Treatment for depression Blog

The image of the man as the strong, silent type, while a comforting one to many, is probably the biggest reason that men who suffer from depression tend to suffer in silence, never seeking the correct treatment they need to pull themselves out of the emotional doldrums that weigh on their heart and mind, and very likely also do irreversible damage to their physical health.

You see, the mind-body connection is a very powerful one, and most people don't realize just how powerful until they experience severe depression and realize that suddenly their body feels fatigued, and they tend to get sick more often. Men who suffer from depression in silence are risking their emotional well being as well as their physical wellness for reasons that range from pride to genuine lack of knowledge about what depression actually is.

It is estimated that up to 60% of the men who suffer a genuine period of depression do not seek the professional or alternative medical help that they need to help restore their mental health. And yet, in contrast, a much higher percentage of women are reported to receive counseling and/or treatment for depression.

A lot of men who have finally "come out" about going through periods of depression in their life cite the fact that they had a fear that people would perceive them as weak and unable to cope with the stressors in their life, especially if they were viewed as the "provider" in the family, or if they held a big corporate job that was viewed with respect.

Men do seem to suffer depression a little differently than women, at least outwardly. The symptoms to look for in men who may be depressed are a sudden rash of lashing out verbally, intolerance for things they usually have a tolerance for, lack of interest in activities they once used to love doing, and an apparent loss of motivation or self confidence.

Since men do not often open up about their feelings (at least this seems to be the norm), or do not actually acknowledge their feelings to themselves, they are much more likely to internalize their depression, which can only make it worse, and can eventually turn a man to suicidal thoughts if left untreated, depending on the severity of the depression.

If you have a loved one who you think may be suffering from depression, and he is either in denial or seems to be afraid to admit that something may be wrong, try to let them know you are open to talking, and that you will not pass judgment in any way on them for opening up about their feelings. You may be surprised at the response you get.

The estimation for the national average of depression in women vs. depression in men differs significantly, but researchers and gatherers of this information are unclear whether it is just diagnosed and treated this much more often in women than in men, or if there is truly a gender discrepancy in the frequency of depression occurrence between men and women.

It is possible that women may naturally be more susceptible to depression and anxiety due to hormonal complications in the body, but at the same time, researchers are not quick to dismiss the fact that men may suffer almost equally, but just don't get the treatment they need because they fear the societal perception.

In some focus groups conducted, men who were describing symptoms that are commonly associated with clinical depression, such as fatigue, chronic pain, sleeplessness, sleeping too much, irritability and other physical manifestations of depression, were not aware that these symptoms were closely associated to the mental state of depression.

As far as differing levels of depression, men typically are prone to suffer the same forms of depression as women. Those forms are the always-referred to and oft coined "bipolar disorder" which usually is defined by mood swings, and tendencies to do everything to the extreme, with no stable in-between moods to balance things out.

Another is "major depressive disorder" which profoundly affects the person, rendering them virtually powerless as it can affect everything you do, your job, your focus, concentration, and interactions with other people. It can become so severe that one can feel incapacitated by their own mind.

Then, there is another form of depression called "dysthymic disorder" which is not as crippling as major depressive disorder, but may come in waves and varying ranges of severity and temporarily disable one's ability to feel joy, our God-given birthright, and the reason that we are all here on earth.

This form of depression, if left untreated, can put the patient through rounds of agonizing depression followed by periods of normalcy, so it may be more difficult to nail this one down and diagnose and treat it.

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Danna Schneider is the founder of Herbal Remedies for Depression and Anxiety and Natural Depression Remedy , where news and suggestions on new natural ways to combat depression and anxiety can be found as well as tips to live a healthier, happier life through natural supplementation and lifestyle choices.

Each year, an estimated 800,000 Americans will experience the loss of a spouse -; one of life's most stressful experiences, according to the magazine Psychiatric Times.

