Mental Health Blog on Depression and Anxiety

2011-07-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a change in careers I suggest using this search tool that I found. It helped me find work in the medical field working in a hospital as a nurse. Maybe it could help you too?

Healthcare Job Search
www.healthcare-job-search.com

Manic Depression/ Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-22T03:17:00.002-07:00

Taking Manic Depression Seriously

Manic depression or Bipolar depression is actually considered as one of the worst type of depression that people usually suffer from.

Characterized by sudden and extreme changes in their mood, Manic depression is said to be called as such because manic = mania refers to the 'ups' while depression refers to the 'downs'.
A lot of people actually experience erratic changes in their moods, some times, these so-called mood swings may not just be caused by PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) or stress. Doctors actually have diagnosed mood swings as a common symptom of depression.

But when these so-called mood swings have gone to utmost absurdity, from getting irked even by the littlest or simplest of thins like not getting your favorite ice cream flavor, this may not be just a sign of brattiness, but when getting irked means you'll cuss and swear on the ice cream vendor and throw absurd tantrums, this may already be the start of Manic depression.The so-called 'manic' or 'ups' in Manic depression is described as to be the times when a person suffering from Manic depression may experience overly high periods, consisting of heightened energy, a sudden outburst of euphoric mood, extreme irritability, thoughts racing as well as aggressive behavior.
According to therapists, someone suffering from Manic depression may have these so-called manic 'periods' wherein sudden outbursts of euphoric and elevated mood swings may actually go through this for as long as not just a day, in can actually go on for as long as one week, even longer than that.

When it comes to the so-called 'low' or 'down' periods, as its name suggests can actually bring someone who is suffering from Manic depression may experience very similar symptoms to those who are suffering from actual depression. People who are suffering from Manic depression may actually experience episodes showing a depressed state of mind - a feeling of worthlessness and being unloved may start to corrupt the individual's mind. Various symptoms, showing guilt, extreme sadness, anxiety attacks, feeling of not belonging, extreme pessimism and obvious loss for pleasure. According to therapists, an individual who is depressed. consistently for more than a week can officially be diagnosed as someone who is suffering from Manic depression.

In spite of being one of the most common, yet severe type of depressive disorder, Manic depression, according to doctors can actually be treated. There's no reason to worry too much about it, just follow the proper procedures that the therapist will instruct you to do, take the proper prescribed medications as well as the proper dosage in order to help you (or your friend or love one) overcome Manic depression before it becomes too late. Also, individuals who are suffering from Manic depression should always be able to see their therapists on a regular basis so as to be able to release their pent up emotions to some one who can interpret and understand what they're going to a lot better as compared to "normal" people.

Although positive results for a Manic depressive patient can still be achieved from natural alternatives, a proper and a more lasting relief from Manic depressive symptoms can still be best acquired through seeing cognitive behavior therapists. Contrary to some beliefs, when it comes to psychiatric treatments, psychiatrists, preferably cognitive behavior therapists are still the best ones to consult for Manic depression, as well as the ones who'll most probably be able to cure Manic depression.

Symptoms of Depression

2009-06-22T03:17:00.001-07:00

The tell-tale symptoms of depression
People who may be suffering from depression or manic disorders actually exhibit or show each and every kind of symptom of depression that doctors will tell you that depressed people have. Sometimes it’s actually quite easy to overlook such symptoms and not be able to help one’s self or others who are suffering from depression for that matter.

There are actually a lot of symptoms of depression that depressed people may actually posses but they don’t have to suffer from each and every one of them before you actually help them get diagnosed and be treated for this illness. Also, since symptoms of depression actually vary, the time of their "attacks" varies as well.

Here are some common examples of symptoms of depression:

Prolonged period of sadness or not feeling "up to it," people who are always feeling not in the mood, who’d rather mope around the house and feel sorry for one’s self is the best example for this symptom of depression.

Feels hopeless, perennial pessimist: speaking of feeling sorry for one’s self, another common symptom of depression is when a person actually feels like he/she has nothing to look forward to in his or her life. As for being the perennial pessimist, those who show this symptom of depression are usually very negative about things, again, the feeling of hopelessness comes in to mind.

Guilt-driven, loss of self-worth and helplessness: other symptoms of depression that can be easily seen on people who prefer to mope around all day long are these. Whenever a person feels so guilty over something, that actually makes one a very sad person who feels like he or she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Thus, the loss of self-worth, if that person feels like he or she isn’t worthy of being happy or enjoying one’s self then that’s clear tell-tale symptom of depression. Helplessness also contribute to being depressed, when assuming that things won’t simply go your way, it’s already a clear saying that you have absolutely no hope in your body at all.

Isn’t interested in finding or taking pleasure; just dropping the hobbies as well as the other things that one used to enjoy: this tell-tale symptom of depression just shows how depressed a person can be, if one is actually too sad to take pleasure even in the very things that one loves then that person is seriously lacking something, rather, that person might well have caught the depression bug.

Fatigue, always tired: people suffering from depression, since they’ve lost whatever interest in life that they may have had before are actually lacking of physical energy at all times, if one would prefer to just mope around, probably won’t even eat not get enough sleep, a depressed person may well be on their way to not just a mental illness but depression can actually be terrible for one’s physical health as well.

Having trouble concentrating, having bad memory and is indecisive: a person who is suffering from depression easily gives away this tell-tale symptom of depression. Wherein one’s lack of interest with regards to the outside world or for just about anything for that matter can lead to that person’s inability to lose track of things and actually not be able to remember things that happened or what other people said. Lack of interest actually makes depressed people very inattentive.

