappointment in life, those who are depressed become sad in a different way. This type of sadness is extreme and a depressive person views life as totally hopeless.

4. Feeling Worthless - A lack of personal worth and an overwhelming sense of guilt can plague many people who fall into deep depression. It becomes a black whole of endless negative feelings about oneself that may require professional help to overcome.

5. Foggy Thinking - Brain fog is common among those who suffer from depressive feelings. It is hard for them to think clearly.

6. Suicidal Thoughts - Suicide is usually the last resort for those who are battling the inner struggle of depressive problems. Thoughts of suicide can become almost obsessive as the only way of escape.

These are some of the most common symptoms that those who suffer from a major depressive disorder experience and which can be brought on by traumatic events, physical imbalances or a combination of both. If you or a loved one are experiencing most or all of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, it is time to find help. Seek out a family member or trusted friend for support as well as a professional counselor. The symptoms of real depression are highly treatable and it is possible to enjoy life again.

Depression - A Test To Know If You Have One


Self depression test is just like a boon for those who want to know whether they have depression. The test is a great way to analyze the traces of depression in an individual. This is usually known as self-test.

Everyone experiences some amount of depression in one's life. However, for some people, the amount tends to increase with time. When this amount increases to a great extent, it is not normal. The stage affects a lot in a person's mental and physical status.

When it comes to the normal blues, these are sometimes triggered by anything from a particular thing someone had seen, said, thought or feared. Sometimes, these blues occur without any valid reason, warning or explanation. This is the time where one just waits for the bad period to just pass by quietly.

However, if you are keen on knowing whether you have serious depression, it is a wise idea to go for some kind of self tests. These self depression tests will explain you clearly about whether you have a serious depression or plain blues.

Answer the following questions to do self depressions test:

a)

Are you feeling totally withdrawn from pleasures of life? This is actually the most accurate self depression's test. All you require to do is to try out something that you are aware of and used to give a lot of happiness in earlier days.

This may be anything from your favorite movie, hobby, shopping venture etc. in case, you find out that all these things do not have anything to do with your pleasure now, then this is definitely a sign of serious depression.

b)

Have been forgetting a lot of things off late? Remember that depression tends to cause hiccups in your memory and you would come to know that certain things are completely wiped out from the memory. The often leaves you totally baffled. This is another test that works towards providing you exact results.

c)

Is it becoming difficult for you to skip at night? Or have you been sleeping very little during the night? If yes, then it may be due to a lot of coffee or stimulants. Why do you like coffee or stimulants too much? If you don't have an answer for this, than the self depression test is going to provide you a great answer for it.

d)

Have you lost your appetite lately? There are times when one does not feel like eating. This is normal. However, if it becomes a common affair, the self depression test, confirms that it is a 'yes'.

e)

In case, your answer to all the questions mentioned above is in 'yes', then you are definitely suffering from a serious depression. Here, it is really important for you to get some hold or yourself and go for a professional help.

f)

There are some other tests you may go for. One of the most popular tests remains the gold berg test. This test was designed by Dr. Ivan Goldberg. The test consists of some eighteen questions. Each question is supposed to be answered by the individual. The use of a sliding scale of responses is mandatory. This actually shows how they have felt during the week that has just gone by.

As soon as all the questions are answered, scores are added for the final score wherein each score has a specific significance. The final score settles whether you are depressed or not.

Sing For Your Sanity - How to Counteract Depression


Many people feel sad and depressed for a variety of reasons. Maybe you are one of those people. It is easy to become disillusioned, especially during times of stress or grief. However, it is possible to feel better and enjoy life, too.

When you are depressed or upset you tend to think in ways that are unhealthy, unrealistic or even unreasonable. The thoughts going around in your brain make you feel sad, lethargic and hopeless. There is a strong relationship between what you think and how you feel.

Here is a good example.

One day, I walked out of my house to go to work. I got in the car, turned the key and nothing happened. Of course, I tried again and it still didn't work. I became upset because I didn't want to be late to work. I also was afraid that car repairs would be costly. I remember thinking, "It is going to cost a thousand dollars to fix the car." This is a great example of an irrational, unreasonable thought. Why? Because I know very little about the inner workings of cars. I didn't know what was wrong with the car and I certainly didn't know how to diagnose a car problem. So what made me think car repairs were going to cost one thousand dollars? Who knows? I only know that after having the thought or belief that repairs would cost one thousand dollars, I became very upset.

This event is a perfect example of what I would call mixed-up thinking. It is a particular type of mixed-up thinking called jumping to conclusions. I don't know much about cars. It was unreasonable to believe that the repairs would cost some amount that arbitrarily popped into my brain.

This is the way that depressed or upset people think all the time. There are many different types of thoughts that cause you to be in distress. I will outline these various thoughts so that you can start to recognize them yourself. Once you recognize them, then you can change them.

The title of this article is "How to feel better and have fun, too." Now for the fun part. One of the interests I have in life is music. I like to sing in the church, listen to music, and see musicals. One day I noticed that many songs are great demonstrations of unhealthy, mixed-up thinking. Here is one of my favorites. Frank Loesser wrote a song called "Marry the Man Today." The best line is Marry the man today and change his ways tomorrow." Some people believe that it is actually possible to change someone! I hope you don't. If you follow the advice in this song, you are in for a lot of trouble and distress. So the fun part of this article is that when I describe unhealthy or mixed-up ways of thinking, I will use examples of songs to demonstrate the point. Let's get started. I hope you have fun. I know I will. As an aside, if you come up with your own songs that demonstrate irrational thinking, please let me know. I am always interested in new ways to apply these ideas.

Irrational Beliefs

There are many lists of irrational beliefs that have been developed by therapists over the years. If you look up cognitive-behavioral therapy on the Internet or in a library you will find a lot of information. I have included here the ones that I think are the most powerful and potentially unhealthy.

Irrational Beliefs are ways of thinking that are unhealthy. When you subscribe to these beliefs you are causing yourself distress, such as depression, anger or anxiety. The Snoopy Song from "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" by Clark Gesner
exemplifies this nicely.

It starts off where Snoopy is happy and thinking good thoughts.

"Pleasant day, pretty sky, life goes on, here I lie, not bad, not bad at all."

Everything is good, right?
Then he starts talking about the little birds that visit him. They come

"every day, sitting here, on my stomach, with their sharp little claws which are usually cold and occasionally painful... Sometimes there are so many...Rats!
I feel every now and then that I gotta bite someone. I know every now and then what I want to be!
A fierce jungle animal crouched on the limb of a tree!
I'll wait very, very still till I see a victim come. I wait knowing very well every second counts. And then like the fierce jungle creature I am, I will pounce!"

Poor Snoopy. There he was, sitting happily on his dog house roof with not a care in the world. What happened? He talked himself into being angry and upset!

We are all just like Snoopy. We can talk ourselves into feeling any way possible. That is the bad news. The good news is that we can talk ourselves into feeling good!

So what do we have to do? First, we have to be able to recognize when we are thinking in unhealthy ways. Then we need to replace the unhealthy thoughts with healthy ones.

Here is a list of unhealthy thoughts.

