Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts

Monday, February 7, 2011

A Panic Attack Treatment That Works

By Claire Robinson


Many hear the word hypnotherapist and think of satirical portrayals instead of a professional therapist who can help with serious conditions. A hypnotist London can deal with many conditions such as depression symptoms, weight loss, panic and anxiety attacks and self-confidence issues. This therapy might help many beat their worries and other issues swiftly, bringing about not just improved wellbeing, but an improved quality of life.

## Just How Can A Hypnotherapist Help Me?

Hypnotherapy can help to unlock root causes of many common problems such as depression, panic, insomnia and other disorders. Instead of years of medicine and talk therapy treatments, hypnotherapy begins to treat the problem immediately. Many patients of hypnotherapist London see results after their first treatment, with more seeing further improvement soon after.

## What Types of Treatment Options Can A Hypnotherapist Provide?

Numerous standard problems may be treatable through hypnotherapy. These conditions include:

- depression symptoms

- Stomach ailments like irritable bowel syndrome

- Panic

- Panic Attacks

- Sleeplessness

- Tension

- Low Self Confidence

## Can This Help With My Anxiety and Panic?

Anyone who has ever sought panic attack treatments realizes that finding a cure that works well can be difficult. With hypnotherapy, you can actually start to get over not just the fundamental causes of anxiety and panic attacks, but to overcome the symptoms as well. The signs of anxiety attacks such as increased heart rate, sweating, vertigo and upset stomach may cause additional health problems. By undergoing this form of panic attack treatment it's possible to find relief from these worries.

## Will This Benefit Depressive disorders?

This form of depression treatment has been shown to provide real and rapid results for many who suffer from depression. This condition can cause serious problems in all aspects of the individual's life, leading them to try many different types of depression treatment. Results from these treatments may not last, but hypnotherapy can help.

## Is Hypnotherapy Right For Me?

If you've ever suffered from any of the above disorders, or merely want to begin to make positive change in your life, then hypnotherapy may be right for you. A much better and more enjoyable lifestyle is just a consultation away.

It's never too late to make important life changes with the help of a hypnotherapist London. These changes can have a lasting impact on your life such as more confidence and relief from stress, depression and anxiety without the need for years of medication.

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Omega 3 Fish Oil vs. Top Three Drugs

By Michael Byrd

Are you aware omega 3 fish oil is just as effective, a lot safer and certainly a lot less expensive than antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs and anti-inflammatory arthritis and headache pain relievers?

Yet these three top selling classes of drugs outsell fish oil by more than 100 to one?

And, that's despite the fact that, like all pharmaceuticals, these three types of drugs have never cured a single person of depression, hypertension, arthritis or headaches. At best, they only suppress symptoms in a small percentage of people who take them.

Not only are they not really particularly effective, they may have serious side effects that may do more harm than good. Often patients are required to take another controversial drug to counteract the harmful effect of the first. Some of them, such as Vioxx, have even been taken off the market because they cause heart attacks and strokes.

And they have serious side effects that may do more harm than good. They often require patients to take yet another questionable drug to counteract the damaging effect of the first. Some of these drugs, such as Vioxx, were even taken off the market because they were found to cause heart attacks and strokes.

When you get right down to it, almost all bad health is caused by poor lifestyle choices. Lousy diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise and excess weight gain. It has nothing to do with a deficiency of drugs.

Are you aware there are other safer, more natural ways to both prevent and relieve depression, high blood pressure and inflammatory pain without resorting to prescription drugs? And one of the best alternatives is to eat fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, herring or tuna at least two or three times a week and take a good quality daily fish oil supplement.

Let's take a look at the evidence.

People with depression have significantly lower total omega 3 levels (Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 26, No. 38, 35-46). Omega 3 supplements showed significant benefits in just three weeks of treatment (American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 159:477-479). Omega 3 fatty acids were also found to be effective treatments for both bipolar disorder (Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 56 No. 5) and borderline personality disorder patients (American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 160:167-169).