There are actually more symptoms of depression that can actually help you see if a person (or you) needs to be brought to the doctor to get some help when it comes to depression: lacking sleep, sleeping too much or waking up at wee hours of the morning are all symptoms of depression (if it happens on a daily basis), appetite loss as well as eating too much may show one’s lack of enthusiasm for life. Be weary of sudden weight loss or weight gain in those around you. Being suicidal, talking about death, about wanting to die is another clear indication that that person is depressed. Being restless and irritable and physical symptoms that are usually brought about by poor mental health such as headaches, digestive disorders and various body pains.

Clinical Depression

2009-06-22T03:16:00.001-07:00

All About Clinical Depression

Depression, a mental illness that is often characterized by prolonged periods of sadness and melancholy, experts from the field of psychiatry say.

But just because one person is moping around and just generally hating the world around him or her, doesn't mean that it's already depression, but if this kind of behavior, the feeling of emptiness, loss of self-worth and absolutely no hope for happiness just goes on and on, then, yes, that individual is very much, indeed, depressed.

Still, there are various types of depression, from Manic or Bipolar depression - characterized by sudden and extreme changes in one's mood wherein one minute he or she is in an elevated state of euphoria while the next minute (day or week) he or she is feeling to be in a personal hell, Postpartum depression - characterized by a prolonged sadness and a feeling of emptiness by a new mother wherein physical stress during child birth, an uncertain sense of responsibility towards the new born baby can be just some of the possible factors why some new mother go through this, Dysthimia - characterized by a slight similarity with depression, although this time, it's been proven to be a lot less severe, but of course with any case, should be treated immediately, Cyclothemia - characterized by a slight similarity with Manic or Bipolar depression wherein the individual suffering from this mental illness may occasionally suffer from severe changes in one's moods, Seasonal Affective Disorder - characterized by falling in a rut only during specific seasons (i.e. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall) studies however, prove that more people actually fall in to a rut more during the WInter and Fall seasons and lastly, Mood swings, wherein a person's mood may shift from happy to sad to angry in just a short time.

Clinical depression however, or as some might call as 'major' depression, is actually the medical term for depression. Actually clinical depression is more of a disorder rather than an illness since it basically covers only those who are suffering from symptoms related to depression. Clinical depression is how doctors usually refer to "depression" when giving a diagnose of their patient. It's basically just a medical term.

However, in spite of being an actual disorder, Clinical depression may well be treated. Doctors are actually highly optimistic that their patients who are suffering from Clinical disorder will be well on their way towards good mental health as long as they treated as soon as they have been diagnosed with Clinical depression. Patients who have been seeking for treatments for Clinical depression have proven to be quite successful in their quest, given that 80 percent of actual Clinical depression patients have been treated and has somewhat found relief from their disorder.

For those who may be seeking some answers for their Clinical depression related questions, the depression section of the health center is highly recommended, as well as books on psychiatry and the internet - which can offer a lot of helpful information with regards to Clinical depression although self-medication/treatment is highly disapproved of. Clinical depression may not pose as much as a threat as the other types of depression, but it is best to leave it to the hands of professionals who can safely attend to and cure this disorder.

Planning on Improving your Life.

2009-06-22T03:12:00.000-07:00

Planning to Improve your Personal Life

The truth is what sets you free; yet, when you plan you find the freedom to survive happier. Planning gives us power. The plans we make liberate us and lift our values and quality of living. When a person plans it, greaten their outlooks on life. As you plan you, start to use your creative mind.

The creative mind helps you to vision your future as you draw from your energies, passions, wants, etc. It leads you to excitement, or feeling joyful over your future. When you plan you, reduce tension. Instead of spending each day sweating tomorrow, you learn how to live one day. Each day you have your seconds, minutes, hours, and day planned, so that you are working toward completing what you have planned for that day. Once you accomplish your daily goals, you relax knowing that you achieved your mission. The next day comes and you follow your plan chart for this day only.

You live well when you set plans. When you set plans, you know that you have the ability to change those plans as you choose. You realize that you have flexibility with your plans. For instance, if you see something in your plans that do not lead up to your short and long-term goals, you can change those plans at leisure. This is part of using your creative mind, especially when you see areas that do not lead toward your goals.

You have freedom when making plans, since you have the option to achieve your goals. When your plans include your short-term and long-term goals, and you accomplish these goals one-step at a time, you can look back to visualize your freedom and achievements.

One thing I noticed about setting goals is that often you achieve goals that you did not plan. Ironically, as you work toward your goals, it seems that other good things come your way. Look for the rewards as you start to achieve your goals.

When you set plans, you have opportunities and chances of achieving your goals. Chance, opportunities and efficiency often make a person feel good about self. This is a part of improving your personal life. When you set plans, it is best to work in logical steps to reach your goals. By doing so you make the load lighter and the road less traveled.

When a person plans, he or she is not constantly making decisions. This frees up the mind from chaos, or stress. You set your time wisely for choosing as you draw up schedules to manage your time. For this reason, you have leisure time. This means you can sit on your free time drawing visual images in your mind as you choose.

When a person plans that, have the option of adjusting their plans. When you see that something is not to your likings in your goals and plans, you can adjust them as you choose. You want to use your mental images and voices to help you adjust plans, just as you did when you first wrote your plan.

Mental images will help you to see into your future. Remember though to live for today and not tomorrow. Only use those images to set the pathway to success by writing your goals. After you finish writing your plans, time management, goals, etc, you can work toward scheduling your strategies.

Strategy planning should include errand time, fun time, goal time, study time, work time, family time, flexibility, and so on. You should also consider the unplanned as you outline your strategies that lead you to improve your personal life as you reach your goals.

Time to take it EASY!

2009-06-22T03:10:00.001-07:00

Take It Easy and Enjoy Life

Can you remember your childhood days? During those times, nothing yet seemed complicated – all we had to think about were crayons, cookies, or Santa Claus. We didn’t care about the things we didn’t know because we were just too oblivious of the things that might bother us.

But as we grow older, we get anxious with the things that surround us – life and death, loving and parting, success and failure, to name a few. We find that almost everyday, we are obliged to be concerned about people or events.

