Depression

Seven Tips to Rescue Christmas from Bipolar Disorder

Christmas can be a nightmare for people with bipolar disorder. As the philosopher Posidonius observed in the fourth century, ‘Melancholy occurs in autumn whereas mania in summer.’ Here downunder in Australia, Christmas is summer time, party time, spending time, hurry time, family time. This is a potent mix of triggers and seasonal vulnerability and many of us do fall over with mania. Friends and family don’t always recognise Christmas mania, because symptoms such as excessive drinking, lavish spending, staying up late at functions, and being in a hurry are features of the season. The stress involved with ‘having’ to buy Christmas presents and ‘having’ to get together with family, along with summer-time vulnerability make Christmas a bipolar nightmare in the southern hemisphere.

ItÂ’s not much better up north. Since the fourth century we havenÂ’t come much further than Posidonius except to declare there is such a thing as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It seems the number of hours of daylight you experience is related to your likelihood of getting depressed in winter. The closer you are to the poles, the better your chances.

Then there are seasonal triggers, such as figuring out how to buy presents on a tight budget. If youÂ’re depressed, the ubiquitous expectation to be happy (just because itÂ’s Christmas) only makes things worse.

Short of walking around with a sunlight-emitting lamp strapped to your forehead, or cutting up your credit card, what can you do about seasonal episodes of bipolar? Here are some quick tips to rescue Christmas.

1. Maintain your daily sleep/wake routine. Use medicine if you have to;

2. Keep in control of drinking. If you suddenly start a binge, it could be a major alert of an episode;

3. Make a Christmas shopping list and donÂ’t buy anything not on the list!

4. Ask your partner or friend to help you stick to a budget;

5. Keep up medication;

6. Check in with your doctor or mental health worker as soon as you or someone close notices symptoms;

7. Keep away from any ‘toxic’ family members (you know who they are).

No plan is failsafe, but then again, having no plan is like going out without an umbrella on a stormy day. You can live well with bipolar, and Christmas doesnÂ’t have to be a nightmare. Plan ahead and have a healthy, happy Christmas.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Madeleine Kelly is the author of the prizewinning book Bipolar and the Art of Roller-coaster Riding (Two Trees Media ISBN 0-646-44939-7). More information about managing bipolar disorder can be found at beatbipolar.com

OCD Over Compulsive Disorder – Dying On The Inside

At least one in fifty adults in America suffer with Over Compulsive Disorder (OCD) double that number for the others who at some time in their lives have been affected by this controlling disease. The frightening thing is how many more are to be cursed by this death sentence imposed on the brain. Speaking from experience it has to be the fatigue factor that without a doubt is the cause behind the bouts of anxiety that accompanies OCD…

When the brain becomes abusive with an onslaught of verbal threats to do this/that and the other, your body becomes powerless to fight back. Lethargic and drained of all energy your body like that of a rag doll limp and lifeless, waves the white flag and surrenders.

Obsessions and habitual acts that each individual experiences will differ greatly. One thing that does not change is the compassion towards each other from fellow sufferers who understand the reasons behind why we do what we do.
You will find being on the road to recovery less of a burden after confiding in someone for help, talking with others who are suffering from this condition is great place to start.

OCD is equally as common in both sex’s man woman boy and girl; symptoms have been diagnosed from an early age for many patients.
Obsessive rituals are stereotyped behaviours that are continually repeated causing anxiety where depression starts to sink in making this a major health concern for the patient.

There are so many different disorders relating to OCD but taking obsessive symptoms and obsessive thoughts are two that work hand in hand together in a similar way, a destructive force to contend with.

Sufferers with obsessive-compulsive disorder are more prone to anxiety/depression bouts where on the other hand sufferers of recurrent depressive disorder can develop obsessive thoughts.
Differentiating between both can be quite difficult in some cases because of the frequency where symptoms occur at the same
Either way both destroy a person’s life eating away at their existence; OCD works its magical charm on anyone that proves to be a threat where obsessive rituals are prevented from being carried out.

