What should I look for in Depression

All of us at one point in time have felt depressed and it happens to even the strongest people we know in our lives.  But while these things usually go away after some time or can be addressed appropriately, it's important to understand clinical Depression Symptoms so that one can get proper treatment in time.  Left unchecked, severe cases of depression can lead to neglect of one's responsibilities, family, career, personal care, and even to suicidal thoughts and tendencies.  So what are some common clinical depression symptoms that you need to consider?

First, remember that while everyone gets depressed from time to time, true clinical depression symptoms are chronic and long-lasting.  This is more than just having a bad day; true clinical depression lasts for weeks, months, and even one's entire lifetime.  Some persons that have a form of depression may find their mood is hypersensitive to weather such as winter, but most with depression feel sad and depressed all the time.  Also, while a sad mood can be alleviated by engaging in an enjoyable hobby or even by getting a good night's sleep, true clinical depression is constant and not so easily fixed.  A person who has little or no interest in hobbies or other activities that once made them happy should consider if these are depression symptoms.  Additionally, sadness or melancholy that is brought on by outside factors, such as a job loss or marital problems, can go away if those problems are fixed.  But with clinical depression symptoms, simply removing negative outside factors is not enough to fix the condition or alleviate the symptoms.Sometimes people get depressed because of specific situations in their life and then when these situations are resolved they do better - but in reality with clinical depression no matter if everything is running smooth, this person is going to be depressed.

Other Depression Symptoms include a general lack of interest in anything, including one's family, career, and even enjoyable activities and hobbies.  This isn't to say that someone with depression symptoms doesn't care about their family or is irresponsible; they simply lack the natural motivation to become involved that other people do.A lot of times you will see a lack of emotion and involvement in their work or families and friends lives.  In severe clinical depression symptoms a person may even neglect their own personal care and hygiene.  They just simply fail to find enjoyment in anything, including things that once interested them, and so they no longer feel motivated to become involved in those activities.

When any of these depression symptoms become severe or begin to interfere with a person's everyday activities, family life, and especially with their health overall, then it's time for medical intervention.  A doctor can recommend not only prescription drugs but also courses of therapy to help a person think more clearly.  So if you suspect that you have depression symptoms, especially if they're severe, talk to your doctor at once.

 

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How Often does Depression in Men Occur

For decades it was thought that women were the more emotional of the two genders and that depression was a woman's disease.  Clinical Depression in Men is thought to be a sign of emotional weakness and "real men" aren't allowed such a "weakness."  In reality, there are more and more diagnoses of depression in men being reported today, and none of these cases have anything to do with weakness of any sort.

Doctors are now realizing that while depression is an emotion, clinical depression is caused by a physical condition and not an emotional state.  This explains why there are more cases of depression in men; if it's a physical condition then of course men can have the physical problem that causes it just as much as women can.

It may also be true that many more cases of Depression are being diagnosed because more men are seeking treatment for the condition as opposed to ignoring it.  There is still a stigma by some against mental and emotional illnesses but that stigma is disappearing more and more as time goes by.  Also, doctors are finding they have more treatment options for depression in men, which may too encourage many to seek that treatment, realizing that help is available if they simply ask for it.

Clinical depression is not just a case of the blues and it's not a weakness of one's character.  It caused by a problem in the brain so that it doesn't produce and regulate certain chemicals the way it should.  While many of our moods are caused by outside elements - we laugh because we heard a good joke or cry because we heard bad news - the brain itself also has much to do with those feelings.  Those outside influences simply trigger the chemical reaction that is out of whack when it comes to depression in men.Concentration on making this go away in reality is not going to help much - because it doesn't work that way.  Depression in men is caused by internal factors that need to be addressed and treated just as much as the emotional state that a patient will be in when they suffer from depression.

There will probably always be those who scoff at the idea of depression in men but these ones are doing a lot of damage to those who do have the condition.  Anyone that has clinical depression should seek medical attention and do all they can to treat and cope with the disease.  Cases of depression in men can be overwhelming so that one's career can suffer, as can a spouse or partner, children, other family members, and even friends who miss the company of their old pal.  But rather than give in to the condition or think that it's hopeless, it's always advised that one see a doctor.  Depression in men can be effectively treated with medication, support groups, and other coping mechanisms that a doctor can prescribe.

  VISIT www.depressionknowledge.com  get your FREE EBOOK on DEPRESSION

How does a Child get Depressed?

Today there are more and more cases of Depression being reported by doctors and physicians.  Whether it's because doctors are becoming more skilled at diagnosing the problem or if there are more cases to report, the bottom line is that any concerned parent should be concerned about the causes of depression in children in order to treat it properly.