While the grieving process is a natural part of life, people who experience symptoms for more than two weeks may be suffering from bereavement-related depression.

Symptoms of bereavement-related depression are like any other depressive episode. They can include a sad or irritable mood, anxiety, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, low self-esteem and changes in sleeping and eating patterns.

As is generally the case with depression, bereavement-related depression can have a significant impact on the health of the sufferer. In fact, according to a study published in the February 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the risk of death may increase by 22 percent for men and 16 percent for women following the death of a spouse.

Fortunately, bereavement-related depression can be alleviated through early identification of symptoms and treatment options including medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.

According to a recent study that lacked a comparison group, the results of Lexapro in the treatment of depression related to bereavement is consistent with the anti-depressant effect of Lexapro.

"Without treatment, individuals who experience a major depressive episode after the loss of a loved one may develop chronic depression lasting years," said Dr. Paula Hensley, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico.

It is important for people who may be suffering from bereavement-related depression to talk to their doctor about all of their symptoms and discuss potential treatment options.

By: Richard Lewis

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For additional information and a confidential depression screening, visit www.depressionscreener.com. - NU

At some stage in our life most of us will at times struggle with despondency or even depression. Or we may have a large dose of self-pity and have a major 'pity party'. Most will get over it and get on with normal life. But sometimes the phase does not pass and more and more time is spent in these struggles. This article is not a study on depression but a few tips that have been know to be of great benefit when despondency sets in.

A basic measure is to check if a good nutricius diet is being consumed. Often the addition of some B vitamins are necessary, seek professional advice from your local health food store.

During these low times we tend to be emotional and keep looking inward, maybe in self-criticism or self-pity, feeling like a victim and not like one who overcomes. We tend to take innocent statements of others and apply them to ourselves in a negative sense. We quickly take offence.

Like the old saying 'take time to smell the roses.' This is sound advice. Just start with a few minutes a day, looking outside of yourself, don't think of your problems, banish any negative thoughts that pop up. This could be the first step in taking control of your mind. We may not have control over what comes into our mind, but we do have a choice of what we do with those thoughts. Look at a bird or a flower. Really look at it, see how the petals come together to form one beautiful unit. Look how gracefully the stamen comes out of the centre, how it attracts the bees. Look at the color,. Take note how different colors blend together. Allow yourself to be amazed at this beautiful creation. If you can find the strength, start a journal of the things in the creation that you spend time observing, note what you see, they are all around you just waiting for you to be in awe of them. Maybe you could end up writing a book of your journey.

Determine to spend this time of appreciating beauty every day, you will soon start looking forward to these times of studying creation and realise it is a much happier place than looking inward. I have never found lasting peace by delving inwards.

There is an article that has been around for many years called “Lessons from the Geese" Author unknown. I won't quote the article but it reveals some facts about geese. For example, we have all seen geese fly over in the familiar V formation, there is a leader and two rows form out behind the front goose. It has been learnt that the reason for this is that as each bird flaps its wings it creates uplift for the bird immediately behind it.

Flying in this formation causes the whole flock to be able to increase its range by about 71% more than if the bird was flying alone. It saves about 50% of their energy. If a goose falls out of formation it feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the power of the flock.

When a goose is sick or injured and falls out of formation, two other birds will follow to protect the sick bird. These two birds will stay with the weak one until it recovers or dies. Then they will seek to find another formation to join to get back to their group. This study of the geese gives us a beautiful picture of caring and the advantages of having a leader who gives help and direction. Who can be the wind beneath our wings. A shield in the times of trouble. A secure rock to protect us.

The One who programed the geese to be like this shows us another example in the Bible in the book of John, here using sheep as an example of being careful whom we follow.
"If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he's up to no good - a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice." Jesus further explained like this. "I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good - sheep stealers, every one of them...Anyone who goes through me will be cared for - will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him."(Quote from The Message)

If you need leading out of your despondency and depression by all means seek professional help. But take care who it is leading you, choose the One who has your best interest at heart, who knows you better than you know yourself. The One with the power to create and heal. The choice is yours, to keep looking in at the turmoil or to look up and embrace the Good Shepherd.