Fish oil has also been shown to be highly effective at lowering blood pressure. That's one major reason why the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend everyone eat cold water, fatty fish at least a couple of times a week.

The AHA and NIH also recommend people with heart disease symptoms (for example, high blood pressure) take daily fish oil supplements providing at least one gram of combined omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids.

And as far as arthritis and headache inflammatory pain relief is concerned, fish oil omega 3 has been shown to be nature's safest, most potent and effective alternative to over the counter NSAIDs such as Advil, Motrin, Nuprin and Aleve (Arthritis and Rheumatism, Vol. 38: 1107-14.) As a matter of fact, in many scientific studies, patients were able to significantly reduce and even completely eliminate prescribed pain medications after starting a fish oil omega 3 treatment program.

In fact, in many of the scientific studies reviewed, patients were able to greatly reduce and even totally eliminate prescribed pain medications after starting an omega 3 fish oil treatment program.

And, if you're concerned about toxins in fish oil, the Harvard University School of Public Health says you can sit back, relax and enjoy your broiled salmon dinner. After reviewing all the relative studies, they recently confirmed fish oil benefits far outweigh the threat of mercury or other toxins in fish by as much as 500 to one. (Journal of the American Medical Association 2006, Vol. 296: 1885-99)

You don't need to look to hard to find high quality fish oil supplements that are safe and fully guaranteed to be 100% pure and toxic free. (www.omega-3.us).

Therefore, prior to starting a drug program or even if you are already on one consider eating more dish and taking omega 3 fish oil supplements instead. Who knows? You just may get better or equal results without the dangerous side effects and save a bundle of money at the same time. Now that sounds like a winning combination to me, don't you think?

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Why Omega 3 Is essential?

By Dave Kool

Omega 3 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that our body can't make. Omega 3 is necessary for brain functioning and also for development and progress of the body. As our body can't produce it so we require food to develop these fatty acids. Fish like salmon and halibut are famous to be the best sources for omega 3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) are known to be three main omega 3 fatty acids. Clinical studies suggest that omega 3 fatty acids are very helpful to treat many medical illnesses. It is useful for the prevention of heart disease and numerous other problems which add to heart diseases. It is also beneficial for people who are suffering from prostrate, breast and colon cancer. Some of the benefits and uses of omega 3 include;

High Cholesterol Control

ALA is available in walnuts and fatty fish which are good to reduce cholesterol level in the body. It is also helpful to decrease the trigycerides level in the body.

Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two very lethal ailments which can be restricted by using substances of DHA and EPA; fish oil is the greatest source of these substances. DHA and EPA are also supportive to treat atherosclerosis. These substances suppress the development of plague and blood clots thus avoid heart disease and stroke. Doctors suggest taking fish in your food two times in a week; it is necessary for every person and reduces risk factor of stroke by half.

High Blood Pressure Control

Research makes it obvious that omega 3 fatty acids are excellent to lower blood pressure to great level. It is also helpful for individuals with hypertension. There is one exemption not to use mercury rich food as it can raise blood pressure.

Avoiding Rheumatoid arthritis

Softness in the joints and morning stiffness are medical conditions which can be shunned by using omega 3 fatty acids. Research illustrates that omega 3 is also supportive for reducing soreness.

Help in Osteoporosis

EPA is omega 3 fatty acid that is rich in calcium. It adds calcium in the bones and improves calcium level in the body and gives our bones a great strength. Those people who take EPA in their routine diet do not come across bone density harms.

Avoiding Depression

Nerve cell membranes help for nerve communication. These are vital for any human being for his/her cerebral physical condition and to stay attentive. Luckily, omega 3 fatty acids contain imperative mechanism for these membranes. Still we require taking these fatty acids in good quantity. If we are failed there is a strong likelihood to encounter depression.

