Depression - An Equal Opportunity Affliction

"What is this guy trying to say here?" I can just hear everyone thinking, "This guy must be completely off his rocker!" If you really take a step back and look at "Who" Depression hits, you will have a clearer understanding of what I mean by this statement.

Depression is:

No respecter of age: it hits young and old alike.

Does not recognize an individuals Social Position: Rich or Poor makes no difference

It recognizes no boundaries: Cases of one form or another are found world wide.

Not selective: It can affect anyone at any time.

The Mayo Clinic describes some signs and symptoms of Depression below:

* Loss of interest in normal daily activities. You lose interest in or pleasure from activities that you used to enjoy.

* Depressed mood. You feel sad, helpless or hopeless, and may have crying spells.

In addition, for a doctor or other health professional to diagnose depression, most of the following signs and symptoms also must be present for at least two weeks.

* Sleep disturbances. Sleeping too much or having problems sleeping can be a sign you're depressed. Waking in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep are typical.

* Impaired thinking or concentration. You may have trouble concentrating or making decisions and have problems with memory.

* Changes in weight. An increased or reduced appetite and unexplained weight gain or loss may indicate depression.

* Agitation. You may seem restless, agitated, irritable and easily annoyed.

* Fatigue or slowing of body movements. You feel weariness and lack of energy nearly every day. You may feel as tired in the morning as you did when you went to bed the night before. You may feel like you're doing everything in slow motion, or you may speak in a slow, monotonous tone.

* Low self-esteem. You feel worthless and have excessive guilt." These are just a few of the examples found it the Mayo Clinic Website. While this is a fantastic informational site, you should by no means use what you find there to treat the symptoms of depression yourself. That's what the Professionals are there for.

For many, Many years this was a subject "No one wanted to talk about. Especially if it involved a family member." While there have been a great many advances in Psychiatry and Psychology in just the last century, there is still evidence of how these conditions used to be treated all over the world. While most of the older "Institutions" have been shut down and or demolished, some of the more "Infamous" ones have been turned into museums showing the sick, depraved methods being used in the name of "Medical Science".

Early treatments of Depression, often confused with Insanity, were nothing short of Barbaric, and in some cases, were Prosecuted as War Crimes in the last century. People with severe cases of Depression, often termed "Manic Depression," were often as not locked away in Asylums or "Institutions" and used for experimental surgery or as test subjects for military weapons as evidenced by the Nazi Party in World War II.

Thankfully we have come a very long way from what those "Early" treatments were. As the fields of Psychology and Psychiatry continue to grow and evolve, more humane and better forms of treatment are being discovered. One day Depression may even be totally eliminated.

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Depression and Guilt for Caregivers

Being a new caregiver is hard and can lead to depression if you let it. Not everyone who becomes a caregiver will experience depression and the negative feelings that often go with depression. Don't look at caregiving as something that if you do you will end up depressed and on medication. The depression begins to show up when you shut yourself off from what is familiar to you and solely concentrate on caregiving.

In an effort to provide the best possible care to your loved one, the caregiver often sacrifices their own emotional and physical needs, and by doing this even the strongest, most capable person can feel the strain. The feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, isolation, exhaustion, and then the guilt that is often accompanied by these feeling is a heavy toll for anyone to take.

Depression and guilt often go hand-in-hand. When you get angry at the person you are caring for and begin to have negative feelings towards them, feelings of guilt occur, followed by feelings of depression for feeling that way. It is a cycle that continues until you seek help.

We all have negative feelings from time to time, but when these feelings become intense and leave a caregiver totally drained of energy, becoming angered at their loved one for no particular reason, and crying frequently, these may be warning signs of depression. You need to be concerned about depression if the sadness and crying are continuous and the negative feelings are unrelenting.

It is unfortunate that some still think of depression as a sign of weakness rather than what it is, a sign that something is out of balance. Ignoring the feelings you have will not make them go away, it is important that you seek out medical help.

Symptoms of Depression

Most people's experience with depression is different. Some people may be sad for months while others may have a more intense and sudden change in the way they look at things. The degree of symptoms and type of symptoms will vary from person to person.

If you experience any of the following for longer than 2 weeks you may want to go and talk to your doctor.

• Have your eating habits changed resulting in either a dramatic weight gain or weight loss.

• Have your sleep patterns changed - either sleeping too much or too little. • Do you fee tired all the time, even after just waking up.

• Do you become easily angered or agitated?

• Do you have the feelings that nothing you do is good enough?

• Are you having thoughts suicide or death?

• Are you experiencing headaches, chronic pain, and digestive disorders that are not responding to treatments?

The above symptoms are warning signs of depression so it is important to talk to your doctor so you can get help. If you don't feel comfortable using the word depression, inform your doctor that you are 'feeling down' or 'feeling blue'. Your doctor will understand the message you are trying to get across and get you the help you need.

Maria Sandella was the primary caregiver for her grandmother for 2 years until her passing. She also worked summers in a long-term care facility while attending college. She now works as an Application Specialist for IntercomsOnline.com, which provides wireless intercom systems that caregivers use for communications with the elderly and disabled. For more information about a caregiver intercom go to IntercomsOnline.com. Also read their article titled: Wireless Intercom for Elderly or Disabled

Psychotic Depression - How It Differs From Clinical Depression

About twenty five percent of individuals admitted to hospitals for depression suffer from some form of psychotic depression. These individuals not only suffer from common symptoms but also from hallucinations or delusions. The illness has many similarities to clinical depression, but some important differences as well.

