For years I have suffered from depression, at different levels, some of them being major episodes and some more on a dysthymic (low-grade chronic) level.
What is depression?
There is a tendency to use the word depression to describe periods or episodes of sadness that each of us experience from time to time. And for many of us, during these periods it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet, anyone who has ever experienced an episode of major depression knows - at least after the depression has lifted - that what they feel is more than just ongoing or persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are remarkably distinct from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biologic, psychological and social factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person extremely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him/her into total loss of hope.
During a major depression, someone can become surrounded by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness, and these feelings can distort every thought and experience, making life seem hopeless and unworthy. Feelings of being deeply and continually deprived, unworthy, insignificant, and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a person may feel chronically irritable, often exploding into anger and frustration.
While a major depression may be triggered by some life event or circumstance, a person's mood reaction may seem greatly exaggerated. However, depression has less to do with life's events than with an individual's existing vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, someone may experience a major depression as a single episode, but in most cases, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. A major depressive episode could possibly last up to 2 or more years.
When someone experiences milder depressive episodes, this is called dysthymia. For someone suffering from dysthymia, certain life circumstances, such as loss of a job, divorce, or relocating to a new environment, may provoke a much deeper depression.
For some individuals, there is a seasonal component to their depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a form of reactive depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where climatic extreme changes are greater. SAD usually affects people in the fall or winter and is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, overeating, lack of energy or motivation to do activities normally enjoyed, and oversleeping. While the exact etiology or cause of SAD is not certain, it is possible that it may be related to the way in which the light responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Below are two interesting e-books I discovered regarding depression with techniques to help someone deal with or overcome their depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
Check back for information on what to do if you have depression, when to seek treatment, types of treatment, and prognosis.
If you feel you are in crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Natural help for depression
I have found a couple of very interesting e-books that discuss depression and ways to get relief.
This first e-book is actually written by a retired clinical counselor and discusses ways to deal with depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
This e-book discusses ways to get rid of anxiety, stress and depression via natural means. A lot of people are against using antidepressants or other medications for their disorders and would prefer to try natural methods to get relief.
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
This first e-book is actually written by a retired clinical counselor and discusses ways to deal with depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
This e-book discusses ways to get rid of anxiety, stress and depression via natural means. A lot of people are against using antidepressants or other medications for their disorders and would prefer to try natural methods to get relief.
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
Friday, October 17, 2008
Stages of Depression
While the American Psychological Association doesn't define clear stages of depression, there does seem to be a pattern among the way that depression progresses among people. Here are the basic issues that may lead to depression in many people:
Feeling frustrated or overwhelmed – When life begins to become burdensome, you can begin to have troubles dealing with the emotions that come along with this anxiety
Sense of sadness at the way things are – Feeling like everything is out of control, you begin to feel sad and despondent.
Loss of interest in things you enjoy – You begin to isolate yourself from others and from the things you love to do.
Changes in eating and sleeping – You might begin to change the way you eat and the way you sleep as a way to cope with the burdens of your feelings.
Feelings of hopelessness – As you continue to feel bad, you might begin to see things as hopeless and beyond your control. You begin to not care about anything. You might stop bathing or handling even mundane tasks.
Feelings of death and suicide – Those who feel like they are completely alone and have no one to turn to will often begin to have thoughts of death and finally 'ending' it all.
Feeling frustrated or overwhelmed – When life begins to become burdensome, you can begin to have troubles dealing with the emotions that come along with this anxiety
Sense of sadness at the way things are – Feeling like everything is out of control, you begin to feel sad and despondent.
Loss of interest in things you enjoy – You begin to isolate yourself from others and from the things you love to do.
Changes in eating and sleeping – You might begin to change the way you eat and the way you sleep as a way to cope with the burdens of your feelings.
Feelings of hopelessness – As you continue to feel bad, you might begin to see things as hopeless and beyond your control. You begin to not care about anything. You might stop bathing or handling even mundane tasks.
Feelings of death and suicide – Those who feel like they are completely alone and have no one to turn to will often begin to have thoughts of death and finally 'ending' it all.
Monday, August 25, 2008
What is Depression?
For years I have suffered from depression, at different levels, some of them being major episodes and some more on a dysthymic (low-grade chronic) level.
What is depression?
There is a tendency to use the word depression to describe periods or episodes of sadness that each of us experience from time to time. And for many of us, during these periods it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet, anyone who has ever experienced an episode of major depression knows - at least after the depression has lifted - that what they feel is more than just ongoing or persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are remarkably distinct from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biologic, psychological and social factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person extremely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him/her into total loss of hope.
During a major depression, someone can become surrounded by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness, and these feelings can distort every thought and experience, making life seem hopeless and unworthy. Feelings of being deeply and continually deprived, unworthy, insignificant, and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a person may feel chronically irritable, often exploding into anger and frustration.