All these fatty acids play an essential role for suitable functioning of our body. It establishes and maintains our health by escalating energy, routine and stamina. The fatty acids are favorable for strengthening our resistant system. We are more likely to be saved from cardiovascular disease. Consistent use of these fatty acids can aid in weight reduction. Our brain can perform better and it improves functions like brainpower, behavior and vision. These fatty acids are good for wounded people as it speeds up recovery and healing process. It improves our digestive system. In short, these fatty acids are must for each person to stay fit and healthy.

About the Author:




Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The main benefits of using fish oil

By Daniel Fittman

The benefits of fish oil have largely been debated by scientists of traditional medicine and homeopathy, and while some of the myths about its extraordinary benefits have been dispersed over time, the fact remains that, as a dietary supplement, fish oil is still one of the main sources for Omega-3 essential fatty acids, and is still being prescribed for patients with Omega-3 deficits worldwide.

Many health problems are associated with our diet, our bad unbalanced diet that lacks certain substances that are vital to human health. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of those substances. The lack of them can lead to diseases like stroke, heart disease, cancer, Arthritis, psoriasis and depression. So people with low levels of Omega-3 acids or people that already suffer from the before mentioned conditions should take diet supplements that will give them additional Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil is one of those supplements.

There have been quite a few researches made in the past decades and all have proven that fish oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Even though there are (or can be) some side effects to taking fish oil, the benefits definitely prevail.

The main reason that our western diet and cuisine is short on Omega-3 fatty acids is the fact that we do not eat a lot of sea food. Fish, shellfish, seaweed are all sources of these fatty acids. On the other hand our nutrition is rich with the other, not so good type of fatty acids - Omega-6. So until we improve our way of cooking and eating it is wise to take some sort of supplements that will introduce enough Omega-3 in our system.

Fish oil can bring your cholesterol and triglycerides levels back to normal. It will also keep them there if you keep taking it. It has quite a big positive influence on your heart and coronary system. Fish oil can also prevent illnesses like lupus, kidney malfunctions, Crohns disease, prostate and colon cancer and strokes.

Another disease where fish oil can be helpful is the prevention of the onset of schizophrenia. Especially if fish oil is included in the diet of young patients that have only shown the first signs of schizophrenia it seems that fish oil helps control this disease or even reverse the symptoms. Studies on this matter have not been fully confirmed yet.

Good results have also been achieved by using fish oil as a supplement in cases of depression. It has been noted that sometimes depression can be caused by chemical imbalances, and the Omega-3 deficit can manifest itself through an exacerbation of depressive states.

Fish oil is a very effective supplement to your diet but it is not some sort of a miracle cure for all your problems. So do not take any action without consulting your doctor about your condition and if taking fish oil can be beneficial to your health or not.

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Why Omega 3 Is essential?

By Johnson Ball

Omega 3 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that our body can't produce. Omega 3 is essential for brain functioning and also for growth and development of the body. As our body can't produce it so we need food to develop these fatty acids. Fish like salmon and halibut are known to be the best sources for omega 3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) are known to be three main omega 3 fatty acids. Clinical studies suggest that omega 3 fatty acids are very useful to treat many medical illnesses. It is helpful for the heart disease and many other problems which contribute to heart diseases. It is also beneficial for people who are suffering from prostrate, breast and colon cancer. Some of the benefits and uses of omega 3 include;

High Cholesterol Control

ALA is found in walnuts and fatty fish which are good to reduce cholesterol level in the body. It is also helpful to reduce the trigycerides level in the body.

Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two incredibly deadly diseases which can be avoided by using substances of DHA and EPA; fish oil is the most excellent resource of these substances. DHA and EPA are also helpful to treat atherosclerosis. These substances hold back the increase of plague and blood clots thus prevents heart disease and stroke. Doctors suggest taking fish in your food two times in a week; it is essential for every person and lowers threat factor of stroke by half.

High Blood Pressure Control

Research makes it obvious that omega 3 fatty acids are excellent to lower blood pressure to great level. It is also helpful for individuals with hypertension. There is one exemption not to use mercury rich food as it can raise blood pressure.

