Depression Medication Article

A Look at the Different Types of Depression

2009-07-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

When people talk about depression, they usually mean a person who is feeling down and lethargic, and who has generally lost interest in life. Most people don't realize that there are many different types of depression a person can be suffering from, with each type often showing different symptoms.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, here is a quick overview of the most common forms of depression.

Mild/Minor Depression is the least severe form of depression. Usually the symptoms aren't so severe that they have a major impact in the life of the sufferer, although the depression can still cause distress and disruption. Many people who are suffering from mild depression never seek treatment - they don't believe the symptoms are severe enough.

Dysthymic Disorder is a long-term form of mild depression (lasting two or more years). Like mild depression, most sufferers never seek help as they don't believe their symptoms are severe enough. Also like mild depression, the symptoms of dysthymic depression don't usually have a huge impact on the sufferers day-to-day life. But when the long-term results from the depression are considered, the impact can be huge. People who suffer from dysthymic depression often can't remember a time when they weren't depressed.

Moderate Depression fits somewhere between mild depression and major depression. The symptoms of moderate depression are more severe and numerous than mild depression, and they begin to have an impact on the work, home and social life of the sufferer. While mild depression and dysthymic depression can go unnoticed by others, the symptoms of moderate depression are usually noticeable. If left untreated, people suffering from moderate depression can slip into major depression.

Major Depression (also known as clinical or unipolar depression) is what most people think of when they think of depression - the individual seems to have totally given up on life, and has a large number of obvious symptoms. It is unlikely that someone suffering from major depression could function normally in a work, social or home setting - their symptoms are too pronounced. Suicide can be a huge risk with major depression, and professional help needs to be sought to treat the depression.

Bipolar Depression (BPD) is sometimes known as manic-depression, and is characterized by the sufferer having large mood swings from very upbeat and energetic to extreme lows. Both periods normally last for several weeks at a time. Bipolar depression is usually categorized into a number of sub-categories. While there is no firm consensus on how many sub-categories there are, the four most common are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

People with bipolar I disorder have the most extreme mood swings. Their low moods can be classified as major depression, while in their positive moods they can engage in crazy, outrageous and even dangerous activities. During this 'mania' state they may even suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

People with bipolar II disorder have much less extreme mania periods. Indeed, many bipolar II sufferers go untreated because people mistake their 'mania' phase for simply getting over their depression. People with bipolar II don't suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder but much more long-term version of bipolar disorder (usually lasting for two or more years). Like bipolar II the mania phases are relatively minor, but in addition their depressive phases aren't so severe that they classify as major depression. If left untreated, cyclothymic depression can develop into bipolar II depression.

Finally, Bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) is a catch-all category for people who have some of the symptoms of bipolar, but those symptoms don't allow the person to be neatly categorized in one of the three other categories. For example, the sufferer may have fast cycling between the manic and depressive states, or manic states without depressive states.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that affects between 3% and 8% of women. Symptoms of depression appear around a week prior to menstruation, and disappear within a few days of menstruation beginning.

Postnatal (Postpartum) Depression can occur any time in the first 12 months after a baby is born. Some form of postnatal depression affects over 80% of new mothers, although most who are affected only have a very mild form of depression that usually passes naturally with rest and the support of family and friends. However around 15% of mothers get a more severe form of postnatal depression, and like major depression the sufferer needs treatment and support to overcome the illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by the changing light levels throughout the year. The most common for of SAD is caused by the low-light levels of winter, but a much rarer form of the disorder is triggered by the high-light levels of summer.

As you can see, depression comes in many different forms - each type of depression has different triggers and symptoms associated with it, and each type of depression also responds better to different treatments. By being aware of the different forms depression can take, you can be much more prepared to help a friend of family member.

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Antidepressants side effects | How To Treat Depression Without Taking Antidepressants

2009-07-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

We now have proof of what I’ve long suspected: Antidepressants don’t work. That’s bad news for the millions of Americans who suffer from depression. This condition can cause a depressed mood; loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, including sex; fatigue; sleep problems; feelings of hopelessness and helplessness; and difficulty thinking and making decisions.Yet many people believe that antidepressants drugs are the answer. Today, one in ten Americans takes an antidepressant. Women have a 10 to 25 percent risk and men a 5 to 12 percent risk of developing severe major depression in their lifetime. Depression has different causes. And each cause needs a different approach to treatment.

Unfortunately, new research shows that they don’t work and have significant side effects.

In fact, most patients taking antidepressants either don’t respond or have only partial response.

And 86 percent of people who take these drugs have one or more side effects, including sexual dysfunction, fatigue, insomnia, loss of mental abilities, nausea, and weight gain.

No wonder half the people who try antidepressants discontinue them after just 4 months.

Now let’s talk more about this new research.

A report published in a recent issue of “The New England Journal of Medicine” looked at 74 studies involving 12 drugs and over 12,000 people. Some of these studies were published -- and some weren’t.

You see, drug companies don’t have to publish all the results of their studies. They only publish those they want to.

The report’s researchers really had to dig to find these unpublished studies. When they did, they found that 37 of 38 trials with positive results were published, while only 14 of 36 negative studies were published.

And the negative published studies were twisted to imply the drugs worked when they didn’t.

Now that really is depressing news -- and there’s no easy fix.

However, Functional Medicine, on which my approach of UltraWellness is based, can help.

Functional Medicine doesn’t rely on drugs to suppress symptoms, but uncovers the root causes of depression.

Let me tell you about a few of my patients.

A 23-year-old woman had been on various antidepressants throughout her childhood and adolescence. We discovered that she had food allergies, which cause inflammation. And recent studies suggest that inflammation may be related to depression.

The patient eliminated her food allergies and her depression disappeared. She was able to stop taking her medication -- and she lost 30 pounds to boot.

A 37-year-old had depression that didn’t respond to drugs, plus fatigue and a 40-pound weight gain.

When we got the very high levels of mercury out of her body, she soon became happy, thin, and full of energy.

And a 49-year-old man had taken antidepressants for years but was still severely depressed.

We treated his severe deficiencies of vitamin B12, B6, and folate. Now he’s free of depression.

As you can see, antidepressants are not the answer.

We need different solutions.

Try the following measures to help alleviate depression. They are based on Functional Medicine which is the foundation of my practice and the core of UltraWellness.

1. Try an anti-inflammatory elimination diet that gets rid of common food allergens.
2. Check for hypothyroidism.
3. Treat vitamin D deficiency with at least 2,000 to 5,000 U a day of vitamin D3.
4. Take omega-3 fats in the form of 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams (mg) a day of purified fish oil. Your brain is made of up this fat.
5. Take adequate B12 (1,000 micrograms, or mcg, a day), B6 (25 mg) and folic acid (800 mcg).
6. Get checked for mercury.
7. Exercise vigorously five times a week for 30 minutes. This increases levels of BDNF, a natural antidepressant in your brain.

These are just of few of the easiest and most effective things you can do to treat depression. But there are even more, which you can address by simply working through the 7 Keys to UltraWellness.

References

(1) Turner EH et al. 2007. Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy. New England Journal of Medicine. 358: 252-260.

(2) Eaton WW, Kalaydjian A, Scharfstein DO, Mezuk B, Ding Y. 2007. Prevalence and incidence of depressive disorder: the Baltimore ECA follow-up, 1981-2004. Acta Psychiatr Scand.116(3):182-188.

About the Author
Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book "The UltraSimple Diet" is available. See The UltraWellness Blog for more on Depression

Baby blues | How to Cope With Postnatal Depression

2009-07-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Postnatal depression is a condition that happens to about 10% of women after they have a baby. It is often known as the baby blues, and includes feeling unhappy, blue, sad, and miserable. In many cases Postnatal Depression is not even recognized because of all the normal changes that occur during and after pregnancy. However, although this is a very common problem, there are some things that can be done to treat Postnatal Depression and help to get new moms feeling back to normal again.

Causes of Post Natal Depression

There are a variety of different reasons that you could be dealing with depression after you have a baby. Many times it is a result of changes in the hormones in the body. There are big changes that occur within the first 24 hours after having a baby

and this can lead to depression. Also, thyroid levels can drop leading to depression. Some of the other factors that can end up leading to problems with the baby blues include feeling overwhelmed with taking care of a new baby, lack of sleep, stress, feelings of losing your identity, and have less control over the time that you have.

Symptoms of Postnatal Depression
There are many symptoms that can be symptoms of depression. If you happen to have any of these symptoms after pregnancy and they last for more than a couple of weeks, you could be dealing with depression.

- Very little energy
- Feelings is restlessness
- Irritability
- Loosing interest in activities
- Crying more often than usual
- Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
- Problems staying focused
- Too much sleep or not enough
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Withdrawing from family
- Dealing with chest pains or headaches

Simple Treatments to Try
There are a variety of treatments for post natal depression, and while some may include drug therapy or even talk therapy with a professional, there are simple things that you can do at home to combat this problem. The following are simply and alternative treatments that you may want to try.

