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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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The short answer is a resounding yes! Looking at my two depressed friends who have been on anti depressant medications for a lifetime, I am now more convinced than ever that the only way out for them is a comprehensive type of treatment which combines diet, exercise, therapy and medication, preferably herbal ones. That for me is the key to alternative depression medications.

I have seen too many people’s lives thwarted and stunted under the weight of anti depressant meds and their awful side effects. What a price they have to pay as men may become impotent and women gain weight and feel sorry (and even more depressed) that their societal body image is just not what they want.

Let us look at why people are depressed and the answer lies mainly but not entirely in the chemical neurotransmitters called serotonin, endorphin and norepinephrine. Serotonin seems to be the one which can determine so much in our daily routine and how we cope with life. It will affect not only our mood but also appetite, sleep, body temperature and even muscular movements. People who suffer from depression usually have a serotonin deficiency and that has been the key to all anti depression treatment. A lack of serotonin can lead to Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , anxiety and schizophrenia.

One of the best alternative depression medications is sunlight. If you are lucky enough to live in a sunny climate, you will be able to enjoy loads of sunlight. For those who do not, I would say that getting even ten minutes of sunlight can make all the difference to depression. It is no accident that the best possible treatment for SAD (seasonal affective disorder) which is a mild form of depression, is natural light therapy which can be in the form of special lamps for that purpose.

The second best of the alternative depression medications is exercise although it is not a medication in the strictest sense of the term. That is the best way of raising the serotonin levels in your brain and the endorphins which get activated are sometimes called the ‘happy chemicals’. Have you ever met anybody in a bad mood after exercise ? I doubt it .

Diet, while not strictly one of the alternative depression medications, is an essential element in any form of depression treatment. It is no accident that carbohydrates are called ‘comfort food’ because in fact they tend to raise the serotonin levels in the brain as opposed to proteins which tend to have the opposite effect. Go for the brown carbs rather than the white ones so brown pasta, whole wheat bread, fruit and nuts are in. The white carbohydrates tend to give you a sugar spike which can lead to mood swings.

That leaves us with medication and one of the best alternative depression medications is the herbal one because it has very few side effects and will let you regain your mood and serenity without any nasty surprises.

Discover more about alternative depression medications . Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

Article Source: I’m Depressed – Are Alternative Depression Medications The Answer ?

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I bet you didn’t know that of all the Americans suffering from some kind of depressive disorder, only about 33% seek or receive treatment! That leaves a big black hole in every sense of the word as the ravages caused by depression are an enormous cost to the economy, society and individuals like you and me. Depression, if left untreated can lead to violence, shoplifting and of course suicide. Yet depression alternatives have received little attention in the medical press simply because there are too many vested interests in maintaining the grip that big pharma has on our society and they have brainwashed us into accepting medications which are questionable in many ways.

Depression is one of the main causes of suicides in this country. Army suicides are increasing and recently the spotlight has been turned on military personnel to find out the possible reasons for this. One of the main reasons cited for the cause of depression is problems in relationships. But this does not just affect the Army, it goes right across society as the difficulties in finding a loving caring partner and maintaining that relationship in the long term can present enormous problems to individuals. This is another reason why looking at depression alternatives such as finding a depression help group, can be a great help.

Diet and its role in our moods and its effects on our brains has largely been ignored or simply relegated to the weight loss industry, rather than seeing it as one of the alternative treatments for depression. What a mistake! There is a mountain of research which has been done by scientists and nutritionists which shows that a simple Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to depression and other mental disorders. Dementia is another one in that category which is at the top of the list. They have shown that the B group of vitamins are vital in producing of SAM-e which is a natural anti-depressant element which is present in every cell in our bodies. Other depression alternatives include EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) which concentrates on our feelings which in turn affect our thoughts. Most therapy starts with the thoughts rather than our feelings. This form of therapy has not received enough attention as one of the alternative treatments for depression.

Herbal remedies have been shown to be just as effective as one of the best depression alternatives in various studies, and in Germany, St John’s Wort was shown to be also effective in treating MDD (major depressive disorder). The NIMH is now preparing trials to see if this herb can indeed be effective and safe in mild to moderate depression. Discover more in the link below.