Avoiding Rheumatoid arthritis

Tenderness in the joints and morning stiffness are medical conditions which can be avoided by using omega 3 fatty acids. Research shows that omega 3 is also helpful for reducing inflammation.

Help in Osteoporosis

EPA is omega 3 fatty acid which is rich in calcium. It deposits calcium in the bones, enhances calcium level in the body and gives our bones a great strength. Those people who take EPA in their regular diet do not encounter with bone density problems.

Avoiding Depression

Nerve cell membranes help for nerve communication. These are vital for any human being for his/her cerebral physical condition and to stay attentive. Luckily, omega 3 fatty acids contain imperative mechanism for these membranes. Still we require taking these fatty acids in good quantity. If we are failed there is a strong likelihood to encounter depression.

All these fatty acids play an essential role for suitable functioning of our body. It establishes and maintains our health by escalating energy, routine and stamina. The fatty acids are favorable for strengthening our resistant system. We are more likely to be saved from cardiovascular disease. Consistent use of these fatty acids can aid in weight reduction. Our brain can perform better and it improves functions like brainpower, behavior and vision. These fatty acids are good for wounded people as it speeds up recovery and healing process. It improves our digestive system. In short, these fatty acids are must for each person to stay fit and healthy.

About the Author:




Thursday, March 12, 2009

Bach Flower Remedies For Natural Healing

By Frank Terne

Dr. Edward Bach is the creator of the Bach flower remedies, a therapeutic treatment that manages emotions in order to achieve individual wellness. This method that originated from Britain was Dr. Bach's attempt to help patients heal by being a more balanced person emotionally without relying on modern medicine. Initially, he tried with the latter, but could never acquire satisfactory results.

Eventually, Dr. Bach discovered his theory that a person's health and wellness are tied intricately with his or her emotions. With this knowledge, he categorized 38 different emotions that every individual has. These emotions could affect a person depending on how balanced they were, positively or negatively.

The remedies provide a healing method that is as natural as it gets. This source is a mixture of flowers and fauna that Dr. Bach realized could help achieve a balanced emotional state in a living being. Once this balanced state was achieved, the patient would find a great ability to heal or put him or herself in a better position to get better.

The best advantage of relying on Bach's flower remedies is that it is rare for anyone to experience any side effects from its use. Only if one is allergic to alcohol, which is used in minute quantities as a preservative, would the remedies be ineffective. Even though it does not help directly cure any specific medical condition, it puts a person in a perfect state to do so with greater results.

The essences are created directly from flowers. They contain the beneficial energy vibrations from nature that we all need. By mixing them with mineral still water, they are then consumed, while using a dash of alcohol preservative to maintain their shelf life.

The flower remedies have now been shown to heal individuals who suffer from a myriad of conditions. These range from simple headaches to complicated issues like an inability to move their lives forward due to past experiences. It is therefore seen that when brought to a more peaceful emotional state, most individuals are able to arrive in a better health condition.

Bach's natural therapy can also be used to help animals and plants. We know that animals have emotions just like us and thus treatable in the same manner. But not many realize that plants also own energies that are akin to emotional states in humans.

There are so many benefits to using Bach flower essences that an increasing number of doctors are enthusiastic about their qualities. There will be some time before the therapy reaches the mainstream as it slowly reaches out to more people. As modern medicine carries its own risk, natural methods like Dr. Bach's flower remedy might be more favorable for use.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

What You Need To Know About Aromatherapy

By Ferdinand Mekinsy

More recently, the field of aromatherapy has extended to the manufacturing of various products for the general household freshening or as bug repellent elements. Presently, essential oils are also generally used in the design of cosmetic commodities such as perfumes, soaps, facial toners and lotions; the natural components make the products a lot more reliable and safer to use.

