| At times nothing seems to interest a person anymore;
even formerly enjoyable activities are not interesting at all. In
such cases, sometimes, simple things can elevate ones mood, things
we take for granted, such as:
1) Simply taking a shower or hot bath. One can use ones favorite
scented bath gel or soap. Research shows water to be therapeutic
in action.
2) Wearing something that makes us feel smart and confidant, a favorite
dress.
3) Applying some perfume that we like. Or simply rubbing a drop
of jasmine oil on our wrists and smelling it from time to time.
The Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago
has discovered powerful connections between smell and emotions.
Think of how a particular smell can trigger off memories. According
to Alan R.Hirsch, M.D., the foundation director, the odor of jasmine
may actually improve a depressed person's level of energy.
4) Changing the way we think .When we analyze the train of thoughts
that run through our minds, there is always a pattern there. In
the case of depressed people, it's usually negative. Thoughts such
as I can't do it ¦..it's not in my fate ¦ I'll probably
fail ¦..what's the use?......there's no point ¦..Etc
5) Most depressed peoples motto could be put like this - I CAN'T
-, most people, when they overcome their depression, find their
thoughts changing to - I CAN - .A fighter's motto is - I WILL -.
6) Going out for a walk simply or a drive may also help.Exercise
and fresh air are proven to be therapeutic.
If nothing helps, or the person simply cannot rouse himself out
of his lethargy or sad feelings, it requires professional intervention.
If you are experiencing or know someone else who is experiencing
some of the following symptoms, please either get or advise that
person to get professional help. It could change one's life completely.
There are different types of depression or mood or affective disorders
as they are technically called,each with its own cluster of identifying
symptoms.
a) Major Depressive Disorder b) Bipolar I and Bipolar II c) Comorbidity
d) Cyclothymia
e) Dysthymia f) SAD ( seasonal affective disorder )
The clinical symptoms of depression are:
1) A constant state of sadness, depressed mood. Total lack of interest
in formerly pleasurable activities .( Anhedonia )
2) Disturbance in appetite, such as lack of hunger or excessive
hunger.
3) Sleep disturbance, inability to sleep or excessive sleep.Insomnia
or Hypersomnia.
4) A state of inactivity or, in some cases, continuous excessive
activity or agitated state. In other words, an inability to relax.(
Psychomotor agitation )
5) Continuous feeling of exhaustion, sharply reduced levels of energy,
even without doing anything.( Psychomotor retardation )
6) Feelings of worthlessness and guilt.Excessively low self-esteem.
7) Difficulty in thinking, often having problems in concentrating
and remembering.
8) Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
To be diagnosed as suffering from clinical depression,a person has
to have at least 5 of the 8 symptoms of depression present for a
minimum of 2 weeks continuously.A complete and thorough evaluation
has to be made to clinically define the category the symptoms fall
into and in such cases, only professional help will effectively
help the problem.
The distinguishing features between the types of Mood Affective
Disorders are the types of symptoms that form the syndrome ( cluster
of symptoms ), their duration, intensity and frequency of occurance.
Major Depressive Episode is characterized by all of the above symptoms
and its distinguishing feature is the suicidal ideation.
Comorbidity lacks the suicidal ideation and instead has excessive
anxiety ( anxiety disorder ) co-occuring with depression.
Bipolar I and II have manic and depressive phases both that differentiate
them from Major Depressive Disorder and Comorbidity.
The clinical symptoms of mania are :
1)Elated and/or irritable mood.
2)Inflated ego ( delusions of grandiosity )
3)Insomnia.They usually sleep only 2-3 hours a night and yet have
twice as much energy as those around them.
4)Rapid flow of ideas.They jump from topic to topic very quickly.
5) Extroverts and very talkative.Manics tend to talk very loudly,rapidly
and constantly.
6)Very easily distracted and find it hard to concentrate on anything
for very long.While doing or discussing something,they will notice
something else in their enviroment and turn their attention abruptly
to that instead.
7) Hyperactive.They are very restless and move around constantly.The
expansive mood is usually accompanied by restlessness and increased
goal-directed activity--physical,social,occupational and often sexual.
8) Reckless behaviour.Their euphoria and grandiose self-images often
lead them into impulsive and ill-advised actions such as buying
sprees,reckless driving,careless business investments and sexual
indiscretions.
Bipolar I is characterised by Mania along with mild depression sometimes.
Bipolar II is characterised by MDD present along with hypomania
( a mild form of mania ).
To be diagnosed as having a manic episode,a minimum of 3 features
must persist continuously for one week.
Bipolar disorders are diagnosed if the individual has had a minimum
of 4 episodes in 1 year.
Cyclothymia is a mild form of Bipolar disorder,characterized by
cycles of mild depression and hypomania.
Dysthymia is a mild but persistent form of depression.Diagnosed
in adults if the symptoms persist for 2 years,in children if the
symptoms persist for 1 year.
