Has someone told you that you have bipolar disorder or manic-depression? Have you been wondering what having bipolar disorder really means? This article will help you make sense out of what you or a loved one is experiencing.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is neurobiologic. That is, bipolar disorder is a physical illness involving the brain. It is not a character flaw or laziness. If you have bipolar disorder you are not purposely being “moody.” Nor can you “just snap out of it.” A person who has diabetes cannot “snap out” of having diabetes; neither can you snap out of having bipolar disorder.

However, having bipolar disorder does not mean that you can’t take steps toward recovery from your illness. Many of you with bipolar disorder are struggling with accepting the fact that you have a real condition that prevents your brain from regulating mood properly. You may be reeling from the powerful effect this disorder has had on your life. But the more you learn about bipolar disorder, the more insight you can gain, and that will help you to better manage your illness.

Bipolar literally means two poles, implying that in bipolar disorder there are two basic “poles” or extremes of mood However, thinking of bipolar disorder in terms of two extremes of mood is misleading. It is more accurate to think of bipolar disorder as a wide range of moods.

Our goal in the rest of this article will be to answer these questions: What is mood? What is normal mood? What is depression? What are hypomania and mania? How can I meet the challenges of bipolar disorder?

What is mood ?

Mood is a very strong word. It comes from older words meaning mind, spirit, courage, and to strive strongly, be energetic. An even older word that mood comes from means custom or customary behavior. Thus mood means more than feeling happy or sad. Mood encompasses much of what we need to live. Mind, spirit, and courage, striving and energy, custom and behavior—all are related to mood and our sense of well-being. Thus having bipolar disorder affects us in many ways, presenting challenges as well as abilities such as enhanced creativity and sensitivity to the world around us. Many with bipolar disorder have influenced our lives and culture. These include Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Virginia Woolf, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Robert Schumann.

Bipolar disorder is about more than whether we feel happy or sad at a particular time. Bipolar disorder can be emotionally painful and have a major impact on our lives. At the same time it is a disorder that involves all aspects of mood. In addition to the challenges it presents, it also bestows gifts of seeing the world differently from others whose moods remain in a normal range.

As mentioned already, thinking of bipolar disorder as being two extremes of mood is misleading even though the term bipolar implies only two poles of mood—depression and mania. It is more accurate to think of bipolar disorder as involving a wide range of moods.

At its core is the brain’s inability to regulate mood. This inability to regulate mood within a normal range results in varying degrees of depression or mania. At times there may even be a mixed mood—a state that has elements of both depression and mania. In bipolar disorder your mood takes on a life of its own that is independent of what is happening in your life. Your mood thus becomes independent of your experiences. This “disconnecting” of mood and experience presents challenges in daily life. Sense of identity and self-confidence can be affected. Symptoms such as extreme irritability can affect relationships. Sadness and hopelessness can become overwhelming and even lead to *******. The sense of self can be lost by not knowing what to expect from your moods from day to day or even from hour to hour or minute to minute.

What is normal mood?

Beginning with normal mood is important because it is the hardest mood to understand for a person who is experiencing bipolar disorder. Most people take for granted that they feel happy or content most of the time. Happiness or contentment describes normal mood. Especially if you are experiencing bipolar depression, you may not realize that most people feel happy most of the time. Most people have a stable mood that doesn’t have wide swings. Instability of mood is the hallmark of bipolar disorder. Such instability makes it difficult to recognize normal mood. Just as it may be difficult for you to understand normal mood, those around you may have difficulty understanding depression, hypomania or mania. For instance many people with normal mood will say that they are “depressed” when they are having a bad day. This is better described as having a “blue mood,” which quickly passes.

The difference between depression and a blue mood is that the blue mood may vary a bit but it remains within a normal range. Blue mood does not stay at an extreme for very long, but lifts after a short time. Also the ability to enjoy pleasurable activities remains. For example, if someone with normal mood is having a low mood, that person may decide to go to a movie with some friends. This may be enjoyable and may even lift that person’s mood. Depression differs in that it is much more intense and lasts from weeks to months or even years. Going to a movie does not help the person who is depressed to “snap out” of depression. In our example, a depressed person may not be able even to enjoy the movie.

What is depression?

Depression is an intensely sad mood that lasts for at least two weeks. It may be characterized by irritability (usually an anxious irritability), and loss of enjoyment. Take the above example of going to the movies. If you are experiencing depression you may not be able to enjoy a movie or an outing with your friends. Sadness, irritability and loss of enjoyment are emotional features of depression.

Depression also has cognitive features. Cognitive means thinking. In other words, thinking may be affected by depression. Often concentration and focus are impaired. Concentration is being able to pay attention to what you are doing so that you can complete thoughts or tasks. Focusing is keeping on track without forgetting what you are doing or being easily distracted.