1. Jumping to Conclusions

This is when you decide you know something that you can't actually know. Maybe you think someone is thinking poorly of you. This is not possible because you can't read someone's mind. You can also jump to conclusions by thinking you know what will happen in the future. If you know what will happen in the world before it does, let me know. I want to know the winning lottery numbers, please.

I haven't yet come up with a song for this one. Does anybody have any ideas?

2. All-or-Nothing Thinking

This type of thinking is very rigid. It is when you view the world in very rigid, perhaps legalistic, terms. Sometimes this is helpful, ie a belief that robbing banks is wrong. However, most of the time people upset themselves over things that don't have to be black and white. There is a lot of gray in the world. Look for that and you will be mentally healthier.

A good example of this type of thinking can be found in the song "Oh, How I Hate To Get Up I The Morning" by Irving Berlin.

"Oh! How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning,
Oh! How I'd love to remain in bed
For the hardest blow of all is to hear the bugler call:
'You've got to get up, you've got to get up,
You've got to get up this morning!'"
Someday I'm going to murder the bugler
Someday they're going to find him dead
I'll amputate his reveille and stomp upon it heavily
And spend the rest of my life in bed!"

This soldier basically thinks it is the worst thing in the world to get up early in the morning. He is so upset about it that he is willing to kill the bugler. Now admittedly, I have never been in the army so it is entirely possible that I could feel the same way myself. I don't like to get up early either. But please notice that his hatred for the morning results in a homicide! It is far better to tell yourself that although getting up early is unpleasant, you can do it if necessary. I do this every day when I have to get up and take my daughter to school at 7:30 a.m.

3. Should Statements

Should statements are demands that people or circumstances behave the way that you think they should. This is, in essence, having rules for how other people, yourself or the world should behave. Rules are all well and good but other people don't have to follow your rules most of the time. The world doesn't either. For example, I believe that the car in front of me should drive faster. Does my belief make this happen? Of course not. All my belief does is get me angry. And truly, why does anyone have to do what I want? I am not that powerful. I will let you know when I am Queen of the world. Then everyone will have to do what I want. Actually, again in "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown," Lucy sings a song about becoming a Queen. I think this is only in the original version, not the new one. Anyway, she sings about becoming a Queen. Her little brother Linus comes along and says that you have to inherit a royal position and Lucy is not in line to inherit. Lucy replies that she will buy a Queendom. She believes she should be able to do this and no amount of logical argument from Linus will persuade her otherwise. She wants it to be so, so it should be.

4. Exaggeration

When you exaggerate, you blow things out of proportion. We do this all the time in a harmless way. "I'm starving," we might say but of course we aren't really. Or we say, "This is terrible," or horrible or awful or any other term denoting doom. Most of the time something is not as awful as we portray it to be.

An example of exaggerating comes from "No, No, Nanette" again. Nanette, who is a teenager says,

"No, no, Nanette,
that's all I hear!
I get it the whole day through.
'No, no, Nanette,' regales my ear
no matter what I may do.
Sometime, perhaps,
I'll have my way
when I am old and turning grey.
But just as yet it's always
no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Nanette!"

Any of you have teenagers? Does this sound familiar? It does to me.

5. Blame

You can blame yourself or others for bad things that happen. The problem with blame is that it makes you powerless. Blaming yourself or another for a problem does not help solve the problem. Some people blame themselves unnecessarily for a problem that they really don't have control over. "My daughter failed her English test. I should have made her study more." Ultimately she is responsible for studying, not you. Actually, if you take the blame for this, you are helping her get out of the responsibility she really has for her grade. Blame, on the other hand, is when you make someone else responsible for your behavior. In either case, you can not solve the problem. You have taken someone else's problem as your own, or given up your problem to someone else. See how that makes you powerless? You can blame yourself or others for bad things that happen. The problem with blame is that it makes you powerless. Blaming yourself or another for a problem does not help solve the problem. Some people blame themselves unnecessarily for a problem that they really don't have control over. "My daughter failed her English test. I should have made her study more." Ultimately she is responsible for studying, not you. Actually, if you take the blame for this, you are helping her get out of the responsibility she really has for her grade. Blame, on the other hand, is when you make someone else responsible for your behavior. In either case, you can not solve the problem. You have taken someone else's problem as your own, or given up your problem to someone else. See how that makes you powerless?

A great song that demonstrates taking too much blame is "I Want to Be Happy" from "No, No, Nanette," a musical comedy with lyrics by Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach and music by Vincent Youmans. In this song, the singer Nanette refuses to be happy unless her boyfriend is happy. She sings,

"I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too.
Life's really worth living
When you are mirth giving
Why can't I give some to you?
When skies are gray
And you say you are blue
I'll send the sun smiling through
I want to be happy
But I won't be happy
Till I make you happy too."

She makes her happiness dependent upon the happiness of her boyfriend! And while I am in complete agreement that it is nice to do nice things for your loved ones, it is possible to be happy when your loved ones are not. Otherwise you have to always be a people pleaser. That is not a healthy way to live. It is especially bad if you are raising children. To be a good parent, you have to make your kids unhappy sometimes. Otherwise you are setting no limits for them.

So in order to be less depressed you need to identify your unhealthy beliefs. Once you do that, then you can change them to healthy ones. You will feel better and enjoy life more. Be happy!

copyright Angela K. Williams 2010

What Makes a Great Life Experience?


A great life experience is very dependent on a few things. Your history and culture, your family, what you read and absorb and the choices you make. It is also very personal, what one person may consider as a great life experience another person may think is an average or even a bad experience.

Firstly a persons history or culture will determine what is a great life experience. For example, a person who is a South American Indian will have a different set of needs and values to somebody who was born in Australia and they in turn will be different to someone born in Germany. Now a person can change their needs and values and what they consider to be a great experience, this can be influenced by what a person is exposed to.

A persons needs and values may change over time and along with this their ideas on a great life will also change. One major thing that can create change in a person's life is education. Now education is not just going to school and university, it is being exposed to the world. Oprah for example, states that she wouldn't be where she is now if she hadn't read the books she did. A person might also be influenced by watching a movie and seeing a different aspect to the world or meeting a different person who lives a different style of life to them and that they think would be more enjoyable.

Sometimes circumstances also play a part in making a great life experience. You could be swimming at the beach one day and somebody gets caught in a rip (a current that sweeps you out to sea) and you rescue them. This type of event can have a huge effect on the rest of your life as you realise how precious life is.

Choices, the choices you make in life will impact whether you create a great life experience or a bad one. For example if you buy a new car and a week later part of the car falls off. You can take this one of two ways, you can immediately drive down to the dealership where you bought the car and abuse the dealer who sold you the car. In this case you will probably get the car fixed but you will certainly not win any friends and may harm your chances of a good experience with that dealer in the future. Alternatively you can arrive with the attitude that yes sometimes these things happen in life and walk in with a smiling face. Your car will in all likelihood be immediately fixed and because you have been positive you may walk out with a bonus, a hidden gem or present. You may know someone like this that receives free things, has dinner bought for them, receives presents out of nowhere. Have a look at the attitude of the person and how they choose to deal with situations. You might just find out that they have chosen the attitude of honey as the old clich矇 goes - "you catch more flies with honey then vinegar).