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

Article Source: Depression Alternatives – We Are On High Alert For Depression

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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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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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First the facts on the anti depressant medications used at the moment. Progress has been made in that the older type of medicines the tricyclic (or TCAs such as Tofranil and Ahafranil) led to bladder problems, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction, have now been mostly replaced with the SSRIs. Doctors now prefer the SSRIs medication which act as a serotonin booster which lifts the mood and everything seems fine! Unfortunately, if you are a man you may become impotent and if you are a woman, you have to cope with a considerable gain in weight which may exacerbate your depression. As there are no studies done on their long term effects, we have no idea whether they are completely safe either. You can see why people are turning to herbal depression treatment because the side effects are much less severe and they will really help to reduce depression.

Let us have a look at the herbal depression treatment which is gaining popularity at the moment. The key neurotransmitter called serotonin which governs our happiness and feelings of well being is the main target in any of the herbal remedies for depression. The anti depressant medications also home in on serotonin but as we have seen above, their side effects may have a boomerang effect! The big pharmaceutical companies will never admit that! Many people suffering from depression have been found to have very low levels of serotonin.

Gingko biloba is a herb which has had positive feedback in the treatment of depression. It takes a while to kick in but as it has a gradual effect on increasing the flow of blood to the brain, it can help with memory, brain function and also increase the serotonin levels. It is not recommended for those who have bleeding problems or who are taking anti inflammatory drugs.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum) has come out best in all the clinical trials, so much so that the National Institute of Mental Health has decided to run trials in seeing how well it does for treating mild to moderate depression. This means that it is the most popular herb and with good reason. It is also the most common herbal depression treatment used in Europe and especially in Germany

In one controlled, double-blind trial with over 100 patients who were suffering from MDD (major depressive disorder), those patients who were on Hypericum had a 50% reduction of depression symptoms compared with those who were on Fluoxetine which is a popular anti depressant medication of the Prozac family. Effective with very few side effects has meant that St. John’s Wort has become one of the most sought after herbal remedies for depression.

Other herbs used with great success in herbal depression treatment are Kava, Ginseng, and Passion Flower. You will need to check out the credentials of the company if you are ordering online. The company in the link below has a fine reputation and offers must have guarantees as regards the growing, selection and manufacturing of the herbs, all supervised in a FDA approved facility by trained herbalists.

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

Article Source: The Facts On Herbal Depression Treatment

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s we mentioned in previous articles depression is a normal response as part of our daily lives such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or illness. Over 30 million Americans suffer from depression and the amount is increasing in an alarming rate. Depression may be a mental disorder that can affect the way you eat and sleep, and the way you feel about yourself. In this article, we will discuss how to treat depression with homeopathy.

1. Aurum metallicum
Aurum metallicum is renowned for its ability to cure the deepest imaginable depressions: suicidal states by providing hope, feeling of worthiness and self esteem.This type of person is usually idealistic and goad oriented. It is very surprising to see that a single patient with a lifetime of joyless existence bloom into happiness after aurum pays for every hour of our years of study.

2. Ignatia
Ignatia (also known as ignatia amara or iamara) originates from the tincture of strychnos ignatia beans of a small tree native to the Philippines containing a substantial amount of strychnine (used in rat poison) and brucine (a bitter alkaloid similar to strychnine). Iganatia relieves the depression caused by an event of grief and sadness.

3. Natrum Muriaticum
Natrum muriaticum is one of the most psychologically complex and poignant remedies in our materia medica. There is an opposite presentation in which the patient seems abnormally open and can discuss even intimate aspects of his life, apparently not at all embarrassed. When a loss or a serious rejection occurs the patient experiences abnormally prolonged grief and depression. Natrum mutiaticum helps to overcome the deep sorrow that people suffered in silence.

4. Sepia
Sepia is a Homeopathic remedy that helps with bouts of depression from loss of sunlight, but it can be differentiated from aurum by its grief, fatigue, sarcasm and irritability aspects. Sepia is especially helpful in treating depression caused by indifference, weepy, angry, overwhelmed, exhausted and depression associated with menopause.

5. Pulsatilla
In external use, the fresh plant of pulsatilla is an irritant herb and produces a benumbing sensation when chewed. It is a powerful herb in treating people with signs of manic depression.