Aromatherapy candles are suitable for the soothing of headaches, the calming of the irritated sinus or in the treatment of asthma and allergy symptoms. Moreover, natural fragrances have great tension and anxiety releasing properties with applications in every day life. The blends of essential oils are not restricted to the making of aromatherapy candles, they are also included in the composition of soaps, sprays, body lotions and bath salts. Simple natural treatments, this is the motto that best describes the extensive application of aromatherapy candles by people all over the world. How do aromatherapy candles work and how good are they for one's health?

The greatest applications for aromatherapy remedies are those that aim at improving nervous conditions like high irritability, sleeplessness, concentration deficiencies and the like. Depending on how severe the problem is, more or less intense aromatherapy remedies can be used but only at the recommendation of an expert. Thus, candles and herbal bath salts can improve the mood and allow one to develop the relaxation state necessary for a good night' rest. More severe conditions involve the controlled exposure to more complex aromatherapy remedies preferably in a therapeutic professional environment.

Mention must be made that aromatherapy for depression is very often misconstrued and conducted improperly or superficially. Using essential oils at home could be a true relief, however you should also consider the instructions or the recommendations of the therapist; the best results in the use of aromatherapy for depression treatment have been registered with the practice in an organized professional environment. Thus, the therapist has a direct control of the session and the exposure to more concentrated doses of volatile oils triggers a better response on the part of the nervous system. The inhalation of the extracts is often gradual and closely supervised so that no side effects may surface.

Aromatherapy soy candles are made of one hundred percent pure soy wax that ensures a clean-burning period without any dripping or soot formation. Quality aromatherapy soy candles include only herbal colorants, which implies that the shades of green, rose, yellow or blue are the result of mixing natural pigments extracted from various herbs. Nevertheless, the element that distinguishes these candles from scented products is the all natural presence of essential oils in the composition. Here are a few features of aromatherapy soy candles that you should consider before making a purchase; yet, the products will very much speak for themselves once you try them for yourself.

The processes for procuring essential oils are closely connected with the variety of aromatherapy recipes. Even when made from the same plant, the oils vary in terms of concentration and properties. To start from a basic example, keep in mind the fact that the essential oils can be extracted from blossoms, roots, wood or from the entire plant. The creation of the aromatherapy recipes is just the beginning of a process that starts with the distillation, the maceration, the pressing or the solvent extraction of the essential oils. The specificity of one recipe or another will therefore depend on the manufacturing of the essential oils too.

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Herbal Remedies For Depression Discussion

When it comes to depression we all have our times we are not feeling our best and are a little bit down. For many people it can be a good idea to take a look at some of the herbal remedies for depression that have been discussed over the ages. These can be of great help for calming the mind and a nice initial step before attempting the use of expensive antidepressant drugs.

It must be understood upfront that anyone experiencing serious depression should seek out a qualified medical doctor to make sure that you're getting the best treatment possible. Herbal solutions can be of great addition to your general health and reducing the symptoms of depression, but working with a professional is always the best route if there are any real concerns of prolonged or strong feelings of depression.

Herbal remedies have been a source of health treatments for thousands of years whether it was through an ancient Chinese method or from our Native American heritage. Just like prescribed medicine they need to be taken in the right dosage to make sure they have the best effect without having any negative side effects. One of the great things about them being natural remedies is that the tendency for a negative reaction is less from the natural substance in something that is manufactured, as long as nothing is taken in too extreme of dosage.

With this in mind let's take a look at some of the most popular herbal remedies for depression.

Kinko biloba has been shown to research to help stimulate blood flow to the brain. This added blood flow can be extremely helpful in elevating a depressed individuals mood. In fact, ginkgo biloba is considered one of the most helpful herbal remedies when it comes to depression.

St. Johns wort is another well researched and often talked about natural supplement. For many it is almost even been considered a sort of wonder drug. Its effect in the treatment of depressed patients has been shown to be quite dramatic but many further studies will be needed until it can have the full seal of approval from the medical field. While it may not work for everyone, St. Johns wort should be considered for anyone who is concerned about their mental health.

