You are currently browsing all posts tagged with 'signs of depression'

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 ?

  • Share/Bookmark

How To Interpret Depression Signs

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

There is no cure for depression! Did you know that when depressed people take antidepressants these will only work completely in about 35% of cases? That means there are a lot of people who will only get partial relief and that the condition will linger on for years. That figure compares very unfavourably with the effect of a placebo which relieves signs of depression in about 20%. Another figure which is quite shocking is that about 5% of cases have a worsening of symptoms when they are on these depression meds. Experts are now looking at changes in lifestyle which can make a positive impact on depression but will certainly not cure the condition. How can we interpret depression signs and realise that we may have a problem or that a loved one may be depressed?

It seems that genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain and the environment all play a role in the cause of depression but nobody is quite sure. Signs of depression will be noticed when they persist for quite a long period and we are certainly talking about a period of two weeks to a month here. We might also notice that the depression signs seem to be preventing us from functioning at work or at home like we used to.

Depression signs are evident when there is a loss of energy to do things and a lack of concentration too. There may be a problems with indigestion and or problems with eating which can manifest itself in a loss of appetite or an increase in appetite for no apparent reason. Add to that weepiness (usually present in women) and a loss of interest in any sexual activity. Other depression signs which are even more alarming are talk of suicide or constantly thinking about death in an obsessive way. There may be a tendency to self mutilate which could be a precursor of suicide. If only some of these are present, we should seek medical help and also have other conditions ruled out which could and sometimes do have similar symptoms.

We now know that depression is such a common disorder that there is less stigma attached to it nowadays, fortunately. Experts tell us that Americans are ten times more likely to suffer from a depressive disorder of some sort than our grandparents were, sixty years ago. These disorders can range from bipolar to SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

Once signs of depression have been spotted and diagnosis has been carried out, we can start thinking about treatment. Antidepressants are one choice but as we have seen above, there is no guarantee that they will work and some people favour herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort and the Passion Flower which have much fewer side effects and will be more effective than the antidepressants in some patients.

Want to learn how to treat depression naturally ? Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

Article Source: How To Interpret Depression Signs

  • Share/Bookmark

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

  • Share/Bookmark