Essential 8 Nutrients For Easing Anxiety and Depression

Essential 8 Nutrients For Easing Anxiety and Depression






Anxiety can be defined in many ways. It can be described as a feeling of concern that something would happen or to do something. Anxiety can be known as feeling of uneasiness or restlessness or in simple terms worry or anxious that something would happen. The person feeling anxious can very well understand that nothing can be prevented by such feeling but he/she is not able to control such feelings.

Anxiety can be caused both by internal and external factors. Stress at workplace, stress in relationships, financial stress, stress caused by serious illness of loved ones, use of illicit drugs and side effects of certain medications are kinds of anxiety caused due to external factors. Internal factors that cause anxiety include mental conditions like phobia, stress disorders, panic disorders, and generalized anxiety disorders. A person might feel his palpitations or might feel dizzy or may have shortness of breath during panic disorder.

Treatment for anxiety depends on the intensity of the problem. For mild to moderate cases cognitive behavior therapy along with breathing and relaxation techniques are recommended. For severe cases, antidepressant drugs are prescribed and lifestyle modification is necessary to control anxiety.

1. Vitamins

Taking vitamin D supplement can help in reducing stress related anxiety. Vitamins like B and D can make good for the imbalance of certain hormones that cause anxiety. It has been proved in a research that taking 18-20 gm of inositol vitamin each day reduced anxiety considerably in patients with OCD and panic disorder.

Vitamin B1, B2 and B3 are important for controlling sugar level in your blood. And Vitamin B12 helps in clearing depression and hence people with specific mental disorders like depression and anxiety can benefit by including these vitamin rich foods in their daily diet. Foods like whole wheat, whole grains, turkey, liver, meat, potatoes, legumes and bananas are rich source of vitamins. Sun is a natural source of D vitamin and acute anxiety that develops during winter season can be managed by exposing the body few minutes to sun. Vitamin D is found in most of the fishes and eggs.

2. Foods Rich In Calcium and Magnesium

Magnesium has the effect of calming the nervous system thus managing anxiety and restlessness. Anxiety related signs are found to reduce by taking supplemental magnesium in your diet along with vitamin B6. Women who are prone to get premenstrual symptoms like tenderness of breast and weight gain can benefit by taking magnesium along with vitamins. An average adult can take up to 500 mg of magnesium per day for getting the essential nutrient level of this mineral.

Taking magnesium with calcium can help in getting quality sleep. Any foods that are green and dark green do contain magnesium. For instance kale, spinach, chard and dark leafy vegetables and greens contain magnesium and essential vitamins. Foods like whole-wheat, oats, millet, and buckwheat also contain magnesium. In addition you can get rich supply of magnesium by including beef, fishes, legumes and chicken and vegetables like green beans and potatoes. It is also found in nuts and seeds. Milk is an excellent source of calcium. Further vegetables like collard, turnip, spinach and beans and all dairy products are packed with calcium. In addition you can get good calcium by taking basil, oregano oil and peppermint in any form.

3. Omega Acids

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are useful in reducing depression and anxiety. Fishes like salmon or sardines and other fatty fishes are natural source of omega 3 acids. You can take supplement omega acids in the form of capsules each day. You can start with 1000 mg of this supplement daily and you will get to know the amazing benefits after you complete first week. Omega acids help in reducing cholesterol and burns stored up fat thus helps in reducing your weight. It keeps your skin glowing and in the long run it prevents Cancer.

4. Amino Acid Tryptophan

By eating Turkey and similar foods that contain tryptophan the brain is triggered to produce serotonin, which is a feel good hormone. This chemical will certainly help in reducing the stress and anxiety. According to the report given by the American Dietetic Association, Tryptophan would have a calming effect in your system due to secretion of serotonin. Tryptophan amino acid is richly found in foods like oats, milk, bananas, soy, and turkey, chicken and peanut better.