Have you ever wished you could stand back and look at life and the world to see the big picture of what it is all about? I have a link below to a book that does just that, it gives everything purpose and perspective.

By: Jennifer Macleay

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The origin of depression may not be visible at all on an outer level where wealth, family, relationships, and success may all be in place and operating as signs and symbols of a successful life. Yet on an inner level, the inner being can feel bereft of that which feels necessary to life. It is this sense of being bereft - of having lost, mislaid, or had taken away that which was the source of hope and of vitality - that gives rise to depression. This is not to say that there is not a biochemical component to the picture as well. Only, that biochemistry is influenced by the underlying state of consciousness and the energy that it creates, even more than consciousness is influenced by biochemistry.

The consciousness that underlies depression has become more widespread today. At the root of this phenomenon is the presence of purification on both individual and global levels. Whether applying to an individual or to the earth itself, it is this force, more than any other, that is behind the manifestation, today, of the 'darkness that covers the light'. Purification is based on the greater presence of spiritual light which separates light from darkness, bringing all that is not light into awareness for purposes of release and healing.

Global purification brings to the fore what has previously lain dormant within collective consciousness that is not of the light. It does the same within individuals. In this way, anger, hate, cruelty and fear can be felt more acutely within the consciousness of many, as can the sense of inner emptiness and loss. It is particularly in relation to the latter that we see an upsurge of depressive feeling-states today and a growing number of requests for help. On a large scale, the feeling of inner lack is being brought to the foreground so that it may be directly addressed and healed. That this is true is both the discomfort of purification and also its promise – a promise which seeks to liberate humanity from darkness, yet which, in the process, requires of us that we experience what has formerly been kept hidden. In relation to depression, at its root is often the feeling of separation, lack, or void, and a sense of helplessness in relation to filling this void. This is the underlying consciousness that manifests as sorrow, hopelessness, despair, numbness, and withdrawal. The emptiness is felt by the deeper self that is hungry for light and truth – that is hungry for a source of meaning - that is hungry for a source of light to banish the darkness within the self and within the world. Both upon the earth and within individuals, this darkness is very prominent now, and it gives rise much more quickly to feelings of depression than in times past.

The capacity of darkness to create a 'cover' over light is what creates the sense of void or emptiness. Though light always remains present within each individual being, darkness obscures the inner connection with the heart and with the source of being so that this light cannot be felt. It also effectively creates a shallowness of perception in which nothing may seem quite real, and nothing that is joyful can touch or impact the self in a deep way.

In contrast to the above, and in the presence of darkness, there is also a growing presence of light arising, emerging from beneath the covering and pushing its way through the layers of darkness as it strives to reach awareness. This light is increasingly infusing the physical plane and has a direct effect on each human body that is present on the earth. Though at first it may appear to bring into awareness that which is lacking, it also brings with it a way through the lack, toward hope and toward the light of being – toward the recognition of one's God-self that is the core level of each and every child of God. This core is both an identity and a source of love and joy.

Though the light that shines in the darkness may be invisible for the moment, it is nevertheless doing its work so that the covering of darkness can lift and the true measure of who one is and what life is can be perceived. In relation to this light, its presence cannot be undone. Its arrival cannot be prevented. It is a matter of waiting during this difficult period for the light to arrive more fully, and in the meantime, of anchoring the heart in the Source of light so that even under cover of darkness, its gifts and blessings may be received most abundantly.

By: Julie Redstone -

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For other writings by Julie Redstone see Pathways of Light- lightomega.org/PathwaysofLight.html. To learn more about holding depression within a spiritual perspective, see the Purification section of lightomega.org and the Calendar of Healing- lightomega.org/CH/Cal-Healing.html.