A great life experience might be as small as having a cup of coffee with a friend or an around the world trip. Why not make your whole life a great experience - you only get one go at it so why not make it a fantastic one and live life to the fullest and choose to be happy and you might find your experience of life gets better everyday.

Mobilize Your Will to Be Well


Dr. John Diamond's career has focused on the effect of our thoughts on our emotions, our emotions on our thoughts, and the effect of both on our body's ability to mobilize and energize itself to enhance the quality of our lives. This article focuses on only one aspect of Dr. Diamond's lifetime work - mobilizing your will to be well.

"The will to be well can be mobilized in a matter of moments by simple attitudinal changes," Dr. Diamond claims. Think of the Thymus test as a form of "truth detection." By contrast, "depression may motivate us to make a decision we would not make if our energy were balanced and more in harmony with our unconscious." When in a state of stress, we're using predominately one brain hemisphere instead of the resource of "whole brain creativity" available to us.

Dr. Diamond employs muscle testing, among numerous other modalities, to test whether a patient's body is or is not in an optimum state of health.

When it comes to solving life issues or problems, Diamond says the statement to be tested "indicates your present attitude, not necessarily what will ultimately be the right decision. The energy in a thought has the power to strengthen a weak muscle - instantaneously!" Diamond also suggests you find out what, in your relationship, is devitalizing you, that goes against high Thymus activity, and go after these smaller problems one by one.

Some 90% of workers, in Diamond's experience, test weak when they say they enjoy what they do. 90% lose life energy just thinking about their jobs. Choices that go against the grain, he says, are "bioethical choices." Optimal life energy, he adds, is "psychobiological harmony."

"Say 'This is just a joke, but your car has a flat tire,' and watch the person test weak. Choose a fantasy you desire and you test strong. What is your life for? What's your answer? What is my specific and unique talent?" These are "bioethical choices" we are making for ourselves.

Football players, Diamond says, "test weak when about to catch the football. The greats are those who hold their energy when most others would lose it." The left hemisphere, Diamond notes, is dominant or overactive in 95% of those he tests. TEST: Place the palm of your right hand 2-4 inches away from the left side of your head. Test your deltoid muscle by extending your right arm and having a friend lightly push down on it. If it is weak it will go down easily. This means you're left hemisphere dominant. If you switch the test to the right side of your head, left arm extended, and it test weak, you are right hemisphere dominant. By testing the left deltoid muscle we are applying the magnetic energy of the hand to each side of the head. Both hemispheres, ideally, will be working together for problem solving and artistic endeavors. A Left Hemisphere dominant person will have energy impairment in the meridians related to that particular hemisphere of the brain..

How does Dr. John Diamond's work relate to that of the French physician Emile Coue' and the system of autosuggestion Coue' developed to aid the healing forces in his many thousands patients during the early years of the 20th Century? Diamond writes: "Notice the power of the word to create great energy changes throughout the body. This is how the surging forces, waves of Chi, flow in us." This, Diamond points out, "is instant transformational psychiatry."

"Another way to test for the underactive meridian is to have the subject say the positive affirmation once for each meridian. The one for which he tests weak is the meridian with the problem," Diamond says.

SEED PACKET: "When we plant a flower seed from a packet that we have purchased," Diamond writes, "we see on the packet a picture of what the seed is supposed to grow into, what we should expect it to become. Each of us must find out what was on our own individual packet."

Diamond suggests you say the following affirmations daily at least three to six times each to raise your Life Energy.

DR. JOHN DIAMOND'S LIFE ENERGY DAILY AFFIRMATION PROGRAM.

Thymus: I have love, faith, trust, gratitude and courage.

Lung: I am humble. I am tolerant. I am modest.

Liver: I am happy. I have good fortune. I am cheerful.

Gall bladder: I reach out with love.

Spleen: I have faith and confidence in my future. I am secure.

Kidney: My sexual energies are balanced.

Large Intestine: I am clean and good. I am worthy of being loved.

Circulation-Sex: I renounce the past. I am generous. I am relaxed.

Heart: I have forgiveness in my heart.

Stomach: I am content. I am tranquil.

Thyroid: I am buoyed up with hope. I am light and buoyant.

Small Intestine: I am jumping with joy.

Bladder: I am in harmony. I am at peace.

Thymus: I have love, faith, trust, gratitude, and courage.

Close with: My life energy is high. I am in the state of love.

Say "My life energy is high"and there will be, on deeper levels of testing, a greater increase in energy.

"Another way to test for the underactive meridian is to have the subject say the positive affirmation once for each meridian," Diamond writes. "The one for which he tests weak is the meridian with the problem."

With true phobias it is almost always the circulation-sex meridian involved. "Whatever the fear, it drains life energy. With the energy that is gained, we are free to pursue our goal of positive health."

"First layer meridian imbalance indicates the predominant emotional state operant at that time," Diamond writes. "You can learn what is holding you back right now. You can release the energy that is blocked in that meridian and get yourself back in order."

Diamond's method is far more extensive than I have space to cover and his book Life Energy is worth far more than the purchase price, especially the paperback cost. His sections on transmuting energy and "the double-bind" deserves careful examination.

There are physical diseases that feed back and cause emotional problems. "If a person already has a disease, at least the emotional component can be stopped from feeding back into the disease with the use of appropriate positive affirmations" (plus thumping your thymus).

"It is incredible to think that each organ has a specific corresponding emotional state," Diamond writes. "By correcting specific emotional problems that are affecting us we will be invulnerable to most stress and our energies will be released to be devoted to our true purpose in life." Plus, we will begin to discover our deepest homing thoughts.

Diamond's work is about the power of thoughts. "Over the centuries philosophers and psychologists have speculated on this," Diamond says, "but now you have been able to experience something previously undemonstrable: the immediate power of your thoughts to influence your physical state. Your thoughts have the power to alter the physiological responses of your muscles. A thought or a word can change the energy of the organs. Thoughts have the power to cause or cure illness in your body. You can now use them for health."

Thursday, June 13, 2013

What Is Fitzgerald Trying to Say About the American Dream in 'The Great Gatsby'?


The American dream is such a major theme in The Great Gatsby that whether you are studying it was just reading it for fun you must be wondering what Fitzgerald is trying to say about. Some people argue the book of the criticism of the American dream, some people think Fitzgerald is trying to say the American dream is dead, others think the criticism is solely of Gatsby who paid the price of living too long with a single dream. Let's have a look at some quotes from the Great Gatsby.

Gaby's dream is the most prominent of the book. It is all encompassing, it has taken over his life completely. He thought he loved Daisy, but when he finally met her after all these years he found that he still wanted more. He wanted her to say that she never loved another man. He couldn't be happy with what he had, he has to be perfect. He is an example of people who abuse the American dream.