SAD is a form of severe depression that increases in winter and
lifts during the rest of the year.The disorder appears to be a result
of the brevity and gloom of winter days.Psychologists have found
that several hours of daily exposure to bright light is sometimes
sufficient to improve the mood of those with SAD.
Endogenous vs. Reactive Depression:
Heated debate continues over whether depression is Endogenous (
organic ) or Reactive ( in reaction to a precipitating event ).Those
that are linked to events such as death of a loved one or loss of
a job can be termed reactive and those that stem apparently only
from organic brain dysfunctions can be termed endogenous.Yet the
distinction is not easily made as many endogenous patients have
a lesser family history of depressives than reactive patients.Research
is still ongoing regarding this specific point and the topic remains
extremely controversial.
People avoid admitting to suffering from a mental disorder due to
the bias prevalent in society even from those who claim to be unprejudiced
.This negative attitude often makes people hesitate to ask for or
admit they need help although suffering from depression is not a
crime !
Some of the most famous and popular people in history suffered from
various types of Mood Affective Disorders.Michaelangelo was one.
Others were Vincent van Gogh.Winston Churchill.Edgar Allen Poe,
Lord Byron, H.G.Wells, Sir Walter Scott, Napoleon Bonaparte, Nostradamus,
Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Elvis Presley, his
daughter, Marie etc naming them all would take up too much space.
The point is, it is not a crime to suffer from a mood disorder nor
is one abnormal to do so. If you have a fever continuously, the
common sense thing would be to see a doctor after all ones own efforts
to recover failed. In case of clinical depression, the smart thing
to do would be to either see a psychiatrist or a psychologist to
either obtain prescribed medication or learn effective ways of coping
.A psychiatrist prescribes mood altering drugs, to chemically alleviate
the depressed feelings. A psychologist teaches you how to avoid
depression or ways to effectively cope with and manage the depression
(preferably) without any medication. Only in cases that cannot be
handled without medical intervention, does a psychologist refer
a client to a psychiatrist.
However, conventional psychiatric medication has several side effects
such as tremors,drowsiness,difficulty in concentration,dryness of
mouth/skin,increasing drug-dependence etc.
For e.g. lithium which is used in treatment of bipolar disorders
has several side effects such as oedema,diarrhoea,hypothyroidism,hair
loss,memory loss and weight gain.
Effexor Venlafaxine / XR both cause problems in sleeping , headaches,
dizziness, constipation, nightmares, withdrawal symptoms, high blood
pressure, sexual dysfunction, weightloss, increased light sensitivity,
sweating and nausea. In many cases, Effexor had to be augmented
by Depakote to stabilize the patient.
T he links below give further details.
http://bipolar.about.com/cs/experience/a/sfe_lithspecsfx.htm
http://depression.about.com/cs/venlafaxine/l/blsidefxvenlafa.htm
Psychotherapy while being definitely more gentle,effective and without
any unpleasant side-effects usually (except on your pocket,perhaps
! ) when done by a trained professional, in the long-term,can be
a very draining and time-consuming process. The therapeutic process
can take months or even years,at times. Combining therapy with homeopathic
treatment will considerably shorten the duration of the theruepatic
treatment.
Many people are unaware of the fact that there are alternatives
to conventional medicine, which are far more effective and without
any side-effects when taken under a trained professional's supervision.
Such as Homeopathic remedies. These work as catalysts or triggers
to the immune system without themselves being directly involved
in any healing process. What could be gentler on the body than the
body healing itself? The body's immune system works best at the
speed that is natural and gentlest on the body without any pushing
or shoving externally in the form of conventional medicines ( which
are really quite harsh on the body ).
Homeopathic and other alternative
remedies are more effective than conventional medication for many
psychological illnesses including depression as they target the
weakness in the immune system causing the problem and not the weakness
itself.
Homeopathic/Alternative therapy treatment is usually far cheaper
than conventional methods and takes very little time in comparison.
Combined with therapy, they can work like miracles for people who
feel sentenced for life. To get the best out of Homeopathic remedies,
however, please consult a trained professional for chronic or severe
cases.
The cause of depression is not a barrier to homeopathic
treatment, be it environmental or genetic. It's high time we
woke up to the truth and realize that depression is an illness like
any other and that, now, we have a choice in seeking treatment.
The main barrier to homeopathic treatment lies in finding a properly
qualified classical homeopath who would take a complete case (usually
requiring about 2 hours) and then prescribing a similimum (the remedy
that matches the symptoms perfectly). The other problem is that
deeper emotions, fears and phobias, self-image issues etc., surface
and it may need several months or even years of constitutional treatment
before the patient is cured. If the patient is unable to persist
with therapy for whatever reason, the results will be less than
perfect.
|
Forums
Courses
Shop
Diseases
Articles
Journal
Directory