A second cognitive feature of depression is that of a sense of worthlessness. This may take many forms. Examples are a belief that you cannot do things right, a belief that you have no friends, or a belief that you are a failure in life. Notice here that I am using the word belief to describe this cognitive feature. That is because a sense of worthlessness may have nothing whatsoever to do with the reality of your accomplishments, the number of friends you have or your success in life. The cognitive feature of a sense of worthlessness has nothing to do with your actual self-worth but everything to do with the thinking that can accompany depression.

Hopelessness is another cognitive feature of depression, which causes you to see the world in an unrealistic way. The thinking process of hopelessness makes sense to you because your thinking process is not working normally. If you feel like harming yourself or others, you need to be in a safe place. That place may be with others who can monitor your behavior, but more likely hospitalization may be needed until the extreme hopelessness passes. When you are in the depths of hopelessness you need to ask for help. This may mean calling your psychiatrist, your therapist, or a trusted person who cares about you. An alternative is to call a ******* hotline (1.800.SUICIDE) or to dial 911. Keep in your purse or wallet a note that says, “I am feeling suicidal. I need help.” When you are not suicidal show it to a few trusted people and give them instructions about how to get help. You can use the note when you feel suicidal but can’t ask for help.

Our bodies are also affected by depression. You may sleep too much or too little, yet always feel tired. You may lose your normal appetite or have too great an appetite. You may have a headache, stomach ache or fatigue. Or you may find yourself crying without being able to stop.

What are hypomania and mania?

Hypomania is a word that confuses many people. Hypo means under and hypomania is a mood that is “under mania.” It is not as extreme as mania but lies somewhere between mania and normal mood. Hypomania is a bit harder to recognize and often remains hidden. Mania is more easily recognized.

Mania is an expansive mood just waiting to be seen by all. Because mania is often pleasurable, you may not want treatment for mania. Getting treatment may feel a bit like giving up a good friend. Unfortunately, the mania’s friendship brings serious challenges into your life that can make it less manageable. Lifelong treatment seeks to even out your moods so that you can be happier and accomplish your goals in life. Untreated mania will lead to instability and will greatly disrupt your life.

There are two kinds of bipolar disorder, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is characterized by mania; bipolar II differs in that it is characterized by hypomania. Both include swings into depression, but depression tends to be the dominant mood in bipolar II. In order to diagnose bipolar disorder, hypomania or mania must be present at some time and depression must also be present at another time.articleIn the discussion that follows, mania will refer to both hypomania and mania.

We will continue by examining the emotional features of mania. Unstable mood is the hallmark of mania. Mania is an exercise of “catch as catch can” because your mood shifts rapidly. For example, you may have sudden bursts of energy contagious to everyone in the room. You may laugh loudly, tell jokes, and almost perform for those around you. But this mood is unstable and within a short time you may move on to a completely different experience of being unable to sit still. This restlessness might cause you to walk quickly out of the room to begin a different activity.

Another emotional feature of mania is that of irritability. The irritability of depression has an anxious quality. In mania the irritability is one of being easily frustrated. You may feel as though you could crawl out of your skin. The irritability of mania is often mistaken for anger. Anger differs in that it targets a specific focus, while irritability is without a particular focus. Anger’s target could be another person’s actions, a circumstance or perhaps a perceived failure of yourself or others. When you experience the irritability of mania you feel volatile and any little thing can set you off. You are easily frustrated. Mania’s irritability often causes difficulty in relationships, especially if others interpret your irritability as anger.

Mania also has cognitive or thinking features. One of these is grandiosity. With grandiose thinking, you may have ideas and plans so expansive and difficult that they are impossible to accomplish. In mania, however, you are convinced they are well within your capabilities. For example, you may believe you can climb Mount Everest even though you have never even seen a mountain before. Other cognitive features of mania include poor judgment, disorganization and lack of impulse control. When you experience these features of mania, you may have difficulties with relationships, find yourself overwhelmed by clutter, or go on spending sprees. These cognitive challenges can result in troubles at home, work or in your community.

One feature of mania affecting the body is that of increased energy in spite of decreased sleep. You can go for days to weeks with little sleep or even no sleep and yet have high energy. (Compare this to the extreme fatigue often associated with depression.) Mania’s high energy can result in rapid speech or racing thoughts. When you are having these features, you may not perceive them as “rapid” or “racing.” Instead it may seem that the rest of the world has slowed down. Your thoughts can seem intrusive, taking off on topics other than those you want to address. You can feel agitated and as though you cannot sit still or stop moving. However, when mania is less extreme, you may become more productive than normal and may accomplish tasks in a more efficient manner than other people who do not have bipolar disorder.

Psychotic features may also occur such as hearing things that are not present or seeing things that are not there. If these latter symptoms occur you need to call your doctor immediately or even call 911, especially if you feel that you are in danger to yourself or others. If things get this severe, others will often intervene because you may not be able to recognize that you need help.

How can I meet the challenge of bipolar disorder?