- Get More Rest - One thing that you can try to get rid of the depression you are dealing with is to start getting a bit more rest. When you have a new baby, often it can be difficult to get the rest you need, leading to more risk of depression. Try sleeping whenever your baby does so you get the rest you need.

- Talk to a Friend or Family Member - Just talking someone can definitely be a huge help when you are dealing with the baby blues. It helps you to realize you are not alone and allows you to express your feelings too.

- Get Out More - Staying in the home all the time can actually lead to depression, so you need to get out more. Go out with your baby and run some errands or just go for a walk around the block. It can really help.

- Join a Support Group - Joining support groups can help. There are many people out there that are also going through postnatal depression and joining a group with others who understand can be very healing and helpful for you.

- Try Baby Massage - Consider trying baby massage by taking a class so you can learn how to do it. This is a great way that you can learn to better relate to your baby and you'll begin feeling better too.

- Eat Foods with Omega 3s - If you're going through post natal depression, chances are that you are low on fatty acids in your body, which can lead to depression. So, start eating foods that have omega 3s in them, such as seafood and fish.

About the Author
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Depression symptoms | Easy Ways to find the Right Treatment for Depression

2009-07-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Depression symptoms or prolonged sadness is actually quite common in the United States, around 9.5 percent of the American population actually suffers from this illness, however, not all of them get to be treated, thus, and find the right depression treatment and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to some individuals.

Treatment for Depression:

This illness may seem quite simple to treat but in reality, it takes more than a little cheering up to actually cure depression. Constant visits to a cognitive behavior therapist is a must as well as taking all the prescribed medicines that the doctor will ask the patient to take none of these exactly come cheap, but the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of depression is enough reason already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on through the various depression treatments that are available today. You can find more information about depression at http://cosmichealing.blogspot.com/2008/07/depression-introduction-about.html and more depression treatments.

Depression oftentimes can easily get in the way of an individual's daily activities and his or hers' normal functions, one's zest for life can quickly and easily dissipate due to depression. And in place of an individual's sunny disposition is more or less a person who hates his or herself, having no self-confidence, trying to isolate one's self from the world and basically just not caring about living any more.

More so, a person suffering from depression isn't the only one who's going to suffer from this destructive illness, his or her loved ones are sure to follow suit. By seeing the individual grow through such rough patches, basically not caring about anything or anyone anymore, it's highly likely that not only will depression one's relationship with one's self but with his or her loved ones too.

But this shouldn't really pose as such a problem since people who suffer from depression are actually lucky that there are all sorts of depression treatments that can be used to aid an individual through the course of having a sound mental health.

Starting treatment for Depression:

Depression treatment actually starts with the patient openly acknowledging his or her illness, by just being honest with one's self, it'll be a lot easier not only for the doctor but for the patient most of all, to actually cure depression and find an appropriate depression treatment for him or her.

From various medications (like Zoloft antidepressant depression treatment) to all sorts of psychotherapies promising to be the best depression treatment. The patient, as well as his or her family is sure to get the best, positive results from these depression treatments.

Depression Treatment using Psychotherapy:

Psychotherapy, a popular type of depression treatment actually includes short-term therapy sessions, usually from ten to twenty weeks promising to actually be able to make positive results for the depression patient.

This type of depression treatment actually helps the individual by slowly making them to actually open up about their feelings, the root of their problems, more so, the root of their depression.

Healthy verbal exchanges between the cognitive behavior therapist and the depression patient is great depression treatment that'll positively affect the depression patient by helping him or her discuss and talk about whatever they've been keeping inside.

Various medications that are available for depression treatment are actually great for helping the depression patient to regulate his or her mood swings, to actually help him or her sleep better and as well as be more pleasant towards others.

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Depression symptoms | Understanding The Facts About Bipolar Depression

2009-07-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression as some people call it, is a very frightening condition to live with. The depression symptoms of this disorder can be harsh, they can come and go rapidly and they can lead to mood swings that are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Bipolar depression symptoms is the particular swing that can present some of the most problems for those who suffer from the condition. To understand bipolar depression symptoms, it's a very good idea to have a basic grasp on this condition in its entirety. Those who suffer from this condition tend to endure very extreme mood swings. Manic behavior is on one end of the spectrum and depressive the other.

The swings are not caused by a desire to get into trouble. They are not caused by a psychological problem, per say. Rather, the root of this medical phenomena is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. When these chemicals are out of whack, behavior can be, as well.

While both phases of bipolar disorder can cause very real, very lasting problems for those who suffer from the disorder, it is the depressive phase that can be the most troubling. This is so for a number of reasons.

First off, bipolar depression is generally the phase that causes misdiagnosis. Doctors recognize the depressive symptoms and fail to recognize the manic ones. This means a person suffering from this very real, very biological condition is more likely to be treated for the single phase, rather than the entire disorder.

Make no mistake, however, the blame doesn't necessarily fall entirely on the doctors. It is possible the patients and their family members, too, fail to connect the manic episodes with the depressive ones. This can mean a doctor is forced to treat a patient with only half of the picture to go on.

Since this condition involves a chemical imbalance, the medications used to treat depression might not always be helpful. A careful management of bipolar disorder needs to be present to help ensure a patient leads as close to a normal life as possible.

The second major reason bipolar depression is a big problem is the symptoms themselves. Often mirroring true, clinical depression these symptoms can range from loss of appetite and fatigue to feelings of helplessness, sadness and guilt. It is even possible that thoughts of death and suicide will be present and even acted on. The suicide rate for untreated bipolar depression is higher than many might think.

The depressive phase can also be misidentified as nothing more than "the blues." Since the bipolar patient can go through such extreme mood swings, it can be very difficult for the person suffering and those around them to take the depressive state and recognize it for its seriousness.

Living with manic depression requires very careful management. While there is no known cure for the condition, there are treatments that can help keep its most troublesome symptoms in check. When the disorder is properly treated, the signs of bipolar depression and even the manic phases are kept well under wraps in most cases.

About the Author
For more information on bipolar, try visiting http://www.bipolardetails.com - a website that specializes in providing bipolar related tips and resources to include information on bipolar depression.

Causes of postpartum depression

2009-07-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

Postpartum depression or peripartum depression occurs after a woman gives birth. Within a few hours of giving birth the amount of the two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, return to their pre pregnancy levels. Many researchers feel that this drop in hormone levels, much like the smaller changes in hormone levels can affect a womans mood just before her menstrual cycle, is one of the causes of postpartum depression.

There has been awareness of postpartum emotional problems throughout recorded history. Although pregnancy and the difficulties surrounding motherhood are far from new, and despite our so-called advanced modern medicine, we as a society have a shamefully meager understanding of the postpartum experience, and in general, we pay astonishingly little attention to new mothers.

While society regards bringing a new baby into the world as an entirely exhilarating, blissful period, most women experience some form of negative transition, and many suffer from depression and loneliness.

Postpartum Illness
Unfortunately, the nature and underlying cause of postpartum depression as a disease remains unclear. The term 'depression' is a rather vague and often imprecise blanket that has been commonly used to describe an entire range of (possibly unrelated) postpartum disorders, including the mild and very common temporary syndrome (which is characterized by feelings of sadness, emotional instability, weeping, irritability, and fatigue), as well as much rarer, more severe psychotic reactions.

Postpartum Psychosis
Most medical and psychiatric literature is preoccupied with this severe, but relatively rare disorder whose symptoms are similar to general psychotic reactions. Onset is rapid and debilitating; 80 percent of all cases occur within three to fourteen days after a symptom-free period. Symptoms include:
Extreme confusion, memory loss, incoherence, bizarre hallucinations, refusal to eat, inability to control behavior, frantic excessive energy, irrationality and unfounded suspiciousness.

Symptoms of Depression
Some of the major symptoms are as follows:
Always undergoing feelings of sadness, irritability and tension
Loss of interest in activities of pleasure or lack of libido
Feeling fatigued even though you may not have done anything
Having appetite problems which may lead to increased or decreased diet
Changed sleeping habits, which could translate into too much sleep or too little of it

Always feeling restless or feeling slowed down
Lack of concentration and difficulty in making decisions
Feeling worthless, hopeless and experiencing emotions of guilt

Causes of Depression
Depression is not caused by a single factor and is normally a result of one or more causes. These are not only changes in the state of mind but also physical changes in the brain. It is caused due to the imbalance of a certain kind of chemical in the brain that carries signals to the brain and nerves which are called neurotransmitters.

Some of the common causes of depression are given below:
Family History: Sometimes depression runs in the family and if the parents have depression the likelihood of the children also getting the same increases.

Read About Depression Treatment and also read about Causes of manic depression and Causes of postpartum depression

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Causes of manic depression

2009-07-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Manic depression - Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Some mornings can start with overriding feelings of joy, elation and power. By the time the afternoon has arrived this can shift to feelings of desperation, despair and depression.

More than 2 million American adults, or about 1 percent of the population have bipolar disorder, the percentage figures are the same for the United Kingdom. A depressive disorder is a mental disparity exemplified by a pessimistic sense of insufficiency. A person commonly suffers from feelings of gloom and sadness, downturns in mood, despair, feelings of low self-esteem, guilt, self-pity, and loneliness.

