Why Do People Become Depressed?

By Wendy Ittensohn  |   Submitted On November 11, 2014

Entire medical libraries have been filled with in-depth analyses of why depression exists.

So, in a brief article of this nature it's unlikely that we are going to be throwing any new light on the subject!

Yet many experts believe that depression is much more widespread than we currently believe. One main reason for that is that there is a specific definition of clinical depression which may not cover many transient attacks of milder depression that many of us may simply dismiss as "an attack of the blues."

What causes some depression?

Trying to identify the causes of these attacks of melancholia and depression is a major challenge for people in the medical and social services. In some cases, the causes can be attributed to direct bio-physical problems such as chemical imbalances in the brain. Some of those can be successfully addressed with medication.

In other instances, attacks of depression may be due to the psychological well-being or otherwise of an individual and these can be particularly difficult to identify and remedy. The problem here is that there are a large number of causes that may differ depending upon somebody's age, sex, physical health, cultural background and so on.

To make matters worse, false diagnoses are a significant risk because people's perception of why they are depressed is not necessarily always a true identification of the real cause.

Low self-esteem - a major factor

Underpinning many cases of non-clinical depression is often a sense for the person concerned that they are of no particular value to the society surrounding them. Low self-esteem can arise in situations where you feel you cannot materially affect the environment around you and therefore are not valued by it.

This can be further exacerbated by feelings of personal failure. Where individuals have tried numerous times to meet whatever the success criteria for themselves and their societies are, butt have failed, an expectation of future failure can become embedded in them and that in turn leads to further degradation of their self-esteem.

This can not only be a problem for individuals but also social groupings. For example, high depression and suicide rates are an acknowledged problem in the First Nations communities due, in part, to a lack of self-esteem both at individual and at community level.

What can be done?

In the past, much transitory depression of this nature was often treated with the simple invocation to "pull yourself together."

However, in the downward spiral of low self-esteem, failure and social marginalisation, many individuals need help to put things into perspective and to start to recognise their own worth and value.

For example,  youth leadership development and training may have a number of objectives but one of them is to identify every individual's unique talents and to develop those as an aid to increasing self-confidence.

It can also be very important for individuals suffering from these problems to understand that at least to some extent, self-doubt and attacks of low self-esteem are part and parcel of the common human experience. Somebody suffering from depression can often believe that they and they alone are experiencing some of the feelings involved whereas, in fact, a significant percentage of humanity goes through these syndromes at one time or another.

What is critically important here is to break the self-fuelling cycle of depression, introspection on the depression and that reflection leading in turn to further and deeper attacks of yet more depression.

Through things such as leadership programmes, counselling and occasionally psychiatric help, depression can be kept in check and seen in perspective.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8804084

Is Depression a Threat to Your Waistline?

By Brandon Kamins  |   Submitted On November 10, 2014

Most of us have struggled with our weight at some point in our lives. In fact, the average American is now 23 pounds heavier than his/her ideal weight. If our growing rotundity were merely an aesthetic issue, doctors wouldn't be sounding the klaxons about our ever-expanding waistline. But the truth is that obesity is now the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S., ahead of smoking! Described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a "national epidemic" and a "public health crisis," the problem is far more complex than many believe.

Why are we so fat?

In a country where everyone has unfettered access to cheap, calorie-laden foods, the culprits are far too numerous to count. Fast food, sugary sodas, fruit/energy drinks, snacks, etc. are favorites of people who struggle with their weight. But why, exactly, do these individuals feel compelled to not just eat, but to chronically overeat? One reason may be that they suffer from depression.

Much like the whole chicken-and-the-egg debate, it is impossible to say if people are depressed because they overeat, or overeat because they are depressed. What we do know, however, is that the two conditions are linked, and that they feed off each other (no pun intended). In most cases, the symptoms of depression worsen obesity, which in turn deepens the depression.

The Science

Completed in March 2010, a comprehensive review of 15 clinical studies linked obesity to a greater risk of depression, and vice versa. Published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, researchers also found that depressed people tend to put on weight faster than people who don't suffer from the disorder. Moreover, most of that extra weight went straight to their waists - and that's not good! Numerous studies have found that belly fat is a major risk factor of heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Because all of the aforementioned are linked to obesity, the fact that depression increases the likelihood of any or all of them is disconcerting, to say the least.

The Source

In study after study of obesity and depression, one common culprit keeps cropping up. A powerful stress hormone, cortisol suppresses neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for regulating appetite, mood, and sleep. It is believed that these disruptions are largely, or at least partly, responsible for major depressive episodes. We know this because depressed people have consistently high levels of cortisol and consistently low levels of serotonin and dopamine. It is further speculated that cortisol itself is responsible for increased belly fat that often accompanies bouts of depression.

