Staying Sane During The Holidays

The end-of-the-year holiday season is many people’s favorite time of the year. And why not? You get to see many of your family members (possibly some you don’t see at any other time of the year), eat great food, exchange presents . . . it’s a lot of fun. However, it can also be a very stressful time of the year. Even though all of the things that you’re busy with are great things, that doesn’t take away the fact that it’s still a super busy time. A lot of people find themselves overtaxed and in need of a rest during this time of year, but it can be hard to find time. Here are a few time and stress management tips to keep you sane from now until the end of the year.

First, and most importantly, make absolutely sure that you take time for yourself. Spend some time away from your friends and family members doing something that you enjoy. Go for a winter hike, or read a novel, or just watch a movie. Do something relaxing. And make sure that you do this fairly often. During the busiest time of the year, try to do this once a week. I know it’s hard, but you just have to set aside the time to do it—you’ll definitely enjoy the rest of your time much more. Stop worrying just for a couple hours, and when you get back to real life, you’ll be able to accomplish all the things that you’ve been worrying about in the first place.

Second, let others know what you’re doing. Tell your spouse, or your friends, or your kids, that you’re trying to manage your stress and do healthy things for yourself. Not only are they very likely to understand, but you can be pretty confident that they’ll do whatever they can to support you. They might even think it’s a great idea and start doing it for themselves! The more people that take care of themselves during the holidays, the better it will be for everyone.

Third, don’t let yourself get caught up in the rabid consumerism of the season. Sure, you can give gifts, but don’t spend time worrying about whether you should get your spouse an iPad 2, or a Nook, or a Kindle Fire, and remember that the most important part of this season is to spend time with family and friends. And people really agree with that, and will appreciate the fact that you do too. Concentrate on spending time with the people that you love.

By taking the time and putting forth the effort to make it through with your sanity intact, you can not only keep yourself in a good mental state, but you can also be a good influence on your friends and family. The more people that really understand what it takes to have a mentally healthy holiday, the better. So do what you need to do to take care of yourself, and spread the word. Happy Holidays!

Famous People Who Suffer From Depression

If you’re dealing with depression, you can feel very alone. It’s not uncommon to feel that you’re different than everyone else, and that you have no one to relate to. However, almost everybody knows someone who is currently dealing with, or has dealt with, depression. Even if you don’t know about it, at least one or two of your friends have probably been treated for it at one time or another. And if you’re ever feeling especially alone in your depression, consider the list below of just a few celebrities that have dealt with depression.

• Brooke Shields. You’d think that someone as successful as Brooke Shields, a former Calvin Klein model and actress, would be happy with every part of her life. However, she suffered from post-partum depression after the birth of her daughter.
• Robbie Williams. An English pop-rock star, Williams’ depression was triggered by drug use that caused a chemical imbalance in his brain. He even had to cancel part of a tour to undergo treatment for his depression.
• Greg Louganis. Known for many things other than depression, Louganis has overcome many obstacles to become the successful athlete and motivational speaker that he is today.
• Yves Saint Laurent. Designer for one of the most widely known clothing brands in the world, Saint Laurent suffered a nervous breakdown after a short stint in the French army and was hospitalized. Today, he is one of the foremost fashion designers in the world.
• Winston Churchill. Little needs to be said about the former British prime minister, and one of the greatest wartime leaders of human history.
• Drew Carey. Though he is known for his sense of humor (and his minority ownership of the MLS’s Seattle Sounders FC), Carey has dealt with depression since he was young.

As you can see, a large number of very famous and influential people have dealt with depression. Some have had serious major depressive episodes throughout their entire life, while others fell into depression in response to a specific event. No matter what the cause of these depressions, all of these people have overcome their difficulties and have gone on to do great things. If you ever feel like you’re alone in your depression, or that you can’t do what you want to do, remember this list of people (and check out some of the links below for more information on these and other depressed celebrities).