The core challenge in bipolar disorder is the brain’s inability to regulate mood. Understanding this is crucial in learning to manage your illness. When your brain is not keeping your mood within a normal range, you are challenged to seek treatment. Medications and psychotherapy, sometimes called talk therapy, can help you. It is important to realize that the goal of treatment is not to take away your personality and creativity. It is to help regulate your moods so that your personality and creativity shine through in a healthy, productive life. Because treatment works you will feel better and be able to accomplish your life goals.

You can also find help through education in your community and through bipolar recovery groups. Bipolar disorder is treatable and you will feel better and be better able to accomplish your life goals if you seek treatment. Support from others helps you learn how to manage the challenges of bipolar disorder.



By: Jane Mountain, MD

About the Author:

Anxius anxiety treatment and information

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Anxiety is only considered to be a mental health problem when it is prolonged, severe and is interfering with everyday activities. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders are highly treatable with psychotherapy, drugs, or a combination of both. There are at least nine identified types of anxiety disorders, include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, specific phobia, separation anxiety, school avoidance, and agoraphobia. Anxiety disorders in children can range from a simple adjustment disorder to more difficult and debilitating disorders such as panic disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. It’s normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous, and mild anxiety can be a positive and useful experience. Excessive anxiety is often associated with other mental health problems, such as depression. Unfortunately, many people with anxiety disorders don’t seek treatment because they do not believe they have a legitimate illness, or they fear the reaction of family and friends.

Sometimes anxiety can be associated with a physical illness, such as thyroid disorder. For this reason it’s advisable to see your GP in order to rule out a physical cause. Symptoms occur with varying frequency and intensity but may include all of those listed above as well as trembling, chest pain, nausea, and fear. You may fear you are going crazy or dying. Some people may also have a sense of being detached from reality. Anxiety can be a long-term disorder where you feel worried most of the time about things that might go wrong. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used, as is psychotherapy and stress management techniques. Drugs used to treat anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Often, a combination of therapies works best.

What are the types of Anxiety disorders?

There are several major types of anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder feel anxious nearly all of the time, though they may not even know why.

2. Phobias: A phobia is an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that in reality presents little to no danger. Common phobias include fear of animals such as snakes and spiders, fear of flying, and fear of heights.

3. Social Phobia: Social anxiety disorder can be thought of as extreme shyness.

4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is characterized by unwanted thoughts or behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.

5. Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is a normal part of child development.

6. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks.

Symptoms of Anxiety:

The symptoms can include:

1. Abdominal discomfort.

2. Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.

3. Shortness of breath.

4. Frequent urination

5. Feeling worried or uneasy all the time

6. An inability to concentrate

7. Depersonalisation.

Treatment For Anxiety disorders:

The treatment will depend upon which type of anxiety you are experiencing and how severe it is. Cognitive-behavior therapy is very effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Tranquilisers, such as benzodiazepine tablets, may help to relieve some short-term stress-related anxieties. However, they shouldn’t be taken for long periods because of the risk of addiction. For this reason they aren’t usually prescribed. Antidepressants can treat certain anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia, OCD, and anxiety associated with depression.



By: Juliet Cohen

About the Author:

Mood Enhancement information and products

There are three main categories of depression disorder. They are known as Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Depression Disorder and Major Depression Disorder. Of the three mood disorders Major Depression Disorder is the most severe. This disorder may also be called Severe Depression.

In Severe Depression the cause can be a single traumatic event in your life. It could even be the result of many personal disappointments and problems in your life. Sometimes it is possible to develop Severe Depression without any traumatic events or life problems. Still other times people who suffer from Chronic Depression can go into Severe Depression as a result of a traumatic event.

The symptoms of depression are also present in Severe Depression. They are however more intense than normal depression symptoms. For most people who suffer from Severe Depression, they can either have a recurring Severe Depression episode or their Severe Depression may occur only once in their lifetime and never reoccur again.

Recurring Severe Depression is where the individual will have periods of Severe Depression that are followed by periods of depression. After these bouts of depression are finished, they will be able to live at least several years without any episodes of depression. They may have another episode of Severe Depression which can arise due to some traumatic event. In a single episode of Severe Depression the symptoms occur due to a major traumatic event in the individual’s life. Once medical treatment has taken effect, the Severe Depression will not occur again in their lifetime.

In general the medication that is prescribed for Severe Depression is anti-depressants. There are several types of depression medications that are used for Severe Depression. These medications include Tricyclics, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors, Noradrenergic and Serotonergic anti-depressants, Serotonin 5-HT (2) Receptor Antagonists, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Bupropion.

The other type of treatment that works for Severe Depression is that of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The best method of treatment is that of medication combined with cognitive therapy. The therapy is used to treat the psychological aspects of Severe Depression while the medication will treat the symptoms of Severe Depression.

