Hidden Depression Symptoms
Several studies performed on patients with chronic health conditions have revealed a significant prevalence of clinical depression in most of them. In most of these studies, about a quarter of the chronically ill patients personally admitted to have experienced various depression symptoms subsequent to the onset of their illness.
An illness is termed chronic when it either keeps recurring or persisting for a long time, mostly due to lack of reliable treatment technique. Some of these ‘untreatable’ medical conditions can last for durations that range from a few months to a lifetime. Such illnesses include high blood pressure, HIV/Aids, heart conditions, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), arthritis, epilepsy, kidney disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
Chronic illness complications and symptoms management is mostly done through medication, physiotherapy or exercise, restricted diet among other techniques. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the majority of chronic illnesses patients complain about similar complications that revolve around their social, psychological and physical wellbeing.
Psychological problems such as depression often stem from the incessant physical pain, social isolation and neglect, emotional anguish, false beliefs about the illness, symptom overwhelm, diminished physical capabilities and energy, medication side effects among other factors. Apart from that, depressive illnesses can be caused directly by illnesses and medications which affect the brain, the central nervous system or endocrine system.
Ailments such as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy have direct biological effects that alter the structure and functionality of the neurological and endocrine systems. These changes frequently contribute towards the development of depression.
Clinical depression is a serious medical condition whose symptoms include pervasively low mood, motivation and energy levels, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, irritability, tearfulness, mysterious bodily aches and pains, sleeping problems and appetite changes. Other important symptoms of depression include social withdrawal, reduced mental abilities and lack of interest in seeking rewarding or pleasurable activities.
Unfortunately, most of these chronically ill patients rarely receive treatment nor tested for depression as should be the case. Possible reasons for this anomaly include a lack of awareness about depression and its symptoms or the mistaken assumption that the experienced depression symptoms are actually part of the chronic illness.
Untreated depression considerably weighs down on the effectiveness of any chronic ailment management method. Depression sufferers who also have an underlying chronic health problem respond very poorly to treatment for both ailments. However both physical and mental health specialists agree that proper psychological health is essential for a quick and problem free recovery process of most illnesses let alone chronic ones. Therefore, as part of their recovery strategy, such individuals should ensure that they undergo diagnosis and treatment for depression as a way of enhancing their healing process as well as improving their health overall status.
Stress Management and Depression
Stress Based Depression has become one of the major health problems in recent years. With the advent of technology, such as the internet, email, faxes and wireless devices, we are being forced to work harder than ever before, to be on call longer, while at the same time, to take less vacation and personal time. Catastrophic world events have only exacerbated this, spurning a record number of new cases of depression. In 2001, the National Book Award Winner in the category of Non Fiction — and a major bestseller — was a book about depression.
Unfortunately, it is only predicted to get worse. In 2002, almost 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of clinical depression. The World Health Organization predicts that by the year 2020, five of the ten leading medical problems worldwide will be stress related.
Most mental health professionals over the years have seen depression purely as a state of mind. In the last four decades, research has indicated that there are many forces at play that ultimately lead to depression.
Simultaneously, the use of nutritional products and herbal preparations by the general public is one of the fastest growing segments in consumer spending and in health care. In 1993, Dr. David Eisenberg, a professor at Harvard University, published the first of two important studies showing that one in three Americans had used some form of alternative medicine.
Recent medical studies have indicated that various non-invasive approaches have the ability to bring short-term, and, in many cases, permanent relief from this debilitating emotional disorder. Research in recent years has also shown that depression is seldom isolated. It is generally experienced with other symptoms that might include headache, sub-clinical nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, insomnia, and many others. These are all conditions that can be positively influenced by nutrition, herbs, amino acid supplementation, hands-on healing, specialized counseling and coaching systems, and other approaches either alone or, when necessary, in combination with medication.
Each depressed individual will have a unique history of dysfunctional relationships, traumatic childhood, stress, financial hardships, insomnia and sleep disorders, unresolved grief, genetic predisposition, aging, serious physical illness, or family environment. Individually or in combination, some or all of these factors may initiate a downward spiraling cycle that results in depression. Herbal based flower remedies help to heal depression on a vibrational/energetic level. These homeopathically prepared plant essences support the depressed individual in recognizing and addressing issues such as personal growth, self observation, forgiving, getting in touch with repressed feelings, expressing gratitude, effective communication, ending procrastination, making choices instead of excuses, ending self isolation, impatience, hopelessness, a sense of impending doom, and despondency. Of all the various flower remedies available the Bach Fower Remedies are the ones most commonly used.
