"Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it."  ~Mark Twain


Today I would like to continue with my series of stress related disorders namely, depression. We all sing the "Blues" once in a while, especially during the winter months when there is less sunlight. As a matter of fact there is a mental health condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, which is a form of depression that comes from diminished sunlight. 
There are millions of people worldwide, who suffer from depression which can be a debilitating mental condition. Research has shown your negative feelings and pessimism are related to physiological changes in your brain. When there is anBrain showing depression Healthy brainimbalance of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters that control signals in your brain and nerves, you may feel extreme melancholy. Your brain needs the right amount of these chemicals to keep you feeling good and emotionally healthy. Depression therefore occurs when the messages between brain cells are not distributed evenly causing  a disruption of your inner communication system.

A good example of this concept is the childhood game of telephone, the first person whispers a message to another person, the second person to someone else, and so on. Usually by the time the message gets to the final person and he/she has to repeat it out loud, the information is inaccurate and may be jumbled up so that it makes no sense. This is what occurs when there is miscommunication between neurons, the final signals are scrambled.

A combination of physical imbalances in the brain as well as environmental factors may cause melancholy.  Genetics are one, if there is depression in family members, this trait may be passed on from generation to generation. Trauma and stressful situations may cause depression, such as illness or death of a loved one, major financial worries, job issues, etc. Low self-esteem can also trigger melancholia because of a negative and pessimistic attitude towards life.  I would like to reiterate, that we all feel these emotions at one time or another, but when they are extreme and completely stop us from acting, it is time to get psychological help.

If you think that you may be suffering from depression, here are some of the symptoms. 
  • You cannot concentrate on anything
  • You may experience insomnia.
  • You have a lack of appetite.
  • You have intense feelings of sadness with intermittent episodes of crying.
  • You are always agitated.
  • You feel as if you have no hope.
  • You entertain thoughts of suicide.
Please don't feel there is no way out of depression, help awaits. All you have to do is ask for it.

The next part of my blog will deal with remedies for coping with depression.

There are many reputable psychiatrists and or psychotherapists out there who can give you the counseling that can help you deal with your depression. Make sure that you choose someone that you can trust and feel at ease with. Therapy can be quite painful because troubling issues will be brought out.  With gentle guidance, your counselor can help you to cope with your problems and teach you how to deal with them in a rational and healthy manner.  More importantly, he/she will help you to move on with your life.A combination of therapy and anti-depressant drugs that help balance your brain chemicals have proven to be an effective way to ease this mental illness. There are also many alternative approaches that are effective.

Nutrients that improve your mood.
  • B Vitamins help your brain to run smoothly. Emotionally, they lift your spirits, calm your anxiety, and help to keep you energized.
  • Amino Acids, are proteins that the neurotransmitters come from. Serotonin, is the chemical that anti-depressant drugs try to replicate, and Melatonin is the transmitter involved with our body's sleeping and waking rhythms. You can well imagine, if these are out of balance, you will not feel good.  Therefore, it is important that you ingest enough amino acids. They are are found in foods like salmon, brown rice and turkey. Another amino acid, Tyrosine, is needed to produce the chemical Dopamine and Norepinephrine which also keep your brain function running smoothly. These are found naturally in bananas, dairy products, almonds and avocados. If you would prefer, you may purchase purchase these amino acids as supplements.  Do not take Tyrosine if your doctor has prescribed an MAO inhibitor which is an anti-depressant drug.
By the way, St. Johns Wort, as discussed in previous blogs, is an effective way to improve your mood and can be used for mild to moderate depression. It has less side effects than many of the drugs on the market today. Please check with your doctor before taking this.

Here is a tea blend that has proven to be a good way to help those of you who have difficulty functioning.
  • Mix 2 tbsp each of Yarrow, St. John's Wort and Peppermint leaves.
  • Put 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp of the combination. 
  • Let sit for 10 minutes, strain and drink.
  • You may drink 2-4 cups a day for a few weeks.
Sometimes allergies to certain foods can cause mild depression. Stay away from too much saturated fats, sugars and complex carbohydrates. Don't drink alcohol because it is a depressant.  Do try to exercise.  It gives you energy and releases "feel good endorphins" which are just what you need.

Remember,  there is hope for those of you who suffer from depression!


Reference

The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
      Pittsburgh, PA.
Depression Guide