Character's like Myrtle and Wilson look up and Daisy and Tom. They want what they have, they think that they have achieved the American Dream. The reader knows different thought, we can see exactly how happy Daisy and Tom are. Behind the fa癟ade of perfection they present, their perfect marriage, in their lovely house with their beautiful daughter, they are both bored and unhappy. With no job and no purpose in life they have grown 'restless.' Both of them have affairs and neither seems to care about there child. Fitzgerald is trying to say that life isn't what you imagine at the top.

It is obvious that, at least in the world of the Great Gatsby, money doesn't buy you happiness. Unfortunately it is just as clear that the lower classes are obsessed with money and view it as their ticket to living the dream. When you only look at their bank balances Gatsby and Tom are both wildly successful and that is all the lower classes see.

The photograph that Gatsby's father carries around with him becomes the symbol of this obsession of the lower classes. Instead of carrying a picture of his son he carries a a picture of his house, a symbol of his wealth, and what proves he is a success. Just as Gatsby was lured by Dan Cody's expensive yacht, so the next generation will look at this photo and think that if they work hard enough they can come from nothing like Gatsby and be as happy as him. The sad fact is we know Gatsby was never happy and when he died no one came to his funeral.

What can we draw from this then, does Fitzgerald think the American dream is dead. On the contrary I believe that he thinks it will continue perpetually, the people always look at the rich and wish they could be like them. And so the book is not telling you the American dream is dead is telling you that it will always live on and be wary of its promises.

5 Tips For Saving Your Girlfriend From Depression


It is always difficult to help a girlfriend through depression. Depression in one of the partners can badly affect your relationships. Your girlfriend may be suffering from situational or clinical type of depression. Clinical depression is more serious problem and should be treated for a longer period of time. Situational depression needs same treatment but can be treated in shorter period of time.

1. Try to know her Feelings - Encourage her to express her feelings. Talk to her and ask her questions. Try to find out duration of her depression. Discuss her symptoms and signs. You can`t help her without knowing her feelings.

2. Give her time to speak out - Listen to your girlfriend. She always need time to speak out her problems. Just listen to her even if she is being completely irrational.

3. Find Natural Remedies - One of the most popular depression treatments is prescription drugs. But prescription drugs have many unpleasant side effects. So it is a good idea to look for natural remedies. There are many natural remedies and therapies available in the market. Your job is to find out best possible treatment for your girlfriend.

4. Motivate her to Exercise - A person suffering from depression needs proper exercise program. Regular exercise program can help a lot in maintaining good mood. It is a good idea to be her exercise partner. You can help her a lot in being persistent in her exercise program.

5. Find Help on Internet - Try to find some websites with useful information. There are many websites and blogs which are dedicated to Natural Treatment of depression.

What to Do When You Are Depressed and Lonely


Are you wondering what to do when you are depressed and lonely? If so, there are some practical things that you can do that will help you through this dark period in your life. Of course, the first thing to do is to determine whether or not you are experiencing a more serious episode of clinical depression. Since millions of people every year have some form of clinical depression, this is important to access.

A simple test is to determine if you are plagued with constant insomnia and feelings of worthlessness or false guilt. Also, if you have lost interest in things that you used to enjoy and often think about suicide for a period of two weeks or more, you are most likely in clinical depression and should seek the help of a professional. But if you are generally dealing with feeling of depression and loneliness that are more common to everyone at least in certain periods of life, here's some practical tips about what you can do when you are depressed and lonely.

Do Something for Someone Else One of the most important things that will help you during periods when you may feel lonely and depressed, is to think about someone else rather than yourself. This may be hard to do when all you feel is how lonely you are, but this simple change in attitude can make a world of difference in your outlook on life.

Many people who become depressed and lonely are very introspective and fail to make an effort to step outside their own pain. Do a random act of kindness for someone. Maybe your neighbor is just home from the hospital and needs a meal. Or maybe a child is in need of new clothes. Perhaps your co-worker is short of cash and can't pay for lunch. Find someone who needs help and fill the need.

Don't only do it once, but make it a point to find someone once a day who needs some sort of kindness and determine to meet someone's need for 30 days in a row. You will be surprised at how much you will receive in return for little acts of kindness. You may even make a new friend and you will feel a sense of satisfaction that maybe you haven't felt in a long time.

Engage in a Brand New Hobby

Those who are lonely tend to shy away from putting themselves in situations that will actually help them not feel so lonely. Another practical way of getting through a period of loneliness or depression is to move yourself outside your daily routine or comfort zone. Choose a new hobby or something that you've always wanted to do but never made the effort to pursue.

A new activity can bring a breath of fresh air to your life. You not only will learn something new and interesting, but you will also of necessity be around new people. Common interests are one of the best ways to ignite new relationships.

You need not continue to feel lonely all the time with no remedy in sight. A few simple choices can actually make a big difference in your life if you add these two simple, practical suggestions to your daily or weekly routine when you wonder what to do when you are depressed and lonely.

How Can I Not Feel Depressed?


It is safe to say that there is not a single person in the world that woke up one morning and decided that they would like to go through the rest of their life being sad, withdrawn, blue, un-excited, sluggish, irritable... depressed. No one wants to feel like that for day, much less every day. There is a reason that many people though do chose to feel like this, and that is because they do not care for the way that western medicine has told them to treat their condition. Anti-depressant medications can make the person feel worse and or take what little joy they do have out of life.

The number one complaint as to why people that are dealing with depression stop taking their meds is that they don't like the way it makes them feel. The good news is that from now on you don't need to feel depressed and you don't need to take toxic medications to feel better. There are natural treatments that you could start today and you could actually start feeling better tomorrow. Here are just a few of the natural treatment options you can follow if you are feeling depressed.

Exercise, while it may not be the most fun thing to do, it is very effective in treating and alleviating depression. Exercise gets the natural mood booster going in the body so that you feel better. You don't have to hit the gym, you can go for a walk, go for a swim, pop in your favorite CD and dance your pants off. All you need to do is take that first step and the rest will come naturally. Each step will make you feel better.

Yoga, which is all about the mind spirit and body connection. You can tell when you look at a person that they are an avid Yogi. They look younger then what they are, they almost glow because they are serene and peaceful. They are less stressed, not depressed and enjoy life. Yoga is not all that hard, not as hard as everyone seems to think it is. You can learn Yoga from a book, from a class or from a video. Give it a try, and practice it everyday, not just when the feelings start to come on. Yoga can actually free you from feeling depressed ever again.

Music, music is very effective at changing and setting mood. I recommend that you create a "happy" CD, for lack of a better word. On that CD you can record music that makes you feel good. There are songs that we all know that we can't help but smile when we hear. It just makes us feel good. Make a CD of that music so that when the feelings start you can pop in the CD and hum your way to smiles.

These suggestions are by no means exhaustive. There are a number of natural treatment options that you can try including the supplements, dietary changes and "mind makeover." You need to find the natural treatment option that is going to work for you, that is going to make you feel better.

Day Trading - an Introduction


Day trading is the practice of active buying and selling of the stocks, options, futures and currencies within a trading day. All trades are completed within a day so that after the closing of market the day trader do no hold any open positions and therefore are not subjected to any overnight risks. The traders trade against very small changes in price of the financial instruments. Day trading is usually a vigorous trading activity requiring high concentration and time during trading hours.

