Walking Is Good For Mental Health

One of the most natural things that an individual does every day is to walk. For years, this single act has been linked to improving cardiovascular health. The reason is because, generally, walking is a safe movement that isn't likely to cause injury. New studies have shown that walking is also a terrific way to improve your mood. The next time you are feeling a little blue, there may be a way to walk it off - literally.

A recent study paired individuals into groups, one of which spent 30 minutes on a treadmill and the other that participated in 30 minutes of rest. Each group's progress was monitored throughout the treatment with a conclusion that both groups reported having less negative feelings at the end of the study, along with less stress and tension. The difference, however, was found when the group that spent 30 minutes walking also noted an overall improvement in well-being.

While the study further proves the theory that walking is good for mental health, as well as physical, it also lends credence to the theory that people who walk feel better overall. It also proves that an individual does not have to be outside in order to enjoy the benefits of walking. This simple exercise can be achieved with a treadmill or by simply walking in place while tuning into a favorite movie or television show.

Anyone who has been diagnosed as having clinical depression or other illnesses should not ignore, or disregard, his/her medical treatment program. Walking is simply a way to sometimes add further improvement to certain conditions. A simple 30 minute walk can benefit an individual's mood, improve cardiovascular health and combat obesity all at the same time. In order to be effective, many people find that a daily walking schedule will help to keep them motivated and improve their spirits. In addition, a regular schedule will ensure that there is a time set aside for a walk. It's very easy to think, "I'll get around to it later," but something more often than not will distract individuals away from exercise unless they have a certain schedule that is followed every day.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional recommendations for an exercise regimen. Every individual should consult his/her physician prior to beginning any program consisting of diet and/or exercise.

Is Depression Being Mistaken For Old Age?

Depression disproportionately affects the elderly. Unfortunately many times the signs of depression can be confused with signs of aging. In order to properly diagnose and treat depression in the elderly, individuals, their care takers and health care providers need to be vigilant in looking for the signs and symptoms. Depression in the elderly can be debilitating and effect other areas of health. Determining if depression is involved is an important part of the health screening process.

Warning Signs of Depression

When dealing with the elderly and depression, some detective work is often needed. It is important that the elderly and their caretakers know the signs and symptoms of depression. As the elderly tend to have a lot of confounding factors coming into play at the same time which affect their health, symptoms of depression are easily masked as signs of aging. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person.
Some common signs are:

o Tiredness and lack of energy
o Difficulty focusing, remembering and staying on task
o Irritability
o Feelings of guilt, emptiness or helplessness
o Sleeping too much or insomnia
o Eating more or less than normal
o Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed before
o Crying for long periods of time
o Thoughts of suicide

While these are only a few of the possible symptoms, one can readily see how depression can easily be mistaken for signs of aging, precisely because these symptoms are so prevalent among the elderly. Mental and physical sickness and "old age" are often considered to be one in the same. According to the Rotterdam Scan Study, people with an early onset of depression had an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. The study also found that the depression symptoms did not have to be obvious to run this risk. This study highlights the fact that early detection and treatment of depression in the older population is vital in the fight to lower the risk of Alzheimer Disease. Much more research is being done to investigate the link between the two. It is clear however, that the two are linked.

What You Can Do to Improve Quality of Life

One thing is certain: the earlier depression is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance a person will recover and regain a healthy lifestyle. There are many treatments available for depression. Once diagnosed a referral should be made to a geriatric psychiatrist. This is a specialist who is trained to treat depression in the older population. The treatment can vary from things as simple as talk therapy, diet changes and exercise to medication. A combination of all these methods is often used.

It should be understood that the elderly deal with problems that younger generations do not. They are often dealing with deaths of loved ones, illness and retirement. They may suffer financial burdens, not to mention a sense of loss of control over their lives. These may be issues they have never dealt with previously and will need to learn new methods to deal with them emotionally.

Diet is an important factor in dealing with depression in the elderly. Older people may not be eating like they should. They may be living alone or on a limited income. Their diets should be carefully analyzed. While there is no one food that will "cure" depression, as the saying goes, we are what we eat, and food does often affect how we feel. Plenty of whole fresh fruits and vegetables are essential. These will provide essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants. Carbohydrates in small amounts can have a calming effect. Whole grains are especially important for heart and digestive issues. Good sources of protein, especially those with Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and legumes, are recommended.

Exercise is an excellent way to make anyone feel better. During exercise, the brain releases a neurotransmitter called serotonin as well as endorphins. These are the body's natural "feel good" chemicals. They help a person sleep better, stabilize the mood and even affect appetite and cell generation.

