Conquering Depression

Is Ice Cream the great antidepressant that we all have been waiting for. My father and Grandfather manufactured milk and ice cream for years, I bet they would be surprised to learn that they were in the medical profession.

New research published in the journal Nature Neuroscience this month doesn’t go so far as to say that ice cream is an antidepressant but it does say that a brain chemical called ghrelin that encourages the eating of ice cream could be.

There has long been a relationship between depression and comfort food, although a lot of the relationship is caused by the drugs the doctors prescribe. The tricyclic antidepressants especially have along history of patient weight gain and even some of the newer ones like Remeron have the same problem.

A lot of the research on this brain chemical called ghrelin, which has been shown to cause experimental rats to eat more and consequentially gain more weight. So they came up with an experimental drug to give the rats that combats the ghrelin and eliminates the hunger pangs and the weight gain.

I guess that all this research will lead somewhere but like usual they are trying to cure a symptom instead of trying to cure the depression.

Anyway the jury is still out on this cure but lets weight and see if ice cream is the great antidepressant.

Sources:
ABC News October 20, 2008

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The food and drug Administration approved Neuronetics Inc.’s NeuroStar therapy specifically for patients who have had no success what-so-ever from their first Anti-depressant. The theory behind this move is that they believe it’s better to try this approach than to try pill after pill.

This is the first non-invasive treatment brain simulator to be used to treat depression. The treatment beams magnetic impulses through the brain and skull, this triggers small magnetic charges which cause the brain cells to fire.

 There seams to be a lot confusion as to wether the treatment works or not. The National Institute of Health is doing there own research to confirm or deny the results. There study should be done some time after the first of the year.

If this proves true it would sure be a blessing to those who’s only recourse, as they see it, is invasive surgery on the brain which has always left a lot to be desired.

Sources:
ABC News October 20, 2008

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When holiday seasons quickly approach, you may find that you are preparing meals, wrapping presents, getting the house prepared for guest, trimming the tree and more. Holiday seasons used to be something that would feel like it would last forever now everything is so rushed that it feels like the seasons come and go so quickly. For some people, Christmas is not so memorable and they may become depressed and feel sad and alone.

Learning to deal with depression during the holiday season is very important for everyone. We all become over-stressed and the feeling of being overwhelmed can easily creep in and may ruin the entire holiday season with sadness. Use some meditation methods to learn to control stress.

If depression has become severe or you feel like you cannot gain control you may need to see your medical professional for treatment. There are some things that you can do at home to prevent depression during the holiday seasons in order to prevent yourself from becoming depressed. Holidays are special and for that reason you want to be able to enjoy every minute of it.

There are several reasons you might feel depressed and sad during the holidays; loss of a loved one, little or no money, the coldness, snow or rain, and more. Because the holiday’s makes you think back to a childhood moment around that time of year you may feel happy or sad if it is a sad memory. Depression is more common today than what it was years ago. That is because today doctors are more aware of the symptoms of depression and they also have more treatments available for those who suffer from depression. When someone experiences depression they may feel tired all the time, unable to participate in anything, overwhelmed with guilt for some reason, can cry at anything, and more. Because symptoms of depression are so common, it may also be mistaken for another disorder with similar symptoms.

To avoid becoming depressed during the holiday seasons you may want to try these tips that will encourage and inspire you.

* Bake cakes and cookies to give to a nursing home or a neighbor next door. Giving warms the heart and puts a smile on your face.

* Sing Christmas carols to get into the holiday mood.

* Visit friends or family. Make this something that you do every holiday season. You can visit one person a day or over a weekend, which ever fits into your schedule. Before you leave, give your friends or family a hug. Our bodies respond to a hug in a positive way and sometimes that is all we need to feel happy.

What ever you do during the holiday seasons, remember to stay positive. It’s okay to think about the past as long as you don’t let it get you down. Making sure that you have a positive attitude will rub off and have a positive affect on everyone’s holiday season. Because the holidays are filled with mixed emotion it will be nice to end the holiday season with a smile on your face.