Heaven forbid even as a do gooder looking on never tell a sufferer to stop what they are doing because the chances are you will find that you have just become public enemy number one. Let the patient in their own time figure it out for themselves when enough is enough.

Help clinics therapies and treatments are out there for those looking for a cure. Depending on the person and how severe their symptoms let the doctor decide what is the best medication for you.

Success stories where over compulsive disorder victims have been liberated gives the likes of you and me some hope for the future to go on living and destroy the heartfelt emotion of dying on the inside.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Finding help is easier than you could imagine, browse my health page for more information at www.benidormbeaches.com

Talking to Others About Your Depression

Letting other people know that you are depressed can be a hard thing for many to do. It is only our natural tendency to keep things bottled up inside for safety. But talking with other trusted loved ones can greatly reduce the great weight placed on us from depression symptoms. As obvious as your depression may be to you, it may not be so easily seen by others.

The person you start discussing your situation with might immediately become alarmed and think that you are suicidal. While suicide thinking is certainly elevated in those that experience depression this is not always the case. It is more than likely that you are not suicidal so explain that to them. Explain to the symptoms of depression and what makes you experience them, and that they donÂ’t just go away overnight or by themselves.

Let the person know that there are options out there available to you to help you with your depression, but its not a fast and simple recovery. More than likely you will get the emotional support you need from the person, and hopefully you will be feeling a little bit better after doing so.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

For further information and articles on depression and other mental health disorders please visit HelpingDepression.com

Over Compulsive Disorder – Murder In Mind

To assume that OCD is a rare complaint then think again, over compulsive disorder is one of the most common psychiatric complaints addressed by medical staff worldwide on a daily basis trying to ease the pain and suffering of thousands of victims.

Repetitive actions or series of thoughts are just some of the symptoms that OCD forces upon the patient. Rituals can entail hand washing to an extent where the skin becomes infected with the abuse from cleaning agents then we have counting obsessions where the brain hurts because of the urge to total up your numbers. Incapacitating depression/anxiety soon worms its way into the brain if none of your actions are finalized or completed.

Mental instability brings OCD into the category as a chronic relapsing condition Victims have to come to terms with the fact that this is a disease of the brain and one that if not nurtured can well put a sufferer into an early grave

Just in the UK alone Over Compulsive Disorder affects 2% of the population more so in women than men, children are spared no mercies, so be sure to watch for any unusual behaviour in your child. Nip it in the bud before it gets a grip as word has it 1% of children are under the spell over OCD.
It is a good chance that everyone has had an experience of an unpleasant or obsessive thought occasionally in their life. However, victims of OCD engage themselves in ritual behaviours where certain actions have to be repeated over and over again thus causing concern for the patient’s health
Sufferers understand that their actions can be quite irrational but fail to resist and ignore those little alien forces inside their heads voicing an opinion on how we live our lives.

If you feel that you or someone close is affected by the symptoms of OCD then please seek advice from your local GP. Should your doctor feel the need to refer you for further help then this will most probably be therapeutic sessions given by a psychiatrist who specializes in the mental department side of things.
Professional help is the only way forward and the best way to deal with OCD that has murder in mind.

The reasons behind why we do what do makes it very hard for others to comprehend most outsiders take the easy option in concluding an end to their struggle of trying to understand our antics and their answer is probably insanity. And how right they are where we the victims must be mad not to put and end to this self inflicted self designed to kill condition.

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Finding help is easier than you could imagine, browse my health page for more information. Better yourself by furthering your education www.allaboutonlineeducation.com

Music And Depression

What is music? All sounds are comprised of sound waves. What distinguishes music from other sound waves is the manner in which the sound waves vibrate and decrease from loud to soft. Dropping a metal pan on the floor presents jarring, erratic vibrations. Striking a note on a piano chord presents a softer more uniform and smooth transition from loud to soft. Obviously, a musical note is going to be much more pleasant to the ear.

There’s an old adage about how “music sooths the savage beast.” Not only is this true, it is actually an understatement. Music plays such a profound part of our lives, that we will barely scratch the surface here, but let’s give it an overview.

