Natural Health Education – The Key to Achieving Good Health Naturally

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– Enabling You To Treat The Real Root Causes, Not Just The Symptoms –

 

             For Natural, Permanent Relief To Over 60 Major Health Issues

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GETTING A HANDLE ON DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS

Depression symptoms vary from one person to the next, and some people have symptoms that others do not have. However, there are some symptoms that are almost always present in cases of clinical depression. In fact, in order to be diagnosed with major depression, a person must have five of the following nine symptoms for at least two weeks. 

·        Depressed mood most days for most of the day

·         Loss of interest in things that used to bring pleasure

·         Weight loss or gain without trying to lose or gain weight

·        Trouble sleeping

·         Noticeable lethargy or restlessness

·        Extreme fatigue or lack of energy

·         Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

·        Difficulty making decisions or focusing on tasks

·         Thoughts of death or suicide

 Major Depression versus Dysthymia

There are several types of depression. The most common types are major depression and dysthymia. Major depression involves severe and debilitating symptoms, while dysthymia is less severe but lasts much longer. Some people suffer from dysthymia for years or even decades before recognizing that they have a treatable medical condition.

Psychologists use a specific guide called the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version four) to diagnose clinical depression. A doctor makes a diagnosis of dysthymia if a person has depression symptoms that last for two years or longer. In addition, a person with dysthymia will have two or more of the following symptoms and the symptoms will adversely affect the person’s ability to work, socialize or function in general. 

·         Decreased or increased appetite

·        Fatigue or low energy

·         Sleeping too much or not enough

·        Low self esteem or the belief that one is worthless

·         Hopelessness

·        Trouble focusing or concentrating

People with dysthymia often become very good at hiding their symptoms. Sometimes only those who are closest to the person will even know that the depression exists.

How Depression Affects the Body

Depression is a whole body condition. It does not just affect the mind and emotions. Many people visit doctors for physical problems that are, in fact, symptoms of depression. Such symptoms include headaches, backaches, upset stomach, and general aches and pains. Lack of energy and loss of libido are other common physical symptoms that may be related to an underlying depression. Doctors often treat these symptoms with pain killers, antacids or ED medications. The symptoms may go away for a while, masking the underlying problem, but depression almost always returns in one form or another. Sometimes it returns with entirely different physical symptoms, making it even more challenging to diagnose and treat the real problem.

Women and Depression

Women are a bit more likely than men to be diagnosed with clinical depression. There are a few reasons why this is the case. For one thing, women are usually more emotionally sensitive, so depression symptoms are more obvious in them. Men, on the other hand, may act out depression with anger, alcoholism or drug abuse or by working long hours in order to avoid their emotions.

Women may also become depressed after they give birth. This unique form of depression is known as postpartum depression. Its symptoms are similar to those of depression in general but may also include specific feelings about the woman’s ability to bond with or care for her new baby. 

You can find out more about the different types and symptoms of depression in “End Your Depression.” The guide also includes a wealth of information on how to recognize and manage the most troubling depression symptoms. 

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION?

 

The causes of depression can be difficult to pinpoint. Since more than one factor contributes to the onset of depression in most people, it is almost impossible to say exactly what caused depression in any one person. Depression is not like the flu, where a certain virus is the cause. There are a lot of factors that appear to contribute to depression, and perhaps a group of factors is responsible for causing depression when they come together in a certain way. Many people have a genetic predisposition to depression, but even that in itself does not necessarily mean a person will become depressed. Other factors come into play as well.

 

Genetics and Depression

 

Several chemicals in the brain regulate mood and emotions. Known as neurotransmitters, these chemicals include serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Some people have lower levels of these chemicals available. In depression that is biologically or genetically based, depression symptoms are the result of depleted levels of neurotransmitters. A person who is genetically prone to depression may experience a quick downward spiral when something triggers a low mood. When neurotransmitters levels drop, behavior and thought patterns are affected. This can also happen the other way around; that is, depressive behaviors and negative thoughts can lower levels of neurotransmitters. In this way, depression can literally change brain chemistry and become a biological condition over time if it is not treated. When depression takes hold in this way, at least a short course of medication is often the only way to treat it. However, it is sometimes possible to recognize symptoms of depression and treat the condition naturally before it gets this severe.

 

Developmental causes of Depression

 

Some cases of depression are triggered by traumatic early experiences, such as being abused, abandoned or neglected in childhood. The theory behind developmental depression is that it is caused by an insecure upbringing that did not allow a person to grow into a happy, confident adult. The result can be a sense of sadness and loss in adulthood. People with developmental depression may be insecure and feel worthless. They may also have difficulty achieving what they want to accomplish in life or even setting goals in the first place.   