5. Vitamin Rich Foods

Any kind of vitamin is good for your health. Vitamin B is known to be mood elevator and any deficiency of this vitamin can induce depression in people. It is beneficial to take vitamin B rich foods like chicken, beef, legumes, and leafy greens. Alternatively, you can also take supplemental vitamin B in prescribed dosage daily.

6. Whole Wheat Bread

Brown rice and whole wheat bread can trigger feel-good hormones in the body. Carbohydrates can also help in the secretion of serotonin. But while choosing carbohydrate be specific in selecting whole grains and whole wheat bread instead of processed ones like white rice or white bread. Processed carbohydrates can give you energy initially but it can make you tired easily after a while. Hence be choosy in your daily food.

7. Salmon

Sea-foods containing omega 3 fatty acids are helpful in relieving your anxiety and stress. Fishes like tuna, salmon, lake trout, herring and mackerel can lift your mood for many reasons. People who are taking antidepressant medications are known to show improved mood-lift after taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements.

8. Protein Rich Foods

By eating high protein foods the brain will be able to secrete dopamine and nor-epinephrine which can produce feel-good effect. These are chemicals known to create alertness and mental energy which can drive away your stress and anxiety. Foods like yoghurt, eggs, cheese, nuts, soy foods, fish and meat contain high protein in it and hence you can add these foods throughout the day spreading them evenly.

Things To Avoid :

• Reduce the coffee/tea intake daily. Caffeine present in coffee is known to decrease the serotonin secretion in the brain which can make you feel depressed and anxious. By sipping a cup of hot coffee you may feel energetic at first but you are likely to get irritated and depressed after some time. Caffeine can also increase the number of visits to the toilet thereby dehydrating you leaving you tired. Never drink coffee/tea after sunset since it can interfere with quality of sleep.


• Avoid taking sweets in any form or at least restrict the intake of sweets. It is true that each one of us loves sweets but sugar can get absorbed into the blood quickly causing sudden lift of energy. But this is only short-lived since more amount of insulin is produced to remove excess of sugar molecules from the blood which can make you less energetic and tired.


• Quit drinking and smoking or at least restrict the intake of alcohol. Alcohol can produce the effect of depressant drugs. Your mood may get elevated initially but you will feel tired and helpless shortly.


• Avoid foods like cakes, sausage and hot dogs since this can make you more depressed than before. People who include more fatty/fried items and dairy products are likely to fall into depression easily than others.

Can Marijuana Cause Depression?

Can Marijuana Cause Depression?

The rising rates of cannabis use and mental health problems have prompted detailed research and discussion whether marijuana use contributes to psychosis. Although extensive studies have focused on severe mental health disorders, like Schizophrenia, there is also discussion whether marijuana use is a contributory cause of other common psychotic disorders. Can marijuana cause depression or anxiety?

Can Marijuana Cause Depression?
Cannabis use and depression sometimes will accompany each other, and it happens more often than you think, however, there is little evidence that shows marijuana actually causes depression.

The link between cannabis and other common psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety can be complicated. This is because the drug is sometimes used for the relief of symptoms related to depression and anxiety. However, like any stimulating drug, when the effects begin to wear off, the depression will return, and sometimes it’s worse.

People at Higher Risk
Some studies show that young people who use marijuana exhibit higher levels of symptoms related to depression and anxiety than those who do not.And for adults who combine alcohol and marijuana, the risk increases. A younger age of cannabis use also increases the risk of developing depression and anxiety later in life.

Although studies have shown mixed results, other studies show frequent or heavy use in adolescents and teenagers is related to the development of depression and anxiety disorders when reaching adulthood, and daily users are at the highest risk.

Other Risks in Young People


Can marijuana cause depression in young people? Studies have shown that adolescents who begin smoking marijuana are more at risk for mental health disorders than those who begin using marijuana as adults. This usually also leads to other issues, such as memory lapses, financial difficulties, poor academic achievement, and conflicts both at home/work, and younger women are more likely to experience these problems than men.