All of us grew up with certain songs or instrumentals that strike a chord that reverberates through our entire being. For example, when I hear “A Summer Place,” it immediately carries me back to summer months in the fifties. The experience is so profound that I can remember the feel of the sun on my face, the smell of hot dogs cooked over an open fire and the laughter of friends and family.

There is a theory that certain notes or chords resonate with a vibration that is particularly harmonious to specific people. Have you ever heard a song that gave you “goose bumps?” If so, then you give validation to this theory. When this occurs, the music has a profound affect on the subconscious. Add intense emotion to the equation and you have one powerful, indelible, blueprint on your subconscious that will follow you the rest of your life.

For example, let’s say that you receive news of the death of a loved one while a specific piece of music is playing on the radio. That particular music may have a lasting impression. Years later, for no apparent reason, you may find yourself immediately thrown into a state of depression upon hearing that same tune. The same can be true of “positive” feelings as described in the story above.

The subliminal effect of music is a proven fact. How often do you find yourself humming a fragment of a tune that you can’t identify only to discover that it’s a new “commercial” message you heard on your television. The advertising industry pays huge amounts of money to conduct research into why and how music works on the subconscious mind. This is also the reason why you see the recent trend by large companies to reconstitute classics originally performed by some of the greats of stage and screen.

Just for fun, the next time you find yourself humming a tune, try and remember when, where and under what circumstances you heard it for the very first time. The exercise will probably help you to better understand how past events have shaped your musical preferences. And, I’ll wager that the next time you hear “A Summer Place,” you will remember reading this article.

Happy Listening!

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

If you are mad, worried or unhappy it may be depression. Visit www.depressiongla.com with host, Sintilia Miecevole and get the facts on how to live with this condition and how to manage it. Be sure to visit www.depressiongla.com.

Depression – Disorderly Conduct

People tend to sense uncertainty to the real meaning behind the word depression, trying to determine the difference between a depressive illness to that of a miserable mood can be tricky at times. In the medical world doctors use the word depression in different terms.
Symptoms of a depressive illness and gloomy dismal feelings are very much like a duplicated source therefore a solid excuse for any confusion.

Almost anyone can suffer from depression some people see this illness as a sign of weakness, how far from the truth that is. Depression is a common ailment and is treatable. Someone who may have in the past experienced a bout of depression can expect the risk of a repeat dose.

Approx 5/10 per cent of the population has had or are suffering from depression.
They say women are more susceptible to suffer than that of the male species.

People intend to question themselves or that of others as to why more are prone to this illness than that of other people. Has it anything to do with an individual’s personality.

Personality types differ greatly but this has nothing to do with why certain people in particular develop the illness. How ever there are slight risk factors that have been known (genetic factors inherited) from parents or their parents.

Mystery lurks behind why some people suffer from this illness but there are ways of identifying why it may have developed in others. Stressful events like bereavement, losing a job or even moving house can riddle you with depression.

Depression, can strike at any time just like that of the common cold. And it is clear how the brain pattern changes when a person is depressed. Modern scans of the brain have deciphered just how hard the brain works and has found that certain parts like the front do not work as expected. It is also found that a patient has higher than what you would call normal levels of stress hormones.

Feelings experienced with depressive illness can stay with the patient for weeks sometimes running into months.

Disorderly Conduct of the brain.

This is a psychological disorder which is hard to understand due to the trail of physical side effects one being total exhaustion. Other known facts are, depressed people dream up to three times more that of the non sufferer.

Major discoveries in psychology has given us hope in having a better understanding of what depression is all about. With the outcome of recent research there are now answers to questions that have baffled a great many in the past

Standing your ground by facing up to what may be the cause behind your discomfort is a step in the right direction. If the death of a loved etc has caused the pain/sorrow then the cure is time, time heals so they say. For every venomous predator namely diseases etc that takes you as prey, remember there is an antidote.

