Overcoming Depression

With the increasing daily pressures of our lives it is very easy to become down and depressed. You will see that many people are often feeling low, sorry for themselves and basically very unhappy.

We have to find a way of putting ourselves back on our feet and enjoy being alive. One of the things that many depressed people should look into is the way in which they approach life. Being negative and stressing about everything are very common attitudes between people suffering from depression, as their low self-confidence and self-esteem.

It does come a time when they realize that they had enough of feeling miserable, unhappy and depressed, when they decide to enjoy life to the fullest and be happy!It is a big change, but it can be achieved!

Good ways of doing it are by reading and learning about depression and participating in groups with other depressed people (as an AA meeting). This way you will be able to see how other people feel and cope with depression.

Having been raised in a poor country, I knew that my life was wonderful compared to so many other people in my country, but that by itself didn’t make me feel any better. It is very easy for a depressed person to be able to separate the ungratefulness of poverty and the ungratefulness of a depressed mind.

Going to the meetings with other depressed people did make a big difference though. There I got to see that no matter how bad I thought that my life and problems were, there were so many other people going through a whole lot more than I did.

It also opened my eyes to see how badly people would react to different situations and to realize how I could do better and that way also realize how I could do better on my own life.

To overcome and reduce depression you should read, learn, live and share it with others, you’ll see that the solutions to our problems are many times inside of ourselves.

All Rights Reserved 2005-2006. Depression Talk

Relationships & Depression

When you’re depressed you feel lonely and good friends are highly recommended to help and provide you support.

But when you’re depressed you also feel the “need” to be with someone in a sexual relationship, because many times that makes you feel better. This is what you MUST know in those cases.

It is really hard for a non-depressed person to be with a depressed person, as they usually do NOT understand what is going on inside your head and why you are acting (or not acting) the way you are. It’s the reason why it is so difficult for the relationship to survive and if it doesn’t you will most likely feel even worse than you were before.

The depression will also change who and how you are and that way the person that you are with when depressed may not be the same person that you’d like to be with once you “snap” out of it. This could be because you saw that person differently when you were depressed or simply because YOU are different now and that person is still the same.

Having depressed friends may not be a bad idea as they will understand you better when you are having a “troubled” day, but having a sexual relationship with another depressed person is NOT a good idea.

Whenever you are involved with another depressed person you are always worried about the other person getting worse if something goes wrong, you will both be altered which may result on more misunderstanding, more fights and MORE depression. Even if you of you get better you are NOT the same as you were before when depressed.

So, even though a good relationship might help you get on your feet faster watch who you are with as it may not be a good idea to either one of you if you are both depressed. When depressed what you need is support, not someone to bring you down even more.

By P. Amaral
Depression Talk

Finding the Right Medication

As I mentioned on my last article it might NOT be easy to find the right Medication for you, the one that will work on your symptons and make you feel better.

Although not easy it is something that you SHOULD do - maybe I should have said MUST do! Remember, depression is treatable!

The fact that one medication didn't work for your depression does NOT mean that no drug will help you, it is just that each organism reacts on its own way to different drugs.

50% of people find the right medication on their first attempt, but the other 50% have to switch a few times until they can get any benefits on their symptons.

Depression is a serious illness and should NOT be left untreated. Just in the USA more than 30,000 people every year commit suicide due to depression. And depression is also the 4th leading cause of disability.

Symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, fatigue, lack of interest in usually enjoyable activities and feelings of hopelessness. NO reason to stay feeling that way, right?

Help yourself! Treat yourself! Feel better!

All Rights Reserved 2005-2006. www.depressiontalk.blogspot.com

My Medication

I've had people asking me what helped me, which medications I have tried, which worked, which didn't.

I'm definitely not a doctor and would NEVER tell you to go one way or another, so I am going to say here is just my own experience.

The first time I was prescribed a medicine by a doctor he gave me the famous "happy pill" or Prozac. Didn't help me at all as I had lots of side effects and couldn't carry on for more than a week.

After that I tried many others (aparently each person reacts differently to each different prescription that is out there). So, I am only going to mention three other ones.

Wellbutrim, which is also used to help quit smoking. It was the one with less side effects on the bed, if you know what I mean. It did make me feel better, but after a while I developed insonmia and had to replace it with another one.

The other one that also helped my mood for Celexa, but I became allergic to it (itchiness all over my body), so once again... had to quit.

Last attempt: Effexor XR. This is the one that finally brought me back on my feet.

Hope it helps!

Me

My first experience

I think that the first time I experienced depression (at least that I am aware of) was when I was 23 years old.

I had broken up with my boyfriend for a month when I found out that I was pregnant.

