Depression is a very real and treatable illness. Depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. Depression is very common and affects as many as one in eight people in their teen years. Depressed mood is generally situational and reactive, and associated with grief, loss, or a major social transition. Sadness is a part of being human, a natural reaction to painful circumstances. All of us will experience sadness at some point in our lives. Depression, however, is a physical illness with many more symptoms than an unhappy mood. Depression affects people of every color, race, economic status, or age; however, it does seem to affect more females than males during adolescence and adulthood. It is usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder. Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease. This pamphlet briefly describes three of the most common types of depressive disorders. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.
Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. It is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). There is no single cause for depression. Many factors play a role including genetics, environment, medical conditions, life events, and certain thinking patterns that affect a person's reaction to events. Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. This condition is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It usually happens during the winter. A less common type of SAD happens in the summer. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed. Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down". Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions. Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.
Ayurvedic Herbal Home Remedies for Depression Tips
1.Add some fresh Rose petals to a cup of boiling water. Add sugar and drink whenever feeling depressed.
2.An Apple eaten with milk and honey is very good to uplift a mood. Good Home Remedy for Depression.
3.Powder the seeds of 2 green cardamoms. Add to 1 cup of boiling water, add sugar and drink this tea twice a day.
4.A neutral immersion bath for one hour daily is also helpful in the treatment of depression.
5.Relaxation and meditation are also effective measures in the treatment of depression. The best method of relaxation is to practice shavasana or the dead pose. Meditation involves training the mind to remain fixed on a particular external or internal location. Mediation helps to create balance in the nervous system. Effective Home Remedy for Depression.
6.Diet has a profound effect on the treatment of depression.
7.Morpheme Memocare is a combination of brain boosting herbs like Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Vacha, Mulathi and others, which guards against stress, depression and improves learning ability in a natural way
8.Lying down, in a dark room, maybe getting a 1/2 hour of sleep,will always make you feel better.
9.Another domestic remedy for depression is a tea made of Indian basil (tulsi) and sage. Use 1/4 teaspoon tulsi and 1/2 teaspoon of sage per cup of hot water; drink twice a day.
10.Blanch 5-7 rosemary leaves in a boiling cup of water, add honey, wait 3 minutes and drink.
11.Warm avocado leaves and put them on forehead.
12.Cook and eat: white rice with lily bulb, palm and tulip (add nothing more).
13.Cook 3-4 tablespoons of oatmeal to 1 cup of rice milk or soy milk, boil and stir for a minute on law temperature. Can add nuts, almonds, dried fruits, maple syrup or honey.
14.Blanch mint to make tea and drink.
15.Stir 1 teaspoon of lavender leaves to a cup of boiling water, cool and drink 3 times daily.
16.Eat: Nuts, cheese and a spoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.
17.Eat at least 5 bananas a day, Reduce to one in time.
18.Eat a lot of pumpkin seeds.
19.Various yogic asanas such as halasana, paschimottanasana, sarvangasana, shavasana, shalabhasana, vakrasana, bhujangasana and pranayamas like kapalbhati, bhastrika are highly beneficial in the treatment of depression.
20.Cook 3-4 tablespoons of oatmeal to 1 cup of rice milk or soy milk, boil and stir for a minute on law temperature.
Home Remedies For Depression
People with depression are simply not able to carry on their lives normally. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. When these symptoms become very intense, they start interfering with one's ability to normally carry out even the daily chores. The person feels unable to do anything about it; other people need to help him out of this depressive situation. Appropriate treatment is required to help most people who suffer from depression.
Symptoms:
The symptoms that help identify depression include:
-Constant feelings of sadness, irritability.
-Feeling exhausted most of the time, despite lack of activity.
-Decreased interest social activities.
-Significant weight change.
-A change in sleeping pattern, such as difficulty sleeping or early morning awakening.
-Lack of confidence.
-Spends a lot of time thinking about what has gone wrong or what will go wrong.
-Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
-Physical pain, which has no apparent physical
-Thoughts of suicide or death
If you or somebody close to you is experiencing any of these symptoms, you must consult a doctor right away.
What causes depression?
Causes of depression are still unknown, Depression has no single cause - it may result from a combination of things. However, it can be triggered by:
-Trauma and stress - financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a near one can bring in depression.
-Loss of social support such as the loss of a job
-Poverty.