If you have any concerns about yourself or that of another person please talk to your local GP.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

My health page you may find useful. The more knowledge you have on depression will help you understand the illness. Be sure to look into all remedies and cures available

www.benidormbeaches.com

Mad or Sad – Anxiety

At some stage in our lives we all will have suffered a bout of being anxious due to a bad moment. Missing a bus or late for an appointment is enough to trigger uneasiness, which is quite a normal reaction.

Prolonged anxiety which meddles with a person’s everyday life tells us that we are now dealing with a condition called (anxiety disorder).
Coping with excessive anxiety can be a struggle but with the right medical advice and help then this ailment which is associated with other psychiatric conditions such as depression can be tamed.
In the UK 1 in 10 people battle to lead a normal life, the severity of anxiety powers is no doubt a mighty force to contend with where the effects can turn a persons life upside down.

Anxiety that flares up with no identifying reason behind the cause has to be questioned. Strong/severe anxiety that tampers or interferes with daily routines- activities is considered abnormal.

Symptoms to look out for with (Physical Anxiety) is dry mouth/diarrhoea/abdominal discomfort/breathlessness/fast heartbeat/problem swallowing/dizzy spells/ tightening of the chest. These are a result of when the brain sends out signals to other parts of the body while at the same time releasing stress hormones/adrenalin. Organs affected are lungs heart etc that are now geared up to work faster.

The fear of going mad and lack of concentration are two serious symptoms endured as well as insomnia and uncontrollable outbursts of rage- anger if suffering from psychological anxiety.

Medication and treatments like psychotherapy/ counselling and more are available.

Anxiety is treatable so please if you or someone close is having a bad time trying to cope with any of the symptons mentioned earlier then make an appointment to speak with your doctor.

Mad or sad

Some people who suffer from anxiety may appear to look and do things a little differently to which an outsider may find funny, depending on the outsider of course. Because of their lack of understanding on this condition they find it hilarious to poke fun and make nasty remarks towards the person suffering from this condition causing more misery for the sufferer.

Yes I would say sufferers are mad, mad with the ignoramuses who continue to add to their torment.
And saddened furthermore at how their tomentors proudly show their ignorance behind the meaning of the word compassion.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

You will find very useful information on anxiety/depression on my health page. A better understanding of this condition is a way forward for sufferers looking for peace of mind. www.benidormbeaches.com

Can a Neurotransmitter imbalance be causing your mood problems??

Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous physical and emotional processes such as cognitive and mental performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters.

Interactions between neurotransmitters, hormones, and the brain chemicals have a profound influence on overall health and well-being. When our concentration and focus is good, we feel more directed, motivated, and vibrant. Unfortunately, if neurotransmitter levels are inadequate these energizing and motivating signals are absent and we feel more stressed, sluggish, and out-of-control.

Disrupted communication between the brain and the body can have serious effects to ones health both physically and mentally. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders are thought to be directly related to imbalances with neurotransmitters.Some of the more common neurotransmitters that regulate mood are Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine.

Serotonin imbalance is one of the most common contributors to mood problems. Some feel it is a virtual epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is key to our feelings of happiness and very important for our emotions because it helps defend against both anxiety and depression. You may have a shortage of serotonin if you have a sad depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, low energy, migraines, sleeping problems, obsession or compulsions, feel tense and irritable, crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex. Additionally, your hormones and Estrogen levels can affect serotonin levels and this may explain why some women have pre-menstrual and menopausal mood problems. Moreover, stress can greatly reduce your serotonin supplies.

Dopamine and Norepinephrine are responsible for motivation, energy, interest, and drive. They are associated with positive stress states such as being in love, exercising, listening to music, and sex. These neurotransmitters are the oneÂ’s that make you feel good. When we donÂ’t have enough of them we donÂ’t feel alive, we have difficulty initiating or completing tasks, poor concentration, no energy, and lack of motivation. Low neurotransmitter levels drive us to use drugs (self medicate) or alcohol, smoke cigarettes, gamble, and overeat. For many years, it has been known in medicine that low levels of these neurotransmitters can cause many diseases and illnesses. A neurotransmitter imbalance can cause Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, irritable bowel, hormone dysfunction, eating disorders, Fibromyalgia, obsessions, compulsions, adrenal dysfunction, chronic pain, migraine headaches, and even early death.

