Let’s face it. There is still a stigma attached to mental illness and depression is no exception. There is little understanding of the disorder in general although depression symptoms are well documented. But medically speaking, we are light years way from effective, safe treatment. Up to now the only conventional medication has been tricyclics and [...]
The short answer is a resounding yes! Looking at my two depressed friends who have been on anti depressant medications for a lifetime, I am now more convinced than ever that the only way out for them is a comprehensive type of treatment which combines diet, exercise, therapy and medication, preferably herbal ones. That for [...]
I bet you didn’t know that of all the Americans suffering from some kind of depressive disorder, only about 33% seek or receive treatment! That leaves a big black hole in every sense of the word as the ravages caused by depression are an enormous cost to the economy, society and individuals like you and [...]
One of the most widely prescribed natural remedies for depression in Europe is St. John’s Wort which is particularly effective in mild to moderate depression. Many people are surprised to learn that this herb is prescribed for up to 50% of depression cases in Germany while Prozac is not popular at all. It comes in [...]
Women get depressed, not men! False! We know that more women suffer from depression but there are many men who suffer from this condition too although very often they hide it. That actual figure is that out of 14 million Americans who suffer from depression in a year, about 6 million of these are men. [...]
First the facts on the anti depressant medications used at the moment. Progress has been made in that the older type of medicines the tricyclic (or TCAs such as Tofranil and Ahafranil) led to bladder problems, drowsiness and sexual dysfunction, have now been mostly replaced with the SSRIs. Doctors now prefer the SSRIs medication which [...]
s we mentioned in previous articles depression is a normal response as part of our daily lives such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or illness. Over 30 million Americans suffer from depression and the amount is increasing in an alarming rate. Depression may be a mental disorder that [...]
First, some bad news. About 40 million Americans will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Only about 50% will try to get help, yet 90% of depression cases can easily be treated with medication. It has been found that depression can last from six months to a year but there are are [...]
Atypical depression, a subtype of major depression, is the most common form of depression today. People who suffer atypical depression exhibit all the normal symptoms of depression but they also react to external positive experiences in a positive way. Atypical depression sufferers respond to their environment, enjoying the company of friends but slipping back into [...]
It’s normal to feel down from time to time, but sometimes those feelings happen for no reason and won’t go away. Depression is more than just a short bout of the blues – it’s a condition that makes it hard to function and get through life. When you’re depressed, it’s easy to feel hopeless, but [...]
How to stop panic attacks sounds easy enough when you hear or read what folks tell you. But in reality, during a panic attack, it’s very hard to re-order your thoughts to stop the attack. During panic attacks, you are so overpowered by physical and emotional stress and anxiety that it’s very difficult to organise [...]
I want to help you rid your life of gambling. This is a tough problem to live with because it is hard to quit. Many people try to go cold turkey, but that is surprisingly difficult to make work. Gamblers are psychologically driven to want to do this and there is a pay off in [...]
The thought and feeling that our loved one is going to die is never a consoling fact. Hence, anticipating grief is not an easy thing to do for everyone else involved. Anticipating grief is the period during which a family member or a patient is expected to die. This sorrow is somewhat the same to [...]
I want to talk to you about dealing with the gambling urge. Everyone that has a problem with gambling has this urge they feel that seems to take over them. It is really almost an unconscious thing that people seem to be stuck with and that is inherently the problem. I know a lot of [...]
Grief and bereavement are horrible but natural parts of life. It’s inevitable that someone you know and love will die someday, and grief is a normal part of recovering from such a loss. Grief isn’t easy; it is painful, debilitating, and can leave you feeling empty and alone. The best thing you can do is [...]
I’ve never really been a summer person but since 1994, the dog days of summer have really become my season of sadness. My first husband died on August 19 of that year. Ever since, the weeks surrounding that date have been difficult for me. Most people mark their year with anniversaries – the celebration of [...]
Grief is the normal and natural reaction to any major loss. Loss is a part of living and a great many of us are facing losses due to health and financial issues, deaths of family and friends, and painful relationship breakups, whether personal or in business. We talk about the loss, but not many people [...]
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult and profoundly life-changing experiences that a person can go through. Many people who have recently experienced the death of someone they cared for are concerned that they will never feel “right” or happy again, or that the pain they are feeling will remain a constant [...]
When the relationship goes bad and you suddenly find yourself figuring how to deal with a break up, you may feel the pain will never be over. Your emotions may be running so high so that you feel you will be an emotional wreck for the rest of your life, and never get over the [...]
Grief can be overwhelming. A death, separation of loved one, etc. can cause tremendous grief. This kind of grief refuses to get treated for a long period. People say that time is a great healer, but it is also true that the more time passes, the more time you have to grieve. Some time back [...]
The movie “Gran Torino” begins, and ends, with a funeral. There is mention of the bitter and sweet aspects of death, and questions as to whether death is an end or a beginning. Some of us believe in reincarnation or at least an after-life, whilst others do not. No matter what your beliefs are about [...]
It was the 2nd anniversary of my mother’s passing and who knows what prompted me to write this, other than to pass on some thoughts. (Or maybe just some personal ramblings) There’s a line in a song ‘ you left me here, to remind me of you’ and that to me is a comfort ~ [...]