Different types of depression include:
Major Depression
Postpartum or Postnatal Depression
Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression
Cyclothymic Disorder
Dysthymic Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder
One out of 10 people suffer from this disorder. There are many causes of depression. Some types of depression do seem to run in families for generations, suggesting a biological susceptibility. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and severe major depression.
Researchers have shown that physical changes in the body take place along with mental changes. Medical illnesses such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause depressive illness, making the sick person unconcerned and reluctant to care for his or her physical needs.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode)
â€¢ Increased energy, activity, and restlessness

â€¢ Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood

â€¢ Extreme irritability

â€¢ Racing thoughts and talking quickly, jumping from one idea to another

â€¢ Distractibility, lack off concentration

â€¢ Little sleep needed

â€¢ Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers

â€¢ Poor judgment

â€¢ Spending sprees

â€¢ A lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual

â€¢ Increased sexual drive

â€¢ Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications

â€¢ Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour

â€¢ Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
The above signs and symptoms of mania can be very difficult to spot in an individual who has manic depression as all of the EXACT symptoms and time frames may not be prevalent in every person as each individual is unique.

Read About Depression Treatment and also read about Causes of manic depression and Causes of postpartum depression

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Understanding Depression treatment

2009-07-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Depression and denial are never far from each other. The problem with denial is that you don’t face up to the fact that you have a problem, so that when things begin to happen to you, you seem to be unsure of why they happen. Eventually, you could do yourself some bodily harm and blame everyone but yourself… because you denied from the onset that you had depression.

If for nothing at all, the fact that you have friends and family who care about you should be reason enough to never allow depression any room in your heart. They might not be experiencing the same symptoms that you are, but they are feeling your pain as well. And when you lash out at them, it hurts. So, please don't. Instead, let them understand what you are going through and they will help you.

Depression is common enough as a regular mood that hits once it a while. Some call it the blues, but not when it is the serious type. That is the type of depression that becomes bipolar or manic depression; that is the type of depression that people get admitted into hospital for. The most important tip for depression always is this – don’t let it linger in your mind for too long. When you feel a problem is getting out of hand, seek help!

There are many mental illnesses that make themselves evident in countless different ways. Depression is one of the most common of them. All over the world, up to 8 percent of adults suffer depression occasionally, and in the United States, it is prevalent as much as 17% of the adult populace.

You could be in Afghanistan or Timbuktu and you would suffer depression all the same. It is not a question of who you are, or where you are; it is a question of what you feel, or what you feel. And of course, you have be able to handle it too. Many effectively handle it and nip it in the bud before it festers. Be like such people and you will have firm control of depression.

Depression comes slowly and gradually worsens until it becomes a full fledged disease. On the other hand, the depression could erupt out of the blues; suddenly coming upon you within the matter of a few weeks or days. This is admittedly not usual, but you might want to be on the lookout.

Adolescents, when they suffer from depression, experience common symptoms like sadness or “the blues.” This mood naturally affects their overall cycles and they might complain of sleep disturbances and lack of energy. A young person experiencing this can always seek the opinion of an older person; otherwise, when you see them like this, you can choose to take action quickly to help them.

A lot of people experience depression all the time. Of those who do, many will also do again sometime in the future – about 85 percent of them. It's like the condition leaves a footprint on you that it loves to visit again from time to time. There might not even be a permanent solution to this - merely that you must proceed to handle it every time it happens. In other words, don't give it room to breed within you.

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Bipolar Depression Solutions And What You Need To Know

2009-07-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

You may call bipolar disorder a kind of depression because that is what it is. It is the kind of depression that sometimes results in the infamous multiple personality syndromes, when people are unwilling or unable to face their problems and deal with them. In any case, they usually don't even know that they have problems, which is why they got that bad in the first place.

In the United States, a lot of people experience serious depression all the time. It is known that at some point during their lives, up to 17% of the populace is bound to suffer from the condition. Although not all of them are critical, you will agree with me that the effects are such that we could do better without them. Don’t join those that make up part of this statistics. Fight and win the war against depression and you will be the better for it.

Depression is common enough as a regular mood that hits once it a while. Some call it the blues, but not when it is the serious type. That is the type of depression that becomes bipolar or manic depression; that is the type of depression that people get admitted into hospital for. The most important tip for depression always is this – don't let it linger in your mind for too long. When you feel a problem is getting out of hand, seek help!

Women and men both get depressed, but not in the same way, as you might find if you spoke with an expert. Even without speaking to an expert, you would understand that with them having to deal with so many hormonal activities all the time, ladies are more prone to being depressed. The only thing left is for them to learn how to handle it, which they do quite well.

Depression is prevalent in the United States for some reason. However it is also a problem in many other nations of the world, although its prevalence varies widely. It is sort of a measure of how people react to the things around them, and also, how they influence those instances back.

You might not know this, but depression sometimes also varies according to culture. Sadness or guilt may not be what the person complains on in certain cultures; rather you might hear of can be physical issues and other related problems. Mediterranean cultures, for instance, complain more of headaches or nervousness; whereas people in the Asian world feel weakness, fatigue, or imbalance.

Depression often comes in episodes, or “crises,” if you care to call it that. You cannot afford to leave it unattended though, because a single episode of major depression may sometimes last for up to eight or nine months. Some people, although rare enough, may even suffer from it perpetually.

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Depression and Divorce: The New Person in Your Life

2009-07-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

Depression and divorce go hand in hand. Your marriage ends, and someone moves out, but someone also moves in. Like an unwanted house guest, depression becomes like a shadow, skulking in the background, right there, everywhere you go. The shadow is depression, and to move depression out, you are going to have to be armed. Arm yourself with knowledge, and call in the troops available to help you.

The bad news about depression is that when it's left untreated it can disrupt your job, your relationships, and your life. No amount of "cheering up," "toughing it out," booze, or exercise will make it go away. The good news about depression is that, once recognized, it usually responds well to treatment.

Depression affects about one of every seven Americans of all religions, races, genders, and income levels every year. About two thirds of those who suffer from depression do not get treatment for it. Take a moment to reflect on what that means. In any average group of 30 people, for example, the odds are that four of them will suffer from depression this year. It is believed that women are twice as likely as men to be affected by depression, but perhaps men are half as likely to seek help, and go undiagnosed. The first line of defense is understanding what depression is, and understanding that you cannot just ignore it, or pretend it is not there.

Just like an unwelcome house guest, it is there, coming right behind you, and though you may not see it, it is making messes, and those messed are left for you to clean up. Depression due to divorce is a double edged sword, because it tends to have a snowball effect. It tends to come ready made with a sense of failure being built right in, anger boils beneath the surface, your children suffer, finances change, living conditions change, it can often precipitate a move. It is no wonder divorce and depression is the new couple in any failed marriage.

Don't self-diagnose depression. Depression is too dangerous, and unpredictable, for any of us to attempt to diagnose or treat depression without professional help. You need the experience and savvy of a physician or mental health professional to help you understand your own case and get the right treatment for it.

Treatment for depression is twofold, including psychotherapy and medication. A lot of very smart people disagree about which is more important. Although it sometimes makes sense to use therapy without medication, it almost never makes sense to use medication without therapy.

Medication to treat depression keeps getting better. Medications now available for treatment of depression are more effective and faster-acting than ever. They have fewer, and have less disruptive side effects.

Most fall into one of four groups:

* Heterocyclics,
* Serotonin reuptake blockers,
* MAO inhibitors
* Lithium

Newer medications are coming on line every month. Here are some suggestions that will help your doctor find the best medication for you:

Use a psychiatrist. Generally, psychiatrists know more about the range of medications available than do general practitioners, for the same reason that pediatric cardiac surgeons know more about the options available for treating heart problems in children. They do it all the time.

Be patient. Although some symptoms may respond to medication quickly, the medications for depression usually take three to six weeks to become fully effective. By far the most significant factor in unsatisfactory treatment for depression is the impatient patient.

Expect changes in the medications. Expect depression to be treated in a trial-and-error manner. It is the only way to find the solution the right treatment for you.

Follow instructions. Take your medicine on schedule. Do not stop taking it entirely. If you follow your doctor's instructions carefully you equip your doctor with a full range of options for improving your treatment regimen over time and tailoring it for you.

Understand side effects. The side effects of medications for depression include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and changes in urinary and sexual function. Whenever your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask about side effects and what you can do to control them.

Avoid alcohol. Even in moderation, alcohol acts as a depressant. It can interact with medications in unpredictable ways. If you are an alcoholic, make sure your doctor knows this when he or she prescribes medications for you.

Keep your doctor informed. Conscientious physicians want their patients to let them know when they're experiencing something unexpected, because they can then evaluate the case and decide whether to change the medication. Don't expect to talk to the doctor whenever you want, but you should be able to describe your unexpected experiences to a knowledgeable person on the doctor's staff and get a reasonable response. If everyone seems too busy to talk to you, and if you're convinced you're not just being a pest, find another doctor.