What causes neurotransmitter dysfunction?
• Prolonged periods of stress can deplete neurotransmitters levels. Our fast paced, fast food society greatly contributes to these imbalances.
• Poor Diet. Neurotransmitters are made in the body from proteins. Also required are certain vitamins and minerals called “cofactors” If your nutrition is poor and you do not take in enough protein, vitamins, or minerals to build the neurotransmitters, a neurotransmitter imbalance develops. We really do think and feel what we eat.
• Genetic factors, faulty metabolism, and digestive issues can impair absorption and breakdown of our food which reduces are ability to build neurotransmitters.
• Toxic substances like heavy metals, pesticides, drug use, and some prescription drugs can cause permanent damage to the nerves that make neurotransmitters.
• Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol lowering medications deplete neurotransmitter levels leading to neurotransmitter imbalances.
• Hormone changes cause neurotransmitter imbalances

Testing is now available to detect Neurotransmitter Imbalances.
Basing a treatment on symptoms alone (traditional medicine) will not provide the information needed to address the underlying imbalance. A visit to a doctor or practitioners office for depression involves telling them how you have been feeling emotionally. The typical depressed person leaves the office with a prescription for an antidepressant without ever having any conclusive laboratory evidence of what is causing their symptoms. New sophisticated equipment and tests are now available to evaluate neurotransmitter imbalances using a urine or blood sample. This provides a neurotransmitter baseline assessment and is useful in determining the root causes for diseases and illnesses such as those mentioned above. Laboratory analysis can now provide precise information on neurotransmitter deficiencies or overloads, as well as detect hormonal and nutrient co-factor imbalances which influence neurotransmitter production. Individuals require individual solutions. Testing helps to determine exactly which neurotransmitters are out of balance and helps to determine which therapies are needed for an individualized treatment plan. It also helps in monitoring the effectiveness of an individualÂ’s treatment.

Treatment
Nutrient therapies greatly increase the levels of neurotransmitters that a person has been found to be deficient in. Studies have shown that it is both safe and effective. These nutrients will cross the blood brain barrier into the brain where they will be synthesized into neurotransmitters and this will raise the number of neurotransmitter molecules needed by the brain. They are prescribed according to the results of laboratory testing giving the imbalanced person a more individualized plan of treatment.

Prescription drugs such as antidepressants do not increase the overall number of neurotransmitter molecules in your brain, they merely move them around or stop the breakdown. If your levels are too low to start with, medication may work initially, then “poop out” or not work from the beginning. There is also the issue of side-effects and more recently the FDA warning that SSRI antidepressants could cause suicidal thoughts in some children, teens and adults.
There are specialized nutrient formulas which help antidepressant medications work more effectively. Under the supervision of a trained practitioner these treatments may be used in addition to the persons existing medication to boost their effectiveness or to target another neurotransmitter that is also causing symptoms. Many antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications just target one neurotransmitter but many mental health disorders involve multiple neurotransmitters.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Valerie Balandra is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and holistic health practitioner. Her website Integrative Psychiatry.Net focuses on ways to identify the cause of a chemical imbalance and provides natural treatments for depression and anxiety. www.integrativepsychiatry.net

Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder A Hand Me Down

Many a question has gone unanswered why people suffer from OCD and the reason for that is there is no known answer. What we do know? is that obsessive compulsive disorder affects 2% of the people in the UK. It is a disorder where a sufferer performs repetitive actions to relieve anxiety

OCD without doubt is a type of anxiety disorder and the good news, it is treatable.

None of us escape unpleasant thoughts every one of us at some time have had experience of this way of thinking. Fortunately for some they manage to banish these thoughts unlike that of a victim of OCD who struggle to control their behaviour brought on as a result by these nasty thoughts in which the content can relate to aggression and violence.

