Life Insurance For People With Bipolar

Do you suffer from Bipolar disorder? This article will outline two specific elements of obtaining life insurance that will save you money and time.

Choosing a Company

Each individual insurance company sets their own standards for which health conditions they consider to either be uninsurable or that will be charged a higher premium. In some cases, certain health conditions such as bipolar, require that you have a waiting period of 2 to 3 years, before the full death benefit of the policy will be paid to your beneficiaries. In other words, you may have to wait 2 or 3 years after buying the policy, before your beneficiary would be able to receive the full face value of the policy, upon your death.

Some companies have underwriting guidelines that only ask if you have ever been hospitalized for bipolar or depression. Meanwhile, some simply don't ask at all. There are companies that will provide you with the same low rates that a person without mental health conditions would be charged.

Mentally Competent

When applying for insurance with bipolar, you must be mentally competent to legally apply for life insurance. If you have severe bipolar, you may need to ask your parent or spouse to apply for the insurance for you. If you are deemed mentally incompetent to enter into a legal contract, such as an insurance policy, a family member or spouse may apply for and sign all documents related to your application for insurance.

Finding a life insurance company for people with bipolar is a simple matter of comparing policies, health questions and quotes. There are websites online that allow you to do this without having to actually apply for life insurance.

Black Books, A Little Known UK Comedy Gem

Black Books ran for three series of 6 episodes each, and its surreal and non mainstream style of comedy has led it to gaining somewhat of a cult following.

Black Books stars Irish comedian Dylan Moran as Bernard Black, a foul mouthed people hating alcoholic book shop owner, who hates his customers and treats them with contempt and loathing, and delights in physically and verbally abusing them at every opportunity. Also staring Bill Bailey as Manny Bianco, his long haired assistant and their friend Fran Katzenjammer played by Tamsin Greig, who runs the pretentious new age gift shop next door until she goes bankrupt at the end of season one.

Set in the main characters small independent London bookshop Called Black Books, the series follows the misadventures of the three main characters and is known for its off beat sense of humor, and bizarre situations.

During its run Black Books won several awards, picking up the BAFTA for best Situation Comedy in 2001 and 2005, and the Rose d'Or Light Entertainment Festival bronze rose for sitcom in 2001.

Black Books started as a one off show at a 1998 Channel 4 sitcom festival in Riverside Studios. In this early version, Fran was 'Valerie', a philosophy lecturer, and Manny (whose surname was then Zimmerman - a reference to the original name of musician Bob Dylan) was a professional depression-o-gram. The show was also decidedly darker, the pilot revolving around Bernard and later Manny's decision to commit suicide.

Black Books may be a little known comedy with a cult following, but in my opinion it can be favorably compared to much more famous and well known British series like Fawlty Towers, Steptoe and son and The Office in quality of writing and humor.

If you get the opportunity Black Books is a comedy series well worth getting to know, and I am sure It will not disappoint.

What's the Recession Doing to the Insurance Industry?

When you're sitting at home worrying about the mounting pile of bills to pay, it's easy to lose sight of the big picture. Fact is, just as you're in a new world of hurt, there are other people hurting as well. In this case, the people are the inventors in the insurance industry. They all bought shares in these big corporations when the prices were high, never thinking that the world could suddenly turn sour. This is one of the biggest insurance companies in the US and it's just turned in an operating loss of $542 million for 2008. Its net worth just dropped a whole 16%. Now, you have to understand this company did not get caught up in mortgages of any prime. There were no securitised thises or derivative thats. This company has just been caught in the general collapse of stock exchange values.

To understand, we need to look at how insurance companies work. They charge most policy holders with a vehicle or a home a monthly premium. This brings in a small mountain of cash every month. That money is invested until it's needed to pay out on claims. Some goes into fixed-income products. The rest goes into shares. As you may have noticed, the Dow and other stock exchange indexes have been in free-fall. The result is that Farm has lost the capital value of the investments and, in many cases, no longer receives any income as interest or dividends. This might have been manageable except for this little thing called global warming that no-one believes causes hurricanes and other weather catastrophes. The last two years have seen an big increase in weather-damage claims. Put the loss of investment income and the unexpected rise in claims together and you turn a $5.46 billion profit in 2007 into a loss in 2008.

Should this make you worry? Well, look at it this way. The insurance industry is suddenly making a loss. Shareholders in general and the policy holders in Farm are not happy. Senior officers of the companies want their bonuses. The for-profit companies are tempted to raise the premiums across the board to get their earnings back into profit. Except with a recession threatening to turn into a depression, that's not going to work. Make the policies unaffordable and people stop buying. That's why Farms just dropped its auto insurance rates in Georgia by an average of 1.5%. For the record, this means the current premiums are 12% lower than five years ago. Since Farms insures around one quarter of all vehicles on Georgia's roads, this is a good deal. So the next time you're shopping round for a cheap car insurance policy, you may be pleasantly surprised that the premium rates from an increasing number of insurers have fallen in other states. The next bill may not be quite as painful as you fear.