The intensified symptoms of Severe Depression include restlessness, irritability, insomnia, oversleeping, fatigue, thoughts of death, suicide, early morning waking, pessimism, hopelessness, weight loss or gain, and a change in appetite

These symptoms coupled with any traumatic incident or an accumulation of life problems can trigger either recurring Severe Depression or episodic Severe Depression. Both types of Severe Depression need to be treated as the consequences can be life threatening. Should you suspect that you may be having Severe Depression then you should get immediate medical help.



By: Krishan Bakhru

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Mood Enhancement information and products

A lot of people will be shocked when they find out that I have suffered major depression for most of my life. Although there are many types of depression, they are usually eminent between depression and major depression.

By the occasion I had reach my near the beginning 20`s I had suffer at least three episodes of depression. A that thirty years I had numerous breakdowns and was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I had been treated for it with medication and a large amount of the time it seemed victorious at least until the next incidence.

Every episode seemed to get longer and harder to deal with. In 2003 it lasted for a three month period and I found that it odd that it had in progress in the summer, questioning the SAD theory that I had been given.

In the summer of 2006 the depression return once more this time the episode was not going to go away and once more was during the summer months. I started seeking answer to what was going on. How could I have SAD when I seem to start these occurrences during the sunny days? The medical professionals forward looking to go back into my file and reexamine there analysis. They realized that I actually had been suffering major depression bi-polar disease and we begin a Depression Treatment program.

I only wish that I had questioned 3 years earlier the diagnosis that I was given it may have saved me the past 2 and 1/2years that I have had to undergo an emotional rollercoaster. We try various medications and each one took months to find out if they were going to work or have to start once more with the process.

When I was stressed to find answers I found some of the subsequent information about depression. I hope this will make others appreciate how hard this disease really is either to live with or have someone in your family suffering with it.

Main depressive disorder, also known as major depression, clinical depression, unipolar depression or just depression, is a mental disorder characterize by a pervasive low disposition and loss of concentration or pleasure in ordinary activities. The diagnosis is complete if a person has suffered one or additional major depressive episodes. Analysis is base on the patient’s self reported experiences and experiential performance. There is no laboratory test for major depression, although physicians frequently test for physical circumstances that may cause similar symptoms before arriving at a diagnosis. The course varies extensively, from a one off incidence to a lifelong disorder with recurrent episodes.

But how does that almost certainly effect on us and what kind of depression symptoms should we be looking at?

According to many psychiatric professional any vary or raise in any of the following should be reported to your physician.

Depression can make you feel hopeless and unable to help. But by taking the primary step deciding to get treatment can make all the difference

Medical care is the simply Answer! Look for a professional for there help.

It is thought that there are a lot of reasons that people suffer debilitating depression. Approach of depression is caused by a chemical alter that affect how the brain functions.

The brain is complete up of billions of nerve cells known as neurons. These neurons drive and get messages from the rest of your body, using brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters.

These brain chemicals in unreliable amounts are accountable for our emotional state. Depression happens when these chemical messages aren’t delivered correctly between brain cells which lead to disrupting communication.

The excellent news is that there are a lot of forms of cure that can help you manage with depression, as well as medications that can strengthen weak signals by raise the levels of definite neurotransmitters, or by improving the neurons’ ability to process signals. This ensures that the brain’s very important messages are received.

Although depression can make you undergo alone a lot of people will suffer some form of depression in their lifetime. While depression can have an effect on anyone, its effect may vary depending on your age and gender.

Women are almost twice as probable to become depressed as men. The higher threat may be due to a certain extent to hormonal changes brought on by puberty, menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy. The mainly time of beginning is between the ages of 30 and 40, with a later peak between 50 and 60. The circumstance appears to be more common in women.

Men- Although their threat for depression is lower, men are more likely to go undiagnosed and less likely to speak up and get help. They might illustrate the typical symptoms of depression, but are more probable to be irritated and hostile or to mask their situation with alcohol or drug abuse. ******* is a particularly serious threat for men with depression, who are four times more likely than women to kill themselves.

Elderly- Older people may lose loved ones and have to alter to existing alone. They might become physically ill and not capable to be as active as they once were. These changes can all add to depression. Loved ones may attribute the symbols of depression to the normal outcome of aging, and a lot of older people are reluctant to talk about depression symptoms. As a result, older people may not receive their depression treatment.

Children- Age does not distinguish when it comes to depression. The family structure has changed causing extra stresses to family. Children are exaggerated by the common pressures that they now sense. Bullying, abuse by others, pressures to do well all add to the reason that many children are exaggerated. Symptoms should be looking for by the parent. ******* is rising in the middle age group due to depression.

I found great information regarding the Definition of Manic-depression also called as Major Depression.

Manic-depression: Alternating moods of abnormal highs (mania) and lows is called bipolar disease because of the swings between these opposing poles in mood. Bi-Polar is a kind of depressive illness that is not almost as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders.