Nevertheless, always keep this in mind: Don’t take things as if they are responsible for the way you feel. Events or situations do not trouble you. How you look at them does.

If you miss those carefree days, you just have to look back at how you used to view things then, and you will know what to do now. Here’s a guide to make sure you won’t lose your way:

Cherish the simple things: Trust in the power of a smile or laughter, a kiss or a hug. Believe in kindness, honesty, dreams, and imagination. Living positively is the first step to becoming happy.

Loosen up. Laugh at your mistakes. You might remember the time when you were delivering your speech and your mind went completely blank right in the middle of delivering it. It’s embarrassing. But most likely, your audience will forget about it in a day or two. We all mess up occasionally. The good thing is that people tend to forget such situations.

Surround yourself with what you love. Get a pet. Retain film moments as keepsakes. Keep away from those that drag you down. If that high-paying job makes you sulk at the thought of having to go to work, find a job you like first before quitting. If some people force you to comply even if you think of doing otherwise, stay away from their company.

Don’t put off. Go on that trip. Take your Master’s. You’ll never know the extent of your life. Do something, while you can.

Don’t push yourself too hard trying to please everyone. You just can’t. And it never seems to be worth it anyway. When you want to make somebody’s day, start with your loved ones.

Keep fit. Be that attractive person you always picture yourself to be. Cherish your health. It’s the best way of showing you are putting your best face forward.

Do not assume. Don’t fret about forgetting your speech before you actually do it. Don’t worry about not getting the job you want because you might mess up at the interview. It’s good to expect the worst; but don’t end up expecting only the worst.

Alter your way of thinking. When you’re being ridiculed, criticized about your family background, or condemned for past mistakes, put on deaf ears. Don’t believe everything you hear. You know yourself better than everybody else does. Never wallow in self-pity.

Remember: Don’t get upset over things just because it’s how most people would react when faced with the same situation. When you find yourself being negative – angry, down, jealous, etc. – you also unknowingly drain your energy and enthusiasm. You just have to try keeping these negative feelings in the low, because giving in to these emotions would sometimes make you unreasonable, and you might end up making bad decisions.

Happiness is always in your grasp. You can attain it, as long as you know how.

What is Depression Anyways?

2009-06-22T03:08:00.000-07:00

What is Depression: Some New Light on the Old Blues?

Right now, 20 million Americans are in the midst of an episode of depression.

Some have the incapacitating symptoms of what doctors call a major depression. These symptoms usually require professional attention because they are very severe and demoralizing. Feeling hopeless and worthless, a person with major depression may sleep and eat irregularly.

In the throes of severe depression, it is hard to concentrate, make decisions, or find the energy to do much of anything. Thoughts of suicide are common.

Depression primarily refers to a state of mind that is purely negative, with an inclination to insufficiency and a hopeless lack of interest to do things.

If someone has a minor depression, however, the problem is more manageable. Experts say that people who have some minor depression will feel lousy about themselves and lousy about their lives, but they are managing to function at a high level.

In fact, some of the newfound ways of battling the blues are related to what you do as well as what you feel. Here are some ways that you can prepare your body to help prevent minor depression:

1. Put some spring in your step.

Regular exercise may be the most powerful natural antidepressant available. It is advisable that you take a brisk walk. Exercise helps generate the release of brain chemicals called endorphins. When endorphin levels are low, depression occurs. Exercise also oxygenates the brain, keeping it healthy.

How much should you exercise? Thirty minutes, five or six days a week, at moderate intensity, is a nice level to aim for to help prevent the brain imbalances that can make you vulnerable to depression.

2. Nourish your brain.

Virtually any nutrient deficiency can result in impaired mental function, including depression. To help prevent depression, health experts recommend that people should take high-potency multivitamins or mineral supplement. This will supply the brain with enough nutrients in order to keep it properly functioning and, thus, avoid some mental disorders such as depression.

3. Get enough sleep.

Getting less than eight hours of sleep, night after night, may lower levels of the brain chemical known as “serotonin,” which can make you more prone to depression. To sleep well, health practitioners recommend going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, including weekends.

Relax before bedtime, perhaps with a hot bath. And for the soundest sleep, keep your bedroom quiet and dark.

4. Consider some alternate explanations.

Your emotions, positive or negative, are created not by situations themselves, but by the way you interpret those situations. A very common situation can turn into a reason for hand wringing unless you take mental steps to prevent it.

Suppose a friend is going to pick you up so that the two of you can go somewhere and do something fun together. Now, suppose that time passes, and your friend does not arrive to get you. Your feelings change, quite literally, from moment to moment. If at first you think of your friend as being insensitive and irresponsible, you will find yourself feeling angry at him. If you think that perhaps something bad has happened to him, you will naturally become concerned. If you think that this person does not care much about you and that is why he is late, you feel rejected, lonely, even depressed.

Although the situation does not change, and that your friend is still delayed, you can have a whole range of feelings depending on how you interpret that event.

For this reason, experts contend that situations are usually ambiguous, open to any interpretation. Hence, your interpretation helps create your feelings about the situation. Positive interpretations lead to good feelings and enjoyment; negative interpretations lead to bad feelings and depression. To stay on the positive side, try to look for the positive interpretations.

Indeed, depressions can be very destructive if neglected. Hence, the best way to stop the development of depression is to always put a bright light on the blues and create a positive outlook in life.

Reduce Stress and Be Happy Now!

2009-06-22T03:07:00.000-07:00

Reduce Stress and Be Happy

Anything taken too much is bad for the health. A little stress is actually good, as it could serve to help you function at your best. However, stress that seems a little too much could take a physical, as well as mental, toll to your body. Stress should be managed in order for depression or anxiety to be prevented.

So how should you do it then? The following are tips and advice to help manage stress.

Write it out, schedule it out.