Sources:

1. WebMD, “Out of blue: Brooke Shields discusses her painful struggle with post-partum depression,” http://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/features/brooke-shields-depression-struggle, accessed September 14, 2011.
2. The Daily Mail, “Robbie talks about depression,” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-190688/Robbie-talks-depression.html
3. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, “2007 keynote speaker: Great Lougains,” http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Conference2007_Louganis, accessed September 14, 2011.
4. The Biography Channel, “Yves Saint Laurent biography,” accessed September 15, 2011. http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/yves-saint-laurent.html
5. Healthier You, “Chance thoughts,” http://www.healthieryou.com/exclusive/chanceth0196.html, accessed September 15, 2011.
6. About.com, “Drew Carey speaks about his depression and suicide attempts,” http://depression.about.com/b/2007/09/26/drew-carey-speaks-about-his-depression-and-suicide-attempts.htm, accessed September 15, 2011.
7. About.com, “Famous people with depression,” http://depression.about.com/od/famous/Famous_People_With_Depression.htm, accessed September 14, 2011.
8. Depression-help-resource.com, “Famous depressed people: you’re in good company,” http://www.depression-help-resource.com/articles/famous-depressed-people.htm, accessed September 15, 2011.

Learn About Depression

If you’ve been following this article series, you now know a great deal about clinical depression. You know the causes, the symptoms, the treatments, and about a few celebrities that have dealt with depression. But because major depressive disorder is such a complicated issue, I’ve only been able to scratch the surface. And if you want to know more about depression, you may not know where to start looking. So here’s a list of resources that will help you find information on depression:

• The Mayo Clinic on depression [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175]—The Mayo Clinic is one of the foremost health research groups in the world, and the information on their site about depression is second to none. You can take a depression self-assessment test [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00103_D] and read a fantastic depression blog [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/TAB=expertblog] from one of Mayo’s psychiatrists.
• WebMD Depression Health Center [http://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm]—WebMD is a great source of medical information, and their Depression Health Center is no exception. You can find the latest news and research, tips on living with depression, quizzes to find out if you might be depressed, and a lot more.
• The National Institute of Mental Health’s guide to depression [http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml]—This is an extensive overview of clinical depression, and includes useful information on how different people may experience depression differently. You can also find the answers to many common questions about depression.
• The American Psychology Association on depression [http://www.apa.org/topics/depress/index.aspx]—If you’re looking for more scientific information, this is the place to go. In addition to research, you can find tips on getting help for your clinical depression.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance [http://www.dbsalliance.org/]—If you’re dealing with depression, talking to other people who are going through the same thing can be very helpful. The DBS Alliance site can help you find support groups and get in touch with others, no matter where you live.

These five resources are a great place to start looking for information on major depressive disorder. There are thousands of sites out there with information on depression, but be sure to stay aware of what you’re looking at—information about depression from a pharmaceutical company or another organization that has a vested interest may be suspect. And remember—the best place for information on depression, without a doubt, is your doctor or psychiatrist.

Because antidepressant medications are one of the most common treatments for clinical depression, there’s a lot of talk about their side effects. Side effects of depression medications, like any other medications, vary widely from person to person, so it’s important to speak with your doctor about any potential side effects you may be experiencing. Also, don’t make any decisions related to antidepressants based on what their side effects might be, as you never know what you’ll experience (it’s likely that if you’ll experience side effects, they will be quite mild).

Some of the most common side effects of antidepressant medications are headaches, nausea, and being tired. Often, symptoms like these will go away after a couple weeks of being on the medication. Not being able to sleep or other changes in sleep patterns are also possible. Symptoms like these, too, often go away after taking the medication for a few weeks (this type of side effect is called “transitory”). Stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal symptoms are common, as well. Some people also report anxiety and restlessness.

While most antidepressant side effects are mild and transient, some are slightly more serious. Many people experience weight gain, or weight loss, soon after starting a new antidepressant (this may be related to different medications’ effects on how your body retains water). Another very common group of side effects are sexual side effects—these often include things like delayed ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, and reduced sexual desire. While sexual side effects can occur on many medications, they may be less likely on drugs like bupropion (Wellbutrin), which don’t directly affect serotonin levels.

Very serious side effects of antidepressants are quite rare, but are worth mentioning because many of them are preventable. Many of these side effects are caused by drug interactions—for example, MAOIs can react with other drugs (and even certain foods) and have significant and potentially dangerous effects on blood pressure. Wellbutrin, an NDRI, if taken in too high a dose, can cause seizures. Certain types of antidepressants have been shown to actually increase suicidal thoughts in children. All of these side effects, while very serious, can be prevented by letting your doctor know what other medications you’re on, and by paying close attention to how you or someone you know are affected by your medication.