Treatment Options

At the end of the day, it doesn't much matter if a person is overeating because they feel blue or because they are overweight/obese - the vicious cycle most be broken. One of the biggest obstacles to that objective is the medical establishment itself. How can we say that? Because, sadly, it happens to be true!

At any given time, more than 10 percent of Americans are on antidepressants. A common side effect of these popular prescription medications, weight gain is reported by millions of users. As you might expect, getting fat doesn't help the depression. In fact for most users, the side effect actually exacerbates the symptoms of their illness, causing them to either discontinue usage or sink further into their depression. Which drugs cause weight gain?

One of the most popular and effective prescriptions treatments for anxiety/depression, Paxil (paroxetine) causes many, perhaps even most users to pack on the pounds. Another widely-prescribed SSRI, Prozac (fluoxetine) may result in weight gain if used over a protracted period of time. Both medications have other, equally serious side effects that scare off countess patients that genuinely need them. So what is a depressed person to do?

Dietary Supplements

A large and growing market, dietary supplements appeal to people to who worry about the sometimes dangerous side effects of prescription drugs. Often derived from natural sources, there are several over-the-counter medications that claim to boost mood or improve depression. Some are even sold as alternatives to prescription antidepressants. But are these supplements effective substitutes or simply a modern version of snake oil? Let's find out!

Curcumin

What is it: A chemical compound found in the popular South Asian spice turmeric, curcumin is a natural phenol that is responsible for the distinct yellow color of the spice. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin extract is also used as a natural antidepressant.

Evidence: A little-known supplement at the time, curcumin made global headlines when a groundbreaking clinical study out of India found it to be as effective as Prozac at treating major depressive episodes. Unlike Prozac, however, curcumin does not cause weight gain or any other serious side effect. Although poorly understood, researchers believe that curcumin works by raising levels of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in the brain.

Phenibut

What is it: Naturally derived from the brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), phenibut was discovered in the Soviet Union in the 1960s and is now sold as a psychotropic drug in Russia and neighboring countries. Because it is not approved for prescription use anywhere else, phenibut is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States.

Evidence: A powerful and effective anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication), phenibut is one of the few dietary supplements that can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, which means it should have an effect on chemical imbalances in the brain. As we mentioned earlier, depression has long been linked to low levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine. Testing has revealed that phenibut stimulates dopamine receptors, which increases production of the vital brain chemical and may correct harmful imbalances caused by depressive episodes.

Tianeptine

What is it: Approved for prescription use in certain parts of Asia, Latin America, and Europe, tianeptine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). Although it is not chemically or medically a dietary supplement, it is sold as one in the United States because it is not approved for prescription use.

Evidence: Because it has both antidepressant and anxiolytic properties with comparatively mild sedative effects, tianeptine is a suitable alternative to mainstream psychotropic drugs. The supplement/drug also has mood brightening effects that help combat clinical depression as well as a wide range of anxiety disorders. Decades of testing have cemented tianeptine as one of the most reliable and effective antidepressants in the countries where it is used as prescription psychotropic.

Conclusion

In addition to feelings of hopeless, helplessness, and despondency, those that suffer from depression often experience weight gain, which tends to exacerbate the symptoms of their mental disorder. Breaking this vicious, self-destructive cycle is made even more challenging when the drugs these patients are prescribed by their doctors add adipose fat to their waistlines. Made mostly of natural ingredients, the dietary supplements we discussed in this article do not contribute to weight gain in any meaningful way. Safe and effective alternatives to prescription antidepressants, curcumin, tianeptine, and phenibut can help patients avoid weight issues on their road to recovery.

Brandon Kamins is a short fiction and freelance writer. He writes about stress and anxiety here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8803505

5 Safe and Effective Ways to Treat Seasonal Depression

By Brandon Kamins  |   Submitted On November 10, 2014

Arguably the biggest curmudgeon in the history of English literature, Ebenezer Scrooge was a heartless penny-pincher who hated the holidays. Before his miraculous, eleventh-hour transformation, the old miser loved nothing save money and misanthropy. Although there are several theories as to where Charles Dickens got his inspiration for the character, none include the most likely explanation: Scrooge was based on a man who had seasonal depression!

What is it?

Often starting in the fall, worsening in the winter, and ending in the spring, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recurring condition that strikes millions of Americans. Like other forms of depression, SAD has a laundry list of common symptoms, including:

· Irritability

· Sadness

· Anxiety

· Weight gain

· Lethargy

· Fatigue

· Trouble concentrating

· Loss of interest in usual activities

· Less social

· More homebound

How common is SAD?

It is reliably estimated that more than half a million U.S. adults have seasonal affective disorder. Another 10 to 20 percent exhibit mild symptoms of winter SAD that may be described as the "winter blues" or "cabin fever." The difference between the two disorders is the seriousness and number of symptoms they experience as well as their duration.

Who gets SAD?

