Depression Mantra
Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders. This may vary from feelings of slight sadness to utter misery and dejection. It brings together a variety of physical and psychological symptoms which together constitute a syndrome.
Depression is the most unpleasant experience a person can endure. It is far more difficult to cope with than a physical ailment. The growing complexities of modern life and the resultant crisis, as well as mental stress and strain in day to day living, usually leads to this disorder. It also arises out of the monotony and drudgery of a daily routine, without any meaningful variation in urban life. Suicide is the major risk in extreme cases of depression.
Symptoms
It is not always easy to diagnose depression clinically. The most striking symptoms of depression are feelings of acute sense of loss and inexplicable sadness, loss of energy and loss of interest. The patient usually feels tired and lacks interest in the world around him. Sleep disturbance is frequent. Usually the patient wakes up depressed at 4 or 5 in the morning and is unable to return to sleep. Other disturbed sleep patterns are difficulty in getting off to sleep on going to bed at night, nightmares and repeated waking from midnight onwards.
The patient often suffers from guilt, oppressive feelings and self-absorption. Other symptoms of depression are : loss of appetite, gidiness, itching, nausea, agitation, irritability, impotence or frigidity, constipation, aches and pains all over the body, lack of concentration and lack of power of decision. Some persons may lose interest in eating and suffer from rapid loss of weight while others may resort to frequent eating and as a result gain in weight.
Cases of severe depression may be characterized by low body temperature, low blood pressure, hot flushes and shivering.
The external manifestations represent a cry for help from the tormented mind of the depressed persons. The severely depressed patient feels worthless and is finally convinced that he himself is responsible for his undoing and his present state of hopeless despair.
Causes
Depleted functioning of the adrenal glands is one of the main causes of mental depression. Irregular diet habits cause digestive problems and lead to the assimilation of fats. An excess of carbohydrates like cereals, white sugar, coffee, tea, chocolates and comparatively less quantities of vegetables and fruits in the diet may result in indigestion. Due to indigestion, gases are produced in the digestive tract, causing compression over the diaphragm in the region of the heart and lungs. This in turn, reduces the supply of oxygen to the tissues, which raises the carbon dioxide level, causing general depression.
The excessive and indiscriminate use of drugs also leads to faulty assimilation of vitamins and minerals by the body and ultimately causes depression. The use of aspirin leads to deficiencies of vitamin C and antacids can cause deficiencies of calcium and vitamin B. Diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and weakness of the liver resulting from the use of refined or processed foods, fried foods and an excessive intake of fats may also lead to depression.
The Cure
The modern medical system treats depression with anti- depression drugs which provide temporary relief but have harmful side-effects and do not remove the causes or prevent its recurrence. The harmful side-effects include gross liver damage, hypersensitivity, insomnia, hallucinations, a confused state, convulsions, a fall in blood pressure which brings on headaches and dizziness , blurred vision, difficulty in inhaling and urine retention. The plan of action for self-treatment of depression consists of regulating the diet, exercise, scientific relaxation and meditation.
Diet has a profound effect on the mental health of a person. Even a single nutritional deficiency can cause depression in susceptible people. Dr. Pricilla, associate clinical professor at the University of California, prescribes nutritional therapy to build up brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, that affect mood and are often lacking in depressed people. She recommends eating foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, green vegetables, eggs and fish.
The diet of persons suffering from depression should completely exclude tea, coffee, alcohol, chocolate and cola, all white flour products,sugar, food colourings, chemical additives, white rice and strong condiments. The diet should be restricted to three meals. Fruits can be taken in the morning for breakfast with milk and a handful of nuts and seeds. Lunch may consist of steamed vegetables, whole wheat chappatis and a glass of butter-milk. For dinner, green vegetable salad and all available sprouts such as alfalfa seeds, mung, cottage cheese or a glass of butter-milk would be ideal.
Activity and Exercise
The depressive mood can be overcome by activity. Those who are depressive will forget their misery by doing something. They should turn away from themselves and consider others. At home they can take to decorating, repairing or constructing something new. The pleasure of achievement overcomes the distress of misery.
Exercise also plays an important role in the treatment of depression. It not only keep the body physically and mentally fit but also provides recreation and mental relaxation. It is nature' best tranquiliser. According to Dr. Robert Brown, a clinical associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, " Exercise produces chemical and psychological changes that improves your mental health. It changes the levels of hormones in blood and may elevate your beta-endorphins( mood-affecting brain chemicals). Exercise may also improve the function of the autonomic nervous system."
Exercise also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus reduces the sense of helplessness. Some form of active exercise, must be undertaken each day at a regular hour. To be really useful, exercise should be taken in such a manner as to bring into action all the muscles of the body in a natural way. Walking is one such exercise. It is , however, so gentle in character that one must walk several kilometers in a brisk manner to constitute a fair amount of exercise. Yogic asanas such as vakrasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, paschimottanasana, sarvangasana and shavasana and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma and bhastrika are highly beneficial in the treatment of depression.
Relaxation and Meditation
The patient must gain control over his nervous system and channelise his mental and emotional activities into restful harmonius vibrations. This can be achieved by ensuring sufficient rest and sleep under right conditions. He must also learn the art of scientific relaxation and meditation which will go a long way in curing depression.
Relaxation enables the muscles to work more efficiently and eliminates fatigue by promoting venous blood circulation throughout the body. The best method of relaxation is to practice shavasana or the 'ded pose.' The procedure for this asana has been outlined in chapter 7 on yoga therapy.
Meditation involves training the mind to remain fixed on a certain external or internal location. All the mental faculties should be directed, without cessation, towards the object of meditation. It can be achieved by constant practice. It will be advisable to meditate on God or Atman as one becomes imbued with the quality of the object on which one meditates.