How Opioids Are Classified

Opioids are narcotic painkiller drugs that work by blocking the transmission of pain signal to the brain. Opioids are prescribed by doctors due to their analgesic and pain relieving properties. But opioids have strong potential to cause addiction. When abused, it causes a sense of euphoria as it affects the part of brain which causes pleasure. Medications which fall under opioids are morphine, codeine etc. Opioids are broadly classified into four types: Natural, Semi-synthetic, fully synthetic, and endogenous.

Classifications:

Natural
Natural opioids are opiate alkaloids obtained from the resin of the poppy plant. Morphine and codeine are derived from opiate alkaloids. The latex containing opiate alkaloids is obtained from immature opium seeds capsules by making incisions on the walls of green seed pods. This latex is then collected and dried. Drugs like morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, and papaverine are extracted from the dried latex. Opium and opioids are used for medicinal purpose as narcotic analgesics, hypnotics, and sedatives. Although the latex from poppy plant is used to produce morphine, codeine etc but the poppy oil and seeds are not narcotic and put to variety of uses.

Semi-Synthetic
Semi-synthetic opioids do not occur naturally and are created from natural opiates and share similar chemical structure. Drugs like hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and diacetylmorphine (heroine) are semi-synthetic opioids derived from natural opiates. The semi-synthetic opioids drugs are used in variety of medicinal purpose for their analgesic properties. Semi-synthetic opioids are also widely abused. However, drug tests testing for presence of 'opioids' can not detect semi-synthetic opioids except diacetylmorphine (heroine) as it easily transforms into morphine.

Fully Synthetic
The fully synthetic opioids are artificially manufactured and are not related to opiates. Some of the drugs that are fully synthetic are methadone, fentanyl, pethidine, tramodol, dextropropoxyphene etc. These drugs are used as analgesic and used to treat chronic pain. Drug like fentanyl is also used to give anesthesia before surgeries and is 100 times stronger than morphine. Apart from its analgesic properties, Methadone is used to treat opioid addiction. Methadone can block the effects of other drugs like heroin, morphine and help to tackle the withdrawal symptoms.

Endogenous
Endogenous opioids are naturally produced in the body and used as neurotransmitters. The endogenous opioids produced in body include endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphines, and endomorphines. These endogenous opioids regulate the bodily functions like hunger, thirst, mood control, immune response, and reactions to painful stimuli etc. Drugs like morphine and heroine produce strong feeling as they also bind to same receptors to which endogenous opioids also bind.

Opioids are most commonly abused prescription drugs. Opioids should not be used with substances like alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines etc that causes depression of Central Nervous System. A specific test needs to be performed to detect many fully synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids as these drugs will not show up in normal testing.

What Are Causes of Depression?

Depression can be triggered by a wide range of events, situations, circumstances or factors - it is different for everyone. In reactive depression, the onset of negative emotions may be triggered by upsetting or stressful life events such as illness, divorce, job or money worries. For other types of depression there may be no obvious cause. It is therefore important to try and identify and understand the possible triggers of person's depression and other factors that may be contributing to its severity. This will assist in diagnosing and treating the illness.

Because of the number of different causes and factors of depression, there are three broad groups of causes that are identified by the NHS (2009):

• Psychological - This is where a stressful or upsetting life event causes a persistent low mood, low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness about the future.


• Physical or chemical - Depression is caused by changes in levels of chemicals in the brain. For example, your mood can change as hormone levels go up and down. This is often seen in women as it is associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth and menopause.


• Social - Doing fewer activities or having fewer interests can cause depression, or may happen because of depression.

DEPRESSION TIP

Depression emotions are different for everyone. It is important to understand the triggers of depression and why you react the way you do.

What stresses you out in everyday life or makes you feel down?

Depression can be triggered by a combination of events and can also be influenced by a number of factors. Depression is rarely caused by one single event, but rather a combination that trigger the illness. Some of the common factors that contribute to the illness are listed below:

• Family history - if you have a family history of depression, you have an increased chance of getting depression yourself. Studies have shown that different versions of the 5-HTT gene can be inherited, which can have an effect on a natural mood-changing chemical in your brain called serotonin. According to the NHS (2009), about 20% of people have got what gene specialists call the 'short' version of the 5-HTT gene, and it is these people who are more likely to develop depression after a stressful life event.


• Trauma or stressful events - such as bereavement, financial worries, relationship breakdown can bring on depression. Major changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married can also contribute to depression.


• Grief - can be one of the triggers of depression, however grief is a natural response to a loss will depression is an illness. If grief becomes a constant state and a person can not find any enjoyment in life, this may be the result of depression.


• Pessimistic personality - people who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by the low-level depression condition called dysthymia (Depression.com, 2009)


• Physical conditions - serious medical conditions like heart disease and cancer can contribute to depression due to a weakened mental and physical state. Depression can sometimes be caused by the medications used to treat medical conditions.