About three-quarters of those that are treated for the disorder are women, and onset is generally in early adulthood. Men, older adults, and children are less prone to SAD. Because symptoms may be linked to daylight, those who reside in cloudy regions and/or at high altitudes are at an elevated risk of the perennial condition.

What causes SAD?

Although the exact cause of the disorder is unknown, there is ample evidence to suggest that seasonal affective disorder is precipitated by decreasing hours of daylight during the winter months. Why some people, particularly women, are more susceptible to SAD is a medical mystery... But there are several compelling theories that might explain it.

One widely accepted theory is that decreased exposure to sunlight disrupts the circadian rhythms that help our internal biological clock regulate sleep, hormones, and mood. With this clock running on an unhealthy schedule, we are far more likely to feel down in the dumps or even depressed.

Another theory posits that shorter days and longer hours of darkness adversely affect two specific chemicals in the brain - melatonin and serotonin. The former is largely responsible for sleep-wake cycles, while the latter helps regulate mood. When melatonin rises and serotonin falls because of less daylight, it creates the biological conditions necessary for depression. Again, we don't know why some people are more prone to SAD than others, but many, perhaps even most, will experience a few of its most common symptoms when hours of daylight dwindle.

How is SAD treated?

Many who suffer symptoms of SAD on an annual basis do their best to maximize the amount of sunlight they're exposed to during the winter. Taking an afternoon walk or simply sitting near the window on a sunny day may help treat a mild case of the disorder, since serotonin production goes up when people take in more sun. In more extreme cases, however, doctors may prescribe antidepressants. But because these powerful pills have a whole host of serious side effects, that option should be avoided, if possible. With that in mind, here are five safe ways to combat SAD.

1. Take a trip to a tropical paradise

There's a reason tens of millions of Americans visit Florida, the Caribbean, and other sunny destinations during the gloomy brumal months. They may not say it, but many of these sunbirds undoubtedly suffer from SAD, or at least from the winter blues. Escaping the cold and overcast skies on a sundrenched winter vacation could be just the medicine you need to pull yourself out of the doldrums.

2. Bring on the light

Also known as phototherapy, those with SAD can purchase or rent a device called a light therapy box that mimics sunshine. Significantly brighter than a regular light bulb, light therapy boxes produce light in many different wavelengths. Most users are instructed to spend 30 minutes a day in front of these medical devices in order to stimulate serotonin and suppress melatonin. When used correctly, light therapy boxes have proved efficacious at restoring the body's natural circadian rhythms when sunlight is scarce.

3. Take a daily constitutional

As we mentioned earlier, many SAD sufferers break out their walking shoes during the late fall and winter months as a way to attenuate the symptoms of the disorder. The best time to walk is in the late afternoon, when the sun is highest in the sky and its rays are most intense. Many regular walkers find that short and long bouts of brisk walking help them manage their SAD in a healthy, productive way.

4. Get moving

One of the most common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder is weight gain. Whether sufferers eat because they are depressed or are depressed because they eat, many find themselves snacking much more than they normally do during the winter. To break the vicious cycle, it is imperative that you get more exercise when the symptoms of the disorder are strongest -generally in the dead of winter. Though outdoor exercise is the most helpful option, any activity that gets your heart beating will make you feel better about yourself and should help you maintain your weight. So if you can't get outside because its cold and snowy, use the stationary bike, treadmill, or elliptical machine at your local gym. And if you can, choose one by the windows so you can get some exposure to the sun.

5. Eat more curry!

No, we're not being flip. Studies have shown that one of the main ingredients in curry, the spice turmeric, is a natural antidepressant. One recent clinical trial found that curcumin, the chemical compound responsible for the biological activity in the spice, is just as effective at treating major depressive disorder as fluoxetine (Prozac). Although researchers are uncertain why curcumin works so well, animal testing has revealed that the compound produced a marked increase of serotonin levels in some subjects.That fact alone may be responsible for the antidepressant activity of curcumin. Of course, you don't have to consume massive quantities of curry to get a healthy dose of the natural phenol. Widely available as a dietary supplement, curcumin may help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Conclusion

A sometimes serious medical issue that is striking a growing number of Americans, SAD is best treated naturally, according to most medical professionals. Only in extreme cases where sufferers have exhausted all other options should they even consider powerful prescription antidepressants with their serious side effects. Although simple, even obvious (except for the curry!), our quintet of tips has proved remarkably effective at treating the annual condition in a safe and natural way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8803484

Are New Apps For Monitoring Health Great?

By Vijoy V  |   Submitted On November 04, 2014

There are chances of apps becoming your new and latest digital therapist. Researchers from all over the world are developing programs which could analyze the given mood of an individual based on the given fluctuation in the voice. Currently, researchers and scientists from the University of Maryland have developed one such app. This app is based on the basic condition that each voice or the vocal feature differs as and when the patient gets depressed.

Most people are not aware of the inverse relationship our voice has with our mood.