Day traders can be grouped into two broad categories as scalpers and momentum traders. Scalpers trade in large quantities completing each trade within seconds or minutes. Most scalpers are usually large financial firms or investors like institutional traders. Momentum traders are usually individual traders who trade according to the stock market trends. The trading volume of momentum traders usually depends on the market condition. Some other popular trading strategies include range trading, news playing and rebate trading.

Day trading can be considered as an offspring of high speed electronic communication networks. Most day traders today trades markets from a distant location such as their home or work area. They use trading software, the direct access trading platform, installed in their computer connected to internet to execute trades in real-time. In order to qualify for the trades, the trader must maintain a margin in the corresponding market. It is the day trading broker who maintains the margin for the trader and provides the direct access trading platforms. Although there are web-based trading platforms available, they are not suitable for day trading.

The most important thing, other than the money, trading system and market account, that a day trader need is the market information. Market data enables day traders to pick suitable products to trade. Day traders need live or real-time market quotes as a small delay in information can cause them huge loss. It is the trading system that they use serve for this purpose. Advanced systems provide these information as graphics and are usually have alerts and triggers to automate trades. Day trading systems also use technical indicators and various mathematical tools to facilitate the picking of stocks, futures, currencies, etc.

As told earlier, there are a variety of products available for day trading. The most popular ones are the stock and the forex currencies. Others include options like stock options and futures options, and futures like currency futures, stock futures, stock index futures and commodity futures. Day trading facility is available for most stock, options and futures market, but note that most brokers offers services for limited markets/exchanges. The trader also must be keen to choose markets according to the product they are trading, their financial status, the brokerage they are affiliated to, the trading system they uses, and their geographical location.

The advantages of day trading include high profit making chance, no overnight risks, high leverage, rapid returns, no margin interests etc. The disadvantages include higher chance of loss (especially to new traders) and the requirement of high concentration levels and time. The requirement to payoff interest on margin and transaction costs can make the situation more serious. It is estimated that over 80% of day traders have to afford loss.

Letting Go Quotes - Read Them to Become Free Of Your Past


The nature of life is to be never constant and it is always full of surprises around every corner. The only way you will ever be able to succeed in life is by having the correct attitude towards change. The loss of a relationship is particularly hard to bear with especially if you have invested a great deal of your energy and emotions in it. We lose certain relationships because we grow apart from the people we love. The break can also come without any warning. Imagine how hard it is to bear with the death of a loved one or even with betrayal caused by another one. Grieving is a very natural action at the demise of a relationship, but the problem is that some people just do not know when to let to. Living with the ghost of a person one was once close to can be very debilitating and it will certainly prevent you making new relations and getting ahead in life. There are quite a few letting go quotes that illustrate this predicament perfectly.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk from Vietnam said, "People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar."

This behavior is all too common and it is a serious impediment to having a joyful life. There are many people who wallow so much in the past that they find it next to impossible to think about the future. In fact, the past holds a great deal of fascination for them and they keep returning to it time and time again. This applies equally to whether the past was full of bitterness and disappointments or was a time when life was good. In the latter instance, people idealize their past and refuse to believe that their future can ever match up to it. These obsessions are very unhealthy and can adversely impact one's present as well as future. One can also end up isolated from other people because it is unlikely that they will share this obsession. If these people think about the following quote then they will be able to free themselves from a lot of unwanted worries.

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Havelock Ellis.

Most people who are trapped in the past are ones who have suffered abandonment or abuse at the hands of another person who they trusted and loved very much. They invest a lot in a relationship only to be dumped for a variety of flimsy reasons. Most people don't even see this coming and are completely unprepared for it. This is unfortunately all too common and the person at the receiving end of the bad treatment simply cannot come to terms with what has happened. Being ditched by a loved one is bad enough, but do you really want to make things worse for yourself by clinging to those events in your head and reliving every single bad moment of it? Besides, why would you want to think about a person who treated you badly when you should be doing your best to remove all traces of this person from your life?

Ann Landers, who was never at a loss for words, has one of best letting go quotes for this particular circumstance. She says. "Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise?live rent-free in your head."

In any case, it is simply a waste of time to think a lot about a person who has abandoned you, leaving you to your own devices. Of course, you do need to do a bit of introspection at the end of a relationship especially if it ended on harsh terms. However, this does not mean that you have to constantly think of what went wrong and what you could have done differently. Many people like to think that they could have clung to the lost relationship by behaving in a different manner or changing the way they look, talk or behave. This is one of the worst things that can happen when one does not know when to let go. It can lead to a reduced sense of self-worth and from then on to depression and self-destructive behavior. It is very common for people to punish themselves because a relationship has ended badly and they take to drugs and alcohol in order to make the pain go away. The simplest thing would be to realize that the relationship or the other person was at fault and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Think of this quote if you have been dumped very badly and you will start to feel a lot better about yourself:

"If he's dumb enough to walk away, be smart enough to let him go."

You are doing yourself a great disservice by having an unhealthy obsession with your past, especially if it concerns a loved one who has passed away. This is actually quite a common occurrence but it is also very self-destructive behavior. If you think that you are honoring the memory of the departed person by clinging to these thoughts, then you are completely wrong. In fact, you ought to honor the memory of the person who is no longer with you by celebrating the fact that you had a great time rather than mourning its passing.

Think of these words from Dr. Seuss, and you will feel a lot better than before - "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

It is very important to learn the art of letting go because there are so many things you could do instead of constantly floundering in self-pity. Life is full of opportunities, but you should be receptive to them else they will just pass you by. It goes without saying that you need to have the right frame of mind to receive this opportunities and you will help matters along if you thing positive thoughts only. Negative thoughts are a complete waste of time and they only fill you with unproductive negative energy. You will have very little energy left over for the important things of life if you waste it all on unproductive thoughts and actions.

The Queen of Daytime TV, Oprah Winfrey, put it very well when she said, "Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go."

Phil McGraw issued a very powerful commandment for people trapped in emotional quick sands. He said, "Stand up and walk out of your history."

Life is best lived if one looks forward instead of backwards. This does not mean that one shouldn't learn from one's mistakes. In fact, one should pay close attention to everything that transpires in one's life so that one doesn't do the same mistake all over again. Once one has learnt a few important life lessons from a particular episode, one can proceed to remove it from one's thoughts. It is a fact that one cannot entirely forget things that have happened in the past. However, one needs to be able to let them go so that they no longer have the power to affect one's life.

Even the famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell had similar thoughts on this subject when he advised people to not be trapped in despair but to look to the future. He said, "When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

Letting go of negative thoughts and unpleasant situations does not mean that you should give up on a good thing as soon as the going gets tough. Perseverance is a very important attribute that is shared by winners. However, it is important to be able to differentiate between situations when one must fight to stay on and when it is a good time to let go. This is something that usually comes to you with experience and wisdom.

Think of what Jessica Hatchigan said, "There's an important difference between giving up and letting go."

