How do you know if you suffer from depression disorder? Well, you need to be properly diagnosed by a doctor or psychiatrist to be certain. However, in order to do that you must first suspect that you might be suffering from depression disorder. This will lead you to see your doctor and get her opinion.

Depression is a mental disorder that is becoming much more common these days. It is normally treated with antidepressants by doctors. Psychotherapy is also used and a combination of the two treatments might be the best approach that yields the best results.

The symptoms of depression that you can look out for may include chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, constant sadness, thoughts about death or suicide, trouble sleeping or oversleeping, loss of interest in your daily activities and despair.

These are just a few general symptoms and you really should discuss your symptoms with a medical professional. Your doctor can also do some tests to rule out any physical causes for your depression symptoms such as an underlying illness or deficiency.

If you suffer from depression you will know how hard it is to gather up the courage to get up out of bed in the morning and face the day. It is therefore vital to have a clear picture of what you need to do each day. This will help your foggy mind to focus on something specific to do instead of just being confused by negative thoughts and fears. Being active everyday is an important step. This includes exercise. Go walking, jumping or kicking at least 3 times per week to make your body feel better. This will have a positive impact on your mental health as well, however small.

You can also read books or magazines to keep your mind occupied. I have found that reading inspirational books can have a inspiring effect for a short while. Keep a good book next to your bed so you can read a little every day.

I have also began to learn zen meditation. This practice calms my mind and allows me to find a little peace and sanctuary from my often racing and negative thought patterns. This is also a mental and spiritual exercise that helps me to master my own awareness.

It is important to learn how to manage your symptoms and thoughts and to continue living your life. Crawling into a corner and hoping to die is not constructive. You should not give up yet. After depression there is still a lot of life left to live.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression is a mental illness in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme euphoria. However, Bipolar or manic-depressive illness is much more complex than just alternating between depression and elation. Bipolar disorder affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions, behavior and even affects how a person feels physically (known clinically as Psychosomatic Presentations). Bipolar disorder has been subcategorized as Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Bipolar NOS, and Cylcothymia, depending on the type and severity of the mood episodes experienced.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as the DSM-IV because it is in its fourth major edition) indicates that Bipolar Disorder is defined by the occurrence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood (clinically known as mania) or mixed episodes often accompanied by depressive episodes. These episodes are commonly separated by periods of “normal” mood, but in some cases, depression and mania may rapidly alternate (rapid cycling). Extreme manic episodes may lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Bipolar Symptoms

Mania/Hypomania:

Mania often begins with a sense of heightened energy, creativity, and social ease; these feelings can quickly progress to an extreme and continuous elevated mood involving an exaggerated sense of self-esteem and/or irritable mood. When in this state, individuals become more physically active, talkative, easily distracted, and show a reduced need for sleep. In most cases, people aren’t aware that anything is wrong and may also enjoy the feeling mania brings. Judgment becomes impaired resulting in greater risk-taking behavior including overspending and sexual activity. In sever cases, the person may also hallucinate or become delusional; this is known as a psychotic episode.

Depression:

Depressive symptoms are intense, pervasive, persistent. Feelings may include:

•   despair
•   hopelessness
•   frustration
•   anger
•   irritability
•   worthlessness
•   guilt
•   loss of energy
•   limited interest in normal activities
•   changes in weight
•   difficulties with sleep
•   slowed thinking
•   difficulty in making simple decisions
•   and in serious cases, thought of suicide

Bipolar Treatment

There is not one simple answer to treating Bipolar disorder. Effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of many things.

•   Education: Understanding bipolar disorder is essential. Individuals must educate themselves of its general signs and symptoms so they can better identify and understand their moods. Learning about treatment and triggers is a critical part of illness self-management. With this knowledge, people with Bipolar disorder and their families are better equipped to prevent future relapses.
•  Medication: Bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, and therefore, people require medication as a form of long term treatment. Most people need a number of medications to manage their symptoms and maintain wellness. Finding the right “cocktail” of medications can take several months, or even several years, before finding a successful combination. It is crucial that this process is closely monitored and discussed with a psychiatrist. There may be a strong urge to discontinue use of medication when feeling better; the majority of the time this behaviour leads to a relapse. The main categories of medication used include the following: mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety medication.
•   Psychotherapy & Support Groups Psychotherapy and support groups are highly recommended, especially during the first year or two following diagnosis; this, in combination with medication greatly increases your chances of finding a stable healthy life style. Both professional and peer support provide insight in the form of personal stories, effective treatments, and coping strategies. Knowing you are not alone is effective treatment in itself.