Ginseng, especially Siberian ginseng, has been talked about as a wonderful supplement that will improve the brain function by enhancing the stability of the neurotransmitters in your head. Aside from showing benefits and improving abstract thoughts and enhancing the immune system, the effect on depression seems to be that helps the brain and the body adjusts better in times of crisis.

These are a few examples of the various herbal remedies that have been researched and used over thousands of years. Make sure when choosing your herbal remedy for depression that you do not have any allergic reactions to herbs you are taking, which can best be done by starting out with a very low dosage and increasing later on to recommended levels.

James helps people understand the benefits of an herbal remedy. You can read more of his work by visiting http://herbalknowledge.com



Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

By Mary Maseko

Although it may have been around longer, it wasn't until the 1980's that the condition referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was first described and started to be understood. For every doctor you find that fully believes in the condition of CFS, you will find one who does not so in some ways medical advancement has been very slow in discovering all the facts.

The condition is now seen widely in the United States with most people affected in their early 20's to late 30's although it can affect someone at any age. There are varying degrees of seriousness and it is predominately a condition that affects women.

Some people experience more symptoms than others and those with particularly severe symptoms cannot continue anything like a normal life. Those with serious chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms who are worst hit are unable to leave their bed and are constantly tired, not even able to perform even the simplest of normal routine tasks. Younger people who have the condition generally aren't able to attend school for sometimes months on end which impacts on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Many other symptoms other than fatigue affect someone with CFS including aches and pains in the joints and muscles, problems with sleeping, lack of any appetite plus other symptoms that may sometimes be associated with influenza but it can also cause depression and anxiety. Whilst the cause is still unknown, there is one common factor and that is the symptoms of chronic fatigue often appear after a viral infection sometimes this is associated with Epstein-Barr Virus.

Although some experts believe it has a connection with a failing in the body's own immune system, however, other theories are being tested like a reaction to specific chemicals for example. What isn't quite understood is how severe some people's condition is where they are stuck in bed for weeks or months at a time and others just for a few days while some CFS patients do not have this problem at all.

However difficult or cumbersome your symptoms are it is important to remember that there are steps you can take to improve your symptoms. The important factor for CFS sufferers to focus on is to remember that there is good treatment to relieve fatigue and suffering with many natural treatments and supplements you can take to increase energy, decrease pain, reduce anxiety and depression.

Particular treatments that focus on cleaning the system by detoxification help to rejuvenate and improve body maintenance. Chronic fatigue syndrome does not have to be for life and it is imperative that new treatments be researched and tried by the victims of this awful condition so they can claim back their lives.

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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Discovering Treatments For Anxiety and Depression

By The Alternate Medic

These two most common ailments of modern society, Anxiety and depression are likely to interfere with the normal functioning of an individual's life. Those who suffer from anxiety and depression are likely to need help from outside. The help may include the proper administration of medication, continual counseling, and support from the medical community as well as family and friends. Luckily, both anxiety and depression can be treated using a wide variety of effective treatments.

Behavioral Therapy

In this case, Behavioral therapy is used to modify one's thinking patterns and to reinforce corrected behavioral patterns in order to achieve relief from their stressful condition. While treating anxiety, the patient may be gradually introduced to their source of anxiety. This is known as selective exposure. When the patient can reduce his or her level of anxiety in a step by step process, a word of encouragement is provided to him reinforcing their improved state.

While treating depression using behavioral therapy, the practitioner engages the client into the hobbies or activities preferred by the client. It helps in improving the mood of the client. Behavioral therapy is assumed to be the best technique for treating anxiety and depression. If your close ones are suffering from the same, you should consult to the psychiatrist no later than immediately.

Lifestyle Change

A Lifestyle change can contribute significantly in the treatment of anxiety and depression. When a patient is away from the drug scene, there will definitely be an increase in nervousness and anxiety, however it is the first step on the road to recovery itself. By reducing the consumption of any addictive substance whilst engaging in daily exercise may promote the secretion of endorphins into the body.