From time to time the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. Mania frequently affects thoughts, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and discomfiture. For instance, unwise business or financial decision may be made when a person is in a manic stage. Bipolar disorder is frequently a chronic recurring situation.

A mild to moderate level of mania is known as hypomania. Hypomania may sense good to the person who experiences it and may even be connected with excellent functioning and superior productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to know the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without appropriate treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in a number of people or can switch into depression.

A largest number of people with bipolar disorder even those with the most severe forms can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and connected symptoms with appropriate treatment. Because bipolar disorder is a repeated illness, a long-term preventive treatment is powerfully suggested and almost always indicates. Strategies that combine medication and psychosocial treatment are optimal for managing the disorder over time. Medications known as mood stabilizers typically are prescribe to help manage bipolar disorder.

There are quite a lot of different types of mood stabilizers exist such as Lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, gabapentin and topiramate.

As an adding to medication, psychosocial treatment including definite forms of psychotherapy are useful in providing support, learning, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Studies have exposed that psychosocial interventions can lead to improved mood constancy, fewer hospitalizations, and improved functioning in a number of areas. Psychosocial interventions usually used for bipolar disorder are cognitive behavioral treatment, psycho education, family therapy, and a newer method, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy.

Depression Treatment does Work! Look for help from a professional and begin getting your life back or help your family member get the help that they deserve. They actually do desire to feel better trust me. Depression hurts everyone.



By: jeniferhobson

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Mood Enhancement information and products

Depression is a very real and treatable illness. Depression is just about the loneliest experience in the world. Depressed people, who are often poor communicators place more demands on a marriage with their greater need for caring and support and end up in unhappier marriages. Depression affects teenagers, pensioners and everyone in between; married people, single people, rich and poor. clinical depression affects 15% of the population, and a third of all women. Sometimes people become depressed for what seems like a good reason - maybe they lost their job or a close friend passed away - but with clinical depression there doesn’t necessarily have to be a reason for how you feel. Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease. Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime. A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good.

Depression can coexist with other illnesses. Seasonal affective disorder may point to an atavistic link with behaviour in hibernation. In some families, depressive disorders seem to occur generation after generation; however, they can also occur in people with no family history of these illnesses. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives. Depression has been found to occur at a higher rate among people who have other serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV, diabetes, and Parkinson’s. Depression can increase the risks for developing coronary artery disease, HIV, asthma, and some other medical illnesses. Many people just don’t realize that depression can cause so many problems or so much pain. Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Furthermore, it can increase the morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) from these conditions. Teens who were confused about their orientation were also more prone to *******. Among these teens, boys were 3.4 times more likely and girls were 2.5 times more likely than teens to attempt ******* at least once in the past year.

Depression may occur only once in a person’s life. Social conditions like poverty, homelessness, and community violence can make it more likely for people to become depressed. Two hallmarks of depression — symptoms key to establishing are Loss of interest in normal daily activities. Depressed mood. You feel sad, helpless or hopeless, and may have crying spells. Depression symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviors, but also by specific changes in bodily functions (for example, irregular eating, sleeping, crying spells, and decreased libido). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. Other symptoms of other psychological problems, such as anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions or phobias, which mask the depression. Women experience depression about twice as often as men.1 Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women particularly such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. Treatment may also include psychotherapy, which may help you cope with ongoing problems that may trigger or contribute to depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro), as the first-line treatment for depression because they have fewer serious side effects.



By: Juliet Cohen

About the Author:

Anxius anxiety treatment and information

As any doctor or mental health specialist will tell you there are different types of depression. Each of these depression types will manifest themselves in the person in completely different forms. Currently there are some well documented types of depression that various people in the world are afflicted with. Also each of the depression disorders can have similar and different symptoms.

Since each of the depression types vary the severity of their symptoms and the level of persistence can be different for each sufferer. The main types of depression are Major or Unipolar Depression, Chronic or Dysthymia depression, and Manic or Bipolar Depression. Besides the main depression types there are subdivisions of these disorders. As the different types of depression have a completely different effect on each person, the method of treatment must also be individualized.

With Major depression the symptoms are the same as depression, they are however more intense than normal depression symptoms. These symptoms will interfere with the daily activities of the individual. The work, study, eating and sleep patterns can become disturbed. The person will not be able derive any pleasure from their earlier activities. The depressive attacks of Major depression can be debilitating and the quality of life becomes noticeably poorer.

In Major depression the episodes can be either single occurring or recurring. A single occurring episode will vanish after the treatment has taken effect. For a recurring Major depression there will be a phase of Major depression followed by depression. These bouts of depression are followed by perhaps several years of normal depression free life. The attacks can then occur without any warning.

Chronic depression is less severe than either Major depression or Bipolar depression. The symptoms are life long. A person who has Chronic depression can still carry out their lives without any interference from the symptoms. There is a strong possibility of double depression occurring to the individual. Double depression is a mixture of Chronic depression and Major depression.

