Feel your best All Day, Every Day

Author Archives: Karl Weber

Depression Support Groups

Nowadays, many people are experiencing mild to moderate depression. Most of them feel that it would be helpful if they can share their problems with someone who can understand them better. This is the main reason for the formation of depression support groups. Many sufferers feel ashamed about experiencing depressive symptoms. If they get a chance to meet other people facing similar difficulties, they can improve their self esteem and get back control over their health and life. Depression support groups help people support one another and increase their self confidence. Depression Support Group Information Depression can be treated in many ways, including medication, therapies, exercise and good diet and sleep habits. Depression support groups can also play a vital role in depression treatment like discussing olive leaf extract dangers for example. If you are considering including this in your treatment plan, it is advisable to get all the essential depression support group information.  There are many factors to be considered while making this decision. Check whether there is a mental health professional or a licensed therapist in the group and whether it is possible to attend meetings regularly. Also confirm whether the support group meetings are held at the time convenient to you and they offer opportunities to share your concerns. One of the important depression support group information to ensure is whether the group members are supportive. Effects of Depression Support Group Depression is a chronic illness, so living with it can be overwhelming. Even the best depression ...

Read More »

Pets for Depression

Depression is a serious disorder. Hence, it needs to be treated immediately. However, treating depression is not an overnight process. There are many different ways of treating this mental disorder. Some of these ways sound bizarre and outrageous for many. For instance- there are certain pets for depression that are highly recommended. Yes, you read it absolutely right, pets mean animals for depression and could be a great natural postnatal depression treatment as well. Certain animals have the ability to provide depression relief. Getting a pet home is one of the best natural ways to treat depression. Pets for Depression are Playful Usually, a depressed individual does not really look forward to reach home from work. This is mainly because there is nothing in the home that excites him/her to be back. More often than not, depressed individuals prefer to stay on their own as they like to be isolated. A pet, especially a cat or a dog is very playful. Hence, there is a lot more for the person to look forward to once he/she enters the house. Generally, the moment you enter the house, the pet will literally pounce on you. This is the way pets for depression express the happiness of you coming back home. This gesture can help a depressed individual in a long way. Usually, such people feel abandoned by the society and they also have a feeling that nobody likes them anymore. They Give You Joy Getting animals for depression cure purpose is one ...

Read More »

Stress and Depression

Depression and stress have close links. Studies show that too much stress leading to depression. Even positive events that are stressful like new job or getting married may contribute to depression.  The effects of stress increase the release of cortisol hormones, which reduce serotonin and other neurotransmitters like dopamine, contributing to depression. Depression and stress can affect your mental as well as physical health How Stress Related to Depression Research studies prove that stress related to depression. People who are under stress often neglect to follow a healthy lifestyle. They may indulge in unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and they often refrain from doing regular exercise. Chronic stress leading to depression, which causes various symptoms like exhaustion, lack of energy, disturbed sleep patterns, irritability, trembling hands, feeling of guilt and worthlessness, headache, increased heart beat, loss of appetite, loss of sex drive and muscle pain. As stress related to depression closely, treating both the conditions can help you get relief quickly. Studies show that stress affects the innate ability of the brain to keep itself healthy. Consequently, an important part in the brain called hippocampus shrinks, affecting your memory function. Many researchers found out that high work stress increases the risk of developing depression significantly. Heightened stress leading to depression puts you at the risk of developing anxious or negative thoughts overtime. Importance of Treating Depression and Stress Effects of Stress and depression range from mild to serious, including sweating, back pain, upset stomach,  high blood pressure, blood clots, ...