It is a great pity if you have to lead life without the ability of letting go of negative things at the appropriate time. If you live under the tyranny of the past then you will rarely be able to do anything positive with your life and will not be able to cope with change. This is a terrible waste of your potential and you should not deprive yourself of the chance of doing well. You should therefore do all you can to make the best use of all the opportunities that life throws at you.

It was Albert Einstein who once said, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." Truer words have rarely been spoken and they contain an important truth for leading a happy life. He also said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

You have to take these inspiring words to heart so that you can lead your life in a happy and productive manner. Life is too short to be spent worrying about things that happened in the past and how things could have turned out to be different. You have to grab all available opportunities in order to make your life a success rather than staying imprisoned in a web of your own creation. There are plenty of letting go quotes that you could read in order to lead your life in the best possible way. Read them whenever you feel that you require support during tough times in your life (and there are bound to be plenty of these times). They will give you the inspiration you need when you are troubled by the inability to handle any type of change in your life. The breakup of a relationship will never again be something that you take ages to get over. In fact, you will be able to get over your sorrows after a while and can look forward to finding new and fulfilling love all over again.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Tips on How to Get Rid of Depression Naturally


Depression is a real condition that many people have. There are cases that range from mild to severe. There are many medications that are made to treat the symptoms of depression, although some people decide they would rather not take them. There are many reasons that depression sufferers make this choice. If you have depression that is mild, it is possible for you to get rid of depression naturally, with non-medical methods. Continue reading to learn some healthy things you can do to reduce your depression symptoms.

One thing you can do that is good for your body and your mind is to eat healthy. Eating healthy can actually do wonders for your state of mind. Some foods can actually put you in a bad mood. Many people have bad reactions to refined carbohydrates and sugars. Watch your mood after you eat these foods and you might find that cutting them out will help you feel better. Eating a healthy diet is not only can help you feel better mentally and get rid of depression naturally, but it can also help you have more energy and help you lose weight. Both of these things can help you feel about yourself and this can lift your mood, too.

Another healthy activity you should partake in order to get rid of depression is exercise. Many studies have shown that taking part in cardiovascular exercise for at least half an hour several times a week can be just as good for you as taking an anti-depressant. Not only that, but it exercise will make you stronger and can help you look your best and that can also help you feel better about yourself.

You should also try to get adequate sleep. Your body needs sleep to recover from your busy day. Sleep helps your brain and your body recharge and get ready for the following day. If you do not get the recommended amount of sleep, you can be grouchy and tired. Getting enough sleep can help keep your depression symptoms at bay.

In your daily life, it is easy to feel down if you feel like you are not accomplishing anything. One way to keep up with your accomplishments and make sure you are making progress is to set goals for yourself. When you set your goals, make sure they are achievable. Do you want to go back to school? Maybe you want to lose some weight or your goal could be something as simple as cleaning out the cabinets. No matter what your goals are, set them for yourself and do what you can to accomplish them. Once they are accomplished, you will feel good about what you have done.

It is also important that you socialize, at least a little. If you are feeling particularly down, call up a friend and make yourself do something that is fun. You never know, it may be all you need to pull yourself out of your hole.

If you have mild depression, you can take charge of it by taking proper care of yourself. If left untreated, it could get out of control and take over your life. By making healthy choices in your life, you are able to live with your depression or maybe even completely erase the symptoms.

Learn To Minimize The Symptoms Of Your Manic Depressive State


It's a proven fact that a manic depressive person could be crippled by the abnormality of his or her moods. This mental health disorder would be extremely distressing not only to the patient but to other close family members and friends as well. The great news is that there are several things that you can do to minimize the effects and symptoms of what can be a sometimes disabling disorder. By learning to take charge of your manic depressive state, you can minimize having the bipolar label placed upon you.

First, you will want to learn as much as you possibly can about your mental state. The more facts that you realize about being a manic depressive, the better are your chances in keeping the symptoms at bay and possibly eliminating the disorder from affecting your daily life. After all, the ultimate goal is to live manic depressive symptom free.

Second, you will want to eliminate stress whenever possible. It is very important that you refrain from having a stressful state as your mood swings are intimately tied to your level of stress. You should attempt to always handle your stressful situations as best as you can with the least amount of fanfare. It can be very beneficial to enroll in meditative exercises such as yoga and Pilates. Many people report that this has worked wonders for controlling their bipolar disorder.

Next, be sure to engage in a regular exercise program. Not only will this rejuvenate your body but it has been proven to work wonders for your mind. A regular walking routine is great for starters, From there you can build up to whatever you are comfortable with. In very short time, you will be amazed at how a regular workout can be beneficial for your mental state as well as your physical state.

Next, you want to capture a full night's rest as often as you can. Avoid activities that interfere with a good night's sleep. The recommendation is 7 to 8 hours of nightly sleep. Upon awakening, try not to skip breakfast. This is a very important meal to get your day off to a good start. Speaking of meals, be certain to have good eating habits and avoid the junk.

Finally, you should know when to get support from others. Keep in mind that this is not a battle that you ought to fight alone. Throughout history, there have been many famous people that have been diagnosed as bipolar. Those that have sought out the help of professionals have gone on to lead rather normal lives. Following the advice of professionals will allow you to keep control over your manic depressive episodes and live a fuller life.

Massage and Depression


Depression is a complex issue that affects millions of people at various times in their lives. It is a condition that not only impacts their personal lives, but the lives of those around them as well. Depression is a condition without a single cause, but can be attributed to:

  • Biological triggers (including genetic predisposition and existing conditions)

  • Psychological triggers (including mental illness and susceptible personality types)

  • Environmental triggers (including family, work, and social lives)

The evidence for a strong genetic link in those who suffer from chronic depression is growing. Researchers have recently identified the SERT gene which is connected to causing depression, and further research is being pursued to develop a drug that effectively disables this gene and relieving the sufferer from further episodes of depression.

Depression can affect anybody, but groups that are at most risk have been identified. Women are up to 3 times more likely to suffer depression than men, but this may be a case of women being more likely to report the condition to their general practitioner.

Groups most likely to suffer depression include:

  • Those with an existing illness (diabetes, HIV, etc)

  • Those with a substance abuse issue (alcoholics, drug addicts, marijuana)

  • Women having recently experienced childbirth

  • The elderly population

  • The teenage population

  • The physically disabled

Likewise, the signs and symptoms of depression can be as variable as those who suffer from the condition, and identifying an individual's particular indicators is important in diagnosis. Symptoms include, but are not restricted to:

  • Sad or empty feelings

  • Decreased interest or pleasure in activities

  • Pronounced changes in sleep, appetite and energy

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Being either agitated or slowed down

  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating

  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

While massage cannot be said to be a cure for depression, it can in many cases aid in alleviating a depression episode. Research indicates that this is achieved through stimulating the sense of touch through the skin, causing an increase in mood enhancing hormones dopamine and serotonin, reducing the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, and lowering noradrenaline and the stress hormone ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone). It has also been shown to boost the immune system, stabilise blood sugar levels, and improve lung function and peak air flow, all of which may be affected in sufferers of chronic depression

With these considerations in mind, the best massage technique for assisting sufferers of depression is primarily Swedish or Relaxation Massage to encourage relaxation. Focus should emphasise areas of tightness to release muscular tension and provide relief. Contact should be maintained at all times, and a calm atmosphere should be encouraged.