Sandy Baker is a world renowned author whom recommends you join the depression forum at http://www.avoiddepression.com/forum . Here you can share your thoughts, make friends, and join the discussion on depression and other matters of life. You are not alone here!

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Identify the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

2009-07-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

Fear, worry, and apprehension can be caused by many events. But when fear, worry, and apprehension are present on a person in an intense and irrational manner, possibly all at the same time, then he or she might be suffering from an anxiety attack. The 3 aforementioned conditions are accompanied by physical symptoms. They are as follows:

Perspiration or Sweating - It is normal for a person to sweat. This is the body's natural way to cool down after physical activity such as exercising. It's also the body's response to external heat. However, sweating is one physical symptom that is also apparent when a person is having an anxiety attack.

Palpitations or fast and/or hard heart beating or pounding - Constant heart beating is obviously a sign of life. But, this should stay at a normal rate. When a person gets excited or frightened, he or she can feel that his or her heart skips or stops beating. Palpitating, however, can be an effect of anxiety. This is an unpleasant sensation that can be felt from the chest all the way to the neck and throat.

Stomach pain or abdominal pain - Often, physical pain has a corresponding physical problem. However, emotional illness such as anxiety attack can be one reason of such pain. Emotions can greatly affect the system of the body and can even cause inability to the person. Physical pain such as stomach and abdominal pain can be some of symptoms of anxiety.

Shaking or Trembling - Shaking or trembling can be caused by anger, stress, rage, or anxiety. But it should be noted that experiencing this regularly can be a sign of physical imbalance and should be examined by a doctor.

Cold or Hot Flashes - A sudden and lasting sensation of body temperature change particularly in the upper body can be caused by emotional illnesses to include anxiety.

Lightheadedness, Faintness or Dizziness - Lightheadedness with no apparent physical cause can be a symptom of an anxiety attack. The inability to maintain balance while sitting or standing can also be a sign of anxiety. Some anti-anxiety drugs can provide help in treating these.

Nausea and Vomiting - Nausea and vomiting can be caused by external conditions or it can be the body's response to stimulants. These can be pain, changes in the body, taste, smell, irritation, poor blood circulation and anxiety.

Chest pain - It is described as a pressure, heaviness and discomfort on the chest. Meanwhile, a sudden and sharp pain in the chest can be a sign of heart attack. Still, other reasons can cause a person to feel chest pain. One of these of course is anxiety attack.

Difficulty in swallowing - A feeling of tightening from the neck to the upper part of the abdomen, tightening of the neck area or only at the chest (behind the breastbone) can be a sign of emotional problems including anxiety.

Periods of breathlessness, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing - Any of these can send discomfort to the person. This often leads to dizziness as the muscles, brain, and other body organs cannot receive their required oxygen supply to function properly. Periods of breathlessness, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing can be a sign of anxiety.

As was mentioned, any of these symptoms can be caused by other physical conditions but if a person has shown at least 4 of the mentioned symptoms, it is advisable to seek proper help immediately.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Depression and the Sensitive at Heart

2009-07-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

There are beautiful people out there, sensitive and tender at heart. One thing they often have in common: they suffer from low self esteem, depression and the like. Many times they work in the social field, but they may come from any occupation. Often they feel not to fit into society at all. Whatever they try, they cannot find a suiting place.

On the other hand, there are the powerful manipulators out there, often unscrupulous and insensitive. Exploiting mother earth and their fellow men, they blossom. They have found a way to fight depression. They act, control, manipulate and accumulate power. I am sure they are depressed too, but they have found a way to suppress it. A life of manipulation, based on power and might, lacks one of the most important ingredients of life, wich is love. Where love is lacking, there is senselessness. And where there is senselessness, there is depression.

There are people pointing out how wrong the Bible is today, because it proclaims 'the meek shall inherit the world'. "Can you think of a dumber line?", they ask. The only people inheriting the world are the super rich and the ones with big armies and nukes. Nothing meek about that. They say that it has always been the men with the iron fist who lead. From the beginning of time till the end. If your meek, you'll merely end up being the man behind the man.

I don't agree with this statement at all. It is based on a total misunderstanding of the word meek, as it was used by Jesus and so many other powerful personalities. It confuses meek with weak. That's a major blunder. This is not only the fallacy of the powerful (and the ones controlled by them), but of the sensitive and tender hearted as well, who desire a different world of love and respect. They feel threatened by the manipuators and exploiters. They fall into depression and anxiety. They often fall into the trap of becoming passive victims. "The world could be so beautiful", they sigh, "if there weren't this greedy bad people, who seem to never get enough."

I shall proclaim a different concept here: Meekness is absolute power. It is much more powerful than anything else.

Let's first deal with the wrong concept of meekness to weed it out. To be meek in the wrong sense will certainly lead to depression and frustration. It is accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of impotence and powerlessness. Meek persons of this kind always feel dependent on the whim and arbitrariness of the persons in charge.

The most sensitive and intelligent people fall into this trap. They feel that they could never become as cruel, unscrupulous and stone hearted as the oviously successful people. The Darwinian theory of evolution brainwashes you: "If you want to survive, you have to be the fittest. The rest is doomed to drown. Fittest means to be hard, harsh, cruel, calculating and strong."

I have been taught like this in my childhood. My conclusion was that I will probably never become powerful, as I could not even stand an ant to be killed. There is no fitter person, not only to survive, but to live, than the meek one. Indeed the meek shall inherit the world, but this sort of meekness is totally different. It will rid you of depression. It will provide a new outlook to your life. It will give you a sense of power and control. It will guarantee you total independence.

Actually misunderstood meekness and the display of superior manipulative power are of the same kind. They look different from the surface only. Both are a guaranteed source of depression and frustration. Both are based on a lack of internal independence and strength. While the strong guy is actively fighting for recognition and acceptance, mainly from himself, the week ones have abandoned their claim for respect.

But, their weekness is often much closer to real power than the external display of control of the seemingly powerful. The later are often totally weak inside, driven only by their greed for recognition, for which they are eager to transgress all laws of life. The soft and tender person naturally has a lot of respect for these unbreakable laws. When they are carefully guided to discover their inner invulnerability, they will immediately start to blossom. When they are taught to completely step out of the stupid game of artificial competition by accepting the real identity of eternal bliss and knowledge, they will in any way be superior to even the most powerful manipulators. Life itself will be at their disposal, offering them any kind of opulence, strength and independence. External strenght will be reduced to a mere shadow of the power of pure conscious essence.

Those powerful persons, whose power is built upon arrogance and manipulation, will find it almost impossible to abandon their pathological addiction to material superiority.

Therefore rejoice, you, who are sensitive and tender at heart. Come out from depression and anxiety. Reclaim your heritage of power. The only reason, why a false display of artificial power can keep the whole world mesmerized is that more kind and sensitive persons will have to come forward to display the irresistible power of love, kindness and concern for the needs of others. The famous British mathematician, philosopher and author Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) has said the following: "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." These doubts can be overcome with the right guidance and education. Reality never supports power based on arrogance, cynicism and and unscrupulousness. It may be tolerated for some time, but very soon it is the cause of it's own destruction.

On the other hand reality always supports love, freedom, sensivity, compassion, meekness and respect. These qualities are the characteristics of original life. If you cooperate with lifes inherent nature, who will blossom forever. Get out of the habit of complaining, wailing and accusing. Get out of frustration and anxiety. You may be much closer to your power than you think.

Friedrich Asen has over 20 years of experience as a personal development expert. For more information on depression treatment, including natural remedies and powerful alternative healing methods, go to http://www.personal-development-guide.com/depression.html

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Beating the Blues. Depression Signs and Solutions

2009-07-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

Depression is quickly becoming one of the biggest health problems in the world. According to a study by USA Magazine, 75% of doctor visits in the US are for stress and depression related illnesses. Clinical depression is Australia's fastest growing illness. How do you know if you are depressed?

The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that one in four women and one in six men suffered from depression. In 20 years, depression will be second only to heart disease as the nation's biggest health problem. Chances are, you may be suffering from stress and anxiety, even depression. Here are some of the warning signs.

WORK STRESS.

Fear of going to work.
Conflict with co workers.
Errors or loss of concentration.
Absenteeism or being physically there, but doing little work.
Unusual or unacceptable behaviour.
Aggression or hostility.
Accidents or near misses.
Trouble with customers.
Feeling unable to cope with constant work demands.
Working more slowly or making more mistakes.
Poor time management.

GENERAL STRESS.

Disturbed sleep.
Lack of energy or motivation.
Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.
Physical aches and pains.
Poor concentration, memory or being easily distracted.
Feeling that life is not worth living.
Loss of interest in sex.
Difficulties with home life and routine daily activities.
Feeling easily tired.
Withdrawal from social activities.
Suicidal tendencies.
Sadness, worthlessness.
Frequent moaning, groaning and sighing.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

As Richard Bach in "Illusion", so eloquently put it: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly."

There is much you can do to reduce you stress levels {regardless of whether external stressors change}. Here are 6 of the best.

EXERCISE.

