How To Defeat Depression and Anxiety - 4 Quick Tips To Get Your Life Back

Do you suffer from depression and anxiety? If so, would you like to know how to defeat depression and anxiety? I have put together 4 quick and easy tips that will help get you started. Read on to find out how to defeat depression and anxiety and start to feel better today.

• Tip 1: How to defeat depression and anxiety with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT is a great way to help defeat depression and anxiety. This form of therapy can help you change how you think and what you do. By focusing on the problems you are currently facing, rather than the causes, you're able to feel better about yourself much sooner. The therapy helps break problems down, making them easier to overcome. CBT can be practised on a one 2 one basis, as part of a group or even self taught using self help books.
  


• Tip 2: Family and Friends. Creating a support network for yourself can be a great way to defeat anxiety and depression. The first thing you need to do is come clean. Let people know that there's something wrong and tell them that you're going to need their help getting through the bad times. Just knowing that someone is looking out for you will be a great help.
  


• Tip 3: Antidepressant medication. Make sure you visit your doctor to get some professional advice and guidance. He/she will be able to advise you on the kinds of medication that are currently available and give you more information on how to defeat depression and anxiety. Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor before you decide to take any medication. Ask as many questions about the drug you can think of. Does it have side effects? Is it addictive?
  


• Tip 4: How to defeat depression and anxiety on your own. Start by taking good care of yourself. Make sure you maintain a healthy balanced diet. Avoid junk food, alcohol and drugs, as these will often worsen your symptoms. Avoid stress and stressful situations as often as possible. Identify the things in life that stress you out and try to remove or reduce them. Don't work so hard, try to take regular breaks and vacations.

I hope my tips on how to defeat depression and anxiety have helped you realise that there are many options available to help you. Check out the links below if you would like even more information on how to defeat depression and anxiety.

Depression In Men - Danger Signs Of Male Depression

Depression is a malevolent disease that affects around 10% of women and 3 to 5% of men worldwide. While there is no clinical classification that separates male depression from female depression, clinicians have reason to believe that depression in men may take a different curve from the way women face depression.

Clinicians have discovered that males react to depression in a different way from females. Depression in men is manifested with more dominance in certain symptoms, as opposed to the symptoms that women experience.

Men experience depression with more aggression than women. Men are more prone to irritability and sudden anger. Women, on the other hand, are more prone to show depression by lethargy and a feeling of low self-worth.

Males are also more prone to showing greater risk-taking behavior, more aggression, and are more likely to manifest a loss of self-control.

Male depression is far more dangerous in that they tend to attempt suicide with methods that are more likely to result in death.

Depression in men is rather alarming because males tend to clam up instead of talk about their feelings. Men would rather bottle up emotions as opposed to talking to others about these. This would result in the man's family and friends not being aware of the internal goings-on in their depressed loved one.

This disconnect from social and psychological support only exacerbates the condition, and would intensify the motivation for suicide.

What is more dangerous is that men are more likely to use "fool-proof" suicidal methods that increase the chances of death truly occurring. Because of this, depression in men should be watched more closely and not taken for granted.

If you note that your father, brother, husband or any other close male friend or relative has changes in behavior: i.e., anger/aggression and irritability are more frequent and intense, try to take note of his behavior, observe, and try to reach out to him. It would help your loved one if you would take an understanding stance towards his illness and be supportive all throughout.

Depression in men may be more alarming, but still has remedies. Just be observant, aware, and remember to care enough to be involved in what he is going through.

The Significance of Comedy and Laughter in Depression

Here is another alternative to antidepressant drugs in light and mild depression, - comedy and laughter. Can it be that easy?

Well, judge for yourself. An average child laughs about 300 times a day, and adult - only 17. Someone said that we grow old because we stop laughing.

When we laugh, there is a surge of serotonin (happy chemical) release into our brain. There are at least four hormones related to stress, reduced by laughter - adrenaline, dopamine, cortisol and growth hormone.

Laughter has been used as medicine for long time but not professionally, not as depression help. In the 1970's the articles about medicinal qualities of laughter appeared in medical journal, and the research started.

Nowadays they often show comedies in cancer wards and to people with grave injuries. Apparently, laughter can reduce physical pain greatly, which to me feels nothing short of miraculous.

Laughter also produces exercise for our heart and fills our body with oxygen. If you experience anxiety problems, there is no better and cheaper alternative to relieve the constant tension in your body, than few hours of comedy.

But now there are laughter groups you can join, there is even laughter yoga (hey, you kill two birds in one go - have depression therapy which combines laughter and exercise. What can be better?)

It's important that you also participate in events or activities which include laughter. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, watch sitcoms, go to comedy clubs, or just simply smile - even this reduces your stress and strengthens your immune system.

