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Alternative Medicine For Depression Can Make a Difference

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

It is time to get serious about ridding your life of depression symptoms by looking toward alternative medicine for depression in order to get your life back. Do you realize the effect that depression has on your health? Cancers, migraines, high blood pressure, and heart disease are just a minimal list of the possibilities that can occur when one is depressed.

Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, consistent worry, and doom can drive you to the point of feeling like there is no way out. When you seek help for your symptoms, you need to know that there is alternative depression medication that can be used as a form of treatment for those devastating symptoms.

Alternative medicine for depression is preferred because of lack of side effects along with higher success rates for getting rid of depression symptoms. The ability to return to normal life is easy when one consumes ongoing alternative depression medications. Prescription medications just impose too much of a health risk to be trusted as a reliable source of treatment. There are too many things that can go wrong, and the horror stories associated with prescription medications are heard of more often than not.

Some of the alternative medicine for depression that is available include St. John’s Wort and vitamin B-complex. You can find St. John’s Wort at almost any over-the-counter pharmacy. Prices usually range from $5.00 to $30.00 depending on how many pills are in a bottle, and how many milligrams they are.

St. John’s Wort has been proven to work effectively to elevate the bio-chemicals in the brain, serotonin, and dopamine. Anyone taking St. John’s Wort needs to check in with their physician first before mixing it with other prescription medications in order to avoid possible complications.

Vitamin B-complex can also be purchased for an affordable price at any over-the-counter pharmacy. If you prefer not to take vitamin B in pill form, then you will need to make sure that you obtain a plentiful amount by consuming a variety of food sources such as milk, eggs, nuts, green leafy vegetables, lean meats, and fruits.

Vitamin B-complex can be looked at as an alternative medicine for depression because it increases energy, metabolism, and promotes an overall healthy nervous system. Vitamin B-complex boosts mood and promotes restful sleep, which is a major component in fighting depression. When used in combination with St. John’s Wort, it is twice as effective at being an effective alternative depression medication.

But inevitably, the real cure lies in you. If you are ready to start getting serious about living a fulfilling life that is composed of happy moments instead of ones that are filled with gloom and ongoing sadness, then you will ultimately do something about it. We make the final decision as to whether or not we will be happy. The search for help is not out of reach, and it begins with making the decision to opt for alternative medicine for depression to enhance and change your life for the better.

Diana is a Natural Health Consultant and is currently taking classes to earn a certificate in herbalism. Her website, Natural Health and Herbal Remedies, offers the knowledge, insights and experiences she has gained from her journey into the world of natural health and her quest to share it with others. Get your Free Ebook about natural remedies for anxiety and depression.

Article Source: Alternative Medicine For Depression Can Make a Difference

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Can You Recognize Signs Of Depression ?

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

We do not realise just how important our brain is in controlling every single thing we do, feel or experience. That is especially true for feelings of hunger, sadness or euphoria. So, what is going on? Well, we have billions of brain cells which are all communicating with each other and they live in what we could call a server. If the server crashes for whatever reason then this could be one of the depression signs. Brain cells or neurons will use neurotransmitters which are basically chemicals such as serotonin, endorphins and dopamine to send out the signals to other cells in our bodies. We get the message and we react. That could be a call to action, a feeling, an emotion, hunger, fatigue or sexual stimulation. It is when these brain chemicals get upset for whatever reason that signs of depression begin to show.

Dopamine is very important for communicating feelings of pleasure which we get when we satisfy our hunger, thirst, sexual needs, or experience pleasure through music or movement. If there is any imbalance in these neurotransmitters then this causes the brain to malfunction and our moods and feelings will be compromised. That is what happens with depression as the main neurotransmitter (serotonin) which governs our moods is depleted and feelings of sadness and hopelessness become pervasive. It is this feeling down which is one of the first signs of depression. But this sadness is not just a temporary phase of the blues but persists to such an extent that we cannot function normally at all in our daily lives.

Have you ever wondered why when we are feeling down we start to seek comfort from carbohydrates which we call comfort foods with good reason. Snacking, binging could be an indication that depression signs are starting to show. Serotonin controls our appetite so when our serotonin levels are low we decide to self medicate in a certain sense and we start eating these cakes and sweets to console ourselves and our serotonin levels may start to come up again but the effects on our waistline later on may cause us to become even more depressed. It seems to be a vicious circle. Eating disorders are another one of the signs of depression.

Other signs of depression may be a lack of interest in once pleasurable activities, indecision, lethargy, low energy and reduced sex drive. Insomnia, feelings of guilt, headaches and indigestion all add to the mix and are indications that signs of depression are evident. To learn more about ways of treating various types of depression such as SAD bipolar or MDD (major depressive disorder), see the link below for some valuable information which may surprise you.