The researchers have already planned to present the given research at international podiums in the coming months. Basically, this particular program is created in order to have a more effective and standard means of treatment for depression which does not rely on the simple patient-reported or simple symptoms of clinical analysis. While such standard procedures are indeed effective and significant for effective diagnosing and screening severity, but still there lies a margin for error.

For some time, various doctors and physicians all over the world are trying to emphasize the significance of the physiologically related means of depression. Talking and speaking has been known as the physiological biomarker in analyzing depression and sadness. There have been studies in the past which have shown a great amount of variation in the loudness, pitch, clarity, etc of the speech of individuals after and before the treatment imposed on them. To corroborate their studies and get a clear picture of the how speech can be a measuring tool for depression, scientists started to look in to the findings and observations of the past studies.

The scientist were able to find out that in the earlier studies, the depression level of each of the patients was analyzed and taken note of each week. This was done by using the Hamilton Depression Scale which is just a standard and normal evaluation tool to find out the range of depression. Certain researchers in Maryland did an analyzed study on the data of six random patients who took part in the experiment in 2007. The study showed that for some days the patients were quite depressed while other days, there were quite jolly during the entire six week course of the therapy.

During the days of being depressed, the scientists were trying to compare the Hamilton score with the variations in the speech pattern. It was found out that at the time of depression, the patient's speech became slow and more breathier. In addition, the team even saw an increase in the shimmer, jitter, and a slight increase ( two measures) of acoustic disturbance which can help in measuring the basic frequency, and increase the variations in the sound. Sometimes the speech which was high in shimmer and jitter would often sound rough and hoarse.

Now researchers are planning to create a database which would contain the acoustic details of the depression and the typical speech. This would be done by making a comparison of the speech pattern of each individual who have no mental illness and those suffering from depression. This particular information could be used by the phone app to check out and analyze the given information and provide a great amount of feedback on the basis of the individual's acoustic signature.

Combining medicine with technology is what is required in order to attract the young and teen population where there is a great increase in depression. This would be quite helpful for the parents as they would be easily be able to monitor the symptoms and find out if any kind of professional assistance is required or not.

However, there is still a long way for it. Researchers feel that there is still more amount of research and human factors that needs to be considered before the product can be useful. Also a lot of other factors and components need to be implemented to make this tool quite useful and handy.

Vijoy likes to write a lot about medical and scientific studies. Being a Journal Publishing Manager of a reputed university, it greatly helps him to identify the latest finding and scientific discoveries in the field of research.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8794706

ADHD Inattentive Type and Chronic Depression

By Michael H Carr  |   Submitted On November 07, 2014

One of the most frequent co-morbid disorders found with inattentive ADHD is low-grade, chronic depression or dysthymia.

Unlike major depression, this insidious mood disorder usually develops gradually. Hence, many inattentive ADDers with dysthymia don't realise they are suffering from it. Dysthymia often starts in the teenage years in response to negative setbacks such as problems with school work or being teased and ridiculed by peers or siblings. By adulthood many inattentive ADDers come to accept it as part of their character, and don't bother to seek treatment as they can still get by on a day-to-day basis.

However, because the disorder is ongoing, it can have a significant long-term impact on employment and relationships, and can often lead to major depression if left untreated. People with dysthymia are also at higher risk of suicide. The combination of dysthymia and major depression is known as double depression.

Dysthymia ca be a difficult disorder to treat, since people with this disorder don't tend to respond as well to medications as those with major depression. Also, many of those who do respond to anti-depressant medications often have to take them on an on going basis.

Dysthymia also creates deeply ingrained negative thinking patterns and it can be very hard for people with this form of depression to change their negative thinking through therapy. Hence, it requires a lot of patience and commitment for individuals with dysthymia to make significant progress through talk therapy.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is the most effective form of therapy for dysthymia and usually helps at least 50 percent of patients. It tends to be even more effective when combined with anti-depressants. Another big advantage of CBT is that it provides patients with the skills to cope with future outbreaks of depressive thinking. Hence, relapse rates for patients who use CBT are lower than for those who rely exclusively on medication.

When dysthymia can be reduced or overcome, it can make a big difference in the lives of those struggling with inattentive ADHD. Once the extra burden of depression is lifted, many inattentive ADDers find they have more energy, more motivation, are more sociable, and can also find they are not quite as easily distracted and mentally foggy.

Perhaps the most important thing for people with ADHD and dysthymia to remember is dysthymia is an illness not a character flaw, and with patience and commitment they can make real progress in changing the way they think and feel.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8800328

The Many Benefits of Curcumin and How It Helps Depression

By Brandon Kamins  |   Submitted On October 29, 2014

It might surprise you to learn that Western medicine is far more dependent on alternative medicine than vice versa. Though it is often dismissed by doctors and scientists as a pseudoscience, herbology (herbal medicine) has made countless contributions to conventional medicine. Aspirin, quinine, and throat lozenges are just a few of the mainstream medications that were derived from plants. In fact, about 40 percent of all prescription medicines come from plant extracts or plant compounds!