A lot of people in depression have black sense of humour. Don't be afraid to use it! I read about a girl who laughed when she was feeling suicidal, called suicide prevention line, and it was engaged!

In a way, laughter works like a lot of other alternative medicines, for example like singing or art therapy. It releases pent-up emotions, diminish our fears, grief and anger and make us to re-evaluate what's happening around us.

If I were you chaps, I would start laughing right about now to test my observation. Go grab yourself few old well-loved comedies and start a routine of at least few minutes of laughter a day.

And please, share! Tell us about your experiences, spread the word.

Using Herbs and Amino Acids As Depression Supplements

There are medications that can be prescribed to fight against depression but many people are unwilling to go to a doctor, for whatever reason. The risk level of dependence on prescription medication is too great for some individuals and they begin seeking other methods to fight this disorder. There are amino acid and herbal depression supplements in pill form that can also be used in these cases.

Depression has many causes, some external (such as the death of a loved one) and some internal (such as chemical imbalances). Various studies have shown that low levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain can cause debilitating mood swings and severe depression.

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat depression and anxiety. One popular herb is St. John's Wort. These little yellow flowers produce a calm sensation, easing nervous tension and stress. Also effective for insomnia, St. John's Wort is one of the most commonly known herbs to be used for this purpose.

Another natural supplement used is tryptophan, an amino acid essential to the proper functioning of the brain and body. Tryptophan is found in foods high in protein such as turkey. It is what makes the body feel tired after a big Thanksgiving dinner. It is natural to the human body and can be used to level out the mood and calm the nerves. This has been specifically used in cases of severe PMS and related depression. Tryptophan is used because it has the ability to convert to serotonin. Serotonin is one of the natural body chemicals that control mood and stability. A common side effect of this supplement is drowsiness.

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid natural to the body that converts into dopamine, which is another of the major chemicals that control depression and mood. One of the less commonly used depression supplements, tyrosine also encourages healthy hair growth and improves thyroid function. There have been no side effects reported from using this supplement.

SAMe, discovered in 1953, is another natural supplement that has been known to effectively fight depression. It increases the amount of neurotransmitters available for the transference of dopamine and serotonin to the brain. This is also used for bone pain. SAMe has some side effects that should be noted whenever a person begins a regimen that includes this supplement. Things such as nausea, skin rash and dry mouth are some side effects. People with Parkinson's should not use SAMe and studies have not proven the safety of it for pregnant or nursing women. People with established anxiety or mental disorders should only use this under the direction of their practitioner.

Natural depression supplements are common these days, even with the influx of prescription medications for depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Mood disorders can be treated with natural supplements and talk therapy for the greatest chance of successful recovery.

Stained Glass Windows - A Light Unto the Soul

Light is truly the inspiration for stained glass in both the physical and literal feelings. During the Gothic Era from about 1150 - 1500 A.D. there was no electricity so alternate ways of lighting Cathedrals was necessary. Immense and elegant stained glass windows were created and intended to provide physical light by allowing in much needed sunlight, but they were also meant to provide spiritual light. The King James Version of the Bible in John 8:12 says "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light around the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the night, but shall have the light of life." Jesus was the inspiration for and his life, gruesome death and subsequent resurrection were the subject of nearly all of stained glass windows made during that period in history.

Grand and magnificent cathedrals carved up gigantic stones and supported by immense pillars and flying buttresses reaching up towards the Heavens in worship of God and His son were crowned with pleasurable jewels known as stained glass. In a few Cathedrals, stained glass planks covered entire walls and the nourishing pillars go almost entirely unnoticed. The pillars alone couldn't have supported the weight of the structure, which is the aim of the flying buttresses (they braced the structure from the outside).

The skill of making stained glass has been poetically brought up as "painting with light" taking the analogy even further. This term was coined owing to the belief that as opposed to reflecting light off of it, a stained glass window pane allows light to be transmitted through it. It is a unique partnership, as neither the light nor the window is as magnificent without the other.

Abbot Suger of the Cathedral at St. Denis in France was among the first one to employ the Gothic type of architecture in a shot to glorify God and Jesus Christ. The next quote is learned a writing of Suger, included as a piece of a transcription on the thresholds to the Cathedral. That gives insight into his motivations for using large amounts of stained glass and the relationship of the physical light to the spiritual, "...The noble work is bright, but, being nobly bright, the effort should brighten the minds, allowing them to travel through the lights to the true light, where Christ is the true threshold."

He later gave a detailed explanation as to what the aim of the exemplary works of stained glass window art were in the church; "Thus occasionally when, as a consequence of my relish the beauty of the home of God, the multicolor loveliness of the gems has called me faraway from outside cares, and worthy meditation, transporting me from material to immaterial things, has persuaded me to look at the number of holy virtues, then I seem to observe myself existing on some level, as it were, beyond our earthly one, neither completely in the slime of earth nor completely in the purity of heaven.