It is best to write down everything that seems to be overwhelming. You will find a things-to-do-list much easier to manage than having errands all crumpled up in your head. Writing down the tasks, and putting a specific schedule and time to do them, helps anyone manage activities one chunk at a time. Crossing out an activity that has already been accomplished is very rewarding and could actually help you feel more relaxed when doing the other tasks at hand.

One at a time works.

Focus and put all your attention specifically on one task at one time. It does not help to feel panicky about the other undone or to-do tasks. Thinking about them only adds unnecessary stress and could even hamper in doing the task you are attempting to accomplish at present.

Relax and take it slow.

At least, try not to expend too much energy on activities that are currently not priorities. This is in order for your energy to be not easily expended on the tasks that are not that important, at least for now.

Delegate, delegate, delegate.

You need not do everything all at once, and you need not do everything on your own. Ask for help, get help, or pay for help. When there is a feeling of being overwhelmed that is cropping up, hire someone to mow the lawn or get a sitter for your children. The feeling of being pressed to finish something on time will somehow be eliminated if tasks are delegated. It takes a load off unnecessary worry and anxiety. Moreover, it is easier checking up on how things are, than worrying yourself sick doing everything on your own, all at once.

Give yourself a reward.

You deserve it. Acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how big or small, is an effort that is necessary before getting on to the next tasks and activities. It reduces stress and could even make you happier in doing the next task.

Give yourself a break.

You need it to be more productive. A ten to fifteen minute break during your work is necessary. Go visit a café nearby, take a quick brisk walk, or do anything to put your mind off work, at least for a while. This is necessary to refresh and recharge. Believe it or not, you can also stay in your work and sit with your eyes closed as you visualize a peaceful landscape or a relaxing scene. This frees the stress from your muscles and your mind.

Relax and be cool. Doing so makes you healthier, happier, and a lot more productive.

Dealing with Sorrow

2009-06-22T03:05:00.000-07:00

Dealing With Sorrow – Depression Management

While the term depression has been commonly used that people tend not to take it seriously anymore, it is a very serious condition that could impair one’s life. Depression is very difficult. It can debilitate one’s normal functions, making even the most mundane tasks such as getting up from bed or eating breakfast seemingly difficult. It is sad to think that a lot of depressed individuals are not treated because of the high costs of therapy. However, coping with depression is still possible without professional help if one knows depression management. Here are a few things that can help people deal with depression, it is important to note however, that professional therapy is still very invaluable with serious depression. These steps are just suggestions for alleviating the condition.

Staying active is one way to take one’s mind off depression. Primarily, activities help distract people from whatever it is that is causing their depression and it also helps channel unspent energies that build up when one is depressed. Keeping active also releases endorphins – natural mood boosters that somehow cheer people up.

It is also important to take a rest. Being depressed can be very exhausting, so it is essential to regain strength and energy if one is to deal with depression. Relaxation techniques can help one be more attuned to the self and be more at peace. When resting, stressors should be kept away from the bedroom so that ample rest can be obtained.

Depressed people should also express their emotions. Depression usually results from suppressed emotions. People who are grieving can be prone to depression if they keep their emotion to themselves. A lot of people avoid crying because they think it might be a sign of weakness. However, it is important to cry because it releases one’s emotions. When expressing feelings, it is important to avoid catharsis – venting up one’s anger by doing something violent like boxing, smashing things, and the like. Catharsis does not release one’s emotion, especially anger. Rather, it makes a person practice violence as an expression of emotion, and thus can be very dangerous.

Hang around with friends and loved ones. Depressed individuals need support very much. Other people can distract one from stressors. People can also remind a depressed individual that there can be more to life, and it is worth living even if it is simply because of the company of wonderful people.

Lastly, it is important to believe in oneself. A lot of people get depressed because they put themselves down. It is important to satisfy oneself and gain a sense of self-worth. It is good to do something that would make one happy. Prioritizing one’s self can help one to believe that one’s own life is important and can be enjoyed. Being kind to oneself is one of the most important steps to get away from a depressive state.

Depression management is possible and entails taking charge of one’s self. When dealing with depression however, it is important not to rush. Sadness does not disappear overnight; it takes time to get back on one’s feet. Little by little, one can get out of depression and have a normal life once more.

10 Tips for Expressing Anger in a Healthy Way

2009-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips on how to deal with anger in a structured and healthy way.

1. Feeling angry is good. Anger tells us something is wrong. Using violence or abusive language are never acceptable ways of coping with anger.

2. Instead of giving time outs, try taking one for yourself instead.

3. Use this time to talk yourself down from hostile thoughts, feelings and urges.

4. Don't blame others for the fact that you are feeling angry. Take 100% responsibility for your own thoughts, feelings and urges.

5. Play detective with yourself. Hurts, fears and vulnerability often hide beneath anger.

6. Consider the consequences, to you and others, for your choice of words and actions. Consequences come now or they come later, but they always show up!

7. Be specific and talk about the 'real' problem.

8. Avoid the tug of war-your way/their way. Instead use everyone's creativity to find a solution that will work.

9. Maintain your dignity; help others keep theirs.

10. Be fair, be generous.

Tips for Managing Anger

2009-04-28T07:37:00.001-07:00

1. Learn how to recognize the physical, mental, and behavioral warning signs of your angry feelings. Physical clues such as rapid heartbeat, clenching your jaw or fist, and muscle tension can be clues to escalating anger. These physical signals, in combination with anger-feeding thoughts and expectations, may be an early warning that we should "cool down," adjust our expectations or attitudes, or simply walk away from a situation.

2. Ask yourself if your anger is justified. Is it an overreaction to a situation that is beyond our control? Am I misplacing anger with myself onto others? Am I expecting too much of others and/or myself? Am I taking things too personally?

