A Friend Who Listens, Just Listens!

There will be days when your Blackberry rings in silence and bare is your e-mail box of personal e-mails from a friend. There will be days when you need to talk, or go to lunch, and everyone is busy. There will be days your boss and co-workers have the temperament of an old goat. There will be days when you're so weary; you don't know how you'll get through the next few hours of your workload. Or face household chores. There will be days when rejection hunts you down and your heart needs pumping up.

There will be days when you'd like to put your friends and family up for sale. There will be days when someone misinterprets the goodness of your intentions -and you feel misunderstood. There will be days when challenges appear larger than your strength. There will be days when your priorities argue... And days when life seems unfair!

Then... there will be days when your ideals and aspirations soar heavenwards and you'd love to share them with a friend. Or tell of meaningful joys in your day. Or solicit advice for a significant decision. Or you hear a great quote, story or joke- a recommendation of a book or movie and think, "My friend would love to hear about this."

There is a friend who will stick closer than a brother. A faithful comrade. A companion who will tell you the truth. A friend who will remind you God's denials are better yet God's delays. Or that perhaps He has something better in mind. A pal who will pull out the gifts in you. And accept the worst you offer. A buddy who listens...just listens. A companion who will help sift the chaos within and refill the empty places. A friend who will warm up your heart on those days when your heart's so cold if you opened it a light would come on.

This friend- is a "Journal".

Short of flagging down the mail-carrier, kicking the cat, yelling at your spouse, or wearing out that empathetic friend or family member; perhaps a journal is a friend it's time to call. On those days when even your pet yawns and rolls over as it hears that certain tone in your voice...let's face it. We can all use another friend.

BUT, ORDINARY ME...JOURNAL?

If you have created a To-Do List- you've fashioned a journal of sorts. If you've prepared a lesson plan, a Sunday School lesson, a business plan, a speech for the PTA, or kept a food log; if you've written in a diary as a young child, you have what it takes to capture and experience all the benefits of this new friend.

You don't have to be a writer to journal. Nor a touchy-feely sort of person. Anyone can utilize this friend to unwrap the best gifts God has placed in them, thereby creating an improved you, a better life, and a great future.

WHAT IS A JOURNAL?

A journal is like your favorite chair or preferred selection of coffee or tea. It suits you. It fits you. It can be a trustworthy friend in each season of your life.

Think of a journal in this way...your photo albums reflect special occasions and physical changes. A journal reflects proof of mental growth, emotional education, and spiritual progress. It captures parts of your life a photo cannot access.

WHAT CAN A JOURNAL DO FOR ME?

o A journal can be a net for catching your days. Cesar Millan, star of the television series The Dog Whisperer, encourages us to learn from our pets-to them every day is Christmas: "Take time every day to celebrate the many gifts that are hidden in the ordinary events of your life."

o My friend Barbara utilized a journal to help her through post-partum depression.

o If you've ever wanted to send your emotions to school, a journal is a great educator. Reserve angry, hurtful words for your journal. Your spouse, kids, or pet will forever be grateful. Publius, the Greek sage, admitted: "I have often regretted my speech, never my silence."

o Rather than rely on memory, which most people boast is short-lived, a journal can be your brain's best friend. A post-it-note of sorts for capturing ideas, quotes, or names you'd like to remember. How many times do we say, "I can't remember names."

o A journal can be the book you'd like to write. Many reveal to me, they'd love to write a book, but affirm they don't have the time or patience. I love to remind them that a book leaks out one word and one sentence at a time. Few are the writers who have time, money, or patience to sit down and spend hours writing.

o Like photo albums, a journal is a memorial...a log...a legacy for future generations. Your heart, your ideals, your thoughts are on paper. Just as your checkbook records your financial deposits, a journal records anything from a grocery list to plans for a new home-it's there to catch the bits and pieces and weave them into a fantastic life.

If you prefer a journal to be a private matter; if you fear there's a "journal peeper" in your midst, you can do as one of my friends does. She codes. Develop a short-hand of sorts if your journal is for your eyes only.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU JOURNAL?