Younger people need to be aware of the increased risk for depression, and/or the chances for becoming dependent on marijuana. Anyone who has an existing psychosis, or ishaving thoughts of suicide, should not be using marijuana at all.

What about Marijuana and Schizophrenia?
Can marijuana cause depression? Though with little evidence, there is a connection between marijuana use and depression. But what about schizophrenia? Is there any connection between marijuana use and schizophrenia?

• Schizophrenia is a psychosis
  Psychosis refers to a severe mental disorder in which emotions and thoughts are so impaired that people suffering from psychosis loses touch with reality. Schizophrenia is a long term mental disorder that involves a breakdown in the relation between the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of a person, that results in faulty perceptions, inappropriate feelings and actions, accentuated by delusions and hallucinations.


• Psychotic episodes
  It has been reported that people who smoke or ingest a high concentration of the active ingredient in cannabis have been experiencing psychotic episodes. Although the symptoms are rare and often frightening, they typically subside over a short period of time. However, there are also reports that show marijuana use causes the symptoms of people who are predisposed to psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, to worsen.


• Will I develop a psychosis?
  Medical experts agree that marijuana can cause schizophrenia, particularly in vulnerable young people. Many studies have found ingesting any form of cannabis during the adolescence years increases the risks of experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia as an adult. Research shows that marijuana ingestion could also trigger bouts of schizophrenia for people who are already predisposed to developing the disorder, although the connection has not been shown to be conclusive.


• What about having a family history of psychosis?
  Marijuana might also be contributing factor, along with other factors, that may cause schizophrenia. People who are vulnerable includes those who also have a family history of the disorder. Anyone who has a family member diagnosed with an existing mental health disorder is strongly advised against using any form of cannabis, as the risks are too high for schizophrenia.

What Else does Marijuana Do to You?
Can marijuana cause depression? The link betweenmarijuana and depression is somewhat complicated. Apart from that, what else does marijuana do?

The psycho-toxic ingredient in cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the most widely used marijuana comes from the plant known as the Cannabis sativa. Many people crush and smoke the plants, but cannabis may also be mixed into foods, such as baked goods and candies, or brewed into tea. However, it doesn’t matter how you ingest marijuana into your system, it can affect your immune system, your nervous system, and every major organ in your body.

Physical Effects
When smoking marijuana, your absorb the THC right away. However, if you consume a baked good or candy item, it could take a lot longer for your body to absorb THC. This is because it has to break down in your stomach first before it can enter your bloodstream, and the effects of marijuana typically last for few hours.

Just remember that smoking marijuana can double your heart rate for up to 3 hours increasing your risk for Heart Attack. It can also lower Blood Pressure, and affect your blood sugar levels. Despite the fact that there’s not enough statistical research to determine if marijuana is contributing to lung Cancer, marijuana smoke does irritate the lungs, leaving you with a hacking cough, and more prone to chest colds and lung infections. Other effects of cannabis may include:

• Increased appetite


• Dry (cotton) mouth


• Bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils


• Shallow breathing (Tachypnea)


• Lightheaded


• Diminished reaction time

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Cravings


• Feeling grumpy


• Loss of sleep


• Loss of appetite

Depression During Pregnancy

Depression During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is considered as most respected and happiest moments in the life of a woman. During this period, you need to take care of an expectant mother to let her not suffer from any sort of physical or mental Stress. However, there are some cases reported by medical associations that 10% pregnant women generally suffer from the depression during pregnancy. This depression can not only affect the mother but also can harm the health of the baby. The mental or physical disturbances in a mother's life can lead to depression which will result in the changes of mood, eating habits, sleep cycle, etc., along with emotional and psychological behavior variations. This can directly or indirectly harm the baby to be delivered. But in fact, this depression is not a big problem and it can be treated with either medicines or by psychological ailments.

What Causes Depression During Pregnancy?