There is growing evidence that exercise, and in particular strength training, should be provided as a first line therapy for depression, according to exercise therapist Chris Tzar. "In the coming years, medical practitioners may find themselves prescribing exercise and healthy eating habits as frequently as drugs," he says.

MEDITATION.

Take time out to be quiet and attend to personal needs. Meditation is a way many people do this. It is easily learned and takes care of the need to unwind. After meditating, a few minutes rest should be taken before resuming other activities.

YOGA, PILATES OR TAI CHI.

All 3 activities include movements to reduce your stress levels. They can also benefit your fitness, balance, strength and flexibility. Why not join a class today? Don't worry, they have beginners' classes and cater for all age groups.

DIET AND NUTRITION.

Healthy eating is an important factor in beating the blues. Foods containing omega 3 fatty acids, particularly fish oils, can reduce stress. Increased intake of the minerals magnesium, zinc and selenium may help. B group vitamins are very important, particularly if you live or work in a highly stressful situation. An important benefit with these nutrients is that they can increase the level of serotonin [the feel good hormone] in the brain.

QUALITY SLEEP.

High levels of stress can make you restless and lead to disturbed sleep. You need a minimum of 6 hours sleep per night to function effectively. Lavender oil and chamomile tea can be effective sleep inducers.

PETS.

Have you noticed how you feel "at ease" when in the company of your pet? Do you have a warm feeling when you see or stroke a puppy or kitten? Pets can have an extraordinarily positive effect on our feelings and emotions and a growing body of research has indicated their benefits to our health.

Owning a pet has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer as well as a reduction in symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.

According to cancer specialist Dr Bernie Siegel, our body chemistry changes when we are in the company of pets. "Levels of the stress hormone cortisol go down, immune function improves and perhaps more significantly, serotonin levels increase". he says.

OTHER STRATEGIES.

Some of the best ways of dealing with stress and depression are often the simplest. Spending time with nature {such as a park or beach},spending time with friends, smiling, being happy, laughing, having fun and looking for the positive aspects of life, are just a few simple examples. Being grateful for just being alive is another. Yesterday, my wife Ros attended the funeral of a close friend who died of cancer. She was 49.

Finally, learning to say no, simplifying your life and reducing your commitments, may be very helpful too. It may be time to nurture "you" rather than always trying to please others.

Hannah Arendt summarized this point of view with: "Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight."

Graeme Lanham is the author of a popular new E book, "Your Life Fitness". It covers all aspects of health and fitness for busy and active people and includes a comprehensive coverage of depression, stress and anxiety. Please visit his web page at:
http://www.yourlifefitness.com

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Understanding the Symptoms of Depression

2009-07-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Depression is characterized by two things: (1) a sudden drop or loss of interest on the daily activities including those that he or she once enjoyed, and (2) a depressed mood. If one of these two symptoms is present then it's fair to say that the person in question may be suffering from depression, whether they know it or not.

Meanwhile, there are other depression symptoms that may appear in the person

Irregular sleeping patterns: - A person is expected to sleep during the night for an average of 8 hours a day. However, this may not be possible for a person who is experiencing depression. Changes can be seen if the person is awake for the whole night or could not get enough sleep; he or she could not experience deep sleep and could not go back to sleep when awakened. Irregular sleeping patterns could also mean oversleeping or sleeping throughout the day and staying awake during the night. These irregular sleeping patterns are very common in depressed teens and children.

Loss/gain of appetite: - Some people, when depressed, cannot get the appetite to eat while others tend to gain an appetite particularly for sweets and carbohydrates. As a result, a person who is depressed can either gain or lose a significant amount of weight. Depression that is the result of relationship breakup, divorce, and loss of a relative can have these kinds of manifestations.

Irritability or agitation: - Simple things may cause people suffering from depression to become irritable and easily agitated.

Lack of concentration: - This symptom is more evident to children. A depressed child lacks concentration to focus on lessons. As a result, he or she performs poorly on classes. At home, children manifesting this symptom may appear lost in his or her personal world.

Lack of self-confidence: - This often leads to low self-esteem. As a consequence, the person will develop a fear of other people for no particular reason. He or she would see others as a threat to his or her security. As a consequence, this person will prefer to stay on their own rather than with a group. Depression would then intensify since this kind of isolation is never healthy. Their social skills become compromised and this can lead to future difficulties in forming relationships.

Periods of crying: - Given that a depressed person is sad, he or she could cry with no particular reason. For a depressed child, unreasonable tantrums may become very frequent.

Significant decrease in making love: - The loss of interest in sex and a reduction in libido is very common in someone dealing with depression.

Negative perception towards life and living: - A depressed person may see life as nothing but a waste of time. Some depressed people may even think of committing suicide. This feeling increases if the person thinks that everyone around him or her is against him.

Hopelessness: - When the view of the future is unclear, hopelessness sets in. A feeling that there is no reason to carry on living can grow out of this. This is by far one of the worst symptoms of depression and can cause great psychological damage.

Physical problems: - Emotional distress can cause several physical ailments. This will be more evident in teens and children. Headaches and body pains are more common. Other physical problems such as constipation, chest pain, muscle and joint pain, tiredness, and dizziness can be noticeable.

All these symptoms may be caused by other identifiable physical conditions. However, if 5 or more of these happen all in the same period of time; it seems very clear that the person in question is suffering badly with depression.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Bipolar Disorder Is More Than Just Mood Swings

2009-07-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

During the course of our lives, we all experience ups and downs. Some days we feel happy and care-free, while on other days we just can't shake the blues. While we may find these mood changes bothersome, they do not disrupt our lives.

In some people, more specifically those diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, mood changes are so drastic and severe that those suffering from the disorder often cannot function in the normal world. Once called Manic Depressive Disorder, the disease responsible for these drastic mood swings is now called Bipolar Disorder.

Those suffering from the disorder will fall into one of four subcategories of the disease. These subgroups include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

In order for a patient to be classified as Bipolar I, they must have experienced at least one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes. During a manic episode patients will experience an extremely elated or euphoric mood. Along with an elated mood, the patients will usually also have increase mental or physical abilities. They also require little sleep during these episodes.

That sounds great, right? So what's the problem? While the manic episodes can bring on an elated mood, those suffering a manic episode may also be suspicious or irritated, have a low attention span or be easily distracted. Worst yet, a deep depression can sometimes follow one of these elated periods.

During these periods of depression, the patient may feel unable to even get out of bed each day. These individuals may also suffer what is called a mixed episode. This is defined as a period of time when symptoms of mania and clinical depression can occur at the same time. Bipolar individuals are often most dangerous, sometimes to others but mostly to themselves, during this state as their moods are in constant flux and easily changed.

Of all four subcategories of Bipolar Disorder, more people are diagnosed with Bipolar II. In order to be diagnosed as suffering from Bipolar II, the patient must have suffered at least one hypomanic phase and one depressive phase. A hypomanic phase is similar to a manic phase, but is generally not as debilitating or destructive as the manic phase can be.

The third subgroup of Bipolar Disorder is the Cyclothymic Disorder. Bipolars in this subgroup often show signs of mood cycling from hypomania to depression but those around them usually accept the mood swings as a personality trait instead of a disorder. Also, the periods of depression do not meet all the criteria of a major depressive episode.

The fourth subcategory of this disorder is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS). This subgroup generally contains those who are suffering from some type of Bipolar Disorder, but do not fall into any of the above subcategories.

Bipolar Disorder is a disease of variations in mood. It can wreak havoc on the lives of those suffering with it and also those who must try to live and work with these people. There is help for those diagnosed with any form of Bipolar Disorder. Don't give up hope.

For more information on Bipolar, try visting http://www.bipolardetails.com - a website that specializes in providing bipolar related tips, advice and resources to include information on bBipolar Disorder.

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What are the Common Symptoms of Clinical Depression?

2009-07-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

Two of the most common symptoms of clinical depression are sadness (be it mild, moderate or severe) in the period of 2 weeks and anhedonia, or the condition wherein the person finds no pleasure on pleasurable activities such as eating, playing, socializing, and sexual interactions. However, these 2 symptoms are not the sole determinant if the person is suffering from clinical depression or not. There are several symptoms that need to be taken into great account. Knowing these will surely help the person recognize what he feels and perhaps be able to do something about it.

Here are the symptoms of clinical depression everybody should be conscious about:

1) Decrease of interest in the usual activities. Those activities that would normally bring great pleasure as detailed above.

2) Irregular sleeping patters. This covers Hypersomnia or excessive sleeping, loss of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and insomnia or lack of sleep. Clinical depression is physically evident in people who watch television throughout the night and sleep throughout the day. This can occur nearly every day. Having difficulty getting back to sleep with periods of disturbing dreams is also a sign of a change in sleeping pattern.

3) Appetite change, both loss and gain. Usually a person who suffers from clinical depression either gains or loses weight.

4) Guilt over things that are relatively beyond the patient's control such as getting sick. The feeling of worthlessness is also included. A person can also become upset or get too emotional on trivial little matters. There is a small tendency that a person who is clinically depressed can be suicidal. This tendency can grow if the illness is mishandled or if the person has not been given enough medical attention. A depressed person with suicidal tendencies can feel that life is not worth living.