 

Situational Depression

 

Situations such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or a life-threatening illness can also cause or contribute to depression. While everyone feels down when bad things happen, situational depression can become full-blown clinical depression in certain cases. If a person is biologically prone to depression or has inadequate support or coping skills, he or she may not be able to recover from a stressful situation and may instead become clinically depressed.

 

Causes of Major Depression

 

“Major depression” is the term used to describe a severe and debilitating case of depression. Major depression significantly affects a person’s ability to function, and it almost always requires professional, medical intervention. Biology is most likely to be at least partly the cause of major depression, though the condition can be triggered by something else, such as trauma or loss.

 

Solving the Mystery of Depression

 

The cause of depression may not be obvious until it is treated. Often a depression treatment that works for one person may not work for another, and that’s because each case of depression has a unique set of causes. If medication works, the depression has a biological component. If counseling works, there may be a behavioral cause or a problem with thinking patterns. If a change in diet helps, some aspect of the depression may have been caused by a nutritional deficiency. If finding a better job after being fired turns depression around, the cause of the depression was most likely situational.

 

In the end, knowing what causes depression may not be as important as knowing how to treat it. You can find out more about how to treat specific depression causes in “End Your Depression.” The guide provides a variety of options for treatment from which you can develop a targeted plan that works in your own unique case.

FINDING DEPRESSION TREATMENT THAT WORKS FOR YOU

 

Depression is a debilitating condition with symptoms that may include feelings of hopelessness and despair, extreme fatigue and lack of interest in doing anything. People with depression feel drained and often lack the motivation to do anything about their condition. However, no matter what the cause or symptoms, most cases of depression can be treated. The trick is to find the right depression treatment for your particular symptoms.

 

If you have been depressed for a while, a doctor may have suggested that you try antidepressants. Prescription medications can be part of an overall treatment plan for moderate to severe depression, but it is not the only solution. Especially in cases of mild depression, there are many other things that can alleviate the symptoms, and you might want to try these before using prescription drugs. Here are some suggestions.

 

Don’t go it alone

 

Positive energy is contagious, so if you are depressed, find positive people to support you. You may find that you naturally attract or are attracted to people who feel more negative, which will only cause your own depressed feelings to grow stronger. When you are depressed, you need to find positive people to challenge the negative mindset that keeps depression going strong. This does not mean you should completely reject friends or family members who may also have feelings of depression. After all, you wouldn’t want them to reject you. Just be sure to seek out others who can help lift your mood and challenge you to fight your depression.

 

Take care of your health

 

There is no doubt that the body and mind are one. If you are not well physically, you will not feel well emotionally either. On the other hand, it’s much harder to feel depressed when your body is in top condition and your energy is strong. One of the best antidotes to depression is regular exercise. Exercise works because it releases chemicals that make you feel good. These chemicals are called endorphins. Exercise also helps to improve the flow of oxygen through your bloodstream, which increases energy.

 

Another way to stay healthy is to eat well. A diet that is based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains will keep your energy stable, while eating processed foods and foods that are loaded with sugar will send you on a roller coaster of ups and downs that can end up being exhausting. Also be sure to get some exposure to natural sunlight every day. It will probably not surprise you that people who spend more time outdoors are often less depressed. Light therapy in the form of a commercial light box can also be used effectively in the treatment of depression.

 

Help others

 

If you are depressed, you probably don’t feel very good about yourself. One way to turn this around is to help others. Whether you do volunteer work or just spend time with a friend who is alone, helping others can be an important part of treatment for depression. When you spend time with other people, especially people in need, you see that everyone struggles with problems. Focusing on the problems of others can be a welcomed distraction from your own problems and depression.

 

Do things you enjoy

 

Obviously it’s hard to be depressed when you’re having fun! However, if you suffer from chronic depression, you may avoid doing enjoyable things because one of the symptoms of depression is lack of motivation. Overcoming depression can also become so much the focus of your attention that you approach life with a sense of intensity and the idea that you must work harder to meet your daily responsibilities. This leaves little time for joy. Making time for fun is crucial if you want to overcome depression. Even if you don’t “feel like” doing anything, do something anyway. Take a bike ride around the park, play a game or join a friend for a movie. In short, make fun part of your routine. Before you know it, you’ll look forward to these enjoyable activities and you will begin to notice that you are having more fun with life than you thought!

 

Find help when you need it

Self help is very valuable for many people, but sometimes persistent moderate to severe depression cannot be overcome without professional help.  Don't be afraid to talk to a professional if you find that "nothing works" when you are trying to overcome depression on your own.  More ideas about depression treatments can be found in "End Your Depression."  The ebook includes a variety of natural ways to manage depression as well as advice on what to do if you need more help.

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