The case for these so-called folk remedies has grown increasingly strong, as many have been subjected to rigorous scientific testing in recent years. Plants that have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicines for centuries are now available to Western users. Many of these medicinals are familiar to us; even if we knew them by another name. Hailed by some as an herbal wonder drug, curcumin is the principal chemical compound of the popular South Asian spice turmeric.

The Science

One of the key ingredients in many Asian dishes, turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows wild in the forests of South and Southeast Asia. The most important chemical components of the plant, curcuminoids are natural phenols that are responsible for the distinct yellow color of the spice. According to biochemists, curcumin is the principal curcuminoid in turmeric, as it constitutes about 3.14 percent of turmeric in powdered form. Previously used as an indicator for boron, many now believe that curcumin has numerous medicinal properties.

Why People Take Curcumin

The reason curcumin is the most studied compound of turmeric is that research has identified it as the agent responsible for almost all of the biological activity of the plant. As a medicinal, the plant was has been used in traditional Hindu medicine for thousands of years to treat minor injuries such as ankle sprains. This makes perfect sense, since testing has revealed that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As a result, the dietary supplement has become popular with patients that suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other chronic conditions that cause painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

Curcumin and/or turmeric extracts have also been used to treat more serious diseases like cancer. Although more testing is needed, one laboratory test found that curcumin appears to inhibit the growth of certain kinds of tumors. In that case, the patient was suffering from colorectal cancer that wasn't helped by conventional treatments. But after taking curcumin supplements, growth of the tumor appeared to stabilize.

There is also some evidence that curcumin or turmeric may help alleviate the symptoms of certain skin diseases, viral infections, diabetes, colitis, stomach ulcers, and high cholesterol. Once again, the ancient herbal remedy is being celebrated as a modern wonder drug. But perhaps the most promising results have been seen in the use of curcumin to treat depression.

The Antidepressant Industry

Many critics charge Big Pharma with selling sickness, and judging by the numbers, they might be onto something. With an annual haul of nearly 10 billion dollars on antidepressants alone, the treatment of this increasingly common disease has become a goldmine for pharmaceutical companies everywhere. In the meantime, the doctors that dispense these powerful medications are getting writer's cramps dashing off 270 million prescriptions each year! But that is not the most alarming number Big Pharma doesn't want you to know. That figure would 3,888, which is the number of people who died from drug overdoses involving antidepressants in 2010. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the problem is only getting worse as more and more patients use these potentially deadly prescription drugs.

Curcumin vs. Prozac

If there's one thing Big Pharma fears more than anything else it's competition from the outside. Because herbal medicines have far fewer and less serious side effects than prescription pills, they would be the logical choice - if only they worked as well. Well, there is now irrefutable, ironclad scientific evidence that an herbal remedy is every bit as effective at treating depression as one of the most popular prescription antidepressants.

When researchers with the Department of Pharmacology of Government Medical College in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India conducted a controlled clinical study comparing the effects of curcumin and Prozac, they didn't expect to make national, even global news. Although the popular herbal remedy is widely used in India, curcumin had never been subjected to rigorous scientific testing for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The most serious and chronic form of the disease, major or clinical depression affects about 3 percent of population at any given time. The idea that a chemical compound from a popular native spice could compete with Prozac seemed far- fetched to those conducting the study. But after 60 patients diagnosed with MDD were randomly administered curcumin, fluoxetine (Prozac), and a combination of the two, the results spoke for themselves.

With the help of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 17-item version (HAM-D17), researchers determined that curcumin was just as effective as Prozac at treating serious depression. Because the study utilized the latest research tools and followed strict testing guidelines, it became the first published report that indicated the efficacy of turmeric or curcumin in the treatment of depression. What the report did not take into account, however, were the serious side effects those who take Prozac endure; the most serious of which include anxiety, seizures, racing heartbeat, trouble sleeping, and suicidal ideation.

How Curcumin Treats Depression

Shortly after the results of the aforementioned study made news, researchers started looking for answers. It was not enough for Western scientists to know that curcumin is effective in the treatment depression, they also had to know how. As you might imagine, the how has proved more challenging than the if. This is not at all surprising, since curcumin has diverse biological properties that are difficult to study separately. So, while the mechanism of action is poorly understood, the effects of curcumin intake are well documented, particularly with regard to neurotransmitters.

As their name implies, neurotransmitters send messages to the billions of neurons in the human brain. Some of these neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating brain functions such as mood, memory, appetite, and sleep. Known as "feel-good" neurotransmitters because they help maintain mood balance, dopamine and serotonin play a role in depression. How do we know? For starters, studies have confirmed that people who suffer from clinical depression have consistently low levels of both neurotransmitters.

