Depression

Those that have depression described it as a feeling of a heavy black curtain of despair that envelops their lives.It can also have the feeling of being in a Goldfish Bowl everyone seems to be looking at you,everything looks distorted and often you cant seem to hear them, this affects your life, and also the lives of those around you. It can disrupts how you function as well , eating , sleeping, and the ability to get along with others. most that who suffer from it have the feeling that no one cares so they think they are suffering alone its hard to say how many of the world population suffer this,

A rough estimate is 1 in 5 People,have some form of depression.

This condition can be treated, By your Doctor and also with Complimentary Therapies.

Often associated with Adults

Everyone from Children too Adolescents can suffer with it,

Age or Sex has no barriers,

Its Important to know that there its not a case of you are depressed or you are not Its a gradual progression from feeling Low to the Full clinical De pression, and the symptons can vary from person to person

So its important to do something about it early if you can There are Books, Relaxation techniques, Breathing Exercises are really Heplful ,Helplines,Guided Meditations are really good

Look for a Local Tai Chi Class,

Reiki Treatments, is also very good

Contact me for more help

Causes

There may be an obvious reason for becoming depressed, Sometimes That's not the case. There Normally is more than one reason and every one have different reasons.

It can seem obvious why a bereavement, relationship breakdown, the birth of a child can trigger it of as, it could be anything that has happened that's not part of daily routine it’s never always clear.

People often don’t realise just how depressed they have become because the depression as mentioned earlier comes on gradually. often there is a desire to struggle on and with the attitude I'm alright i can cope i have been guilty of this,Then you start to do things and try and keep busy and these are normally the wrong things to do and you end up feeling exhausted and even more stressed & exhausted. This can cause pains, such as constant headaches, or sleeplessness.Stomach tensions and pains caused by too much Acid build up

Symptoms of depression include:

Losing interest in life/Loss of interest or pleasure

Finding it harder to make decisions

Depressed or irritable mood most of the day, nearly every day

Not coping with things that used to be manageable

Exhaustion

Feeling restless and agitated

Loss of appetite and weight

Changes in weight or appetite

Difficulties getting to sleep

Feeling guilty or worthless

Thoughts of death or suicide

Treatment

Talking treatments like Counselling helps you to talk about your feelings in private with a sympathetic professional. Your GP may have a counsellor at the surgery. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help to overcome the powerful negative thoughts that are part of depression. Interpersonal and dynamic therapies can help if you have difficulties getting on with other people. A relationship counsellor might be helpful if you're having difficulties with your partner. If you have a disability or are caring for a relative, a self-help group may give you support. Medication Antidepressants can be effective if depression is severe or goes on for a long time. They may help feelings of anxiety and help you to deal with problems effectively again.

The effects of antidepressants won’t usually be felt straight away - people often don't notice any improvement in their mood for two or three weeks. As well as tablets, an alternative remedy called St John's Wort is available from chemists. There is evidence that it’s effective in mild to moderate depression. It seems to work in much the same way as some antidepressants, but some people find that it has fewer side effects. You should discuss taking it with your doctor, particularly if you‘re taking other medication.

Like all medicines, antidepressants have some side effects, though these are usually mild and tend to wear off as the treatment goes on. The newer antidepressants (called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may cause nausea and anxiety for a short while. The older antidepressants can cause dry mouth and constipation. Unless the side effects are very bad, your doctor will usually advise you to continue with the tablets.

Complementary therapies

Many people are interested in using complementary therapies to relieve depression. There is evidence that the herbal medicine known as St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) can help many people with mild to moderate depression. However,We do not yet know whether it is effective in treating more severe depression.

Before taking St John’s Wort check with your doctor or pharmacist especially if you are taking other kinds of medication, for example for heart disease, epilepsy, asthma, or migraine, as St John’s Wort may effect how these drugs work.

Relaxation techniques like Tai Chi Reiki,Meditation, Yoga. Aromatherapy, massage,Accupressue Massage and acupuncture, may also help people cope when they are feeling low.