Exercise does not have to be an intense workout at the gym. It can be something as simple as a brisk walk through the park for 10 to 15 minutes. Elderly people could be encouraged to take a dance class or a fitness class with other seniors. This will provide exercise and also give them needed social interaction.
Getting the elderly population involved socially is also an essential part of depression treatment and prevention. Many elderly people withdraw. They may have experienced the loss of a loved one or friends and feel they are alone. Getting them back out in the community and involved in activities that they find enjoyable is helpful.

As you can see, communication and education are vital in detection of depression in the elderly. If you believe an older person you care about may be suffering from depression, bring it to the attention of a health professional. Effective treatment may make a significant improvement in the elder person's overall health.

Do I Have Bipolar Disorder? The Three Sides of Manic Depression

Are you wondering if you have bipolar disorder? Maybe you aren't quite sure of the signs to look for, but you have a hunch that you may have manic depression. The three indicators of bipolar disorder are depression, mania, and mixed states.

1.) Mania

What is mania and what are some of the warning signs? Mania is a period of excitability that involves increased energy and a lack of sleep. You may be able to work for days on end and your productivity will go through the roof.

Unfortunately, as mania progresses, thoughts will become confused, and you won't be able to get enough done, with thoughts and ideas flowing too fast until everything in your head becomes cluttered and frustrating.

2.) Mixed State

Anxiety is a common feeling in a mixed state, which combines features of both depression and mania at the same time. You may feel like you are having a panic attack, where you become so worried that breathing becomes difficult, and you feel like your life is out of control. Even the littlest thing can set off a chain of fear that ruins your life.

3.) Depression

Depression is marked by a lack of energy to go about your daily routine. Maybe you lose interest in hobbies, friends, or family. While you may have been the life of the party when manic, now you just want everyone to leave you alone, while you crawl up in a ball and sleep. You may also experience weight gain, despair, and a low sense of self worth.

1929 Stock Market Crash

Some economists regard the 1929 stock market crash as major contributing factor to the great depression. The speculative boom of the 1920's caused the crash because of the build up of the economic bubble. The bubble was formed because in the 1920s, as the stock prices were increasing, many people invested in the market. As the prices kept increasing they continued to invest hoping the prices would go up forever. Most people borrowed money to invest in the market.

This continued till about 1929. Then the market started trading down. Most people panicked and this resulted in heavy selling of stocks. By the year 1933, the stock prices were down 80% from the highs in 1929.

This led to people feeling poor. This led to decrease in the demand for various products in the market. Companies that tried to raise money in the market failed miserably. This led to shortage of money for manufacturing products or providing services. Companies started firing their employees because they wanted to scale down production. As you can guess, this led to the great depression. This period lasted about 4-5 years till 1934. All this was caused due to lack in confidence. This was preceded by confidence in the stock market. This turn of confidence was caused by a small negative sentiment in the market.

The speculative boom of the 1920's was one of the factors that contributed towards the great depression. The speculative boom was caused due to the heavy investing in the market. The heavy investing was taking place due to most people trading on margin. Some traders were trading on 90% margin. The banks were also invested in the stock market. When the stock prices went down, people lost faith in the entire financial system and this lead to banks failing by the hundreds. This could have been avoided if there were proper regulatory procedures for the banks and the stock market in place. There should have been a limit on the margin you can use to trade. There should have been some restrictions on the banks from investing the depositors' money in the stock market.

Needless to say, the regulators learnt a lot from this cash. It required some time before the trust in the financial system came back. The federal government then set up the federal deposit insurance corporation. Due to the presence of FDIC the banks could run out of money to pay back but still escape as the government reimbursed the depositors. The regulatory rules and procedures in place now are stricter and prevent the economy from crashing like it did in 1929.

You as an investor or a trader can learn a lot from this crash. In the late 1920's people began to invest without doing any research about the stocks they were buying. In those times, the trader who was in the floor had more information than the common people trading. This led to lack of information among investors. Now, due to internet and disclosure policies, the common investor can have all the information about a company before investing in it. Good research will give you confidence about your investment and you will not panic when your stock price goes down or the general market conditions are bad.

How To Treat Depression

Depression is very common among Americans, especially given the fast life they live. Though the treatment for depression is quite simple, it requires extra care and a little cheering up to help the patient come out of the problem. The cost of the treatment is no doubt expensive; but given the problem, everyone should take advantage of the various depression treatments that are available today to cure the problem.