Major Depression Is Highly Treatable
What is major or clinical depression?
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a condition characterized by signs and symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Depression is common and often goes undiagnosed, because, the onset of the first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild.
According to the DSM-IV — a manual used to diagnose mental health conditions. For a major depressive episode a person must have experienced at least five of the nine symptoms below for the same two weeks or more, for most of the time almost every day, and this is a change from his/her prior level of functioning. One of the symptoms must be either (1) depressed mood, or (2) loss of interest.
1. Depressed mood. For children and adolescents, this may be irritable mood.
2. A significantly reduced level of interest or pleasure in most or all activities.
3. A considerable loss or gain of weight (e.g., 5% or more change of weight in a month when not dieting). This may also be an increase or decrease in appetite. For children, they may not gain an expected amount of weight.
4. Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping more than usual (hypersomnia).
5. Behavior that is agitated or slowed down. Others should be able to observe this.
6. Feeling fatigued, or diminished energy.
7. Thoughts of worthlessness or extreme guilt (not about being ill).
8. Ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions is reduced.
9. Frequent thoughts of death or suicide (with or without a specific plan), or attempt of suicide.
To be considered major depression:
- Your symptoms aren’t due to a mixed episode – simultaneous mania and depression that can occur in bipolar disorder.
- Symptoms must be severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others.
- Symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else, such as drug abuse, taking a medication or having a medical condition such as hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms are not caused by grieving, such as temporary sadness after the loss of a loved one.
Treatment
Although major depression is a serious mental disorder that profoundly affects an individual’s quality of life. It is highly treatable. Many types of treatment are available. Medications and psychotherapy are very effective for most people. Some studies have shown that antidepressant drug therapy combined with psychotherapy has better results than either therapy alone.
Medications
Medications include:
- Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
- Atypical antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Psychotherapy
There are several types of psychotherapy that have been shown to be effective for depression including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps to identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on the interpersonal context and on building interpersonal skills.
Viagra Canada: Effective Depression Remedies To Try
It’s a good idea to look into cures that work naturally for depression, before trying anything else. But only if you have a more mild type that is easier to treat and less likely to be connected to a chemical imbalance.
If you do have a more severe form, consult with your doctor first. You might have a medical situation which is triggering your depression and this makes it very important to check first. The Dr. will usually give you some pointers on how to get rid of depression and may even recommend that you to visit a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation.
Here are a Few of the Better Cures for Depression to Check Out
Socializing
By talking with another individual, you have the opportunity to express your feelings and sharing with someone else what you are going through. This is why it’s important to stay close to friends and regularly visit your therapist or psychologist.
Start Taking Care of Your Health
If you are experiencing depression, it might be triggered from health issues. In this case, dieting and doing daily exercises should be the first thing you need to concentrate on for your well-being.
Deal with Feelings of Loss
If you are seeking natural cures for depression from loss of a family member or friend, it is very important that you reflect on your feelings. The mourning process is complicated but the only thing that will heal this is time and facing your true feelings. Writing everything down in a journal can be a good start toward understanding what is bothering you.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements can be a great help with depression problems. Look into Omega-3 acids, 5-HTP, and Folic Acid. By taking these and other supplements, you might see an improvement over time. You can also use Sage tea and Chamomile.
A Relaxing Massage
A recent study has been conducted on natural cures for depression, with one of them being massages. It is found that 70/100 people who get massages will get rid of their depression in less than a few months. Try consulting with a message therapist. You can schedule to have a message once a week or twice a month.
Natural cures have been used longer than we have had medication. Many of which have been utilized in Asia for thousands of years.
When it comes to finding products claiming to be natural cures, you should look over product reviews carefully before you use them. This may help you determine if the product is right for you and effective on depression.
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Stop Worrying About Others And Start Doing For Yourself
Do you spend a good deal of your time and energy worrying about others? Maybe you worry about your children: Are they doing well in school? Are they hanging out with the right group of friends? Are they on track with their lives and making wise choices about their futures? Maybe you worry about your parents. How’s their health? How long will they be able to continue to care for themselves? Perhaps you have people in your life who are close to you and continually in crisis. You care about them. You listen to their personal struggles. You invest yourself in their lives.
Truth is, we’re only ever really in control of ourselves. No matter how much we’d like to think we are able to control others and encourage them to healthier places, ultimately their journey is their journey. Ours is ours. So, if you find yourself spending MOST, if not ALL of your time worrying about others, trying to influence their choices, investing energy into solving their problems, then you’re very likely not doing much by way of investing in yourself.