-Physical conditions - chronic illness such as Parkinson's, diabetes, HIV or cancer
-Side-effects of medications.
-Hormonal changes that affect mood, such as the onset or end of menstruation, menopause.
-Alcohol abuse
-Hereditary - depression may run in families, and parents may pass on the defective genes.
-People with low self-esteem, or who are pessimistic.
-Psychological disorders such as anorexia.
-Some scientists suggest that overexposure to electro-magnetic smog from computer terminals and kitchen appliances, especially the microwave oven, upset the balance of the body's own electromagnetic field and leads to depression.
-Being physically or sexually abused.
-Family conflicts, especially between parents.
Depression in women -
Women are prone to depression twice as compared to men. Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women particularly factors as menstrual cycle, pregnancy, miscarriage, premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Many women also face additional tensions such as responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood, and caring for children.
How to diagnose depression:
A good diagnostic assessment will include a complete history of the patient's symptoms, i.e., when it started, how severe they are, are they recurrent, whether any previous treatment was given, if yes, then what treatment. The doctor should enquire about physical abuse or alcohol and drug use. Further, a history should include information about whether other family members have had a depressive illness.
Can depression be treated?
?Yes, depression can be treated.
?About 80% of people treated for depression get better.
?Both medication and therapy can effectively treat depression.
What happens, if depression is left untreated?
Depression if untreated, can affect:
-Social behaviour, along with normal day to day functioning
-Self-esteem and confidence
-Can lead to drug abuse, disruptive behaviours, violence and aggression,
-Even lead to suicide
Depression is a serious problem that demands a serious medical approach. However, you need to first recognize what is causing it.
How to treat depression?
Most people with depression never seek medical help, even though the majority will respond to treatment. Treating depression is especially important because it affects you, your family, and your work. Depression is a curable illness.
Treatment includes a combination of professional counseling, drug therapy, and family support.
Love, appreciation and normal communication are some of the most important things you should provide to help the person cope with depression. Do not be critical of the person at any stage.
A change in normal lifestyle habits can help reduce symptoms of depression. Encourage the person to:
?Go in for some light exercise regularly, such as swimming, walking.
?Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs.
?Get a good and refreshing sleep
?Eat a balanced diet.
?Be optimistic. Positive thinking is very important in recovering from depression.
Change will not come overnight - but with the right treatment, you can keep depression from overshadowing your life. Early treatment of depression will bring about the best results. Think positive, recovery will happen, but gradually.
Are anti-depressants helpful?
Many psychiatric drugs have not been satisfactorily tested in patients, so we do not know for sure the risks or the benefits of these medications.
The thumb rule is caution while giving antidepressants - They should be neither a first nor a last resort. If given, anti-depressants should not be stopped abruptly, because it may lead to a withdrawal syndrome that includes dizziness, nausea, seizures and anxiety.
Side effects of anti-depressants:
The side effects vary depending on the drug, but can include:
?Insomnia
?Sleepiness
?Increased anxiety
?Nausea or vomiting
?Headaches
?Dizziness
?Weight gain or loss
Beware! Anti depressants can trigger off suicidal behaviour!
Some helpful home remedies for depression ?
Home remedy for depression is the best solution as it is free from any side effects.
-Ayurveda recommends yoga, massage and meditation, which increases the energy of life. Yoga exercises help to increase the circulation of oxygen in the system and helps keeps the mind relaxed. Deep breathing exercises or ?pranayama? help the body and mind to relax.
-Try to distract your mind. Listen to your favourite music, do the things you are fond of, eat something good, go out with friends ? bring a change in your daily routine, and it will help cope with depression.
-Aromatherapy helps the body relax and revive the nervous system. Inhalation of some herbal oils like rose, jasmine, lime, and grapefruit are considered a natural remedy for depression.
-Cashew nuts are extremely beneficial in treating depression, as it is a rich source of vitamin B. It ensures body activeness and energy levels.
-Take daily walks. Fresh air and deep breathing exercises are both good in aiding relaxation.
Avoid black tea, kava tea, tobacco and alcohol. Eat more wheat germ, which is an energizer. Pears, apples, and nuts assist the nervous system in functioning properly.
TALK TO SOMEONE IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE DEPRESSED'IT MAY JUST WORK!!
Both Juliet Cohen & Candy Williams are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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