There is nothing wrong with consulting a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is the best guide in this field. You should consider yourself lucky that today there are all sorts of depression treatments to help you overcome the problem. You should get the best treatment. Your family will always expect a positive result from the best treatment available.

Among the vast array of treatments available, psychotherapy is one of the most popular depression treatments that allows the patient to slowly uncover hidden feelings and the root of the problem. These short-term therapy sessions involve a healthy discussion between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient. These sessions mainly involve a healthy interaction with the patient to help him overcome the problem by finding positive solutions.

People may suffer from either bipolar disorder (manic depression) or major depressive disorder.

Bipolar disorder mainly involves certain episodes of depression, where a person may experience certain unexpected emotional outbursts that are difficult to control. These episodes may last for hours, days, weeks, or even a month. Treatments for bipolar disorders usually involve the application of both medication and psychotherapy. Psycho-education is beneficial, as it helps the patient and the family members to understand the root cause of the problem.

Major depressive disorder mainly involves sadness, loss of pleasure, excess crying, headaches, and digestive problems. Apart from normal medications, other treatments involve Electroconvulsive therapy, Lithium and Anticonvulsant medication, which are used for prevention of such outbursts. In these cases, consulting a doctor is a must, as he or she can help you come out of the problem.

Today, various depression treatments and medications are actually helping a large number of patients to return to their normal course of activities and get a proper sleep, which most patients lack. The treatment for depression depends on the severity of the problem. In case of mild depression, psychotherapies are suggested. Medication is usually recommended when the depression problem is severe and cannot be handled with psychotherapy alone.

Your medical consultant will get you the right kind of treatment and medication depending on the severity of the problem. A combination of psychotherapy and medication may be suggested if the problem of depression is serious. Specialized help from a psychiatrist is usually recommended when there are no positive results from medication alone.

The best treatment for depression is to engage yourself in lots of physical activities. Overconsumption of alcohol will only aggravate the problem. Do not suffer the problem of depression alone. Talk to your near and dear ones. There is no more effective treatment than this.

Teenagers Depression - Causes and Symptoms

When it comes to teenagers, it is very difficult to determine whether their outbreaks of dissatisfaction or sadness, or only the current issue of the rights of adolescent depression. It is normal that most teens in certain moments feel unhappy. When it adds more and increased the effect of hormones, characteristic of that period, as well as a myriad of changes through which teenage pass - is not difficult to notice that their mood changes from minute to minute.

Nevertheless, the research shows that even a teenager, every eighth subject teenage depression. Do not let this frighten you, because this depression usually brief and transitory. But if this situation persists for longer than two weeks - should certainly require the help of qualified health workers. What causes adolescent depression?

There are many reasons that a teenager feels sad and unhappy. Because of the weak grade in school and the pressure of teachers, teenagers can begin to feel worthless and therefore lose self-confidence which hitherto had.

The development of depression can affect and poor relationships with peers, sexual orientation, but the pressure in the family as an environment in which impose certain values and habits. Also, in some cases, adolescent depression can be caused by the stress that comes from the very environment that surrounds every one teenager. Regardless of the cause of depression, if any friends or family are not sufficient to overcome a teenager, and despite the support of so many still feel isolated and unhappy - it is clear that this is so called teenager depression. The most common symptoms of teenager depression In children who are prone to this form of depression can clearly see changes in behavior, thinking and mood. Manifested by a teenager just lose motivation and interest for all and clam.

Such children are also prone to excessive behavior, excessive or poor sleep, changes in diet, and even criminal activities ... Common symptoms of depression in adolescents: apathy frequent headaches and fatigue difficulties concentrating difficult decisions excessive guilt irresponsible behavior (failure to meet promises and commitments, the time delay classes, running away from school ...) short memory loss obsession with death and dying riotously behavior sadness and increased anxiety insomnia Alcohol and drugs estrangement from friends If your teen shows some of these symptoms, work in time to prevent it before further development of depression and help your child to participate in this potentially dangerous phase. Some ways are more frequent and longer interviews with children, objective problem solving, often mingling with the children, encouraging hobbies, sports or encourage extra-curricular activities ...

Important Facts on Illicit Drugs Parents Should Know

Drug abuse is commonplace issue stirring across the United States. Drug abuse hurts the abusers as well as the people around them. The effect of drugs on teens is more prolonged than on adults. Many teens use drugs to have fun and to feel 'high'. They even use drugs when they are depressed or think drugs will help them escape from problems. But the truth is, drug abuse exacerbates the issue the teens as well as for their parents.

