Create Rejuvenation, Not Depression During the Holiday Season

This is a time of year when it is easy to slip into stressed and depressed states. Instead of having the holiday season be a call to celebration, some choose to focus on what they have lost. It is also a time when people have vintage memories of their loved ones on the side of Light.

Spirit sees this time as one of rejuvenation. As long as you allow yourself to envision better days while you move forward, you will start to feel a shift of energy within. It represents the beauty of who you are. On a soul level, consider it to be as vibrant as the young ones who filter in and out of your life. Those who have passed want you to move forward; to respect your life enough to do so.

This is a time of spiritual growth. Actually, we need you to grow on your path of physical living by having the Golden Side be inclusive in your thoughts. This is a great time to feel life in a renewed format. Whether your current path is a struggle or not, your future can and will be dictated by your attitude in the now. It is your decision, your choices, that determine how deeply you want to succeed, emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially and much more.

Wouldn't it be great to have the power to create anything you want? It has already been given to you! Your soul arrived with your conception. It makes for a life filled with potential. You need only to embrace the light within, in order to fulfill it. You are a powerful tool in this world. The events and episodes that can disrupt it are mere inconveniences to your progress when you allow your heart and soul to be emblazoned by the power of your Higher Self. Be the bright Light you want to see in others. When you lead the way, the only thing that can slow you down is the negativity of your own mental activity.

We have said all of this for a reason. We want you to see the difference you can make when you do not let the ups, and especially the downs, needle you. This is your chance to prove your own worthiness to yourself. It is also a chance for you to be able to see that even during the most importune times, and perhaps the times when you least expect it, there is a guardian spirit with you to help you, to praise you, to encourage you and to give you the boost you need in order to make the difference we are speaking about. Some of you have been going through rougher times than usual. If you are not experiencing it firsthand, then almost everybody knows somebody who is.

Why Put Labels On People?

"Hey, did you know that bloke was afraid of mice? Right wimp. Whoever heard of a grown man being afraid of mice?"

The fact that you climb the wall when a large spider appears on the scene, isn't mentioned.

Now, there's the rude labelling, labelling that can hurt and insult people, but there's the other kind of labelling. You go to your doctor and he tells you that you suffer from depression. You're a depressive. This can be helpful to people who weren't sure what the heck was wrong with them.

The problem is that if we don't visit the doctor; if we simply 'tough it out,' then a loss of control over our lives can be the result. I mention depression, because it's so infernally prevalent. So very many people suffer from it, but at some time down the line, they've mentioned it to one of their relatives and been told;

"Oh, don't be such a drip. We all feel depressed at some time."

Oh, I see. We all feel clinically depressed, do we? Big strong men have no trouble getting over clinical depression, do they? Oh no. Clinical depression is depression, only the doctor gives you pills to clear it up.

WRONG!

Why put labels on people at all?

"What's wrong with your husband?"

"He has clinical depression," so this woman trots home to her husband and tells him that poor old Bert's mad!

The Human Condition is what these various ailments used to be called. They were accepted as part of life, most especially in the last century. They'd use the motor car analogy.

"Oh, you're just a bit run down." Yeah, like a car battery.

"It's his nerves, poor man."

Thank God more enlightened thinking has started to take over. A good psychotherapist can gently make the condition seem more normal.

Let's look at grief. Some poor woman has just lost her mother, whom she idolized. She simply can't stop crying. The good therapist will quietly point out that she's suffered a terrible loss, and what she's experiencing is perfectly normal. Hellish though it is at the moment, the grief will pass.

Gradually, gradually, day by day, the light will shine through again. You'll cling to it and start to find little moments of happiness, where all was darkness before.

Personally, I think that this thoughtless labelling of people who suffer through no fault of their own, is quite despicable. Supposing a lady sees someone shot in front of her. What do you think she'll do? Go about her merry way, rejoicing? Of course she won't. She's been very badly traumatized. She'll probably wake up in the middle of the night and in her mind, hear a gunshot.

But this is the beauty of our make-up. Slowly, slowly, these hellish thoughts will leave us. So before you label someone out of your own ignorance,

THINK!

