Depression Rescue

By Frans Nieuwenhuis

Men are not like women. Yes, I know that this is stunning news. Alert the media! It’s true though; men are different from women in more ways than one would normally think. Due to their differences they are more vulnerable to some serious side effects of depression.

‘Vulnerable’ isn’t a word that’s often associated with males and that’s part of the problem.
Men, as a rule, do not talk about their feelings. They don’t like to be thought of as vulnerable, weak, in need of help, or fragile. A man is much less likely to confide in a friend, a co-worker, spouse or medical professional that they are feeling depressed.

Depression affects men as well as women, yet the medical profession sees much fewer men than women because men do not seek help for this condition as much as their female counterparts do.
Men feel the need to be powerful, in control, competitive and often neglect their mental health in the process of being ‘manly’.

Men have traditionally had the role of being tough and self-reliant, and sometimes the women in their lives hold that same view of the male role. A man wanting to talk about his feelings of vulnerability and fragility can be taken as a sign of weakness to some women and this can result in the loss of a relationship.

Because men are not inclined to believe they need help and think that it’s a sign of virility that they can handle whatever life throws their way-they are not often aware of the symptoms of depression. Instead of seeking help, men may try to compensate for their feelings of depression by increasing alcohol consumption or using drugs to mask their pain. This can result in risky behavior.

Some will spend more time at work and less time at home, leading to problems in relationships. If you’re suffering from depression you may be underperforming at work, feel less likely to talk than usual, you feel irritable, feel achy and you are worrying more and more about things in your life.

Physical problems, such as erectile dysfunction can result in depression in men. Occasionally depression can cause sexual problems, but the good news is that there are many treatments available to help with both.

Men should know that depression can affect them as well as women and need to know the signs:

Feelings of hopelessness
Loss of appetite
Anxiety
Loss of sex drive
Trouble concentrating
Loss of energy
No desire to maintain personal hygiene
Losing interest in people or activities

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms it’s ok to talk to your doctor. You’re not superman. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak.

Frans Nieuwenhuis is the author of this article. For more information and articles about [http://www.treatmentsdepression.com/blog/causes-of-depression-in-teens/]depression in teens go to http://www.treatmentsdepression.com/blog/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frans_Nieuwenhuis http://EzineArticles.com/?Depression-in-Men—Its-Different-For-Men&id=1309031

Tags: depression, depression in men

by Stephen Lau

Hormones form the biochemical basis of major depression. Estrogen, a female hormone produced in the ovaries, plays a pivotal role in your brain in that it increases the amount of mood-regulating neurotransmiiters, whose malfunction often triggers depression in an individual. Neurotransmission is the process by which brain chemical impulses are transmitted from one brain cell (neuron) to another. Scientists have identified norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine as some of the essential brain chemicals requisite for brain health. Mood disorder, including depression and manic depression (also known as bipolar depression), result from an imbalance or deficiency of transmitters to make the right connection between the brain cells. Estrogen increases the ability of neurons for optimum connection or communication within the brain.

In addition, estrogen plays a critical role in the proper flow of blood to different parts of the brain, thereby instrumental in optimizing emotion, memory, and cognitive functions.

Research scientists have conducted various studies, which have indicated the impact of estrogen on the brain with respect to memory function and postmenopausal women.

Prior to the actual onset of menopause, estrogen level in women significantly decreases as much as 50 to 75 percent.

This may explain why women not only experience depression twice as much as men do but also are two times more likely to be hospitalized in their lifetimes. This discrepancy has little to do with the fact that women seek psychiatric help more frequently than men do, or the fact that women are more stressed out than men are.

If hormones have everything to do with depression, then women’s depressive episodes are hormonal.

According to studies, approximately 35 percent of women have mild premenstrual physical and depressive symptoms due to the rapid decline in estrogen level.

Following pregnancy, women also experience a drastic decline in estrogen level. Consequently, 50 to 70 percent women experience postpartum depression within the first 10 days following delivery, and approximately 10 percent may suffer a major depression. According to a study, more than 60 percent with postpartum depression may develop depression later in life.

During menopause and perimenopause, women’s dramatic decline in estrogen level makes them more vulnerable to extreme mood swings. Many studies attest to the close link between estrogen and mood swings.

Hormonal fluctuations in both women and men account for their aberrations in their thinking, behavior, moods, and their sexuality, expressed in the symptoms of depression. It should be noted that decline in testosterone (male hormone) may also result in male aggressive behavior

The crucial question is: Given its close connection with depression, is estrogen an antidepressant?

An NIH (National Institutes of Health) study on the role of estrogen as an antidepressant indicated that women patients receiving high-dose estrogen experienced significant improvement in their symptoms of depression. In addition, their improvement sustained beyond the study period.  Scientists have to believe that estrogen and other hormones may benefit those patients with treatment-resistant depression. The rational is based on the assumption that antidepressants may only boost the “level” of neurotransmitters but without enhancing the “quality” of those transmitters, and therefore may not be efficacious in treating some depression, especially those with low estrogen and testosterone levels.

