Depression

Author: michael russell

Depression is a disorder of mind. In depression the brain chemistry gets affected. The common symptoms of depression are guilty feeling, sadness, suicidal thoughts, lack in concentration, loss in energy, loss of interest in life etc. If anyone observes these type of symptoms then he must go to a doctor for consultancy. The patient can be diagnosed in several ways depending upon his age and situation. He can be treated with allopathic medicines, by counseling etc. But a better method of diagnosing depression is also available. in this method the patient is treated with the help of supplements made from herbs which are present in nature. The advantage of using these supplements is that they have less number of side effects when compared with other modes of treatment of depression. This treatment is cheap in comparison to other treatments. The Herbal supplements which are generally used for the treatment of depression are;1. St. John's Wort: It can be taken in the form of capsules, tea, oil. It increases the production of dopamine(a kind of neurotransmitter) in the brain. This herbal supplement is very sensitive towards sunlight. So care should be taken while keeping this supplement. Proper exercises should be done during the course of time taking this supplement to reduce the chances of side effects. St. john's wort is available in different combinations . A few of them are:a. Lobelia /St.John's wort: Its chemical combination is very much similar to nicotine. But the main benefit associated with it is that it is non addictive in nature. The combination includes 0.5g hypericin with 0.5g of Lobelia. It is less expensive herbal supplement. It helps in boosting the respiratory system.It is generally used from getting rid of smoking habits which is a main cause of depression.b. Kudzu /St.John's wort: This composition contains 1g hypericin with 1g of diadzin. It is used for treating alcohol addiction which indirectly is a cause of depression.The other popular herbal supplements are Kava Kava, Sam-e, Ginseng etc.The herbal supplements boosts our:1. Immune system: These supplements generally boosts up our immune system. So you are able to fight with diseases whose after effect is in the form of depression.2. Brain: Many factors such as high blood pressure, anxiety etc. creates imperfections in our brain by affecting the chemical composition of brain. The use of herbal supplements provides optimum supply to the brain which helps in fighting against the unusual thoughts which leads to depression.Most of the companies marketed their Natural herbal supplements as the best one to get relief from Depression.


Factors And Symptoms Of Depression


Depression is described as the sad or irritable behavior of the individual that has greater intensity and duration. It is a common illness, but is very serious and common among the people. It is caused due to the imbalance of chemicals, called the neurotransmitters, which carry signals to brain and nerves for communication. There are various other factors, which cause depression among the human beings. An individual can be depressed due to his own eating habits and physical conditions or due to the environment in which he is living. The eating habits of the individual, family history, eating disorders, smoking, stress and physical conditions of the individual, the loss of the loved ones of the individual are the factors that lead to depression among the human beings. The other important factors that leads to depression are:1. Marital factor: If a person is happily married then chances of depression decreases.2. Age: People of old ages are more prone to depression.3. Heredity: If there is a family history then chances of depression increases.4. Gender: The depression is found more in women than in women . A study shows that twenty five percent of women are suffering from depression in comparison to twelve percent of man. The factors for this difference are:a. women are more sensitive than men.b. women are full of emotions.c. There is a frequent change in female hormones than in men.d. Women feel more stress than man as they have to play various roles like wife and mother simultaneously with their work at home and office. They find it difficult to manage.e. Men thinks that alcohol can provide them help to get rid of depression, but in reality it masks the depression. In comparison women are less addicted to alcohol.5.Previous Episodes: If a person has suffered from depression once before then there are more chances in that person to develop it again.There are many symptoms of depression that can be seen in an individual. If any individual comes across at east five or more of the above symptoms for more than two months, then it is a symptom of depression. These symptoms are as follows:Feeling sad or feeling like crying in children and irritation in adults.Loss of interest in performing routine workSudden gain or loss of weight of the individualNot being able to concentrate and take decisionsThe thoughts of death or suicideTemporary loss of memorySleeping and eating disordersPersistent pains, cramps and digestive problemsFatigue and loss of energyNatural Supplement have no side effects on the patient if they are clinically tested and they provide a complete treatment for depression as well as Anxiety.