It is quite difficult to notify one or two reasons for that depression in pregnancy. But it is easy to understand that this is actually influenced by raging hormones, which affect the chemical balance of the brain that is responsible for mood and emotions. Except being responsible for premenstrual emotional havoc, the hormonal fluctuations are also responsible for prenatal depression. Besides, research also found a fact that women who have always suffered from pronounced PMS are at greater risk for depression during pregnancy. Moreover, following factors can trigger it:

• Some sort of relational problems


• Inherited depression


• Treatment for Infertility


• Pregnancy loss in past


• Stressful life events


• Complications in pregnancy


• Previous history of psychological mishaps

What Are the Symptoms of Depression During Pregnancy?
Usually some of the symptoms like fatigue or sleeping disturbances are observed in the normal pregnant women. But if these common fatigues are accompanied with the sense of sadness and inability to function properly, this can be caused by depression and need to be cured for the betterment of mother and the baby. Some of the common symptoms of the depression include:

• ŸThe sense of feeling guilt, hopelessness and nothingness


• ŸDifficulty in concentrating on things


• ŸExcessive crying and extreme irritability


• ŸHaving troubles with sleep (no sleep or sleep for long time)


• Similar troubles with eating habits (desire to eat all the time or no desire to eat at all)


• ŸFeeling of sadness in most part of the day

If any of such thought is prevalent in the expectant mother, then it's better to consult a physician or psychiatrist. Visiting psychiatrist for a checkup doesn’t mean that you are mental patient; it just shows your concern about the health and betterment of you and the baby.

Can Depression During Pregnancy Harm Your Baby?
Sometimes, the pregnant women hesitate to treat the depression, but if itremains untreated or undertreated, it can lead to serious hazards. The few examples of harms observed during studies include preterm delivery, gestational Diabetes, low birth weight of the baby and developmental delays in the neonate at the severe state. And if this depression is ignored, it can continue affecting baby's development after the birth, creating problems for you and your baby.

What to Do If You're Depressed During Pregnancy?
The treatment of the depression during pregnancy is not a big deal nowadays. There are many techniques available for the control and cure of depression, including drugs and non drug usage techniques.

1. Take Medicines
If the condition of the depression of the patient is severe and medical treatment including anti depressants is compulsory, only then the patient should go for it, since there are some side effects of using this kind of drugs. Many antidepressants like Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Paxil, etc. are being used for the treatment of depression during pregnancy. And if the patient had a previous history of depression before the pregnancy, then she must consult both the physician and the psychiatrist about the recommended antidepressant treatment for depression.

2. Change Lifestyles
Whatever treatment you are using for depression, it is highly suggested to change the habits and lifestyle for the better results. Here are some main points about the life pattern changes elaborated:

• Have enough rest: In order to counter your depression caused by the fatigue during pregnancy, it is recommended to take long rest. This can be achieved by going to bed early, sleeping for long time and taking small naps during day time.


• Plan some outings: The outings to the nature have been proved to have lots of soothing and relaxing effects to the patient. So, in order to have some fun and relax your mood, plan for a short trip to parks, picnics or beaches.


• Maintain healthy eating habits: Adequate calories are required by the expectant mother for the better growth and development of fetus. Healthy eating habits will also make up the calorie requirement of mother and will make you relaxed. Avoid the fatty and caffeine containing foods.


• Exercise: The adequate aerobic exercise is beneficial for production of endorphins to maintain a healthy and refreshing mood. Make sure you do exercises regularly and frequently.

You can also learn from a mom who talks about her experience about dealing with depression during pregnancy from the video below:

3. Try Psychotherapy or Acupuncture
Different psychotherapies are often being used for the depression. The approach of these therapies is to focus on reducing strain in relationships and identifying pessimistic thoughts to change them. Different researches have proved that acupuncture can also alleviate the depression by targeting the acupuncture points. But look for a professional acupuncturist for help relieving depression during pregnancy, instead of doing it by yourself.