The relationship was horrible (reason why it ended), the timing was horrible (I was still studying, "jobless" and "relationshipless")...

But once I found out that I was pregnant my mother instincts kicked in and I started loving that little thing that was inside of me, so much it was hard to believe!

Not long after (actually only 3 or 4 days) I had found out about the pregnancy I had a natural abortion (the most painful experience I ever had, by the way).

Amazingly, I felt HORRIBLE about it, feeling as if even the baby had rejected me!

I couldn't see kids in front of me... every time it happened I would run and cryyyyyyyyy.

But the way it came, it went away and after a few months I was back at my feet again.

(I'd like to hear from you, send your experiences too, share it here!)

All Rights Reserved 2005-2006. www.depressiontalk.blogspot.com

Knowing Why Depression Happens

by Hector Milla

Having a person you know and love have the depressions is a depressing situation as well. Watching the wallow in their loneliness and sadness can cause a great rift between the two of you. This comes from fear as well as the misunderstanding of the needs and symptoms of the depressed person.

Knowing the causes of depression allows us to prevent such from happening to us or to our loved ones.

Many experts agree that depression can be hereditary, if a family has been known to have depression in their lineage; there are good chances that the following generation will have it as well.

People who do not have self confidence and has low self esteem are prone to depression as well. They do not find any positive aspects in their life that is why they have depression. People who are exposed to stress on a daily occurrence ca also be a candidate for depression.

Medical science has also recently discovered that depression is greatly associated with the physical well-being of a person. If a person has had a life threatening disease or an accident, depression follows suit.

A personal loss resulting to major emotional letdown can also trigger depression. A bad break-up, death, getting fired from a job, these are all reasons that can put a person into depression.

Research has shown that women are twice more likely to get depression. These are caused by the hormonal changes they experience. The stress women also experience in being a single parent, a working mother, their responsibilities both in the home and at the office are all possible to be a moving factor.

Men and women show different symptoms in depression. Men are usually irritable and impatient, that is why it is sometimes hard to diagnose if they do have depression. They are also more likely to keep it to themselves.

Article written by Hector Milla, editor of http://www.mydepressionsymptoms.com/ , a website about :: physical symptoms of depression

Natural Ways To Treat Depression

Natural Ways To Treat Depression
by: Gray Rollins

Depression is a medical condition that affects the mind, often leaving the person suffering from it feeling hopeless, without ambition and unable to focus. Left untreated, this condition can adversely affect academic achievement, family life, friendships and careers. People tend to seek help from a mental health professional who may prescribe mood balancing drugs. Most, however; use an alternative form of medicine for a more natural treatment in tandem with drug therapy. Milder cases of depression can be treated solely with natural remedies without the need for prescription drugs.

Therapy is a great way to restore balance in your life. Seeking help from others who have similar issues will provide a support system to discuss issues, understand symptoms, and develop techniques to feel better. Often talking is very cathartic and can help alleviate stress and loneliness, which may cause feelings of depression.

Therapy that involves personal expression has been found to provide an outlet for pent-up feelings and can be a positive way to articulate deep feelings and emotion. This can take many forms. Dance is a great outlet for this as well as other movement therapies such as martial arts. Martial arts teach focus, self awareness, and control which can greatly benefit someone suffering from depression. Using art as a form of therapy is another expressive form of therapy. Whether it is sculpting or painting or any other variation of art, it’s a way to expose feelings in a tangible way.

Relaxation techniques help a person focus and gain a sense of serenity. Yoga is an ideal form of exercise that melds the body, mind, and spirit. It promotes good health, a positive self image and teaches relaxation. Meditation is also a good way to relax and unwind. It reduces the heart rate and clears the mind, allowing more focused thought.

Acupuncture has grown in popularity as a means to treat depression. By using various pressure points, it is believed to enable a calming effect and promote a healthier emotional balance. Hypnosis is also popular as a means of getting to the core issues of why someone is depressed and leaving them with a sense of well being.

Certain dietary changes and supplements have been reported to be helpful in the treatment of depression. Adding fish oil, Zinc and B vitamins are found to help the body regulate chemicals that may trigger depression. Exercise is also very important. Keeping active will rejuvenate the body and keep it fit, promoting a healthier lifestyle and better self image. Working out several times per week can calm the senses and invigorate the body.

Depression does not need to be debilitating. Making a few changes to your daily routine will help promote a sense of well-being and help alleviate symptoms of depression. If you continue to have feelings of depression or have severe symptoms like suicidal thoughts, consult a health care professional immediately.

About The Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for Depressionso. To learn about natural depression treatments, visit http://www.depressionso.com/natural/ and http://www.depressionso.com/tipsforbeatingdepression/

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