If you are trying a complementary therapy as well as receiving medical treatment you should inform your doctor so that the effects can be monitored.

Stress Management Workbook

Adolescent Depression

Depression in adolescence exhibits the same symptoms as it does in adults. However, teens may show their symptoms differently than adults do. For instance, persistent sadness, hopelessness and helplessness are common symptoms of depression. A teen may not outwardly talk of these feelings, but they may wear black clothing, write morbid poetry, or draw disturbing pictures to project their feelings. Sleep disturbances are another common symptom of depression, and in teens this may often be overlooked as laziness. Teens that continually miss classes and avoid hanging out with friends may be experiencing the lack of energy, apathy, and reduced motivation that is associated with depression. Appetite changes can lead to the development of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Poor performance in school could be due to concentration problems and slowed cognitive thinking. Substance abuse and malicious rebellion may also be signs of adolescent depression.

Debt and Stress 8 Tips to overcome this

5 Ways to Help Beat Depression

Tai Chi & Depression

Meditation

Try these Breathing Exercises

Reiki & Depression

Yoga

These Therapies Somtimes help us To understand why we are depressed and how we can better cope with stressful situations. Depending on the situation, treatments may consist of individual, group or family counseling. This always depends on the individual

Therapy is very good for Teens to change their negative patterns of thinking and behavior, and develop healthier relationships both at home and at school.

Normaly medication is reserved for severe cases when treating adolescent who have not responded to therapy alone. The teenage brain is still developing, and many mental health specialists are reluctant to add medication if it is not truly necessary.

Childhood

It isnt just an adult state of mind - children suffer from the condition, too.

Just like adults do. Roughly 1 in 20 of children and adolescents in the World population May suffer at any given point in time. Although in childhood it may not occur quite as frequently as adolescent or adult depression, it’s still a serious disorder that needs a close check if you have dealings with Younger Children

What causes it?

The causes are not fully understood. Many factors can contribute, such as losing a loved one (or in children,even a good friendship breaking up or parental split), illness, stress, family problems ) and problems (such as bullying) at school. Some children are more resilient to difficulties than others, so that while some cope, others become depressed.

Who's affected?

It was once considered by a lot of psychiatrists children were incapable of experiencing because they didnt have the emotional maturity to feel Down. a lot of children will feel low at times.

At least two per cent of children under 12 struggle with it and by the time they have reached teenage years it has risen to 1 in 20 A lot of Adults Can relate to there symptoms before the age of 20

What are the symptoms

There are many symptoms related to this condition make it difficult to spotcommon,symtonsin children include:

simply appearing unhappy much of the time

headaches,

stomach aches,

tiredness and other vague physical complaints which appear to have no obvious cause

spending a lot of time in bed but sleeping badly and waking early in the morning

doing badly at school

major changes in weight

being unusually irritable, sulky or becoming quiet and introverted

losing interest in favourite hobbies

having poor self-esteem or recurrent feelings of worthlessness

Contemplating Suicide

It's not always easy to spot in children, because they're less capable of expressing their feelings and often tend to react to their moods in a more physical way. So, while some children are clearly sad, withdrawn and tearful, others may become hyperactive troublesome bullies.

If you Are worried about your Child, especially if they've had symptoms for longer than three to four weeks, you should talk to your GP. Talk to your children's friends, too, Try to get a different Veiw on their feelings.

If your child ever talks about suicide you should always take them seriously and get expert advice. Children's threats are often dismissed as being empty or no more than attention seeking. It's important to involve other family members and improve communication and support within the family.

this condition is poorly understood but some children are more at risk, particularly those who have a physical illness, have been abused, or come from a home where there is marital disharmony or family breakdown.

However, many simpler worries can also trigger an episode of depression, such as exam fears.

The mental health charity Rethink has further advice Depession in Children

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Meditation can help try this Free Guided Meditation

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