Want to learn about signs of depression ? Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

Article Source: Can You Recognize Signs Of Depression ?

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What Are The Main Symptoms Of Depression ?

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Let’s face it. There is still a stigma attached to mental illness and depression is no exception. There is little understanding of the disorder in general although depression symptoms are well documented. But medically speaking, we are light years way from effective, safe treatment. Up to now the only conventional medication has been tricyclics and SSRIs which have all been associated with some nasty side effects and the most alarming fact of all is that nobody knows exactly how these medications work on our brains.

Before we consider alternatives, let us look at the main symptoms of depression. Manic depression is sometimes referred to as bipolar and the latter name reflects the two extremes of symptoms from euphoric (manic) to deep depression. These changes can be very sudden and disconcerting for those around the individual. The sufferer may be on a high for quite long periods and display great energy but also irritability, aggressive and violent behavior.

The main symptoms of depression from the mild to the moderate will be less dramatic but still worrying for those who are close to the depressed person. Depression is a state of deep melancholy and gradually the sufferer gets sucked into a deep black hole where gloom, pessimism and a sense of hopelessness, bleakness and helplessness become so persistent and pervasive that daily activities are affected and the person just cannot function. These feelings often lead to suicide because that is the only action or way out for the depressed person.

There is a notable loss of self esteem and there is no longer any pleasure in doing the things he or she always loved doing. There is a lack of energy , lethargy takes over and depressed people tend to sleep for much longer although lack of sleep or insomnia can also be present. Individuals will vary. There is a distinct lack of interest in the people and the world around them, indecision and eating disorders. When there is talk of ending it all and a lot of talk about death, this is another one of the main symptoms of depression.

The fact that more people are now suffering from depression symptoms but there is a lower percentage of people actively seeking help and treatment may be due to the FDA back box warnings on the medicines about suicides. This may well have put people off seeking medication but no medication is worse than some medication.

Medications may cause side effects which in turn may lead to even more depressed thoughts which seems a rather sadistic way of treating an illness in my view. I know that herbal depression treatment can restore balance and serenity to the troubled mind while improving mood and really alleviate the main symptoms of depression with very few or minor side effects. Why not find out more about this alternative?

Want to learn how to deal with the main symptoms of depression ? Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

Article Source: What Are The Main Symptoms Of Depression ?

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Natural Remedies For Depression – What Your Doctor Will Not Tell You

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

One of the most widely prescribed natural remedies for depression in Europe is St. John’s Wort which is particularly effective in mild to moderate depression. Many people are surprised to learn that this herb is prescribed for up to 50% of depression cases in Germany while Prozac is not popular at all. It comes in at a mere 2%! I can bet fairly safely that your medical adviser will not know this or will not even be convinced that a herbal remedy combined with other natural remedies for depression is the way to go. But there have been pioneers in every century!

Let us look at why a natural remedy for depression could and maybe should , in many cases, replace anti-depressants. Why do you think the FDA put black box warnings (the most serious risk) on the boxes of these medications? Why are there warnings on cigarette packets? Because there are grave risks to health. In the case of anti-depressants, there is a risk in younger patients (up to the age of 24!) of increasing suicidal thoughts and depression, agitation and insomnia and a withdrawal from social situations. There are a whole list of side effects as well although they are not in the black box. However the side effects from these meds are well known and can include nausea, blurred vision, constipation and loss of libido.

Let us have a look at other natural remedies for depression. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is often tried with great success. The patient, with the help of the therapist is trained to change his or her whole way of thinking. In this way, negative thinking which inevitably leads to depression and hopelessness can be changed. Sometimes, though, especially in cases of severe depression, this kind of therapy will not give great results. Other cases can be treated with CBT in combination with some medication.

One of the favorite natural remedies for depression is increasing foods with Omega3 or fatty acids which can improve overall health as well as combating depression. Studies have shown that populations with higher omega 3s in their diets have much fewer cases of depression. It can help reduce heart disease, osteoporosis and arthritis so it is a wonderful supplement to add to anyone’s diet.

In choosing a natural remedy for depression, such as a herbal one, tell your doctor that you want to try it and ask for some advice especially if you are already on anti depressants.