Studies have also indicated that patients suffering from anxiety, another mood-related disorder attributed to peri- and postmenopausal depression. Symptoms of anxiety, such as dry mouth, waking up in the middle of the night short of breath, excessive sweating,  and nausea, can be relieved with estrogen treatment.

Other hormones that may play havoc with depression are testosterone and the thyroid hormone. Testosterone, which is responsible for energy and sexual function in women as well, has an antidepressant effect on the brain. Therefore, a decline in testosterone may precipitate depressive episodes. Disorder in the thyroid hormone may produce paranoid delusions in patients suffering from bipolar depression.

Of course, mental illness is a complex disease that involves many factors other than just the hormones. The disorder can be due to genetic factors making one susceptible to depression, the unhealthy or wayward lifestyle, the nutrition deficiency, the environmental toxins, and distorted thinking, among others. It is important to identify the cause or causes, and design proper treatment for this debilitating disorder affecting more than 15 American adults.

Copyright (c) 2007 Stephen Lau

Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing synopses of medical research for scientists. His publications include “NO MIRACLE CURES” a book on healing and wellness. He has also created several websites, including “Longevity For You” , “A Healthy Lifestyle Is The Way Of Zen” and “Chinese Natural Healing For Health Rejuvenation.”

http://www.longevityforyou.com

http://www.zenhealthylifestyle.com

http://www.chinesenaturalhealing.com

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Hormones-And-Your-Depression/311021

Tags: bipolar depression, depression, estrogen, hormones, neurotransmitters, testosterone

by Franchis

It is a well-known fact that subliminal messages are real, in fact, I use them to help individuals re-program their minds when they have been infected by what I call negative mental viruses and imprints. Imprints actually begin long before we become aware of them, and actually they begin when we are in our mother’s womb.

We won’t be speaking here about genetic imprinting, but rather about subliminal mind messaging. This happens at incredibly fast speeds as images and words are being flashed infront of your eyes at milisecond speeds undectable to the human eyes. Although the eyes cannot see the messages, or process them within the conscious mind, the subconscious mind picks them up and retains them.

So imagine you are sitting infront of the television set, or you walk into a store, get on an elevator, drive your car, go to a movie; you are being bombarded with subliminal messages over and over and over again. It could be thoughts that make you hungry, or angry, or give you a catalyst to “act” in some way contrary to your normal behavior pattern or demeanor. Or it can be inaudible whisper messages in audible programs. There are subliminal tape machines that professionals use to process self-improvement tapes, and these are also used in mass media productions. There are skeptics that will not believe this, but nonetheless it is true. Certainly there are laws in place that restrict the inappropriate use of such techniques, but who would know??? People do not have to believe in subliminal messages in order to be affected by them. It takes no effort. Subliminal messages are absorbed both through the eyes and the ears.

Although these invisible and inaudible messages can destroy our willpower to one degree or another, they can also be used to enhance our lives. Subliminal messages can be used to change your daily life in ways that are unimaginable to the average person. These messages can be used to imprint a new and positive behavior, or mental attitude. Professional sports players and executives and other prominent people around the globe use subliminal message sequences and hypno-therapy to help reduce addictive behaviors, perfect a skill, or be better at giving a speech, retaining information and many other enhancements to their personal lives. Simple ideas like repeating positive affirmations are lower levels of subliminal imprinting. If you see an encouraing statement every day, it will eventually affect you.

You can better appreciate how subliminal messages work when you understand that the mind is like an iceberg, with 10% being the Conscious Mind and 90% being the Subconscious Mind. Any message that is not filtered out by the critical Conscious Mind slips into the uncritical Subconscious Mind and has a massive effect on attitude and behavior.

This is actually a wonderful discovery and one that can greatly benefit the majority of people. How wonderful to be able to improve one’s life without any effort. That’s right – it takes no effort on the part of the receiver. You can even program yourself by placing positive messages on your computer screen, along with positive images too. That silly stuff you have heard about placing million dollar bills and checks written to yourself for thousands of dollars in conspicuous places really works! Leave a few of those “million dollar” bills in your purse/wallet and in the kitchen and bedrom. It will eventually program your mind to be able to accept that amount more easily. You can program yourself by placing positive affirmations on the front screen of your phone and many places around your home. Imagine that every time you opened your computer and it had a wonderful message flashing such as “I am successful” “I make wise decisions” “I feel wonderful” “I only eat when I am truly hungry”—you get the idea!