How to Get Over Depression

How to Get Over Depression

Depression is a state of mind which leaves you feeling sad, upset and cynical. You end up feeling stuck in a situation or space, where nothing could make you feel better. Depression is quite common and easily treatable, but it is devious in the sense that it keeps you away from doing things which would make you start feeling better.

A person ends up with low self-esteem, no excitement and energy and thus feels furthermore depressed. One should treat depression like any other physical disorder and aim to correct it. The treatment will help in getting back to the proper mental state and out of depression.

How to Get Over Depression


1. Connect With Your Emotional Side
Every day we go through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. We might be bright and cheery one day and the very next day we might feel like we were run over by a bulldozer. Most of the days, we are somewhere in between these feelings. If we introspect we will be able to identify the pattern of these emotions and the next time we feel low, it will be easier to remind that it is just a phase. The knowledge that something is temporary will make it easier to survive and get through.

2. Look for Positivity
Our state of mind depends on the type of thoughts we have, which in turn depends a lot on the type of people around us. If we are surrounded by people who are negative and cynical, it tends to make us have the same thought process. We have to ensure that we consciously look for positive people and share their thought process, understand how they view the world. It will tend to rub off a little and bring positivity.

3. Change Your Environment
When a person is depressed, they tend to start associating their mood with the things around them. It becomes easy to associate problems with things around us, and they become constant reminders of things that are bothering us. Making small changes at home or work place, like changing the seating arrangement, adding memorabilia, putting up more lights can make a lot of difference. No radical changes are required, just small adjustments and the mood can change.

4. Get Sufficient Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is very essential for the body and mind. It helps in keeping you refreshed. Do not have alcohol or caffeine before bed, and you may take a warm bath to relax the body. Switch off all the lights and television around the bed. Do not engage yourself in activities like Stressful work or high energy workout. To sleep well you need to have a tired body and a quiet mind.

5. Engage in Social Activities
Keeping yourself engaged with people around you will help in getting over the feeling of depression. Going for movies, art-galleries, museums, meals or even coffee will help in socializing and forgetting your problems. Keep connected with close family and friends in the real world, not online. They tend to act as a support system when you need them and it is good to keep away feeling of isolation. It is not necessary to share your plight, but just get involved in having fun.

6. Go Hiking
Exercise is very good for the mental health as it is responsible for releasing endorphins, which makes you feel good. Walking, strolling and biking are all good for you. Going on hikes to places you have never been to before keeps your mind occupied and gets you out of the feeling of being trapped. Looking at the nature – sky, trees, birds and flowers – gives different perspective and also gives a feeling of joy and relaxation. It might feel silly, but just try hugging a tree; you might feel like all your sorrows are dissolving away.

7. Relax with a Massage
Massage to pamper yourself relaxes your body and your mind and also gives you something to look forward to. If you cannot afford them, turn to your friends or family. Even a basic massage without special skills is helpful and relaxing. If you plan on getting deep massages like shiatsu or Rolfing, you should get them from someone who has experience with clients having depression, as these techniques can bring out emotional feelings.

8. Pen Down Your Thoughts
Penning down your feelings helps in creating an outlet. You can send emails (to yourself) where you just speak out everything that bothers you. The feeling of talking to someone without being judged helps in getting a little distance. Drawing, doodling or scribbling is also very helpful to get your emotions out. You can use a lot of colors and you need not be good at it, it is just an outlet for you to express your feelings and emotions.

9. Communicate With Friends
You can choose which friends you would like to talk to. You can tell them to just listen to you and not give any input or advice unless you ask for it. Since most of the friends would want to make you feel better, they will tend to start giving advice, and you can ask them not to. Sometimes not talking, just being together can go a long way. Knowing and feeling their presence can help a lot and get you out of the feeling of isolation.

10. Watch a Funny TV Show or Movie
You can trick your brain into feeling happy by watching anything that makes you feel happy or makes you laugh. It seems too simple and silly, but this actually makes the brain believe you are happy. You can watch a funny movie, catch your favorite sitcom or even read a funny book. You can repeatedly do this activity to remind your brain that you feel good.

