Typical symptoms of depression include prolonged feelings of intense sorrow and aversion to pleasurable activities. These symptoms are accompanied by sleeplessness or oversleeping, low self-esteem, excessive pessimism and guilt sentiments, among others. Clinical depression can destroy the life of the patient and the family members as well. It ruins intellect by affecting the foundations of rationality.

Bipolar depression is a severe condition of depression that has manic undertones. The bipolar disease has cyclical episodes of depression and mania. Due to this cyclical nature, it is commonly known as manic depression. Manic episodes can actually be violent and can also give rise to suicidal tendencies. In the bipolar II disorder, the manic phase that follows depression is much less severe in nature.

Like most other cases of depression, bipolar disorder is usually not recognized and accepted as a disease in its early stages. Many people who suffer from this condition do not even realize that they need some kind of treatment. Add the fear of social rejection, and we have a condition that remains untreated for a long time. But the fact remains that bipolar disorder is not likely to go away on its own. Unless some kind of a treatment regime is followed, the condition is only likely to get more severe with time.

Many times, patients suffering from bipolar disorders do not recognize their abnormal behavior or take initiatives for treating depression. In most cases, it is a family member that realizes the deviations in behavior and makes it apparent to the family. Often, the task of ensuring good medical care rests on the family members of the patient.

Physiological tests, like blood tests and brain scanning are unable to detect mental illnesses. All mental disorders, including bipolar disorder, are diagnosed by analyzing behavior patterns and performing psychological tests. Input from family and friends is extremely important in correct diagnosis.

Medication for bipolar disorder includes mood stabilizers, antidepressants and soporific drugs. As manic and depressive symptoms alternate based on the cyclic phase, the medication is given only after a keen understanding of the current phase. This requires a constant monitoring of symptoms so that the correct combination and dosage can be prescribed.

Bipolar disorder can last a lifetime. Though there is no known cure for the condition, a patient needs to be on medication at all times to ensure normal functioning.

Natural remedies for depression and psychosocial treatments prescribed by counselors or psychologists can help in a limited manner.

Diet management can significantly impact the proper functioning of the nervous system. Foods rich in proteins, folic acid, B-vitamins and minerals have a positive effect on overall mental health. Treating depression naturally by using nutritional supplements like St. John’s Wort and fish oil can help intelligently manage mild cases of bipolar disorder.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.newhope.com
http://www.nimh.nih.gov

An aggressive person will likely damage things or have fits and throw things around. Verbal abuse is often a trademark of aggression. They will yell threats, swear and try to intimidate people. More times than not the aggressive individual feels they are being provoked by something inside of him/her or something another person has done.

Aggressive episodes can be either short or last for a long time. This depends on the individual since one person might not be as aggressive as the next.

Aggression is not always intentional. A mental or behaviorial disorder often lead’s to aggressive behavior. Bipolar disorder, ADHD, tourettes syndrome and post traumatic stress disorders are all disorders that can lead to aggressive behavior.

Aggression can be a result of drug or alcohol abuse, genetics, sex abuse, keeping a weapon (such as a gun) at home or socioeconomic factors (ie. single parent or poverty). If someone is showing aggression then it is very likely that they are dealing with deep emotional problems.

Aggressive behavior is not easily diagnosed. To discover what is causing it the doctor will have to do a medical history check for other illnesses such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders or depression. There is a good chance of being referred to a psychiactrist or psychologist.

Aggressive behavior is not normally the ailment that is treated. The treatment is aimed at what the underlying problem is. Medications can be used for most mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder or ADHD. Along with the medication intense counseling might be in necessary.

Relaxion techniques can also help to stop aggressive episodes before they happen. Meditation and deep breathing techniques can go a long way in helping someone avoid a nasty situation. Anger management therapy is often beneficial to those suffering from aggressive behavior.

Natural remedies are being used by more people than ever to help stop aggressive behavior. They are easy to use and don’t have the side effects that prescription medications have. Chamomilla, nux vom and lycopodium are wonderful herbs for helping to keep your body and mind in a calm state.

These herbs also can help you be less irritable, frustrated and nervous. Try a search on the internet for a retailer that carries these products. There are also many tinctures that are geared specifically for helping to stop aggressive behavior.

Contrary to popular belief, insomnia is a symptom that is experienced by someone who is experiencing other health problems. A doctor will try to find the root cause of the problem that is causing the insomnia, rather than trying to treat the insomnia itself. Insomnia is, by definition, the inability to effectively initiate and maintain regular sleep. Sometimes insomnia can occur when an individual does not get enough sleep or sleep for a long enough period of time.

Sleeplessnes is a very common experience of people in the United States. A study showed that around 64 million people suffered from sleep issues during 2007. Women are much more likely to have sleep disturbances than men at the rate of 1.4 times more occurences.

There are three different kinds of insomnia that are regularly experienced by people all over the world. In each type the symptoms are the same, the only difference being how long the sleeplessness lasts.

~ Chronic Insomnia – This is the most serious of the three types. A person is considered to have chronic sleep issues when they have been experiencing sleeplessnes for a year or more. Some of the symptoms include: hallucinations, double vision, mental fatigue, tiredness and muscle fatigue. A person suffering with chronic insomnia will often seem to have hyper-alertness. It is not rare for everything to seem like it is in slow motion.

~ Acute Insomnia – Happens when someone cannot sleep normally for 3 weeks to 6 months.

~ Transient Insomnia – This can be caused by many things that are common to us in our fast-paced lifestyle such as: a change in where you are sleeping, when you go to bed, stress and major depression. Transient type typically lasts several days to weeks.

There are a great number of things that can cause sleep problems, so stay on the lookout for them and make sure they are addressed.

Here are some of the most common causes of insomnia:

~ Stimulant and other drugs such as caffeine, certain medicines, amphetamines, cocaine, crack and others. Certain antibiotic drugs can also lead to problems falling to and maintaining restful sleep. Ask your doctor if you are on an antibiotic.

~ Changes in estrogen levels like those which are experienced while menstruating or dealing with menopause.

~ General life issues such as stress from work or finances.

~ Schizophrenia, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), bipolar disorder, and major depression can all cause chronic sleep problems.

Doctors often prescribe a sleep aid to patients who suffer from these mental Illnesses.

~ Circadian rhythm disturbance – Those who work 3rd shift or travel across time zones often are prime causes of sleep disturbances.

A person’s internal clock loses it’s ‘bearings’ because they are constantly sleeping at different times or during the daytime. The human body works much more efficiently when it rests during night-time hours.

~ Noise and intestinal parasites can aggravate you just enough to keep you from getting that precious sleep.

If you are feeling fatigued during the day, make sure you talk to your doctor and see if he has any ideas. He might prescribe you a sleep aid or set you up for an overnight sleeping test. Sleep is one of the most important parts of our day and should be maintained at a regular and healthy interval.

SerenitePlus is a natural, safe and effective herbal/homeopathic formula especially formulated to treat the symptoms of insomnia, especially sleep onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) and to assist in the treatment of chronic insomnia.

SerenitePlus has been used safely and effectively for many years to help with sleep problems. Using up-to-date scientific knowledge of insomnia and natural sleep patterns, this remedy combines herbal and homeopathic remedies in a new and improved formula. SerenitePlus may also be combined with Serenite-LT for a long term solution to insomnia.  Formulated by a clinical psychologist, SerenitePlus is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

For most medical problems, doctors can run simple tests to confirm that you have an issue. These tests can also help determine the severity of your disease and be used to determine the best treatment course. The diagnosis of mental illnesses is not so clear cut. We dont know the cause of many mental disorders, let alone how to test for them medically.

Another issue with diagnosing mental disorders is that someone is usually diagnosed with a disorder if they have a certain number of a large set of symptoms. That means two people could have the same disorder, but share only a few of the same symptoms.

Because disorders are classified from groups of symptoms, there are often patients that dont fit into a set group, but have symptoms that indicate more than one diagnosis. They may also have similar symptoms to a diagnosis, but they dont fit well enough. For example, someone could have symptoms of bipolar disorder, but their mood swings occur more rapidly than indicated in the standards.

The first step in diagnosing a mental health disorder is a full history. Your doctor will want to know not only your symptoms, but when they started, and other information to help them figure out what is causing your problems.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and do medical tests like blood screenings. Often psychological problems can actually be caused by medical issues or nutrient deficiencies. Because your body isnt working right, your brain cant work right either. If this is the case, you will likely be referred to a medical doctor for treatment.

To help mental health professionals with diagnosis, different screening procedures have been developed to test for specific problems. Normally, these are simply a survey with a series of questions relating to common symptoms of the disorder. The questions are usually answered on a scale system, like one through five, etc. This can then be analyzed objectively to see if the patient fits the criteria for a particular diagnosis.

The disadvantage of these screening procedures is that they rely almost completely on the patient being honest, objective, and having an accurate assessment of their own actions and feelings. While some of the diagnosis is observation, the doctor is still relying almost entirely on the patient.

While diagnosing mental illness is not exact, it has proven effective and is being researched and improved constantly. With some time and effort, most mental illnesses can be properly diagnosed and effectively treated.

However, there is a broad acceptance that a general sense of fear, with or without panic symptoms, does appear along with depression in nearly half of the reported cases. Co-morbidity of bipolar depression and anxiety can be extremely difficult to manage in a patient.

Just as a passing feeling of sadness cannot be termed as clinical depression, brief periods of anxiety cannot be labeled as anxiety disorders. The symptoms for either disease need to be prevalent for approximately six months and impede normal working to be termed as an anxiety disorder.

There are different types of depression:

1. Mild chronic depression – A persistent feeling of continuous sorrow that lasts for at least two years. This depression is also called dysthymia.
2. Major depression – A condition of intense sadness, which may or may not be recurring
3. Bipolar Disorders: A cyclic and episodic condition of depression and severe or mild mania (hypomania).
4. Post-natal depression – A condition caused due to exhaustion from delivery. A depression is termed as a post-natal depression only if it occurs within 2 years of delivery.

Similarly, there are also different kinds of anxiety disorders that exist.

1. Panic disorders – A fear of impending and unreal doom.
2. Obsessive compulsive disorder – A condition of wherein the patient gets perpetually upsetting thoughts.
3. Post traumatic stress – Anxiety that is caused due to extreme physical trauma or threat of physical harm.
4. Social phobia – A chronic fear of being watched and judged by others.
5. Specific phobias – Extreme fear of something of harmless objects or people.
6. Generalized anxiety – A general state of hyperactivity and extreme worry.

Treating depression and anxiety in the same person can be a challenging task. Co-morbidity of these disorders actually needs treatment for three different types of symptoms – anxiety, depression and mania. There is fine line that separates all three conditions. Treating such a patient involves assessing the extent of each condition so as to provide accurate prescriptions.

Antidepressants and mood elevators can be used to treat the depression phase of the bipolar disorder and anxiety. But when the manic phase of the bipolar disorder surfaces, the patient needs to be administered mood stabilizers. Providing the correct dosage for each of these medicines becomes extremely tricky and leaves no scope for mistakes. A minute oversight or misunderstood symptom can be catastrophic and result in aggravation of the existing condition.
Alternative therapies and natural remedies for depression can play a significant role in treating bipolar and anxiety co-morbidity. This is because they have little or no side effects. They are also are easy to handle and do not require micro level management of the case.

Treating depression naturally with the aid of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal extracts, exercise, yogic postures, psychiatric counseling, acupuncture and acupressure may prove to be a better option in cases of unpredictable rapid switching of alternating symptoms.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression
http://www.nimh.nih.gov

People often struggle with emotional pain, trauma, and wounds from their environment and social relationships with others. These traumas can lead to mild, moderate or severe mental health disturbances. Often people dont feel comfortable addressing these concerns with their doctor when they dont have the words to use or feel they may be imagining the issues.

This where mental health tests are most useful. Screenings are available online and offline for a variety of mental health issues. These mental health tests either confirm or deny the presence of mental health issues. The sufferer then has the ability and confidence to approach a mental health professional or their primary care physician with the information seeking counseling or medication.

Mental health tests or screenings online introduce the concept of a large-scale ability to reach potential sufferers. Screenings are often held at health fairs as well to reach the largest number of people possible.

The most popular mental health tests are for depression. Now diagnosed in approximately 13% of the American population, depression is an illness of increasing proportions. Life has both good times and bad times. However when you are feeling low or down for more than a few weeks or have trouble functioning in your daily life you could be experiencing more than just the blues.

Depression has an entire scale of emotions that are possible from the mild dysphoria (not feeling well) to the inability to get out of bed. In either case the diagnosis is clinical depression. The good news is that it is very treatable but because many people dont recognize the symptoms they dont get the help they need.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine that your symptoms fit depression is to take a mental health test. These tests can be given online or are available offline in local clinics, hospitals, primary care offices, social service agencies, colleges and universities, the workplace, schools and in the military.

Mental health tests can be used not only for depression but bipolar disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems and suicide prevention. A mental health test wont give you a specific diagnosis but it will let you know if seeking medical help is appropriate for your symptoms.

However, like most things, mental health tests can be taken a step too far. In 2004 recommendations were set forth by a Presidential committee for mandatory mental health tests for children in the public school system. These mental health tests were started in 2006. There are several issues surrounding this debate. Governmental agencies believe that finding mental health issues early will help to cure them and set children along a path of positive growth and development.

On the other hand there are significant issues of parental rights being violated, the governments use of the mental health test tools to gather information about children for use later and the changes that could potentially take place in the general public about the view of mental health. The most common finding in teens is depression and current research holds that most of the anti-depressants increase the risk of suicide in teens. This is not to say that teens should be left depressed but rather that schools should be educating parents and teachers to watch for signs and symptoms of depression rather than doing mass testing of all school age children.

Interestingly, although teens do suffer from depression, the best method of treatment is psychotherapy, or talking through their problems and discovering better coping methods, as opposed to medication. Medication is the first line of defense in people who need short-term help or who have a biochemical imbalance in their bodies and require the medication to keep the neurotransmitters working correctly. Teens more often need help with coping abilities and stress while adults have both problems with biochemical imbalances and coping mechanisms.

Mental health tests will help to increase awareness of specific conditions which can be helped by professional counselors. When you think your shyness may not have help a diagnosis of social anxiety will help your primary care physician to send you to the appropriate professional.

Moreover, in some ADD patients, positive traits like creativity, liveliness, flexibility, hyper focus, and intelligence are so accentuated that association of the symptoms with ADD becomes all the more difficult.

Whatever the claims of the manufacturers selling prescription or over the counter drugs, ADD does not have a cure and one has to live with it for a lifetime. The drugs that are used to treat ADD carry warnings of side effects of these drugs that range from liver disorder to suicidal tendencies.

The aspect of the treatment of the symptoms of adult attention deficit disorder which is often underplayed is that adults who recognize that the challenges they face are related to ADD can learn to manage their lives with the aid coaching, professional organizing and other resources. It is only after this option has been tried that the aid of adult ADD medication should be sought.

The symptoms of adult deficit disorder in adults are very subtle and subjective and the absence of any standard criteria for confirming the diagnosis makes the treatment and evaluation of ADD all the more difficult. Psychiatric conditions similar to ADD include depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, substance abuse and personality disorders need to be first eliminated before evaluating symptoms of adult attention deficit disorder.

As such, if consistent self reports result in a positive diagnosis, either or both the following two options should be considered:

* Manage ADD with professional help and aid from a strong support system (if available) and conviction that it is a neurobiological condition and not a weakness of will
* Adult ADD medication.

Pharmacotherapy of adult ADD medication mainly includes stimulants and antidepressants. Stimulants are used to correct the imbalance of dopamine and norepinephrine caused by catecholamine metabolism in the cerebral cortex. The stimulants currently available, though well tolerated can cause the symptoms of adult deficit disorder to aggravate. It is thus advisable to observe the already disturbed sleep and diet patterns after administration of stimulants. Also, due the fact that the effects of stimulants on blood pressure can vary, hypertension in adults too has to be monitored.

Antidepressants can be helpful in adults to control instability and mood disturbances. Although stimulants and antidepressants act differently, in some cases the use of both can prove beneficial.

Adult ADD medications, such as Ritalin, Strattera, and some others drugs have been endorsed for use by adults but all drugs should be approached with caution. It is also advisable to keep track of any new side effects that are often added, after studies indicate new difficulties, to the already known side effects.

As of this date, there is no known cure for Asperger’s Syndrome, but there are effective treatments and medications that can be used to intervene and redirect behavior so that the individual can function better in social situations. Education is paramount to early intervention and understanding when coping with someone with AS. It is important to educate parents and teachers and other adults who come into contact with children and adults with AS so that their behaviors can be understood and modified with help from treatment and therapy. Individuals receiving this assistance can lead functioning lives.

Asperger’s Syndrome is difficult to diagnose and many children have been misdiagnosed before receiving the diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome.

A specialist in psychosocial evaluation usually performs an evaluation. A history of symptoms is usually taken, and the child’s development of motor skills and language skills as well as personality and behavior patterns are observed. The child’s social development is assessed as well as communication skills and social interaction.

Asperger’s Syndrome is treated using behavior interventions, psychotherapy, education of parents and other adults in contact with the child, and medications. Specialized educational interventions are necessary as well as social training, and language therapy. Sensory integration training is necessary for young children in which occupational therapist help to desensitize the child to stimuli such as light, sound and touch. Older children undergo psychotherapy or behavioral/cognitive therapy. Medications may also be used as part of the treatment plan. There should be a team aspect involving all of the caregivers medical and otherwise of the child including doctors, teachers, babysitters, friends, other family members and parents. Getting help early is key to being able to help the child to cope with the signs and symptoms of AS.

Children with AS respond to self-help programs and programs that address the areas of deficiency such as curriculum or programs that address the particular needs of the child.

Families with children with AS need support for emotional and physical needs.

The key to success is through education and early intervention.

Some of these are:

* Transient Insomnia – a temporary condition that does not last for more than a week. Sometimes, it occurs for a couple of days and then fades away on its own.
* Acute Insomnia – a condition wherein the afflicted cannot sleep well for a long period. This could last from a couple of weeks to six months.
* Chronic Insomnia – a serious sleep disorder that persists every night.

Generally speaking, everyone suffers from some type of insomnia at some time or the other in a lifetime. Insomnia is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. It can happen due to psychological disorders or physical conditions. The causes of insomnia can be varied and therefore the condition should be treated based on the underlying reason behind the cause.

Some conditions that can cause insomnia are:

* Psychological conditions
* Stress
* Depression
* Bipolar disorders
* Fear
* Anxiety
* Physical Conditions
* Hormonal changes in women during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
* Pain
* Overweight and lack of exercise.
* Dehydration increases toxicity in the body leading to pain and sleeplessness.
* Gastro-esophageal disorders where acids move up from the stomach to the throat and inhibit sleep.

Insomnia can also be caused by:

* temporary events like jet lag that disturb the biological clock of the body
* over indulgence in alcoholic drinks
* excessive intake of caffeine, nicotine and sugar
* side effects of medication
* noise pollution, extreme temperatures and other environmental factors

The type of solution that you should look for depends largely on the implicit condition that is causing insomnia. Insomnia caused by temporary events or environmental causes does not need any treatment. It is likely to fade away as soon as the temporary event is over.

However, insomnia that is caused by physical conditions needs to be addressed. Care needs to be taken that the medication does not cause insomnia since many medications can lead to a disturbed sleep. Managing your weight and regular exercise can remove many insomniac conditions.

If the insomnia is caused due to psychological conditions, the treatment requires deft management. Treating depression, which is a cause of insomnia in certain cases, takes time. It is a slow process that may require multiple changes in medication. You can make the choice of treating depression naturally to avoid side effects that antidepressants cause.

Ancient therapies like acupressure, acupuncture, meditation, yoga and herbal oil massages are also impressive techniques that have been in use for ages as part of natural treatments for depression. These therapies also treat insomnia if that is one of the symptoms that depression is causing.

Natural remedies for depression such as herbs, homeopathic remedies and diet modifications can also be adopted.

Insomnia is also an integral part of the aging process. People tend to sleep less with increasing age. But any insomnia issues should not be ignored and proper professional help should be sought. Geriatric insomnia also needs management. People can cope with it by exercising regularly and keeping active.

Related Natural Product 

SerenitePlus is a natural, safe and effective herbal/homeopathic formula especially formulated to treat the symptoms of insomnia, especially sleep onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) and to assist in the treatment of chronic insomnia. SerenitePlus has been used safely and effectively for many years to help with sleep problems. Using up-to-date scientific knowledge of insomnia and natural sleep patterns, this remedy combines herbal and homeopathic remedies in a new and improved formula. SerenitePlus may also be combined with Serenite-LT for a long term solution to insomnia. Formulated by a clinical psychologist, SerenitePlus is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

References:

http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Taking-Medication-to-Sleep/16865

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/insomnia/INS_causes.html

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/insomnia/INS_who.html

Bipolar disorder is yet another name for manic depressive illness. This stage usually refers to as an individual’s mood that shifts between different ‘poles’ of mania and depression.

Manic Depression is not something to be taken lightly. It is a serious disorder and needs serious professional and personal care.

Manic depression can affect both men and women. There is no specific age at which this disease usually starts. However, experts believe that the onset of this disease takes place in late adolescence.

This disorder can be found among people irrespective of their age, race, social classes and ethnic groups. Medical experts feel that this disease has a genetic link and even tends to run in the families.

The disease does not only affect the patient but also the person who attends to him or her.

The immediate family circle is known to suffer a lot. Here are some of the symptoms related to this disorder:

a) Less amount of sleep required.

b) Increased energy; Restlessness; Increased activity

c) Poor Judgment; Euphoric mood (excessively high); Spending sprees

d) Abuse of drugs including cocaine, sleeping pills and alcohol

e) Shifting from one idea to another very frequently

f) Tendency to get distracted easily; Inability to concentrate well; Extreme irritability

g) Talking fast; Racing thoughts

h) Aggressive behavior; Intrusive behavior; Provocative behavior

i) Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers; Denial that anything is wrong

j) Lasting period of behavior that’s quite different from usual

The symptoms for low or ‘depressive’ stage of manic depression:

a) Thoughts of death; Thoughts of suicide; Suicide attempts

b) Restlessness; Irritability

c) Feeling of hopelessness; Extreme pessimism

d) Sleeping too much; Inhibits to sleep or insomnia

e) Difficulty in concentrating; Lack of memory

f) Lack of energy; Loss of interest in pleasure activities

g) Change in appetite; Weight loss without making any efforts; Weight gain

h) Difficulty in making decisions; A feeling of fatigue

i) Feeling guilty; Feeling of worthlessness: Feeling of helplessness

j) Chronic pain; Symptoms in body not as a result of injury or illness

k) Long-lasting mood of moroseness; Empty mood; Anxiety that lasts long

- Causes

There are several causes of manic depression. Here is a list of some of the causes that lead to manic depression:

a) Genetic factor

As discussed earlier, manic depression tends to run in families. Chromosomes tend to show genetic abnormalities.

b) Fast biological clock

Hypothalamus, the center of the brain shows a super fast biological ‘clock’. The clock is actually a small cluster of nerves known as the supra chiasmatic nucleus or SCN. This works towards regulating an individual’s daily cycle of life and affects waking and sleeping.

c) Neurotransmitters

Patients of manic depression are known to have higher levels of vesicular monoamine transporter. It is a protein inside the brain that’s known to regulate neurotransmitters.

Other causes include abnormal activity of brain and infectious agents such as viruses.

In the most general of terms, psychotic depression refers to the form of depression that is so severe that it may produce actual auditory or visual hallucinations in the affected senior. She or he may believe to hear the voice of a loved one who has passed on, or in some cases believes to overhear a plot to poison or otherwise do away with her or him. Paranoia and delusions do frequently appear concurrently and yet diagnosis is made more difficult if other ailments are present, especially if there is a suspicion of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although there is precious little proof, there has been the suggestion made that those individuals suffering from elderly psychotic depression will actually present with major depression first and the decline into psychotic depression may be so gradual that caregivers and even physicians may initially miss the onset of the new condition. As the paranoia accompanies the condition, there are times when the senior will not volunteer any change in depression or say or do anything that might put them in jeopardy of any imagined outcome.

Suicide is sometimes the end result of a psychotic episode and although there is very little – if anything – that a conscientious doctor or caregiver could have done to avoid it, much soul searching and years of pain do lie ahead for the survivors connected to the affected senior. Some have suggested that the manic state of bipolar disorder holds the same risk, although by and large it has been found that unless there is an extreme case of mania, the effects of psychotic depression are hard to replicate in others forms of the illness.

In a most interesting twist, even as psychotic depression is known to bring on hallucinations, the sufferer is acutely aware in some cases that the hallucinations are not real, yet in the case of paranoia is unable to make that some connection. Thus you will find that within the spectrum of elderly depression the feelings of hopelessness are pronounced while this also may give rise to aggression both physical and verbal.

Seeking out help in such a case is an elderly person’s only hope at healing and getting well, yet sadly they are unable to either see the need or fulfill it, and thus it is up to a caregiver or loved one to make that phone call in search of help. Add to this the fact that a patient may be hesitant to admit to suicidal thoughts, paranoia, or even hallucinations for fear of being “put away,” and the recipe for disaster is complete.

Treatment commonly does require hospitalization and close monitoring to ensure that the patient will not give in to suicidal thoughts or temptations. On the upside, the odds of getting well are very good!

A person cannot work because of feeling so depressed. Then the next day, this person feels great, filled with creativity and endless energy. However, some people can misinterpret such actions as being reckless and uncontrollable.

A bipolar disorder can be unpredictable and confusing. This medical condition is also chronic. Never feel embarrassed if you are affected with this type of disorder. Learning all about it is helpful to manage such medical illness successfully.

A bipolar disorder affects the ability of a person to feel various moods in a normal range. Manic depression is another term for bipolar disorder. Bipolar is used to describe two extremes or poles. People affected by this serious medical condition have mood alterations ranging from an extremely low (depression) to an extremely high (mania).

The best picture to describe such condition is the globe. The globe is divided into the North and South Pole. The mania would be the North Pole and the depression would be the South Pole. If a person experiences the symptoms of either pole for a definite duration of time, then he or she is experiencing an episode. These episodes must be thoroughly discussed with a healthcare provider.

There are four kinds of episodes associated with bipolar disorder according to APA (American Psychiatric Association).

1.    Depression. Sometimes, a person can feel extremely sad for a prolong period of time. It is very impossible for him or her to eat or leave his or her bed. The things which he or she enjoys to do seem very difficult.

2.    Mania. This is the other pole of a bipolar disorder. It may begin with a high or good feeling. But after sometimes a person can feel very angry and irritable. Doing risky things is not impossible.

3.    Hypomania. Compared to mania, this type of episode is only mild. A person might feel very good thinking that more things are getting done. But after a while, his or her mood changes to a full-blown depression or mania.

4.    Mixed mood or mixed episode. The feelings of depression and mania can affect a person many times during the day.

These episodes can put a person at risk for committing suicide. Experiencing mania or depression for more than four episodes within a year is known as rapid-cycling. There are different symptoms for both poles of a bipolar disorder.

The mania symptoms include increased levels of energy, reduce needs for sleep, easily distracted, mind jumps, racing thoughts, more talkative, more confident, focus on doing things but accomplishes only little,  and more risky even if it means things are going to be bad.

The depression symptoms include feeling blue or sad, feeling down, losing interests on the things which a person is enjoying including sex, feeling guilty, feeling hopeless, feeling worthless, sleep too much or too little, changes in appetite or weight, feeling tired, feeling too little energy, feeling restless, concentration problems, decision-making problems, and thoughts of suicide or death.

Moreover, it is also vital to learn how mood swings are triggered. Emotions and events that happened in a life of a person can be the triggering factors. Sad, unpleasant, or happy events can make a person experiences either depressive or manic episodes.

Triggers or stressors include irregular schedule of sleep, misuse of drugs or alcohol, stopping medication, starting medications for depression or other herbal products, and having problems related to thyroid and other health condition.

Nevertheless, different people may experience different triggers. Some people also consider seasonal changes, illness, holidays, work problems, friends or family’s disagreements, marriage, starting a recent job, starting college, love one’s death as triggers.

Figuring out what triggers a person can help. Keeping a mood chart to record varying emotions can determine mood swing patterns.  This can be a tough task but provides many treatment possibilities.

A bipolar disorder is not more of a problem today. There are lots of treatments available. It is very important to talk to a healthcare provider to create a plan that will work best in stabilizing mood swings.

One of the biggest difficulties with Bipolar disorder is that those suffering from the disorder are often unaware of the severity and disruption caused by their alternating mood states. In the throws of a manic episode, the individual is usually convinced that there is absolutely nothing abnormal about his or her behavior, and may even assert that they have never felt better.

For this reason, it is often family, friends or health care practitioners who notice that there is a serious problem and suggest professional help. Left untreated, the effects of Bipolar disorder can be very disruptive and even fatal.

People in manic states have often taken huge irrational risks that could have serious consequences such as bankruptcy, car accidents, losing a job or unintentionally harming themselves or others.

Depressive states are equally dangerous and suicide rates are extremely high in this disorder. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or others, it is advisable to seek or encourage professional help.

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Mood Tonic: Homeopathic remedy calms emotional outbursts and reduces mood swings

But getting a restful sleep is not something that everyone enjoys. There are many people who suffer from insomnia either due to a physical disturbance or a mental turmoil.

Taking sleeping pills to cure insomnia is just a temporary solution. To add to that it is also a dangerous one. Short term or long term use lead to psychological dependence and addiction. It is advisable to try out some home remedies before you pop in the pill to induce sleep. Home remedies are based on natural processes and products and can at times be extremely helpful in inducing sleep.

If your physical activity levels during the day are low, you are liable to develop what is known as a Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Uneasiness in the legs makes it difficult for the brain to rest. This can keep you from getting a restful sleep. Increasing physical activity helps in better sleep. If you cannot find time to go to the gym in the evening, try and make adjustments in your work schedules.

Make better choices – take the stairs when you can, get up on your own instead of using the internal extension numbers. Small changes like this will automatically increase your activity levels, reducing the chances of a RLS.

Sometimes too many challenges in a day at work can agitate the mind to an extent that shedding those thoughts become difficult. A long walk in the evening can relieve stress. It also tires you a little; just enough to let you sleep peacefully.

There are specific yogic postures that can help in relaxing the mind and body. These postures do not put too much pressure on the muscles. Deep breathing coupled with some simple postures have contributed significantly in helping insomnia patients.

A cup of hot milk, preferably with honey and a pinch of cinnamon, acts as a natural sedative if taken at bedtime. Honey has been known to be effective in bringing on sleep. Two teaspoons of honey in warm water before bedtime can do the trick in many cases.

Just as some foods help in restful sleep, there are others that can have the opposite effect. The caffeine content in coffee and caffeinated colas stimulates the mind and can keep you awake for long periods. A heavy dinner will also lead to a situation where sleep does not come easy. This happens due to the fact that the digestive system requires time to digest food. Avoiding caffeine and choosing to have a light dinner are advocated if you want to ensure a good night’s sleep.

A warm bath just before going to bed has been a favorite home remedy among many. A hot bath can change the body temperature and therefore assists in the relaxation process.

If you have brought your worries from office to home it is most likely that you will find it difficult to sleep. Learn how to turn off your mind by meditation, relaxation techniques and positive thinking. It is a time tested home remedy for insomnia.

Insomnia is almost always a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Some of the major reasons behind insomnia are mental conditions like clinical depression and bipolar disorder. Natural remedies for depression is also an option that you can choose.

Treating depression naturally helps you avoid all the side effects that come along with antidepressants and mood elevators. Since insomnia is a significant symptom of depression, treating depression can help you rid yourself of sleepless nights.

SerenitePlus is a natural, safe and effective herbal/homeopathic formula especially formulated to treat the symptoms of insomnia, especially sleep onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) and to assist in the treatment of chronic insomnia. SerenitePlus has been used safely and effectively for many years to help with sleep problems.

Using up-to-date scientific knowledge of insomnia and natural sleep patterns, this remedy combines herbal and homeopathic remedies in a new and improved formula. SerenitePlus may also be combined with Serenite-LT for a long term solution to insomnia.  Formulated by a clinical psychologist, SerenitePlus is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

References:

http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Natural-and-Herbal-Home-Remedies-for-Insomnia/18329

http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Home-Remedies-for-Insomnia-/2401

http://ezinearticles.com/?Home-Remedies-for-Insomnia&id=566509

http://www.medindia.net/HomeRemedies/insomnia.asp#remedy

http://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=112

What is a seizure?

Although seizures are often thought of as dramatic events, there are a number of different types of seizures, some of which are much more subtle and difficult for an outsider to notice.

A generalized seizure (Also known as a grand mal seizure, fit or convulsion) generally causes an acute decrease in state of consciousness, repeated movements of the body, excessive salivation, vomiting and often a loss of bladder and bowel control. This event may last from 30 seconds to a few minutes.

The other main type of seizure is a focal motor seizure which is a much less dramatic occurrence. A focal motor seizure will cause just a repeated twitching movement in either the face or limbs and usually only lasts a few seconds.

Absence seizures (which used to be called Petit Mal seizures) usually involve a short period of impaired consciousness, often accompanied by a staring expression and sometimes mild twitching of small muscle groups.

A seizure may be preceded by warning signs known as an aura – this may include unusual sensations, smells or tastes. After a seizure, the individual may have a headache, sore muscles, experience unusual sensations, feel confused and tired. These after-effects are called the postictal state.

What causes seizures and epilepsy?

Seizures occur because of a change in the electrical activity of the brain. This can be caused by a variety of things including diseases of the nervous system and the brain itself. Seizures may also be the result of a head injury, chemicals, poisons and even nutrient deficiencies. Often the underlying cause of epilepsy in an individual is unknown.

What is the conventional treatment for seizures?

Treatment for seizures will be directed at the underlying cause or disease in cases where this is known.

Anti-epileptic drugs are used to prevent seizures that are severe or occur frequently. These drugs, also called anticonvulsants. are known to decrease the incidence of seizures as well as the severity. Certain of these drugs are useful in the acute or emergency situation of a seizure, but most are more commonly used on a day-to-day, prophylactic basis.

Unfortunately there is no single, ideal anticonvulsant drug that can completely prevent seizures in all people. In fact, many people with epilepsy have to use a combination of drugs in order to adequately control their condition in the long-term.

There are several types or �classes� of anticonvulsants grouped according to their mechanism of action. Some of these classes have other common uses as well and may be prescribed as tranquilizers, sleeping pills or even to control irregular heart rhythms.

Anticonvulsants may be effective in a number of different ways. Some work by �slowing down� activity in all parts of the brain. Others make it more difficult for nerve impulses to spread from one nerve to another or alter the levels of chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) in the nervous system.

These mechanisms have varying success rates but can often, especially when used in combination, control epilepsy very effectively once an appropriate dose has been established and a stable blood level reached.

As with most prescription medications, no anticonvulsant drugs are without side-effects. The most commonly reported adverse effects for these drugs include problems with coordination like dizziness, clumsiness, trembling and stuttering, changes in behavior, confusion and depression, appetite and weight changes, skin reactions, digestive discomfort and even hair loss.

The major long-term danger of anticonvulsants is the risk of irreversible liver damage. Different classes of drugs cause different side-effects though there are a number of overlaps. This means that, while using a combination of drugs can improve effectiveness, it will also increase the chance of side-effects.

What is Epi-Still?

Epi-Still is a 100% safe and effective natural remedy for preventing and treating seizures. Due to the high safety profile of all the ingredients, Epi-Still will not cause any side-effects or damage to the organs like many synthetic medications do.

This remedy can be used effectively on its own for people who are not currently using prescription medications or can be taken in combination with anticonvulsant medications to improve their effectiveness as well as to allow for lower dosages and subsequently fewer side-effects.

The gentle and natural ingredients of Epi-Still may take several weeks to take full effect and, as with most natural remedies, regular dosage and a little patience is required in order to see the full benefits.

Use Epi-Still:

* For acute treatment of seizure symptoms, including generalized (grand mal) and absence (petit mal) seizures
* To limit after-effects of seizures such as drowsiness and confusion
* To prevent and reduce the frequency and severity of seizures
* To prevent over-stimulation of the nervous system
* To regulate blood pressure and reduce fever

What are the Ingredients?

Epi-Still contains the following herbal and homeopathic ingredients:

Passiflora (Passionflower) is an herb used widely for anxiety and stress and is also useful for calming an overstimulated nervous system. Passiflora is effective in both the prevention and treatment of seizures, especially when stress is a precipitating factor.

Scuttelaria laterifolia (Skullcap) is a well-known calmative and antispasmodic herb and will help to reduce over-stimulation that can lead to seizure occurrence. It is also helpful in lowering fever and regulating blood pressure.

Cuprum metallicum (30C) is a homeopathic ingredient that is recommended for the control of seizures and also addresses post-ictal drowsiness, mental dullness and vomiting.

Cicuta virosa (30C) is another homeopathic remedy that has proven results in treating seizures, especially those characterized by rigidity and/or jerking movements. This remedy is also often prescribed to relieve breathing difficulties and hypersalivation and to address the decreased level of consciousness associated with seizures.

Epi-Still contains less than 1% pure pharmaceutical grade ethanol when diluted as directed and contains no gluten, artificial colorants and preservatives.

How has Epi-Still helped others?

“I have been on Phenobarbital since being diagnosed with epilepsy in my teens. Several months ago I decided to look into less harmful treatments for my condition and discovered your site and natural remedy for epilepsy. After a few weeks of using Epi-Still my doctor lowered my dosage of Phenobarbital without incident. Six weeks later he decreased my dosage further to the lowest dosage I have ever taken. I don�t want to jinx it but have to share with you that after three months at this all-time low dose of my Phenobarbital, I have not had a seizure. Thank you for providing a safe and natural alternative that really works!” – Janine D.

“My daughter had her first seizure last year and although she does not experience grand mal seizures which are obviously more traumatic, it was still worrying for me. She was not put on medication immediately as it was the first incident of its kind but in the subsequent months she had three more similar episodes. After hearing the side-effects that the prescription medications can cause, I spoke to our doctor about giving Katie your natural remedy for seizures. She was skeptical but agreed to a trial and we have all been thrilled and surprised at the results. About 10 days after beginning the remedy Katie did have a seizure but it was much milder than previously and she recovered far more quickly. Since that day she hasn�t had any further seizures- and that was 7 months ago. Epi-Still is even better than we had hoped!” – Terri, Dan and Katie

How do I use Epi-Still?

Epi-Still comes in a convenient tincture (drop) form and is available in 50 ml bottles.

Directions:

Adults and Teenagers: 15 – 20 drops in approximately 1/4 cup water or juice three times daily. An additional dose may be taken at the first warning signs of acute symptoms.

Children: One drop per age year of the child diluted in � cup of water or juice three times daily.

Caution: Safety during pregnancy and nursing has not yet been established. Please consult your doctor before making any changes in current medication.

Note: Concurrent use with Triple Complex Nerve Tonic is highly recommended. For people currently taking prescription anticonvulsants, we also recommend our Liver Dr. formula in order to help protect the liver from possible harmful effects of the pharmaceutical drugs.

How long until I see results?

When used acutely, Epi-Still should take effect almost immediately and the seizure will resolve more quickly than usual and have less severe after-effects. When used regularly on a chronic basis, Epi-Still will gradually decrease the frequency and severity of seizures over time.

How long will a bottle last?

One 50 ml bottle will last approximately 30 days at chronic dosage.

A 90 day supply is offered at a discount

More articles  of interest:

1st International Congress on Epilepsy, Brain & Mind « NEUROSURGE..
Reduce Epileptic Seizures With an Atkins-based Diet |
Ginkgo biloba’s epilepsy seizures warning » Malaysian Medical R..
Epilepsy – How to cure brain seizures? : Mind Matters
What is MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and is it possible I may have it? | LiveWEL..
Will 3D Television Trigger Epileptic Seizures? | Common Diseases | Your Per..
Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy « Epilepsy Talk
Ginkgo biloba’s epilepsy seizures warning « nvs' Blog
TV Medical Dramas Mishandle Seizures – wpparty.com
Syncope Vs Seizure: the quest for an answer « Braindisease’s We..
Open Your Eyes News » Ginkgo Biloba’s Epilepsy Seizures Wa..
Behavioral and Cognitive Effects of Anti-epileptic Drugs – – Andrea Euge..
Update of My Life « Chicago
Reducing epileptic seizures with ketogenic nutrition | Good New World – A H..
Misdiagnoses of FASD for ADHD | Depression Truths
Chronic diseases and pregnancy | Murder she wrote
Drug Discovery Opinion » Role for ROCK in Cavernous Malformation
Trileptal Faq | Purloin
Epilepsy, Seizures and the causes | Snipsly
empowerpumped » Study Seeks Most Effective Treatment for Epileptic Se..
Why does my girlfriend keep having seizures. Seriously what could be wrong ..
Seizures and Epilepsy | Porter Hospital Blog
One patient’s story: How brain stimulation is keeping my epileptic se..
Bipolar Disorder Or Epileptic Seizures | Raising Bipolar
People with epilepsy, what does a seizure feel like? | Health Network

There is controversy over the subject of children who are being diagnosed, with some people being concerned that the label is being given too freely to children that may have another condition. There is concern that perhaps the child is being given the diagnosis due to pressure to find the reasons behind certain behaviors that perhaps could be treated.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children is very difficult, because no two children with the condition will exhibit the same symptoms. Also, many of the symptoms mimic other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other conduct disorders, and in some cases even just normal, childhood behavior that is misunderstood.

It is important to distinguish and recognize the correct diagnosis, because the treatments for conditions are going to be different. For example, the medication that is used for children with ADHD acts as a stimulant, which can actually trigger manic episodes in children with bipolar disorder.

One assessment tool that has been used in the past to diagnose bipolar disorder in children younger than 18 years is the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and the Schizophrenia-Epidemiological version (K-SADS-E).

These evaluative tools involve an interview process that is conducted by a clinician that is trained in its use. Normally, the age range for this assessment is 6-18 years old. In cases with younger children, generally the parent will go through the interview, and the interview will be repeated with the child. In the cases with teenagers, it is recommended that they be interviewed first.

The scale is developed from the adult version of the assessment tool, Schizophrenia and Affective Disorder Scales, which is devised with children in mind. Questions will cover school issues and other issues related to children and adolescents.

The interview is assessed by taking into consideration interviews from parents, the child and other factors and sources of information. In cases of discrepancies between results of answers by parents and the child, it will be up to the trained clinician to evaluate the differences.

Symptoms are rated for current episodes and past cases of most severe episodes. The interview consists of an introductory process, and then the more in-depth screening section. The whole interview will take about 90-120 minutes to complete.

Since it is very difficult to be able to diagnose a condition as serious as bipolar disorder in children, it is crucial that all factors are taken into consideration before labeling a child with a condition such as this. It is important for all involved to come up with effective assessment tools for children with bipolar disorder to ensure that they are being given the proper treatment, so that they can learn to live and function with their condition.

MindSootheJr. is a natural, safe, effective specially formulated herbal remedy that has been successfully used in the treatment of child and teen Depression, Insomnia, OCD, Panic Disorder, and Anxiety. Being natural, with no artificial preservatives, this remedy is safe for children and teens, is non-addictive and has NO SIDE EFFECTS.  It has become the formula of choice by thousands of satisfied customers around the world for treating depression, insomnia, anxiety, and more. MindSootheJr. is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards and was formulated by a Clinical Psychologist.

Medication should actually be the last resort for treating insomnia. Before you start popping in the pill, it is imperative that you try and establish the underlying reason behind it. Stress, anxiety, bipolar disorders and other mental conditions are the most common conditions that produce symptoms of insomnia.

Even when it is a case of treating depression and the accompanying symptom of insomnia the first choice should be to treating depression naturally. Choosing natural remedies for depression rather antidepressants is a wise choice since antidepressants have side effects that include sleeping disorders.

There are various things that you can try to get better sleep.

The first and foremost theory about sleep is to never try too hard to sleep. It has a contrarian affect upon the brain and trying to hard excites and agitates the brain. If you are unable to sleep, try to relax your mind by reading a book in a relaxed posture.

Try some deep breath-in–breath-out exercises. Such exercises are easily learned from a professional. Breathing exercises are an integral part of yoga. Deep breathing not only induces sound and good quality sleep but also detoxifies the lungs.

Milk is a natural soporific. A glass of warm milk before going to bed is a ‘tried and tested’ grandma remedy for inducing sleep in children. Milk is good for health and there is no reason why adults too should not try this time tested natural sedative.

There is a flood of relaxation and meditation music in the market these days. Buy a couple of albums and switch them on at low volume. Music is soothing and helps the mind to relax. It will soon ease your tense muscles and slowly take you in slumber.

Increased gastrointestinal activity after a heavy dinner disrupts sleeping patterns. Ensure that your dinners are always light and nutritious.

If sleep is difficult to come by, don’t just lie in bed and toss and turn. It leads to frustration and if you continue this habit of lying awake in bed the brain actually starts associating sleeplessness with the bed. This makes sleep even more difficult over time. The better thing to do is to get up and start doing something else. Maybe, take a hot shower instead. You can also start doing something that you find extremely boring like reading a slow heavy book.

If nothing helps, try meditation. It is an established fact that meditation is as refreshing and invigorating as an eight hour sound sleep. Meditation does not require too much of a training. It is a simple technique where you try to empty your brain of thoughts. Low volume, soothing and relaxing music in the background can help you focus on meditation.

In mild cases of sleep disorders, keeping the room dark, ensuring a quiet environment and simple techniques like using noise plugs and covering eyes work well with many people. Chronic insomnia that persists for more than a month, however, needs specialist care.

SerenitePlus is a natural, safe and effective herbal/homeopathic formula especially formulated to treat the symptoms of insomnia, especially sleep onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) and to assist in the treatment of chronic insomnia. SerenitePlus has been used safely and effectively for many years to help with sleep problems.

Using up-to-date scientific knowledge of insomnia and natural sleep patterns, this remedy combines herbal and homeopathic remedies in a new and improved formula. SerenitePlus may also be combined with Serenite-LT for a long term solution to insomnia.  Formulated by a clinical psychologist, SerenitePlus is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards.

In some cases, kid’s can be really loud, unable to sit still, demanding and always after your attention. Many people would simply call this kind of activity as hyperactive or overactive.

Children who are overactive can really disrupt situations and are really difficult to keep under control. As a result, the child often receives attention in a negative way. It is important to keep in mind whether or not your kid’s behavior is normal for his/her age range.

When a child is five or six years old they are normally so full of energy that they find it difficult to sit in any one place for long. If this kind of behavior is still present at the age of eight it is developmentally inappropriate. More times than not, overactive behavior is not something that should be taken too seriously and is often something else entirely.

It will be important to work with your child in finding an activity that they can channel all of their extra energy into. Maybe you could try model building or if your child is less patient then something like soccer should do the trick.

One important thing that you can do, as a parent, is to keep your child’s life as structured as possible and make sure that there are clear boundaries for their actions. When they grow up they will likely benefit by becoming a secure and positive adult.

It is easy to mistake a child’s natural behavior for disorders like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). Things that can alert you to something like ADHD is impulsive behavior, inability to concentrate, restlessness and overactivity. If you notice any or several of these symptoms then talk with your doctor as soon as you can. They are likely to refer you on to a child psychologist.

Bipolar disorder often shows up in kid’s when they are in their early teens. It is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly and will likely need to be medicated for the duration of your child’s lifetime. Make sure that you get two opinions and ask questions about the medicine that the doctor is prescribing for your child. There can be many serious side effects and over medicating is very easy to do.

Make sure that you deal with your child’s psychological disorders while they are still young. If you leave these things untreated they can often develop into more major problems when your child reaches adulthood. It may even lead to your child having problems learning and dealing effectively with relationships at work and in their personal lives.

With ADHD, no single treatment is the answer for every child. A child may have undesirable side effects to a medication, making a particular treatment unacceptable. Each child’s needs and personal history must be carefully considered. It is important to work with a health care professional/psychologist to determine the safest treatment.

If all other options and avenues have been investigated, and prescription drugs are chosen for treatment, frequent follow-up visits should be scheduled to assess the response and to detect possible side effects. Children on medications should have regular checkups. Parents should also talk regularly with the child’s teachers, psychologist, and health care professional about how the child is doing.

Stimulants are not a cure-all, and families should be informed of healthy choices with regards to food, exercise, healthy hobbies, and friends. The best chances of minimizing side effects, is to use a remedy that is free of side effects completely.

Alternative Treatments

* Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies – A number of parents have tried natural remedies as an alternative to psycho-stimulants and other drugs. Small trials have found some agents, such as oral flower essence, Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and melatonin may possibly have benefits for ADHD.

There are homeopathic remedies which effectively target some of the disruptive symptoms of ADHD and allow the child to concentrate more easily. Natural remedies should be considered as a first step ahead of prescription psychiatric drugs. When combined with strong dietary control, counseling as necessary, and a healthy lifestyle, natural remedies have been show to be effective in helping to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.

Focus Formula: Supports concentration and attention, while promoting normal energy levels in children and adults

BrightSpark: Homeopathic remedy relieves hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsiveness in children

MoodCalm: Homeopathic remedy calms emotional outbursts and reduces mood swings

PureCalm: Aids nervous system in stress resistance for balanced moods, calm demeanor and feelings of well being

* Dietary Approaches. A number of diets have been suggested for people with ADHD. Various studies have reported behavioral improvement with diets that restrict possible allergens in the diet.

Parents may want to discuss with their health care professional, homeopath, or naturopath regarding implementing an elimination diet of certain foods or adding supplements that might help. This is a very individualized approach and would differ from child to child. Always consult a nutritional expert before restricting the diet of any child.

Clinical depression is one major disorder that requires extended treatment that is likely to last for a long time. Some related disorders like bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder require even longer treatment regimes. Treating depression is a long and arduous process and at times treatment can last a lifetime.

United States does not have a universal health care policy. Treating depression in certain cases can mean shelling out hefty sums from the personal pocket. Depending upon whether you have an insurance or not and the type of health insurance that you may have, the average cost of medication, psychotherapy and other treatments can amount to anything in the range of $1,500 to $4,400.

People who suffer from bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders and the like are likely to have a limited source of income. Better medical insurance schemes are offered to people who have higher incomes. And therefore, these people, who need medical insurance the most, are left to fund for themselves in most cases.

Depression treatment costs have been the subject matter of a number of studies in the recent past. The inferences drawn from them are indeed thought provoking. One of the key finding of these studies is that a large number of depression cases go undiagnosed. Among those who do receive depression treatment, adequate treatment is not meted out. There are very few cases in which medication and psychotherapy is used symbiotically to achieve best results.

The government needs to take specific steps to make depression treatment available easily for all income groups. Till the time such a policy is formalized, there are some options that you can look into for cutting costs.

* You can reduce costs by purchasing medications of higher potency at a proportionately lesser cost and then splitting them in half.
* There are online websites where some medications are given away free of cost. If you are lucky you may find the name of your on the list.
* There are privately sponsored programs which take a small fee of $5.00 for each medication. They contact drug manufacturers on your behalf for free dispensation of their drugs. Alternately, you can approach the manufacturers yourself.
* You could also ask your doctor if he can provide you with the free samples of the drug that he is prescribing.
* Treating depression naturally is a healthier option and easy on the pocket too. Meditation and relaxation techniques advocated by yoga can be learned online, from books or from experts.
* There are also natural remedies for depression which are not very expensive and work as good as antidepressants. Natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies are inexpensive and available over the counter without a prescription. Homeopathy is also effective in managing depression symptoms. Herbs like St. John’s Wort, valerian roots and kava have been in use since long for treating depression and related symptoms.

Access to mental health services depends mainly on government policy. It will take some time for easy access to depression treatments for all sections of the society. In the meantime there seems to be no harm in trying the options listed above to manage your depression.

References:

http://mentalhealth.about.com/b/a/257705.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Natural-Depression-Treatments&id=294481

http://.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters/clientnews/2006_NAMI_NY.pdf

http://harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters/clientnews/2006_NAMI_CA.pdf

http://depression.about.com/cs/findadoc/a/freelowcosttx.htm

A manic episode is marked with hyperactive behavior. On the contrary, the depressive episode typically involves periods of lethargy, pessimism, and loss of interest in everything. Medicinally, the manic phase requires tranquilizers and drugs that soothe, and the depressive episode requires mood elevators or antidepressants.

It is clear that the condition can become critical if the mood elevating drugs are continued once the manic phase sets in. This becomes extremely critical if the two phases occur and reoccur rapidly without any indication of their onset. Treating depression, specifically bipolar disorder, therefore necessitates closer medical supervision than any other cases of major depression.

Treating bipolar disorder only with antidepressants can increase the frequency of shifting from manic phase to depressive phase and back. Misguided treatment can actually cause suicidal tendencies to occur. A fine balance needs to be maintained between the level of antidepressant and mood stabilizers for appropriate treatment.

Lithium is a soft silver-white element that is present in several minerals. It is a commonly used mood stabilizer. Valproic acid is another mood stabilizing drug that also manages convulsions adequately. Both these drugs have shown encouraging results in preventing speedy mood changes. Patients who do not respond to mood stabilizers are sometimes prescribed antipsychotic drugs. In cases where insomnia becomes unmanageable, high potency soporific drugs are administered.

The decrease or increase in thyroid hormone levels can also cause mood changes to occur. Lithium can potentially reduce the amount of available thyroid hormones. So, in some cases, thyroid medication is administered in conjunction with depression medication.

Treating depression naturally is another choice that patients have available. This treatment involves the intake of nutritional supplements. These nutritional supplements provide specific forms of amino acids that can help reduce the severity of depression, elevate the mood, and create a sense of well-being. A reasonable dose of fish oil also helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system.

Natural remedies for depression include natural products like St. John’s Wort and gingko. These can actually prove beneficial for patients who do not respond to standard drugs.

Since the medication for bipolar disorder involves drugs that have a high level of side effects, it is always a preferred option to identify a bipolar disorder early in its onset. This provides natural treatment options a chance to contribute significantly towards managing the disorder and ensuring minimal or no side effects.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.newhope.com
http://www.nimh.nih.gov

We do know that the average age of depression in children has fallen. During childhood the number of boys and girls are affected almost equally but in adolescence almost twice as many girls as boys are diagnosed which is very close to the adult rate of diagnosis.

Researchers also cant determine with certainty the effect that depression and medication has on the growing brain and mind of the adolescent. They do know that over half of those who have a depressive episode as an adolescent will go on to have another within the next seven years. Research has also shown that adolescents who have a major depression also have an increased risk of bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of depression in children are very similar to those of an adult suffering from depression. The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV addition) lists the criteria for adult depression and depression in children as the same. Although the criteria are the same, children often do not have the vocabulary to talk about their feelings and may express them through behavior instead of words. Younger children with depression may act out their depression with phobias, separation anxiety or somatic complaints (body problems).

Depression in children can be observed in some external signs such as looking seriously or vaguely sick. They may be less spontaneous or have less energy for their normal daily activities. Young children may become tearful or irritable spontaneously and become self-destructive. Depression in children in their adolescent years will exhibit academic decline, disruptive behavior and problems with their friends. The adolescents grades will fall, they will drop from their normal after school activities, have sleep disturbances and sometimes you may see aggressive and irritable behavior.

Causes of depression in children have not been conclusively defined. There are factors that are associated with depression in children such as stressful life experiences, inconsistent parenting and a negative view of the world. Depression in children is also associated with a family history of mood disorders the existence of other psychiatric conditions such as recurrent depression. Some feel that children inherit a predisposition to depression and anxiety but environmental triggers are necessary for the first major depression.

Depression in children is diagnosed using interviews of the child, the adult and potentially the teacher. The parents are most likely to report outward signs of depression and the child more aware of the inward signs. The child should also have a recent physical examination to rule out other neurological conditions that may impact the diagnosis or the treatment.

Treatment of depression in childhood doesnt have a cookbook technique. The treatment must be tailored to the history of the family, the needs of the child and the risk vs. benefit of the treatment. Often psychotherapy is tried first and medication is added if there isnt improvement. There are increased risks of suicide thoughts and acts in children and adolescents who are taking antidepressants.

Some children only have one episode of depression but often this is a recurrent condition. Both the family and the child should be educated of the early warning symptoms of depression so that the child can get right back to the doctor when the symptoms begin to come back.

Bipolar depression typically begins in the adolescent or early adult years. Research has found that it has a genetic component. Approximately 80-90% of those who have bipolar depression have a family history of depression. However, despite ongoing research the exact genetic defect associated with the illness has not been identified.

Interestingly, persons with bipolar disorder or bipolar depression do not exhibit a random episodic illness but rather the episodes are predictable by the family which can help in diagnosis, treatment and copying mechanisms.

More than 2 million Americans have manic-depressive illness, otherwise known as bipolar disorder or bipolar depression. Like any other serious disorder bipolar depression creates problems for families, friends, employers and spouses. Without treatment people who suffer from bipolar depression often suffer the loss of marriages and jobs and have alcohol and drug abuse problems. Some resort to suicide after chronic and episodic mood swings.

The manic episodes, that are the hallmark of bipolar disorder, are recognized by the abnormally elevated, expansive or irritable mood that isnt related to substance abuse or a medical condition. These mood swings will last for at least 3 weeks. It may be helpful to describe bipolar disorder as mood states along a continuum. On end of the spectrum is severe depression, then moderate depression, then mild to brief mood disturbances that many call the blues. At the fulcrum is a normal mood. As the mood swings to the other end of the spectrum, the patient and family experience hypomania (a mild form of mania) and then mania.

Patients and sufferers dont experience the mood swings along the full length of the continuum with each episode but instead some have repeated episodes of depression and only the occasional episode of hypomania which may lead to mania. On the other extreme mania could be the main issue and depression is infrequent. Most patients dont move from severe depression through mania and back again.

There are specific observable features to both the depressive episodes and the manic episodes that families and friends can watch for. During a bipolar depression the patient is sad, anxious or feels empty. They complain of feeling helpless, guilty or worthless. Youll notice they lose interest in the usual activities and have a decreased energy level. The sufferer will have sleep disturbances, loss of or increased appetite and may have persistent thoughts of death.

During the manic phase of a bipolar disorder episode the sufferer will be charismatic, exhibit poor judgment and have an increased sex drive. They may exhibit provocative or obnoxious behavior, unrealistic belief in their own ability, decreased sleep and increased risk taking. Many sufferers also complain of extreme irritability, distractibility or increased energy.

Treatment of bipolar depression focuses on the life adjustment problems that develop because of the manic episodes and psychological counseling will help the sufferer recognize the onset of a manic episode so they are able to take corrective action. Psychological counseling and support partners are needed to help the sufferer understand and accept that they have a problem that will have an impact on their life management. A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychologist and psychiatrist. The psychologist provides the support for the patient, family as well as education and coping skills training while the psychiatrist will monitor the symptoms and adjust the medication that is usually necessary to control the disorder.

Almost all people with bipolar disorder or bipolar depression can be helped. Even those with the most severe forms respond to treatments and medications to stabilize their mood swings. Doctors may use lithium to control the mania and depressive episodes or combine that with anticonvulsant medications such as carbamazepine or valproate. Other doctors can use the SSRI class of antidepressant drugs in conjunction with lithium. Anti-psychotic drugs and Seroquel have also been approved for use with bipolar disorder or bipolar depression. The American Diabetic Association warns that those taking anti-psychotic drugs or Seroquel will increase their risk of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which is why they recommend periodic screening.

With appropriate diagnosis and treatment those with bipolar depression can live without overwhelming depression or life altering mania. With psychotherapy, medications and caring family and friends sufferers are often able to remain in stable marriages and hold down steady jobs.

What are the Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and how is it diagnosed?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety Disorder which has as its main characteristics obsessive thoughts and ideas, which are sometimes accompanied by compulsive behaviors and actions, often designed to ward off the obsessive thoughts.

There are currently no medical tests which can diagnose OCD. Diagnosis is usually based on information about symptoms as well as clinical observation. Diagnosis of OCD can be made by Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, medical Doctors, Pediatricians or by a multi-disciplinary team .

In order to make a formal diagnosis of OCD, the following symptoms must be present (DSM lV-TR)

Obsessions

* Recurring and persistent ideas, thoughts or images that are often experienced as senseless, intrusive and difficult to control
* Attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts or to neutralize them with another thought or action
* The person realizes that these thoughts, images or ideas are the product of his or her own mind, yet finds them almost impossible to resist.

Compulsions

* Repetitive, intentional and often stereotyped behavior performed in response to an obsession or according to certain rules
* Although the behavior is intended to neutralize or prevent some dreaded event or situation, it is clearly not connected in a realistic way with what it is designed to prevent or is excessive. (e.g. repetitive hand washing in order to prevent death)
* The obsessions or compulsions cause a great deal of distress and anxiety, are time consuming (take more than an hour a day) or significantly interfere with the person’s health, social or occupational functioning. The person is often secretive and may attempt to conceal the compulsive thoughts and behaviors.

While the above symptoms are necessary to make a formal diagnosis of OCD, they can be present in a less severe form. In this case, the person would not be diagnosed as suffering from a psychiatric disorder, but is rather said to have obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors.

This sometimes happens with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. Most people experience some obsessive thoughts and behaviors. at some time in their lives, especially under stress.

In small children it is very common and quite normal (e.g. don’t step on the cracks or the bears will get you!) to have some compulsive behaviors. In both adults and children, it is only when the above criteria are fulfilled and there is a great deal of anxiety and distress associated with the thoughts and behaviors. that a formal diagnosis can be made.

What causes OCD?

There are various theories or explanations for OCD.

Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic theorists often see the obsessive thoughts and compulsions as a defense against anxiety or repressed subconscious impulses. Other theorists believe that the symptoms of OCD may be learned through various mechanisms during childhood or adulthood.

There is also strong evidence that some people have an inherited tendency to develop OCD and that OCD is linked to problems in brain chemistry, neurotransmission or receptor functioning.

Research suggests, for example, that people with OCD frequently have abnormalities or deficiencies in serotonin levels and that their symptoms improve when this serotonin imbalance is addressed with medication.

It is likely that there is no one single explanatory cause for the development of OCD and a combination of factors may often be responsible.

Are Psychiatric drugs the only alternative for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)?

Many psychiatrists feel that the only effective treatment for OCD involves medication with psychiatric drugs like clomipramine, Prozac or other SSRI’s (drugs which prevent the uptake of serotonin).

While psychiatric drug therapy can often relieve the symptoms of OCD, there are associated risks of side effects as well as an effect on overall health. This often results in the individual having to take a variety of different prescription drugs, which is both expensive and not ideal from a health point of view.

It is important to realize that treatment with psychiatric drugs is not the only answer. Counseling and psychotherapy, especially cognitive therapy, has been shown to be very beneficial and can make a marked improvement in the symptom picture of people with OCD. The earlier that counseling or therapy is begun, the less chance symptoms have of becoming entrenched, although therapy can be beneficial at any stage.

Therapy should be carried out by a Licensed Counselor or Clinical Psychologist who is experienced in the the field of OCD.

There are also natural alternatives to the psychiatric drugs which will help to balance serotonin levels and therefore reduce or eliminate the symptoms of OCD.

Michele Carelse, our Clinical Psychologist, has had many years of experience treating people with depression. Together with experts in the field of natural medicine, she has developed MindSoothe – a combination of St John’s Wort and Passiflora – two highly effective herbs in therapeutic medicinal dosage.

MindSoothe contains two potent remedies in one treatment and offers immediate as well as long term relief to people suffering from depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, OCD and even those with eating disorders.

MindSoothe is a specially formulated herbal remedy that has been successfully used in the treatment of OCD, Depression, Insomnia, and Anxiety

MindSoothe can help with the following symptoms:

* Depressed and nervous mood
* Obsessive thoughts and other symptoms of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
* Low self esteem
* Excessive tearfulness
* Disturbed sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia)
* Disturbed appetite (either loss of appetite or binge eating)
* Loss of libido
* Fatigue and loss of interest and motivation
* Irritability and anger
* Anxiety and Panic attacks
* Low self esteem, lack of trust and paranoia linked to depression

MindSoothe is formulated for adults, for children between the ages of 3 and 15 years please see our MindSootheJR formula.

How does Mindsoothe work?

Mindsoothe works in two ways:

1. St John’s Wort prevents the body from using too much serotonin and allows serotonin levels to build up naturally to optimum levels. Serotonin levels are important for many things, including mood, sleep, concentration, appetite, energy and sex drive.

An improvement in serotonin levels has been clinically proven to be associated with a reduction in the symptoms of OCD. Like most SSRI’s, this can take from 3 – 5 weeks to take effect and regular use is important.

There have been many clinical studies which show the effectiveness of St John’s Wort in the treatment of depression. A review published in the British Medical Journal quotes up to twenty-three clinical trials which demonstrate that St John’s Wort works as well as many prescription anti-depressants, without the major side effects. Millions of people around the world have been helped by treatment with St John’s Wort.

2. The St John’s Wort in Mindsoothe is combined with Passiflora – a calming herb that reduces anxiety and soothes frayed nerves. According to Dr Earl Mindell (The New Herb Bible), Passiflora is one of nature’s best tranquilizers. It works quickly and effectively and is an excellent addition to any treatment for anxiety and depression.

Symptoms of OCD are known to increase during periods of stress and anxiety. The Passiflora in Mindsoothe helps to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with OCD, thereby also contributing to the reduction of symptoms.

What is the difference between Mindsoothe and other remedies with St John’s Wort or Passiflora?

It is very important that herbal remedies are correctly prepared and that they are pharmaceutically manufactured according to acknowledged therapeutic dosage. Because there is no standardization in herbal medicine, it is unfortunately true that many herbal preparations are substandard or do not contain therapeutic dosages. This has not been good for the reputation of natural remedies.

Like all Native Remedies products, Mindsoothe has been prepared according to the highest pharmaceutical standards and personally supervised by our Clinical Psychologist, who has been able to observe the results on real people in her private practice.

All ingredients are in accordance with correct therapeutic dosage and the combinations of herbs chosen ensure maximum effectiveness with minimum side effects. This means that you can be sure that you are getting the remedy that you need.

How has MindSoothe Helped others?

“Thank you so much for your compassionate response in regard to the loss of my parents, the health problems of my brother and sister, and answering my questions about Mindsoothe and PureCalm. I honestly thought, at best, I would probably receive only a form letter promoting your product that might or might not help me find a herbal remedy to help me in my recent struggle with depression and OCD. I will never forget your kindness and I will be placing my order in the next few days. Respectfully and in warmest regards.” – Randy D., USA

“Due to the endless intrusion of violent images and thoughts, I walked around counting everything – to try and control them. I counted my steps, I counted how many times I chewed my food, stirred my coffee, you name it! If I ended on an even number it was OK, if the number was ever odd, I had to start again. I can’t tell you that my life was worth living. Forever the skeptic, I hardly believed that a tablet could help, but I thought that if there was a remote possibility, I had to try. I took Mindsoothe and the Triple Complex Nerve Tonic and with each passing day I felt more at ease and even relaxed at times! Three months later I am beating the counting habit, which is now more of a habit than a necessity. It feels pretty weird sometimes to be ‘normal’, but now I know just how scrambled my brain was. Thank you for your amazing products and sympathetic help. You have truly changed my life!!” GGW, Milnerton.

“One psychiatrist after another and all I got was worse. OCD is not anything I would wish on my worst enemy. In fact I never realized that such a disorder existed until I consulted Michele – all I did was swallow tablets that were prescribed to me. What a relief to find out that I was not going mad, which I was convinced of! Your Mindsoothe capsules have brought my anxiety levels down and the thoughts and other behaviors that used to drive me mad have really disappeared completely. I can’t say how grateful I am.” Gillian S.

“Since I started using MindSoothe I have felt much better. I have been sleeping better and wake up feeling refreshed. I have an all around sense of well-being now. Thank you!” – Michael, FL, USA

“After taking Zoloft for years, I began to feel that I wanted to change to something more natural and better for me. With the guidelines you gave me, I made the transition with very few problems and can truly say that your MindSoothe is helping me even more than the Zoloft did – and I feel much better about it! I can recommend MindSoothe anytime!” – Joe, USA

‘Your MindSoothe remedy helped my depression so much! It felt like the black cloud had been lifted from my head to let the sun through again!’ – Fran, USA, married, 32 years old.

Your MindSoothe really helped me. I have been going through some bad times in a relationship and I felt as though I had hit rock bottom. After only three weeks, I could feel myself returning to normal again. You will be glad to know that I felt so good after six weeks that I dumped the guy who was causing all the trouble and I am having a great time now! MindSoothe helped me believe in myself again!! – Linda Solomons, USA

“Dear Native Remedies,
The products you recommended (MindSoothe and PureCalm) have more than lived up to their billings. Josh is doing better now than he has been in the past 6 years and after numerous attempts with medications and supplements. My wife and I have noted a tremendous positive change in him and it is wonderful. Josh has not done the stalling behaviors which he always has done since diagnosed and he seems happy and content.
I am grateful beyond words to Native Remedies and its team. We have reordered the product and will keep him on it for now. I assure you that I will recommend your products to anyone I talk with.
I would like to ask if Native Remedies or you have a recommendation for severe Bipolar disorder. My brother’s son has it and is doing quite poorly. I would appreciate any direction that you might give.
AGAIN, A MILLION THANKS FOR THE HELP YOU HAVE BEEN!
Best Wishes”, – Jay Bryan, U.S.A.

“Having suffered with anxiety and panic attacks on and off over the last twelve years, I became fed up taking Doctor prescribed drugs such as Temazapam,Diazapan etc and all the after affects these drugs came with. By chance I came across the Native Remedies website and decided to purchase three canisters of MindSoothe DEPRESSION CAPSULES. Within four days the tablets were working, by taking as advised, two in the morning and two at night, I felt more at ease,more confident and nowhere near as anxious as previously. On top of this I was and still am sleeping a lot better and the big advantage is that the tablets do not leave you feeling drowsy or sleepy. MindSoothe definitely works for me and I have tried all sorts of drugs and herbal remedies to counter my anxiety/depression,I will categorically recommend these tablets to anyone who has anxiety/depression. Without doubt I will be reordering when my supplies run out. Normality has returned!! Thanks.” – A. Derrick, Devon, England

“I think I had postnatal depression after my baby was born, although everyone said that I just had the blues. I understand that, but almost two years later, I felt even worse! I could hardly get up in the morning to face each day, which was soooo unlike me! MindSoothe has made such a difference. Now I have the energy to play with my little boy and my husband says he has the old me back again!” – Vanessa Muller, USA

“I used to be so anxious about everything! Every time I had to go out I had a panic attack. I avoided people because I felt like they all thought I was stupid. All I could do was to talk to strangers online and pretend to be Mr. Confident! Talk about low self esteem! I started on a combination of MindSoothe and PureCalm. After a month, I began to feel more confident. I have made some real friends now and can go out at last. I still sometimes feel nervous, but it is getting better all the time. At least I can work on my problems now and not hide away all the time. I just know that I’m getting better now!” – Peter, single, 24 years old.

How do I use MindSoothe?

Adults: Take two capsules in the morning and two at night.

Ages 3-15 yrs: Please see our MindSoothe Jr. formula for children

Caution: Safety in pregnancy has not yet been established. Do not take Mindsoothe together with other anti-depressants. If you suffer from high blood pressure, only use Mindsoothe under medical supervision.

If necessary, MindSoothe can be taken together with PureCalm for maximum effectiveness against anxiety and depression.

How long do I need to take Mindsoothe?

This all depends on the nature and severity of your problem. Although many people feel an effect almost from day one, Mindsoothe takes approximately 3-5 weeks before the full effect is reached.

Thereafter it is recommended that Mindsoothe be continued for at least 6 months to prevent relapse. Some people who have chronically low serotonin levels (e.g. OCD, chronic depression, anxiety disorders) may have to use Mindsoothe indefinitely.

How long will a bottle last?

One bottle of MindSoothe contains 60 capsules and will last 15 days.

Bipolar disorder, which was once called manic depression, is often misunderstood and frequently misrepresented in the popular media. In this video, Dr. Erdelyi explains what Bipolar disorder really is. Watch More Health Videos at Health Guru: www.healthguru.com

Fully updated and revised, this new edition of Coping with Biploar Disorder draws on the combined expertise of three leading specialists to offer a comprehensive and practical guide to the causes, treatment, and implications of bipolar disorder, or manic depression.

Designed for people with the condition and those close to them, the authors use cognitive behavioral therapy to provide straightforward help with managing and controlling the condition, featuring advice … More >>

Coping with Bipolar Disorder: A CBT-Informed Guide to Living with Manic Depression

In spite of the plethora of conditions that might fall under the latter, it is still easier to define and even diagnose. Generally speaking, elderly depression falling into this category is thought to be indicative of a state of being that may be traced back to months of depression which are not interrupted by episodes of mania.

Some psychiatric professionals have chosen to define major depressive disorder as being one that showcases a collection of three or more symptoms of being depressed over a period of time equal to – or greater than – 14 days. The extent to which the symptoms interfere with the day to day activities of everyday life is indicative of the treatment options that may be best serving the individual and will also define the follow up the person will require.

On the other side of the spectrum is bipolar disorder which is considered by many to be more dangerous simply because in addition to the sometimes disabling symptoms of depression it also holds the elevated risk of a patient contemplating suicide just to escape what appears to be a never ending cycle of illness and inability to feel better.

What makes this latter condition so insidious is the fact that it is characterized by frequent and sometimes amazingly quickly occurring mood changes that might persuade caregivers that the elderly patient is on the mend and thus perhaps medical intervention is not as necessary as was at first believed. In the same vein, it may even cause the patient her or himself to deceive others as well as themselves by believing – or fervently hoping – that the latest bout of mania is a sign that the dark cloud has finally passed. In the same vein, bipolar individuals have the blessing or curse to be free of any symptoms for extended periods of time, not necessitating treatment and even causing them to be taken off the medications that were used in the past.

Even as this is a good sign, it is important to understand that such individuals need to be especially vigilant for the end of the symptom free time to occur and if they are not very careful they may find that instead of being optimistic and perhaps somewhat of a go getter, they have fallen into a manic cycle that may eventually bottom out into a depressed episode.

There is no substitute for a physician’s attention and you will be wise to heed to the advice of friends, family, or caregivers who may suggest that you visit a doctor. Best case scenario, the doctor will tell you that all is well and you will have a baseline visit should anything ever crop up in the future. Worst case scenario, you may need to consider to once again be going on medication to take care of any problem.

All aspects of the disease are addressed: symptoms, with many direct descriptions from patients themselves, risk factors, onset and cause, medications (including drugs still in the testing stage), causes, psychotherapy, a… More >>

Surviving Manic Depression: A Manual on Bipolar Disorder for Patients, Families, and Providers

PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome and refers to the physical, psychological and emotional symptoms a child-bearing age woman can experience as she goes through the phase of her menstrual cycle that occurs between ovulation and the start of her monthly bleed.

In the loose meaning of the term, PMS, it is interpreted to mean any difficulty a woman experiences during her menses but the true meaning of PMS is that it refers to symptoms experienced only during a two-week period of time between the time her monthly egg is released and the monthly flow begins. The abbreviation PMS is more frequently referred to rather than the term premenstrual syndrome.

Some say that all menstruating women experience at least one symptom of PMS, while others say only a percentage of menstruating women experience true PMS. There are a smaller still percentage of women who experience symptoms so severe that they are incapable of functioning in daily tasks. This small percentage of women experience what is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD.

The symptoms of PMS include those that are physical, psychological and emotional. The symptoms range in intensity from mild, moderate to severe. The symptoms number 150+ and women can get one or several of them each month. Her symptoms vary not only in intensity each month but she may experience different PMS symptoms one month and other symptoms the next month.

Common PMS symptoms include more acne than usual, abdominal bloating and cramping, breast tenderness and swelling, anxiety and depression, feeling tense or stressed out, insomnia or other difficulties sleeping, back or joint or muscle pain, headaches or migraines, fatigue, mood swings, and a worsening of other conditions and disorders such as asthma getting worse or skin disorders getting worse when she has PMS.

Women who are especially at risk for developing PMS symptoms are those who have a high caffeine intake, those under stress, women of child-bearing age, women with a history of depression, women with a family history of PMS, women who have a poor diet or those who consume large amounts of fat or lack calcium in the diet.

Studies have shown that female identical twins have a high occurrence of PMS than female fraternal twins. There also seems to be a higher occurrence of PMS among women who suffer from affective disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression.

There is no cure for PMS and to date, there has not been established a definite causes or causes for PMS.

There is no one definitive test for the presence of PMS or unique physical finding that can verify that a woman is indeed suffering from PMS. A doctor is required to assess the physical findings as well as to ascertain what symptoms the woman is experiencing and how these symptoms are affecting her daily life. Many doctors ask women complaining of PMS symptoms to record the symptoms she has for a two-month period of time along with how the symptoms affect her life in order to determine if she has PMS. Many doctors use the Calendar of Premenstrual syndrome Experiences (COPE), and the Prospective Record of the Impact and Severity of Menstruation (PRISM), and the Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) to help make the diagnosis of PMS.

The basic premise behind the therapy is that behavior, feelings and thoughts are based on cognition. And therefore it is believed that if the process of cognition can be modified, the perceptions and feelings can be aligned.

CBT is a natural way of treating depression that does not involve medication. It can also be used in conjunction with medication in severe cases of bipolar disorders and manic episodes. But in most moderate to mild cases CBT is one of the natural remedies for depression that can successfully bypass conventional medications that are beset with dangerous side effects.

CBT is based on psychology. A psychologist evaluates the depressive symptoms on the basis of the study of human perceptions, behavior and emotions. Some of the premises that CBT works on are:

* Self evaluation is vital in a depressed individual. Negative beliefs lead to low self esteem and a sense of failure.
A depressed person thinks negatively about his/her social and other skills. Once that belief takes roots it leads to assumptions that all other negative self assessments are also real.
* Depressed individuals are prone to remember negative experiences and ignore any positivism in life experiences. This leads to negative memories and unrealistic expectations.
* We usually ‘talk’ to ourselves. Whenever we face a situation that requires solutions, we ‘talk’ to ourselves to arrive at a decision. When depressed, an individual tends to derive unreal conclusions by indulging in negative ‘self talk’.
* Another way that we react to situations is through knee-jerk responses or what is termed as reflex actions. These are, in a sense, automatic thoughts. Psychological problems arise when these automatic thoughts are contrary to realities or normal behavior.
* Strong irrational beliefs like ‘if I am intelligent I will be successful’ or ‘if I am a good person I will succeed’ or ‘bad things do not happen to good people’ are illogical and based on a mistaken belief that they are always correct.
* ‘Dooms-day’ fears and over-generalization leads to irrational and stubborn beliefs that refuse to change leading a person to depression when such beliefs are defied.
* Although pessimism does not by itself cause depression it makes a person more vulnerable to depression. Pessimistic thinking results in distortions in cognition and negative ‘self-talk’ that eventually leads to depression.

Treating depression naturally through the process of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves attempts to correct cognition and behavioral drawbacks in patients. This can be done only by a trained psychologist since special skills are required. The psychologist can help in breaking down overwhelming problems into smaller parts. The therapist can also help in analyzing situations by going through thoughts and emotions that different situations bring forth.

The therapist’s attempt is to guide in a manner that will help in breaking the vicious circle of falsified thought, feelings and behavior. Once the barrier is broken, restoring self esteem and allowing proper self evaluation is the next step towards complete treatment.

References:

http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/cognitive.htm

Mental Health involves areas such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and eating disorders to name a few.

About one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year; and many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time.

Mental Health and Depression Month is designed to call attention to mood and anxiety disorders on a national level, to educate the public and clinicians about the symptoms and effective treatments, to offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for the disorders, and to connect those in need of treatment to the mental health care system.

This designation also provides useful information that you can use to help to balance your everyday stresses, increase your awareness of mental health issues, and improve your own overall health.

“Caring for mental health should be part of each person’s daily routine for overall health,” said Michael Faenza, NMHA president and CEO.

No community, no school and no workplace is unaffected and untouched by mental illness:

* $24 billion is annually lost by employee work impairment (behavioral); in any given year
* One out of 5 adults have a serious mental illness
* 5% to 9% of children suffer from serious emotional disturbances

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in North America, Europe and, increasingly, in the world. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children. Mental illnesses strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

10-15% of all depressions are triggered by other medical conditions (such as thyroid disease, cancer or neurological problems) or by medications. The use of drugs and alcohol can also cause depression. Mood and Depressive disorders often co-occur with anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

Are you also aware that chronic stress, depression or anxiety can double your heart attack risk and also increase your likelihood of developing serious illnesses like diabetes and cancer?

Medical psychologist Joseph Mancusi, president of the Center for Organizational Excellence in Sterling, says that �stress leads to real physical and mental health problems, often starting with sleeplessness, which is tied to many physical ailments and which can damage the immune system, opening the door to illness�.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on mental health, more than half of all people with a severe mental illness fail to seek treatment. Many people do not receive treatment for mental health problems due to a lack of awareness of the problem, fear of stigma, or lack of access to appropriate services. Yet, overall quality of life is greatly improved when a person with a mental health problem gets an early diagnosis and receives appropriate treatment.

Facts About Depression for Men, Women, Adolescents and Children

Men:

* In the United States, depression affects nearly 7% of men (6 million men).
* It remains unclear whether depression is actually less common among men, or if men are just less likely to recognize and acknowledge the symptoms than women.
* Four times as many men as women die by suicide in the U.S.
* Men often deal with depression by withdrawing from others and throwing themselves into their work, engaging in risky or dangerous behavior, and/or becoming angry, frustrated and abusive.
* Sons of depressed fathers show decreased levels of cognitive performance.

Women:

* Women 18 to 45 years of age account for the largest proportion of people suffering from depression.
* 20 to 40% of menstruating women experience premenstrual mood and behavioral changes.
* Approximately 2 to 10% of women experience Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that is characterized by severely impairing behavior and mood changes.
* In one major study, 100% of women who had experienced severe childhood sexual abuse developed depression later in life.
* Although bipolar disorder is equally common in women and men, research indicates that approximately three times as many women as men experience rapid cycling.
* Other research findings indicate that women with bipolar disorder may have more depressive episodes and more mixed episodes than do men with the illness.
* As many as 10% to 15% of women experience a clinical depression during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby.
* There is a three-fold increase in risk of depression during or following a pregnancy among women with a history of mood disorders. Once a woman has experienced a postpartum depression, her risk of having another reaches 70%.
* Preschool children of depressed mothers have been reported to have lower social competence.

Adolescents:

* About 4% of teenagers have major depressive disorder (MDD) at any one time.
* Among teens, girls are more often affected than boys. MDD frequently interferes with home, school and family life, including causing a lot of family stress.
* Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers, with about half of these associated with depression. This makes depression a common and serious illness that is important to identify and treat early in the course of the disease.
* Up to 90% of bipolar disorders start before age 20.
* Adolescent children of depressed parents have more difficulty relating to peers, higher rates of depression and anxiety, and increased rates of disruptive behavior problems.

Children:

* About 2% of school-aged children (children 6-12 years of age) appear to have a major depression at any one time.
* With puberty, the rate of depression increase to about 4% major depression overall.
* With adolescence, girls, for the first time, have a higher rate of depression than boys. This greater risk for depression in women persists for the rest of life.
* Depression is diagnosable before school age (ages 2-5) where it is somewhat more rare but definitely occurs.
* Overall, approximately 20% of youth will have one or more episodes of major depression by the time they become adults.
* Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be 15-30%. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50-75%.
* According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to one-third of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with depression may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder.
* School age children of depressed parents have more difficulty relating to peers, higher rates of depression and anxiety, and increased rates of disruptive behavior problems.

The signs and symptoms of clinical depression are:

* Persistent sad, anxious or �empty� mood
* Changes in sleep patterns
* Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
* Loss of pleasure and interest in once-enjoyable activities, including sex
* Restlessness, irritability
* Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive disorders
* Difficulty concentrating at work or at school, or difficulty remembering things or making decisions
* Fatigue or loss of energy
* Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
* Thoughts of suicide or death

If you or someone you know experiences five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, this could be clinical depression.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is characterized by excessive, uncontrolled worry about everyday things. Physical symptoms include muscle tension, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, cold and clammy hands, difficulty swallowing, jumpiness, difficulty sleeping.

About 2.8% of the adult population ages 18 to 54 has GAD during the course of a given year. GAD most often strikes people in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood, too. It affects women more often than men. The onset of GAD is usually younger and the symptoms slower to emerge than most anxiety disorders.

Facts About Anxiety Disorders

* Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. alone $42 billion a year
* Anxiety disorders may develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events
* An estimated 19 million adults suffer from anxiety disorders
* Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment
* Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with depressive disorders or substance abuse
* Most people with one anxiety disorder also have another anxiety disorder. Nearly three-quarters of those with an anxiety disorder will have their first episode by age 21.5

Take care to mind your mental health and that in turn will help you with your physical health and well-being as well. Utilize all of the available tools, knowledge and natural treatments that you are now cognizant of and take care of your own health and those near and dear to you too.

If you or someone in your family has a mental illness, take some time out this month to learn more about yours or their condition and how you can take an active role in taking care of yourself and supporting your family.

References: SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center; NTIS; National Mental Health Association -NMHA.org; National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare; Lisa Angelettie M.S.W.; NIMH National Institute of Mental Health.

Insomnia is a condition where an individual is unable to sleep peacefully for more than a couple of minutes at a time.

The general perception is that insomnia can be cured by sedatives, a substance that induces sleep. It is also believed that sedatives cause an individual to relax and therefore, sleep peacefully.

But this is far from the actual truth. Sleep induced by sedatives is neither a cure nor a permanent remedy. You may actually feel relaxed and sleep for some time but sedatives are addictive. Taking sedatives regularly can become such a habit that the dependency increases to such an extent that sleeping with one becomes impossible.

There are categories of sedatives like benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines that cause physical dependence. In addition they cause withdrawal symptoms if the medication is withdrawn without a proper withdrawal process.

Another recent introduction to list of insomnia medication has been Melatonin. It is the hormone that is found in all living organisms, including humans. This hormone was released as a health supplement in 1993 and has proved very effective in regulating the circadian cycle in insomniacs. Given that the lack of sleep causes a fair amount of mayhem with the daily routine, these hormones prove to be extremely effective and useful for those suffering from insomnia.

Even though the sedatives, hormonal supplements and other drugs are addictive and have side effects, there are times when an insomniac can force himself into believing that he is dependent on medication for inducing sleep. The belief is so strong that they almost force themselves to be awake till the time they have had the medicine.

It needs to be realized that insomnia is not a disease but a symptom of a disease. It almost never occurs without any evident reason. In most cases there is always an underlying cause of the disorder. And because sedatives and other medications for inducing sleep do not address the underlying cause for the disorder, they can never really cure the condition completely.

Basic alternations in behaviors and psychological techniques can cure insomnia much more effectively. Alternative therapies can play a very important role in achieving this goal. If chronic insomnia is caused by fear, stress, depression or bipolar disorders, treating depression naturally or taking recourse to natural remedies for depression can be of immense help. Meditation and workouts in conjunction with lifestyle modifications and dietary changes can provide excellent support to any therapy for treating depression.

In rare cases it may be required to treat insomnia on a standalone basis. Generally five types of treatments are used to treat insomnia directly –

* Medication
* Psychotherapy
* Sleep education
* Lifestyle changes
* Surgery

References:

http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_aids_medication_insomnia_treatment.htm

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/insomnia/INS_meds.html