As often as you like and whenever you need it. You're never too busy to pull out the best in your days. A journal holds so many surprising benefits; you may find your time with this new friend- the best part of your day!

A faithful friend, who can find? There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and helps you finish strong. One day when you stand before your Maker and He asks? "Who is this standing beside you?" As you introduce your new companion, surely He might declare: "I see your new friend helped unravel the best I placed within you. Well done, thou good and journaling servant."

Libba Narron Lewey (穢2009 All Rights Reserved Worldwide)

Depressed and Lonely - Am I Normal Or Do I Need Help?

If you are feeling depressed and lonely, there are several ways to deal with this very common emotional and psychological issue depending on from where these issues stem in your personal life. Most people at some point in their lives feel lonely and depressed and it's normal to feel that way especially after experiencing some traumatic event or disappointment in life that is particularly related to personal relationships. Losing a family member or friend to death is a significant reason for many to feel alone and down emotionally. Complications in an important relationship with a spouse, child, parent or friend can also leave one feeling extremely lonely. Divorce and misunderstandings can cause a person to feel as badly as if a death in the family has occurred.

While these are common issues that cause anyone to feel deeply hurt, alone and may bring on short term depression, many people are able to cope with and climb out of these deep chasms of emotional darkness. Normal channels of support and the healing power of time can eventually help bring a person back to a normal balance in life. However, there are many people who constantly feel depressed regardless of positive changes in circumstances, loving support from family and friends, and adequate time to heal from some of life's storms. If you have reached a place where you can't seem to find balance in life, you may need to consider the fact that you could be one of the 19 million people in America who suffer from mild to severe depression.

Feelings of extreme loneliness is only one of the many symptoms that plague those who suffer from a depressive condition. Other symptoms can include extreme fatigue all the time, lack of concentration, feeling of worthlessness, increasing physical aches and pains, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, and thoughts of suicide. Many cases of mild to moderate depression can be dealt with through self help formats and support groups as well as through counseling methods. These various treatments can make a huge difference and put a sufferer on the road to psychological recovery without resorting to medications and help through mental health facilities.

More stubborn cases of depressive disorders such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, severe postpartum depression and schizophrenic require serious intervention and treatment protocols in order to offer relief to the sufferer. While there are particular symptoms that relate to each category of depressive disorders, clients who require treatment generally always indicate that they feel depressed and lonely much of the time. In these cases, a combination treatment plan is usually implemented by mental health professionals that include addressing the various symptoms with counseling, medications, enlisting family support and close monitoring of the individual.

Again, there are many reasons why you may feel alone and down. Therefore, it is important that you determine if you are just experiencing the normal reactions to the ups and downs of life or if you actually need help in coping with overwhelming feelings that are negatively affecting your well being. If you suspect you need assistance in dealing with being depressed and lonely all the time, please actively pursue help that can bring balance back into your life.  

A List of Some of the Various Alternative Manic Depression Treatments

The Following are Alternative Manic Depression Treatments:

Herbal treatment: Herbs and mood-stabilizing compounds can also be used in Bipolar Disorder treatment. Herbs are substances not essentially needed by the body. Nonetheless, studies show that herbs can curb the indications of mood disorders. This is attributed to the pharmacological actions and properties that they have. Basil, Black root, Bog myrtle, Borage, Ceanothus, Chamomile, Chervil, Damiana, Ginseng, Heather, Lady's slipper, Lemon balm, Mugwort, Nettle, Oats, Pimpernel, Primrose, Evening, Saffron, Sage, Sedge root, St. John's wort, Thistle, holy or blessed, Valerian, and American are examples of herbs that are believed to be able to avert mental conditions.

Phototherapy treatment: Seasonal affective disorder, or more commonly known as seasonal depression, is primarily attributed to the lack of sunlight during winter. Supplemental artificial light effectively treats the disorder by exposing the patient 30 minutes a day in front of special bright-light equipment. This is effective in raising the spirits of about sixty percent to eighty percent of those affected by seasonal winter depression.