Bullying Causes Depression in Children

Bullying has been in the news a lot lately, especially when it happens over the internet.  There have always been bullies as long as there have been humans, but for some reason today bullying has reached a point where it is no longer teasing or taking a child's lunch money but has become downright physically dangerous.  And with the internet making it so easy for someone to bully another child in front of a large audience, it's no wonder that it's causing more cases of depression in children.

There are a few reasons why bullying would cause Depression .The struggles at school with a group of kids who don't like you and always pick on you can be very painful for children.  But on top of that children often feel helpless and trapped where they are.  An adult can take action against someone that threatens them but children often just don't know what to do.  They may hesitate to approach their parents for fear of being reprimanded or because they're afraid this might make the situation worse.  This feeling of helplessness and frustration can also contribute to depression in children when bullying is involved.

Stress and Expectations

Children today are under tremendous amounts of pressure.Huge swings are home and in the homelife are things that kids readily can pick up on and really can worry and become depressed about.  This puts tremendous stress on them to excel in school when it comes to academics.  Being overwhelmed can cause depression in children because they often don't know how to handle that stress and don't know how to put those things in perspective.  Parents too can be somewhat guilty in this regard if they have high expectations for their children either for academics or athletics.Children who have parents who are very pushy and extremely forceful often can be depressed because when they fail they take the failure much harder than other children.

Treating Depression in Children

Talking to your family doctor or pediatrician is important if your child has depression.  Medication is not your only option, as a good therapist can help with coping mechanisms as well.  He or she can explain things a parent can do to be supportive of their child and things that can be said or done to help them get through this.  A supportive parent is important when it comes to depression in children and they can make all the difference in the world when it comes to the child's emotional health.

 VISIT www.depressionknowledge.com  get your FREE EBOOK on DEPRESSION

Simple Tips that Really Help with Depression

Many people find it overwhelming when Coping with Depression .Your Metal and Emotional health are just a few of the area's that depression hits as it can also effect a person physically.  Most who have depression also suffer from chronic fatigue, sleeplessness or constant oversleeping, headaches, muscle aches, tremors, and a range of other physical problems as well.  And while there are some simple things that can help one dealing with depression, the general lack of interest that accompanies this condition usually makes one avoid these treatments in the first place.

But if you're not quite ready to throw in the towel and are looking for some tips when it comes to dealing with depression, we can help.  There are many things that a person can do every single day, not necessarily to cure this disease, but to help one manage it and cope with it as well.

The first thing to remember when Coping with Depression is that you may not make it go away.  If you keep waking up feeling lethargic and uninterested, this doesn't mean you're failing in your attempts at dealing with depression; this is just part of the disease.Really it doesn't mean that you are at fault for the situation or that you should quit your life.

Also, bear in mind that you don't want to give in to some of your overwhelming thoughts and feelings when dealing with depression.  A general lack of interest for many depression patients means that they sometimes don't even want to get out bed in the morning, much less do they want to spend time with the kids or involve themselves in their old hobbies and interests.  Consequently their career, marriage, family life, and friends suffer.  Having the strength to do the things you know you need to do even when you just cannot muster up the interest may be one of the most difficult parts of dealing with depression.  But keep in mind that this condition affects other people, not just the patient, and this can help to keep one going.  Remember that if you stay in bed your children will be neglected, as will your marriage and other family members.Sometimes its best to think about all of those people and friends around you that need you when you start to think about getting help.

Taking care of yourself physically is imperative when dealing with depression.  Regular exercise and eating right isn't necessarily going to cure your condition, but if you're sedentary and have a poor diet this will only make things worse.  Get out of bed at a decent hour even if you don't feel like it and don't allow yourself to indulge in junk food or sugary snacks, even if they temporarily make you feel better.  If your blood sugar spikes or you gain weight, this will only add to your depression.

Really your doctor has a lot of other options for treating depression that you should discuss with him or her.  He or she may have other suggestions for you personally.

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The Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy To Yourself And your Unborn Baby.

With all the scientific knowledge now available on the effects of smoking on your health, you would think the message would be getting through. This does not excuse the multi-national tobacco companies whose practices border on the criminal. Take a look at what happens from the production of cigarettes through to the toxic chemical created and released by the burning process and you will begin to understand what the act of smoking is doing to your health.

Now lets take a look at what the effects of smoking during pregnancy has on your unborn baby..  The effects range from mild to very extreme.  These effects of smoking during pregnancy, can have negative repercussions not only on the development of the baby but will have ongoing implications through childhood and possibly into adulthood.

What Are The Probable Complications in the Mother?