What is Agitated Depression?

A form of clinical depression and generally shows the symptoms of irritability and restlessness. Hypomanic behaviors cause depressive episodes in this form of depression. Agitation is always there in all types of depression but this type is particularly more severe and agitated that is why known as agitated depression. Just like other types of depression this one also has so many symptoms, the occurrence of symptoms depend upon the patient. It is one of the most severe depressive disorders among all the other types of depression. Usually middle aged people or old people become the victims, but it does not mean that adult or children do not suffer from it.

It is not tough to identify the symptoms, a person that suffers from this type of depression is not able to sit still and keeps on restlessly moving here and there all the time, it happens due to the outburst of emotional energy. Those that suffer from this type of depression tend to complain a lot and develop the feelings of getting misunderstood by others. The symptoms are :

1. Tearing of cloths
2. Motor agitation
3. Intense inner tension
4. Racing thoughts
5. Never ending baseless thoughts
6. continuous talking
7. verbal outburst
8. Hand wringing

It is noticed many a times that a patient tends to outburst his anger on his cloths by tearing the cloths. Motor agitation is a condition in which a patient is unable to stick to one place and constantly moves from one place to the other. Intense inner tension or also known as psychic agitation or mental agitation is a state of mental distress in which patient continuously found suffering from restlessness or tiredness without any reason. It is also known as mixed mania and appears like a hyper-active disorder, as it shows the symptoms of Hyperactive disorders such as difficulties to stay at one place or continuous talking problems etc. According to DSM-III-R, Agitated depression is categorized as major depressive episodes and surprisingly does not fall in the category of mixed bipolar disorder that it resembles most closely.

It is very commonly believed these days that it also exhibits the symptoms of Bipolar disorder I. Agitated depression with bipolar disorder I can cause major complications in the overall health of a patient. However, it is yet to be proved that it has any connection with bipolar disorder. If you feel that you have the symptoms, do not feel embarrassed, just consult with psychiatrist and seek proper treatment.

Writing Made Them Rich #2: Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born in Portsea, England, in
1812. His father was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office,
stationed at Portsmouth. Although his job was well
paid, his father had a weakness for spending money and
spent much of his life in chronic bankruptcy.

In 1824, when Charles was just 12 years old, his
father was sent to debtor's jail. Charles Dickens was
sent to a boarding house and given a 12 hour-a-day job
preparing bottles of shoe polish in a blacking
factory.

But Dickens' fortunes improved: a sudden inheritance
allowed his father to pay off his debts and he sent
Charles to school.

At age fifteen Charles was placed as a clerk in the
office of an attorney, a friend of his father's. In his
spare time he studied hard to become a Parliamentary
reporter.

At age nineteen he entered the parliamentary gallery as
a reporter for The Mirror. It was a well paid job and he
soon became known as one of the best shorthand
reporters in London.

Dickens began writing fiction at age 21, under the nom
de plume of 'Boz'. In 1836, when Dickens was 23, he
began writing a series of short stories (The
Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club) which appeared
in cheap monthly installments. By the age of 24 he had
become internationally famous.

Charles Dickens burst onto the literary scene at a
unique moment in English history

Until the end of the 18th century, England had been a
mainly rural society. But from the late 1700's onwards,
land holders started forcing people off their land to
make way for sheep farming.

At the same time the Industrial Revolution was
creating new towns and cities with belching smoke
stacks and factories that needed workers - the English
countryside was emptying and a new urban working class
was emerging.

The concentration of people in towns and cities
created something that had never existed before - a
mass audience. Newspapers, Magazines and Newsletters
sprang up to cater for this new and growing demand.

Books were being serialized in Newspapers and
Magazines - those who couldn't afford to buy a book
could read it in weekly installments. Dickens wrote and
published most of his novels in this fashion - a chapter
at a time.

Between 1837 and 1839, Dickens wrote three of his most
famous novels Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, and
Nicholas Nickleby.

In the first ten years of his writing career, the
manic part of Dickens' manic depression had given him
an endless source of energy and inspiration, but now
he began to succumb to depression.