Read More »

Depression Gene

Depression is a complex disorder caused by a variety of reasons. Substance abuse, conflicts. Death of a loved one, some medical conditions and medications can cause depression. Recent studies reveal that a new depression gene is associated with this disorder. Identification of depression gene is difficult for scientists, as the combination of environmental and genetic factors contributes to depression. The National Institute of Mental Health says a mutant TPH2 gene coded for brain enzyme was discovered to be the depression gene. Depression Hereditary Major episodes of depression affect around 20% of people at some point of their lives. 4% of them experience severe and recurring depression symptoms. Many people believe that life experiences and personality factors cause depression. However, scientists think depression hereditary contributes to around 40% of the risk of developing the disorder and the remaining is contributed by environmental and other factors. Studies of twins have showed some evidences that depression hereditary increases the risk significantly. Genes play a vital role in developing melancholic depression and some personality styles increase the risk of developing non melancholic depression. Depression Genetic Risks If you have the history of depression in your family, you can take steps to reduce your depression genetic risks.  You can find out whether your children are susceptible to depression genetic risks by observing for some symptoms keenly. Symptoms of anxiety like fear of loud noises, extreme nail biting and imaginary creatures could contribute to the onset of depression in the child’s teen age. If there is ...

Read More »

Causes of Substance Induced Depression

As early as 1950 there was a link between mood disorders induced by certain drugs.  Illicit drugs were the chief cause of substance induced depression. Some of the over the counter drugs have also contributed to this depressive mood disorder. Drug Abuse Drug abuse accelerates depression in people who already have a history of depressive disorders like dysthymia (an illness which causes low levels of depression), or bipolar disorder.) Taking medicines like IFN Alpha corticosteroids, Digoxin and antidepressants are some causes for substance induced depression as noted in some myths about depression.  Some medicines like beta blockers, sedatives, Finasteride, calcium channel blockers may have a mild effect on moods and are not considered a major causes of substance induced depression. Substance Induced Depression Diagnosis However the patient’s medical history must be evaluated, before making conclusions. Generally in substance induced depression, symptoms like fatigue sleep changes, gastric problems etc. can manifest. These reactions can also be temporary and can reverse once the medicine is withdrawn.  If the patient is on drug abuse a urine sample will reveal the truth. If the mood disorder is due to taking medicines the thyroid test, Liver function test, electrolytes tests and blood urea tests will help in treating or withdrawal of the drug. Causes of Substance induced depression may include alcohol addiction. Generally addiction is a chronic disorder and the addicted person is well aware of the consequences and yet continues the addictive behavior. Alcoholism An alcoholic craves for drinks morning to evening. He gets ...

Read More »

Prenatal Depression Symptoms

Prenatal depression includes a range of mood swings experienced by 15 to 20 per cent of the women. Having a baby is a joyous occasion yet, some women go through anxiety and sadness. For some women these feelings persist and they need to consult a doctor, while in other women these feelings go away in a couple of weeks. Symptoms of Prenatal Depression Prenatal depression symptoms may include feeling of sadness, wanting to cry, tiredness, loss of enjoyment of activities which the woman enjoyed earlier, anxiety, loss of appetite etc. Prenatal depression makes women flustered. They wonder why they feel so low instead of feeling ecstatic. Sometimes the very thought of child birth terrifies women. Research says it is common for woman who feels prenatal depression to also feel postnatal depression. While there is a lot of talk about post natal depression, prenatal depression is less discussed and it goes unnoticed. Hormones While hormones are generally blamed for this condition, the prenatal depression symptoms can intensify if the pregnancy is not planned, or there are relationship issues and financial strains on the couple. Antidepressant drugs during pregnancy are not good for the baby. Hence alternative treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy that works towards changing the behavioral patterns are considered. Herbal Supplements for Depression There are herbal supplements for prenatal depression. They have no side effects as they are made from natural ingredients extracted from plants and flowers and roots. The Kava- Kava root has relaxing properties and soothes the central ...

Read More »