Fear of contamination is a symptom that burrows deep into a patient’s mind leaving them with a sense of insecurity where they feel dirty and unclean hence habitual compulsory hand washing. Then we have the worrier who constantly doubles back on them selves checking to secure doors/windows etc.
Frustration is high on the cards for an infected person who plays the number game where counting denotes how and when things are done, little things like the arranging of objects can escalate out of control for a sufferer if moved out of place.

Peace of mind is all an infected person is in search of and by fulfilling tasks that have become an obsession, it is then they find contentment even if only for a little while. Compulsive behaviours are carried out religiously by people with OCD to help counteract depression/anxiety brought on by their obsessions.

The reason behind why people suffer from OCD is unknown but there are factors that can be taken into account where some evidence has shown that it runs in the family, this does not mean that your actions are duplicated like that of your blood brothers. Disorders such as trichotillomania and picking of the skin, are quite common hand me downs.

People who have no understanding on this condition would see habits performed by an OCD sufferer as a sign of madness. Health of an infected person can deteriorate due to self inflicted stress by trying to conceal their actions. Stop, for all you know the person next to you may also be doing the same.

Come out of the closet so as to speak and make the illness visible. People in your life that matter can not help what they can not see

Leprosy went out with the ark where people were sectioned off away from the land of the living. 2% is a rather large percentage of people suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. So you are not on your own, so why go it alone.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Advice on my health page about this disorder and more. Browse for answers or solutions on how to relieve stress/depression etc. www.benidormbeaches.com

Depression

Depression is a very serious matter, which does not discriminate.
Depression doe not care what your age is, what gender you are,
or even what your race or social class is.

Depression can often make a person feel sad, helpless, hopeless,
and irritable. It is normal for people to have these feeling
sometimes, but some people cannot just snap out of it and this is
the difference between what is normal and major depression. It is
the determination and brutality of the emotions that determine the
mental illness of depression from normal mood changes.

We are going to talk about different types of depression and how
it can affect you. Depression is an illness that affects your body,
mind, disposition, thought, sleep, energy, concentration, weight,
and much more. Depression is not a mood, it is not a sign of
personal weakness, and it cannot be simply willed away.

Clinical depression is constant and can interfere significantly with
an individual’s ability to function by emotional experiences of
sadness, loss, or passing mood states. Clinical depression can be
devastating to all areas of a person’s everyday life, including family
relationships, friendships, and the ability to work or go to school.

Bipolar disorder (manic-depression) is a mood disorder, which
means that the symptoms are abnormalities of mood. Bipolar
disorder involves episodes of both serious mania and depression.
Bipolar disorder can have a devastating impact on sufferer’s lives
and can lead to suicide if it is not treated.

Major depression is a more common illness, the symptoms of which
are mainly those of ‘low’ mood.

Causes

Several things can cause depression; one of the causes can be
attributed to a deficiency of certain neurotransmitters in the brain
that signal from one nerve cell to another. The immune system of
a depressed person is usually very low and therefore ineffectively
responding to diseases, including cancer. The everyday stressors
faced by Americans have simply become too much for many to
bear, and reasonably so. In recent years, taking an anti-anxiety
medication or anti-depressant has become as common as taking a
multi-vitamin.

How to Alleviate

Two amino acids are known to alleviate depression in many
persons. They are tyrosine and L-phenylalanine. The two amino
acids are a natural precursor of certain neurotransmitters.

You can’t afford what?

Perhaps the only thing worse than depression is having
depression and not being able to afford treatment. Needy Meds is
a website that offers all the information you need to get your meds
free, just click the name of your drug in the list on the left side of
the page.

The Medicine Program is for people who do not have insurance and
do not qualify for government programs you may qualify to enroll in
a privately sponsored program. They do charge a $5 processing
fee but the medications themselves are free. Volunteers staff this
organization and the processing fee covers their expenses. This
company will contact the drug manufacturer on your behalf, or you
can choose to contact the drug companies themselves.
Free Samples – Often pharmaceutical companies provide physicians
with free samples. Ask your doctor is he/she has any samples on
hand of your medication.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more information, visit The Depression Info Center

David Chandler

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