As a personal trainer and life/balance coach, I see a lot of this. Worrying about others is a common form of self-denial. It’s easier to see the mistakes other people are making than to turn the focus inward. It’s easier to put energy into worrying about others because it gives us an excuse not to DO something about ourselves. The frustration we experience when others repeat mistakes and ignore our advice is often just masking the depression we feel over our own neglect. STOP THE CYCLE!
Reset Your Mind
We reboot computers all the time when they freeze up on us. Learning to reset your mind is a similar technique. When you find your mind turning to worry, STOP and reset.
- Refocus your thoughts on YOU.
- Breathe deeply.
- Center yourself on your own life.
- Be present in your journey.
- See yourself clearly.
- Invest in your emotional and physical wellbeing.
It’s a gift you give to yourself and your loved ones.
Reorganize Your Priorities
Sit down and make a list of the things important to you. Where do you fall? Are you even on your list? Reorganize and reprioritize. Your health and your wellbeing should be a top priority.
- We all want to be happy.
- We all want to achieve success.
- The fact is, healthier people are happier people.
- Healthier people are more productive.
Change is rarely easy and yet seldom as difficult as we fear it will be.
Reclaim Your Health
Reclaiming your health doesn’t require joining a gym, making a major equipment purchase, or signing up for a popular weight loss program. Although all of these things may be helpful, they are unnecessary. Simply learning to balance and portion your nutritional intake will make a huge improvement. Try one of the many free online nutritional logs. I personally like FitDay.com.
- Track your nutritional intake and try to achieve 40% of your calories from complex carbohydrates, 30% from lean proteins, and 30% from healthy fats.
- Eat smaller meals every 3-4 hours.
- Schedule daily exercise, both aerobic and strength training.
These simple steps WILL make a difference. You CAN reclaim your health. What are you waiting for?
Trust the Process
Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of effecting a life change is the ability to trust in the process. The change I’m suggesting in this article is not some fad or quick fix. It’s a life change and that means it’s a process; one that occurs through dedication and over time. Old habits are replaced with new, healthier habits. New habits begin to feel less awkward as time passes. Time passes and a wonderful, life changing process occurs. Trust me.
How To Get Help For Depression With Natural Method
Do you know you can get help for depression even if it is mild and doesn’t interfere with daily, normal functioning? It’s true. If this describes your current experience with this disorder you may want to try some natural methods which are readily available, safe and easy to use. In many cases, the effectiveness of many of these approaches can be equal to or better than antidepressant drugs.
Start by making some of these simple changes to your lifestyle.
Get physically active
Regular physical activity is known to work as a natural antidepressant. Compared to a month’s supply of Lexipro which costs a little over $100, exercise is free and a lot more fun.
You can walk, run, dance, bike or swim your way to mental health. The endorphins released in your brain during physical activity increases your levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for lifting mood. Serotonin can also distract you away from negative thinking, shield you from stress, and build your self-esteem.
For best results, most medical experts recommend at least forty-five minutes of brisk exercise, five days per week.
Practice daily relaxation
At least once a day, try to set some time aside to relax. You can begin with simple deep breathing exercises. If you find you get good results with this technique you can use it to ease into daily meditation. Then if you really want to step things up, regular yoga practice is a great way to balance mind and body.
Add more cold-water fish to your diet
Studies by the National Institutes for Health show that the omega3 fatty acids present in oil-rich, cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring are also a natural stimulant of serotonin production. As such, researchers believe eating more omega3-rich fish provides natural help for depression, as well as, other psychological disturbances.
Of course, many people worry about mercury and other toxins showing up in many of these fish sources. If you’re not comfortable with eating fish for this reason, you can always get a healthy dose of omega3s with a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseed added to a salad, soup or bowl of cereal every day.
Maintain social relationships and activities
It is well-known that depression can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is why it is so important to spend time with family and friends. Increasing feelings of being connected to the world can come from simple things such as interacting with a pet, volunteering in your community and spending time in nature.
Stay away from substances that produce depressant effects
You may think having a cocktail or two makes you feel better, but in truth, can have a depressant effect. Drugs such as antihistamines and sedatives also have a negative effect on depression.
Caffeine is also a known culprit for interfering with mood and making symptoms of depression worse. And if one of your symptoms is insomnia, caffeine can make it much worse.
Because of its mood-altering effects, nicotine also falls into this depressant substances category. The risk of depression in smokers is significantly higher than that of people who don’t smoke.