Other mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, can also include symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. However, individuals with this illness generally know that the thoughts or hallucinations are not real. At the same time, diagnosis becomes difficult because many people hide these symptoms, afraid to admit that they have these more socially unacceptable symptoms.

Along with more common depressive symptoms, these individuals may experience anxiety, hypochondria, insomnia, immobility, and cognitive impairment. Scientists don't know exactly how it develops, but some believe that it may have to do with high levels of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, which is released throughout the day and at times of stress.

The treatments also differ in some ways. Generally, a longer hospital stay is required and a closer follow up may be required for many patients. Mental health professionals have found that tricyclic antidepressants and anti psychotic medications seem to help many patients when they are used in combination. Lithium and electro convulsive therapy are also used to treat the illness, although they are usually second line treatments. Researchers have also been investigating the use of RU-486 (now used as "emergency contraception") as it appears to dramatically reduce the symptoms.

With treatment, most individuals will experience recovery within a year. Like other forms of the illness, psychotic depression can reoccur, although the symptoms are more likely to happen again than the hallucinations and delusions. However, diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing re occurrences and treating the symptoms that do come back. As the risk of suicide and other depressive illnesses is greater, it is imperative that individuals are diagnosed and treated properly.

Psychotic depression shares many symptoms with the clinical form of the illness, but is distinguished by the presence of hallucinations and/or delusions. Treatment differs from other types, as the psychotic symptoms must also be treated.

Depression Information

http://www.getdepressionanswers.com is the premier depression website. We have articles on everything from depression medications to depression self help.

Manic Depression Symptoms

In most of the cases of Bipolar Depression, sometimes called Manic Depression, the symptoms are akin to other mental illnesses, therefore, making it difficult to get diagnosed properly. Normally, this manic depression is initially wrongly diagnosed as major depression.

Due to severe mood swings, manic depression is associated to other mood disorders which also confuses the patient. Its not necessary that the patient will describe each and every symptom in full minute details to his/her doctor. And this lack of proper description leads to wrong diagnosis. This is the reason for considering manic depression as incurable or life-threatening in some cases.

So, here I am going to enlist the appropriate manic depression symptoms to prevent you from getting the treatment that is not right for you. But keep one thing in your mind for certain that manic depression symptoms vary from person to person. You will have to see what is there in you.

So, go through the MAJOR depression symptoms first which always makes one confused:

1. Feeling sad like hell or in the blues

2. Losing interest completely in things the person used to enjoy, including sex

3. Feeling of being worthless, hopeless, or guilty for nothing (as a burden on others and on this earth).

4. Lack of sleep or sometimes no sleep at all

5. Drastic weight loss or losing appetite

6. Loss of energy or feeling tired

7. Restlessness

8. Loss of concentration or losing the power to make decisions

9. Suicidal thoughts

Now come the MANIC depression symptoms which you want to know:

1. Energy level highly raised, more than normal

2. Not feeling the need to sleep because of high energy level

3. A wavering mind due to too many racing thoughts in mind and mood swings at peak

4. Easily distracted mind or loss of concentration

5. Getting more talkative than usual or feeling pressurized to talk more and more from within

6. Self-confidence touching great heights than usual

7. Risk-taking factor gets increased rapidly or loss of fear in mind

8. Loss of the determination to complete the tasks in hand

9. Confused mind

These mood swings are very common but if you are a bipolar depression sufferer, then you may have times of mania and depression along with these mood swings. This can really make your life unbearable for yourself or your loved ones. But with a suitable treatment, you can get rid of bipolar depression and you can live a normal life.

An important way for you to manage your bipolar depression on your own is to keep a record of all the symptoms you observe in you. Keep a record of what you feel and at what time. Tracking your symptoms is a great help to your doctor and for a much appropriate treatment for you.

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Natural Ways to Cure Depression

There are ways to cure depression. So if you are currently suffering from depression, this article can help you to now those ways. There are natural ways to cure depression. One of which is realizing your own self-worth. Sounds simple, right!

Actually, it is one of the best ways that a person who is suffering from depression should do. You have to realize that you are a great person, because you really a great person. You have to realize that you are a nice, good and wonderful person. You have to think and realize that you can do good things and you truly deserve to be happy in life.

But if you are suffering from severe depression and you think this won't work for you, you can visit a doctor or therapist. Your doctor can help you out in your condition. He/she will give you method or methods that you should take in order to fight depression. You have to think that the situation that you are suffering now is just temporary and it will change in time. And in time, you will be a strong and happy person.

There are some people who do not believe that this way can help you out in treating your depression, that's okay because there are other methods that can help you out in treating depression. Just allocate time in order to seek the best cure for your condition. Indeed, there are other good ways to treat depression and if you are searching for natural way to cure it, there are lots of herbal remedies in the market and online that you can use to treat your depression.

As mentioned, there are plenty of herbal remedies out there, so you have to check out the right one that will work best for you. Do not simply buy one and make use of it without knowing what exactly in that remedy. Check out the necessary information about the herbal remedy first such as ingredients, how it works and the likes.

If you are seeking herbal remedy on the internet, you have to look at several websites, check out the reliability of the website. Of course, you want the best out of your money, so you have to give little of your time researching in order to get the right one. It is best to go with a website that can provide all the necessary information that you need about the product.

While taking an herbal remedy that you think would cure your depression, it would be better to realize as well that want your feeling and your current situation is temporary and when you deal and fight depression you will be happy and can do great things in life.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson
http://www.primeherbal.com/Relagen/
Eliza Maledevic writes for http://jump2top.com/