Bipolar depression is not as common as the other types of depression. The mood swings of this depression are cyclic. That is there are periods of euphoric highs and sad, worthless lows. There are times when the mood changes can be very rapid and dramatic. The symptoms of Bipolar depression include being overactive, having lots of boundless energy, loss of good judgment, feeling invincible amongst others.

All of the depression types have different ways of reacting with different individuals. Each of these depression symptoms need to receive the right sort of treatment. Therefore you should consult a doctor to have your depression diagnosed and treatment begun.



By: Krishan Bakhru

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Embees anxiety depression treatment products and information

Many people with social anxiety disorder feel that there is “something wrong,” but don’t recognize their feeling as a sign of illness. Physiological effects, similar to those in other anxiety disorders, are present in social phobics. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating that it interferes with work, school and other routine activities. Social anxiety disorder may be linked to other mental illnesses, such as panic disorder , obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can fluctuate over time. Physical symptoms include “mind going blank”, fast heartbeat, blushing, stomach ache. Cognitive distortions are a hallmark, and learned about in CBT. Thoughts are often self-defeating and inaccurate. Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. Social anxiety disorder may co-occur with other anxiety disorders as well as depression. Additionally, people with social anxiety may develop problems with substance abuse or dependence when they use drinking or drugs to “self-medicate” their symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, are considered by many to be the first choice medication for generalised social phobia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpful in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. MAOIs and benzodiazepines may require more monitoring than other medications. Beta blockers are sometimes used with performance anxiety, a specific kind of social anxiety.

Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder

Common Causes and Risk factors of Social Anxiety Disorder

Genes.

Biochemistry.

Fear responses.

Cultural factors.

Environmental factors.

Neurochemical and neurocognitive influences.

New social or work demands.

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Common Sign and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Blushing

Trembling

Nausea

Stomach upset

Confusion

Palpitations

Diarrhea

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

Common Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, are considered by many to be the first choice medication for generalised social phobia.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpful in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. It teaches people with social anxiety disorder to react differently to the situations that trigger their anxiety symptoms.

MAOIs and benzodiazepines may require more monitoring than other medications.

Beta blockers are sometimes used with performance anxiety, a specific kind of social anxiety.

Benzodiazepines are a short-acting and more potent alternative to SSRIs. The drug is often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety



By: Juliet Cohen

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Embees anxiety depression treatment products and information

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It’s more than just a feeling of being “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. Depression can occur for what seems like no reason at all or can be triggered by a traumatizing life event within a person’s life. The cause of depression still remains a mystery among the medicinal world, however many experts say genes may have an effect on the likelihood of depression within a family and a lack of the chemical serotonin in the brain may be linked to depression. Just like all other medical conditions depression has a series of symptoms that can be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional and can be defined as a never ending sad mood or affect as well as a loss of interest in life and life’s activities. Although a low mood or state of dejection that does not affect functioning is often colloquially referred to as depression , clinical depression is a clinical diagnosis and may be different from the everyday meaning of “being depressed.” Many people identify the feeling of being clinically depressed as “feeling sad for no reason”, or “having no motivation to do anything.” One suffering from depression may feel tired, sad, irritable, lazy, unmotivated, and apathetic. Clinical depression is generally acknowledged to be more serious than normal depressed feelings. It often leads to constant negative thinking and sometimes substance abuse . Extreme depression can culminate in its sufferers attempting or committing ******* . Without careful assessment, delirium can easily be confused with depression and a number of other psychiatric disorders because many of the signs and symptoms are conditions present in depression , as well as other mental illnesses including dementia and psychosis .

Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Sometimes this is because of a loss, or a change. The feeling of sadness, though, is appropriate and transitory. When such feelings persist and impair daily life, they may signal an underlying depressive illness. So it is the severity and duration of symptoms, plus the presence of other features, that help distinguish this normal sadness from a depressive disorder. Depression is more than just a mood disorder, it is a real illness that not only affects one’s mood and thoughts but also appetite, sleep patterns and one’s self esteem. It may also involve physical symptoms, such as stomach pains, headaches and rapid heartbeat. There are several different types of depression, so you will hear terms like major depression, endogenous depression, chronic depression, and so on. These terms tend to describe the predominant symptoms, their severity or their duration.

Causes of Depression

Depression may be triggered by stressful life events, other illnesses, certain drugs or medications, or inherited traits. Although causes of depression are not entirely understood, we know it is linked to an imbalance in brain chemistry. Once the imbalance is corrected, symptoms of depression generally improve. Some researchers feel that severe depressions are caused by a physical defect in the body, such as a biochemical imbalance in the brain or other factors. Other things that have been linked to depression have to do with a person’s lifestyle. Things such as; food allergies, prescription drugs, caffeine, alcohol, illicit drugs and even tobacco. If a person has some sort of health problem such as; cancer, aids, hepatitis, diabetes, hypoglycemia, chronic pain, hormonal (glandular) disorders such as those of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands; malignancies, anemias or other blood problems, or even somethings like nutritional deficiencies, heredity and bad childhood experiences can cause depression.