Depression Treatment:

According to a survey today 50 to 60 percent of the world's population is suffering from depression. It is a situation in which a person feel loneliness and negative thoughts come in his mind. In general depression is the outcome of fast and hectic life in which a person has no tim e to care for his body. Because of depression a person can even think of committing suicide. So it must be treated as soon as possible.There are different types of treatments available to the individual based on the type of depression. If the depression is moderate, then talking therapy can be used. Talking therapy includes the following types of therapies:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy is based on changing the way of thinking of the individual because the way of thinking of the individual has major influence on the health of the individual. In this therapy, the individual is encouraged to think positively and stay away from stress and negative feelings.Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy is based on improving the relationship of the individuals with other people. The individuals are helped in improving the relationship and communication with other people.Counseling: This method of treating depression involves the guidance of individuals to solve the problems encountered daily in a different and more effective way.If the depression is severe. then antidepressants are used with talking therapy. But this type of treatment needs patience because doctor needs some time to try allow the possible antidepressants medicines and their combinations that best suits the patient. the doses of these antidepressant medicines are decided on the basis of patient's age. If a person is taking some other medicines along with antidepressants then he must tell about this to his doctor because they can cause side effects and these side effects can be so serious that the can take patients life.Antidepressants are the most common drugs used by the people suffering from depression. Antidepressants consists of different types of drugs such as SSRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs. Antidepressants may have some side effects or even may not prove effective on the first use. In such cases, the dose of the antidepressants should be changed.Other treatments of depression consist of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). VNS is the process of inserting device in the body of the individual in order to provide stimulation to the vagus nerve. In ECT, the individual is treated with the help of electrical pulses of short duration.


Different Types Of Depression:


There are different types of depressions based on its severity. The different types of depressions are as follows:Major depressive disorders: It is a major depression, which interrupts the person to perform his routine work. The symptoms of this type of depression are more. The individual suffering from major depression has high risk of suicidal attempts. There are two types of major depressive disorders, which are as follows:Melancholic depressionCatatonic depressionDysthymic disorder: It is also called the dysthmia. This type of depression is less severe and the person can able to perform his routine work. The symptoms of dysthemic depression can exist for more than 2 years.Bipolar disorder: It is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is caused as a result of change of temper from high to low and from low to high. Some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are as follows:Invincible belief in oneselfImpulsivityFast speech or extreme talkativenessPsychotic depression: It is a severe form of depression in which the individual may have hallucinations and hear and see things, which are actually not there.Seasonal affective disorder: This is a general type of depression which is associated with seasons. It is automatically after the passage of a particular season. For example in winter season the day gets shorter and due to which he feels more fatigue. But this is automatically treated when winter season passes away.Postpartum depression: This type of depression generally happens in women. It happens after pregnancy. During pregnancy the level of female hormones like progesterone and estrogen increases in the body. But after the birth of an infant child the hormonal level in females falls back at a very fast rate to acquire normal level. The doctor thinks that this rapid change in female hormonal level leads to depression symptoms. The symptoms includes headache, fast heart breathing, guilty feeling, no interest in friends and family, no interest in life, hopelessness, crying without any reason.Anxiety depressive disorder: It comprises of various mental problems such as panic disorder, social phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder. This is a very severe form of depression in which suicide rate increases. Psychotherapy is the best treatment for anxiety disorders.Typical Depression: This type of depression is generally found in women. The symptoms include oversleeping, overeating, panic attacks etc. This is not a very serious form of depression but still needs treatment.