3. Talk, rather than act out on your angry feelings. Talk to someone you trust and who is not involved in the event that triggered your anger. "Venting" or talking with a neutral friend or with a counselor can help us get another perspective. Avoid venting with someone who fans your anger or encourages you to act on your angry feelings. Instead, chose someone who is cool-headed and able to help you move on.

4. Explore your options. What type of response is in your best interest? Play out different scenarios in your head and with someone you trust if possible, try to let go of the problem for a day or two. Do something physical(take a walk, play ball, exercise), but not violent, to relieve your stress. Let things cool down. Important decisions are best made when your in a calm, rational frame of mind.

5. Recall what solutions worked for in the past. Past experiences with successfully handling anger may hold the key to how to deal with a present situation. Remember that difficult feelings, no matter how strong, are always temporary. No matter how uncomfortable we may feel right now, it will go away. Acting impulsively, exploding, or sulking will only make matters worse. Remind yourself that you can deal with difficult feelings.

6. Reward yourself. When you've successfully handled a difficult situation, pat yourself on the back and give yourself a healthy reward. Be proud that you can deal with difficult feelings and weather the storm.

Ways to Manage Stress

2009-04-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Humor
Many stress-management experts recommend keeping a sense of humor during difficult situations. Laughing releases muscle tension and helps a person maintain perspective.

Activities as simple as watching a funny movie, listening to a tape of a comedian's routine, ( I especially enjoy Chris Rock and Dave Chappele), or sharing time with a humorous friend can provide a psychological lift and relieve stress.

Hobbies
Regular leisure activities are important in reducing stress. Many people benefit from making time for positive leisure pursuits rather than, for example, spending time watching television in the evening. (Although that, too can be relaxing to some degree.)

Relaxing hobbies include:

gardening
painting
bicycling
photography
carpentry
collecting
walking
and many others

In order to obtain the most relaxation and enjoyment, the satisfaction should come in doing the hobby, not in the results. This was something that I struggled with in my radio controlled car hobby. I would overly focus on how the radio control ran and at times got stressed out in making repairs. In the end the hobby did not turn out to be that relaxing. For example, an individual who pursues gardening for relaxation may not grow prize-winning vegetables, but they can be eaten. An amateur photographer may not sell photographs, but they can be admired by friends and family.

Meditation
Used for many years in the Eastern Culture, and used by me, meditation is becoming more widely accepted in the U.S. as a relaxation technique. Meditation reduces heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline levels, and skin temperature.

There are a variety of meditation techniques that share a common goal: to achieve relaxation by clearing the mind of stressful outside interferences. Meditation involves achieving a state of consciousness in which the individual focuses on a single thing, such as the breath, a key word or mantra, or an image.

Meditation techniques rely on quiet surroundings, sitting still and a repetitive mental pattern. Various techniques are taught in instruction books and through religious and nonreligious organizations.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback provides a way for people to learn control activities over which they normally have no awareness, such as heart rate and muscle tension. It is considered by many health professionals to be valuable therapeutic tool for reducing stress. Biofeedback involves no discomfort and no risk.

Biofeedback relies on sensitive electronic equipment. Sensors are placed on the body at various locations to measure skin temperature and muscle activity. The sensors are attached to a monitor that detects fluctuations when a person is anxious and displays signals in the form of beeps or light flashes. By watching the monitor, a person learns to control these stressful responses.

Massage Therapy
Massage is the gentle practice of manipulating the body's tissue in order to soothe and heal. It is one of the most ancient of the healing arts, and more people today are relying on it for natural, drug-free relief from the effects of busy, overstressed lives. Massage can relax the entire body and provide a new energy that lingers long after the massage is over.

A number of research studies have shown that massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases the production of endorphins, which are the body's own natural painkillers. There are a number of massage therapy techniques, including the Swedish massage and Shiatsu.

Massages can be for the full body or particular areas of the body, such as the back and shoulders. Some people choose to wear some clothing during a massage; others prefer to undress or use a dressing gown. During a massage, the person is warmly covered, and on ly the part of the body on which the therapist is working is uncovered.

A note about medications

Medication can be useful for dealing with short periods of acute stress, where the anxiety is severe and disabling, to help people regain control and begin coping. It can relieve symptoms temporarily, but it does not address the underlying problem.

Lets talk about STRESS!

2009-03-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

What is stress?

Stess is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. Common stress reactions include tension, irritabilty, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical symptoms that can include headache and a fast heartbeat.

Sound familiar?

Its almost impossible to live without some stress. And most of us wouldn't want to, because it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it may harm your health, relationships, and your enjoyment of life.

There a few types of stress:

Stress can be define as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psyschological strain. However, not all types of stress are harmful or even negative. There a few different types of stress that we encounter.

Eustress, a type of stress that is fun and exciting, and keeps us vital (e.g. skiing down a mountain slope or racing to meet a deadline.)

Acute Stress, a very short term type of stress that can either be positive (eustress) or more distressing. This is the type of stress that we most often encounter in daily life.

Episodic Acute Stress, where acute stress seems to run rampant and be a way of life, creating a life of relative chaos (e.g. the type of stress that coined the terms 'drama queen' and 'absent-minded professor.)

What are the Signs of Stress?

Stress can cause both mental and physical symptoms. The effects of stress are different for different people.

The mental symptoms of stress include:
Tension
Irritability
Inability to concentrate
Feeling excessively tired
Trouble Sleeping

The physical symptoms of stress include:
Dry mouth
A pounding heart
Difficulty breathing
Stomach upset
Frequent Urination
Sweating palms
Tight muscles that may cause pain or trembling

Its been a rough month.

2009-03-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

Many changes were in the air during this month of March Madness. I spent most of my time in a therapy setting. In therapy, we learned allot about cognitive disorders and mood disorders. It turns out that Cognitive Behavior Therapy is extremely effective in treating depression. If I have any readers out there that are depressed, I highly recommend that you give Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)a try. It trains you to think differently about your feelings, using critical thinking techniques and other means. In the end of CBT, you feel much more centered and you learn that feelings are controlled by thoughts. If you can change the way you think about a particular negative situation, then you will be able to change the way you feel about it.

