Are You Depressed?

11/02/07

Feeling down in the dumps lately? We all feel a little down from time to time. Who can listen to the terrible things reported on the nightly news without being affected? However, if that "dumpy feeling" lasts weeks, months or even years, depression is the culprit.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is a serious medical condition that affects over 19 million Americans each year. It is not something that you just made up in your head. If you're feeling "down" and "low" and "hopeless" for weeks at a time, you are depressed. Depression can contaminate every aspect of your life...your mood, behavior, and even you physical health.

Symptoms of Depression Generally Include:

Ongoing sad mood

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that the person once enjoyed

Significant change in appetite or weight

Oversleeping or difficulty sleeping

Agitation or unusual slowness

Loss of energy

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Difficulty "thinking," such as concentrating or making decisions

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Major Forms of Depression.

Major Depression - people experience a sad mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities for at least 2 weeks. In addition, they have at least four other symptoms of depression. Major depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. If it is not treated, it can last for 6 months or more.

Minor Depression - people experience the same symptoms as major depression, but they are fewer in number and are less disabling. Symptoms last at least 6 months but less than 2 years continuously.

Dysthymia - a milder, but more chronic form of depression, people experience a depressed mood for at least 2 years (1 year for children) accompanied by at least two other symptoms of depression.

Bipolar Disorder - also called manic depression, a person has periods of depressive symptoms that alternate with periods of mania. Symptoms of mania include an abnormally high level of excitement and energy, racing thoughts, and behavior that is impulsive and inappropriate.

So are you depressed? If you think that the answer might be yes, it is essential that you have a physical examination by a physician. Some medical conditions and even certain medications can cause the same symptoms as depression, so it is important to rule these out. If your depression is not from either of these sources, you will need to have a psychological evaluation by the physician, a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Treatment Options
Once it is determined that you are indeed suffering from depression, there are many options for treatment, but the choice will depend on the results of your evaluation. There are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders. Some with milder forms of depression may do well with psychotherapy alone. Others with mild to moderate depression have had success with certain herbal supplements, such as St. John's wort, Rhodiola rosea, and Maca.

People with moderate to severe depression most often benefit from prescription antidepressants. Most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems, including depression. Depending on the patient's diagnosis and severity of symptoms, the therapist may prescribe medication and/or one of the several forms of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression.

Whatever the form of depression, medical evaluation and treatment is essential. Depression doesn't just go away, it hangs around indefinitely, limiting your life and those who love you.

For more information on depression click here: National Institute of Mental Health

For information on herbal supplements for mild to moderate depression see:
Herbal Therapy For Depression.

Be well,
Medicine Plants™

Health Disclaimer! The information presented on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. You should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

MACA750™

90 capsules/750mg each capsule
1 or 2 bottles $19.95ea.
3 to 5 bottles $18.95ea.
6 to 11 bottles $17.95ea.
12+ (1 case) $15.00/ea.

FORM A GROUP,
BUY TOGETHER!

You may also order by calling
Toll Free (800) 584-0228.

Eskimo® PurEFA™ Natural Stable Fish Oil®

150 softgels/1000 mg.
Extensively Researched Fish Oil
1 to 2 bottles @ $39.95 each
3 to 5 bottles @ $38.95 each
6 to 11 bottles @ $37.95 each
12+ bottles @ $35.95 each

Rhosavin100™

Rhodiola rosea
60 capsules/100mg.
1 or 2 bottles $18.95 ea.
3 to 5 bottles $17.95 ea.
6 to 11 bottles $16.95 ea.

You may also order by calling
Toll Free (800) 584-0228.

Saventaro® (Cat's Claw)

$15.00 per bottle of 30 capsules
Begin with 3 capsules a day for 10 days and then 1 capsule a day for maintenance.

If you would like to place an order by phone, please call us Toll Free at 1-800-584-0228. Wholesale and bulk pricing is available. Ask the operator to have our distribution department contact you.
© 2003 - 2010 Medicine Plants LLC