Antidepressant Medication

It cannot be denied that antidepressant medication is a solution for the treatment of anxiety and depression. However, there are possible side effects involved with the prolonged administration of antidepressant medications such as becoming over-dependant on the medicine. It is recommended that to receive the highest possible benefit, antidepressant medications need to be administered in combination with behavioral therapy and other therapeutic measures.

Counseling

Counseling is another effective option that focuses on the objective to encourage the patient to speak out loudly or to share it with good listeners who have suffered throufg the same or similar experiences.. When it comes to the sufferings of anxiety and depression, many psychiatrists and psychotherapists put their hands on counseling. Not only does it help people to express their overt behavior, but also it aids in understanding the root cause of the problem identified.

Group Therapy

Sharing the pain with same-minded individuals - this is the theme of group sharing. People who have already suffered from this problem can figure out better this problem in other people. In fact, different studies have shown how group setting offer benefits for treating anxiety and depression. A continuous feeling of connected, a strong feeling hope and strength and a sense of brotherhood may accelerate the treatment procedure.

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Tryptophan and Mood Enhancement

Serotonin has not only been shown to regulate sleep, but it also is responsible for controlling mood, including feelings of optimism, relaxation, general sense of well-being, and the ability to focus and concentrate. When serotonin levels drop, it can lead to a lowered mood, which is what people experience with seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual syndrome, and general stress. People who experience these conditions also have been shown to experience decreased levels of tryptophan, which is responsible for the decrease in production of serotonin. Tryptophan depletion has been associated with a lowering in mood of normal healthy men. In one study, women who had recovered from major depression and ended drug treatment experienced temporary but clinically significant depressive symptoms after tryptophan depletion. In many studies that were performed in the 1970s, indications of trytophan’s ability to relieve lowered mood were found.

When shorter days begin in the fall and winter, negative effects on a significant percent of the U.S. population result. Some experience sadness, sleepiness, increased appetite, weight gain, and a loss of libido, which is what is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). A key contributor to this is the increased synthesis of melatonin that occurs during the winter months. Daylight normally inhibits the conversion of serotonin into melatonin. Since the period of nighttime is longer in the winter versus the summer, there is a longer period of melatonin secretion. Increased synthesis of melatonin depletes serotonin levels, which, in turn, increase the symptoms of SAD. Those patients who experience SAD tend to crave starchy foods and sweets more, which happens when brain serotonin levels are low.

Tryptophan treatment may offer a substantial amount of help for people who are suffering from seasonal affective disorder. SAD patients who were treated with either light therapy or with tryptophan proved that patients with light therapy relapsed more quickly after the discontinued use, as apposed to those who were treated with tryptophan. Studies have also shown that SAD patients often feel better after being treated with tryptophan.

Serotonin also plays an important role in behavioral inhibition. Many studies have found that there is a decrease in aggressive behavior when serotonin is increased, while decreasing serotonin leads to impulsive aggressive behavior. Another study proves that healthy men who are depleted of tryptophan show more aggressiveness. When tryptophan supplementation was studied, participants who received the tryptophan significantly decreased their quarrelsome behavior and increased in sociable and agreeable behavior. Additionally, those patients’ perceptions of other participants’ agreeableness also increased.

Symptoms that are related to premenstrual syndrome include depression, cravings for foods that a rich in carbohydrates, insomnia, irritability, and hostility. More so, women with premenstrual syndrome dysphoria, which is a more severe premenstrual syndrome, have shown decreased levels of brain serotonin. This suggests that tryptophan may be involved, as premenstrual women who had tryptophan depletion have shown increased aggressive behavior. When tryptophan supplementation was studied on women who experienced premenstrual dysphoric disorder, mood swings, tension, and irritability, results showed that there were significantly greater improvements with l-tryptophan supplementation than with a placebo.

Author Resource: More information on tryptophan and serotonin is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

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