I read a great book on this technique by Dr. David Burns. His book is titled, "Feeling Good." This book outlines and describes CBT very well and it gives the reader the tools that he/she may need to break through their own depression. This book should not replace seeing a therapist because this shouldn't be done on your own.

I will write more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy later. I would like to provide my readers with some examples on how to beat their cognitive disorders. Its simple and effective and I am sure it will help even those that are not depressed.

I have completed my intensive outpatient therapy.

2009-03-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally have been released from outpatient therapy at the hospital. The program was intensive and I learn so much about myself and various mental illnesses. I will try to share what I have learned through this blog. Today is Sunday and I am rather tired from the week's work. I will be blogging in much more detail soon. Let me just get my rest.

Day One: Paxil

2009-02-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

So I have started a new medication. It is called paxil, and it is a SSRI anti-depressant. I am currently taking 20mg before bedtime. Luckily, I was able to get a generic version of this medicine to save some cash. After the insurance was deducted from the medication cost, I payed 15.00! That's a great deal.

I was prescribed this medicine for my illness yesterday. I truly believe that it will help with my mood. I know from experience that I cannot expect to feel better overnight. It should take 2-4 weeks to begin a mood lift. Since I have been down in the dumps, moodwise, I can't wait to even feel the slightest better.

Currently, the only side effect is dry mouth. I will report any other side effects as they happen. Does anyone out there in the blogosphere have experience with Paxil? I would love to hear your comments on it, both good and bad.

I have to get ready for therapy. I will write more soon.

Day Five from Hospital Discharge

2009-02-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

I am in my second day of outpatient therapy with a reputable hospital. I feel as if I am in good hands but this therapy plan is very tiresome. On Monday through Friday, between 9-4pm, I am involved in intensive outpatient care. Most of this outpatient care consists of attending four to five different group therapy sessions, meeting with a psychiatrist daily, and speaking with a counselor. In addition to all this, I will be starting EMDR therapy tomorrow. For those who don't know what EMDR is or what the acronym stands for, it is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is the preferred method of therapy for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I forget if I mentioned that I was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) along with general anxiety and depression. To those of my readers that are unfamiliar with behavioral health, it probably sounds like a full plate. Let me tell you that it is a full plate. I have been burdened by these conditions for the past decade.

Last week, I was admitted to a hospital as an inpatient for suicidal thoughts and PTSD. I hit rock bottom but instead of reaching for a gun to end my life, I decided to reach out for help. It was the right decision to make, because I am confident that I will feel better as I progress through therapy.

Staying in a hospital for mental health can be a frightening situation. It all depends on your attitude and which hospital that you go to. This was my third inpatient stay! My first two stays were done at the Veteran's Affairs hospital and those situations were down right frightening. This time, since I have insurance, I went to the best hospital in the area for help. Doing that made all the difference.

The Veteran's Hospital frightened me. It was dark and drab. On my first night, I was attacked in my sleep by a very disturbed patient. That was not a good start to a treatment plan! Having that experience made my voluntary admission more difficult this time around. Luckily, I had no such experience at the new hospital. I was well cared for and very comfortable. I stayed there for a week and gladly would have stayed for three weeks if need be.

That is about all I can write today. I am exhausted from therapy and the recall of traumatic memories. I will try to write more soon.

Thanks for reading.

Discharged from the Hospital

2009-02-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

I have completed an inpatient stay in the mental health ward of a hospital. Depression and PTSD have got the best of me over the past few months. I am now working on ways to pull it together and continue on. Luckily, I have an intensive treatment plan in place and I feel that it will help me greatly.

I feared going to the hospital but I was so close to ending my own life. I had few choices but to reach out for medical help. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable my stay was in the ward. Sure, I was trapped in a psychiatric ward but I needed to be there. During that time I had a medication adjustment and I met doctors and social workers that helping me through this crisis.

I plan on writing some more as this treatment plan unfolds. Hopefully, this story will be use to others.

Day 6 - Effexor

2008-12-10T15:28:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I didn't update or post over the weekend. I have been a little under the weather so to speak. The medication has given me a mild insomnia and I am feeling fatigued and crabby. My mood so far is slightly better.

Some other side effects that I am experiencing are dry mouth, vision trouble (I having a hard time reading things or seeing things up close), and loss of appetite.

Other than these side effects, I am hanging in there and I am determined to hang in. The side effects will diminish with time and I should be feeling better in a few weeks. I just have to put in the time and I will be fine.

Day Three: Effexor 75mg

2008-12-06T10:23:00.000-08:00

I am working on some graphic design projects right now but I thought that I would check in and give you all on update on how I am feeling. Last night, I did have some trouble in the sleeping department. For some reason, my right leg was twitching. Not badly, just every so often my muscle seemed to get restless and twitch. I have never felt this before on any anti-depressant but I am not alarmed.

It seems when a patient starts an anti-depressant, they go through a set of start-up side effects from beginning the new medication. I only know this from experience. So far since starting Effexor, I feel the following:

Dry mouth
Minor Insomnia
Upset Stomach
Nausea

My mood is unchanged. I feel like my depressed self but just slightly more productive. I can really attribute this to the medicine.

Feeling a tad dizzy.

2008-12-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

I feel a little dizzy but I thought I would mention another great augment to a mental health recovery plan: yoga. Now I am going to admit, I am a man but I am into yoga. Sure seeing women bend around in tight outfits is nice but the results of doing yoga are what I am into it for.

By practicing yoga, combined with seated meditation, I feel centered, focussed and balanced. Yoga increases awareness of the body and is said to massage internal organs. It is easy enough for a beginner to try and can be done in a short amount of time.

I won't claim to know much about the different poses of yoga but I did come across many excellent short videos on Youtube. These videos deal specifically with Yoga poses that are believed effective in helping relieve depression.

Yoga for Depression and Anxiety

Day Two: Effexor 75mg

2008-12-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday ended with a severe dry-mouth. I am quite certain this is a result of taking the effexor. I have had this dry-mouth before. Last night I probably drank a liter of water trying to get rid of it but my thirst could not be quenched. This morning I woke up to find it was still there. I hope this is the only major side effect that I feel but I know I could be in for it.

This morning my stomach does feel a tad upset and my head feels like I have a mild car sickness. Other than that, I feel pretty solid and well. I would say my mood is about the same.

In order to gauge my mood, I have developed a well-being scale to track my ups and downs. I hope this is of benefit to my readers as I hope this blog helps at least one person. I am not trying to dissuade a patient from taking medicine or promote it. Instead, I am trying to provide an account so a patient knows what to expect. If these writings are helping you out, then please leave me a comment. It would really help to know that I have some readership out there.

I will check back in during the next few hours with an update. Thanks for reading.

Scale
1/4-Depressed

Day One: Effexor 75mg

2008-12-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Today is my first day taking the anti-depressant medication known as Effexor. I will be documenting my intake and results the best I can. I can't really say I have noticed any change whatsoever or physical discomfort yet. However, when starting any anti-depressant medicine, I usually go through some start up side effects. Typically with an SSRI medication I get a dry mouth and stomach discomfort. It has only been a few hours and luckily I feel neither one. I will post as soon as I feel any side effect. I must go for now.

The Most Effective Treatments for Depression are Free

2008-12-03T06:15:00.000-08:00

I have been through therapy, I have read the books, and I have tried all the anti-depressant medication. There are a few things that are free and natural that seemed to work best for my depression. I would like to share these things with you. I will publish these treatments and techniques separately, here is the first one:

Meditation
I have found meditation to be very helpful in keeping my mind balanced and calm. If you are interested in trying meditation I would recommend searching some websites on Buddhism or meditation. It is easy it learn but it can be hard to keep it up. All it takes is fifteen minutes a day but if you want to really get into it, meditate twice daily. That is what most meditation instructors would recommend.

The first time you meditate will be difficult. I can guarantee that. Many will sit down and as soon as they are alone with their thoughts, they will not be able to relax and will soon give up. To meditate is not to think deeply, it is to practice exercise of non-attachment to thought. Instead of dwelling on every trivial thought that pops up in your head, simply dismiss these thoughts as if they were nothing more than passing clouds in the sky. Release your stressful thoughts, release your happy thoughts and let everything slow down to the rhythm of your breath. Count each breath as it passes through your nose. Do not count past ten. Restart the count once you reach ten. This is a test of concentration, if you find yourself on the 13th breadth, don't get upset, just start over.

Give this a try for a few minutes the first time and if it interests you continue the practice. I know that when I meditate, I feel clearer, hopeful, and focused. These are all great traits to experience and feel. For more information on meditation please check out this website below.
Zen Meditation

The economy is not helping my blues.

2008-12-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

Its one thing to be depressed but its even worse when you are jobless in a poor economy. I can't help but be a little scared going into the holiday season without a job. I doubt I can find a job within the next three weeks but that is what I am going to try for. I figure if I put in a massive effort emailing resumes and visiting temp work offices, something might come up, even with my spotty employment record thanks to chronic depression and anxiety.

Today I have yet to start my Effexor but I am likely to begin tomorrow. As always I am taking a script of clonazapam for my anxiety but my doctor wants to discontinue it. It will be nerve wracking going off of an anti-anxiety medicine but the time has come to do it. I have been taking benzos for years and its time to get off of them.

Time to cook some chicken.

Common Side Effects to Anti-Depressants: A Patient's perspective.

2008-12-01T06:37:00.000-08:00

Since I will likely be going back on the Effexor this week, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about some of the common side effects that I experience when taking them. I hope that I do not discourage people from trying medicine when they are depressed. Rather I want to help contribute to someone's decision making by providing personal experiences to help inform a patient. If anyone, a doctor or patient, has a question about my experience with these side effects, please leave me a comment.

I have been prescribed mainly SSRI anti-depressant medication for the treatment of Depression, PTSD, and Anxiety. I have found medicine to be somewhat helpful in the treatment process but the side effects cannot be understated. These medicines do have noticeable and often uncomfortable side effects. I will list a few of the side effects I have had from taking these pills but this is not a complete list of complications. If you are in need of a concise overview of side effects, then please refer to a peer reviewed publication or some sort of authority site.

Apathy (Paxil)
This is a side effect that was very noticeable during the starting of Paxil. I tried the powerful anti-depressant years back and it seemed to greatly uplift my mood. One problem that I had was that I lost the will to do anything at all for about a week before I began to feel the positive effect. I remember laying in bed all day during the first week. I felt as if I were living in a thick cloud. My head actually felt "cloudy." I think this is an experience that can only be understood if you have had it.

Sexual Complications
I have had extremely disruptive and bothersome sexual side effects from taking anti-depressant medication. These side effects were usually the determining factor in stopping my medicine treatment. To describe these better I would say that you basically lose the will and desire for sex. When I did have sex, I would never climax and would usually just wear myself out! So this was most troubling. It continues to weigh on my decision to start any sort of medicine for depression. Not being able to preform has strained my relationship and I am more than willing to give up meds for sex.

Giddiness, Hyperness, Over-positiveness
I have experienced hyper behavior and unusual giddiness when taking Paxil and Zoloft. Sometimes these effect is noticed by others, prompting the question of "What happy pill are you on?" I get a little self-concsious about acting happy because it is outside my own normal behavior.

Oversleeping
On certain medicines, especially Paxil and Remeron, I would find that I would often oversleep and feel groggy or "cloudy" the next day.