Acupuncture treatment: Quite a few studies have revealed that acupuncture treatment may work in the healing of manic depression disorder. A medical/scientific analysis would be that the acupuncture points rouse the central nervous system, thereby encouraging the release of beneficial chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. This would ultimately promote the body's natural healing abilities. Research has shown that acupuncture treatment may modify brain chemistry by altering the discharge of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in a positive manner.

Aromatherapy treatment: Aromatherapy treatment has been observed to aid in the milder forms of depression. It could relieve mental fatigue and helps in giving better sleep. Nevertheless, it is advisable that an extremely depressed individual gets further support and treatment. The effect of Aromatherapy is more effective when it is used as a complimentary therapy by supplementing other therapies. Essential oils utilized for Aromatherapy depression treatment are basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, grapefruit, geranium, lavender, lemon, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, rose, sandalwood, spruce, orange and ylang ylang.

Massage therapy treatment: Massage is mainly employed to enhance blood circulation in muscles, relieve tension and muscle spasms, and assist the lymphatic and nervous systems. The effects of better circulation lead to the decrease of the negative consequences of anxiety, tension and depression. Massage has also been known to change patients' brain patterns and offer beneficial help for patients suffering from anxiety and depression. This is primarily due to the pleasurable sensations that massage gives to the body.

Music therapy treatment: Research shows that the electromagnetic field that surrounds our head attunes to the electromagnetic field of the planet earth when we are in a condition of deep relaxation or reflection. Listening to soothing music consequently makes the majority of people loosen up and this therapy is believed to work wonders in people suffering from manic depression.

Meditation treatment: Studies have indicated that during meditation, the body achieves a condition of profound rest. Together, the brain and mind happen to become more alert, thus demonstrating a condition of peaceful alertness. In recent times, meditation treatment has developed into an increasingly important tool for finding a tranquil oasis of leisure and stress relief in cases of manic depression.

Depression in Children - Symptoms and Cure

There is a common concept among people that only adults go through depression. There are major cases of child depression which go unnoticed as it's taken as moods swing or child tantrums. Most of the parents fail to recognize depression among their children. The causes of depression in children are the excessive pressure of study and competition from an early age, fear of failure, physical abuse, sexual abuse and sense of inferiority, fear of bullies at school or decease of a parent.

Most reasons of depression in children are similar to those in case of adults. One among every 20 children suffers a threat of an acutely disabling depression before 19 years of age. Among this percentage of young adults suffering from stress and depression, less than half receive proper treatment. There has been an increase in the percentage of children and adolescents having suicidal tendencies.

The symptoms of depression in children also start from over stressing them. The pressure of getting high grades, competition, performance and multi-tasking, bring about early signs of depression in a tender age.

Mood swings, losing appetite, throwing tantrums, becoming silent, being sad and start crying on negligible issues, loss of physical activity and loss of interest in something that pleased them the most, are the signs of depression among children. Along with least communication with family members, less energy, feeling of guilt and extreme rebellious nature are also signs of depression. Depressions among adolescents have similar symptoms but their stress may also lead them to drug abuse, addiction or suicide.

For helping the children come out of depression, first responsibility is of their parents to identify the signs of depression. Parents should be like friends to their children in order to find out, what is actually bothering them. If the children feel comfortable sharing their worries with their parents, then it becomes easier to find out and cure the cause of depression in them.

Depression in children should first be treated by counselling or psychotherapy. Unless the depression has reached its heights, children and adolescents are advised for counselling. The talk therapy helps the psychiatrist to find out the main reason of their depression.

Treatment of depression also has prescribed anti-depressant drugs for patients. This medicinal treatment has proven to be very effective and in most cases it recovers the patient completely from depression. Though some anti-depressants' high doses cause insomnia. Other forms of treatments for depression are vagus nerve stimulation or VNS and electro-convulsive therapy or ECT.