11. Eat Healthy
Depression can alter your food habits, by making you over-eat comfort foods or even avoid food. This can affect your health and your mood. There is no magic diet to fix depression, but making conscious effort to watch what you eat is a good idea. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like Salmon and Tuna and foods with folic acid like spinach and avocado are said to be helpful in relieving depression.

Depression

Depression






Not all the people affected with depression would be sad and low with energy. Depression is a disorder that may affect your way of thinking and modify your mood. Depression is of many types and every person would not react in the same manner while affected with depression. For some it may affect routine activities and give a sense of hopelessness and loss of interest. They may feel that there is nothing worth to live anymore. It can also create various ranges of physical and emotional problems. It may affect healthy relationships and reputation at workplace.

Depression would not resolve without treatment and most of the symptoms can be managed by medications. Depression is not a disease and hence you can do nothing to prevent it. Depression is likely to occur due to certain biological factors and imbalance of chemicals in your brain on which you have absolutely no control. Why only some people undergo depression is still a mystery.

Symptoms :

Depression can cause unhappiness, feelings of sadness, tiredness, lack of energy, loss of interest, frustration, and reduced sex drive, changes in appetite, change in weight, anxiety and frequent thoughts about death. Some people may feel worthless most of the time and think there is no meaning in life. They may have trouble in concentrating and making decisions. It can also cause frequent physical as well as emotional problems. In extreme cases, depressed people make suicide attempts seriously and sometimes they may succeed. For some people symptoms are severe and obvious and for others signs are subtle and they remain gloomy for reasons unknown.

Types of Depression :

To treat an individual having depression, the doctor would identify the type of depression using certain features.

• Major Depression :

This type of people would lose interest in activities that gave pleasure before (like sex or watching movies etc.). It can cause sudden loss of weight or gain. They might have trouble in getting to sleep or some people would feel sleepy most of the day. They would become tired and lose energy and feel “slowed down” for unknown reasons. They may have problems in taking decisions. In extreme cases they may get thoughts of suicide.

• Persistent Depression :

It is also known as chronic (long lasting) depression which may last for many years. This type of people may lack energy, may have low self esteem and change in appetite. They would have problems in getting quality sleep and might have trouble in making decisions due to low concentration. This type of depression affects millions of people around the globe and it can be managed with medications and therapy.

• Bipolar Disorder :

Also known as manic depression, bipolar signifies two major extremes of mood. The person affected with this disorder may show elevated mood followed by depressive phase. Mood stabilizers are often given for treating bipolar disorder.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder :

SAD is not categorized under major type of depression. This can happen to millions of people during winter months when there is less sunlight. Taking antidepressants and therapy can help in improving the mood.

• Psychotic Depression :

A person with this kind of depression may show psychotic signs like seeing unusual things or hearing voices of non-existent people. They would be in a state of paranoia (doubtful) and worried.

• Postpartum Depression :

This is the type of depression that occurs to women after childbirth. They would be in a state of glue and can easily be treated with antidepressant medications.

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Depression :

Many women may get into depressive mood before the onset of menstrual cycle each month. It can cause anxiety, change in mood, irritability, trouble in getting sleep and tiredness.

• Atypical Depression :

People with this depression will not have any sad feeling or hopelessness. Their mood often gets elevated with some positive events. They might show signs like overly sleepy, oversensitive and eating too much and feeling heavy.

Symptoms of Depression in Children :

Even children may develop depression due to change in brain activities. They would show symptoms like irritability, persistent sadness, clinginess, frequent complaint about body pain and frequent absence to school. Teenagers may show signs of irritability, hopelessness, anger, poor performance at school, avoiding friends and social interaction. They may start eating too much and may spend more time for sleeping. Depression may occur along with other mental disorders like ADHD, anxiety disorder and eating disorders.

• In Elderly People :

Depression can be identified in old people through symptoms like change in personality, withdrawal from society, loss of appetite, loss of interest, avoiding social interaction and suicidal thoughts.