Unusual sweet tooth or caffeine dependence.
I sometimes find that I crave chocolate and other sweet foods when I take my medicine. Also while taking paxil, there was something about caffeine that really made my head feel strangely good. So I had to watch out how much coffee I would drink.

These are a few of the common side effects that I have felt. I will add to this post as I think up more side effects that I have experienced while taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicine.

Trying to find work.

2008-12-01T06:15:00.000-08:00

It is critical that I put in some serious time towards finding a job this week. I have been out of work for about nine months now. I have been able to keep my place thanks in part to Veteran's disability compensation. However, it has not been enough and will not be enough to keep a roof overhead and the internet on.

Naturally, I am worried about the job hunt. My employment record has been spotty to say the least. I have let my mental illness prevent me working and not having a stable work history will hurt me in my chances of finding the next job. If I bring up my condition as reasons for not working to a hiring manager, then there is no chance of me getting a position. I would prefer to be honest but being forthcoming about my depression and anxiety will only hurt the job search.

I am considering taking anti-depressants again. This should help me with the energy and focus of the job search. It will at least, chemically, reinforce a positive mood that might help with feeling somewhat optimistic about life. Even though I haven't taken my Effexor in months, I continually take my daily Clonazapam.

I had a nice Thanksgiving but Christmas will likely be a bummer. I have no money for gifts and a large family. I would hate to admit that I am broke but I have no choice. This year there will be no gifts under the tree.

What is depression like?

2008-11-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

I have been depressed for eight years now. My doctor says that my condition is chronic, which means that it could be life long slump. When I heard this diagnosis, I was very discouraged. If I am going to be depressed for life, what is the use in living? I used to think that way about my situation but now I have accepted the cards that have been dealt to me.

Depression has different flavors for different people. I feel hopeless most of the time. It feels like no matter how hard I try at work or at school, everything is going to fall apart. Nothing will work out for me in this life. I feel defeated before I even start trying to do something. This has made life extremely difficult for me.

Also, I feel worthless. I feel like the things that I say and do have no value to anyone else or me. I feel like I am not worth talking to. I feel like I am not worth knowing. Nothing that I do seems to matter.

I feel generally sad, tired, and lazy. I prefer to sit at home alone rather than go outside. Feeling this way has cost me friendships and it has hurt my performance in school because sometimes I don't make it to class.

Being depressed is like living life wearing a pair of "sad sunglasses." All the good aspects of life get filtered out of the view by the sunglasses, leaving only the bad.

That is about all I feel like writing for today. Thanks for reading.

Prescription Medications

2008-11-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

Since the beginning of my treatment for depression and anxiety, I have been prescribed a host of medicines. Some have helped me, whereas others have hurt me. I really don't want to point too many fingers at particular brands but if people want to know what worked for me and what didn't work, I will gladly publish a follow-up post. It is important to know that prescription medicines used for depression and anxiety disorders can be beneficial. However, you should only use medicine in conjuction with a therapy plan. Medicine is more effective when it is combined with therapy. Also remember that a doctor should be monitoring your mood to ensure that you don't fall victim to some of the more serious side effects.

So here is what I have tried over the course of six years.(This may look like some sort of spamming of keywords but I am being sincere)
Prozac, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Paxil, Effexor, Trazadone, and Remeron have all been used in conjuction with my treatment plan for depression.

In regards to the treatment of my anxiety disorder I have tried the following scripts.
Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Some sort of blood pressure medicine, and Gabapentin.

You could say I have really been around the block when it comes to medicine. I have yet to find a magic pill (that is legal) or some miracle medical treatment. The reason why I haven't found any relief in these pills is because none of these medications is enough to cure depression. A pill cannot make anxiety disappear. If you think I am wrong then you could be in for some serious trouble.

Getting better takes work. You cannot be passive in your plan on feeling well again. Taking medicine and sitting at home is not going to do anything for you. If you want to rid yourself of depression you need to see a good doctor.

2008-11-26T10:56:00.000-08:00

Living with anxiety and depression has been the greatest challenge of my life. Although I have yet to rid myself of these conditions, I maintain some degree of hope that recovery from this situation is possible. Even with this small amount of hope that I have, I still have days where I feel like I have hit rock bottom. There are days when I have thoughts of ending it all, but they are just thoughts. Just because I am feeling a certain way, doesn't mean that my depression is some sort of reality that I am facing. Rather than to give these troubling emotions any label of a "real feeling," I do my best to dismiss the negative thinking.

To dismiss my negative thought patterns, I first recognize the troubling thought as nothing more than a thought. I do not give my thoughts anymore power than that. I dismiss the negative thoughts as if they are nothing more than a passing a phenomenon. If you are in a similar situation, give this try. Do not let yourself get caught up in thinking, "My life sucks, things are not going to get better." Instead, recognize the thought as being nothing more than a creation of the brain. Then start thinking about something. Find a positive activity to engage in and put your whole being into that activity. This will get your mind off of being depressed.

Learn to recognize these patterns of negative thinking. Illustrate the pattern in sketchbook. Get familiar with your depressed self so you are better able remedy your problem. Write your negative thoughts on a memo pad and share them with your therapist. If you don't have a doctor yet, I would say it is time to start finding one. It will be impossible to tackle this problem without medical intervention.

Welcome to Depression and Anxiety blog.

2008-11-26T06:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting my blog. As an immediate disclaimer, I would like to point out that I am not a healthcare professional. Your questions and my answers should be made for information purposes only. I do not diagnose, advise, or offer any sort of treatment plan. If you have questions about your own problems please contact a healthcare professional.

With that being said, the objective of this blog is to provide a look into a man's life that has been effected by mental illness. For eight years I have suffered from depression and anxiety. I am hoping that I can chronicle my ups and downs for the purpose of informing others about mental illness. May it provide hope and insight for patients and understanding for the medical community.