Symptoms of Depression

1. Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping.

2. Change in weight.

3. Feelings of worthlessness.

4. Loss of identity.

5. Lack of concentration.

6. Feelings of anxiety.

Treatment of Depression

There are many treatments available for depression, including counselling and medicines, but the first step is always to get a physical and psychological assessment to find out whether you have a depressive illness. Anti-depressant medications are often used. There are different types and the doctor will recommend which is the right one under the particular circumstances.



By: Juliet Cohen

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Anxius anxiety treatment and information

Anxiety is part of our natural “fight-or-flight” response. It’s our body’s way of warning us of possible danger ahead. Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal, pathological anxiety, fears, phobias. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders which affect behaviour, thoughts, emotions and physical health. It is estimated that they affect approximately 1 in 10 people. 18.1% of Americans are affected by anxiety disorders. They are more prevalent among women than among men, and they affect children as well as adults. Anxiety disorders are illnesses. It can be present from an early age or begin suddenly after a triggering event. They are prone to flare up at times of high stress.

Anxiety can be accompanied by headache, sweating, palpitations, and hypertension. Many types of anxiety disorder some types including general anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is a common chronic disorder and its affects twice as many women as men .People with this disorder feel afraid of something but are unable to articulate the specific fear. They fret constantly and have a hard time controlling their worries. Other types of panic disorder. In panic disorder, a person suffers brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension that cause trembling and shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and feelings of impending doom or a situation that would be embarrassing. Another types of anxiety disorder is phobias.

Phobias are divided into two categories: social phobia, which involves fear of social situations, and specific phobias, such as fear of flying, blood and heights. Social Phobia is also form of anxiety disorder. People with social phobia feel a paralysing, irrational self-consciousness about social situations. They have an intense fear of being observed or of doing something horribly wrong in front of other people. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder which results from a traumatic experience. Post-traumatic stress can result from an extreme situation, such as being involved in warfare, rape, hostage situations, or involvement in a serious accident. It can also result from long term (chronic) exposure to a severe stressor. Separation Anxiety Disorder is the feeling of excessive.

Treatment can offer stupendous relief, often in a relatively short amount of time. Most anxiety disorders are treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of the two. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is very effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. CBT will help you identify and challenge the negative and irrational beliefs that are holding you back from working through your fears. Cognitive-behavior therapy for anxiety usually takes between 12 and 20 weeks. CBT is conducted both in individual therapy and in groups of people with similar anxiety problems. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, and guided imagery may reduce anxiety. Acupuncture may help reduce anxiety.

Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Antidepressants drugs is also recommend.

2. Biofeedback to control muscle tension.

3. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also helpful in anxiety disorder.

4. Relaxation techniques is very effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

5. Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax) is also useful against anxiety disorder.



By: Juliet Cohen

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Embees anxiety depression treatment products and information

Depression is a complex of psychological and physical symptoms. Low mood level or sadness is often the most prominent symptom. The common property of these symptoms is a decreased activity level in parts of the brain.

 



THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION



Depression may give one or more of these symptoms:

-Low mood level or sadness.

-Lack of joy or interest in activities that were joyful before.

-Pessimism.

-Feel of guilt of something without any substantial reason to feel so.

-Inferiority thoughts.

-Irritability.

-Slowness in the thought process.

-Slowness in interpreting sensorial stimuli.

-Slowness of digestion or other internal physical processes, and symptoms caused by this slowness, for example inflated stomach, constipation or difficulties by *********.

-Slow physical reactions.

Depression can be a mild disease that only causes some annoyance in the daily life, but can also get very serious and make a person totally unable to work and unable to participate in social life. By depression of some severity, there is also a greater risk of *******.

Depression can occur in all age classes. In teenager’s lack of interest in school work, withdrawal from social life and difficult mood can be signs of depression.

 



THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT PRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS



By depression there is a decreased amount of neurotransmitters in parts of the central nervous system, mainly deficiency of serotonin, but also to some extend of noradrenalin, acetylcholine, dopamine or gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), or the nerve cells do not react properly by stimulation from neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter is a signal substance that transmits the nerve signal through the junctions between two nerve cells.

Serotonin and noradrenalin cause nerve cells to send impulses along to other nerve cells, and thus increase the activity in the brain. Deficiency of these substances causes slowness in parts of the brain, and that again causes the depressive symptoms.

The role of GABA is the opposite, namely to slow down some nerve impulses, mainly those causing anxiety and panic response. Lack of GABA causes higher anxiety and easier panic response. Yet, lack of this transmitter also seems to cause depressive symptoms. This is because a too high activity in some brain processes may slow down other processes.