5) Lack of concentration on tasks and the inability to think logically with evidence of indecisiveness on things both significant and less significant. This may be observed by other people or by the sufferer him/herself.

6) Exhaustion from physical activities. Exercise, work, and even walking can cause a clinically depressed person to get exhausted easily.

7) Irritability and short-temperedness is one of the clearer signs of a person suffering from clinical depression.

8) Periods of sobbing with no apparent reason at all.

9) Lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem are other symptoms that can trigger depression or the effects/signs of depression.

10) Occasional feelings of anxiety.

11) Negative perception of the future or loss of hope over things.

Other signs of clinical depression that can be observed:

12) Sensitivity to everyday noise

13) Behavioral changes over a short period of time (irritability and/or aggression)

14) Inattention to hygiene

Children may seem to look normal where in fact they are not. The following are significant symptoms that children may display:

1) Irritability

2) Aggression, social isolation, withdrawal and other behavioral changes

3) Lack of concentration in school and at home

4) Sleeping problems that include nightmares

5) Loss of appetite that may lead to irregular weight loss

All of these symptoms may appear on a single person. However, clinical depression can already be determined it the person has shown at least 5 of the mentioned symptoms. Once you or a person you know shows some of these signs, there are people you can go to. Treatments may include psychotherapy, medication and electroconvulsive or ETC. But be sure to talk to a qualified therapist or doctor first of all.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Teen Depression: Is There A Hopeful Outlook?

2009-07-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Teen depression strikes one in five children. This is a very frightening number. Depression is anything but a good thing. It happens to anyone, in any lifestyle, in any income range. Most of the time, it will not be noticed until it becomes a large problem. This should be the most sobering of all news about this epidemic. Yet, one thing that is hopeful about teen depression is that more and more individuals are learning about it and in this area of health, knowledge is power.

Tips To Noticing Depression In Teens

Teens are typically quite unpredictable, but when it comes to their health parents as well as friends should keep an eye out for these things and other things such as:

* Sudden changes in their mood, appetite or weight can be indications of depression. While these things can also be something that is attributed to just being an adolescent, when it is coupled with other conditions, it should be taken note of.

* A loss of interest in doing the things that they used to love to do can be depression. Now, this is not necessarily something from their childhood, but something within the past few months. Perhaps they enjoyed horseback riding and just stopped doing it within the last months.

* Traumatic situations can cause teen depression to come on fast. For example, divorce or separation of their parents, death, economic changes, or even just friendship and significant other changes. Often, teens blame themselves for these conditions.

* A lack of emotion is a sign that something is definitely wrong. If they do not seem happy any more, for any reason, there may or may not be something bothering them. Depression doesn't have to be brought on by something, it can just be there.

* Pulling away from family, friends and from school is something many teens with depression find themselves doing. They just withdraw into their own world. This is not normal teen behavior but a serious condition.

One thing that must be said about teen depression is that this is a serious, life threatening condition and one in which help should be sought for as soon as possible. There are many tragic stories of young teens harming themselves because they are suffering from depression and no one took notice.

Finally, on the good note, those teens that do get treatment for the depression that they are experiencing can actually recover quickly and completely from it and get back into doing the things they love to do. Talk to your doctor if you feel that you have been in any of these conditions or you know someone that is. They can determine what is happening and get life back on track for you.

So learn more about teen depression and depression in general and get help now or help a friend in need.

Sandy Baker is a well respected writer and recommends visiting http://www.avoiddepression.com to learn more about teen depression, as this is a major issue affecting most teens.

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What is Manic Depression?

2009-07-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a kind of mental or mood disorder that is characterized by an extreme shift of one's mood in a period of time. The shift of mood can be from an overly low feeling or depression into extremely high emotion. The change from mania to depression or depression to mania is called an episode.

Episodes of depression or mania vary from person to person. One episode can last for a few days to several weeks or months before changing into another emotion. Sometimes the emotional transition doesn't immediately follow after an episode (depression or manic); sometimes, transition can happen after a few weeks, months or years.

There are people who can experience predictable emotional patterns; and likewise there are some who do not.

A study made in 1973 revealed that among 400 patients observed with manic-depressive episodes, only 2 did not experience recurrence. Meanwhile, some studies revealed that Lithium reduced the risk of recurrence by about 75 percent.

In general, a person can recover from bipolar disorder without undergoing treatment; however, a person can recover more quickly if treatment is given.

There are 4 types of bipolar disorder according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Each has its own characteristics and each is used to diagnose the level of damage that the illness inflicts to the person as well as the kind of treatment to be applied:

1) Bipolar I requires the person to experience at least one or more mixed or manic episodes. The Bipolar I patient is not necessarily depressed, although, many who are diagnosed with this category suffer from depression as well.
2) Bipolar II is characterized by one or more episodes of severe depression and hypomania. Hypomania's presence is merely to establish the bipolar condition from unipolar depression. (There are criteria to determine if the person is experiencing hypomania.)
3) Cyclothymia. To determine if the patient is suffering from this kind of depression, he or she must have several episodes of hypomamia, combined with several episodes of depression (without reaching the full criteria of clinical depression).
4) Bipolar Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). The patient should not fall on any of the 3 criteria given above but still showing some signs of bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of depression include severe sadness that results in crying and tearfulness, isolation and boredom, sensitivity to negative feedback and rejection, lack of concentration, anger and irritability. They may also experience pessimism and hopelessness, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, physical pain such as headaches, back pain, muscle and joint pains, problems with the digestive system and lethargy, restlessness, a lack of self-confidence that could be the cause of low self-esteem and thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of mania include excessive anger over simple things, quick thinking and association of things that may or may not be related to one another which can lead to poor judgment. A significant change in physical energy, extreme irritability, change of mood from normal to extreme, overreacting to stimuli, and high levels of mania (including aggression, hostility, irritability, sexual drive, paranoia, volatility, and psychosis),

There is no particular cure for bipolar disorder that is why it is so important to know its types and symptoms because armed with that knowledge, it can be managed properly. The emphasis however is to treat the emerging symptoms and prevent the further damage through psychotherapeutic and pharmacological techniques.

Find more info about manic depression at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Pros and Cons of Taking Medication for Manic Depression

2009-07-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

Medication is not usually used as a first line of defense against manic depression. Often, the patient has to undergo psychotherapy before the doctor will finally decide if he or she needs to take antidepressants. The reason for this is that the effects of these medications can differ from patient to patient. And these effects can either be beneficial or, sometimes, fatal to patients.

Of course, the medications for manic depression are designed to cure the patient suffering from it. However, since it is a mental illness, it cannot be avoided that other patients would react negatively to the drug while others find the drug relatively helpful.

Manic depression occurs when there is an imbalance with the neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that control the functions of the brain. When there is an imbalance among these neurotransmitters, either mania or depression occurs.

From here, let us discuss the pros and cons of manic depression medications:

At present, there are 4 groups of antidepressants:

1) SSRIs or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
2) MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
3) TCAs or Tricyclic
4) Lithium carbonates

SSRIs are antidepressants that fix the serotonin levels of the brain. Popular SSRIs are sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac) citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro).

There are new SSRIs, the nefazodone (Serzone) and the venlafaxine (Effexor) that work not only to fix the serotonin levels of the brain but also another neurotransmitter, particularly the norepinephrine. Another antidepressant, the bupropion (Wellbutrin), affects dopamine and norepinephrine, more than the serotonin.

MAOIs or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (phenelzine and tranylcypromine) inhibit the MOI (an enzyme works to break down certain neurotransmitters) at the same time reinstate the normal mood of the patient.

TCAs or Tricyclic antidepressants relieve depression by maintaining the right amount of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Popular tricyclic antidepressants are despiramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine and Trofanil), amitriptyline (Elavil), and nortryptyline (Pamelor)

Lithobid and Eskalith are Lithium carbonates that reduce the excessive activity of the brain.

Other antimanic medications include carbamazepine (Tegretol), divalproex sodium (Depakote), and lithium citrate (Cibalith-S).

All these, of course, are created for the benefit of the patient suffering from manic depression, especially the episodes of depression. However, since they are drugs, the effects may not be as desirable as they have to be; because, there are several patients that experience several side effects in taking these drugs.

Side effects could range from hair loss, motor problems, weight gain, headaches, tremor, diarrhea, anxiety, reduced sexual performance or drive, nausea, to dry mouth depending on what type of medication is given.

The occurrences of these side effects still depend on each patient. Some can claim that they experience at least one of the mentioned side effects while others can experience two or more. It should be noted that these are unavoidable but if the patient thinks that the medication he or she is taking gives more harm than good, the choice to continue now depends on him or her with the advice of his or her doctor.

As a precautionary measure, the patient should consult an expert psychiatrist or a qualified doctor with experience of handling cases of manic depression. Alternatively, ask for other types of treatment that may work more effectively like alternative medicines, psychotherapy, or for the worst cases of manic depression - electroconvulsive therapy.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Depression: What's That Cloud Over Your Head?