Bipolar and Stigma Many people delay seeking help and treatment for bipolar disorder because they fear being labeled as crazy, dangerous, or even contagious; they fear what friends, family, and employers might think. There is still a social stigma attached to having a mental illness, but social attitudes are gradually changing. One of the most challenging aspects of stigma, following diagnosis, is self-stigma. This internal stigma results in believing devaluing attitudes and blaming oneself for the illness. Some strategies to counteract stigma include better understanding what stigma is and how it affects people, as well as sharing experiences and coping strategies within peer support groups.

There are several types that varies in symptoms and diagnosis, yet they all have a profound affect on the patients’ life. It needs a mental health care professional in order to distinguish between them, since some of them share the same symptoms and signs.

Severe depression
this disorder is, as the name suggests, the most serious. It affects all life aspects. A person that suffers this disorder looses his ability to live a normal life. Working, studying, sleeping and also appetite are all impaired. It is also prevents people from enjoying their hobbies and activities they used to enjoy. They loose their self-worth and they feel guilty and hopeless. Patients can also suffer from suicide thoughts and plans and they are more exposed to often recurrences than the other types’ patients.

Dysthymia
This type considered to be a less severe, yet chronic version of severe depression. People with dysthymia live their lives with a constant sense of sadness and melancholy, low energy and lack of enjoyment.

Bipolar Disorder
Also known as manic-depressive disorder, this disorder is one of the easiest to diagnose of all the other types, since it has a set of unique set of symptoms. The main symptom is having dramatic changes in mood. Bipolar disorder patient can suffer a low level of energy and sadness and in fact can show any of the major depression disorder symptoms, including desire to hurt themselves (the depressive polar), and than, after a short period time that can be days, weeks or months, show an excitable behavior (the manic polar) that can manifest in excessive money spending on shopping and gambling.

Cyclothymia
This disorder is another type of bipolar disorder, yet it considered to be less severe and more chronic. In this disorder the person suffers milder manifestations of both manic and depressive symptoms. The changes from one polar to the opposite one can be performed in just a short time.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This type typically manifests during a course of a season. All symptoms are eliminated once the specific season ends. This is also one of the depression types that are easy to diagnose and it is more common in winter.

Postpartum Depression
This rare type can, of course, only manifest in women, after giving birth to a new baby. Those mothers suffer symptoms of a depressive disorder that can manifest anytime after delivery, sometimes even months after. The symptoms of this disorder are the same as other types symptoms, But Without proper diagnosis and treatment, it can also be dangerous for both the mother and the baby, since symptoms also include lack of ability to take proper care of the baby or lack of motherly feelings towards the baby and even resentment and hate. Without help, some of the patients can harm themselves as well as the baby.

Bipolar depression disorder generally occurs before the age of 30 years and may first develop during adolescence, but most commonly presents its symptoms in the late teens and early 20s. It is a type of mood disorder that exhibits marked changes in mood between extreme elation or happiness and severe depression. Bipolar disorder used to be referred to as manic depression.

Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physiologically—for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and, when available, family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).

A person with bipolar depression disorder experiences cycling moods that usually swing from being overly elated or irritable (mania) to sad and hopeless (depression) and then back again, with periods of normal moods in between. There are statistics that say that one in five people will suffer from depression at least once during their life.

Symptoms of depression include: loss of interest in usual activities, prolonged sad or irritable mood, loss of energy or fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sleeping too much or inability to sleep, drop in grades and inability to concentrate, inability to experience pleasure, appetite loss or overeating, anger, worry, and anxiety, thoughts of death or suicide.

Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep.

The exact causes of bipolar disorder aren’t known, but stressful life events, un-resolvable problems, or emotional damage in childhood, possibly combined with genetic factors may play a role. Scientists are also studying about the possible causes of bipolar disorder through several kinds of studies. As the causes are more clearly identified and defined through research, scientists will gain a better understanding of the underlying causes of the illness, and eventually may be able to predict which types of treatment will work most effectively. As it stands now it is thought that bipolar depression disorder is caused by electrical and chemical processes in the brain not functioning correctly.