In the 1840's he started to experience writer's block.
He would spend days locked up in a room, unable to put
words on paper. He wrote: "Men have been chained to
hideous walls and other strange anchors but few have
known such suffering and bitterness...as those who
have been bound to Pens."

Dickens was an extremely energetic man and a compulsive
traveler. He traveled the length and breadth of England,
Scotland and Wales and also made frequent trips to
France and Italy. In 1842 he spent six months in America,
where he was given the kind of reception reserved for
modern day rock stars.

In 1856 Dickens purchased a large residence in Kent,
the kind of house he had always dreamed of owning.

Although Dickens became wealthy, he never forgot
his origins. Throughout his life he visited the
factories, the slums, the jails and the poor houses.
Indeed, his novels were a social commentary on the
appalling conditions of 19th century England. He was
well known for his generosity and received requests
for money wherever he went.

He is considered by many to have been a genius and
the greatest English writer of the 19th century.

When Dickens died in June 1870, he left an estate
valued at over $US6.5 million (2001 value).

Manic Depression is Tearing Apart My Soul

When people discuss bi-polar disorder they refer to a condition known as manic depression.  This is associated with unusual and quick switches from a good mood to a sour mood, when someone says "wow, they're bi-polar".  It is just another in the many forms of depression.  Manic depression is not the same as just being sad or upset for over something in particular. Everyone has occasional highs and lows in their moods. But people with bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings. They can go from feeling very sad, despairing, helpless, worthless, and hopeless (depression) to feeling as if they are on top of the world, hyperactive, creative, and grandiose (mania). This disease is called bipolar disorder because the mood of a person with bipolar disorder can alternate between two completely opposite poles, euphoric happiness and extreme sadness. Manic depression is a much more serious condition.  Another stage of depression is the diagnosis for bi-polar disorder. 

Millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with Manic Depression every year.  In general 17 million people battle depression each year in America. Genetic factors are the main cause of bipolar disorder genetics. Life experiences and psychological processes do not seem to have any aetiological effect. Bipolar disorder is often treated with anti-manic, and sometimes other, psychiatric drugs. Psychotherapy only has a role in helping to gain insight once there has been substantial recovery from acute symptoms. In serious cases in which there is a risk of harm to oneself or others involuntary commitment may be used; these cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behaviour or depressive episodes with suicidal ideation. There are widespread problems with social stigma, stereotypes and prejudice against individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The symptoms of manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder are classified according to either manic or depressive episodes. Manic depressive states are diagnosed as:

    * Manic episode: A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, or for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, 4 additional symptoms must be present.

    * Depressive episode: A depressive episode is diagnosed if 5 or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, or for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

    * Mixed bipolar episode: In some people, however, symptoms of mania and depression can occur together in a mixed bipolar state. A person could have a very sad, hopeless mood, while feeling energized at the same time.

Unfortunately only about1/3 of those will be diagnosed and receive help.  When the sufferer refuses aid, there can be no cure.  Mental illness is a red stop sign for many Americans, they don't want to deal with it.  Being crazy isn't something people want associated with themselves. Sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.

It's very complex when a disease impacts the brain. The deep mood swings of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, and those of family and friends, too. Today, a growing volume of research suggests that bipolar disorder occurs across a spectrum of symptoms, and that many people aren't correctly diagnosed. Left untreated, bipolar disorder generally worsens, and the suicide rate is high among those with bipolar disorder. But with effective treatment, you can live an enjoyable and productive life despite bipolar disorder. It is hard to shake the stigma that comes with the diagnosis.  But it's not a sign of being less when this disease is diagnosed.  You're not crazy.  This is a disease like any other.  Unlike ordinary mood swings, bipolar disorder is much more intense and disruptive to everyday functioning, affecting energy, activity levels, judgment, and behavior.

During a manic episode, a person might impulsively quit a job, charge up huge amounts of debt, or feel rested after sleeping two hours. It can be treated.  First it has to be identified. A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad and/or irritable mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity and duration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities than is normal.