Though this may seem like a very long list of side effects, it’s important to remember that most side effects are transitory in nature and won’t last long. And the others can be avoided—or at least minimized—by staying in close contact with your doctor throughout the entire process of finding an antidepressant that’s right for you.

Sources:
1. Mayo Clinic, “Depression (major depression): Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you,” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/HQ01069, accessed September 10, 2011.
2. Mayo Clinic, “Depression (major depression): Antidepressants: Get tips to cope with side effects,” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/MH00062, accessed September 10, 2011.

How is Depression Treated

If you’ve been following this article series, you now know what causes depression and what its symptoms are. And whether you’re familiar with clinical depression or not, you may be curious about how depression can be treated. Because every case of depression is different, there are many different treatments, and each person responds to them differently. Entire books have been written about how to treat depression, but I will give a quick overview of the three most common treatments here.

The first treatment, you may be surprised to learn, may have nothing to do with drugs or therapy. Many people, especially those with mild cases of major depressive disorder, or those with situational depression, are able to treat their symptoms with a combination of lifestyle changes. These changes often include exercise, change in diet, and getting enough sleep. While this may not correct a severe brain chemical imbalance, it’s often enough to treat mild cases of clinical depression. It can also be effective for cases of depression that are triggered by stress or significant life changes.

Probably the most common treatment for depression is with antidepressant medications—in fact, it’s very likely that you know at least a couple people who have experience with these drugs. Antidepressants work by altering levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby getting these chemicals back into the correct balance. Different antidepressant medications affect different brain chemicals, and so every person who suffers from depression may require a different type of medication. In addition to this, everyone responds differently to certain medications, so it may take a while to find the one that’s best in any given case. These medications also have side effects that may be more or less intense depending on the person taking them, so some experimentation (with a doctor’s supervision, of course) may be required.

The final depression treatment I will discuss is psychotherapy (which you may have heard called “counseling,” “therapy,” “talk therapy,” or several other things). This is often used in conjunction with antidepressant medications to deal with moderate-to-severe cases of clinical depression and helps those suffering from the disorder learn to properly deal with the things in their lives that trigger their depressive episodes. While therapy won’t change a chemical imbalance in the brain, it can help people deal with their symptoms, and can be very helpful as a standalone or augmentative treatment. There are several types of psychotherapy that are used for treating depression, including interpersonal, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral. For more information on these types of therapy, see WebMD’s page on depression treatment and care [http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-treatment-care].

There are many other ways that depression is treated, but these are the most common. It’s important to remember that any type of treatment may be very effective for one person, but completely ineffective for another. Just as the symptoms of depression vary a great deal, so do the most effective treatments. If you’re being treated for depression and you feel that your treatment isn’t as effective as it could be, let your doctor know and he or she will help you find the most effective treatment for your clinical depression.

Sources:
1. HelpGuide.org, “Depression Treatment,” http://helpguide.org/mental/treatment_strategies_depression.htm, accessed September 9, 2011.

Story courtesy of Dann Albright – Mountain Weekly News http://mtnweekly.com

Different Antidepressant Medications

If you’ve done any research about depression treatment, you’re very likely to have come across a very large number of antidepressant medications. And if you’re not familiar with all of them, you may find yourself very confused and asking questions like “What’s the difference between these medications?” “which one is best for me?” and “how do I decide which medication I should take?” While your doctor is the best source of answers for these questions, this article will help satisfy your curiosity about the different types of antidepressant medications.

One of the more common types of antidepressant medications is the class of drugs called “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,” commonly known as SSRIs. These drugs help increase the amount of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, in the brain. When a person is diagnosed with depression, this is often the first type of antidepressant that a doctor will prescribe, because it’s been found to be quite effective in treating depression. SSRIs are often combined with other types of medications, as well. Some of the most common SSRIS are Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and Zoloft. Some SSRIs also increase the amount of norepinephrine in the brain—these are known as “serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors,” or SNRIs.

Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) are another type of antidepressant medication. As the name suggests, they increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. If SSRIs are not treating your depressive symptoms—or you’re experiencing undesirable side effects from SSRIs—your doctor may prescribe an NDRI, such as Wellbutrin. Because these medications affect different neurotransmitters, some people find them to be more or less effective than SSRIs.