By the gift of God I am in a position to be transported in an anagogical manner from this inferior level to that superior one." Walking into a mighty cathedral like St. Denis, even today, one can feel the influence this passion for light had on the growth of the art of stained glass making and the worship of God during the Gothic Era.

The Real Estate Market - Why Bottom is a Dirty Word

Last week, CNBC reporter, Mari Bartiromo was quite appalled by the language Don Tomnitz, CEO DR Horton, used in describing the state of the real estate market: "I don't want to be too sophisticated here, but 2007 is going to suck, all 12 months of the calendar year.'' I think that Maria over reacted a little. Since, when did suck become such a bad word? It is definitely not on my list of banned four letter words, but I do avoid using it around children. They have enough issues to worry about without having to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable four letter words.

Another word that I refuse to use around kids is bottom. It has six letters, but in my book it is right up there with the most inappropriate four letter ones especially when describing the real estate market. Maybe this is just a quirk of mine, since it didn't trouble Maria at all when Robert Toll, CEO Toll Brothers, suggested that the real estate market had bottomed. "I would guess, and that's all it is, it would be another four or five months before you finally burn off inventory in most of the markets."

So, who really used inappropriate language? Has the real estate market bottomed? Excuse me. Has the real estate market reached its lowest point? Each CEO has three character witnesses. Let's see who has the stronger case.

MD: Your honor, I would like to call Mr. Toll's first witness - Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. Good morning Mr. Greenspan. Do you consider bottom a curse word?

Greenspan: "While, yes, it is possible we can get a recession in the latter months of 2007, most forecasters are not making that judgment and indeed are projecting forward into 2008 ... with some slowdown."

MD: No, I mean in reference to the real estate market.

Greenspan: "We are now well into the contraction period and so far we have not had any major, significant spillover effects on the American economy from the contraction in housing."

MD: Thank you, Mr. Greenspan. Your honor, I would like to call Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. Mr. Bernanke what's your position on the bottom word?

Bernanke: "There are some indications that inflation pressures are beginning to diminish. The monthly data are noisy, however, and it will consequently be some time before we can be confident that underlying inflation is moderating as anticipated." Core inflation is "somewhat elevated."

MD: Somewhat elevated! When was the last time you put gas in your car? College tuition, medical premiums, food prices are through the roof! Oh, I forgot those items are not included in the core rate. Back to the question at hand - How about Toll stating that the real estate market has bottomed? What's your position on that?

Bernanke: I am seeing "some tentative signs of stabilization" in the housing market." Problems in the real estate sector "do not seem to have spilled over to any significant extent to other sectors of the economy." "Overall, the US economy seems likely to expand at a moderate pace this year and next, with growth strengthening somewhat as the drag from housing diminishes."

MD: Thank you Mr. Bernanke.

Bernanke: It may be "some time before we can be confident that underlying inflation is moderating as anticipated."

MD: Stop, please, stop with the inflation talk. Mr. Larry Kudlow, CNBC Economics Reporter - would you please take the stand?

MD: Mr. Kudlow could you corroborate Mr. Toll's position?

Kudlow: "The great American consumer has been written off so many times in the last couple of years, just like the rest of the economy. But he/she is alive and kicking. Another great story never told."

MD: Mr. Kudlow some believe that you take your optimism to extremes. Do you recall making the following quote? "I think people should stay in for the long run and be optimistic because free-market capitalism is the best way to create wealth and prosperity."

Kudlow: Yes, that sounds like one of my quotes.

MD: Do you remember when you made that quote?

Kudlow: I have said similar statements many times. I'm not sure exactly when that one was made.

MD: Mr. Kudlow that was in September 1929. One month before the great depression started. No further questions.

Judge: Mr. Toll, I must admit that I am rather impressed with the stature of your witnesses. However, all of their evidence is rather "touchy-feely." Mr. Tomnitz, I hope that your witnesses have more concrete evidence.

MD: Your honor the first witness is Mr. Ara Hovnanian, CEO Hovnanian Enterprises. Mr. Hovnanian is it true that your company's first-quarter loss was $57.3 million, or 91 cents per share, for the three months ended Jan. 3?

Hovnanian: Yes.

MD: Is it true that your revenues decreased by 8.8% to $1.2 billion, as a result of declines in the number of homes delivered and net contracts?

Hovnanian: Yes.

MD: Is it true that your company cut its 2007 profit target to between $1.10 and $1.50 per share, from a previous target of $1.50 to $2 per share?

Hovnanian: Yes.