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You can increase your happiness by limiting your choices seams almost unAmerican or uncivilized. As a society every add you see express the idea that the more choices we have the more freedom we have and of course the happier we become.

After watching the video at the bottom of this article I began thinking about an experience I had two weeks ago. Out pool liner had deteriorated to the point of no more procrastination. It needed to be replaced Now! Got a couple of estimates, chose the company I would use and then he gives me this whole catalog of liner choices.

My wife in her infinite wisdom said the choice was all mine. I thought and stressed for two days trying to make the best choice. I had got so caught up in making the perfect choice that I had completely forgot that the salesman had told me that the best choices were on page one and I could get the heaver liner for the price of the lighter. There were two choices on page one I liked one the other thumbs down.

The point I’m trying to make is this, If I had been given just the two choices in the beginning I could of made the decession in an instant. So in this case more choices led to a couple of days of mild stress trying to pick to “Perfect” liner.

I think if you watch the video you’ll find the Psychologist Barry Schwartz has made some surprising observation in his study on “freedom of choice”. He concludes that a multitude of choices leads not to more happiness but rather just the opposite increasing dissatisfaction.

Watch the video and tell us what you think.

[Recorded in Oxford, UK July 2005 Duration:19:48]

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Depression help is being sought by more people than ever. There seems to be a very strange dichotomy in our society. On the one hand we are more successful, wealthier, longer lived, and technologically advanced than ever before. On the other hand, we are riddled with emotional pain and suffering, confusion and despair.

What’s going on here? Why are so many people in need of depression help when we know we have the best economy, the best technology, the best medicine, and the most leisurelylifestyles in history?

Well, let’s think about it. We are truly in the midst of a transition. Our economy is changing, so what once was a secure, good-paying job is now an easy way out the door. Our technology is rapidly developing, so that we need a brand new computer every year and a half, and we can’t keep up with the features on our cell phones. Decency and taste seem to now be considered passe by Hollywood and TV. We seem to be racing down a river coming up at us too fast.

Surely some of the many changes are wondrous. But which ones? Human beings are great at adaptation, yet at the very same time we are fearful of too much change too fast. Now, is rapid change the cause, or even the main cause, of depression? Probably not. But it’s onecontributing factor.

The important thing is to recognize that depression treatment does not need to come from drugs. This does not mean that drugs are never useful for treating depression. But they are OVER prescribed. That’s all. There are plenty of times when we can take personal action to alleviate the terrible symptoms of depression.

We use drugs to treat many, many debilitating things in our society because we act like we can’t comprehend where these problems really come from. Sometimes, that’s true. But also a great deal of the time we can, in fact, determine where problems like depression come from, and we can use non-drug treatments as a result.

If you think you may be falling into our already afflicted with depression, consider the following.

* Eat a good, healthy diet. If you’re not sure what that means, read up on health publications in print and on the Internet, and find out if your local radio stations feature any health talk. A healthy diet is one that is nutritious, not one that makes you feel underfed.

* Make sure you are getting 6-8 hours of sleep every single night. Our society has downplayed the importance of rest, seeing it as the sign of the “lazy” and the antithesis of our high-energy world. This is nonsense and can lead to serious health problems–yes, including feelings of depression.

* Don’t fall into isolation. People who are feeling depressed tend to go into themselves and become isolated–yet, this is typically just leads to MORE feelings of depression. Talk to other people about your feelings. If need be, join a support group.

* Think deeply about your goals. What are your hopes and dreams? What do you burn with a desire to accomplish before your earthly days are gone? Often depression wells up from a lack of a feeling of purpose. Renew your sense of purpose.

Depression help need not be drugs. Start with the simple things, and see how you can prevent or treat depression by paying attention to the way you live your life.

Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
6 Jan 2009 at 6:22pm



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6 Jan 2009 at 5:51pm



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