Once again, we aren't sure how curcumin extract works its magic, but testing has shown that those who take it have higher serotonin and dopamine levels. That fact alone might account for the improved mood those that take the dietary supplement have consistently reported. Although researchers will undoubtedly get to the bottom of this ancient mystery, it enough for most patients to know that curcumin is a safe and effective treatment option.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8787320

Can Hypoglycemia Cause Depression?

By Brandon Kamins  |   Submitted On October 29, 2014

When your blood sugar (glucose) falls below a certain level, it may be harmful to your health. The medical name for this increasingly common condition is hypoglycemia. There are several reasons why blood sugar may drop into the danger zone; most of which are associated with drugs that used to treat diabetes. Although these medications are needed to keep glucose levels within a healthy range, they may increase the risk of depression in some patients.

Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia

To understand why people with diabetes are more susceptible to hypoglycemia and thusly to depression, it is important to discuss insulin resistance syndrome - one of the most common conditions in the Western world. Generally caused by an steady diet of sugary foods, the disorder occurs when cells that would normally take sugar out of the blood become resistant to the action of insulin. As a result, the hormone can no longer lower blood sugar to healthy levels, which causes hyperglycemia, a potentially deadly condition.

In order to restore balance to their blood, those with insulin resistance syndrome and/or diabetes must take drugs that mimic the effects of insulin. But taking these drugs is far from an exact science. Because they are injected rather released as needed by the body, it is often very easy to take more synthetic insulin than needed, which may cause glucose levels to fall into the unhealthy, hypoglycemic range. But how can fluctuations in blood sugar affect your mood and state of mind?

Biochemistry 101

If we start with the simple, indisputable fact that all biochemical reactions are driven by energy, it's easy to see why the brain reacts the way it does when glucose (the sugar our body's use as energy) falls below acceptable levels. Here's how it works. Threatened with energy starvation, the brain prepares the body for deprivation by sending messages to the adrenal glands to release powerful stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones help convert stored glucose molecules (glycogen) back into glucose to give the brain the energy it needs to complete essential operations. However, this emergency action comes with a price.

Stress Hormones and Depression

Scientists have known for years that stress hormones set off a chemical chain reaction in the brain. In particular, the potent cortisol has a suppressive effect on dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that help combat stress by producing feelings of satisfaction and well being. It is not surprising then that most antidepressants help stimulate the production of these neurotransmitters in patients with deficiencies. It is also not surprising that elevated cortisol levels are common in people that suffer from episodic and clinical depression. The symptoms of these illnesses may be harder to control if they are caused by an underlying illness such as hypoglycemia.

The Solution

Whether it is caused by insulin resistance syndrome or poor diet, low blood sugar precipitates the release of stress hormones that can wreak havoc on our mental state. Because they cannot control their own insulin levels, the former group is at a much higher risk of depression than the latter. But if the patient has yet to develop Type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels may be normalized in time. The adoption of a hypoglycemic diet, for instance, may help restore healthy glucose, insulin, and stress hormone levels in a manner of months.

Can Drugs Help?

The number of biochemical reactions that are involved in the descent from healthy blood sugar to hypoglycemia and finally to depression make it highly unlikely that pills could ever address them all. Furthermore, most of the antidepressants on the market today are extremely powerful, addictive, highly toxic medications that carry with them a whole host of serious side effects. So while the temptation to try to cure all that ails you with a pill may be hard to resist, we implore you to do just that!

Triggers

Because they can be converted to glucose far faster than fat or protein, carbohydrates are the food of choice for fast energy. And the organ that makes the most frequent and insistent requests for fuel is the brain. Did you know, for instance, that your brain consumes one-third of your total glucose intake? But when it does not get what it needs, our smartest organ panics and floods our system with stress hormones.

For a hypoglycemic person, these hormones are both a blessing and a curse. Stress hormones save them from suffering the most serious symptoms of low blood sugar, but at the same time force them to operate in emergency mode until the crisis has been resolved. The only problem for those with the disorder is that the next crisis is just around the corner. It is therefore not at all uncommon for a person with persistently low blood sugar to suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.

Prevention

When blood sugar levels are consistently low, the problem can often be corrected by diet. For people who suffer from diabetes, injecting too much insulin will cause glucose levels to fall, sometimes precipitously. The same is true when diabetics do not eat enough before a period of extreme exercise or physical activity. Symptoms such as blurry vision, rapid heart rate, anxiety, and sudden mood changes may occur soon after blood sugar levels enter the danger zone. Signs of depression, however, are not likely to manifest themselves as expeditiously. In most cases, those that have chronically low blood sugar will fall into a funk for which they have no explanation or clear cause. It is only later when they learn that they are hypoglycemic that the symptoms of their disorder start to make sense.