Depressive signs and symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviors but also by specific changes in bodily functions (for example, crying spells, body aches, low energy or libido, as well as problems with eating, weight, or sleeping). The functional changes of clinical depression are often called neurovegetative signs. This means that the nervous system changes in the brain cause many physical symptoms that result in diminished activity and participation.

All forms of depression are still being studied by doctors and researchers.  It has been shown that depression can be brought on by many possibilities.  It is known that biological, genetic, and environmental factors have to be taken into consideration.  We know that it seems to be caused by a chemical imbalance on the brain.  Stress is another major factor in depression.  Life is full of stress.  Work related issues or the dynamics of a dysfunctional family can create it.  Depression knows no bounds.  Both the rich and the poor contract it.  It doesn't care about race.  Color or nationality provide no protection from this illness.

"How do you recognise if you are manic or depressed? When you take medication, what do you expect to happen? Medical descriptions aren't particularly helpful. This chapter describes things to look out for when manic, depressed, and on some drugs.   

"All you have to do is take the tablets - why, I take vitamins every morning." When you get that comment, and you will get that comment, what exactly do you tell them to make them understand...

When I am Hypomanic / Manic
Twenty specific symptoms I use to identify if I am becoming manic.

When I am Depressed
Twenty patterns of behaviour I associate with being depressed.

When Official Signs of Depression / Manic Depression
Taken from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. (DSM-IV).

The drugs are not going to work quite the way the psychiatrist said they would, or the way you expect them to, or the way anybody else expects them to. You are warned.

About Taking Drugs
So you start taking the drugs your doctor prescribed, and everything is fine, yes? No.

When I am on Tegretol
Tegretol is an effective antimanic for me. But it stops working after a while. How I feel when I am taking it and the side effects.

When I am on Epilim (Depakote)
Epilim stabilises me, but I can't function at normal. And I get unpleasant side effects which vary by dosage.

When I am on Prozac
Prozac seems to work well on countering my depression. I'm not getting any side effects either.

When I am on a High Dose of Prozac
Taking 80 mg Prozac works to stabilise my mood swings. With side effects.

When I am on Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Finally, a drug that seems to work the way I want!

When I Found Out I was Manic Depressive
How I felt in the psychiatrist's office immediately after I was diagnosed." 

http://www.livingmanicdepressive.com/0_contentsC.html

There are similar symptoms no matter the type of depression.  The frequent change in personality, the mood swings that go up and then goes down.  Depression can result in insomnia.  If you have no hope, feel helpless or desperate, that could be depression.  Depression is real when it interferes with your ability to live your life.  But people with depression have a light at the end of the tunnel.  There is assistance.  Doctors can administer drugs or herbal remedies to treat it.  There are also medical professionals that can help your illness through 'talk therapy'".  Support groups can be of assistance with manic depression.  Look for assistance first.

Feel free to browse around at more of these articles. Thanks for taking the time to read.

PMDD Test - Discover If You Have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is an awful condition to have. While some consider it to be akin to regular PMS, the comparison is not really fair. PMS is annoying and difficult to live with. PMS can be painful and cause issues in relationships too, but PMDD is more than this in so many ways. PMDD is more than annoying - it can be life destroying!

The sheer numbers of symptoms of PMDD, and also their severity, have been the architects of the destruction of happy marriages, promising careers, deep friendships and more. It is classed as a psychological condition in fact akin to depression, anxiety, and in some women close to psychosis! This is not a mental condition as such however, it is all caused by hormonal imbalances which affects how our brain functions in regard to moods

So, perhaps you are wondering if you have PMDD now that you know how bad it can be. You might be experiencing this first hand - but how can you differentiate between PMS and PMDD or any other disorder? The answer - do a PMDD Test.

A PMDD Test is just a way that you can determine if you have what they have clinically defined as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. This test was developed by the American Psychiatric Association to define if a patient had PMDD, or if they might have PMS instead - or perhaps a whole other disorder that might be confusing the issue. It is based around the number of symptoms, the severity of symptoms, when they occur, and focuses on a few defining PMDD symptoms as well.