MD: Mr. Hovnanian, is it true that your company and other builders have been offering price incentives, such as premium kitchens or other amenities to move inventory? If this is true and you are still lowering guidance - would I be correct in saying that customers are not responding to incentives?

Hovnanian: Enough already. "It's not getting worse, and it is slow but steady." "Once the housing market bottoms out - we are not expecting a rapid recovery."

MD: Thank You, Mr. Hovnanian. Dr. Nouriel Roubini, noted Economist, would you please take the stand. Dr. Roubini the subprime meltdown, that we are currently experiencing, would it occur at the top or bottom of market?

Roubini: "Words such as "catastrophic", "imploding", "scary" and such coming from market participants cited by the WSJ are worth pondering. One could of course provide more formal data and analytics to prove this serious credit crunch in the subprime segment of the mortgage market: many investment banks - GS, JPM, MS, Citi - are now doing that in their research this week."

MD: S-t. Excuse me your honor.

Roubini: "But I would argue that the quotations above from the WSJ - as well as Mr. Tomnitz of DR Horton statement this week that housing will "suck" every month of calendar 2007 - should be sufficient to prove the existence of a serious credit crunch to any reasonable person who follows the simpler "smell test" or "duck test" or "obscenity test" (to paraphrase Justice Stewart definition) to prove an argument: "if it walks, quacks, ducks, looks and stinks like a rotten duck it is a rotten duck". And subprime looks and stinks in every way and shape like a rotten duck."

MD: D--n. No further questions your honor. Next is Peter Schiff, President of Euro Pacific Capital. Mr. Schiff, I am still shaking a little from Dr. Roubini's testimony. Can you offer us a little comfort?

Schiff: "The current train wreck unfolding in the sub-prime lending sector provides a good preview as to what will happen to the entire credit-financed bubble economy when the funding dries up. Contrary to the self-serving rhetoric of Wall Street and housing industry shills, the entire mortgage sector is not insulated from sub- prime. In fact, sub-prime is just the tip of the credit iceberg. Beneath the surface lie similar problems in Alt-A and prime loans, where borrowers also relied on adjustable rate mortgages to purchase over-priced homes that they could not otherwise afford."

Schiff: "With the sub-prime market drying up, most first-time home buyers will be unable to buy. Without those 'starter-home" buyers, the trade-up buyers (most of whom have the ability to make down-payments and are therefore considered "prime borrowers") will be unable to sell their existing homes, and hence unable to trade up. This brings down the entire house of cards. Home prices must collapse, affecting all homeowners, regardless of their credit ratings."

MD: Thank you, Mr. Schiff. Your honor, I would like to call for a recess.

Judge: There is no need for a recess. I have made my judgment. Dr. Roubini and Mr. Schiff, you have scared the h-- out of me. I hope that people are listening to you, but please never come into my courtroom again.

It is obvious to me that we are nowhere near the bottom and that Mr. Tomnitz was correct in stating that the housing market sucks.

Know the Signs of Teenage Depression

Being aware of what the signs of teenage depression are is the first step in curing the disease. Oftentimes these signs are overlooked and pushed aside as a result of ignorance. The general belief is that teenagers are supposed to behave in a way contrary to standard procedures. However, with more knowledge, parents, teachers and others will see that much of what is being expressed are actual signs of teenage depression.

A common sign of teenage depression is sadness. When this sadness lingers for an extended period of time it is cause for concern. If not properly addressed this sadness will affect relationships and the general life of the teenager. This includes poor school attendance, low grades, running away from home and resorting to alcohol and drugs in an attempt to eliminate the sadness. This sadness contributes to the teenager having difficulty sleeping, concentrating and becoming isolated.

Anger is another sign of teenage depression. Depressed teenagers resort to anger, especially when they feel as if there is no one around to whom they can relate. The expression of this anger comes in more than one form. They may physically harm themselves or others, destroy property which may include kicking or punching objects. Anger in depressed teenagers may also take the form of verbal abuse, sarcasm or antisocial behavior.

The depression manifests itself also in the form of anxiety. The environment in which is a teen is raised contributes a great deal to this anxiety. The anxiety may be as a result of childhood abuse, family responsibilities or may even be caused by parents who are themselves depressed.

Other signs of teenage depression include having a low self esteem, no longer showing interest in personal appearance, or taking part in activities they once loved. The depressed teenager will oftentimes develop bad habits and get involved with bad company. They develop poor eating habits which may lead to anorexia or obesity. The most disturbing sign of teenage depression is suicidal behavior. Whether it is in the form of speech or action, it requires immediate and appropriate attention.

Depressed teenagers usually do not understand why they feel and behave the way they do, let alone to rid themselves of depression. They rely on parents and guardians to identify and solve their problems. The more adults familiarize themselves with the signs of teenage depression, the better able they are to address and eliminate the problem.