For those who have experienced bouts of hypoglycemia in the past, whether diabetic or not, eating high-carbohydrate snacks are often the best medicine. A cup of sugary soda or juice or a handful of hard candy should increase blood sugar levels enough to alleviate the symptoms of mild hypoglycemia. Those with depression, however, should talk to their doctor as soon as possible. Why?

Although the two are undeniably linked, it is not true that everyone who experiences spells of low blood sugar will also experience depression. The etiology of the mental disorder is far too complicated to ascribe to a single risk factor or even to a precipitating condition. What we do know, however, is that people with diabetes who are depressed have a 40 percent higher risk of a hypoglycemic episode than those who are not depressed. Once again, researchers believe the stress hormones that are released when blood sugar levels fall too low increase the risk of depression for some patients.

Because they are more susceptible to hypoglycemic episodes, most of the research that links depression to low blood sugar has involved diabetics. Numerous studies have not only found that depressed patients with diabetes had a significantly shorter time to their first major hypoglycemic episode, but also that they were more likely to experience additional episodes in the future. Although more testing is needed, researchers have established a clear association between depression and hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

While not definitive, there seems ample evidence to suggest that low blood sugar may be a risk factor for depression. That it strikes some patients with hypoglycemia and not others is not at all surprisingly, since the biochemistry of well-being is well beyond our ken. We can, however, encourage those that are at high risk of hypoglycemia, i.e., diabetics, to monitor their blood sugar levels on a regular basis. This simple step should help them reduce their risk of depression in the long run.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8787395

Fighting Depression - Love Yourself, Love Life

By Diane M Gove  |   Submitted On October 29, 2014

To really be happy and have a love for life, you need to satisfy your own needs and love yourself. Refill your emotional tank often.

Physically, you can stretch and take deep breaths while sitting and relaxing quietly for 15-20 minutes. Focus on the breaths you take. Be empty of your troubles. Be full of peace. Doing regular relaxation techniques helps relieve depression symptoms and will boost your mood.

Soak up some sunshine! 15-30 minutes a day will be beneficial to both your emotional and physical health. Sit in the park and just watch people go by. Listen to the sounds of the outdoors. Take Fido to the doggie park, visit an outside cafe and have some tea, take a walk-just get some sunshine.

Take up a hobby. If you have one that makes you feel good, do it more often. Go bird-watching. Walk a nature trail. It is very relaxing and soothingly refreshing. Put photos in an album or scrapbook or on your digital frame. Looking at your photos lets you focus on wonderful memories. Do woodworking projects that take concentration. You will focus on the project and not your problems. Stay in tune with the fun ME time you need.

Read motivational quips, quotes, and books. They are easy to find both online and in book stores. Find a few favorite quotes that stand out. Put those quotes in a prominent place, such as on your refrigerator. Recite them often. They WILL motivate you. They will help you to feel good and powerful. You are in control of your life.

Don't wonder why your life is so wrong. Think about what is so right. Love yourself, no one is perfect. Don't think you're a failure. Focus on the things you have and appreciate. Make a list of things you are grateful for. Things that you are thankful to have in your life. Make another list of the things you like about yourself. Be kind to yourself.

Don't dwell on your problems. Check out the choices and options there are to get past those areas of discontent. Rise above the conflicts in your life. Whether within yourself or out in the world. Be strong. Do your best, but still be you. The happy you-the one that focuses on loving yourself and loving life.

Get enough sleep. Not too much, that's not good either. That will just make you sluggish throughout the day. 7-8 hours a night is best. Rise and shine the same time every day. Go to bed the same time every night. Your body will function better on a set schedule.

Eat well. Drink lots of water. Start the day with 16 oz. It will give your body the boost it needs to start the day. Drink 7-10 glasses throughout the day. Eat the right foods every 3-4 hours. Don't let yourself get hungry and irritable. Eating smaller amounts more often helps your body and mind function better. Avoid sugary snacks, alcohol, and pasta. The good foods to eat consist of oatmeal, whole wheat products, fruits and veggies and a good old home-cooked meal of baked potatoes and chicken. These good foods will actually make you feel better.

Overcome the stress/stessors quickly. Don't hold on to things that bring you down. Whether you need to call a happy friend or a counselor, just do it. Have a support system in place. Deal with the issue. Get it over with and let go of it. Petting your furry friend can help also. They are good listeners and they will certainly help you get over the slump you are in.

Fill your day with things that make you feel good. Hang out with people who make you happy and laugh. People who will listen to you. Depression can pull you down enough that you don't want to be social and around people. FIGHT IT. Maintain positive social activities. Do something for someone else. It will make you feel good.

Last thing at night, express gratitude for the positive things in your life. Remind yourself of the things that made you feel good. Pat yourself on the back for the things you accomplished today. Plan for an enjoyable day tomorrow.