These natural methods are inexpensive and easy to take advantage of. That being said, however, if your symptoms are at a level that makes it difficult for you to get through your normal day, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible to determine if there is an underlying medical issue which needs to be immediately addressed.
Even if you’re diagnosed with a severe degree of clinical depression and require pharmaceutical help for depression you can still add these lifestyle adjustments to your daily routine to boost relief from your symptoms.
An Alternative and Complementary Approach To Anxiety and Depression Treatment
What are Depression and Anxiety? And what causes them? Volumes could and have been written about this and a detailed elucidation is beyond the scope of this brief introductory article. It is clear that depression is a state of powerlessness, hopelessness and desperation, a state in which one often feels dread at facing another day and generally feels unable to cope with life with any degree of composure or harmony. Depression and anxiety are a state of isolation, separation and disconnection from oneself, others and life in general. A person who is depressed will wish to withdraw from interaction and participation with life as much as possible, repressing an expression of their feelings and turning their anger inwards upon themselves, then finding ways to numb themselves and their feelings further – for depression is a state in which we are tortured by our own thoughts and the desperate feelings they fuel.
A fundamental characteristic of depression or anxiety is the internal struggle with the truth of the way things are, the what is. We do not want things to be the way they are, for we have an idea, a belief that they should be different, the way we want them to be. There is a lack of acceptance, and self-acceptance. This causes a mental, emotional and energetic paralysis and so we continue going round and round within the small, self-absorbed and self-enclosed loop of fearing change, yet also creating that which we fear most. Without the opening to acceptance, we cannot change, only continue with our exhausting struggles.
Most of us have and will experience depression and anxiety during our lifetime, and often at many times and for extended periods. It is a matter of degree, whether it is severe paralysing clinical depression on one end of the scale or a mild slump at the other end, but they all spring from the same root.
There are many causes of depression, and many ways to begin to reduce its grip upon our lives. That which we take into ourselves clearly creates what we are and how we feel, and this is certainly true of what we eat. The modern diet is extremely poor, nutritionally and energetically, and will consequently make us feel equally poor when this is what we assimilate. Many studies have shown that simple changes to a person’s diet, like removing all wheat products can have a radical impact in reducing or even totally clearing depression.
Without regular exercise we become energetically stagnant – like a body of water, which is what we are – especially given our predominantly sedentary lifestyle. So exercise is essential in keeping our energy flowing harmoniously, but also to nurture feelings of power and contentment in ourselves.
We are never taught how to speak to ourselves and others, how to effectively use the tool of our minds in communication and in choosing what we place our focus and attention on. We use words, whether thoughts or spoken gestures, as a means of reinforcing our limiting beliefs and ideas about ourselves and the world – for example, once a child has been told he is useless enough times by his parents he will believe it – and then continues to repeat it, as a mantra, to himself well into adulthood. This can then begin to feed looming states of depression and anxiety. To change he must begin to change the way he talks to himself. It is also a question of changing the way he uses the laser like quality of his mind to focus on one thing or another. You can focus on what is good and glorious about yourself and life, and how to achieve what your heart desires, or you can focus on your monolithic beliefs about how you are useless, good for nothing and that you will never get anywhere in life because your life, society or whatever has messed you up – you are a victim. To choose to place your attention on that which is uplifting and expansive is a step into adulthood, responsibility and self autonomy – in other words growing up. Depression is always a state ruled over by childishness, victimisation, powerlessness and a lack of responsibility.
We may fall into depression following trauma, abuse, loss and bereavement, but ultimately, depression and anxiety are caused by the pain of becoming separated, isolated and disconnected from the whole of life. No one truly wishes to be alone, isolated and separate, but we are drawn further into our own deceptions whereby we believe we must protect ourselves, withdraw from others or whatever the story is, and the worse we start feeling usually the more we withdraw into ourselves. This creates an unnatural state in which we close off to receiving all the abundance life has to offer – instead all we receive is a recycled version of our own tired self-absorption. Then to avoid the pain of existing in this state we must find ways to numb the pain which only further cocoons ourselves into the depression. Depression denies a life of purpose, joy and empowerment. And what underlies depression and the isolation is always fear. Fear causes this contraction and closing to the life that could be for us, where our hearts and souls dream to soar like a bird through the skies.
Most of us are not taught as children how to live life to its fullest, how to express ourselves without limits and how to see the possibility, joy and interconnectedness in everything. So we often slip into states such as depression or anxiety. But we all reach a point at which we cannot go on living like that, and it is then that we must begin to find a way to learn how to live differently.