Unfortunately, for most individuals, lifelong treatment may be required to prevent recurrent manic and depressive episodes. They should try to identify the features of the illness that are distinct to that individual, including the warning signs of recurrent manic or depressive episodes, so that someone in treatment can get immediate help to ward off those symptoms. Failure to seek help can lead to suicide so the most important factor in any treatment is the sufferer’s acceptance of some form of counseling and/ or medication.

Bipolar depression disorder is a serious mental illness that can be successfully treated with proper psychological counseling and medication. It is important that anyone exhibiting the signs or symptoms of this disease seek help so they can properly manage this condition.

Every psychological disorder is hard to live and deal with. Anxiety and depression disorders are no exception. Anxiety is a condition where you feel intense anxiety and have anxiety attacks on a regular basis. Anxiety attacks are very scary to deal with and are experienced differently by everyone who experiences them. Some common side effects are feeling like you cannot breathe, or like your heart is going to beat so hard it comes through your chest. Many people who have experienced anxiety attacks say that during the attack, they may feel like they are going to die. People who experience this type of disorder may feel like there is no hope.

Although anxiety and depression disorders seem impossible to live with at times, there are many ways that the disorders can be treated. Many treatments are available both as medication and non-medication methods and can help make life easier for those who experience anxiety attacks.

One of the most common forms of treatment, and the treatment your doctor will recommend is through anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. These medications can do a lot to help regulate the brain chemicals that cause depression and anxiety. However for many people these medications cause some severe side effects. One of the more serious side effects is suicidal thoughts. These are usually temporary, but it can be very scary especially when you live alone.

A method of treating anxiety that is getting a lot of recognition and becoming more popular lately is through the Panic Away system. This system has been proven to help a lot of people say goodbye to their anxiety forever. The best thing is that it works without the use of any medication or side effects because it is something that you can do within yourself to cure yourself of anxiety and depression.

A hair pulling disorder in which patients who suffer from it consistently pull out chunks of their own hair. Generally, the disorder is in direct relationship to outside circumstances which cause nervous or depressive habits. It is most recognized as trichotillomania and is characterized by the act of physically pulling out eyelashes, eyebrow hair, scalp hair, and other body hair.

A hair pulling disorder can be difficult to identify in most people. Generally, there are very few outward signs of the condition. This difficulty in diagnosing is increased by the fact that the vast majority of people in the world are unaware that this condition even exists. Despite the fact that the most recent studies indicate as much as two to four percent of the population suffers from this disorder, there is little to no coverage on it.

The signs that someone may suffer from it include bald spots on their scalp, or missing eyelashes or eyebrows. People who suffer from a hair pulling disorder such as trichotillomania have very few options available for treatment. There is, however, one form of treatment which has been proven to be effective for those who are willing to take the necessary steps to treat the disorder.

The most appropriate course of action for someone suffering from a hair pulling disorder is to consult their primary care physician in order to find out more information regarding the disorder and receive recommendation on a specialist who can assist them in treating it.

Many people wonder about a possible hair pulling treatment. As a general rule:

Drugs have not been found to be effective in dealing with it.

Prozac has been proscribed in certain circumstances with the belief that the disorder is brought on by a certain degree of depression. Despite these beliefs, most studies have found that Prozac can actually increase the occurrence of hair pulling out in people suffering from this disorder.
A more recent study of a drug known as Clomipramine has shown a significantly greater degree of success than Prozac or other antidepressants. Some psychologists believe this may be used as an effective treatment of hair pulling disorders in the future.
Currently, the most established treatment for a hair pulling disorder and has shown to be successful when helping patients to stop pulling out hair, is known as habit reversal training which helps patients to recognize the situations which cause the condition and cope with them in a non-destructive manor. Patients who effectively complete this training will generally stop pulling out hair.

The SSRIs act by inhibiting serotonin reuptake, and are considered the most popular, effective and safe prescription medications. The new prescription SSRIs used to treat depression include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), and sertraline (Zoloft). Citalopram, a chiral compound, has its serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity in the S-enantiomer. Escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of citalopram has demonstrated Antidepressant activity in animal models. Prozac has shown significant success in the treatment of depression and prevention of suicide. It exhibits less potential side effects as compared to TCAs and MAOIs. Paroxetine exhibits anti-cholinergic effect and causes sedation. Zoloft has few drug interactions, but has the side effect of causing diarrhea and male sexual dysfunction.

The currently available SNRIs (desipramine, duloxetine, nefazodone, and venlafaxine) keep both serotonin and norepinephrine at the right level to alleviate depressive symptoms. Nefazodone alleviates anxiety, causes sedation and positively affects sleep. Venlafaxine (Effexor) has significant anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary hesitancy, and constipation), induces sedation and has potential withdrawal effects.

The drug bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR) is the most commonly used member of the novel Antidepressant class. It is quite unique in its efficiency to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Reuptake lowers reception of feel-good brain chemicals. Maprotiline (Ludiomil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) are the two main drugs from the group of tetracyclic Antidepressants. Mirtazapine acts by increasing the amount of noradrenaline and serotonin, and is of benefit in particular for the treatment of depression accompanied with anxiety, agitation and /or sleep disturbances.

Antidepressants provides detailed information on antidepressants, antidepressant comparisons, antidepressant medications, antidepressant side effects and more. Antidepressants is affiliated with Symptoms Of Schizophrenia.

Lunesta! What’s all the fuss about?

It even sounds festive doesn’t it ? And it appears that with this sleep medication, there may well be cause for celebration!

It’s been some months now since Lunesta first appeared on the scene and was blessed by the FDA. So how has this non-narcotic, non habit forming sleep aid been performing?

Well from the information I have gathered, it seems Lunesta is stacking up very well compared to the other available forms of prescription sleep medication.

Lunesta (generic name Eszopiclone) was brought out by a company called Sepracor which has done extensive tests on the medication, the majority of which have had positive results so far, although the tests are still ongoing.

One of the greatest advantages of Lunesta is that it is the only sleep medication approved for long term use. This is a boon for those with chronic insomnia. In some cases the insomnia has been known to disappear altogether. Tests have shown those who have stopped taking Lunesta haven’t suffered any rebound insomnia or withdrawal, both well known problems for those taking the benzodiazepine medications.

Another major advantage is that Lunesta is useful for both sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia. Meaning it will work as well for those who for have trouble falling asleep as for those who have trouble staying asleep. A caveat here though, Lunesta should be taken just before going to bed as it a fast acting medication. Don’t take Lunesta and then take a trip to the movies! Also make sure you have eight hours set aside for sleep as it is also long lasting (no driving the car please before that time!)

Lunesta is available in 1, 2 and 3 mg tablets. It’s best to start with a low dose and increase if needed.

Possible Side Effects
Every medication can have it’s side effects and those that are possible with Lunesta include:

• Next day drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Uncoordination

Lunesta should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women as the effect on infants is not yet known. See your doctor first.

Lunesta and Depression

If you’ve ever been depressed, you’ll remember those agonizing hours between 2 and 4am tossing and turning and worrying about everything! What can you do when your depression medication precludes taking any form of sleeping aid? Never fear! Tests have shown that Lunesta is well tolerated by those taking Prozac (an anti-depressant drug) A ten week survey was done comparing patients on Prozac and Lunesta with patients on Prozac and a placebo (sugar pill)

Results found the Lunesta patients showed significant improvements. They fell asleep more quickly, stayed asleep longer and were more alert during the day.

Lunesta is available on prescription in the US. It’s not yet available in Australia (that’s why they call us “down under”!) Those in other countries would need to ask their doctor.

All forms of depression are still being studied by doctors and researchers. It has been shown that depression can be brought on by many possibilities. It is known that biological, genetic, and environmental factors have to be taken into consideration. We know that it seems to be caused by a chemical imbalance on the brain. Stress is another major factor in depression. Life is full of stress. Work related issues or the dynamics of a dysfunctional family can create it. Depression knows no bounds. Both the rich and the poor contract it. It doesn’t care about race. Color or nationality provide no protection from this illness.

“How do you recognise if you are manic or depressed? When you take medication, what do you expect to happen? Medical descriptions aren’t particularly helpful. This chapter describes things to look out for when manic, depressed, and on some drugs.

“All you have to do is take the tablets – why, I take vitamins every morning.” When you get that comment, and you will get that comment, what exactly do you tell them to make them understand…

When I am Hypomanic / Manic
Twenty specific symptoms I use to identify if I am becoming manic.

When I am Depressed
Twenty patterns of behaviour I associate with being depressed.

When Official Signs of Depression / Manic Depression
Taken from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. (DSM-IV).

The drugs are not going to work quite the way the psychiatrist said they would, or the way you expect them to, or the way anybody else expects them to. You are warned.

About Taking Drugs
So you start taking the drugs your doctor prescribed, and everything is fine, yes? No.

When I am on Tegretol
Tegretol is an effective antimanic for me. But it stops working after a while. How I feel when I am taking it and the side effects.

When I am on Epilim (Depakote)
Epilim stabilises me, but I can’t function at normal. And I get unpleasant side effects which vary by dosage.

When I am on Prozaс
Prozac seems to work well on countering my depression. I’m not getting any side effects either.

When I am on a High Dose of Prozac
Taking 80 mg Prozac works to stabilise my mood swings. With side effects.

When I am on Wellbutrin (Zyban)
Finally, a drug that seems to work the way I want!

When I Found Out I was Manic Depressive
How I felt in the psychiatrist’s office immediately after I was diagnosed.”

There are similar symptoms no matter the type of depression. The frequent change in personality, the mood swings that go up and then goes down. Depression can result in insomnia. If you have no hope, feel helpless or desperate, that could be depression. Depression is real when it interferes with your ability to live your life. But people with depression have a light at the end of the tunnel. There is assistance. Doctors can administer drugs or herbal remedies to treat it. There are also medical professionals that can help your illness through ‘talk therapy’”. Support groups can be of assistance with manic depression. Look for assistance first.

When people discuss bi-polar disorder they refer to a condition known as manic depression. This is associated with unusual and quick switches from a good mood to a sour mood, when someone says “wow, they’re bi-polar”. It is just another in the many forms of depression. Manic depression is not the same as just being sad or upset for over something in particular. Everyone has occasional highs and lows in their moods. But people with bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings. They can go from feeling very sad, despairing, helpless, worthless, and hopeless (depression) to feeling as if they are on top of the world, hyperactive, creative, and grandiose (mania). This disease is called bipolar disorder because the mood of a person with bipolar disorder can alternate between two completely opposite poles, euphoric happiness and extreme sadness. Manic depression is a much more serious condition. Another stage of depression is the diagnosis for bi-polar disorder.

Millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with Manic Depression every year. In general 17 million people battle depression each year in America. Genetic factors are the main cause of bipolar disorder genetics. Life experiences and psychological processes do not seem to have any aetiological effect. Bipolar disorder is often treated with anti-manic, and sometimes other, psychiatric drugs. Psychotherapy only has a role in helping to gain insight once there has been substantial recovery from acute symptoms. In serious cases in which there is a risk of harm to oneself or others involuntary commitment may be used; these cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behaviour or depressive episodes with suicidal ideation. There are widespread problems with social stigma, stereotypes and prejudice against individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The symptoms of manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder are classified according to either manic or depressive episodes. Manic depressive states are diagnosed as:

•  Manic episode: A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, or for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, 4 additional symptoms must be present.
•  Depressive episode: A depressive episode is diagnosed if 5 or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, or for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
•  Mixed bipolar episode: In some people, however, symptoms of mania and depression can occur together in a mixed bipolar state. A person could have a very sad, hopeless mood, while feeling energized at the same time.

Unfortunately only about1/3 of those will be diagnosed and receive help. When the sufferer refuses aid, there can be no cure. Mental illness is a red stop sign for many Americans, they don’t want to deal with it. Being crazy isn’t something people want associated with themselves. Sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person’s usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.

It’s very complex when a disease impacts the brain. The deep mood swings of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, and those of family and friends, too. Today, a growing volume of research suggests that bipolar disorder occurs across a spectrum of symptoms, and that many people aren’t correctly diagnosed. Left untreated, bipolar disorder generally worsens, and the suicide rate is high among those with bipolar disorder. But with effective treatment, you can live an enjoyable and productive life despite bipolar disorder. It is hard to shake the stigma that comes with the diagnosis. But it’s not a sign of being less when this disease is diagnosed. You’re not crazy. This is a disease like any other. Unlike ordinary mood swings, bipolar disorder is much more intense and disruptive to everyday functioning, affecting energy, activity levels, judgment, and behavior.

During a manic episode, a person might impulsively quit a job, charge up huge amounts of debt, or feel rested after sleeping two hours. It can be treated. First it has to be identified. A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad and/or irritable mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity and duration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities than is normal.

Depressive signs and symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviors but also by specific changes in bodily functions (for example, crying spells, body aches, low energy or libido, as well as problems with eating, weight, or sleeping). The functional changes of clinical depressionare often called neurovegetative signs. This means that the nervous system changes in the brain cause many physical symptoms that result in diminished activity and participation.