However, there is a new method now, to beat depression, called Linden's Method with success rate of 96% and more than 120,000 people have benefited from it already. The Linden Method is an instructional and guidance program that finds its roots in research of the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

When one purchases the Linden Method Program one receives material guidance goods, full quality support and a wealth of information. The package includes an E-book or a instructional publication of 200 pages. It also includes 10 CDs with audio programs and a DVD with a video program. The package also brings with it phone assistance and counseling for a year, with no limit on the amount of times or duration that one can call for.

All this comes with a money back guarantee that promises to return the cost price of the product to the buyer if he/ she does not experience any change after the prescribed one year of the program application.

Easing Postpartum Depression Naturally

Giving birth is one of the most beautiful processes of life and evolution, yet for some new mothers there is a catch. Feelings of sadness or anger after childbirth create a true struggle in the lives of many women, and may occur within 2 days of birth as pregnancy hormones suddenly drop and the new mother comes to the realization that there is now a new baby in need of constant attention. Following delivery, approximately 80% of first time mothers experience a decrease in mood sometimes referred to as the "postpartum blues," while 13% of new mothers experience a major depressive episode within a few weeks after childbirth known as postpartum depression (Wisner et al., 2002). For some women the understanding that hormones and fatigue are the driving factors in this process is important, but many mothers feel guilty about having these symptoms, thinking they are not good mothers or not "cut out" for motherhood. If you are a new mother, remember you are not alone as hundreds of thousands of women in the United States each year experience postpartum depression. Women with a previous history of depression are at a particularly high risk for depression (Wisner et al., 2002). Additional risk factors include conflict with the baby's father, stressful life events and child care stresses. As more women seek drug-free treatment for pregnancy related conditions, the ancient Chinese healing art of acupuncture can support, nurture and ease the transition into motherhood while supporting the overall lifestyle of the new mother.

Postpartum is one of the most critical times for a woman to receive regular preventative care from a Chinese medical practitioner. Acupuncturists can often offset years of "suboptimal" lifestyle and stress in the first few weeks postpartum, as well as intercept abnormalities in lochial flow to rectify years of menstrual irregularities and prevent them from occurring. Acupuncture works on the normal recuperative cycle of a woman to counteract the effects of postpartum depression. In addition to restoring a mother's energy levels after the stress of birth and alleviating depression and anxiety, acupuncturecan be used postpartum to relieve backache, perineal or other kinds of pain.

It is important to lay out some solutions for new mothers to consider as we move into this phase of life that can greatly improve symptoms related to postpartum.

Nutrition
Once a baby is born it is common for the new mother to focus so much on the health of the newborn that she forgets how important it is to nourish herself. Remember, the nutrients the mother gets are translated to the baby through breast milk. Therefore it is extremely important for the mother to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sugar and caffeine. Some babies will not like the taste of breast milk or may have
changes in their digestion after the mother eats certain foods which are important to be aware of. Even if a new mother is not breast feeding, her diet can greatly reduce mood swings as the physical body is strong and full of nutrients.

Exercise
Who has time to exercise? We hear this so frequently in our clinic, but exercise for a new mother can be as simple as taking a daily walk with your newborn in a stroller. Fresh air and movement are unparalleled in their ability to regulate mood. Other ways of exercising with a newborn are home exercises such as yoga poses, push ups and stomach crunches. These can be done throughout the day in 30 second intervals which will keep a new mother from having to carve out time to do them. Holding a pose, 20 push ups or 25 stomach crunches 15 times in a day is a total of 7 minutes and 30 seconds of exercise which can have incredible benefits to postpartum depression.

Supplements/Herbal Therapy
Taking supplements or herbal therapies is an all natural way to gently support mood and calm the mind. While some herbal therapies will affect the taste of a woman's breast milk, an experienced herbalist should be able to create a formula which will benefit both the mother and the baby. Important supplements to consider include:
- Multivitamin: a good quality vitamin is essential
- B-Complex: B vitamins are essential for boosting mood, but they are assimilated by the body as a complex, so taking one specific B vitamin is not very effective.
- Flax Seed Oil: most babies dislike the taste of their mother's breast milk if they are taking fish oil pills so substituting flax or borage oil can be a simple solution.
- 5-HTP: commonly used supplement for depression that is converted to serotonin with the help of B vitamins

Acupuncture/Massage
These therapies are extremely supportive and nurturing to a new mother's overall lifestyle. It is very important for new parents to make time for supportive lifestyle activities that can bridge the gap through difficult periods. Acupuncture balances out Heart and Liver deficiencies which become prevalent after childbirth along with balancing the constitutional pattern of the individual mother.

Rest/Time with your partner
New mothers need sleep for physical and mental recovery. This is easier said than done with a newborn that needs to feed every 2 hours, but consider your support group and don't be afraid to leave your baby for periods of time. Family members, doulas and friends may be able to help offering a new mother time with her partner, times to nap uninterrupted or time to rejuvenate for a few hours.

Recognizing Key Signs Of Depression

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that can strike males, females, adults, adolescents and even children. Adult caretakers, school teachers, physicians and even religious leaders should be trained in recognizing the key signs of depression so that they may be able to help or advise others to seek medical attention. There are several key characteristics to look for to recognize depression. Not all of them are as obvious as they may seem.

Reduced Non-Verbal Communication

With depression, many people can have a decreased amount of facial expression, gesturing and voice inflection. They will tend to speak in a monotone voice and may also have trouble recognizing these conversational aspects in others as well.

Decreased Personal Grooming Habits

People suffering from depression may start to ignore daily grooming regimens. They may start to skip showers, fail to brush or comb their hair and wear dirty clothing. Be on the lookout for wrinkly clothing as well as loss of interest in cleaning and personal hygiene.

Changes In Sleep Habits

Those suffering from depression may experience drastic changes in their sleeping patterns, including increased or decreased sleep. When coupled with anxiety, depression can lead to sleepless nights, restless sleep and waking prematurely. Since sleep is an essential life process necessary for the body to heal, consolidate memories and rest, this can have a damaging effect on one's physical health, memory and interpersonal life. Depression can also result in excessive sleep, for example, sleeping more than twelve hours at once without waking. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, so look for any sudden changes in sleep patterns. Keep in mind, however, that some people naturally need a bit more or less sleep than average to function.

Changes In Eating Habits

Depression can also affect one's appetite, causing increases or decreases in food intake. Occasionally, depression can also be paired with or result from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (not eating at all) or bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by purging or vomiting). Be on the lookout for sudden changes in weight, aversion to food, drastic changes in diet, such as only drinking liquids or coffee, or binge eating certain types of food.

Loss of Interest In Previous Activities

One of the most prominent features of depression is a loss of interest in activities or hobbies that a person previously enjoyed. This can include school, work, religious affiliations or social events. The person can become listless, disinterested and bored. Look for a sudden decrease in activity, the person skipping out on routine events and avoidance of social situations.

Decreased Sexual Desire

Depression can also decrease a person's sexual desires and performance. Married people suffering from depression may start avoiding spouses and going to bed early or may not be able to perform sexually.

Suicidal Thoughts

Serious cases of depression can cause a feeling of worthlessness, guilt and other strong emotions that can cause victims to contemplate suicide. There are several key phrases to listen for that can signal that a person is having suicidal thoughts. They include, I'm so worthless, No one would even notice if I died, I just want to die, and I want to kill myself. Although these can sometimes be mentioned in passing, they should be taken seriously, especially when mentioned in combination with any of the above characteristics of depression. These phrases are usually a subtle cry for help from a sufferer who may not know how else to express himself or herself or ask for help.

Suicide Attempts

The most severe sign of depression is attempting to take one's own life. This can be by engaging in reckless behavior, taking drugs or other attempts. These should be taken very seriously, and the person should be committed to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.

These are a few of the signs and symptoms of depression that can be recognized while there is still time for treatment.

Copyright (c) 2012 Embracing Depression

Discover Vitamins And Herbs For Depression

The interest in learning all about vitamins and herbs for depression has skyrocketed. Indeed, depression is the most common of all mood disorders affecting an estimated 17 million Americans every year. Needless to say, many of us are very familiar with prescription drug antidepressants, such as Zoloft and Prozac. However, there are also natural substances that can help counter depression. So, without further adieu, let's delve into vitamins and herbs for depression.

St. John's wort is highly recognized as an herb that can help brighten the moods of mild to moderate depression sufferers. In addition, St John's wort has been found to ease anxiety. Although the exact way the herb works to counter depression is not yet known, St. John's wart has been dubbed "nature's Prozac" because of its success. In general, it appears to boost levels of the brain chemical serotonin, a powerful brain chemical that is responsible for good moods. In fact, many European studies have found that St. John's wort is even more effective than some prescription antidepressants and in Germany, St. John's wort outsells pharmaceutical antidepressants. Indeed, St. John's wort is the superstar when it comes to herbs for depression.

Gingko Biloba is highly valued for its ability to enhance circulation, especially to the brain. Therefore, this herb may be helpful in combating depression if the depression is related to poor blood flow to the brain.

Other herbs used for depression include: Damiana and Yohimbe. However, unlike St. John's wort, Damiana and Yohimbe do not have the research to support its medicinal claims.

That said, let's move forward on our topic of vitamins and herbs for depression.

The B complex vitamins are recommended by some experts because these vitamins are necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Clinical depression sufferers often have lower levels of one or more of these important B vitamins. Keep in mind that most multivitamins provide the recommended daily allowance. However, during times of emotional stress higher amounts are needed.

In addition, the mineral zinc is often found to be deficient in people who suffer from depression. Zinc plays a role in aiding proper brain function and in promoting mental alertness.

Although the following are not vitamins and herbs for depression, we would be remiss if we didn't mention a few other natural substances that may be helpful in combating depression.

SAMe is an effective natural antidepressant. According to the well renowned tome "Nutraceuticals - The Complete Encyclopedia of Supplements, Herbs, Vitamins, and Healing Foods" written by Arthur J. Roberts, M.D., Mary E. O'Brien, M.D., and Genell Subak-Sharpe, M.S. who states:

"European studies show that SAMe can be faster and more effective in overcoming depression than many standard antidepressant drugs. It is thought to work against depression by enhancing the action of the mood-elevating brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine." (Page 96).

Indeed, SAMe is one to consider even though it's not under the category of vitamins and herbs for depression.

5-HTP is said to boost levels of serotonin. It may be helpful for mild depression.

Essential Fatty Acids- Fish oils offer high concentrations of omega-3-fatty acids that are needed for proper brain function. More specifically, fish oils are a rich and direct source of two essential omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA and DHA. It's important to note that the brain is 60 percent fat and requires essential fatty acids, especially DHA. Researchers have linked the lack of omega-3 fatty acids to depression, and in particular DHA.

Nutritional-Supplement-Educational Opinion On Vitamins And Herbs For Depression

We believe you may want to consider a comprehensive formula specifically designed to combat depression. In fact, a comprehensive formula using carefully selected ingredients can offer more therapeutic benefits, often better than taking a single nutrient or herb on its own.

Therefore, it's important to understand the how and why of what makes some these comprehensive depression products useful -- an important factor in making an informed choice. Moreover, mixing and matching nutrients and herbs on your own can be very dangerous to your health as well as expensive.

However, make sure that the product is professionally and scientifically formulated by a highly-credentialed scientific team that can ensure the proper blending of ingredients to maximize the therapeutic benefits needed to combat depression.

Final note...

It's important that you always speak to a physician before taking any dietary and herbal supplements. In addition, you should never stop taking any prescribed medications to try any these nutrients, including vitamins and herbs for depression without talking to your physician and/or psychiatrist.