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Among the less-common antidepressant medications are the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Because they can have serious side effects, they are often prescribed after finding that a patient hasn’t responded well to an SSRI, and NDRI, or another typical type of medication. These side effects can be triggered by reactions with other drugs (so people taking MAOIs shouldn’t also be taking other types of antidepressants) and even certain foods.

Tricyclic antidepressants are an older type of antidepressant medication, though they are still in use. Tricyclics, like SNRIs, increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain (they also disrupt the action of acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter). While they are effective, they are usually not prescribed unless other types of antidepressants haven’t worked, because they may cause more numerous and serious side effects.

The type of antidepressant medication that you may need depends greatly on your depression’s severity and symptoms, as well as any other medications you might be taking. If you feel that you could benefit from antidepressant therapy (or if your current depression treatment isn’t working as well as you’d like it to), talk to your doctor about the different options for treating depression with medications.

Sources:
1. Mayo Clinic, “Depression (major depression): Treatments and drugs,” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs, accessed September 9, 2011.
2. NetDoctor, “Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors,” http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/monoamineoxidaseinhibitors_000101.htm, accessed September 9, 2011.
3. RxList, “Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) FAQ,” http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=95236, accessed September 9, 2011.

Story courtesy of Dann Albright – Mountain Weekly News http://mtnweekly.com

Recession Depression

Many people are surprised that they were suffering from severe depression of their life. While many forms of depression, which are used for depression. When I was in my twenties, I suffered from at least three depressive episodes. Been loaded in the next 30 years, a break and was diagnosed (Seasonal Affective Disorder), sorry. I experimented with drugs, and most were a success, at least until the next event. Each episode seems to be more difficult to resolve. In 2003 he saw the last three months, and it is rare that began in the summer and tried to the theory, the challenge makes me sad.

In the summer of 2006, depression returned and this time the case is new, and it was during the summer. I had to find answers to what happened. How sad, and I think of these events in the sun. Medical equipment and decided to return the diagnostic information. They found that, in fact, a severe depression and manic-depressive, we began a treatment program.

It takes three years before the diagnosis I, I save two and a half years and had to deal with the emotional roller coaster. We have tried different drugs to see to, and every month, whether it works or distraction. If I cannot find the answers I found some information about depression. We hope to realize the difficulty of this disease is really suffering, or someone in your family to live.
According to many psychiatrists, the following changes or additions can show the doctor.

• The sleep time for sleep and anxiety
• Awakening
• About
• If you are sad
• Seat Reviews
• Decrease or increase in appetite
• Sudden loss / gain
• Concentration / Decision
• Increased self-esteem
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Lack of interest
• Energy
• Agitation
• There is a movement much slower or cat

Depression can make you feel helpless and hopeless. But the first step in determining the difference in treatment.

The treatment is only one answer! Seek professional help. It is assumed that there are many reasons why people suffer from debilitating depression. Depression due to chemical reactions that affect the brain function.

Different amounts of chemicals and the brain are accountable for our expressive situation. Hopelessness occurs when the chemical messages are not properly connecting mind cells, including the execution.
The excellent information is that many treatments, the treatment of depression, drugs, weak signals, and the increased concentration of definite neurotransmitters in the pot or to improve the signal processing of neurons with improvement. This makes sure that important messages from the brain.

Chronic Depression

Before you ask your doctor for anti-depressants, you should be absolutely sure that you are clinically depressed. Chronic depression — never being able to shake off a feeling of hopelessness, despair, anger or gloom — can take many forms. You may simply have a dietary imbalance, or need more sunlight (the two can be related: vitamin D deficiency is being linked with many problems, including obesity, brittle bones, and depression).

Taking regular supplements will definitely rule out the dietary problems, but don’t expect to see much result for at least two months. It takes time to make up for a long-term imbalance.

Try to do things that make you feel good, not just in the moment, but long-term. Been making promises to yourself to go on holiday, upgrade your car, or get a wardrobe makeover? Don’t get into debt to do this (debt is another source of depression for many people), rather, save up until you can afford this special event. You’ll feel good for much longer than you expect.

Even if your doctor does prescribe anti-depressants, you might want to think twice before taking them. Many doctors are rushed and want to get rid of patients with psychological problems, which are notoriously hard to diagnose and almost impossible to cure.

If you are suicidal or so depressed that you can’t hold down a job, that is much more serious, but mild depression could be related to your everyday environment. Try to exercise more. Exercise releases endorphins, which are “feel good” drugs your body produces naturally. Even a brisk walk, jog, or bike ride can make you feel a lot better. Being fit of body helps you to be fit of mind.

Causes of Major Depression

Going Through Depression? To avoid the most causes of major depression in men and women

It is extremely significant to be familiar with what the symptoms of depression are and what are the most common causes of depression, you should remember to avoid the obvious advantages of the general depression. Awareness of depression is always important.

Depression is a product of this process is a human biological and psychological. Stress is a fact, the first two episodes of depression. And trigger, “You feel depressed and yet at the time that depression has become important. For much of the tension is a factor. Genetics and temperament for the last phase of depression.

Depression is common, does not affect activities of daily living of the people and the cycle of depression that lasts longer than a few days. Week of depression is considered a mild form of depression that can do something more serious such as unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, cause, or manic depression, psychotic depression, or worse.

Now you know what is the cause of a severe depression, you should try to understand the various treatments for depression, and how it works for you.

Major depression is described in this document is divided into two main areas of attacking options. The first is support for psycho-social therapies. Psychosocial therapy interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and counseling. Medical treatment includes inpatient and administration of antidepressants.

Many of the symptoms of depression, but look and see signs that most of the time in every man (and for others it may be a symptom or not very well be).

The following are the most common symptoms of depression:
- Severe pain in an infinite
- Impotence / depreciation
- Asthenia
- Loss of interest in life and / or action
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.

The reasons can be controlled
It may be a factor in the development of stress and depression. Today is certainly higher, because the recession and the events in life: people who work and are afraid of losing, and the family. All this causes stress and anxiety.

Other factors, depression and low self-esteem, as I look.
The participation in the life of a severe depression. It usually takes something very traumatic for a person to develop, depression. It can take many forms, including physical violence, death, emotional or sexual abuse, our dear and much more.

Chemical imbalance can also cause severe depression. And I know that most people are more adrenaline depression of dopamine and serotonin, irregular (brain chemicals). Help for depression, and if you are depressed, you can benefit. Depression may worsen if left untreated. In the treatment of depression, it is important to act. The first step to your doctor. Therefore, it is likely that this type of treatment or medication or depression in the next step. There are natural remedies for depression, which can be used, but it is important that you speak with your doctor.

Difference Between Depression

Depression is something that’s talked about by a lot of people in a lot of different ways. It’s easy to get confused if you’re not sure what these terms mean, and having a clear idea of what you’re reading about or hearing can make it easier to learn about depression. So what’s the difference between depression and major depression? What about depression and clinical depression? And how can you differentiate major depression and clinical depression?

Before discussing major and clinical depression, it’s important to understand that “depression,” when used by itself, does not refer to a disorder. Depression is an emotional state that’s characterized by excessive sadness, lack of energy, disinterest in things that are usually interesting, and several other symptoms that will be discussed in a later article. What’s crucial to remember is that depression is not a disorder. Anyone can be depressed during certain times of their life, especially if you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one; an abrupt change in your lifestyle, like a move across the country or the birth of a child; or by high levels of stress.

Now that we’ve defined depression, we can begin talking about major depression and clinical depression. Major and clinical depression are, in fact, the same thing. Both of these terms refer to what is properly called “major depressive disorder.” MDD is a diagnosable and treatable medical disorder that affects an estimated 19 million people in the United States. It can be characterized by long-term or very intense feelings of depression. Most people, when they are depressed, find that after some time has passed, they begin to feel better. Those suffering from major depressive disorder, however, often deal with their feelings of depression for months or years before they begin treatment.

Now that you know the difference between depression, major depression, and clinical depression, you can be assured that you’ll be able to understand what people are talking about when they use these terms. If someone says that they’re depressed, don’t automatically assume that they have major depressive disorder and should seek treatment immediately. And if you’re feeling down, think about what’s been going on in your life—have you experienced any significant life changes? Are you feeling a lot of stress? If so, give yourself a week or two to feel better. If you don’t feel better after a few weeks—or you’re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide—talk to your doctor.

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Sources:

1. WebMD, “Depression Health Center,” http://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm, accessed September 6, 2011.

2. AllAboutDepression.com, “Major Depressive Disorder,” http://www.allaboutdepression.com/dia_03.html, accessed September 8, 2011.

Story courtesy of Dann Albright – Mountain Weekly News http://mtnweekly.com