There are many causes and subtypes of depression with different physiological mechanisms involved.

 



TYPES OF DEPRESSION



Depression is often divided into subtypes according to exhibited symptoms.



1. Mono-polar depression and dysthymic disorder  



By mono-polar depression there are pure depressive symptoms. Mild cases of mono-polar disorder that do not affect a person’s ability to work and to participate in social activities are often called dysthymic disorder.

 

 



2. Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disease) and cyclothymic disorder



In this condition there are periods with symptoms of depression - the depressive phase, alternating with periods of elevated mood level with increased mental and physical activity - the manic phase. In the manic phase, the affected person also sleeps poorly and has concentration difficulties. A mild form of this disease is called cyclothymic disorder.

 



3. Manic disorder



This condition is characterized by abnormally elevated mood, by unrealistic optimism, by lack of sleep and by hyperactive behaviour. Many psychiatrists think that this disorder is simply the same disease as bipolar disorder where the depressive face has not yet occurred.

 



4. Depression with mainly physical symptoms



Sometimes the physical symptoms of depression are alone or dominant, as for example: Digestive problems, constipation, difficulties with urination, slow response to sensorial stimuli or slow physical reactions.



 

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION



Two or more factors can have an effect simultaneously to cause depression. Depression can be an independent disease, or a part of other disease. Depression is also divided into different subtypes according to cause.



1. Reactive depression



This disease is simply a result from psychological stress, physical struggle or mental straining without proper rest or sleep over a long time period. The straining will simply wear out the nervous system or deplete the organism from nutrient necessary for the nervous system to work properly.

 



2. Endogenous depression



When there has not been any period of stress, straining or lack of rest that can explain the condition, the condition is often called endogenous depression. Inheritance is thought to be a part of the cause.

 



3. Depression by physical disease



Depression or depressive symptoms may be a symptom of physical disease. This is perhaps the most common cause of depression.

Diseases often associated with depression are: Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, hypertension or Cushing’s syndrome.

Mononucleosis or flu may trigger depression that continues after the infection has gone.

By lack of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism, the metabolism in the whole body is slowed down, including the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore depression is an important symptom of hypothyroidism.

 



4. Depressive symptoms as a consequence of unsound lifestyle



A general unsound lifestyle with too less exercise, too high consunsume of alcohol, coffee or tea, too less of important nutrient and too much of sugar and fat may give depressive symptoms, as well as physical problems.



 



5. Postnatal depression



Women will often have a period of depression after pregnancy and birth of the baby Pregnancy and berth is physically and mentally exhausting, and may drain the body for nutrient. This in turn can cause depressive symptoms

.



6. Seasonal affective disorder



Depression can occur in cold and dark periods of the year and go away in warm and light periods. Light stimulates brain activity, and lack of light is a causative factor. 

 

TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

Serious or prolonged depression is often treated with anti-depressive medication. Medicines used against depression generally increase the level of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the central nervous system, or they mimic the neurotransmitters.

 

The medications mostly used today increase the serotonin concentration by decreasing the removal of serotonin from the space around nerve cells. Examples of this medication type are: Fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro, Celexa), sentraline (zoloft).

 

By bipolar disorder in the manic face, heavy tranquilizers (neuroleptica) are used to stop the manic symptoms. By bipolar disorder, lithium salts are sometimes used to stabilize the condition, and prevent new outbreak of depressive or manic faces.

 

Psychotherapy is sometimes used by depression, usually in combination with medication.

 

Sometimes serious depression is treated by applying electric shock through the head, electroconvulsive therapy. The shock induces epileptic eruption of nerve signals through the brain and this gives cramps throughout the body. The cramps are alleviated or stopped by applying anaesthesia before the electroshock. This form of treatment is controversial, since it can cause memory loss and is suspected of causing brain damage. The possibility of brain damage is however denied by most psychiatrists.

 

By seasonal depression, light therapy maybe useful.

 

Adjustment of lifestyle should always be considered by depression or depressive symptoms. Lifestyle measures can sometimes be enough to cure depressive symptoms before a serious depression develop. Lifestyle adjustments can be:

- To slow down a stressful life with too much work or activities.

- Enough rest and sleep.

- A good diet with enough of necessary nutrients.

- Some physical exercise.

- Meditation.

- Supplement of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, lecithin, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

- Stimulants like coffee or tea may help against depressive feelings in moderate amount. However, if you are a heavy user of these stimulants, you should cut down on your consumption.

There exist nutritional products in the marked to help against depressive symptoms. These contain ingredients that the brain uses as building blocks for neurotransmitters, for example amino acids and lecithin. They also often contain vitamins and minerals that the brain uses as tools to produce neurotransmitters, especially vitamin B6.

Supplements may further contain herbal extracts that trigger higher brain activity much like anti-depressive medications, but may have fewer side effects.



By: Knut Holt

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Embees anxiety depression treatment products and information