Clients exhibiting the signs of chronic depression should be referred on to other allied health professionals to assist in identifying and alleviating the problem. Due to the complex nature of the condition, a general practitioner should be consulted, followed by a psychologist, a personal trainer, and a nutritionist.

Herbs and Manic Depression


Before we can get into herbs that might benefit those with Manic Depression, we should discuss what Manic Depression is. Manic Depression is marked by mood swings that can go from mild and calm to excited - highly irritable. These cycles can last for days or weeks. In some cases, these cycles can occur multiple times in a day.

Standard Treatments

Manic Depression is a serious form of Depression requiring more intensive treatments.
Standard treatments typically include psychotherapy (talk therapy) combined with one or more antidepressant medications. In some serious cases hospitalization might be necessary to stabilize your moods.

Anti-depressants fall into four classes and each class works in a different way on the chemicals in the brain that control mood. The levels of two neurotransmitters - Serotonin and Norepinephrine are affected. Anti-Depressants have some serious side effects that could put you in a risky situation.

Booster Drugs are used to increase the effectiveness of the primary drug. One such drug is Ritalin. This works about 50% of the time. They are still used and with new drugs coming out all the time the effectiveness could increase.

Herbs

Herbs have been used in rituals and healing practices by ancient tribes and Shaman. They were brewed, used to flavor foods, burned (as in incense), and in moist packs applied to injuries called poultices. With the development of western medicine natural remedies were left aside.

Due to the fact that anti-depressant medications have such serious side effects, many people are looking to return to natural remedies whenever possible. Natural/herbal remedies are safe and they are effective. They have been known to help those with Manic Depression but still more studies need to be done to confirm that.

Some herbs used in supplements to treat any form of Depression include Green Tea which is an anti-oxidant and is known to boost general metabolism and mood. It can also be used for stomach problems.

Valerian is known as a sleep aid. It can be used in smoking cessation. Valerian also is known to have anti-anxiety properties.

The highest quality herbal supplements should have gone through very extensive testing. The metabolic pathway of the ingredients is studied at the molecular level. The interaction of the ingredients should be studied as well. When the supplements are manufactured they should be made according to pharmaceutical grade standards.

This helps to ensure you are getting exactly what the label says you are getting, their efficacy, potency, and safety. You can check with your pharmacist or the manufacturer for this information.

Conclusion

Manic Depression is one of the more serious forms of Depression. Standard treatments include anti-depressants, psychotherapy, and the possible use of Booster drugs. Herbal usage is becoming popular again and can be effective in treating Manic Depression but studies, as was said, need to be done to confirm the effectiveness of herbal supplements.

7 Tips to Handle Pre-Retirement Depression


You are already fifty, and as early as now, you are already asking yourself the question, "What will I do when I retire?"

Retirement actually causes a lot of stress, and unfortunately, you feel it even before it happens. You become anxious or even depressed, and unless you resolve your issues right away, this supposed-to-be mild emotion becomes dangerous and deadly.

Here are top 7 tips in overcoming depression:

1. Save up or invest.

One of your greatest concerns is your finances. Will you be able to survive with your pension and insurance? That is why even before you retire, you should start saving up a lot of money. It is also the best time to invest in several types of portfolios, such as mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. They can earn you a lot of money with the least effort.

2. Start volunteering.

Is retirement making you feel unproductive or worthless? Volunteer in organizations, especially in those that you know you can greatly contribute. If you are a psychologist, look for anti-violence centers. If you have deep love for pets, apply in animal shelters. Volunteering makes you realize you still count for something.

3. Bring yourself much closer to the world.

Avoid getting more depressed by being alone. Surround yourself with family and friends, or bring yourself much closer to society. If your children are settled in Ohio, consider buying a property there. You and your partner can purchase an apartment in metropolitan cities where sources of entertainment are aplenty.

4. Plan ahead.

Instead of thinking about what you can no longer do after you retire, dream about those that you can. It is the most ideal time to be more rewarding, particularly to yourself.

You can already schedule travels, hobbies, and activities you have not pursued because of work. Before you know it, you can hardly wait to retire.

5. Keep yourself fit.

Compounding your stress is sickness. You think about your retirement funds going down the drain. You cannot really live your remaining years to the fullest.

Start taking care of yourself more as you age. Eat the right kind of diet, exercise, keep your mind alert by reading, and maintain a positive outlook in life.

6. Continuously inspire yourself.

When depression kicks in, you should inspire yourself a lot harder. Hey, your life does not end when you retire. But if this idea does not really sink in, you may want to use subliminal messages.

Referred to as affirmations, subliminal messages can motivate individuals to be the best they can be by changing their present negative mind-set. They are best used together with visualization.

When you are feeling down, listen to subliminal messages that deliver messages of hope, acceptance, and self-love.

7. Fight depression.

There is always a depression hotline you can dial if you need someone to talk to. You can also watch out for the warning signs of depression. If you feel less sociable, moody, violent, or deeply sad most of the time, ask for professional help.

Key Facts About Signs Of Depression


Depressive disorders are common psychological health problems. People who are stressed out can experience emotions associated with oppressive unhappiness, fatigue and guilt. They frequently sense lonesome, isolated, hopeless and pointless. Main Signs of Depression are famous by a lot of brands, though it is actually most often known as depression. Depressive disorders can be an emotional disorder where extreme emotions associated with depression persist for a lot of entire time, thus it is different from the feelings of sadness that people almost all sense coming from time and energy to period. Those people who are stressed out come with an extremely reduced feeling as well as lower self-esteem. They lose interest within actions these people once loved and also often distance them self from others, struggling to their emotions of hopelessness and also lose hope. The causes for the Symptoms of Depression aren't well comprehended, but seem to include each genetics and surroundings. Those people who are obese possess a greater risk regarding depressive disorders. These diagnosed with illnesses including cancer, cardiovascular disease, May possibly create depressive disorders. Natural light coverage and also likelihood of depression there isn't any reported research connecting ultraviolet-B gentle to likelihood of depression.

The actual signs of depression might heighten through the winter season: what is known Seasons Based on a current review, managing vitamin deficit inside individuals with depressive disorders or other mental disorders may result in advancement both in long-term health insurance and standard of living. Reports make sure supplement includes an optimistic effect on depression. In certain of these ladies, their particular depressive signs and symptoms lessened because shown by the reduction in their particular results on the Major Depressive Disorder examination. Overweight as well as overweight Norwegian peoples required something like 20, thousand or even 45,500 units per week of supplement; their own results have been furthermore reduced on a depression examination. The term psychological disease describes conditions that individuals experience in how they feel, sense, or perhaps behave. A learning condition occurs when one has problems to understand, recalling, and also addressing new details. Morbidity associated with depression symptoms is hard to evaluate, but the lethality associated with depressive disorders will take the measurable form of completed destruction, the eighth top noted. Depression is really a probably life-threatening disposition condition in which impacts one out of 6 people within the USA, or perhaps roughly 18.6 000 0000 Americans every year. Despondent individuals are more likely to create type 2 diabetes and heart problems. Not checking the particular result associated with extra condition declares, within the next two decades, depression symptoms will be the next top cause of incapacity globally and also the top reason for disability within high-income nations around the world, including the United States. The existing financial price of depressive sickness will be estimated to become $30-44 billion each year in the United States, as well as significant pain and suffering that interfere along with personal functioning. Depression symptoms have an effect on people who worry about the ill individuals, occasionally doing damage to family associations or function character between your affected person and other folks.