Meditation will help create an amount of balance in the nervous system. This would enable the glands to return to a correct state of hormonal balance and thereby overcome the feeling of depression. Regularity of time, place and practice are very important in meditation. Regularity conditions the mind to slowing down its activities with a minimum delay. The most effective times are early dawn and dusk, when the atmosphere is serene and peaceful.
A neutral immersion bath for one hour daily is also helpful in the treatment of depression. This bath is administered in a bath tub which should be properly fitted with hot and cold water connections. The patient should lie in the tub after filling it with water at a temperature ranging from 92 o to 98 o F. The head should be kept cold with a cold compress.
About The Author
Nadeem has been figuring a lot about depresson. He has started creating a website for people with Depression that provides a lot of valuable information and links to many resources.
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... What is depression?Depression is a serious medical illness; it's not... Read More We all suffer with bad moods from time to time.... Read More The cover of the March 7, 2005 issue of Business... Read More Depression is a problem that faces many of us, young... Read More It is now no secret that people all over the... Read More Depression is a serious illness, not a harmless part of... Read More Depression has long been considered a character flaw indicative of... Read More 1. Get out now and walk fifteen minutes. It will... Read More INTRODUCTION Everybody has a story. My... Read More Do you have days where nothing can make you happy?... Read More A new research study has again shown that a diet... Read More Long term care facilities and residents' doctors should consider combining... Read More There is an illness all around me in modern society... Read More Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chronic or Treatment-Resistant Depression About Vagus... Read More When artiste Leslie Cheung committed suicide, he left behind a... Read More Depression is a condition which affects about 15% of the... Read More While it may be easy to recite the various brand... Read More Approximately 19 million American adult workers allow depression to limit... Read More On June 2 at 8:00 pm ET, Reuters news service... Read More Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives.... Read More Katie came as close as is possible to having it... Read More 1.Remember that it is an illness:Clinical depression often requires medical... Read More It seems unreal, another major storm hitting Florida after experiencing... Read More Final FDA approval of vagus nerve stimulation as a therapy... Read More A short generation ago, families could set their watch by... Read More
Adsense
websites
Depression-My Story
Mood Disorders And Depression
Neuromodulation Is Now The Mainstream Therapy For Chronic Depression
Use Alternative Medicine to Ease Depression
Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work?
Recognizing Depression?s Warning Signs
Depression - Causes and Treatments
7 Things You Can Do Immediately To Ease Depression
The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
Do You Think You Have Depression?
Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression - A Natural Treatment
To Long Term Care Professionals: How to Dramatically Improve your Residents Psychiatric Care
Depression: Escape Your Mental Prison
Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
Aromatherapy and Depression
Depression And Celiac Disease
A Look at the Different Depression and Anxiety Medications
Depression Keeps 19 Million Adults From Being Productive
FDA Nears Completion of Review of Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Chronic Depression
5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression
How to Overcome Anxiety and Take Repossession of Your Life!
10 Simple Coping Strategies When a Family Member Has Clinical Depression
Hurricane Recovery: Steps to Start Putting Your Life Back in Order
Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression to be Launched in May
Stress and Depression are Killing Us!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Seven Steps to Good Mental Health
Psychological well-being is something that we all have a right... Read More
Senate Finance Committee Delays FDA Approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression
On June 15th, 2004, FDA's Medical Devices Panel recommended that... Read More
Are the Benefits Worth the Costs?
Schizophrenia suffers around the world have benefitted greatly with the... Read More
Natural Treatment for Depression - Is There An Alternative?
Many people who are suffering from mild to moderate depression,... Read More
ADHD and Depression -- More Common Than Thought
"Thanks for Noticin' Me" says Eeyore. He walks slowly. He... Read More
How Do You Know if You Have Manic-Depression
Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago... Read More
More Than You Can Handle?
There's a dangerous illness afflicting women everywhere across the nation.... Read More
Tips to Beat Depression
We all have days when we are down, worn out... Read More
How To Help A Stressed Or Depressed Loved One
Having lived with a depressed partner for 3 years and... Read More
Depression Explained
Depression is a mental state marked by melancholy, pessimism or... Read More
Wellbutrin For Depression: When Its More Than Just The Blues
We all have blue days:We're missing someone we've lost, the... Read More
To Long Term Care Professionals: How to Dramatically Improve your Residents Psychiatric Care
Long term care facilities and residents' doctors should consider combining... Read More
Turn Depression into Joy
Depression is the most prevalent disease of our time. Under... Read More
FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression
On July 15th, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More
When Your Fears and Depression Have the Best of You
What do you do when your fears and depression are... Read More
Mental Health Stigma ? What Can We Do About It?
What is Stigma? Stigma is the use of stereotypes and... Read More
New Treatment for Depression to be Presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting
Within the next few weeks, the FDA is expected to... Read More
7 Things You Can Do Immediately To Ease Depression
1. Get out now and walk fifteen minutes. It will... Read More
Efficacy and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression Published in Journal
On September 1st, the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve... Read More
Depression and EPA Fish Oil - Does It Really Work?
It is now no secret that people all over the... Read More
Depression in Teenagers: Now What Can We Do?
No doubt you have seen the recent news headlines about... Read More
25% of Americans Suffer From a Mental Illness and do Not Get Adequate Relief From Antidepressants
According to the June 7th issue of the Wall Street... Read More
Depression: Bringing Yourself Down
Sometimes it's hard to see the forest from the trees.... Read More
FDA Deems Vagus Nerve Therapy Approvable as a Treatment for Depression
On February 3, 2005 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration... Read More
Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Depression - A Natural Treatment
A new research study has again shown that a diet... Read More
Depression |