While a major depression may be triggered by some life event or circumstance, a person's mood reaction may seem greatly exaggerated. However, depression has less to do with life's events than with an individual's existing vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, someone may experience a major depression as a single episode, but in most cases, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. A major depressive episode could possibly last up to 2 or more years.
When someone experiences milder depressive episodes, this is called dysthymia. For someone suffering from dysthymia, certain life circumstances, such as loss of a job, divorce, or relocating to a new environment, may provoke a much deeper depression.
For some individuals, there is a seasonal component to their depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a form of reactive depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where climatic extreme changes are greater. SAD usually affects people in the fall or winter and is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, overeating, lack of energy or motivation to do activities normally enjoyed, and oversleeping. While the exact etiology or cause of SAD is not certain, it is possible that it may be related to the way in which the light responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Check back for information on what to do if you have depression, when to seek treatment, types of treatment, and prognosis.
What is depression?
There is a tendency to use the word depression to describe periods or episodes of sadness that each of us experience from time to time. And for many of us, during these periods it is not always easy to discern where normal sorrow ends and clinical depression begins. Yet, anyone who has ever experienced an episode of major depression knows - at least after the depression has lifted - that what they feel is more than just ongoing or persistent sadness.
Clinical depression is an illness characterized by a cluster of feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are remarkably distinct from a person's normal range of feelings and functioning. Caused by a complex interaction of biologic, psychological and social factors, a major depressive disorder can make a person extremely sensitive to life circumstances, the least of which can throw him/her into total loss of hope.
During a major depression, someone can become surrounded by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and emptiness, and these feelings can distort every thought and experience, making life seem hopeless and unworthy. Feelings of being deeply and continually deprived, unworthy, insignificant, and guilt-ridden build on feelings of sadness. At the same time, a person may feel chronically irritable, often exploding into anger and frustration.
While a major depression may be triggered by some life event or circumstance, a person's mood reaction may seem greatly exaggerated. However, depression has less to do with life's events than with an individual's existing vulnerability to the condition.
In some cases, someone may experience a major depression as a single episode, but in most cases, clinical depression tends to recur periodically, reactively or cyclically. A major depressive episode could possibly last up to 2 or more years.
When someone experiences milder depressive episodes, this is called dysthymia. For someone suffering from dysthymia, certain life circumstances, such as loss of a job, divorce, or relocating to a new environment, may provoke a much deeper depression.
For some individuals, there is a seasonal component to their depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a form of reactive depression that is more prevalent in northern parts of the country where climatic extreme changes are greater. SAD usually affects people in the fall or winter and is characterized by fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, overeating, lack of energy or motivation to do activities normally enjoyed, and oversleeping. While the exact etiology or cause of SAD is not certain, it is possible that it may be related to the way in which the light responsive pineal gland in the brain functions.
Check back for information on what to do if you have depression, when to seek treatment, types of treatment, and prognosis.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Depression E-books
I have found a couple of very interesting e-books that discuss depression and ways to get relief.
This first e-book is actually written by a retired clinical counselor and discusses ways to deal with depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
This e-book discusses ways to get rid of anxiety, stress and depression via natural means. A lot of people are against using antidepressants or other medications for their disorders and would prefer to try natural methods to get relief.
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
This first e-book is actually written by a retired clinical counselor and discusses ways to deal with depression.
Stop Your Depression Now
This e-book discusses ways to get rid of anxiety, stress and depression via natural means. A lot of people are against using antidepressants or other medications for their disorders and would prefer to try natural methods to get relief.
Conquer Stress, Depression and Anxiety Naturally in Just 90 Days
Friday, March 7, 2008
Getting help for depression
If you are in a major bout of depression, you may feel like you are beyond help. However, depression CAN be treated and managed. If your state of gloom/sadness persists more than two weeks, you find that you cannot get out of bed, you are increasingly isolated from family and friends, and you have lost any sense of enjoyment or interest in your usual activities, call your doctor right away. Also, if you find yourself ruminating about death and the meaningless of life and you are considering suicide, SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY. There is help available and things will and do get better.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Winter Blues
Every year I struggle with depression during the winter months. This year has been better but still difficult at times. Things that have helped me deal with things easier have been exercise (at least 20 - 40 minutes per day, even just walking helps), cutting back on sugary foods or carbohydrates, eating more high-protein foods, like low-fat cheese, fat-free, sugar-free yogurt, and also lots of fruits and veges. I do recommended Progresso soups that have 0 points on the Weight Watchers plan as they are very filling and have very few calories. I am down about 40 pounds so far and just these changes have tremendously helped my mood. The main thing is just keeping active. If I start feeling down, I make myself get on the treadmill, even 15 minutes helps bring up my mood.
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