2009-07-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

I'm 53 years old. It was only two years ago that I finally beat the depression in my life. Gone. Done. Nadda. But, as one who spent 51 years of my life feeling blue, exhausted, not worth much, unproductive, and with a kind of numbness around relationships, I have a fairly clear picture of what this kind of life is like, and how to get out of it.

A reader recently asked: "My whole life has pretty much been one bad experience after another. There have been good moments, but I am always dealing with some kind of bad stuff. Whether it be home, work, relationships - you name it - always something bad to deal with. How do I get rid of the cloud that hangs over my head?"

This experience is far more common that you might think. And, if this is your personal experience in life, you probably think that you're just about the only one. I assure you that you aren't, and that you're not crazy, and that with a whole lot of personal work on yourself life can be quite the incredible journey. Remember, I know personally of what I speak.

What I Learned About How This Gets Started

Simply put, for most of us the Cloud gets started in early childhood. We face painful experiences from poor parenting, abusive people around us, or some kind of loss that could not have been prevented by the best of intentions.

At this very tender young age we form coping behaviors to deal with the pain and fear. If you think of your earliest life memories, they probably represent something of how you believe the world and you to be. You could have chosen many different things to remember, but you somehow chose to remember just these particular memories. That is significant.

For instance, my earliest memories are of making mistakes of some kind. My belief was that I'm some kind of a "screw up."

Once we have these early beliefs, an incredible, but terrible thing occurs. Our brains start looking for evidence that supports these beliefs, and discounts the evidence that would contridict them. I've always been able to identify how I "screw up" but rairly could claim my true abilities and giftedness.

If you're stuck on how illogical this seems, please realize that we're not very conscious creatures. We're only 10% consciously aware. The other 90% is unconscious and runs on some fairly primitive programs that are very, very connected to the fight or flight response.

So, to keep this short, the summary is: We create distorted beliefs early in life to explain things and to protect ourselves in some way, and then as adults we either interpret the events in our lives in these negative ways, or we may even create events to match our expectations.

Take my word for it, you've got to read books on this simple idea to really understand how deep and persistent it is.

What I Learned To Do About It

This is the tough part. What worked for me will not exactly work for you. You developed your own particular storyline along these broad guidelines. This is where it helps to have a therapist, coach or mentor at your side. Your recovery needs to be tailored to you.

But, for what it is worth, here's a quickie version of my Cloud story.

1. For years I believed that if I just found the right environment "outside" of myself that I would feel better. This meant finding the right friends, the right food, the right job, the right vehicle, the next enticing thing, or even insisting that people around me behave in certain ways.

It didn't work. The problem came from inside me, not from the outside.

2. I tried traditional therapy. It helped a little. But mostly the guy just listened and stared at me. Big deal.

3. In my counseling training, I fortunately found a supervisor that really cared about me and started me on the road to caring about myself. At least, to the degree that I could at that time. This was the real start of my journey.

If you don't find this in your first therapist, keep looking!

4. I hit a really down time and decided that I needed to try anti-depressant medication. Even though I had referred many people for medication, I still had trouble with the stigma attached to such drugs. But I did it anyway.

It was Incredible! It was as though I had been color blind and could now see in color for the first time in my life! I walked around amazed that most other people felt this way most of the time.

And, it made for wonder in my marriage. No longer was I irritable all the time. I regretted all the years my spouse had to put up with me that old way!

That was over 10 years ago. As with so many, the first couple of good years didn't last. Anti-depressant "poop-out" syndrome occurred repeatedly. I tried many other medications along the way.

5. About 6 years ago I took up meditation. That's a challenging discipline for somebody with ADD! I credit meditation as breaking loose some of the blocks so that later success could come my way.

Several years ago I tried writing daily affirmations to myself as so many success gurus suggest. This helped in many other areas of my life, but the Cloud was still there.

6. Finally, I asked spiritually for the removal of the Cloud. Two months later I had the experience that enlightened me. I saw deep within me how I create the feelings, and therefore, how I can control them. This was nothing I hadn't known consciously before, but now I knew it deep, deep within me in an unconscious place I cannot even describe.

You'd think that having been a pastor or a pastoral counselor for over 20 years that this would have been my first step. But I think it took all the other steps to get me into position for the final magic to work. I don't believe there is a quick fix for any of us.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is a spiritual journey. To follow the metaphor, the Cloud is blocking the Light from our lives, and it is a rediscovery of this Light that enables our choice to remove the Cloud each time it reappears.

The Cloud does reappear. Once we have this old programming that believes things to be a certain way, it tries to come out from time to time. But we get better and better at putting it away and making the choice to see the wonder all around us and especially the wonder within us.

Once in a while we get a quick push, as I did two years ago, but mostly it is a slow dawning of letting a little more Light in each day.

And, did I mention there's no quick fix? You'd best find that counselor, mentor, or coach right now!

Steve Roberts, "The Couples Guy," is an experienced Marriage and Family Therapist who shares tips and real life relationship secrets from over 20 years of practice. Get Insight and Wisdom for your Relationships at: http://www.whatworksforcouples.com/

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Bipolar Disorder: Which Treatment is Right for You?

2009-07-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that imposes a great deal of danger to its sufferers. The exact cause or reasons why it happens are still unknown to experts, but treatments come in a wide variety: psychotherapy, medication, alternative treatments, electroconvulsive therapy, and light therapy.

Each has its own effects (good or bad) and the effect would vary from patient to patient.

Clearly, then, there isn't one single treatment that can be recommended to everybody. This is because one particular treatment may be effective for one person but not for another. And it is wrong therefore to say that the same treatment that took effect on one person will also be effective to everyone.

The reason for this is that "bipolar disorder" is a collective term to describe a mental condition with distinct characteristics. And the effects and symptoms of this mental condition vary from person to person; as does the patient's response to a particular treatment.

Bipolar disorder is associated with chemical imbalance in the brain; and since there are several chemicals called neurotransmitters inside the brain, each person suffering from bipolar has a particular neurotransmitter or neurotransmitters that need to be normalized.

One treatment can cure a particular neurotransmitter(s) but not all treatments work the same.

The most common mode of treatment is psychotherapy or "talk" therapy. This treatment is given to those with mild to moderate bipolar disorder. Often, psychotherapy is combined with antidepressant medications depending on the particular patient. This method is widely used, widely accepted, and has been proven effective.

However, there are treatments that only work for a particular patient. Just like the Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment works by changing the biochemical compositions of the brain through waves of electric current. It is often used as a last mode of treatment for patients who do not respond to medications and psychotherapy.

This case also applies to antidepressants. There are several antidepressants but each will only work for a particular bipolar disorder case. For example, in one particular medication such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), there are several antidepressants that target the serotonin while others target the serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Prozac, Celexa, and Paxil are some SSRIs that act mainly on the serotonin. Newer antidepressants such as (Effexor) venlafaxine and Serzone (nefazodone) act on the serotonin and norepinephrine.

The SSRIs are a form of antidepressant medication that cannot be applied to patients who need MAO treatment. MAO is an enzyme that breaks down certain brain chemicals. Instead of SSRIs, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors are applied. Same thing goes if the patient needs an antidepressant that reduces the excessive activity of the brain. Here, the Lithium is what the patient needs.

Knowing the right treatment for bipolar disorder is not the same as knowing the right treatment for a certain physical illness. Bipolar disorder is a very delicate mental illness that needs to be treated immediately and accurately once diagnosed. It is not something that would go away after a matter of time. Dealing with bipolar disorder is both stressful and difficult to the patient as well as the family members, making sure that it is treated correctly must be the top priority. And to be able to do this, the patient must consult a psychiatrist or a qualified doctor with expertise on bipolar disorder cases the very moment he or she has been given its signs.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Bipolar Disorder and the Result of Self-Injury

2009-07-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that can result in self-mutilation or self-injury. The mere thought is alarming enough but the reality is even more so since this disease can result in suicide.

Since bipolar disorder affects the normal functions of the brain, the patient can perform uncontrollable acts that are often considered as unhealthy or even fatal. This is due to the episodes of mania and depression which can lead the patient to react strongly over the simplest of things.

Sadness that is caused by disappointments can lead to self-mutilation. A patient that feels guilt over something can cause him or her to blame themselves. This often leads to self-punishment that usually comes in the form of self-injury.

Here are some of the most common acts of self-injury related to bipolar disorder:

Cutting of the Sufferer's Own Skin

This often happens in an episode of severe depression, and there are many reasons why the patient does this. One is the feeling of guilt over a certain event that happened recently or even years back. A breakup with a boyfriend or a girlfriend perhaps, or, if the stress is so intense then the person's only resort is to divert it into physical pain. Another reason could be for mere pleasure. The episode of mania causes the patient to have excessive energy and forcing it out through self-injury is one way to prove it.

Meanwhile, cutting can also be recognized as a plea for help. Since a patient with bipolar disorder is often neglected and left unnoticed, he or she creates a venue where other people can notice him or her, this time through self-injury.