To overcome depression and anxiety we must reach out to others, and do the thing we have been resisting and fearing – then we open ourselves to receiving compassion from others. None of us can do everything ourselves – this belief in self-sufficiency is one of the biggest isolating myths. We need others and when we show ourselves to others, and open to truth, we allow a connection with life and joy so that then depression and anxiety can begin to fade away. Obviously this is an on-going process and change is made step by step.
Whilst in a state of depression or anxiety, we need someone who can guide, uplift and empower us to find and fight for our own way out of it – not to prop up and support which can disempower and keep us in depression and the fears that underpin it. My approach to treating depression and anxiety uses massage, bodywork, Reiki Healing and another very powerful means using essences to dissolve the very fears that keep us in limited and painful states of being – this is The Emerald Heart, a powerful light for truth and transformation. The Emerald Heart helps to reveal the truth of our situation – until we face the truth we have no hope of change – then using high vibrational essences the clouds of fears that keep us held begin to dissolve, clearing the way to our freedom.
The Emerald Heart is a simple and powerful tool to bring external empowerment to your intent to change. I have seen many people make significant shifts out of various states of chronic, long term depression, anxiety and general struggle in a matter of weeks or months – by removing the fears that are the foundation of depression and anxiety. It is also a means to removing limitations to our self expression, to self and spiritual development, towards the evolution of who we are. A state of depression or anxiety or limitation can then, and so often does, become a gateway into transformation.
Alongside the Emerald Heart in helping people find a way out of depression, I encourage people to receive massage and bodywork such as Shiatsu, Thai Massage and Reflexology. When we are depressed or suffer with long term anxiety, we can become very disembodied. This means we spend most of our time thinking, in our heads, rather than inhabiting our bodies. In fact, most people live like this to some degree, whether depressed or not. This causes many problems, but one common to depression is the stagnation that creeps in, reinforcing the feelings of depression and which can then cause other problems. So all massage and bodywork helps to harmonise the flow of energies within us – quite simply helping us to feel better and relieving the depression or anxiety.
Massage, bodywork, Reiki and the Emerald Heart are all complementary forms of treatment that require no adjustment to your life in any way and are fine to receive alongside any other treatment or medicine you may already be receiving.
The Emerald Heart and all forms of healing, bodywork and massage, despite the associated new age terms which can cause dismissive feelings in some are really and simply just a way to a better, happier and more fulfilled life. Now who wouldn’t want that?
Depression – The Beginning
I am not a trained expert when it comes to depression. However, I do consider myself an “expert” at being depressed, because I experienced the effects of depression for a large part of my life. I totally collapsed in the summer of 1999.
Looking back at my younger days, I’m sure I suffered from dysthymia, a mild form of depression. My life was totally out of balance.
It’s Cerebral Palsy
For the longest time, I thought I had cerebral palsy. When I was at my lowest point, I asked my mother about that. She told me there had been accident which damaged my brain when I was being delivered. She and my father didn’t realize there was anything different about me until I was about six months old.
I believe my negative thought process started when I realized I was different from the other kids in school. At an early age, I wore a brace on my left leg. My left foot turns in when I walk, so I guess the thought was to see if it could be strengthened by wearing the brace. Well, the brace didn’t work, for whatever reason. I still have the issue today.
I favored my left arm, so I didn’t let it swing naturally like my right arm. I kind of held it up some.
Last Man Standing
As I got older, these thing started to affect me socially. During Phys Ed, I was one of the last kids chosen for whatever sport we were playing at the time. I love sports, and I really wanted to be a part of a team, even in Phys Ed. My lack of co-ordination really held me back. I must say, though, I did have a pretty good shot in basketball.
Bullying
There was teasing. I still remember the kid in junior high or high school who would mock me. Whenever he would see me in the hall, he would cock his left arm and start limping. It got to the point where I would avoid him if I saw him before he saw me.
It’s interesting, I didn’t tell anyone about the teasing. I don’t know why; maybe I thought it would make me look weak if I admitted I needed help.
I also noticed that people would give me the old “You’re Different” look when they passed me. The eyes would check me out, then go back to looking ahead. Now, I realize I carried my body in such a fashion that it attracted those looks. That behavior went on way into my adult years.
Well-planned Lies
I think I still carry some of those “You’re Different” feelings today, because at 55 years old, I have never been married, and have had only one serious girlfriend. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, I just want you to understand how I let circumstances and experiences control my life.
Alcohol Withdrawal and Depression
Ok, here is catch 22.
If you suffer from depression you are very likely to start drinking. The more you drink the more you get depressed. One of the steps you would need to take to fight your depression successfully is to stop drinking.
But what is the first thing that happens when you stop? Right, alcohol withdrawal. And what alcohol withdrawal brings? Depression.
This is not always a guarantee as each person responds to alcohol withdrawal individually, but it is a very strong possibility especially if depression drove you to drink in the first place.
I’m not going list all of the signs of alcohol withdrawal, but some of them are very close to signs of depression itself:
– Anxiety,
– Nervousness,
– Irritability,
– Depression,
– Insomnia,
– Nightmares,
– Confusion,
– Lack of appetite.
Needless to say, alcohol withdrawal should always be done under the supervision of the professionals simply because if you don’t get the right medications and fluids you might die. At least 1 in 20 people can hit a dangerous stage in withdrawal and experience psychosis, severe hallucinations, delirium, fever and seizures.
Some of the medications you’ll be prescribed in alcohol withdrawal can act as mild antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs providing some sort of relief.
Most probably you will be given Diazepam or if you had a problem with drug dependency before, – Chlordiazepoxide.
They are both tranquilizers and will make you feel drowsy which will help you to get through depression and anxiety of alcohol withdrawal.
However, this is not a long-term solution. First of all you body adapts to these drugs quickly, and to get the desirable effect you will have to increase the dose more and more. Secondly, you’ll become addicted.
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So, if your depression is not lifted after the withdrawal period, you should consider going to a specialist and talk to them about it. Depending on the diagnosis you can receive all sorts of treatments – therapy, antidepressants, exercise routine, self-help groups, natural remedies, etc.
The most important thing is to determine the cause of your illness and treat it correctly. While you were drinking you were trying to get away from your feelings, but now you will have to face them and discover how to deal with them. Just don’t forget you don’t have to do it alone.
Please, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts about the article and your experience here and take care, guys!
10 Foods That Help Treat Depression
Because of the modern lifestyle, depression has become more common nowadays. Depression is a psychological sickness that affects every aspect of a person including his intellect, emotions and even his body. The particular targets of this behavioral problem are teenagers and adults undergoing mid-life crisis.
Most people who suffer from depression find comfort in foods. The tendency is that they will eat a lot of foods in order to cover up for the low mood that they are feeling. But did you know that there are actually foods that can somehow make your mood brighter? If you are suffering from a depressive state, you can try eating these 10 foods that help treat depression.
Sweet honey
Honey has the essential nutrients that a depressed person might be lacking. It contains anti-oxidants which take away free radicals in the body. Honey can also regulate the blood sugar by releasing glucose gradually. This will help avoid mood swings.
Brown rice
Brown rice is a good source of good carbohydrate and it is easily digested because of its high-fiber contents. Like honey, brown rice also helps maintain proper amount of sugar that flows in your bloodstream to avoid fluctuating moods.
Cereals and oats
Cereals and oats contain nutrients such as fiber, folic acid and other vitamins. They also lower the body’s cholesterol level, making your heart soothed and relaxed.
Fish, shrimp and more seafood
Fish and other seafood can greatly help in treating depression. This is because seafood contains a lot of Omega-3 fatty acid which help fight free radicals and dirt that has entered the body. When you intake more seafood, you will get more Omega-3 which can help cleanse your mind and body, giving you a lighter and more comfortable disposition.
Milk
Fresh milk is rich with calcium and Omega-3 fatty acid as well. Milk also has a calming effect. To lighten up your mood, grab a glass of fresh milk.
Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in Niacin which is an essential nutrient that helps alleviate a bad mood. To lessen depression, eat more green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, broccoli and other fresh, nutritious veggies.
Fruits
Fruits are good source of Vitamin C and other minerals. Fruits like lemon, orange, berries, kiwi and the like, are delicious and packed with nutrients. You can eat fresh fruits as is or turn them into refreshing drinks or scrumptious fruit salads.
Poultry meat
Chicken, turkey and other white meat are rich in vitamins such as Vitamin B6 which helps produce more serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is also called as the “happiness hormone.”
Nuts
Studies show that people suffering from depression lacks Vitamin E. Peanuts, almonds and other type of nuts are rich in Vitamin E. This nutrient can help a person feel more youthful and vibrant.
Chocolate
Although too much chocolate is not really healthy for the body, it does help release endorphin, which is a chemical responsible for making a person feel more cheerful. Eating a tiny amount of chocolate treat every now and then can make a depressed person feel better.