The effects of smoking during pregnancy on the expectant mother are as follows:
1. Possible hospitalization due to excessive vomiting.
2. Urinary tract infections,
3. An ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg grows in the wrong place.
4. The placenta separating from the uterine wall before delivery or an excess of amniotic fluid.  

These complications are known to occur both during pregnancy and delivery.

As the effects of smoking during pregnancy can cause a miscarriage or a stillbirth, there is a probability that psychological problems, such as depression, can arise.  Lastly, if hemorrhaging occurs during birth, this can cause the mother to die.

Now Lets Consider The Possible Complications in the Child

The effects of smoking during pregnancy on an unborn child can be divided into four categories.  The four categories are:
1. Retard the size of the baby,
2. Precipitate Genetic abnormalities,
3. Lay the foundation for Illnesses to possibly developed later in childhood,
4. Death.

The birth weight and size of the newborn is greatly altered due to smoking for two reasons.  
1. The increased possibility of Preterm delivery.  
2. Owing to the impairment of nutrition flowing to the baby, who instead receives chemicals such as nicotine and carbon monoxide instead.  Without the nutrients, the baby is thus often underweight, which increase his or her chances of becoming ill.  

More serious effects of smoking during pregnancy can cause genetic abnormalities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate; bowel problems can also be experienced.  Other abnormalities in the sensory systems such as the eyes and ears can be affected.  Finally More severe consequences can be seen.  These include spinal cord problems, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.

With the forgoing information in mind, you would be wise to consider your actions carefully; do you really want to risk the health of your unborn child?

Unfortunately, the consequences can develop later in childhood.

Quite often in early childhood, respiratory problems, such as asthma, are seen.  Another area of concerns is behavior disorders which often develop in toddlers.  The most shocking consequence of the effects of smoking during pregnancy is sudden infant death syndrome.

The consequences can carry over to adolescents, which includes increased likelihood of smoking themselves.  

Responsible parenting should be in the forefront of the minds of the parents, family and friends. The effects of smoking during pregnancy have far reaching repercussions, particularly for the mother, fetus, baby, toddler child and adolescent. It is important that all parents to be, take this information to heart and act accordingly with the wellbeing of their newborn in mind.

Helping Teens Who Are Suffering From Acne

Acne is a common problem for teenagers, and most parents of those teens probably dealt with it themselves, to some degree. In most cases, the acne disappeared once the teenage years were past but this is little comfort to most teens in the midst of it now. As a parent, you need to provide moral support but also some good hard facts.

Now, just because you dealt with acne when you were a teen doesn't make you an expert. The best acne treatments and medications have come a long way in the last few years. Knowing what is available today will let you help your child decide the best way to deal with their acne.

It's always a good idea to talk to a health care professional for advice. For one thing, a dermatologist can tell you for sure whether those spots are in fact acne. There are other skin conditions that look similar, but need to be treated differently.

Teenagers are usually embarrassed by their acne, so it might be a touchy subject to talk about. You'll know your teen best but it's important to be supportive and understanding. Never accuse them of bad habits that led to acne - the old myths about acne being caused by chocolate and greasy foods have been proven to be false.

It's likely that your teenager is trying every possible acne control technique. If if they avoid talking about it, it's probably on their mind most of the time. It can affect their self image and in some cases can ultimately lead to depression and withdrawal.

Let them know that you're available and will do whatever you can to help them with their acne problem. It can sometimes help to talk about your own experiences if you dealt with it as a teen.

While it's probably small comfort to them, you can remind them that most teens deal with acne to some degree. Studies show that roughly 85% of adolescents have acne and up to 40% have a severe enough case to require dermatologist treatment.

Although there are cases of adult acne, in most cases it doesn't last forever - as your teen gets older it will most likely become less and less of a problem for them. By the time they reach their 20's, it will likely be a distant memory - at least until they have teenagers of their own!

Trying To Lose Weight? - Go Herbal

green tea cream

These days, there is a great  need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. Being healthy would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load,  and improve their overall well-being.

There is a long  list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.

One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to  go herbal.

Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.

Here are some herbal weight loss options that you might want to consider:

1.   Herbal weight loss products

There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.

Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have  side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products. Many also claim remedy for many ailments or diseases, which should first be verified by your physician.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some  herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:

>  Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.

>  Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level.  However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.

>  St. John's wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and  research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.

2.  Organic food.

In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees  believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.

A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.

3. Green Tea.

Studies show that intake of hoodia green tea, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.

This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.

These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3. Caffeine.

Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4. Immortality Herb

This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

>  increases healthy blood flow
>  reduces artery blocks
>  aids healthy blood pressure
>  increases the rate of fat burning

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

>  weight loss
>  improved cholesterol level
>  improved high blood pressure
>  helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis