What is Depression? While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health. Types: -Unipolar and bipolar depression: If the predominant feature is a depressed mood, it is called unipolar depression. However, if it is characterized by both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods of normal mood, it is referred to as bipolar disorder (previously called manic depression). Unipolar depression can involve anxiety and other symptoms - but no manic episodes. However, research shows that for around 40 percent of the time, individuals with bipolar disorder are depressed, making the two conditions difficult to distinguish. -Major depressive disorder with psychotic features: This condition is characterized by depression accompanied by psychosis. Psychosis can involve delusions - false beliefs and detachment from reality, or hallucinations - sensing things that do not exist. -Postpartum depression: Women often experience "baby blues" with a newborn, but postpartum depression - also known as postnatal depression - is more severe. -Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern: Previously called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this condition is related to the reduced daylight of winter - the depression occurs during this season but lifts for the rest of the year and in response to light therapy. Causes: The causes of depression are not fully understood and may not be down to a single source. Depression is likely to be due to a complex combination of factors that include: -depressed woman -Depression has a wide range of causes and potential treatments. -genetics -biological - changes in neurotransmitter levels -environmental -psychological and social (psychosocial) Some people are at higher risk of depression than others; risk factors include: -Life events: These include bereavement, divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family, financial problems, medical concerns, or acute stress. -Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies or previous life trauma are more susceptible. -Genetic factors: Having a first-degree relative with depression increases the risk. -Childhood trauma. -Some prescription drugs: These include corticosteroids, some beta-blockers, interferon, and other prescription drugs. -Abuse of recreational drugs: Abuse of alcohol, amphetamines, and other drugs are strongly linked to depression. -A past head injury. -Having had one episode of major depression: This increases the risk of a subsequent one. -Chronic pain syndromes: These and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease make depression more likely. Symptoms: -Depressed mood -reduced interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed, loss of sexual desire -unintentional weight loss (without dieting) or low appetite -insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) -psychomotor agitation, for example, restlessness, pacing up and down -delayed psychomotor skills, for example, slowed movement and speech -fatigue or loss of energy -feelings of worthlessness or guilt -impaired ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions -recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or attempt at suicide Diagnosis: We've become accustomed to doctors using specialized blood tests or other extensive laboratory tests to help them make a conclusive diagnosis. However, most laboratory tests are not very helpful when it comes to diagnosing depression. In fact, talking with the patient may be the most important diagnostic tool the doctor has. The recommendation is that doctors routinely screen all individuals for depression. This screening might occur during a visit for a chronic illness, at an annual wellness visit, or during pregnancy or postpartum visit. Role of Homeopathy in Depression: Homeopathy is a natural and non-toxic remedy for several diseases. The major advantage of homeopathy over other medication is that it does not cause any adverse side effect. It is safe and can be used at all ages without worrying about any detrimental consequence. Homeopathy is known to be very effective in treating depression. Homeopathy medicines are prescribed after a thorough study of the symptoms. Homeopathy first treats the symptoms and then provides relief; for example, the constant mental exhaustion or some unexplained physical pain. It then works on the cause of the disease. In this case, the medicines will affect and treat hormonal disorders or neurological disorders. Following this, homeopathy medicines will try to prevent the onset of depression in future. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult a homeopath. Diet and nondiet food: 1. Dark Leafy Greens: A Nutrient-Dense Inflammation Fighter If you were to choose the healthiest food of all, the most nutrient-dense item available to us to eat, it would be dark, leafy greens, no contest. Spinach. Kale. Swiss chard. Greens are the first of the G-BOMBS (greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, seeds) that Joel Fuhrman, MD, describes in his book The End of Dieting the foods with the most powerful immune-boosting and anticancer effects. 2. Walnuts: Rich in Mood-Boosting Omega-3 Fatty Acids Walnuts are one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and numerous studies have demonstrated how omega-3 fatty acids support brain function and reduce depression symptoms. A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry is especially interesting. The lead authors ask the question, Why is the vast part biological research from genetics to psychopharmacology concentrated on neurotransmitters, when the mammalian brain is approximately 80 percent fat (lipids), and there is a growing body of research demonstrating the critical role of lipids in brain functioning? What s more, the shift in the Western diet away from these necessary omega-3 fatty acids over the last century parallels the large rise in psychiatric disorders in that time. 3. Avocado: Its Oleic Acid Gives You Brainpower I eat a whole one every day in my salad for lunch. Avocados are power foods because, again, they contain healthy fat that your brain needs in order to run smoothly. Three-fourths of the calories of an avocado is from fat, mostly monounsaturated fat, in the form of oleic acid. An average avocado also contains 4 grams of protein, higher than other fruits, and is filled with vitamin K, different kinds of vitamin B (B9, B6, and B5), vitamin C, and vitamin E12. Finally, they are low in sugar and high in dietary fiber, containing about 11 grams each. 4. Berries: Full of Cell-Repairing Antioxidants Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries are some of the highest antioxidant foods available to us. I try to have a variety for breakfast in the morning. In a study published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, patients were treated for two years with antioxidants or placebos. After two years those who were treated with antioxidants had a significantly lower depression score. Antioxidants are like DNA repairmen. They go around fixing your cells and preventing them from getting cancer and other illnesses. 5. Mushrooms: Helpful Tools to Lower Blood Sugar Here are two good reasons why mushrooms are good for your mental health. First, their chemical properties oppose insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels, evening out your mood. They also are like a probiotic in that they promote healthy gut bacteria. And since the nerve cells in our gut manufacture 80 to 90 percent of our body s serotonin the critical neurotransmitter that keeps us sane we can t afford to not pay attention to our intestinal health. 6. Onions: Layered With Cancer-Fighting Allium You won t find this item on most lists of mood foods. However, it s included in Dr. Fuhrman s G-BOMBS because onions and all allium vegetables (garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, and spring onions) have been associated with a decreased risk of several cancers. Eating onions and garlic frequently are associated with a reduced risk of cancers of the digestive tract, explains Fuhrman. These vegetables also contain high concentrations of anti-inflammatory flavonoid antioxidants that contribute to their anticancer properties. Again, if you consider the relationship between your digestive tract and your brain, it is understandable why food that can prevent cancers of the gut would also benefit your mood. 7. Tomatoes: Packed With Depression Fighters I try to eat at least six baby tomatoes in my salad each day for lunch because tomatoes contain lots of folic acids and alpha-lipoic acid, both of which are good for fighting depression. According to research published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, many studies show an elevated incidence of folate deficiency in patients with depression. In most of the studies, about one-third of depression patients were deficient in folate. Folic acid can prevent an excess of homocysteine which restricts the production of important neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine from forming in the body. Alpha-lipoic acid keeps coming up as I read more about nutrition and the brain, so I have begun to take it as a supplement, as well. It helps the body convert glucose into energy and therefore stabilizes mood. 8. Beans: Satisfyingly High in Mood-Stabilizing Fiber Beans, beans, good for the heart. The more you eat, the more you ... smile. They make the G-BOMB list because they can act as anti-diabetes and weight-loss foods. They are good for my mood because my body (and every body) digests them slowly, which stabilizes blood sugar levels. Any food that assists me in evening out my blood sugar levels is my friend. They are the one starch that I allow myself, so on top of a salad, they help mitigate my craving for bread and other processed grains. 9. Seeds: Small but Mighty Sources of Omega-3s When I m close to reaching for potato chips or any kind of comfort food, I allow myself a few handfuls of sunflower seeds or any other kind of seed I can find in our kitchen. Seeds are the last food on Fuhrman s G-BOMBS list. Flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds are especially good for your mood because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fuhrman writes, Not only do seeds add their own spectrum of unique disease-fighting substances to the dietary landscape, but the fat in seeds increases the absorption of protective nutrients in vegetables eaten at the same meal. 10. Apples: Ripe With Antioxidants and Fiber An apple a day could if eaten with the rest of these foods keep the psychiatrist away, at least for stretches of time. Like berries, apples are high in antioxidants, which can help to prevent and repair oxidation damage and inflammation on the cellular level. They are also full of soluble fiber, which balances blood sugar swings. A snack I have grown to love is almond butter on apple slices. I get my omega-3 fatty acid along with some fiber.

Behavioral Treatment For Kids With Anxiety- When a child shows signs of anxiety, we tend to think it will go away she s just nervous or shy, and she ll grow out of it. But when the anxiety becomes so intense that it s seriously interfering with a child s life, and the life of her family, it s important to get help. Serious untreated anxiety tends to get worse over time, not better, because the child learns that avoidance works in reducing anxiety, at least in the short run. But as the child and, indeed, the whole family work to avoid triggering those fears, they only grow more powerful. Medication is often prescribed for children with anxiety, as it is for adults. And medication antidepressants are usually our first choice often helps reduce anxiety. But what many people don t know is that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be very effective for kids who are anxious. In fact, research over more than 20 years has shown that CBT is the most effective treatment for reducing symptoms of severe anxiety. And unlike taking medication, the therapy gives children the tools to manage the anxiety themselves, now and in the future. What is cognitive behavioral therapy? Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that how we think and act both affect how we feel. By changing thinking that is distorted, and behavior that is dysfunctional, we can change our emotions. With younger children, focusing first on the behavioral part of CBT can be most effective. The goal is, essentially, to unlearn avoidant behavior

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Bipolar Disorder Tips

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

Psychiatric Disorder - 5 Silent Signs Of It!

Dr. Y A Matcheswalla

MBBS, MD - Psychiatry, MD - Forensic

Psychiatrist•Mumbai

Psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia do not appear all of a sudden. There are small changes that happen to an individual over a long period of time until the disease fully develops. These signs and symptoms might be too subtle in the early stage for other people to notice until they become obvious. But an early detection of any irregularity proves to be more beneficial for the patient in the long run.

It is important to know the telltale symptoms of mental disord...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

What Is Depression?

Dr. Prashant K Vaidya90%(18373 ratings)

Diploma In Gastroenterology, Diploma In ...read more

Homeopath•Hyderabad

What is Depression?
While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.
Types:
-Unipolar and bipolar depression:
If the predominant feature is a depressed mood, it is called unipolar depression. However, if it is characte...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

What Is Depression?

Dr. Sathish Erra93%(21083 ratings)

BHMS, Diploma in Dermatology

Sexologist•Hyderabad

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

13 Principal Reasons For Suicidal Ideation ?

Dr. Nisha Khanna86%(57 ratings)

Ph. D - Psychology

Psychologist•Delhi

Suicidal thoughts are quite universal and commonly experienced by people undergoing severe stress. Suicidal ideations usually occur when a person feels that they are no longer able to cope, especially with an overwhelming situation. As these situations and thoughts are temporary; some do not carry it through, while others may be at a risk of attempting or committing suicide. Since the suicidal rate is increasing in today s world; it becomes essential to identify the risk factors that are respons...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

Mood Swings - How Homeopathy Can Assist In Treating It?

Dr. Prashant K Vaidya90%(18373 ratings)

Diploma In Gastroenterology, Diploma In ...read more

Homeopathy Doctor•Hyderabad

What are mood swings?
Mood swings can be defined as the very rapidly occurring changes in the mood patterns of an individual. These are usually associated with some psychological disorder in the individual such as the major depressive disorder, bipolar mood disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, etc.

Causes of mood swings
Different mental health conditions can lead to the occurrence of mood swings called as mood disorders. Some of them are described below:

Bipolar d...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Dr. Sathish Erra93%(21083 ratings)

BHMS, Diploma in Dermatology

Sexologist•Hyderabad

What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorders are brain disorders that cause changes in a person s mood, energy and ability to function. Bipolar disorder is a category that includes three different conditions bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder.
People with bipolar disorders have extreme and intense emotional states that occur at distinct times, called mood episodes. These mood episodes are categorized as manic, hypomanic or depressive. People with bipolar disorders generally ...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

Psychiatric Disorder - 5 Silent Signs Of It!

Dr. (Major) Sriniwas Gupta93%(660 ratings)

MD- Psychiatry

Psychiatrist•Aurangabad

Psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia do not appear all of a sudden. There are small changes that happen to an individual over a long period of time until the disease fully develops. These signs and symptoms might be too subtle in the early stage for other people to notice until they become obvious. But an early detection of any irregularity proves to be more beneficial for the patient in the long run.
It is important to know the telltale symptoms of mental disorder to...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

Anxiety In Kids

Ms. Pallavee Walia93%(239 ratings)

PGDRP Rehabilitation Psychology , M.A Cl...read more

Psychologist•Agra

Behavioral Treatment For Kids With Anxiety-

When a child shows signs of anxiety, we tend to think it will go away she s just nervous or shy, and she ll grow out of it. But when the anxiety becomes so intense that it s seriously interfering with a child s life, and the life of her family, it s important to get help.
Serious untreated anxiety tends to get worse over time, not better, because the child learns that avoidance works in reducing anxiety, at least in the short run. But as t...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

Warning Signs Of Manic Disorder!

Dr. Tushar Kant Sharma89%(17 ratings)

MBBS, DNB

Psychiatrist•Jaipur

Symptoms for Bipolar disorder varies from patient to patient. Bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 can vary in terms of signs and symptoms. Both diseases have a different set of symptoms and they are diagnosed according to the merit of the symptoms.

Bipolar 1
Bipolar 1 is characterised by a manic episode. This may be followed by a hypomanic or depressive instance. Symptoms of mania can cause major impairment in life and extreme cases may require hospitalisation. Bipolar 1 patients can suffer fro...more

Last Updated: 6 years ago• Featured Tip

Bipolar Disorder - Things You Should Know About It!

Dr. Vimal Kumar89%(131 ratings)

MD - Psychiatry, MBBS

Psychiatrist•Delhi

We all have mood swings but not all mood swings have the same intensity. People who have extreme mood swings ranging from depression to manic highs are said to be suffering from bipolar disorder. These extreme moods are known as episodes and usually, last for a few days or even a few weeks. A person suffering from bipolar disorder could have an episode several times a year. This is a very common psychological problem and can affect both children and adults. Though it cannot be cured, this diseas...more

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