Since I have successfully used subliminal custom tapes in therapy sessions with clients over the last twenty-odd years, I know that they work. Now that I am seeing clients again, you can come in for a visit, experience a subliminal positive messaging session with Sound & Light technology combination to improve your life. I will also be selling the Professional Quality Subliminal Tapes for personal use once again. I use only the foremost authority in the country’s tape/CD sets to help overcome specific life impasses.

It is worth the experience! Help yourself change your life today. You CAN overcome addictions, negative attitudes and habits that impact your life daily, absorb more when you read, have greater confidence, and achieve many of your life goals. Positive imprinting starts happening from the moment we are conceived and continues throughout our lives. TAKE CONTROL OF THE MOVIES IN YOUR MIND…make yourself THE STAR!!

If you are interested in supporting your body’s mental/emotional system, consider a Totally Well Supplement to help feed your body more of the elements it needs daily. Just click the Link at the top right of this main page. If you don’t see what you need on my list, call for a custom formula.

Wishing you every success physically, mentally and emotionally!

Read out Alzheimer’s treatment . Also check out for herbal remedies for anxiety and anxiety attacks

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Mind-Messaging-and-Subconscious-Mind/310899

Tags: mind messaging, subconscious mind

By Mary Betz

Migraine triggers and other causes of headaches can come from many sources. So often we are looking for just one thing that causes migraines and headaches when in reality it is a combination of many factors. The most frequent cause of headaches in general is stress, but all too often mood plays a large role.

Quite frankly, until you are able to recognize and accept this, you might not have much success in getting these headaches under control. The effects of lifestyle on headaches cannot be underestimated.

Depression and anxiety can greatly affect your headache profile and are recognized by headache experts as a migraine trigger. Now wait!! Before you dismiss the idea, up to 85% of all chronic pain sufferers have depression and/or anxiety to SOME degree. It’s almost like the chicken and the egg, which came first?

Pain and depression impact each other; the more pain, the more depressed you feel and then that makes the pain worse. If you have a headache, doesn’t crying or being upset make it worse? This is the anxiety fueling the headache. Along the same vein, if you have headaches or migraines on a regular basis, are missing school, work and family outings, you are bound to feel a bit depressed.

Too many times this is one of the most difficult concepts for people to get their minds to accept; that they may have some degree of depression which makes the pain more chronic and more severe. Don’t be too hard on yourself! The receptors and pathways for headache are similar and sometime the same as anxiety receptors in the brain.  Without getting in to a medical lecture when they are all firing off you have a headache and are anxious. One basically fuels the other.

Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Headaches

Just like treating the headache itself, it is important to realize that treating mood is multi-factorial. Counseling with a good psychologist is invaluable. The rule of thumb when getting counseling is to give it at least three visits to see if you and the counselor “mesh” so to speak. Not all patient/provider relationships are perfect.

Counseling will allow you to dump some of the stress, in addition to learning how to develop good coping skills for future life stressors. Try too, to develop a good social structure. Even if you can’t participate in activities that your friends may do (sports), you can still invite people to your place for a get together once a month or so.  Regular human social contact is a form of support and can help stave off depression.  In fact, more than 6 million women experience depression each year in the USA.

Many people disregard the recommendation to take medication for mood in the presence of headaches.  So many times people make this mistake and think there is something wrong with them if they accept the fact that they are anxious or depressed. Even MILD depression can make headaches worse. Many of todays medications can treat BOTH mood and headaches.

SSRI’s: This group of drugs are seratonin re-uptake inhibitors (what??). Seratonin is one of the natural “happy drugs” in the brain, but is taken up by nerve endings and recycled, so to speak. By slowing this process, you have more of it in the way you need it and feel happier. Side effects include weight gain, odd dreaming, mild episodic vertigo and rarely some of them can cause headaches to be worse. Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac and Paxil are all in this class. Paxil and Lexapro are excellent if you have more anxiety. If you are over the age of 60, you may need to start at a lower dose than normal.

TCA’S: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) are an older class of drugs that are NOT first line for depression. I mention them here because they are used in the treatment of headaches and can reduce headache pain.

CYMBALTA: Cymbalta is a drug that functions with two effects. Part of the drug is an SSRI but most of the drug functions on another pathway called norepinephrine. The end result is another brain chemical is boosted and you feel happier. It also has and effect of calming back pain in some patients.

Treatment of [http://www.headache-adviser.com/migraine-triggers.html]depression that is fueled by migraine involves treating not only the migraine but the also the mood. Until both sides of the problem are addressed, progress may be slow.

Mary K. Betz, MS RPA-C is a practicing Physician Assistant in neurology who specializes in headache medicine. For more information visit http://www.headache-adviser.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Betz http://EzineArticles.com/?Does-Depression-Cause-a-Migraine-Or-Does-a-Migraine-Cause-Depression?&id=1319637

Tags: chronic pain, depression, headache, migraine, mood disorder

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