Manage Stress By Enhancing Your Brain:


“Stress management” is a hot catchphrase in natural health these days. However, many people do not realize that effective stress management starts with brain enhancement. How a person thinks about themselves and their environment, and what they value, affects how they interpret a particular situation. If they interpret it as stressful or dangerous, their brains send signals to their bodies to create a “fight or flight” stress response. Getting this process under control can make a huge difference in people’s overall level of stress.Much advice has been given about how to think positively. One can repeat positive mantras or look for a silver lining in a difficult situation. Aerobic exercise, which sends oxygenated blood and endorphins to the brain, can also help the brain become more positive. It is also well-documented that deep abdominal breathing and stretching can create a calm mind that is resistant to negative thoughts and stress.However, according to Ilchi Lee in his recent book, Brain Wave Vibration: Getting Back into the Rhythm of a Happy, Healthy Life, the simplest way is to simply shake away negative thoughts or “brain waves,” leaving behind positive ones that the brain naturally wants to produce. This sort of exercise can be performed almost anywhere by anyone. Performing it even when one is not stressed can create a more calm and productive response to potentially stressful future situations.This exercise is known as Brain Wave Vibration. It can be performed simply by shaking the head to create a vibration in the brain. As the head and neck relax, this vibration can then travel down the spine to the entire body. One can even add visualization to this exercise to make it more effective. Just imagine a light that starts in the brain and travels over the entire body, pushing away stress and tension from the body.In addition to changing thinking patterns from negative to positive, Brain Wave Vibration relaxes tension in muscles and organs, further helping to reduce the effects of stress.Used as a simple method of natural health maintenance, Brain Wave Vibration has been shown to quickly clear the mind, making way for the positive mindset necessary for stress management.


Use Your Nose For Effective Stress Relief:


Whether it's a bad day at the office or a stressful day at home, there is nothing like stress relief through the use of aromatherapy. What is so distinctive about aromatherapy is the use of your sense of smell to help heal your mind. Essential oils are use to provide mental, spiritual, and physical healing. The aroma, which is experienced by using various scented oils, invokes emotions which affect the brain, where all emotions are controlled. Thus, when trying to overcome stress through aromatherapy, relief is achieved through our sense of smell.Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways. Scented candles, baths, fragrances, showers, or even a wood-burning fire are all forms through which aroma can be dispersed. It is the essence of the aroma that reduces stress and provides a calm, soothing, and relaxing state. The following are some aroma suggestions for stress relief:Lavender. Lavender is one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy. Whether used in baths or scented candles, it is touted as being the most important part of any aromatherapy ritual. Lavender tends to calm and soothe an agitated mind.Ylang Ylang. Ylang ylang regulates cardio and respiratory rhythms. It also calms nerves and produces a feeling of euphoria. Create a relaxing atmosphere through the use of ylang ylang.Lemon. While lavender is known to alleviate stress, lemon oil is another healing substance which has similar properties for use in stress reduction. According to studies, it clears the head, improves concentration and memory, and combats depression. It is also one of the most refreshing of oils used today.Chamomile. Another well-known oil which has become beneficial to one’s health is chamomile. When used In tea form, it not only calms and relaxes, but offers stress relief as well. This herbal medicine is primarily used to alleviate anger and anxiety.Geranium. Geranium calms and refreshes the body and balances the adrenals. It is uplifting and is sometimes used as an antidepressant.There are also special blends available that combine a variety of the above-mentioned aromas in varying parts for more effective stress relief. You may also want to make your own blend of aromas by following any number of blend "recipes" available in books or on the Web.Using aromatherapy for healing is nothing new. Aromatherapy has been used since ancient times. It was used primarily by the Egyptians, who recognized the physical and spiritual properties of scented oils. Cleopatra would take milk baths strewn with rose petals, and the aroma would contribute to her physical wellbeing. In fact, Egyptians used scented oils in the mummification process.In addition to being used for stress relief, aromatherapy has been used to prevent disease, help in weight loss, and treat depression. Aromatherapy products are everywhere today. The next time you feel anxious or stressed out, take a soothing bath using your favorite bath oil, and light some scented candles. You will feel relaxed and calm in no time and will probably get a good night's sleep as well.