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Article Source: Depression Part VIII – How to Prevent and Treat Depression with Homeopathy

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First, some bad news. About 40 million Americans will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Only about 50% will try to get help, yet 90% of depression cases can easily be treated with medication. It has been found that depression can last from six months to a year but there are are many patients who remain chronically depressed for years. The good news is that besides medication with anti-depressants there are many natural ways to treat depression.

Let us take exercise for example. What could be more natural than that? Any from of exercise that is going to get the ‘feel good’ endorphins going and improving your mood is one of the most effective and natural ways to treat depression. Even half an hour three to five times a week doing power walking, running, aerobics, dancing or just a good brisk walk will cut depression symptoms in half.

Social networking is a great way to keep in touch with real people and I am not including Facebook in this one, which is a sort of virtual networking in front of a computer! By social networking, I mean the real thing! That means having real, face to face contact with people through family, friends, clubs, sports and church. It has been found that the more social networking you do, the less likely you are to suffer from depression. This is another one of the natural ways to treat depression.

Anti depressant medications such as Prozac, Zoloft and Marplan can have serious side effects and I know that many patients had to stop taking them because they could no longer put up with the ‘zombie’ feeling. Whenever and if you decide that these medications are no longer for you, see your doctor as these drugs have to be tapered off as discontinuation syndrome can be quite severe if it is done in a cold turkey way. Doctors of course do not want to call this withdrawal but that is basically what it is. As the brain chemistry has been radically altered for such a long time, you can imagine that withdrawal is going to play havoc with your life. Certainly, if you opt for one of the natural ways to treat depression, discontinuation or withdrawal symptoms will never be a problem.

Natural treatment for depression is gaining momentum now as people are more and more wary of big pharm, their profits and their hype. Herbal remedies for depression have so few side effects and do not represent any risk to your health in the long term. Some of the herbs used such as St. John’s Wort and the Passion Flower aid the mind in dispelling feelings of the blues and supporting a positive mental attitude. Coupled with cognitive behavior therapy which is also a natural treatment for depression, these herbal remedies can transform your life. By looking at some natural ways to treat depression, many people have successfully come through depression, much to the joy of their loved ones.

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

Article Source: Good News About Natural Ways To Treat Depression

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Atypical depression, a subtype of major depression, is the most common form of depression today. People who suffer atypical depression exhibit all the normal symptoms of depression but they also react to external positive experiences in a positive way. Atypical depression sufferers respond to their environment, enjoying the company of friends but slipping back into deep depression when alone or faced with a stressful situation. It is this aspect of atypical depression that differentiates it from melancholic depression in which external positive experiences still result in depressed feelings.

People who suffer from atypical depression also exhibit other symptoms that aren’t normally associated with “normal” depression including:

• Increase in appetite with a weight gain of ten or more pounds.
• Hypersomnia -over sleeping of more than 10 hours per day.
• Leaden paralysis of the arms and legs
• Long term pattern of sensitivity to rejection in personal situations that causes social or work related withdrawal.

In 1998 Dr. Andrew A. Nierenberg, associate director of the depression clinical and research program at Massachusetts General Hospital, published a study that found 42% of participants suffered from atypical depression, 12% had melancholic depression, 14% had both depression subtypes and the remaining did not suffer from depression.

Studies have also found that atypical depression begins earlier in a person’s life than other forms of depression with most sufferers beginning to show symptoms in their teenage years. Those who suffer from atypical depression are also at greater risk of suffering from other mental disorders such as social phobias, avoidant personality disorder or body dysmorphic disorder. Atypical depression is more prevalent in females than males as well, with nearly 70% of it’s sufferers being women.

Treating atypical depression is an ongoing process. Research has shown that MAOIs such as Nardil or Parnate work reasonably well as do the newer SSRI medications (Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft). Most patients prefer the SSRIs because they do not exhibit the unpleasant side affects of the MAOIs.

It is also important that if you or someone you know suffers from atypical depression that you or they seek psychiatric help. Atypical depression is not easy to diagnose the treatment choices can vary from patient to patient. A general care practitioner does not have the expertise to differentiate between the subtypes of depression and may not know the best course of treatment for their patient.

Andrew Bicknell is a writer and Webmaster of Depression and You.com. Visit his website for more information about Atypical Depression and other depression disorders.

Article Source: Atypical Depression

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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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