Why You Need Your Sleep

Are you suffering from sleep disorder? Studies indicate that sleep and depression are inter related. Sometimes lack of sleep can cause depression or depression can be a cause for lack of sleep. Earlier viewed just as a symptom, sleep problems may cause psychiatric disorders, mood swings and finally depression. Causes for sleeping problems may be numerous. At the end the results are the same. The sleep benefits which give rest to our body and mind are disrupted and irritability follows the effects of a bad sleep. Insomnia Insomnia is a common problem related to depression and is not part of the depression myths. Different individuals suffer from insomnia in varying stages and ranges. The onset of insomnia is marked by sleeping problems whereby he/she find it difficult to fall asleep. This is the onset of insomnia. Some have problems staying asleep that are termed as sleep maintenance insomnia. Clinical studies indicate that people with sleep problems have a higher risk of getting depression. Sleep and Depression The relationship between sleep and depression is complex as they are interdependent. The advent of depression support groups has really helped bring about these problems to the public. Sleeping problems linked with depression can be treated like the case of obstructive sleep apnea, where persons have disordered breathing; the CPAP can be used to apply positive airway pressure to relive symptoms while the depression lasts. Sleeping problems need not be caused only due to depression. Restless leg syndrome can also cause sleeplessness. Narcolepsy is ...

Read More »

Facts About Antidepressants

Yes we all live in a stressful world and we all go through depression in varying degrees and ways. With a gamut of antidepressants that have come into the market how safe do we feel reading antidepressant reviews and then deciding this is the one for me? Mental Health Professionals We need the guidance of our mental health professional before we pop those so called miracle depression curing pills into our mouths. Before that it is a good idea to read some facts about antidepressants and distinguish fact from fiction. It’s also just as important to know that natural options like pets for depression are effective as well. Momentarily it may seem that antidepressants are working. Yet we have to get to the root cause of the problem causing depression or we are going to suffer dangerous side effects that the very antidepressant effects bring in. Antidepressant Information As the name suggests antidepressants are drugs used to treat a person who is depressed besides something like support groups for depression. They work by altering a group of chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, recognised as mood enhancers. Antidepressants benefit in short enhance mood and is a complementary treatment while the problem by itself has to be tackled by mental health therapy. Antidepressant Effects It takes about two to four weeks for the antidepressant effects to set in because increasing the neurotransmitters takes time. In cases of mild depression antidepressants’ benefit are negligible. However 60% of the ...

Read More »

Olive Leaf Extract Depression

Many people are aware that olive oil is made from the olive fruit berry that is a powerhouse of compounds that are antioxidant in nature. This can clearly protect our cardiovascular system and lower the chances of any type of cancer. This also increases our well-being and longevity. What Is The Connection Between Olive Leaf Extract & Depression There is a direct relation between olive leaf extract and stress and depression. It has been seen that those who regularly consume olive leaf extract, depression symptoms diminished drastically. Today it is believed that olive leaf extract is the greatest booster for the immune system. The fact about the healing properties of this herb was known to mankind from thousands of year although the clinical trials to prove the effectiveness started in the early 1920s, when it was first used to treat malaria.With the regular consumption of olive leaf extract, depression and anxiety related problems will drastically reduce making the person feel much better. Olive Leaf Extract Safe- Is It Really Safe There are plenty of laboratory experiments that are performed on animals and human beings on the concept of olive leaf extract safe. The experiments prove that Olive Leaf Extract is really safe for human beings and are non toxic. There are no adverse effects that are seen in people consuming the olive leaf extract just like there are none when pets and depression are used for therapy. Olive leaf extract is one of the safest herbs to take and it ...

Read More »

Living With Depression

There can no question of living with depression with so many options available now days.  Depression is a state of the mind. Apart from seeking medical help, if it is recognised at the early signs it can be controlled.  We can start fighting depression by finding time to change our lifestyle a bit. Depression and stress is are closely related to another. Some simple steps for depression relief are: Rest and Exercise Sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours every night preferably at the same time. Exercise daily by taking long walks, hitting a gym and doing some yoga. You can alternate between these exercises to make it lively while not ignoring yoga. Some yoga poses like downward dog pose and legs up the wall along with pranayama are known to be very effective for treating depression. Diet when you are living with depression you realize that your appetite is severely affected.  It fluctuates between overeating in one person to starving in another. To enhance mood, plenty of fruits and vegetable should be eaten along with leafy vegetables and food should be regular and on time. Diagnosing Depression Identify the cause that has been making you depressed without dwelling on it. This is an effective way of fighting depression because if you know the cause you can find a cure especially in mental health problems. Finding out from your family as well if the depression gene is something that is hereditary towards you. Talk to friends or a mental ...

Read More »