As a result, the human expense in enduring cannot be overestimated. As much as two third of men and women with depression do not realize they've the manageable sickness and don't seek remedy. Only 50% associated with persons identified as having depressive disorder have any kind of remedy, and only 20% of those individuals receive treatment in line with present training guidelines from the U. S. Psychological Association. Much more alarming, inside a large Canada examine, 48% regarding sufferers that experienced taking once life and also 24% of those that experienced made a destruction try documented failing to get attention or even actually perceiving the necessity for attention. Persistent ignorance of Depression and misconceptions than it from the community, as well as a few wellness companies, like a private weak point or failing that can be willed or wanted absent lead to unpleasant stigmatization regarding and also deterrence with the analysis by a lot of persons who're suffering from the disease.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

My Depression Story


I was diagnosed with severe and clinical depression in 1991 and prescribed the antidepressant medication, Imipramine. Imipramine is a tricyclic which is a selectivenorepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNI) and, to a lesser extent, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The theory is that a major cause of clinical depression is an insufficient amount of one or more neurotransmitters floating freely in the brain, serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine.

I say theory, because, as far as I know, no one has ever been able to measure the amount of free-floating neurotransmitters in a live human brain in order to determine a baseline and from that determine whether or not a person suffering from clinical depression is lacking a sufficient amount of one or more of the neurotransmitters. So, doctors and pharmaceutical companies have been experimenting for years. They've been using clinical depressed people as guinea pigs. They design medication that blocks these neurotransmitters from binding with neuroreceptors, thereby keeping them floating in the brain and then say to us, "Try this; see if it works."

Well, their 'studies" say that it does. For some people. But not for all. Then they say, "Try this one and see if it works." And for some that seems to work. However, recent studies have shown that earlier studies were probably flawed. Any given medication seems to work for about 1/3 of the subjects. Trying a second or a third medication brings this up to about 50%. But, half to two thirds of those reporting a significant positive effect also report the same when given a placebo (sugar pill). So, at best, anti-depressant medications help about 25% of those suffering from clinical depression and probably only about 10%, those who suffer from the most severe cases of depression.

But what the heck, right? May as well give it a shot. Except for the side-effects. Every single anti-depressant that I've tried has had side-effects. Some are bearable, such as dry mouth, and some are just plain unacceptable, especially if the anti-depressant effects are not helping, especially if a placebo would help you just as much.

Since I was first prescribed Imipramine, I have tried many different anti-depressant medications. Some have seemed to help a little in the sense that they have prevented the "feeling of dread" that permeated my every waking moment (and my dreams as well), but none have ever given me a sense of overall well-being.

Every single one of them have had side-effects; at least one side-effect for each med was intolerable. The first med I tried was Imipramine. In one sense, it was a godsend because it allowed me to sleep. One of my major symptoms was that I would toss and turn for hours and hours, never actually falling into a deep sleep. Then I would be tired during the day, sometimes getting a little sleep but most often continuing to toss and turn. Almost immediately Imipramine allowed me to sleep at night.

But what were the side effects? First of all, I put on a ton of weight, most of it around my midriff. That wouldn't have been so bad if it had been spread out as I was always skinny but it concentrated around my stomach and I doubt that anything looks worse than a skinny man with a huge gut. Not to me anyway. Secondly, I noticed that I had a constant low-grade pain syndrome in pretty much every part of my body. It appears that Imipramine caused me to come down with a case of fibromyalgia. When I eventually stopped taking Imipramine, this disappeared. And, thirdly, the most devastating side-effect of them all (for me at least): it caused erectile dysfunction. At the time I was still a fairly young man (40s) associating with a number of lovely young college coeds and that side effect was destroying my social life. Absolutely unacceptable!

So I tried other anti-depressants. I tried Prozac. This induced a murderous rage in me. I'd sit in front of the TV watching the news and want to jump inside the TV and beat the hell out of someone who was 'offending" me. I tried Wellbutrin which caused me to come down with a serious case of the tremors and made me feel as though I was about to have a heart attack or a stroke. I tried a lot of medications that seemed to have no effect at all, including no serious side-effect so I can't tell you which of these did what. Among these were Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft, and Cymbalta.

And then I was prescribed Celexa. This seemed to work pretty well with no serious side-effects. Later, when it first came out, I was prescribed with Lexapro, which seemed to work even better. For a while. After a time, I began to oversleep. I used to sleep an average of 7 ½ hours a day. After taking Celexa and then Lexapro for a while, I couldn't get up with any less than 9 hours sleep. Then I'd get tired after a few hours of being up and need a 2-3 hour nap. When I got a new insurance provider, they wouldn't pay for Lexapro and so I was prescribed a generic version of Celexa and my sleeping problem got even worse. Some days I was so sleepy I'd stay in bed all day and all night. It took me about a year to make the connection as I had moved to a much higher altitude and thought that might be the problem.

I had gone to my mental health provider about my sleeping problem and he suggested that we might add Wellbutrin to my prescriptions because it tended to energize people. As I mentioned above, this caused serious side effects so I quit taking it. I was also so fed up with the ineffectiveness of pharmaceuticals as well as side effects that I decided to wean myself off Celexa a well.

Miracle! After about 10 days of decreasing the dosage of Celexa, I started getting up after 7 ½ hours. I still needed a nap in the middle of the day but only for about 40 minutes. So now I'm free of the side-effects of anti-depressant medication but what am I to do about the depression?

So I'm free of anti-depressant medications after almost twenty years. Free of the side-effects that have negatively impacted my life. But I'm still clinically depressed. That negatively impacts my life as well. So do I have to trade the drowsiness that Celexa causes which makes me sleep all day for the intense agony that deep depression causes in me? Fortunately not. There is another way. And it's been working for me.

While searching on the Internet for information of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (I'm a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist), I ran across a site than markets brainwave training software. (This software is not only for relieving clinical depression; that's just one of over 20 issues it addresses).

Research indicates that imbalances in the amplitude, the strength, of specific brainwaves can be a cause for depression. Not for everybody; but for some. There are three specific imbalances that have been identified:

1: Low levels of Alpha and Theta brainwaves. This tends to cause insomnia in people as well as anxiety.

2. Low levels of Beta. This tends to cause lethargy in people. Being tired all the time. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

3. An imbalance between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. A dominating right brain causes people to be overly emotional, taking events too seriously, which can lead to depression.

There's quite a lot of peer-reviewed studied available about this phenomenon. I'd like to quote some of that for you but the rules here at Ezine @rticles limit the amount of other people's works that can be quoted. If you'd like a list of books and peer-reviewed articles to read, send me an email and I'll send that list to you.