Causes :

Exact cause of depression is still an unsolved puzzle. It is considered to develop due to many factors like change or imbalance of hormones, imbalance in chemicals of brain, sudden physical changes in your brain and due to traumatic events in life. Everyone will be in depressed mood if sudden death of loved ones occurs. But you should see that your mood swing should not affect your routine activities.

Who are at risk?

• Depression is believed to start in teens but it may happen at any age. Adolescents will undergo plenty of physical and emotional changes which can cause imbalance in hormones.


• People with a history of depression or other mental disorders are likely to develop depression.


• Death or loss of loved ones can cause depression.


• Serious conflicts in family can trigger symptoms of depression.


• Individuals who are physically abused or sexually abused can develop depression easily.


• Long term use of certain medications can cause depression. Prolonged use of alcohol and substance can also trigger depression symptoms.


• Chronic illness like cancer, AIDS or heart disease can induce depression.

Complications :

Depression can cause serious impact on your relationships at family and office. You may put on more weight or may become addicted to alcohol. Severe stage of depression can invoke suicidal thoughts and even attempts.

Tests :

Based on the symptoms your doctor would initially request for complete blood test and other basic tests to rule out any physiological problems. He would refer to a psychiatrist who would give you a questionnaire and based on your answers he would make the diagnosis. According to the DSM manual of psychiatric disorders, one should have at least one or two symptoms given below to be diagnosed for depression.

• Loss of interest in activities that causes pleasure


• Feeling sad or in depressed mood (for unknown reason)


• Increased desire to sleep


• Feeling hopeless and getting slowed down


• Trouble in making decisions and difficulty in concentration


• Repeated thoughts of suicide and attempts of suicide

Treatment :

Based on the type of depression, your psychiatrist would prescribe medications. SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the popular drugs for treating depression. Drugs like fluoxtine, paroxetine or citalopram are effective. For some people, SNRI drugs like cymbalta or effexor XR are given. Antidepressant medications like trazodone or mirtazapine are also prescribed. You need to talk to your doctor about the possible side effects.

Tricyclic antidepressants like Tofranil would produce fewer side effects when compared to other drugs. If other drugs are not suitable for you, your doctor may prescribe monamine oxidase inhibitors like tranylcypromine or phenelzine. Often your doctor may combine two medications for getting maximum improvement in mood.

One difficulty in treating depression is it takes time for finding the right set of drugs. A set of drugs effective for one person may not produce the desired changes for the other. It might take several weeks or even months for your doctor to find the right set of medications for you. Never stop taking antidepressant drugs abruptly. If your doctor feels so, he would taper the drugs before he stops it. Pregnant women should avoid taking antidepressants since it can cause health hazards to the fetus. Taking antidepressant drugs can cause increased suicidal thoughts. If there is any change in behavior or mood, you should report it to your doctor promptly.

• Psychotherapy :

There are variety of methods in psychotherapy like cognitive behavior, dialectic behavior and commitment therapy. These techniques would help you to adjust effectively to a crisis and make modifications in your behavior. Gradually you will develop positive thoughts and identify issues that trigger depression. You will learn to tolerate distress and gain satisfaction in taking control of your life. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy is given by passing controlled rate of electric currents into the brain. Similarly magnetic stimulation method can also be used for stimulating the brain cells that triggers mood swings.

Lifestyle Changes :

You should understand that depression needs to be treated and it will not resolve on its own. Stick on to your medications and treatment even if you are fine since stopping the antidepressants can worsen the symptoms. Don’t ignore warning signals and discuss with your doctor frankly.

Avoid drinking and practice exercise regularly. This can help in enhancing your mood for sure. Get enough of sleep. Some people use St. John’s wort (an herbal remedy) for treating depression. Join yoga class or meditation which can help in improving the quality of life.

Prevention :

There is no way you can prevent getting depression, since it is believed to be caused by changes in brain chemicals. Pay attention to warning signs and stay close to your family and relations.