• Drinking excess alcohol or using recreational drugs - is dangerous for your general health and can also contribute towards the negative emotions of depression.


• Taking some types of prescription medication - for example, propranolol can sometimes cause depression.

Curing Low Self Esteem

You ever wake up in the morning and feel you just don't want to deal with the world? Don't want to be around people? You are not alone. Thousands of people suffer from some of the same symptoms. Depression, hopelessness, despair, stress, no motivation, but most of all no self esteem or low self esteem. So many people are afraid to live fulfilling and rewarding lives because of what others think of them, or say to them. Maybe all of your life you've been put down by others, made to think of yourself as inferior. Maybe a parent or sibling, bullies at school, a boss, co-workers, so much so that you start believing it yourself. Unfortunately for some people it can lead to low self esteem which in turn can sometimes become a lifetime nightmare.

They shut themselves away from the world, becoming virtual prisoners in their own lives. In doing so they forfeit normalcy. A lot of times never having the pleasures of real loving relationships or even friendships because having low self esteem they don't think they fit in or equal. Often they end up abusing drugs or alcohol or even worse become abusive to other people because of their situations. In some cases with younger people they end up in trouble, because they do outrageous things just to try and prove they can fit in. Most often with the wrong crowd.

It doesn't have to be that way. A lot of times they are afraid or ashamed to seek help for their problems, thinking they're the blame or somehow that's the way they are suppose to be. Afraid to let others [Dr.s, Counselors, Clergy or family and friends] help them find the beautiful person within. There is hope and help for those who want to improve or even cure their self esteem problems. Self help programs obtained online where you can learn to undo and fix some of the damages. Yes and in the privacy of your on home and at your own discretion.

As someone who has dealt with low self esteem before believe me when I say it's a burden lifted off your shoulders when you can finally look at yourself in the mirror and say welcome back to the world, and start being more assertive and sure about yourself. As mentioned above you are not alone, there are thousands of people who suffer just like you from the crippling effects of low self esteem. Let's hope they're reading this article also.

Upon restoring your self esteem you can fight off depression, stress and the hopeless feelings you may sometimes have, just by gaining a more positive outlook on life itself, becoming more confident in doing things that you were afraid of doing because of a lack of self esteem. Be able to go out and get that job you wanted or have the confidence to ask that person you've been reluctant to ask out on a date. Yes there is a world out there waiting for you, and you can live in it without being timid or oppressed. You'll be motivated to stand up and say {I'm Just as important as anyone else in this world} and my life will get better.

Depression and Omega-3 Fish Oil Treatments - Do They Really Work?

You may have heard that omega-3 fatty acids are the up and coming treatment for depression. But when it comes to truly improving how you feel, it is important to understand that not just any source of omega-3 will have a positive an effect on this debilitating condition.

The research into the use of essential fatty acids for treating depression was pioneered about 10 years ago by researchers associated with Harvard Medical School.

The scientific studies conducted by these researchers revealed that, indeed, omega-3s did have a beneficial effect on relieving symptoms of depression in subjects suffering from bi-polar disorder. However, there were two additional findings that came out of subsequent studies that were worth taking note of:

1. The only source of omega-3's that has been put to the test is fish oil. Krill oil, microalgae, and flaxseed oil have not been tested in formal clinical trials as a treatment for depression.

2. Fish oil works as an addition to doctor-prescribed therapy, not as a substitute for it.

In other words, if medications are not working for your depression and you want to try something else, don't stop taking the medications your doctor ordered and start taking fish oil. Continue taking the medications prescribed by your doctor and simply add a daily dose of a high quality supplement.

How much fish oil is enough for fending off depression? In the studies that got the best results, people with depression took about 5,000 mg of omega-3's per day.

Since the capsule itself weighs something and there are a few components in the oil that are not pure omega-3, that is roughly equivalent to eight 1,000-mg capsules every day.

When people took less, as little as one capsule per day, they got better. However, it's important to note that with this particular finding it was not possible to determine how much better taking fish oil was compared to taking a placebo.

If you have been doing everything you can to deal with depression but your symptoms persist, try taking fish oil in addition to your current prescription medicine. As long as you don't change your medications without your doctors knowledge or advice, the worst that can happen to you is that you will have a healthier heart and fewer aches and pains which is something that can help lift your spirits just by themselves.

Furthermore, there is a good chance that you will feel better without triggering the destructive downside of depression treatment with more and more prescription medications.

Make no mistake about it! A great source of omega-3 fish oil is worth a try, and may be the one thing you need to overcome depression for good. I have done extensive research into the best sources of omega-3 oil from fish. As a result, I've discovered an exceptional brand whose high production standards make them a stand-out in the field of nutritional supplements. I've been taking it myself for sometime now and can attest to its mood-boosting benefits. Visit my website now to find out how you, too, can start feeling better.