Inappropriate Clothing

Another way to punish one self is by wearing inappropriate clothing for a particular season or climate. One reason why a patient wears thick clothing during warm weather is to conceal an object or possible even just themselves, shielding them from the world.

Body Piercing & Tattoos

In some cultures, piercing and tattooing are forms of spiritual conversion. Other people on the other hand consider these acts as self-expression. While these reasons are widely acceptable to many, piercing and tattooing can still be considered as ways of injuring one's self. Sometimes, these self-mutilations (others call it transformation) become so addictive and so uncontrollable that they become two entirely different problems.

Reenactment of a Previously Painful Experience

A patient with one or more painful experiences of abuse who is suffering from bipolar disorder can reenact those times if they remain unprocessed or untreated. There are two possible reasons why a person does this: one is to let others know that they are still hurting, and the other is to let him or her experience the pain all over again as a gesture of guilt and unforgiveness.

As was mentioned earlier, these acts are clear manifestations of the intention to harm and can lead to suicide. Recognizing these acts, therefore, can save the patient's life. If you know someone who is depressed and does this, carefully approach the patient and suggest that he or she should consult a psychiatrist. If in case you are the one who is practicing these acts, recognize your condition and seek psychological treatment immediately.

Find more info about bipolar disorder diagnoses at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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Do You Think You Are Prey To Depression? Take A Self Depression Test And Find Out

2009-07-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

We all have our blues and we all know that when we go down, we will also bounce back sooner or later. The normal blues are sometimes triggered by something that someone said, or something that you thought, or something that you feared - and sometimes the blues come really out of the blue, without any explanation, without any warning, rhyme or reason. At these times, the best you can do is hang on in there and wait for the blizzard to wear off.

How Do You Know You Are Suffering From Depression Or Not?

Sometimes you are unable to climb out from the pits for a long time; sometimes you climb a little only to slip further back and sometimes you find yourself more in than out. When and how will you know whether you are suffering from depression or not? There are some simple self depression tests that will tell you clearly whether what you are suffering from is depression or just plain blues. This is what you have to look for:

1. Are you feeling totally withdrawn from the regular pleasures of life? This is a very accurate self depression test - try out something that you know is supposed to give extremely pleasure (such as your favorite hobby, your favorite movie, shopping, etc) and if you find that it leaves you unmoved, then this is a sign that this is depression.

2. Are you forgetting an awful lot of things with no recollection at all even afterwards? Depression causes hiccups in your memory and you will find that certain things are totally wiped out from your memory, leaving you totally baffled. This is another point from the self depression test which gives a very accurate indication.

3. Do you find that you cannot sleep at all or very little during the night? Check out carefully about why you are not able to sleep at night. Is it because you are drinking coffee or some similar stimulants or do you not really have any logical reasons for it? In case you do not have an answer for it, then the self depression test will give you another clue about your state.

4. Do you find that you have lost your appetite? Sometimes, not wanting to eat or not feeling like eating is normal. However, if you turn nauseous even when you are served with your favorite dish, then the self depression test is confirming depression.

If you have one or more of these questions answered with 'yes' then you are suffering from depression. Get hold of yourself and get professional help!

Eddie Lamb provides an abundance of vital information on a range of health topics. We believe a better understanding of your disorder can help reduce unnecessary anxiety. You'll find a host of useful articles all about depression listed on our site map page at http://www.SelfDepression.com

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Problems with Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis that should be avoided

2009-07-03T04:46:00.000-07:00

Currently, there is no laboratory or medical test that would give a straightforward conclusion that a person is suffering from bipolar disorder. This makes it difficult to determine if the symptoms (associated with bipolar disorder) that are present to him or her are indeed signs of this mental illness. Meanwhile, it is very important to detect whether or not this person really has bipolar disorder to provide the right treatment.

Furthermore, the symptoms that could be clear indications of bipolar disorder can be related to other identifiable physical or psychological illness. This makes it more difficult to give treatment since the focus is to give relief to the existing physical pain; rather than identifying if the patient is suffering from any psychological problem. And to complicate these things even further, a person who shows physical signs of bipolar disorder goes to medical doctors rather than a psychiatrist.

Therefore, bipolar disorder often remains unknown until it is too late to give treatment.

But this does not end here. There are other factors that cause problems in diagnosing bipolar disorder. These are:

Doctors' Dissimilar Opinions

There is an internationally accepted and standardized way to diagnose a patient whether he or she has bipolar disorder or not. The problem is, many therapists do not follow it. The result would be this: one patient can get several diagnoses from each therapist. The DSM-IV or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Revision, by the American Psychiatric Association is an internationally accepted standard for psychiatric diagnosis.

Self-denial on the part of the patient

Since there is a negative notion about mental illness, people are likely to deny their condition to escape from criticisms and discrimination. The result is, instead of seeking for immediate diagnosis on the onset of the illness, the patient prefers to keep it to him or herself. And if this happens, the effects could be far worse than previously imagined.

Misdiagnosis

When people are ill, they go to the doctor for treatment and obviously this is generally a good idea. However, there are physical illnesses that are not related to any disease or physical conditions. Some medical doctors are limited to treating medical and physical conditions. They are not qualified to diagnose if the medical and physical conditions are caused by psychological illness. And since the patient complains about a certain physical pain, the treatment given is that which corresponds to the complaints. In other words they're treating the symptoms and not the source of the problem.

In addition, psychological symptoms of bipolar disorder can also be associated with other psychological illnesses. These might be psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder) substance-induced mood disorder, major depressive disorder, mood disorder due to a general medical condition.

With all these problems hindering a person - to know of his exact psychological condition, it is important to recognize his condition, accept that he needs help, and seek out a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist who is experienced with this kind of case. In this way, bipolar disorder can be managed properly and the effects would be minimized.

Read more articles about Adult Clinical Depression from the author Matthew OConnor at http://www.helpmydepression.info

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How To Love And Live With Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder

2009-07-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Giving unconditional love for Bipolar disorder patients is a tough job. It is not easy to express love when you are being turned away from, disrespected or even ill-treated. It is never easy to lend a hand to those who think grandiosely of himself. Most importantly, it is never simple to care and understand someone who has disorganized thoughts and feelings.

In-depth understanding of the illness is the primary aspect you need to undertake. If you do not understand what is happening to your loved one, then you will have difficulty relating to them.

After you have gone through the understanding and assessing specifics of Bipolar disorder of your loved one, then it is time to devise a plan wherein you should workout the problems.

You need to recognize symptoms.

It is not the fault of your loved one why he is inflicted with Bipolar disorder that is the one thing you should take into account. He does not have control of his actions or of his feelings.

You need learn to recognize the many symptoms of Bipolar disorder. Does he have sleeping problems? Why is he getting too much or too little sleep?

It is important to observe his moods, his actions and the way he relates to people. Jot it down so you know when and where it occurred so you have a basis to present.

When you perceive that the symptoms can be most likely Bipolar disorder, do not be embarrassed.

Do not think of the illness as humiliation.

To love someone knows no illness. Bipolar disorder is not an illness where you should cast off or put your loved one into shame. This type of disorder can be treated just like any other diseases.

If you will feel ashamed of your loved one because he is inflicted with such illness, then you are not helping him restore his good health, instead you are letting him do worse than expected.

Build trust.

Trust is essential to individuals with Bipolar disorder. They need you to trust them, not entrust them to other people or institutions such as the psychiatrists or an asylum.

There will be times that you will feel that you cannot deal with your loved one anymore that you will be tempted to call the doctor for him to be fetched because you do not want to take care of them. Never let them hear you say those words because it will just aggravate the situation.

To build up trust, an open and honest communication is needed.

Keep the communication line open.

Once you acknowledged the symptoms, and then ask yourself what you can do. However thinking of good ways to help your loved ones is not always the best way. You may think it is good but it may not really be helpful to the patient. Hence, it is needed that you communicate with the patient.

An open and honest communication is vital. Encourage your loved one to talk about what he thinks and feels. Let him suggest ways on how you are supposed to relate to him.

Do not suppress what you feel. However, there are positive ways to let your loved know how you feel. It is recommended that you avoid nagging, preaching or lecturing an individual with Bipolar disorder. Such negative actions will drive him to detach. If you are concerned about him, let him see how concerned you are in a gentle and encouraging manner.

Let him do his way.

Family members or friends usually ends up wanting to serve his loved one afflicted with Bipolar disorder. You begin to do every work he intends to do. You start to make things he is supposed to construct. Do not do such things.

Along with trust and communication, let the person experience what he can do for himself. Let him solve problems he can find solutions. Let him live the way he is supposed to live. By that, he will feel that he is important and has a good reason why he lives.

Be there.

Although you allow him to do his own way, it does not mean that you will not be there when he needs you to. Let him do his way but make sure that you are around to give assistance when needed.

Most importantly, apart from assistance, you need to offer your love, understanding and support.

Scott Shurian has written extensively on the subject of Bipolar disorder. Scott's father suffers from Bipolar disorder, and he has spent a lifetime of research, trial, and error before starting a new website with his solutions for Bipolar disorder - http://www.bipolardisorderuncovered.net/

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