Spot symptoms:
Teens using drug have symptoms of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety disorders. Parents should be alert enough to notice any change in behavior or general disposition of their kids. If they notice any of the drug abuse signs in their teens, they should take right step immediately. The following are few signs which are easily noticeable in drug abusing children:

•Change in behavior

•Inattentive to personal grooming

•Problematic behavior at school, such as drop in academic performance, suspension, etc.

•Mood swings

•Depression

•Increase in borrowing money

•Using drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, etc.

Drop in academic performance:
Drugs have a debilitating effect on the brain. They negatively affect attributes like comprehension, memory, and cognitive abilities. At school, the drug users avoid peers. They get lethargic frequently because the use of drugs makes them restless, aggressive and cantankerous. They fail to perform personal chores and grooming, get late to school or evade classes. All these characteristics will cause a massive decline in academic performance.

Explain the harmful effects of illicit drugs:
Parents should openly discuss the issue of drug abuse with their teens, even if they are not abusing drugs. They should advise them against taking illicit substance of any sort and the implications thereof, if they do. They should explain to the kids why they are concerned about the issue. Parents have to spend quality time with their kids, and should love and support them. Despite all this, if the teens keep on indulging in substances, parents should take the guidance of professional counselors specializing in rehabilitation of illicit substance abusers.

Facts on some of the commonly abused drugs:
Blame it on the easy availability of illicit drugs or ignorance among the teens, teen drug abuse has become rampant. From the various other surveys and the general observation, few drugs are found to be commonly abused by the teens. The following are the details of most commonly abused drugs in the United States and how parents can identify these drugs, if their teen is suspected to abuse any one of them.

•Cannabis: It is known as marijuana in its herbal form. Studies have established it to be the most commonly abused illicit drug. The dried leaves are mixed with tobacco and smoked. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, sweet-and-sour odor. Research shows that use of marijuana affects the brain and lungs. Long-term marijuana abusers exhibit symptoms like irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety and drug craving. Abusers consuming the drug will have smelly breath.

•Cocaine: This is a white crystalline powder. It is snorted, injected or smoked. It causes extra alertness, a feeling of 'high', etc. The side effects include high pulse rate, temperature, and dizziness among others.

•Opiates: These are extracts from raw opium and include heroin, morphine, and codeine. The last two are used as prescription pharmaceuticals for pain killing. Heroin is a white powder. Heroin causes euphoric 'high'. It is smoked, snorted or intravenously injected. Morphine and codeine are available as white round, scored tablets.

•Methamphetamine: Also known as meth, methamphetamine is a white powder and is smoked, snorted or intravenously injected. It immediately shoots up the heartbeat and body temperature - symptomatic of high fever. May drag the user to AIDS/hepatitis.

•Alcohol: Alcohol, a liquid drink, acts as a stimulant, and gives a false sense of relaxed mood and makes drowsy. Teens addicted to alcohol ultimately end up consuming drugs like marijuana, cocaine, etc. Large volume of alcohol can lead to shaking, sweating, loss of memory, loss of control on emotions, nausea, anxiety, and depression to hallucination, fever and convulsions.

•Tobacco: Tobacco is obtained from dried leaves of tobacco plant. After the leaves are dried they are treated with 4,000 chemicals before being made into cigarettes. Teen smoking is a serious problem. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 54 percent of high school students try smoking at some point. Teen smoking affects health in the long-term causing cough, shortness of breath, poor lung function, and respiratory problems.

•Inhalants: Inhalants are substances that are sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an immediate rush or high. The four basic types of chemicals that are used as inhalants are - volatile solvents, gases, aerosols and nitrites. They include household products like glues, paint thinners, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid, correction fluid, hair spray, aerosol deodorants, and spray paint. Effects from abusing inhalants can be both short-term and long-term. Regular use of inhalants cause serious harm to vital organs, brain, heart damage, liver failure, and muscle weakness.

•Vicodin: Vicodin is one of the most powerful prescription painkillers in the market. It is in the form of white, oblong scored tablet. When mixed with alcohol, vicodin over dose poses high risk among teenagers. Any teen who takes vicodin is at risk of addiction. Vicodin is highly addictive drug that carries with it a number of side effects and long-term health consequences.

This year's Monitoring the Future Survey had raised concerns about the increase in drug use among the Nation's teens. In this context, parents have a vital part in dissuading the teens from drugs. They need to explain to the kids the ill effects of illicit drugs on their body and mind, and the impact on the family.