The exact definition is as follows:

To be classified as having Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder you must keep a track of your symptoms and when they occur. A failure to correctly measure your symptoms can lead to incorrect diagnosis you see. In fact, 40% of suspected PMDD cases are actually hormonal changes that are aggravating a separate mood disorder! It is best to keep a diary or chart of these things so you can compare it with this PMDD test checklist:

1. You must have 5 of the symptoms in the following list at least.


2. All these symptoms must occur in the week before your period


3. All of the symptoms must ease a few days after you begin bleeding and absent the week after


4. At least one of the 5 symptoms must come from the first four symptoms listed below


5. The severity of these symptoms must be severe enough that it interferes with your work, social life and relationships.


6. You must have these symptoms for at least two months in a row

• Depression and feelings of hopelessness


• Anxiety and being 'on edge' all the time


• Increased sensitivity such as feeling suddenly sad or tearful and being more sensitive to rejection


• Persistent irritability and anger and increased interpersonal conflicts


• Loss of interest in the things that usually bring you joy


• Difficulty concentrating


• Easy to be fatigued, lack of energy


• Change in appetite - overeating or under eating


• Hypersomnia or insomnia


• Feeling overwhelmed or that life is out of control


• Physical symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, weight gain, muscle pain etc

Is Your Smart Phone Stressing You Out?

Do you feel like you can't escape the stress from work, or from your social obligations? Do they sneak up on you, even as you're trying to have a few relaxing moments to yourself after a long day, or during a weekend that you've purposely left open for some well-deserved "me-time"? It might be your cell phone that's causing the problem. We use our cell phones, especially our smartphones to stay constantly connected to the people who are important to us. We can instantly share news and photos with family via Facebook, find your friends' hangouts via 4square, and check up on the office by logging into our work emails. This might seem like a great relief, but it can also be too much of a good thing.

There are a large number of mobile phone users who admit to feeling naked without their cell phones, and can't stand to leave home without it. Cell phones keep us in touch, especially smartphones that allow us to check email and social networks just about anywhere. While being connected might give some of us feelings of security, there is also an abundance of evidence that links cell phone use and mental health problems. One study from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden suggests that we can blame our smartphones and other mobile devices for disturbed sleep patterns, increased stress symptoms, and even a rise in clinical depression! Women appear to be particularly affected by cell phone overuse, resulting in higher levels of stress and sleep disturbances. Both men and women are affected by the high accessibility of cell phones which contributes to stress, problems sleeping, and depression.

The effects of smartphones and other mobile devices on your mental health should be reason enough to take a break from checking your email and tweets every few moment. Unfortunately, so many of us have become dependent on these devices. Here are a few tips to help you reduce smartphone related stress:

1. Give your phone a break! It's OK to turn your phone off on occasion. In fact, you might even find that you get more done. Despite the popular belief that we are all great multi-taskers, our brain works best when we focus on one thing at a time. Instead of bouncing your attention between your friends' Facebook updates, your constantly updated newsfeed, and your work-turn your phone off and allow yourself to take care of your obligations quickly and effectively.

2. Step away from the Android!...or Blackberry, or iPhone. If you can't turn off your phone, whether you're waiting on an important phone call, or need to be accessible in case of a family emergency, consider leaving your phone in another room or out of easy reach. Leave your ringer and alarms on-but turn off other notifications. The temptation to check up on your social network versus finishing your current task will be much easier to resist if you have to put out more effort to get to your phone.

3. Set a goal, and make your smartphone the reward. Knowing that your phone will be back on and in your hands soon might encourage you to work harder. Whether at work or at a social event, set a goal for your phone usage. Maybe you need to finish the first draft of a report before you can check your newsfeed, or you need to make it through the conference speakers' addresses before you can text your buds. As a bonus, not only will you be more motivated to work, but you'll appear more engaged to those around you.

4. Don't forget to give yourself real alone time. These rules for limiting your smartphone usage have a wider reach than just your time at work. While you are relaxing and taking time to yourself, distance yourself from your phone and focus on de-stressing. Even taking 5 minutes completely for yourself can help you get back into a beneficial state of mind.