Want to learn more about natural remedies for depression ? Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

Article Source: Natural Remedies For Depression – What Your Doctor Will Not Tell You

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Anti Depression Medication – Men Vs Women

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Women get depressed, not men! False! We know that more women suffer from depression but there are many men who suffer from this condition too although very often they hide it. That actual figure is that out of 14 million Americans who suffer from depression in a year, about 6 million of these are men. The alarming fact is that there are very probably more men than women who are plagued by this condition but it is so well concealed that nobody knows for sure. Another alarming issue is that only about 50% of patients seek out help and treatment such as anti depression medication.

Men’s depression symptoms can be different from women’s. There can be anger and this can manifest itself in very bad temper and road rage when driving. There may also be an increase in impulsive risky behavior such as casual sex or indulging in gambling or extreme sports. They can also be extremely touchy and over sensitive to criticism. Because of shame, low esteem and the feeling that men have to show strength, the condition often goes undiagnosed and sometimes men will turn to drugs and alcohol rather than take anti depression medication.

While most depression symptoms are common to both sexes, women will probably feel more the symptoms relating to feeling empty, weepiness and a sense of hopelessness and reduced sex drive. There may be more suicide attempts among women as well.

The side effects of anti depression medication will not usually discriminate between the sexes but there are certain tendencies which are peculiar to either sex. Women tend to be more concerned about their
societal body-image goals so if weight gain is one of the side effects, this may determine whether they continue with that depression medication or not.

As regards reduced sex drive, men seem to suffer more from the side effects of the SSRIs, the most popular type of anti depression medication, as they may have have problems with reaching orgasm and low libido. Women seem to have already a low sex drive when starting out as this is one of the devastating effects of the condition itself. This therefore leaves a lot of room for improvement which may be the reason why this seems less of a problem for women.

As regards a herbal treatment for depression, the problem of a reduced libido for either sex never arises as the side effects are very mild such as headache and some nausea and oversensitivity to bright light. There are also no other troublesome side effects or risks of getting addicted to depression medication not to mention the risks associated with discontinuation syndrome when and if you have to come off anti depression medication. Herbal remedies for depression are a much safer option all round.

Want to learn more about anti depression medication ? Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

Article Source: Anti Depression Medication – Men Vs Women

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The Telltale Signs of Depression

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

It’s normal to feel down from time to time, but sometimes those feelings happen for no reason and won’t go away. Depression is more than just a short bout of the blues – it’s a condition that makes it hard to function and get through life. When you’re depressed, it’s easy to feel hopeless, but the right kind of treatment can help. However, you still need to understand the condition and determine what’s best for you. Let’s look at some of the signs of depression to help you discover whether or not it’s affecting your life.

Some of the signs of depression are having problems sleeping, or they sleep away most of the day. Tasks that used to be easy become difficult, and concentration can be tricky. Thoughts of helplessness and hopelessness are common, and many people have trouble controlling their negative thoughts. They may feel short tempered or irritable, or easily burst into tears. Lack of appetite and extreme over eating are also common. You may feel that life’s not worth living. These can all be depression signs.

Other signs of depression also manifests in the inability to enjoy things that used to be pleasant, a reduced sex drive, and significant changes in weight. If you lose or gain more than five percent of your body weight in a month, it’s considered significant. You may feel keyed up and agitated, or sluggish and slow. Making decisions, keeping track of things, and staying focused can be extremely difficult. You may feel strongly guilty or worthless, or overly criticize your errors and faults. Many people with depression signs find that small tasks take much longer or are very tiring.

Depressed teens and adolescents are often irritable, rather than sad, and may seem hostile. Unexplained pain is also common in depressed young people. Older adults are also likely to complain about physical symptoms, and may focus on them to the exclusion of the emotional signs. Poor health is extremely common in depressed older adults.

Women are twice as likely to be depressed as men, in part because of hormonal factors, but also possibly because of social factors. Women are more likely to overeat, gain weight, sleep too much and experience strong guilt, while depressed men are more likely to be aggressive, violent, reckless and to complain about lack of sleep or fatigue. Men are at a higher risk for suicide from depression than women.

So, if you have some of these signs of depression, what can you do? There are a number of options. Many people choose to see a professional about their depression, and this is a very good idea. However, you shouldn’t assume that being depressed or seeing someone for the problem means you have to take medication for it. Lifestyle changes, counseling, herbal remedies and many other methods are also available to help deal with depression, and for some people they work much better than conventional medication. Investigate all your options and find out what’s available, but make sure you do something!

Diana is a Natural Health Consultant and is currently taking classes to earn a certificate in herbalism. Her website, Natural Health and Herbal Remedies, offers the knowledge, insights and experiences she has gained from her journey into the world of natural health and her quest to share it with others. Get your Free Ebook about natural remedies for anxiety and depression.

Article Source: The Telltale Signs of Depression

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