Depression can suck the life right out of you. You can easily lose the hopes and dreams of tomorrow. You lose energy to exist productively and happy. Fighting it and overcoming it is not easy and it won't happen overnight. Keep at it just one step at a time. You ARE important-to yourself, your family, and your friends. You can learn to love yourself and love life again.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8787059

Fighting Depression - Focus On The Positive

By Diane M Gove  |   Submitted On October 29, 2014

Don't let depression drag you down. Focus on the positive. Work hard every day to train your brain to use a more positive thought pattern every time a negative event occurs. You will soon be able to calmly face the challenges that life throws your way.

It will take time. With baby steps you can learn to turn you mind to more positive thoughts and actions. Fight those negative thoughts. Don't let them rule you. Show yourself who is boss and find the alternatives.

Instead of road rage, check-out line frustrations, and disgust of appointments running late, try to allow extra time that is often needed for these things. Eliminate the stressors that you can control. Organize yourself at night so there is no frustrating morning rush to get out the door.

If you can be better prepared for some situations, you won't feel so rushed and anxious about them. Plan ahead. If you are stuck in traffic, be prepared with some good music to sing along and enjoy yourself. Relax, take a few deep breaths.

If you are stuck in a check-out line, instead of stressing and deep sighs with your eyes rolling, try to lighten up the situation. Be understanding to the others involved. We have all been in that situation before. The cashier will feel better, and you will leave the store feeling much better. It is a feel-good opportunity. You feel good for making someone else feel good.

Sometimes depressed people have this all-or-nothing way of thinking that keeps them depressed and negative. They may say, "I can't do nothing right" or "Nothing goes my way." If you find yourself saying that sort of thing---STOP. Listen to yourself. Then change it into, "Oh, well-better luck next time" or "I can do better-let me try again." Be nice to yourself, no one else is perfect either.

Probably the best natural anti-depressant is exercise. If you really want to feel good about yourself and be positive, then EXERCISE! Thirty minutes would be great, but even 10 minutes will get yourself feeling better. It will increase your mood and energy. Make sure your exercise is a bit intense. Get your heart beating. Feel ALIVE!!

Swimming, dancing, and biking are good continuous exercises. Listen to music and exercise to the beat. You could also do a fast walk. Pop in the bluetooth and call a perky friend while taking Fido for a vigorous walk. Go walk the mall or main street quickly. Count stores or strollers to pass the time. Don't exhaust and deflate yourself. Boost your mood and physical self-not fall on your face.

Focus on the positive. Do things you enjoy. You may find it very difficult at first to force yourself to get up and go. Before long you will find that these positive baby steps will build your energy level and steer you in the right direction so you CAN climb out of that depressing hole you fell into.

The better you feel, the easier it is to use these suggestions. Try a few each day. Find opportunities to be happier. Remember that when one door closes another one opens, so don't let disappointment rule your life.

Focus on the positive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8787086

Turn Bad Into Good

By Diane M Gove

Bad things happen. That's inevitable. A bad reaction is typical. Here's how to help yourself respond in such a way that you will feel better about the whole situation.

Instead of holding on to the initial reaction of blame, disappointment, anger, or any other negative emotion you may feel, turn it around to see the positive in the incident. Being depressed makes it difficult to see the good. You will have to work hard to not focus on the bad. You CAN find a way to turn it into good. Be determined.

Think it through. Was this really worth the bad reaction? Can you laugh it off as a woopsie? Was it just a learning experience, not to be repeated again.

Choose to react positive. You have power over your life. Choose to work toward an uplifting, happier life.

Think of the big picture. What can you do to make it better? Stop dwelling on the negative, take a deep breath, move forward with a better outlook.

Stop complaining-we all know life can be unfair and full of pain. Life is too short to live in the negative. Complaining only reinforces the bad. Look on the bright side. When people ask how you are doing, SMILE, and say you are doing well and looking on the bright side of life.

When bad things are in your life and stressing you, let go of them. The longer you hang on to them the more they will weigh you down. Take care of them if you can, then let go and carry on. Focus on the things that make you happy. Focus on finding the solution. Lift yourself up and rise above the blues.

Recognize when you are sinking into the depression hole. Grab onto an uplifting person or activity so you can keep from falling further. Let people or actions keep you afloat. There are people out there that DO care about how you feel. Find them and hang out with them. Do something fun. It will help you immensely.

Take notice of the things that bring you down. Avoid those. Recognize what things make you feel good. Make more of those happen more often. Fill your life with the good things. Pretty soon you will be a happier you.

Think of yourself as climbing up the stairs to a better life, not falling into a hole and escaping it. Life is wonderful, so get out there and enjoy it! When the lemons come, find the sugar and make lemonade. Don't let the lemons sour you. Take control and turn the bad into good.

Diane Gove is dedicated to helping people have a happier lifestyle. Her website, http://www.thehappyaverage.com offers simple suggestions and articles that can improve many aspects of your life. Come get refreshed--your happy spot awaits you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8787038